Tag: Stock pick

  • Why I think CSL and DroneShield shares are buys for 2026

    A smiling woman holds a Facebook like sign above her head.

    When I look ahead to 2026, I am seeking businesses that can continue to move forward for very different reasons, even if markets are uneven along the way.

    Two ASX shares that stand out to me on that basis are CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) and DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO). They operate in completely different industries, but I think they both offer compelling long-term investment cases as we move through 2026.

    Why CSL still looks attractive

    CSL has been going through a rough patch, but it remains one of the highest-quality businesses on the ASX.

    The biotech operates in plasma therapies and vaccines, areas where demand is driven by medical necessity rather than economic conditions. That makes revenue more resilient than in many other sectors, particularly during periods of uncertainty.

    CSL also benefits from scale and expertise that are difficult to replicate. Its global plasma collection network, manufacturing capabilities, and ongoing investment in research and development create high barriers to entry. These advantages help support long-term earnings growth, even if short-term results fluctuate.

    Another reason I am comfortable with CSL in 2026 is its long-term mindset. Management continues to reinvest heavily in the business, prioritising sustainable growth over short-term optics. For investors willing to be patient, that approach has historically paid off.

    CSL shares are not always cheap, and they can go through periods of underperformance. But for me, that volatility is a feature of owning a high-quality global company, not a reason to avoid it.

    DroneShield offers a different kind of opportunity

    DroneShield sits at the opposite end of the risk spectrum, but that is part of its appeal.

    The company specialises in counter-drone technology, a market that has become increasingly important for defence, government, and the protection of critical infrastructure. The use of drones is expanding rapidly, and with it comes a growing need to detect, track, and neutralise unauthorised threats.

    DroneShield’s revenue can be lumpy due to contract timing, which makes the share price volatile. However, the underlying demand drivers are structural rather than cyclical. Governments and defence agencies do not switch off security needs when conditions become challenging. In fact, they are dedicating more and more funding to counter-drone technology each year.

    What makes DroneShield interesting for 2026 is that it remains relatively early in its growth journey. As the company builds its customer base and continues to refine its technology, there is potential for meaningful upside if execution remains strong.

    Why I am comfortable owning both

    CSL and DroneShield serve very different roles in a portfolio.

    CSL provides exposure to a global healthcare leader with resilient demand and a long track record of value creation. DroneShield offers exposure to a niche defence technology with significant growth potential but higher risk.

    Together, they balance each other. One offers stability and consistency. The other offers optional upside tied to a rapidly evolving security landscape.

    Foolish Takeaway

    No stock is without risk, and 2026 will no doubt bring its own challenges.

    But CSL and DroneShield each have characteristics that make them appealing to me as long-term investments.

    The post Why I think CSL and DroneShield shares are buys for 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in CSL right now?

    Before you buy CSL shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and CSL wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in CSL and DroneShield. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL and DroneShield. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Guess which ASX 200 stock is tumbling 4% on trading update

    Couple look at a bottle of wine while trying to decide what to buy.

    Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV) shares are falling on Tuesday morning.

    At the time of writing, the ASX 200 stock is down 4% to $3.66.

    Why is this ASX 200 stock tumbling?

    Investors have been selling the alcohol retail giant’s shares following the release of a trading update this morning.

    According to the release, total sales increased 1% over the prior corresponding period to $6,682 million during the first half.

    This reflects a 0.7% lift in Dan Murphy’s and BWS sales to $5,404 million, a 16.2% decline in specialty sales to $109 million, and a 4.4% lift in Hotels revenue to $1,169 million.

    Management notes that since September, Dan Murphy’s and BWS have together delivered four consecutive months of sales growth. It believes this reflects the company’s commitment to price leadership as a fundamental part of the customer experience, particularly in Dan Murphy’s.

    Second quarter combined sales for Dan Murphy’s and BWS grew by 2.2% over the prior corresponding period.

    Profit decline

    Things weren’t quite as positive for the ASX 200 stock’s earnings, with margin pressures leading to group EBIT (before significant items) falling to between $555 million and $566 million for the half. This is down 4.9% to 6.7% from $595 million a year earlier.

    Commenting on the performance of its retail operations, the ASX 200 stock’s CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka, said:

    The pricing and promotional decisions we have made in our Retail business have generated positive sales results, delivering on our aim to better align the customer propositions for each of our brands to re-ignite top line growth. In a competitive market landscape, we have focused on reinforcing customer confidence in the value we offer across all channels, particularly in Dan Murphy’s unbeatable price and customer experience.

    A key step to realising the potential of our Retail brands is improving sales momentum, and as the first half progressed we made a number of decisions to improve customer engagement and generate higher sales velocity, including investment in lower shelf prices. We are very pleased with the speed of customer reaction to our shelf price and targeted promotional activity, highlighting the strength in both retail brands.

    Speaking about the Hotels business, Hrdlicka adds:

    The holiday spirit across our Hotels business was exceptional, enabling strong results. There is a lot to play for in our Hotels portfolio and we are excited by the opportunity to create additional value as we begin to roll out the refreshed strategy. I look forward to updating the market with further detail on our plans later this year.

    The post Guess which ASX 200 stock is tumbling 4% on trading update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Endeavour Group Limited right now?

    Before you buy Endeavour Group Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Endeavour Group Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Endeavour Group. 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.

  • Guess how much $10,000 invested in these ASX ETFs 3 years ago is worth today?

    A woman stands on a huge oversized wooden park bench with her arms outstretched towards the mountainous horizon in the distance.

    It’s hard to believe January 2023 was already three years ago. But in that time, there have been plenty of ASX ETFs that have brought investors strong returns. 

    Of course, past performance doesn’t guarantee future returns. 

    But it can be worthwhile to examine which global funds have performed strongly over an extended period of time. 

    Here are three that focus on international stocks that have doubled since 2023. 

    BetaShares NASDAQ 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

    This fundamental ASX ETF provides investors with the return of the NASDAQ-100 Index (NASDAQ: NDX). 

    This comprises 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq market, and includes many companies that are at the forefront of the new economy.

    It has a strong focus on technology companies. This can give Aussie investors exposure to a high-growth potential sector that is underrepresented in the Australian sharemarket.

    This includes companies like Apple, Amazon, and Google. 

    Since January 2023, this fund has had an extremely strong return, climbing by 121%. 

    This means a hypothetical investment of $10,000 at that time would have risen to $22,100 today.

    This is before taking into account dividends or management fees. 

    iShares International Equity ETFs – iShares Global 100 ETF (ASX: IOO)

    This fund aims to provide investors with the performance of the S&P Global 100 Index, before fees and expenses. 

    The index is designed to measure the performance of 100 multinational, blue-chip companies of major importance in global equity markets.

    It’s worth mentioning that this fund and the previous ASX ETF from Betashares share many of the same companies. 

    That doesn’t mean you can’t own both. But they are relatively similar. 

    This fund from iShares has a broader geographical and sector spread – it includes major companies from the US, Europe, Asia, etc. 

    This global diversification has been a successful strategy over the last three years, as this fund has risen by roughly 98%. 

    This means an initial investment of $10,000 would now be worth $19,800.

    ETFs Fang+ ETF (ASX: FANG)

    According to Global X, this ASX ETF seeks to invest in companies at the leading edge of next-generation technology, which includes both household names and newcomers.

    It is designed to be a core building block for growth-oriented portfolios, offering broad thematic exposure. 

    By sector, it is weighted towards: 

    • Information Technology (59.36%)
    • Communication Services (29.73%)
    • Consumer Discretionary (10.87%)

    This has been a successful strategy over the last 3 years, with the fund rising an impressive 209%. 

    That means an initial investment of $10,000 would now be worth $30,900. 

    The post Guess how much $10,000 invested in these ASX ETFs 3 years ago is worth today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in BetaShares NASDAQ 100 ETF right now?

    Before you buy BetaShares NASDAQ 100 ETF shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and BetaShares NASDAQ 100 ETF wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has positions in BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Forget Coles shares, I’d buy this roaring retailer instead

    Woman thinking in a supermarket.

    Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) shares closed 2.38% higher on Monday afternoon, at $21.53 a piece. The latest gain puts the supermarket giant’s share price 5.28% higher over the past six months and 14.46% above where the shares were trading this time last year.

    The Coles share price spiked in late August and early September on the back of a robust FY25 result. It also posted a strong quarterly update in late October, where it reported a 3.9% increase in group sales and quarterly results generally in line with analyst expectations. 

    Overall, Coles was a strong performer in 2025, and it appears that its growth strategy has paid off. But the business continues to face headwinds from resilient inflation and cost-of-living pressures in Australia.

    Consumers are being forced to cut back on discretionary items, and even Coles’ executives have noted that shoppers are visiting more stores and being more selective. And this could be problematic for business growth in 2026.

    Analysts are mostly bullish about the outlook for Coles shares in 2026. TradingView data shows that 10 out of 16 analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on the stock with a maximum 12-month target price of $26.60. That implies that Coles shares could jump another 23.55% this year, at the time of writing.

    The company’s growth and anticipated share price increases are attractive, but I have my eye on another roaring ASX retailer, which I think is an even better buy for growth this year.

    Another ASX retailer set to rocket in 2026

    Metcash Ltd (ASX: MTS) is a wholesale distribution and marketing company that specialises in food, liquor, and hardware. Unlike the supermarket giant, Coles, Metcash supplies and supports independent retailers in Australia.

    For example, its supermarket segment supplies more than 1600 stores, including the IGA and Foodland brands. Meanwhile, its liquor operations supply more than 90% of independently owned bottle shops, including the Bottle-O and Cellarbrations brands, as well as pubs. 

    Metcash’s hardware division is the second-largest supplier in Australia, servicing more than 700 Mitre 10, Home Timber & Hardware, and Total Tools stores across metropolitan and regional Australia. 

    At the close of the ASX on Monday afternoon, Metcash shares were down 0.30% to $3.30 each. Over the past six months, the retailer’s shares have declined 17.91%, but they remain 7.14% above their level at this time last year.

    Metcash shares suffered a huge 15% crash in late November following the company’s FY26 half-year results, but analysts seem to be confident that the business can turn it around for 2026.

    Metcash is a fantastic defensive asset, and while I don’t think we’ll see explosive numbers this year, I do think we’ll see consistent growth over the next 12 months, which will outpace the likes of Coles.

    TradingView data shows that 9 out of 13 analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on Metcash shares, with a maximum target price of $4.70. That implies the shares could increase by 42.42% from the current share price.

    The post Forget Coles shares, I’d buy this roaring retailer instead appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Metcash Limited right now?

    Before you buy Metcash Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Metcash Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies 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.

  • How much wealth could I build by investing $500 a month into ASX shares?

    A young couple hug each other and smile at the camera, standing in front of their brand new luxury car.

    Not everyone can afford to invest tens of thousands of dollars into ASX shares. But that doesn’t matter because you don’t need to do that to build wealth in the share market.

    In reality, consistency often matters far more than the size of the investment.

    Investing $500 a month into ASX shares may not sound like it could become something meaningful. But you would be wrong.

    The power of consistency

    Putting aside $500 every month means investing $6,000 a year. That alone adds up steadily, but the real benefit comes from staying invested through different market conditions.

    Some months, you will invest when prices are rising. Other months, you will invest when markets are under pressure. Rather than trying to time those moves, regular investing smooths out the journey and removes emotion from the process. This is what we call dollar-cost-averaging.

    This approach also helps investors stay committed. A simple monthly plan is far easier to maintain than trying to decide when to invest larger sums.

    Building wealth with ASX shares

    To provide some context, let’s assume I can invest $500 per month in ASX shares and earn a long-term average return of 9% per year. 

    That is broadly in line with historical share market returns over long periods, although actual returns will vary year to year.

    Here is what that could look like:

    • After 10 years, my ASX share portfolio could be worth around $95,000
    • After 20 years, my portfolio could grow to roughly $330,000
    • After 30 years, it could reach more than $850,000 in value

    None of this requires picking perfect ASX shares or timing the market. It stems from a combination of time, consistency, compounding, and a well-balanced portfolio comprising strong companies. This could include shares such as Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG), Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA).

    Flexibility along the way

    Investing $500 a month also gives investors flexibility. Contributions can be increased when income rises or reduced temporarily if circumstances change.

    More importantly, it builds confidence. Watching a portfolio grow through regular contributions helps reinforce good habits and makes long-term investing feel achievable rather than intimidating.

    Foolish Takeaway

    Investing $500 a month into ASX shares is not about getting rich quickly. It is about building momentum over time.

    With patience and a reasonable long-term return, that steady habit can grow into hundreds of thousands of dollars. You do not need to start with a fortune. You just need consistency and time.

    The post How much wealth could I build by investing $500 a month into ASX shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Commonwealth Bank Of Australia and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Endeavour Group: H1 FY26 sales rise, retail margin narrows

    A young man sits at his desk reading a piece of paper with a laptop open.

    The Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV) share price is in focus after the company reported H1 FY26 group sales rose 1% to $6.68 billion, with Dan Murphy’s and BWS Q2 sales up 2.2% and Hotels Q2 sales climbing 4.4%.

    What did Endeavour Group report?

    • Group sales grew 1.0% to $6.68 billion for the half year ended 4 January 2026.
    • Dan Murphy’s and BWS Q2 sales rose 2.2%; H1 sales for both brands up 0.7% to $5.4 billion.
    • Hotels revenue increased 4.4% to $1.17 billion, with record results in December.
    • Preliminary group profit before tax (pre significant items) expected between $400 million and $411 million (vs $437 million last year).
    • A net significant item expense of $45 million pre-tax flagged for H1, mainly related to supply chain changes.

    What else do investors need to know?

    The retail business saw improved sales momentum throughout the half as customers responded well to price reductions and targeted promotions, especially at Dan Murphy’s. However, this focus on sharper pricing led to an expected 85 basis point decline in retail gross profit margin compared to last year.

    On the hotels side, strong holiday trading and refurbished venues boosted sales, with hotels delivering their best-ever monthly results in December. The group also incurred significant one-off costs for the planned closure of the Melbourne Liquor Distribution Centre and is transitioning to a new supply chain provider from 2027.

    What did Endeavour Group management say?

    Endeavour Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said:

    The pricing and promotional decisions we have made in our Retail business have generated positive sales results, delivering on our aim to better align the customer propositions for each of our brands to re-ignite top line growth. In a competitive market landscape, we have focused on reinforcing customer confidence in the value we offer across all channels, particularly in Dan Murphyʼs unbeatable price and customer experience.

    A key step to realising the potential of our Retail brands is improving sales momentum, and as the first half progressed we made a number of decisions to improve customer engagement and generate higher sales velocity, including investment in lower shelf prices. We are very pleased with the speed of customer reaction to our shelf price and targeted promotional activity, highlighting the strength in both retail brands.

    What’s next for Endeavour Group?

    Management says the second half will focus on executing its refreshed strategy for both retail and hotels, targeting better in-store price execution and continued investment in customer experience. The transition to a new Victorian distribution centre aims to deliver supply chain benefits over time, despite the short-term costs.

    Endeavour Group plans to provide further detail at its H1 FY26 results in March and at its next Investor Day. The company says it remains committed to offering strong value to customers while progressing efficiency and cost-reduction initiatives across its brands.

    Endeavour Group share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Endeavour Group shares have declined 8%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 7% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Endeavour Group: H1 FY26 sales rise, retail margin narrows appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Endeavour Group Limited right now?

    Before you buy Endeavour Group Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Endeavour Group Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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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.

  • GQG Partners reports US$163.9bn FUM for 2025

    business man reviewing report and using calculator

    The GQG Partners Inc (ASX: GQG) share price is in focus as the global fund manager reported Funds Under Management (FUM) of US$163.9 billion at 31 December 2025, up from US$153.0 billion a year ago. Annual net inflows were negative, but investment performance delivered a strong boost.

    What did GQG Partners report?

    • Funds Under Management (FUM) ended at US$163.9 billion (up from US$153.0 billion in 2024)
    • December 2025 net outflows of US$2.1 billion
    • Full-year 2025 net outflows totalled US$3.9 billion
    • Investment performance added US$14.8 billion for the year
    • Management fees remain the main source of net revenue

    What else do investors need to know?

    GQG Partners continues to navigate challenging markets, including extended valuations and increased macroeconomic uncertainty. The company maintained a defensive portfolio positioning through the end of 2025, aiming to protect client assets.

    As a result, GQG reported relative underperformance compared to its benchmarks across all its major investment strategies for the year. The firm’s management remains highly aligned with shareholders and clients.

    What’s next for GQG Partners?

    Looking ahead, the company has noted its upcoming FUM announcement dates in February, March, and April 2026. GQG says its management team remains committed to both shareholders and clients, with a clear focus on the business’s long-term resilience and growth.

    Investors may wish to watch for further updates on fund flows and any adjustments to the manager’s defensive positioning in a changing global environment.

    GQG Partners share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, GQG Partners shares have risen 1%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 7% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post GQG Partners reports US$163.9bn FUM for 2025 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in GQG Partners Inc. right now?

    Before you buy GQG Partners Inc. shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and GQG Partners Inc. wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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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 recommended Gqg Partners. 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.

  • Buy, hold, sell: ANZ Bank, Monadelphous, and Northern Star shares

    A man sitting at his dining table looks at his laptop and ponders the CSL balance sheet and the value of CSL shares today

    The team at Morgans has been busy running the rule over a number of popular ASX 200 shares recently.

    Are they buys, holds, or sells? Let’s see what the broker is saying about the three listed below.

    ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ)

    Morgans wasn’t overly impressed with this big four bank’s performance during the second half of FY 2025. It highlights that credit impairment charges were up and profits were down.

    In light of this, the broker has a trim rating (between sell and hold) and a $33.09 price target on ANZ shares. It said:

    Ex $1.1bn of significant items, 2H25 profit declined 7% vs 1H25, with a -3% decline in pre-provision profit (revenue +2%, costs +6%) and a doubling of credit impairment charges. Earnings were materially below market expectations, albeit consensus may not have fully adjusted for the significant items.

    We have downgraded our FY26-28F cash earnings by 1-2%. However, 12 month target price lifts 29 cps to $33.09/sh due to CET1 capital outperformance in 2H25. We recommend clients TRIM into share price strength, with the share price and implied valuation multiples trading at or around all-time highs.

    Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND)

    This engineering company has caught the eye of Morgans. It was pleased with its recent update and believes there is more to come in the near future thanks partly to a multi-year Pilbara replacement cycle.

    In response to its update, the broker retained its buy rating with an improved price target of $29.00. It commented:

    Today’s update was exceptionally strong, and our view is that the good times are poised to continue. Though 1H revenue is expected to grow +40% YoY, management has tempered expectations for the full year by providing early guidance (FY26 revenue +20-25%). This leaves capacity for further beats if demand surprises. Our view is that demand in E&C will accelerate due to Rio’s multi-year Pilbara replacement cycle (which gathers pace in CY26 and CY27), and a resurgence in rare earths projects (MND was heavily involved in ARU’s US$1.2bn Nolans project previously).

    Additionally, volume strength in Maintenance should continue as project scheduling indicates further oil & gas turnarounds into FY27, although FY26 contains a few one-offs so we fade growth expectations into FY27. Target price moves to $29.00 (from $24.40). BUY maintained.

    Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST)

    Finally, this ASX 200 gold miner disappointed the market (and Morgans) recently with a soft quarterly update and guidance downgrade.

    Unfortunately, Morgans isn’t convinced that the worst is over yet and is cautious on its short to mid-term production outlook. As a result, it has put a hold rating and $26.00 price target on its shares.

    Commenting on the gold miner, the broker said:

    NST has revised FY26 guidance lower after another soft sales quarter, cutting the midpoint ~8% to 1,650koz (from 1,775koz). The downgrade reflects ongoing operational challenges across all hubs, including grade, throughput and utilisation constraints. This marks the second guidance miss in as many years. While we remain constructive on NST’s long-term growth pathway, we are adopting a more cautious (previously bullish) short-to-midterm production outlook, maintained until delivery consistency improves.

    We now forecast FY26 sales of 1,589koz (-9%), marginally below updated guidance (1,600–1,700koz). We lift our AISC to A$2,770/oz, reducing forecast EBITDA and EPS by 16% and 22% respectively. Rating revised to HOLD, price target A$26.00ps (previously A$27.41ps). The downgrade partly offset by our higher spot scenario of US$3,500/oz (from US$3,250/oz).

    The post Buy, hold, sell: ANZ Bank, Monadelphous, and Northern Star shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Australia And New Zealand Banking Group right now?

    Before you buy Australia And New Zealand Banking Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Australia And New Zealand Banking Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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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.

  • Brokers say buy Telstra and these ASX dividend stocks this month

    man looks at phone while disappointed

    Are you looking for some ASX dividend stocks to buy in January?

    If you are, then it could be worth checking out the three below which have been named as buys by brokers.

    Here’s what they are recommending to clients:

    Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD)

    The first ASX dividend stock that analysts rate as a buy is Elders. This agribusiness company provides rural and livestock services, agricultural inputs, and real estate services to Australia’s farming sector.

    While its earnings can fluctuate with seasonal conditions, Elders has built a diversified national footprint that helps smooth performance across cycles. This includes the recent acquisition of Delta Agribusiness, which provides greater exposure to key local retail markets as well as a leading agronomy and farm advisory team.

    With respect to payouts, Macquarie believes the company is positioned to pay fully franked dividends of 36 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 37 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $7.37, this would mean dividend yields of 4.9% and 5%, respectively.

    Macquarie currently has an outperform rating and $8.25 price target on its shares.

    Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN)

    The team at Bell Potter thinks that Harvey Norman could be an ASX dividend share to buy and it isn’t hard to see why.

    The retail giant benefits from a unique franchise model that generates robust cash flows and provides flexibility during challenging retail environments.

    In addition to its core electronics and furniture operations, Harvey Norman owns a substantial property portfolio. This adds another layer of income stability and has supported generous dividend payments over time.

    Bell Potter expects fully franked dividends per share of 30.9 cents in FY 2026 and 35.3 cents in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $6.78, this represents dividend yields of 4.6% and 5.2%, respectively.

    The broker has a buy rating and $8.30 price target on its shares,

    Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

    Finally, Telstra Group could be a great option for Australian income investors.

    As the country’s largest telecommunications provider, it generates recurring revenue from mobile, broadband, and network services that customers rely on every day.

    The company’s scale, infrastructure ownership, and pricing power give it a strong competitive position, which has supported a growing stream of dividends in recent years.

    Macquarie expects this to continue. It is forecasting fully franked dividends of 20 cents per share in FY 2026 and 21 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $4.85, this equates to dividend yields of approximately 4.1% and 4.3%, respectively.

    The broker has an outperform rating and $5.04 price target on its shares.

    The post Brokers say buy Telstra and these ASX dividend stocks this month appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Elders Limited right now?

    Before you buy Elders Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Elders Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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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 Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Harvey Norman, Macquarie Group, and Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Elders. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Broker tips another 114% upside for this surging ASX All Ords gold share

    A man takes his dividend and leaps for joy.

    ASX All Ords gold share Aurum Resources Ltd (ASX: AUE) raced ahead of the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) in 2025. Indeed, the gold stock has already more than doubled investors’ money over the past 12 months.

    And, according to the analysts at Canaccord Genuity, the gold miner is well-positioned to do so again in 2026.

    One year ago, you could have picked up Aurum Resources shares for 34 cents apiece. On Monday, the ASX All Ords gold share closed the day trading for 70 cents.

    That sees Aurum shares up 106% over 12 months, smashing the 7.84% returns delivered by the All Ords over this same period.

    Part of that meteoric rise has been driven by the surging gold price. Gold was trading near record highs on Monday, at US$4,579 per ounce. That puts the yellow metal up more than 68% in a year.

    Investors have also taken note of the string of regulatory and exploratory successes Aurum has achieved at its flagship Boundiali Gold Project, located in Côte d’Ivoire (formerly Ivory Coast).

    What’s the latest from the Boundiali Gold Project?

    Last week, Aurum Resources reported on “a significant regulatory milestone” at Boundiali.

    The ASX All Ords gold share said that, following its recent lodgement of two applications in December, it now has three mining exploitation licence applications on foot with the Côte d’Ivoire Ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Energy.

    With 10 drill rigs currently active at Boundiali, the miner is planning 100,000 metres of diamond drilling in 2026. And with an unaudited cash balance of $40 million as at 31 December, the company looks well-funded for its development and exploration plans.

    Commenting on the company’s latest mining application last week, Aurum Resources managing director Caigen Wang said, “The rapid transition from exploration to mining licence applications across our entire Boundiali footprint is a testament to the quality of our assets and the efficiency of our team.”

    Wang added:

    In 2025, we grew our resource from 1.59Moz to 2.41Moz and completed over 108,000m of drilling at Boundiali. With $40M in the bank and a clear pathway to a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) in late 2026, we are perfectly positioned to deliver significant value this year.

    And Canaccord Genuity appear to agree with Wang’s bullish assessment.

    ASX All Ords gold share tipped to more than double again

    Aurum Resources caught the attention of Canaccord Genuity in December, with the broker initiating coverage on the ASX All Ords gold share with a speculative buy rating.

    In a new report, following last week’s third mining exploitation licence application at Boundiali, Canaccord noted, “This expanded licensing footprint highlights AUE’s confidence in Boundiali’s potential to become a large-scale, modern open-pit gold operation.”

    According to the broker:

    The regulatory progress aligns with a strong near-term catalyst pipeline, including updated resources for Boundiali (currently 2.41Moz) and Napié (currently 0.87Moz), alongside delivery of the Boundiali PFS; all targeted for the current MarQ’26.

    For the PFS, we envisage a 5-6Mtpa open-pit operation that could produce up to 180kozpa. If strip ratios average ~5:1 and processing costs are ~US$20/t, we believe AISC could be in the region of US$1,450/oz.

    Canaccord added, “We see potential for the broader Boundiali Gold Project to host ~3.1Moz over time, inclusive of the 2.4Moz defined to date.”

    Connecting the dots, the broker maintained its speculative buy rating and price target of $1.50 for the ASX All Ords gold share.

    That represents a potential upside of 114.3% from Monday’s closing price.

    The post Broker tips another 114% upside for this surging ASX All Ords gold share appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben 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.