Tag: Stock pick

  • Why is this ASX 300 stock crashing 14% today?

    Frustrated and shocked business woman reading bad news online from phone.

    S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) stock Propel Funeral Partners Ltd (ASX: PFP) is taking a tumble today.

    Propel Funeral shares closed yesterday trading for $3.54. In early-morning trade on Thursday, shares are changing hands at $3.06 apiece, down 13.6%.

    For some context, the ASX 300 is down 0.9% at this same time amid investor concerns over renewed fighting in the Middle East.

    This underperformance follows a trading update released before market open this morning.

    Here’s what’s happening.

    ASX 300 stock tumbles on guidance update

    Propel Funeral shares are getting walloped after the company, which counts as the second largest provider of death care services in Australia and New Zealand, reported on three new acquisitions as well as its full-year FY 2026 revenue and earnings guidance.

    Turning to guidance first, the ASX 300 stock is forecasting FY 2026 revenue in the range of $225 million to $230 million. Should revenue come in at the low end of that range, that would represent a decline from the $225.8 million in revenue Propel Funeral Partners reported in FY 2025.

    On the earnings front, the company expects FY 2026 operating earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) to be in the range of $54.5 million to $56.5 million. As with revenue, should full-year earnings come in towards the lower end of that range, it will be well below the $56.2 million in operating EBITDA the company reported in FY 2025.

    Management noted this guidance is based on a number of assumptions.

    Those include the ASX 300 stock seeing a roughly 1% year-on-year increase in the number of funerals it performs, or roughly 22,850 for the full year.

    The company also expects the average revenue per funeral it receives to increase by around 2% from last year.

    As for those acquisitions…

    Propel Funeral Partners expands in New Zealand

    In news that could support the ASX 300 stock longer term, the company reported that it has inked binding agreements to acquire three funeral services providers as well as the related assets, including one cremation facility.

    Propel Funerals said it will pay $9.1 million for the acquisitions, which are all located in regional markets in New Zealand.

    The three businesses together were reported to generate $4 million in revenue. Operating from four locations, all of which Propel will acquire on settlement, they conduct more than 700 funerals a year.

    Subject to meeting customary conditions, management expects the acquisitions to be completed in Q4 FY 2026 and/or Q1 FY 2027.

    The new assets are expected to be earnings accretive in year one.

    The post Why is this ASX 300 stock crashing 14% today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Propel Funeral Partners right now?

    Before you buy Propel Funeral Partners 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 Propel Funeral Partners 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 20 Feb 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.

  • Bell Potter names the best ASX 200 shares to buy in June

    A man holding a cup of coffee puts his thumb up and smiles with a laptop open.

    If you are in the market for new investment ideas this month, then it could pay to listen to what Bell Potter is saying.

    The broker has been busy updating its core portfolio, highlighting three key themes that it is focusing on. These are:

    1) Resources and the global capex cycle 2) Inflation and rate cycle beneficiaries 3) Non-cyclical growth with strong competitive positions.

    With that in mind, let’s look at three ASX 200 shares that it rates as best buys:

    Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU)

    This share registry company could be an ASX 200 share to buy in June according to Bell Potter.

    The broker believes it is well-placed to benefit from interest rates staying higher for longer. It explains:

    Computershare offers high-quality, defensive exposure to a “higher for longer” global rate environment through its margin income franchise, layered with cyclical upside from accelerating corporate action and IPO activity. Tokenisation is priced as a structural risk but increasingly looks like an opportunity CPU is positioned to capture.

    Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN)

    Another ASX 200 share that has been named as a best buy is mining and mining services company Mineral Resources.

    Bell Potter likes the company due to its exposure to a tightening lithium market. It also highlights that there are a number of potential catalysts for a re-rating. It said:

    Mineral Resources offers leveraged exposure to a tightening lithium market through ramping volumes at Wodgina, Mt Marion, and Bald Hill, with spodumene spot prices sitting well above the long-term assumptions embedded in the current share price. The investment case rests on a three-way path to re-rating: volume growth, consensus catch-up on earnings, and balance-sheet repair through FY27–FY28 de-gearing.

    Worley Ltd (ASX: WOR)

    A third ASX 200 share that gets the thumbs up from Bell Potter is global professional services company Worley.

    The broker believes the company is well-placed to deliver strong earnings growth over the remainder of the decade. It believes this could support a re-rating of its shares. Bell Potter explains:

    Worley is set to enter a period of stronger demand for its services driven by rising commodity prices and a structural shift toward energy security, with the recent investor day flagging double-digit EBITA CAGR to FY30 versus consensus at just 3%. Depressed valuation, low earnings expectations, and disciplined capital allocation create a positive risk/reward where investors should benefit from both EPS upgrades and a P/E re-rate.

    The post Bell Potter names the best ASX 200 shares to buy in June appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Computershare 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 Computershare 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 20 Feb 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.

  • 2 ASX 200 shares I’d buy and 1 I’d sell this month

    Three business people look stressed as they contemplate stacks of extra paperwork.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has fallen into the red again on Thursday morning, reversing most of the gains made so far in June, and continuing the run of volatility.

    I always think that when markets look uncertain, it’s a good idea to review your share portfolio and make sure your investments are in the right place.

    Here are two ASX 200 shares I’d buy this month, and one I’d sell.

    I’d buy Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL) shares

    Catalyst Metals shares are down around 2% at the time of writing on Thursday morning, and are trading at $5.28 a piece. The drop means the shares are now around 29% lower for the year to date and 26% lower than 12 months ago.

    It’s been a volatile run for the ASX gold producer this year. Its share price spiked to an all-time high in January after it announced a significant new high-grade discovery at its Plutonic Gold Belt. 

    But it has lost around 44% of its value ever since. The downturn is likely due to a significant increase in mining costs and a weaker ASX gold sector after a strong run late last year. Fluctuating sentiment has led many investors to sell their gold shares and rotate into larger, more stable assets. 

    But Catalyst Metals has shown a long period of operational consistency and organic growth. The miner expects production to increase towards the latter half of FY26 as well. 

    It also posted a positive drilling update in early May. The results included visibility of a potential mine life of more than 10 years at approximately 60,000 ounces per annum.

    I think the Catalyst Metals’ share price will rebound soon enough, and I’d buy in the dip while they’re still going for cheap.

    Analysts rate the ASX 200 shares as a strong buy and tip an average target price of $13.75. That implies a potential 160% upside at the time of writing.

    I’d buy Guzman Y Gomez (ASX: GYG) shares

    The Mexican-themed fast-food restaurant chain’s shares hit a historic low in early April but have since rebounded 25%. At the time of writing, the ASX consumer discretionary shares are changing hands for $19.05 a piece. The shares are still 12% lower year to date and 37% lower than a year ago.

    After multiple headwinds and sombre sentiment so far this year, Guzman Y Gomez shares look like they have finally changed course. The latest rebound comes on the back of news that the company closed its struggling US stores to focus its business expansion on Asia and Australia.

    The company’s long-term goal remains to reach 1,000 restaurants in Australia, with segment EBITDA at 10% of network sales. Its Singapore expansion has already become successful, and it looks like the company can quickly build its presence in the right markets.

    Most analysts rate the ASX 200 shares as a buy and tip a 28% upside to an average $24.53 target price, at the time of writing.

    I’d sell Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) shares

    Beach Energy shares are slightly higher today, up around 0.2% to $1.10 at the time of writing. The oil and gas exploration and production company’s shares are now around 7% lower year to date and 20% lower than 12 months ago.

    While the oil and gas explorer and producer’s shares flew higher off the back of geopolitical tensions in March, they tumbled just as quickly.

    Investor sentiment was slashed when the company posted its third-quarter update in April. It revealed softer sales, a guidance downgrade, and ongoing operational disruptions. 

    The update spooked investors, and now many are worried about the company’s earnings outlook.

    The majority of brokers have a sell rating on the shares. But the $1.12 average target price still implies a potential 3% upside, at the time of writing.

    The post 2 ASX 200 shares I’d buy and 1 I’d sell this month appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Beach Energy right now?

    Before you buy Beach Energy 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 Beach Energy 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 20 Feb 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.

  • Up 23% in a week! Why are Pro Medicus shares charging higher again today?

    Two lab workers fist pump each other.

    Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) shares are in the spotlight again on Thursday after the health imaging technology company announced yet another contract win.

    At the time of writing, the ASX 200 tech stock is up 3% to $164.65.

    This compares favourably to the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which is down 0.85% in early trade.

    It also means the company’s shares are now up 23% since this time last week.

    Pro Medicus shares higher on new contract win

    As a reminder, earlier this week Pro Medicus revealed that its wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary, Visage Imaging, signed a five-year, A$28 million contract renewal with Allegheny Health Network (AHN).

    AHN is one of the largest health networks in the Pittsburgh metro area, providing care to 29 Pennsylvania counties, as well as portions of New York, Ohio, and West Virginia. It is a unified network comprised of 14 hospitals, a total of 2,500 beds, and more than 200 primary-care and specialty-care practices in more than 300 clinical locations and offices.

    The contract renewal came with increased per-transaction fees.

    This morning, Pro Medicus shares are rising after it advised that Visage Imaging has signed a five-year, A$16 million contract renewal, including the additions of Visage 7 Workflow and Visage 7 Cardiology Imaging, with The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (OSUWMC).

    The company notes that OSUWMC is a large multidisciplinary academic medical center located in Columbus, Ohio. It employs approximately 22,000 staff, 2,000 physicians, supporting over 1,400 inpatient beds, across six hospitals. OSUWMC is also the teaching hospital for The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

    Commenting on the renewal, Pro Medicus’ CEO, Dr Sam Hupert, said:

    OSUWMC provides world class, acclaimed patient care. Renewing this contract, to now include the additions of Visage 7 Workflow and Visage 7 Cardiology Imaging, confirms our belief that we have extensive native capabilities that Visage customers appreciate as they seek to retire legacy solutions and continue to scale their Visage 7 Enterprise Imaging Platform.

    Dr Hupert revealed that this latest renewal brings the total renewals for the financial year to A$141 million. He believes this is a testament to the strong returns on investment the software provides for healthcare institutions. He said:

    This contract brings our total renewals for the financial year to A$141M, maintaining our track record of client retention. This underpins our belief that our solution provides unparalleled return on investment from both a financial and a clinical perspective.

    The post Up 23% in a week! Why are Pro Medicus shares charging higher again today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Pro Medicus right now?

    Before you buy Pro Medicus 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 Pro Medicus 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 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Treasury Wine shares jump 12% on big investor update

    A happy couple drinking red wine in a vineyard.

    Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) shares are pushing higher on Thursday morning.

    The wine giant’s shares are up 12% to $4.64.

    This is a welcome lift after a very difficult period for investors.

    Prior to today’s rise, Treasury Wine shares were down approximately 50% over the past 12 months.

    Why are Treasury Wine shares rising?

    Investors appear to be responding positively to the company’s Investor Day update and the transformation plan outlined by management.

    Treasury Wine is aiming to become a more focused, simpler, and financially stronger wine business through a program called Ascent.

    This strategy will focus the company on the brands and markets where it believes it can win, while cutting costs, simplifying operations, reshaping its supply chain, and strengthening its balance sheet.

    What is changing?

    A major part of the plan is a sharper focus on Treasury Wine’s strongest brands.

    The company is putting more emphasis behind its Power Brands and Regional Heroes. These include key brands such as Penfolds, DAOU, and Matua.

    Management plans to increase investment behind these brands, while progressively reducing its focus on non-priority brands.

    Treasury Wine is also planning to rationalise its portfolio over time. This could include transitioning, retiring, or selling some lower-priority brands and supporting assets.

    The company believes this will improve returns and allow it to put more resources behind the brands with the best growth prospects.

    Cost savings and supply chain changes

    Treasury Wine advised that it is targeting $100 million per year in cost reductions, which are expected to be fully realised by FY 2029.

    This will be supported by a new regionally-led operating model, simpler decision-making, and a more accountable performance culture.

    The company is also planning a major supply chain transformation, particularly in Australia and the United States.

    This includes reducing excess winery and packaging capacity, exiting surplus and underperforming assets, and better aligning production with long-term demand.

    Americas review

    The Americas business remains an important focus for investors.

    Treasury Wine said the region contains market-leading luxury brands, but also faces challenges from elevated inventory levels and excess supply chain capacity.

    The company is accelerating actions to address these issues, including reviewing options to improve long-term shareholder returns.

    This is important because weakness in the Americas business has been one of the big concerns weighing on the Treasury Wine share price over the past year.

    Outlook

    Management provided an update on its outlook at the event.

    It expects FY 2026 EBITS to be in the range of $480 million to $490 million.

    For FY 2027, management then expects EBITS to be at least equivalent to FY 2026, while the company continues to rebalance customer inventory levels in China and the United States.

    Revenue growth is expected from FY 2028 once this inventory rebalancing is completed.

    The company also expects leverage to peak at approximately 2.9 times in FY 2026 before returning to its target of below 2.0 times by the end of FY 2028.

    Unfortunately, dividends will remain suspended for now, with the board to consider resuming payments as leverage moves back toward target.

    Overall, after a painful 12 months for shareholders, investors appear to be taking encouragement from Treasury Wine’s clearer strategy, cost reduction plans, and pathway to a stronger balance sheet. However, there is still a long road ahead.

    The post Treasury Wine shares jump 12% on big investor update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Treasury Wine Estates right now?

    Before you buy Treasury Wine Estates 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 Treasury Wine Estates 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 20 Feb 2026

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

  • Forget Newmont, this ASX gold stock could rise 50%

    a man wearing a gold shirt smiles widely as he is engulfed in a shower of gold confetti falling from the sky. representing a new gold discovery by ASX mining share OzAurum Resources

    As the world’s largest gold miner, Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) is one of the first places that investors look when they want exposure to gold.

    But being the biggest doesn’t necessarily mean it is the best ASX gold stock to buy.

    Right now, Bell Potter believes one smaller player in the sector could be destined to deliver material returns to investors over the next 12 months.

    Which ASX gold stock?

    The gold stock that the broker is bullish on is Waratah Minerals Ltd (ASX: WTM).

    It is a New South Wales based gold-copper exploration and development company.

    Bell Potter highlights that Waratah Minerals’ flagship project is its 100%-owned Spur gold-copper project, which is an advanced stage, pre-resource exploration project in the Lachlan Fold Belt.

    This is close to the Cowal Gold Mine owned by Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN).

    The broker points out that the ASX gold stock is ramping up its drilling program. It said:

    WTM has ramped up an 80,000m drilling program planned for 2026 which now comprises 10 active drill rigs. The program’s objective is to deliver rapid resource growth and high-grade discoveries at the Spur and Consols Zones. To date, the program has expanded known mineralisation, infilled existing zones and discovered new high-grade shoots beyond previously drilled areas. These results support the view that the Spur Project may host a major epithermal-porphyry gold system comparable to the known world-class deposits in the East Lachlan region.

    The good news is that initial met testing shows high gold recoveries according to the broker, which bodes well for the future. The broker commented:

     WTM has received successful early-stage metallurgical test work results from the Spur Zone, achieving gold recoveries of 90-97% via gravity and conventional cyanide leaching. This is a material initial de-risking milestone for WTM, pointing to a straightforward, conventional process route likely centred on a gravity circuit followed by carbon-in-leach (CIL) or similar. These conventional processing methods typically imply lower processing costs, lower capital requirements as well as reduced technical and operability risks.

    Should you invest?

    According to the note, Bell Potter has retained its speculative buy rating on the ASX gold stock with an improved price target of $1.05 (from 95 cents).

    Based on its current share price of 70 cents, this implies potential upside of 50% for investors over the next 12 months.

    Commenting on its speculative buy recommendation, Bell Potter said:

    The Spur project is showing strong indications of delivering a gold-copper deposit of substantial scale and grade in a strategic setting. We see potential for the delineation of a regionally significant gold Resource of 2.5-3.0Moz at competitive gold grades between 0.8-1.0g/t Au. This informs our valuation, which is based on a 50:50 blended EV/Resource ounce multiple and risk-adjusted notional mining scenario. We increase our Valuation to $1.05/sh and retain our Speculative Buy recommendation.

    The post Forget Newmont, this ASX gold stock could rise 50% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Newmont 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 Newmont 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 20 Feb 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.

  • 3 ASX defensive stocks to buy while sharemarkets are volatile

    Four businessmen pull martial arts stances as they get into a defensive position.

    When share market volatility arises, the wisest investment decision is to lean into ASX defensive stocks.

    Defensive stocks are companies whose earnings tend to remain relatively steady throughout times of economic instability. They typically operate in “non-discretionary” industries where demand remains relatively stable even when consumer confidence dips. 

    Their stable nature means they can help reduce the volatility of an overall investment portfolio.

    This is particularly important during the current economic climate, where geopolitical tensions, stubbornly high inflation, and erratic sentiment are causing some ASX stocks to fluctuate wildly in value.

    Here are three excellent ASX defensive stocks I’d have in my portfolio to weather the next storm.

    Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

    Telstra is a dominant Australian telecommunications company. 

    It owns and operates the nation’s largest mobile network and is a major fixed-line internet provider. Mobile phone and internet services are not considered daily necessities but rather discretionary items, which makes Telstra a classic ASX defensive stock.

    The company is well-positioned to record a stable revenue and earnings, regardless of the stage of the economic cycle or how the ASX is faring overall.

    Telstra’s defensive nature also means it can pay shareholders a consistent, reliable passive income. 

    The telco’s most recent dividend was paid out in March. Shareholders were given an interim dividend of 10.5 cents per share, 90.48% franked. 

    For FY26, Telstra is forecast to pay a total dividend of 21 cents (up from 19 cents in FY25). This translates to a forward dividend yield of around 4.1% excluding franking credits, at the time of writing. 

    Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

    Wesfarmers is a leading Australian blue-chip company. At the time of writing, the business is the 7th largest company listed on the ASX with a market cap of around $90 billion. 

    The company is well-established and financially sound with a history of reliable growth and stability. 

    It’s this stability and consistent long-term net profit growth that make the company a fantastic ASX defensive stock. It also means Wesfarmers is able to pay a reliable and consistent passive income to shareholders.

    Wesfarmers’ most recent dividend payment was handed out to investors in February. The Kmart and Bunnings owner paid a fully-franked interim dividend of $1.02 per share, up 7.4%.

    For FY26, the ASX defensive stock is expected to pay a total $2.13 dividend per unit, which translates to a forward dividend yield of around 2.7% at the time of writing.

    Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

    Transurban is a global infrastructure business that builds and operates major urban toll road networks, tunnels, and bridges. It operates 22 assets across Australia, the US, and Canada.

    It is widely considered a high-grade defensive ASX dividend stock. 

    That’s because roads are an essential service. Even in the event of a downturn, people still need to travel to work or transport goods and services. Transurban’s toll roads typically have stable traffic volumes year-round, which means the business enjoys resilient cash flow regardless of economic conditions. 

    Another bonus is that most of its toll roads are on an annual contract. This means Transurban is able to increase its toll prices each year in line with rising inflation.

    In February, the toll road operator paid an interim dividend of 34 cents per share, unfranked, to its shareholders.

    For FY26, the company has forecast a distribution of 69 cents per security, which implies a forward dividend yield of around 4.6%, at the time of writing.

    The post 3 ASX defensive stocks to buy while sharemarkets are volatile appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Transurban 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 Transurban 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 20 Feb 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 positions in and has recommended Transurban Group and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group and Transurban 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.

  • This ASX 200 share is up 150% in 12 months, but it may not be too late to buy

    a man in a business suite throws his arms open wide above his head and raises his face with his mouth open in celebration in front of a background of an illuminated board tracking stock market movements.

    SRG Global Ltd (ASX: SRG) shares have been among the best performers on the ASX 200 index over the past 12 months.

    During this time, the diversified infrastructure services company’s shares have risen approximately 150%.

    Does this mean it is too late to buy this ASX 200 share? Bell Potter doesn’t think so.

    What is the broker saying about this ASX 200 share?

    Bell Potter was pleased to see the company upgrade its guidance this week after announcing a series of major contract wins. It said:

    Contract update: SRG announced a significant contract update, with total award value of $1.85b, up from $0.65b in the last update in November 2025. Contracts were awarded by blue-chip clients across the Water, Defence, Energy, Industrial, Resources, Marine and Data Centre sectors. See pages 2-3 for more details on the individual contract awards.

    FY26 guidance upgrade: SRG upgraded FY26 EBITDA to the top-end the $164- 168m guidance (BPe old $166m). At the top-end of the range, FY26 EBITDA growth is forecast to be 32%. Implied growth for the base business (ex-TAMS; assuming prorated $35m EBITDA business case performance) is 14%.

    Another positive is that management has initiated guidance for FY 2027 which was ahead of consensus estimates. It adds:

    FY27 guidance initiated: SRG estimates FY27 EBITDA to be within the range of $190-200m (BPe old $188m; VA $185m), representing 16% YoY growth at the midpoint of the FY27 guidance range (vs the top-end of the FY26 EBITDA guidance range).

    In light of this, Bell Potter has upgraded its earnings estimates and valuation accordingly.

    Buy rating reaffirmed

    According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating on the ASX 200 share with an improved price target of $4.25 (from $3.15).

    Based on its current share price of $3.75, this implies potential upside of 13.3% for investors over the next 12 months.

    In addition, Bell Potter expects a 1.7% fully franked dividend yield, lifting the total potential return to 15%.

    The broker concludes:

    We have upgraded our Target Price to $4.25/sh (up from $3.15/sh), reflecting more optimistic medium and long-term earnings growth expectations, a lower WACC (now 8.0% previously 8.6%) and a higher TGR (now 4.0%; previously 3.5%). SRG’s 27% valuation premium to the Industrial Services peer group (FY27 PE(A)) is justified. Management have a demonstrated a strong track-record of operational execution, delivered accretive acquisitions (Diona and TAMS in recent years) and guidance outperformance.

    We see upside to consensus earnings forecasts from forthcoming guidance upgrades and accretive acquisitions. With FCF expanding over FY26-28, we anticipate SRG will be well capitalised to self-fund acquisitions.

    The post This ASX 200 share is up 150% in 12 months, but it may not be too late to buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Srg Global right now?

    Before you buy Srg Global 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 Srg Global 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.*

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  • Treasury Wine Estates kicks off 2026 Investor Day with a renewed transformation plan

    Happy smiling young woman drinking red wine while standing among the grapevines in a vineyard.

    The Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) share price is in the spotlight today as the company outlined its new five-year transformation plan at its 2026 Investor Day, aiming for a more focused brand portfolio and a substantial uplift in financial performance. Among the highlights, TWE is targeting $100 million in annualised cost reductions and expects EBITS of $480–490 million in FY26.

    What did Treasury Wine Estates report?

    • FY26 EBITS guidance of $480–490 million
    • Annualised cost savings target of $100 million by FY29
    • EBITS margin expansion to 25%+ long-term target (FY26e: ~19%)
    • Leverage expected to return to below 2.0x by FY28 (peaking at 2.9x FY26)
    • Increase in advertising & promotion (A&P) investment to ~10% of NSR by FY28
    • No dividend payments until leverage falls under target

    What else do investors need to know?

    TWE’s transformation, branded “Ascent”, will sharpen its focus on “Power Brands” and “Regional Heroes”, with volume targets for these brands expected to reach 90% of group NSR over five years. The company will progressively divest, retire, or transition non-priority brands to support returns and margin expansion.

    Major supply chain transformation is planned, particularly in Australia and the US, aimed at aligning production to long-term demand and improving capital efficiency. This includes divestment of surplus assets and rationalisation of the global network.

    Management reported positive momentum in key brands, with Penfolds depletions up 40% in China for the March quarter and strong growth from US luxury brands. Inventory rebalancing is progressing in both China and the US, with the process expected to conclude by FY28.

    What’s next for Treasury Wine Estates?

    Looking ahead, TWE expects to return to revenue growth from FY28, once customer inventory is rebalanced and transformation benefits start to flow. EBITS is forecast to be at least stable in FY27, with progressive margin and return on capital improvements beyond that.

    The company intends to increase A&P investment for its Power Brands and maintain disciplined cost controls. Management continues to review opportunities for strategic divestments and further operational improvements, especially in the Americas.

    Treasury Wine Estates share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Treasury Wine Estates shares have declined 50%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 3% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Treasury Wine Estates kicks off 2026 Investor Day with a renewed transformation plan appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Treasury Wine Estates right now?

    Before you buy Treasury Wine Estates 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 Treasury Wine Estates 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…

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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 positions in and has recommended Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Treasury Wine Estates. 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.

  • Pro Medicus announces $16m US contract renewal

    three excited doctors with hands in the air

    The Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) share price is in focus today after the company announced a five-year, $16 million contract renewal with The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. The deal adds new capabilities to an existing partnership and lifts the minimum commitments.

    What did Pro Medicus report?

    • Signed a five-year, A$16 million contract renewal with The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (OSUWMC)
    • The contract now includes Visage 7 Workflow and Visage 7 Cardiology Imaging
    • The agreement follows a transaction-based model with increased minimums and higher fees per transaction
    • Total renewals for the financial year have reached A$141 million
    • The agreement further strengthens Pro Medicus’ North American presence

    What else do investors need to know?

    Pro Medicus’ renewal with OSUWMC not only extends the existing relationship, but adds new product modules to the client’s platform, allowing the medical centre to phase out older systems. OSUWMC is a large, multi-disciplinary academic hospital, supporting over 1,400 beds and employing around 22,000 staff.

    This renewal continues Pro Medicus’ trend of securing long-term, high-value contracts in the US healthcare sector, reinforcing its reputation for client retention and ongoing product innovation.

    What did Pro Medicus management say?

    Chief Executive Officer Dr Sam Hupert said:

    Renewing this contract, to now include the additions of Visage 7 Workflow and Visage 7 Cardiology Imaging, confirms our belief that we have extensive native capabilities that Visage customers appreciate as they seek to retire legacy solutions and continue to scale their Visage 7 Enterprise Imaging Platform.

    What’s next for Pro Medicus?

    Ongoing renewals like this underpin Pro Medicus’ strategy to expand its cloud-based imaging footprint across large health networks. Management believes these multi-year deals provide sustainable revenue and highlight the demand for advanced imaging solutions.

    The company looks set to continue investing in product enhancements, targeting further growth opportunities in North America and abroad as healthcare systems shift to enterprise-level, scalable platforms.

    Pro Medicus share price snapshot

    Over the last 12 months, the Pro Medicus shares have declined 44%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 3% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Pro Medicus announces $16m US contract renewal appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Pro Medicus right now?

    Before you buy Pro Medicus 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 Pro Medicus 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…

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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 recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Pro Medicus. 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.