Tag: Stock pick

The Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC) share price is in focus today after the miner reported December quarter adjusted EBITDA from operations is expected to be between US$35 million and US$40 million, with record quarterly earnings from its HNC HPAL operation.

What did Nickel Industries report?

• December quarter adjusted EBITDA from operations forecast at US$35m–US$40m
• HNC HPAL achieved record quarterly adjusted EBITDA of US$129m (100% basis)
• Hengjaya Mine ore sales dropped to 945,631 wmt due to regulatory delays
• Estimated US$45m in foregone ore sales, plus US$18m in contractor stand-by costs
• Hengjaya Mine sold 735,000 wmt of ore by 17 January 2026, despite heavy rainfall

What else do investors need to know?

The company’s financial performance took a hit in the December quarter as a result of delays in securing an increased Rencana Kerja dan Anggaran Biaya (RKAB) permit for its Hengjaya Mine. This delay meant ore sales fell sharply from the previous quarter.

On the positive side, operations at Hengjaya resumed in mid-December, supporting a quick recovery. The ongoing pivot towards electric vehicle battery materials is progressing too, with the HNC HPAL project delivering a record result and the Excelsior Nickel Cobalt (ENC) project on track.

What did Nickel Industries management say?

Managing Director Justin Werner said:

Whilst the Company has been frustrated in the delay to secure its 2025 RKAB extension, which was only issued on 11 December 2025 and resulted in foregone ore sales of US$45m, plus a further US$18m in contractor stand-by costs, we are extremely pleased to start 2026 strong with 735,000 wmt of nickel ore sold as at 17 January.

What’s next for Nickel Industries?

Nickel Industries is turning its attention to the future, with early 2026 operations at Hengjaya Mine off to a strong start despite unusually high rainfall. The company is looking to further diversify with the commissioning of the new ENC project, expected to add significant nickel production focused on the electric vehicle battery supply chain.

This transition is part of a broader strategy to reduce carbon emissions and expand Nickel Industries’ presence across the battery materials market. Investors will be watching progress at the ENC project closely over the coming quarters.

Nickel Industries share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Nickel Industries shares have risen 6%, slightly trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen

View Original Announcement

The post Nickel Industries posts Q4 earnings and lifts outlook appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

Epiminder Ltd (ASX: EPI) shares are racing higher on Monday morning.

At the time of writing, the small cap ASX stock is up 3% to 95 cents.

Why is this small cap ASX stock jumping?

Investors have been buying the epilepsy monitoring technology company’s shares after it made a big announcement.

According to the release, the first implant of the Minder System in the United States has been achieved.

The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, which is the first site to join the Diagnosing Epilepsy To Effect Change (DETECT) study, has enrolled and implanted the first study patient.

But it may not stop there. The small cap ASX stock has revealed that four other sites have enrolled for the study and are actively recruiting patients. This includes the Mayo Clinic Rochester, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Mayo Clinic Phoenix, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

What is the DETECT study?

The DETECT study is the first randomised controlled trial to compare patients who are implanted with Minder to standard of care monitoring. This is to identify clinically actionable events in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.

In the six-month study, 210 patients will receive the implant at up to 25 sites in the United States.

The small cap ASX stock notes that the goal of the study is to demonstrate that continuous EEG monitoring is superior to using standard of care in identifying clinically actionable events in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.

‘A watershed moment’

Epiminder’s CEO, Rohan Hoare, was very pleased with this major milestone. He said:

This first US implant of our Minder device marks a watershed moment for Epiminder and the global epilepsy community. We are excited to take the next step in translating years of rigorous scientific development and clinical validation into real-world impact for patients who have exhausted traditional monitoring options. Dr. Ganguly and her team at Penn Medicine represent the exceptional clinicians who will help us begin to unlock Minder’s full potential.

Their expertise and dedication to advancing drug-resistant epilepsy care embody exactly why we built this device. Consistent with our commercialization strategy, with each patient enrolled in DETECT, we move closer to our mission: empowering clinicians with objective, continuous brain activity data and ultimately providing the 52 million people living with epilepsy worldwide with the answers, insights, and hope they deserve. This study is just the beginning of what we believe will be a fundamental transformation in how the world diagnoses and manages epilepsy.

The post Guess which small cap ASX stock is rising on ‘watershed moment’ in the US appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Shares in Magnetic Resources Ltd (ASX: MAU) are trading higher after the company announced a new mineral resource estimate for its Lady Julie gold project.

The company said it had completed a number of deep diamond drill holes at the project’s LJN4 deposit, with the aim to “boost confidence in the northern portion of the current resource, and to expand the resource at depth”.

Following this work, the company said the combined resource of the Lady Julie project now exceeded 39.1 million tonnes of ore containing 2.24 million ounces of gold, with more than 80% of this resource falling into the high confidence “indicated” category.

Magnetic Resources Managing Director George Sakalidis said the project had an “exceptional orebody”.

He went on to say:

In terms of resources, LJN4 alone now exceeds 2 million ounces, with 2.42 million ounces in the overall Laverton Project. This upgrade is significant because it confirms previous interpretations and builds confidence in the overall estimate. LJN4 is one of the largest and highest grade undeveloped open pit deposits in Western Australia. With the feasibility study completion and the permitting process advancing, Magnetic is rapidly evolving to a position of being ‘shovel ready’ for development.

Further drilling on the cards for ASX gold stock

The company said more infill and extension drilling was being carried out with a view to extending the resource even further. A total of 14 holes is expected to be drilled as part of this campaign.

The company said it was well placed, given that the extensions to the resource estimate went beyond what was in last year’s feasibility study.

As the company said:

LJN4 represents an excellent development proposition and is now significantly larger than the resource considered in the feasibility study (released to the ASX on 23 July 2025), both in scale and detail, with the depth of information now available providing increased confidence in the viability of the proposed development and associated value available to be unlocked. With the feasibility study completion and the permitting process advancing, Magnetic is rapidly evolving to a position of being “shovel ready” for development.

The feasibility study released last year estimated an initial capital cost to build a mine of $375 million, and an average all-in sustaining cost of production of $1908 per ounce of gold.

This compares with the current price of gold in Australian dollars of $6902.28.

The mine was expected to have a life of nine years; however, that was calculated with a mineral reserve of just 997,300 ounces of gold.

Magnetic  Resources shares were changing hands for $1.41, up 4.4% on Monday morning.  

Magnetic Resources was worth $198.9 million at the close of trade on Friday.

The post This gold producer has just boosted resources at its flagship WA project appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• A major change to the Djerriwarrh dividend is on the way
• How to build your first ASX share portfolio step by step
• Nickel Industries posts Q4 earnings and lifts outlook
• Guess which small cap ASX stock is rising on ‘watershed moment’ in the US
• ASX 300 stock jumps 6% on strong half-year results and cash flow surge

Motley Fool contributor Cameron England has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Polynovo Ltd (ASX: PNV) shares are on the move on Monday morning.

At the time of writing, the ASX 300 stock is up 6% to $1.28.

Why is this ASX 300 stock jumping?

Investors have been buying the medical device company’s shares following the release of first half results update before the market open.

According to the release, PolyNovo has reported unaudited group sales of $68.2 million for the first half of FY 2026, which represents a 26% increase year on year. Including BARDA revenue, total group revenue reached $70.4 million, up 17.6% on the prior corresponding period.

The result was once again underpinned by PolyNovo’s largest market, the United States. The ASX 300 stock revealed that U.S. sales climbed 25.3% to $51.7 million, reflecting continued adoption of its NovoSorb products across hospital settings.

Outside the U.S., the momentum was equally encouraging. Rest-of-world sales rose 28.3% to $16.5 million, supported by particularly strong performances in Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, and Turkey. This broad-based growth highlights the increasing global penetration of PolyNovo’s wound care solutions.

Another highlight was the performance of the NovoSorb MTX product. It delivered sales of $6.2 million during the half, which is up 195% year on year. While still smaller than the flagship NovoSorb BTM product, MTX is emerging as an increasingly important contributor as surgeon adoption accelerates.

Positive cash flow

Just as importantly, PolyNovo’s financial profile continues to strengthen. The ASX 300 stock generated operating cash flow of $9.5 million during the half. This is a sharp turnaround from the $12.5 million outflow recorded in the prior corresponding period.

Cash and cash equivalents stood at $29.3 million at the end of December.

Management also advised that construction of the new manufacturing facility has been completed on time, with only $2.2 million of capex remaining to be paid in the second half. This facility is expected to provide capacity to support growth for years to come.

Commenting on the half, the ASX 300 stock’s new CEO, Bruce Peatey, said:

We are pleased to see strong growth across key markets, supported by a broader adoption across multiple indications, new products, and expanded geographies—giving us confidence in continued momentum through 2026. In my second month, I prioritised a commercial deep dive in our U.S. office, meeting with leadership and regional sales teams in our San Diego office last week. I was impressed by the caliber and commitment of this well-tenured team and left with an optimistic view of PolyNovo’s runway for sustained growth in our largest market.

Peatey spoke positively about the company’s outlook in the US market. He adds:

The U.S. skin substitute market in the Outpatient and Non-Facility settings is undergoing significant transformation due to recent CMS policy changes, and PolyNovo is supportive of efforts to deliver efficient and effective outcomes for patients. While the changes are not expected to impact our existing hospital inpatient business, the outpatient setting presents a new space for PolyNovo and our U.S. team is actively reviewing our go-to-market approach in response.

PolyNovo remains committed to providing highly effective, cost-efficient options that improve patient outcomes and reimagine the standard of care. Looking ahead, we believe these initiatives, combined with expanding adoption of the NovoSorb platform, position PolyNovo for continued growth and innovation.

The post ASX 300 stock jumps 6% on strong half-year results and cash flow surge appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended PolyNovo. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended PolyNovo. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) share price return has been pleasing over the last year, rising by 11%. Add in dividends as well, that’s a solid return. It’ll be interesting to see how the ASX bank share performs in the coming year and beyond.

The ASX banking sector is a very competitive space because so many institutions are focused on protecting and increasing their market share. This can be a challenge for lenders wanting to maintain or increase the net interest margin (NIM).

The NIM tells investors about how much profit a bank is making on its lending, which includes the loan rate and the cost of funding those loans (including term deposits and savings accounts).

Expert views on the ASX bank share

The bank has a few different goals and broker UBS has provided some commentary on the business.

One goal is to grow its business bank, which is a key earnings generator for the bank. UBS noted that NAB delivered strong momentum over the past 12 months, growing at around 1.3x the overall loan system, gaining around 40 basis points (0.40%) of lending market share.

However, as competition intensifies, UBS believes management will need to focus on defending the bank’s NIM, which declined by around 5 basis points in FY25.

Another goal of NAB’s is to drive deposit growth. NAB lost around 10 basis points (0.10%) of market share in 2025, highlighting an area for improvement, especially considering the deposit impact on the NIM.

The third goal for NAB is strengthening its proprietary (own channel) home lending. In the second half of FY25, 41% of new home loans were originated through proprietary channels, below its peer average of 46%.

UBS suggested that proprietary lending could benefit significantly from AI, enabling bankers to deliver faster, more personalised service compared to broker channels.

Is the NAB share price a buy?

Broker UBS has a neutral rating on the NAB shares, with a price target of $42.50. That suggests the bank may not see any gains over the next 12 months.

UBS said that the ASX bank share is trading at 19x FY26’s estimated earnings, which is more expensive than it usually is.

The broker projects that it could generate $7.2 billion of net profit in the 2026 financial year and that the bank’s earnings could rise in FY27, FY28, FY29 and FY30. Therefore, the rest of the decade could be positive for the ASX bank share.

The post Is the NAB share price a buy today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

When it comes to thematic investing, global instability and increased geopolitical uncertainty often push investors towards gold as a safe haven.

There are other options, such as investing in defence companies such as Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB), DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO), and Electro Optic Systems Ltd (ASX: EOS).

But if you’re looking for more diversification, there are some exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on offer which might be worth a look.

Global outlook

The first one we’ll look at is the Betashares Global Defence ETF (ASX: ARMR).

This fund aims to access leading global defence companies aligned with NATO allied countries.

The ARMR website goes on to say:

ARMR provides exposure to up to 60 leading companies which derive more than 50% of their revenues from the development and manufacturing of military and defence equipment, as well as defence technology, including Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, General Dynamics and Palantir Technologies.

The website adds that global defence and security spending has “significantly increased” in recent times due to evolving geopolitical risks, and the spend is projected to continue for the foreseeable future.

ARMR has delivered an impressive 47.84% one-year return measured at the end of December, and 29.9% over five years.

Second cab off the rank is the Van Eck Global Defence ETF (ASX: DFND).

This ETF aims to give “exposure to the largest global companies involved in aerospace & defence, research and consulting, application software and electronic equipment & instruments, that are typically under-represented in benchmarks”.

The Van Eck website adds:

DFND is likely to be appropriate for a consumer who is seeking capital growth, is intending to use the product as a minor or satellite allocation within a portfolio, has an investment timeframe of at least 5 years, and has a very high risk/return profile.

DFND is up 85.5% from its lows over the past year and is changing hands for $44.85, with the fund valued at $305.3 million.

Another solid performer is the Global X Defence Tech ETF (ASX: DTEC), which “provides investors with access to companies at the forefront of defence innovation”.

The website goes on to say:

As global security concerns shift towards more technology-driven solutions, DTEC captures the sectors driving the future of defence. This includes AI, drones, and cybersecurity – all crucial components in today’s modern defence landscape.

DTEC is up 88.4% from its lows over the past year, with the fund valued at $128.5 million.

Then, finally, there is the Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK), which, as the name suggests, aims to give exposure to the best cybersecurity companies globally.

As the Betashares website explains:

With cybercrime on the rise, the demand for cybersecurity services is expected to grow strongly for the foreseeable future. In one trade, get diversified, cost-effective exposure to global cybersecurity companies, a sector that is heavily under-represented on the ASX.

Hack hasn’t performed as well as the other defence ETFs and has been trending lower in recent months. That said, it’s still up 15.1% from its low point over the past 12 months and, over a three-year horizon, has returned 23.5% per annum.

The post Where to invest as global tensions rise? These ETFs might be worth a look appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Cameron England has positions in Electro Optic Systems. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF, DroneShield, Electro Optic Systems, and Palantir Technologies. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) share price is in focus following the release of new guidance, with DAYBUE global net sales now projected to reach around US$700 million in 2028. The company highlighted that these royalties and milestone payments are currently Neuren’s only source of product revenue.

What did Neuren Pharmaceuticals report?

• DAYBUE global net sales projected to reach approximately US$700 million in 2028
• 2025 guidance for DAYBUE net sales remains at US$385–400 million
• Estimated Neuren royalties for 2025 are between A$63 million and A$66 million
• Exclusive worldwide licence granted to Acadia Pharmaceuticals for DAYBUE commercialisation
• International expansion anticipated, pending European approval (decision expected Q1 2026)

What else do investors need to know?

Neuren receives all its current product revenue from Acadia’s DAYBUE, with royalties and milestone payments tied directly to DAYBUE’s net sales. Acadia’s projections assume continued growth, including a rollout of DAYBUE STIX (approved in December 2025) and expansion into new markets if regulatory approvals are secured.

The latest forecast reflects stronger anticipated patient uptake and benefits from expanded US customer-facing teams. Investors should note that further guidance, including 2026 DAYBUE sales, is expected after Acadia’s Q4 results release in February.

What did Neuren Pharmaceuticals management say?

 Chief Financial Officer Ms Lauren Frazer said:

As noted above, royalties and milestone payments from ACAD are currently NEU’s sole source of product revenue. Those royalties and milestone payments are directly linked to the DAYBUE net sales achieved by ACAD. Given ACAD’s disclosed projection of DAYBUE net sales in 2028 reflects significant growth from its published guidance for net sales in 2025, NEU considers that the Information would have a material impact on NEU’s future revenue.

What’s next for Neuren Pharmaceuticals?

Neuren will continue to track DAYBUE’s performance and expects further clarity on European market entry in Q1 2026. The company remains focused on supporting Acadia’s international expansion plans and will provide updates as new sales projections or milestone triggers unfold.

Investors may want to keep an eye on regulatory milestones and subsequent guidance, as these could materially impact Neuren’s future royalty streams and the Neuren Pharmaceuticals share price.

Neuren Pharmaceuticals share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Neuren Pharmaceuticals shares have risen 48%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 7% over the same period. 

View Original Announcement

The post Neuren Pharmaceuticals revises DAYBUE revenue projections to reach US$700 million in 2028 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

There’s no shortage of heavyweights among ASX healthcare shares. Few debates are as enduring as CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) versus Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL).

Both businesses are global operators, both are high quality, and both have recently tested investor patience.

The question is which ASX healthcare share offers the better opportunity from here.

CSL: The global powerhouse with something to prove

CSL remains the crown jewel of the ASX healthcare sector. Its plasma therapies, vaccines, and biologics underpin a global business with deep competitive moats and scale few rivals can match.

Long term, the structural drivers are firmly in its favour: ageing populations, rising demand for specialty treatments, and an unmatched plasma collection network.

However, the past couple of years have been bumpy. Margin pressure, higher costs, and operational complexity have weighed on earnings momentum, while investors have questioned whether the largest ASX healthcare share’s valuation is still justified. The share price pullback reflects those concerns.

That said, CSL’s strength lies in its ability to invest through the cycle. Balance sheet capacity, heavy R&D spending, and a long history of successful execution suggest earnings growth should re-accelerate over time. For patient investors, periods of uncertainty have historically proven to be attractive entry points.

At the time of writing, the ASX healthcare share is trading for $175.53 apiece. The company’s shares have been hovering near a 52-week low for a while now, having fallen more than 30% over the past six months.

Many analysts believe the drop marks a rare long-term buying opportunity. CSL is widely rated a buy or strong buy, with an average 12-month price target of $232, implying potential upside of around 32%.

Sonic Healthcare: Steady operator, less drama

The $11 billion ASX healthcare share offers a very different investment profile. Sonic’s pathology and diagnostic imaging businesses generate recurring revenue across Australia, Europe, and North America. Demand is defensive by nature and largely independent of economic cycles.

Post-pandemic, Sonic Healthcare has faced falling COVID-related testing volumes and margin pressure, which has dragged on earnings and the share price. Unlike CSL, there is no blockbuster innovation angle. Growth is incremental, driven by population growth, ageing demographics, and bolt-on acquisitions.

The appeal lies in valuation and stability. Sonic typically trades at lower multiples than CSL, carries a solid balance sheet, and offers more predictable cash flows. It may lack excitement, but it rarely delivers nasty surprises.

Bell Potter has initiated coverage with a buy rating and a $33.30 price target. With the shares trading at $23.25 at the time of writing, this suggests a potential 31% upside over the next 12 months.

Bell Potter’s outlook is more optimistic than the broader market, where the average 12-month price target is $26.73, implying 18% upside. When combined with a forecast dividend yield of 5.2%, total returns in 2026 could exceed 20%.

Foolish Takeaway

For long-term growth-focused investors, CSL still looks like the higher-quality asset. Its global reach, innovation pipeline, and industry leadership give it the potential to deliver superior returns over a decade, albeit with more volatility along the way.

For income and risk-aware investors, Sonic Healthcare may be the more comfortable holding. The earnings of this ASX healthcare share are steadier, its valuation more restrained, and its business model easier to forecast.

The post Is CSL or Sonic Healthcare the smarter ASX healthcare share buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL and Sonic Healthcare. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

After finishing 2025 on a relatively calm note, uranium is beginning to attract renewed attention in early 2026.

While the move has been gradual rather than explosive, uranium prices have been trending higher over the past month. The spot price has climbed back above US$82 per pound, marking roughly an 8% rise since mid-December.

Demand is quietly strengthening

The biggest driver behind uranium’s recent lift is improving demand visibility across global nuclear markets.

Nuclear power is regaining its status as a reliable baseload energy source. Governments are extending the lives of existing reactors, approving new builds, and backing nuclear as a low-carbon solution alongside renewables.

The US is seeing particularly strong activity. Utilities are actively securing long-term uranium supply as domestic production struggles to keep up with reactor demand. At the same time, restrictions on Russian nuclear fuel imports are forcing Western utilities to source supply elsewhere, tightening the global market.

Another emerging tailwind is electricity demand from data centres and AI infrastructure. Nuclear power is increasingly viewed as one of the few scalable energy sources capable of delivering reliable, emissions-free power at scale.

Some analysts now believe uranium prices could test US$90 to US$100 per pound during 2026 if utility contracting accelerates.

ASX uranium stocks back in focus

On the ASX, uranium miners are beginning to reflect this improving outlook.

Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) has been back in favour in early January, with investors responding to stronger uranium prices and improving confidence around nuclear expansion in key markets. Currently up more than 15% so far in 2026, Paladin is well-positioned to benefit if uranium prices continue to rise.

Meanwhile, Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL) continues to progress its long-term growth strategy. The company’s focus on advancing its Namibian uranium projects and strengthening its production pipeline positions it well for a higher price environment. That progress has been reflected in the share price, which is up almost 17% so far in 2026.

Will uranium keep rising?

Uranium is a small and specialised market, so prices can move quickly in both directions. Spot prices remain below some long-term contract levels, and further gains will depend on steady buying from nuclear power companies rather than short-term trading.

Even so, the outlook looks positive. New supply is limited, global trade is being reshaped by geopolitics, and nuclear power is firmly back in favour as a reliable energy source.

The past month may be an early sign of a new uranium cycle, though it is still early.

The post Why uranium is gaining momentum as 2026 gets underway appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The meteoric rise of 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) has grabbed the attention of ASX investors this year. On Friday, the stock closed up 12.14% at $5.08, marking not only a strong weekly finish but also a fresh all-time high for the respiratory imaging specialist.

Over the past 12 months, 4DX shares have surged an astonishing 815%, putting it among the best-performing stocks on the ASX.

So, what’s driving this extraordinary rally, and can the momentum continue?

Let’s take a closer look.

What does 4DMedical do?

4DMedical is a healthcare technology company focused on advanced respiratory imaging.

Its flagship product, CT:VQ, uses software to convert standard CT scans into detailed functional lung images. This allows clinicians to assess lung ventilation and blood flow without radioactive tracers, offering a faster and less invasive alternative to traditional nuclear medicine scans.

The technology is designed to help diagnose and monitor conditions such as pulmonary embolism, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and other respiratory illnesses.

US adoption gathering pace

One of the biggest catalysts for the share price this year has been accelerating adoption in the United States.

Earlier this month, 4DMedical announced that UC San Diego Health had begun clinical adoption of CT:VQ. This followed earlier uptake by major institutions, including Stanford University, the Cleveland Clinic, and the University of Miami.

These high-profile academic centres are seen as important reference sites. Their adoption helps validate the technology and supports broader rollout across hospital networks.

The company has structured its early deployments under launch agreements, with a pathway toward full commercial contracts over time.

$150 million placement strengthens balance sheet

Adding further momentum, 4DMedical recently completed a $150 million institutional placement.

The capital raise strengthens the balance sheet and provides funding to accelerate US commercialisation, expand sales capability, and support ongoing product development.

While the placement results in dilution for existing shareholders, the market response suggests investors view the funding as an important step to support long-term growth.

What are the risks?

Despite the strong share price performance, the risks remain.

4DMedical is still in the early stages of commercialisation and is not yet profitable. So, execution will be critical, particularly in converting pilot and launch sites into recurring revenue contracts.

The valuation has also risen sharply to around $2.7 billion, meaning expectations are now very high.

Foolish Takeaway

4DMedical’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable.

With FDA clearance, growing US adoption, and a well-funded expansion plan, the company has strong momentum behind it.

However, after an 800% rally in just 12 months, investors should expect volatility and keep a close eye on execution as the next phase of growth unfolds.

The post Up more than 800% in a year. Why this ASX medical tech stock just hit an all-time high appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why 4DMedical, Amaero, Clarity Pharmaceuticals, and Treasury Wine shares are falling today
• Up 700% in 12 months! Why this ASX tech stock just raised $150m
• Why are 4DMedical shares in a trading halt today?
• Why 4DMedical, DroneShield, Super Retail, and Tamboran shares are falling today
• These three biotechs show how the sector can produce huge outsized gains, but are they still good value?

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.