Tag: Stock pick

While it’s easy to flick through headlines of share market winners, it’s also worthwhile looking at ASX shares that are trading at 52-week lows. 

A struggling company can easily be oversold, offering attractive entry points for savvy investors. 

Here are three ASX shares trading close to 52-week lows. 

Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU)

Computershare closed yesterday at $34.03, while this is slightly ahead of its 52-week low, it is still 20% below its share price last February. 

It is an Australian financial administration company offering global services in corporate trusts, stock transfers, and employee share plans.

On a consumer level, you might be familiar with Computershare’s online portal to manage investments such as shares, dividends, and shareholder communications.

The decline in share price likely reflects broader investing headwinds.

However, after a 20% decline, it may be sitting at a relative discount considering its steady execution of FY26 guidance.

While this isn’t a stock likely to explode overnight, analysts have an average price target just under $37. 

This indicates an upside of more than 8.6% from current levels. 

Audinate Group Ltd (ASX: AD8)

Audinate Group was one of the many ASX technology shares that endured a tough 2025.

In fact, the Information Technology (ASX: XIJ) index fell more than 20%. 

It was an even worse performance from Audinate Group, which is down 60% from its 52 week highs last February. 

It is an Australian technology company that develops and sells digital audio-visual (AV) networking solutions, primarily through its Dante platform, which is widely used in professional audio and AV systems around the world

Investor sentiment soured on these ASX shares after weaker-than-expected financial performance, lowered growth prospects, and cautious outlooks from analysts. 

However after falling significantly, it could be a buy-low target. 

It now sits below estimates from analysts. 

TradingView has an average price target of $7.54. 

This indicates 70% upside from yesterday’s closing price of $4.14. 

Premier Investments Ltd (ASX: PMV)

Premier Investments is an Australian company that owns and operates specialty retail brands, consumer products, and wholesale businesses.

Retail fashion brands that exist under its umbrella include Peter Alexander and Smiggle.

Its share price has fallen more than 46% over the last year as it now sits at a 52 week low. 

Recently, Macquarie reduced its 12-month price target on Premier Investments from $20.80 to $16.20 per share.

This came after a trading update revealed weaker discretionary spending in 1H FY26.

Even taking into account the reduced price target, this price target suggests 20.71% upside.

The post Bargain hunting – these ASX shares are trading near 52-week lows appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Could these ASX ETFs be set for a rebound in 2026?
• Are Computershare shares a buy after reaching new lows?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• $5,000 to invest? Consider 4 no-brainer ASX dividend shares with over 20 years of growth
• Buy these 2 ASX 200 retail shares for growth and income

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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 Audinate Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Audinate Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Premier Investments. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

ASX consumer staples shares largely fell flat in 2025. 

Last week, The Motley Fool’s Bronwyn Allen compared the performance of all 11 ASX sectors for 2025.

Coming in a disappointing 8th place was consumer staples shares. 

The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples index (ASX:XSJ) rose just 1.43% for the year. 

For comparison, the best performing sector – materials – rose more than 31%. 

Why buy consumer staples shares?

Consumer staples shares play an important role in the economy for the everyday punter. 

These companies provide essential goods and services. 

Essentially, consumer staples are items people need rather than want, so they will continue to buy regardless of their financial situation. 

This provides some defensive advantages, as they aren’t linked to market conditions as heavily as other sectors. 

For example, consumer discretionary items like electronics, travel and luxury goods are far more dependent on economic conditions and cash flow. 

If household spending is tight, you aren’t going to book an overseas holiday or buy a new luxury car. 

However you still need groceries, fuel etc. 

This is the appeal of consumer staples shares. 

Two consumer staples shares with upside 

Amongst the sector that fell flat last year, there were two that fell substantially that now may present value. 

The first is Inghams Group Ltd (ASX: ING). 

If the name sounds familiar, that’s because Inghams supplies poultry products, notably to major Australian supermarkets Woolworths and Coles, and quick-service restaurants including McDonalds and KFC.

The company has a dominant position in the poultry market in both Australia and New Zealand. 

In the last 12 months, its share price is down more than 20%. 

The first reason it may be an attractive stock is its healthy dividend. 

It is projected to pay a grossed-up dividend yield of more than 7% this year. It’s hard to find a yield better than that. 

This is significantly above the ASX 200 average of 3.5%.

Furthermore, analysts’ price targets suggest its current share price is below fair value. 

Estimates from TradingView and online brokerage platform SelfWealth list it as undervalued by between 4-11%. 

Another consumer staples stock that could be undervalued is Ridley Corporation Ltd (ASX: RIC).

It is an animal feed manufacturer, engaged in the production and market of stock feed and animal feed supplements.

Its share price is down 4% over the last 12 months. 

This is despite solid earnings in FY25 including  EBITDA climbing 8.6% on FY24. 

SelfWealth lists this stock as undervalued by 33%, while average analyst ratings on TradingView includes a one year price target 30% higher than current levels. 

It also offers a dividend yield above 3%.

The post Two ASX consumer staples shares to buy on the cheap appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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.

Every so often, investors are given the chance to position themselves in front of structural changes that reshape the global economy for decades.

These aren’t short-term fads or cyclical rebounds. They are once-in-a-generation shifts driven by technology, demographics, and productivity gains.

For investors looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can be one of the smartest ways to capture these opportunities without needing to pick individual winners.

Two ASX ETFs that stand out for their exposure to transformational trends that are still in their early stages are listed below. Here’s what you need to know about them:

Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

The rise of Asia’s technology champions is one of the most powerful investment stories of this century, and it is far from over. The Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF provides exposure to many of the region’s most influential and innovative companies, spanning China, Taiwan, and South Korea.

Key holdings include Tencent Holdings (SEHK: 700), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE: TSM), PDD Holdings (NASDAQ: PDD), SK Hynix, and Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA). These businesses sit at the heart of digital payments, social media, cloud computing, e-commerce, and advanced semiconductor manufacturing.

What makes this opportunity particularly compelling is its scale. Asia is home to billions of consumers, rapidly growing middle classes, and some of the world’s most advanced manufacturing ecosystems.

While the region’s share markets can be volatile in the short term, long-term growth drivers such as artificial intelligence adoption, digitisation, and rising consumer spending remain firmly intact. For investors with patience, the Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF offers a way to tap into technological growth that rivals that of the United States. Betashares recently recommended the fund to investors.

Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: RBTZ)

If there is one theme that could redefine how the global economy functions, it is artificial intelligence and automation. The Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF provides investors with diversified exposure to stocks that are building the hardware, software, and systems powering this transformation.

Its portfolio includes leaders such as Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA), Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG), and ABB Ltd (SWX: ABBN). These companies are central to everything from AI computing infrastructure and robotic surgery to industrial automation and smart factories.

The opportunity here is not limited to one industry. Robotics and AI are being embedded across healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, defence, and consumer technology. As labour shortages intensify and productivity becomes increasingly critical, automation is shifting from optional to essential.

The Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF gives investors exposure to this trend at a global level, capturing innovation wherever it emerges. It was also recently recommended  by the fund manager.

The post 2 brilliant ETFs to buy in 2026 that tap once-in-a-lifetime investment opportunities appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Betashares Capital – Asia Technology Tigers Etf. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Abb, Intuitive Surgical, Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, and Tencent. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Alibaba Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

ASX dividend shares could be some of the smartest buys right now after multiple RBA rate cuts last year. Plus, some businesses can provide exposure to attractive Australian-based earnings, which could be wise if an investor is uncertain about the outlook for the global economy.

If businesses are undervalued, they can be particularly appealing on the dividend yield side of things because a lower valuation boosts the yield.

While the two names below aren’t the most famous, it looks to me like a good time to invest in both of them.

Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP)

This ASX dividend share is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns a portfolio of industrial properties across Australian metropolitan locations.

It continues to benefit from a low vacancy rate in Australian cities because of the limited space and the amount of demand for industrial properties.

Australia requires more space for fresh food and pharmaceutical demand, increased data centre demand, onshoring of supply chains and increasing e-commerce adoption.

The business has properties across the subsectors of distribution centres, manufacturing and production, transport logistics, data centres and cold storage, giving it broad exposure to the industrial sector.

In FY26, it’s expecting to grow its rental earnings – as measured by the funds from operations (FFO) – per unit to between 18.2 cents to 18.5 cents. This guidance represents growth of up to 6% compared to FY25.

The distribution is being paid in quarterly instalments and the ASX dividend share expects to deliver a payout of 16.8 cents per unit in FY26, representing a year-over-year increase of 3% to 16.8 cents. It has a distribution yield of 5.1%.

It also reported $3.92 of net tangible assets (NTA) at 30 June 2025, so it’s valued at an attractive 16% discount.

Adairs Ltd (ASX: ADH)

Adairs is a retailer of homewares and furniture. It has three businesses: Adairs, Focus on Furniture and Mocka.

The company has suffered a valuation decline in recent months. Over the past three months its share price has dropped around 30%.

But, for such a cyclical retailer like Adairs, this lower valuation could be the right time to pounce and then be patient.

This ASX dividend share is not priced for a lot of success over the medium-term. But, analyst estimates suggest that the company could see steadily rising earnings and dividends in the coming years.

The projection on CMC Markets suggests the ASX dividend share could generate earnings per share (EPS) of 20.1 cents in FY26, 24.1 cents in FY27 and 26.8 cents in FY28.

With those forecasts, the potential dividend per share could be 12.5 cents in FY26, 15.5 cents in FY27 and 18 cents in FY28.

At the current Adairs share price, it’s valued at less than 9x FY26’s estimated earnings with a possible grossed-up dividend yield of 10%, including franking credits.

The trading update in October suggested that group sales are expected to grow by at least $9 million in the first half of FY26 to between $319.5 million to $331.5 million. Sales growth is a promising sign for earnings growth, even if it’s not as strong as the market was hoping for.

The post These 2 ASX dividend shares are great buys right now 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 positions in and has recommended Adairs. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Adairs. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

When investors talk about buying shares to hold forever, they are usually referring to businesses with durable competitive advantages, long growth runways, and the ability to adapt as markets evolve.

These are not companies that rely on perfect economic conditions or short-term trends. Instead, they tend to sit at the centre of powerful structural shifts and compound steadily over many years.

With that in mind, here are two ASX 200 stocks that could fit comfortably into a long-term portfolio in 2026 and beyond.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

I think it is fair to say that Goodman Group has quietly built one of the strongest long-term growth stories on the Australian share market.

While it is often classified as a property stock, Goodman is far more than a traditional landlord. Its business is deeply embedded in global logistics, industrial property, and increasingly, digital infrastructure. This gives it exposure to some of the most powerful themes shaping the global economy, including ecommerce, supply chain modernisation, and growing data consumption.

What sets this ASX 200 stock apart from the rest is its development-led model. Rather than simply collecting rent, the company earns attractive returns by developing high-quality assets in prime locations, often alongside global capital partners. This capital-light approach allows Goodman to scale without overburdening its balance sheet.

As demand grows for data centres, automation-ready warehouses, and strategically located logistics hubs, Goodman appears well positioned to keep expanding its earnings base. For patient investors, this combination of global reach, structural tailwinds, and disciplined execution could make Goodman a compelling long-term holding.

TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE)

TechnologyOne is one of the most reliable ASX 200 stocks out there, yet it often flies under the radar compared to higher-profile technology names.

The company provides mission-critical enterprise software to governments, local councils, universities, and large organisations. These customers value reliability, deep functionality, and long-term partnerships, which historically results in exceptionally sticky revenue and low churn.

Over recent years, TechnologyOne has successfully transitioned to a pure software-as-a-service model, dramatically improving revenue quality and visibility. Today, the vast majority of its income is recurring, providing a strong foundation for future growth.

What makes TechnologyOne particularly attractive for a buy-and-hold strategy is its clear ambition to keep scaling over time. Management continues to invest heavily in product development, international expansion, and new functionality, while maintaining strong profitability and cash generation.

In fact, management believes it can double in size every five years. And with a long runway in overseas markets and increasing adoption of cloud-based enterprise software, I think it can too.

The post 2 unstoppable ASX 200 stocks to buy in 2026 and hold forever appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Many sectors have posted impressive gains over the past year, and the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) even reached an all-time high at one point. But three ASX stocks far outpaced the rest.

Here are among the three fastest-growing stocks on the planet, and they’re all listed on the ASX.

Droneshield Ltd (ASX: DRO)

Droneshield shares skyrocketed 18.43% higher at the close of the ASX on Tuesday, to $3.92 a piece. For 2026 so far, the shares are 27.27% higher and they’re a huge 429.73% higher than this time last year.

The ASX stock soared to a record-high in early-October last year, before crashing 74% within 6 weeks. But the counter drone operator clearly turned things at the end of 2025 and that growth has continued soaring through to 2026.

There was no news out of the company on Tuesday, but it’s possible that investors believe the latest US-Venezuela situation translates to higher demand for counter drone solutions.

The company has a strong growth strategy ahead, too. In 2026 it plans to scale its manufacturing capacity, expand its global footprint and continue converting its huge sales pipeline into secured contracts.

Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX: PNR)

The second-best performer is small-cap gold producer and explorer Pantoro Gold. Its shares climbed 0.57% at the close of the ASX on Tuesday, to $5.27 a piece. For 2026-to-date, the shares are 7.55% higher, and they’re up a huge 219.39% from this time last year.

The pace of growth isn’t quite as extreme as Droneshield, but Pantoro Gold’s enormous share price surge was more stable. The stock peaked at an all-time high in early-October last year when it reported promising drill results at its fully-owned Norseman Gold Project in Western Australia. 

It lost around 25% of gains by the end of the month. But the share price then fluctuated around the $5 mark for the remainder of the year.

Pantoro Gold has aggressive growth plans for 2026. It is focused on expanding its Norseman Gold Project in Western Australia. It plans to increase production to over 200,000 ounces, from 100,000 ounces per year.

4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX)

4DMedical is a medical technology company focused on respiratory imaging and ventilation analysis for the treatment of lung and respiratory diseases. 

The company is one of the fastest-growing stocks in the world. It rocketed to success in August last year following some successful partnerships and new commercial contracts. A run of positive financial results and achieved milestones followed throughout the remainder of 2025 and it sent the share price flying.

The ASX stock closed 2.7% higher on Tuesday, at $4.19 per share. For 2026 so far, 4DMedical shares have climbed 3.46% but they’re up a staggering 1,645% from just six months ago.

In 2026, 4DMedical will focus on accelerating the rollout of its newly-FDA approved CT:VQ imaging product through strategic partnerships and new contracts. The company hopes that 2026 will be a transformative year driven by increased product adoption and long-term commercial growth.

The post 3 of the fastest-growing stocks on the planet in 2025 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 best ASX 200 industrial shares of 2025
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• US stocks vs. ASX shares in 2025
• Why 2025 was the year of the ASX small-cap shares
• Why BlueScope, DroneShield, Monadelphous, and SGH shares are racing higher today

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 DroneShield. 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 Australian economy has a unique profile weighted towards specific sectors. One great way to capture these is by investing in thematic ASX ETFs. 

When you look at the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), you notice it is heavily weighted towards sectors like financials (big banks) and materials/resource giants. 

In fact, these two sectors make up more than half of the ASX 200 in terms of market cap.

While it’s important to have a diversified portfolio, investing in these markets can also capture strong returns when they outperform. 

If you are looking to ride the returns of Australia’s largest sectors, here are some thematic ASX ETFs to consider. 

BetaShares S&P/ASX 200 Resources Sector ETF (ASX: QRE)

This ASX ETF offers exposure to the largest ASX-listed companies in the resources sector, including BHP, Rio Tinto, Woodside Petroleum and more.

Investors should be aware it is heavily weighted towards BHP Group (ASX: BHP) which makes up 33% of the fund. 

In total, it is made up of 43 holdings. 

A bet on Australian resources over the last 10 years has proved a strong investment. 

This ASX ETF is up more than 200% since January 2016. 

This includes a rise of more than 30% in the last 12 months. 

VanEck Vectors Australian Banks ETF (ASX: MVB)

Australian banks make up a massive part of the economy thanks to the dominance of the big four. 

This ASX ETF from VanEck offers a portfolio of ASX-listed banks and financial institutions in one trade. 

The fund is made up of 7 holdings: 

• Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) 
• National Australia Bank Limited (ASX: NAB)
• Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX: WBC) 
• Australia And New Zealand Banking Group (ASX:ANZ) 
• Macquarie Group Limited (ASX: MQG)
• Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited (ASX: BEN)
• Bank of Queensland (ASX: BOQ)

The fund has an almost equal weighting of 20% each for the big four banks. 

Essentially, these four make up 80% of the fund, with Macquarie representing a 17.5% weighting and the final two, smaller banks combining for a 2.6% weighting. 

The fund has risen 66% in the last 5 years. 

VanEck Vectors Australian Property ETF (ASX: MVA)

While real estate isn’t one of the biggest sectors on the ASX, it remains a vital component of the Australian economy due to its role in investment, employment, and housing.

This ASX ETF from VanEck gives investors exposure to a diversified portfolio of Australian REITs.

A real estate investment trust (REIT) is a company that owns and operates property assets that typically produce income.

This fund from VanEck is made up of 13 holdings, and includes a 4% dividend yield.

It has risen 13% over the last year. 

The post Best ASX ETFs to target winning Aussie sectors in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Own Betashares ASX ETFs? Here’s your next dividend

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has positions in BHP Group and National Australia Bank. 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 Bendigo And Adelaide Bank and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) increased by 6.8% and provided total returns, including dividends, of 10.32% last year.

Industrials was the second-best performer among the 11 ASX 200 market sectors, rising 10.2% with total returns of 13.98%.

Let’s check out the top performing ASX 200 industrial shares of the year.

5 best ASX 200 industrial shares for capital growth

These were the five best-performing shares for price growth in 2025.

1. DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO)

ASX 200 defence share Droneshield leapt 300% to close at $3.08 on 31 December.

That was actually a major retreat on the industrial share’s 52-week high of $6.61.

Droneshield is riding the wave of increased global defence spending.

However, investors were alarmed in November when CEO Oleg Vornik sold more than $49 million worth of shares.

In response, DroneShield announced a mandatory minimum shareholding policy for all directors and senior managers. 

2. Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB)

Fellow ASX 200 defence share, Austal, increased 116% to close at $6.69 per share on 31 December.

Austal’s 52-week high last year was $8.60 per share.

Austal is Australia’s largest defence exporter.

Its clients include the Australian Navy and the US Navy, and it owns shipyards in the US, Australia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

Austal announced several new contracts last year, including a $1.029 billion design and construct contract for the Australian Army.

In December, Treasurer Jim Chalmers and the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approved an application lodged by a long-time suitor for Austal to buy up to a 19.9% stake.

South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Corp is a Fortune 500 company the offered to buy Austal for $2.825 per share in cash in 2024.

3. Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND)

The Monadelphous share price ripped 89% to close the year at $26.51. Its 52-week high was $27.83.

Monadelphous provides engineering, construction, and maintenance services in the resources, energy, and industrial sectors.

At the company’s AGM in November, chair Rob Velletri said Monadelphous had secured about $2.3 billion in new contracts and extensions in FY25, which was a record, plus another $570 million since the end of the financial year.

The following month, Monadelphous announced a $250 million contract with Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) for it Brockman Syncline 1 iron ore development.

4. Silex Systems Ltd (ASX: SLX)

The Silex Systems share price soared 71% to finish the year at $8.63.

The industrial share’s annual high was $10.85 per share.

The nuclear technology developer ascended into the benchmark index in the December rebalance.

My colleague, Leigh Gant, describes Silex Systems as “one of the most fascinating energy technology stories on the ASX“.

The company is working on one of the most advanced enrichment processes in the world.

Its proprietary SILEX laser system separates uranium isotopes more efficiently than traditional centrifuge methods.

The system recently gained TRL-6 validation, and could redefine how nuclear fuel is produced in the future.

5. Ventia Services Group Ltd (ASX: VNT)

The Ventia Services share price rose 65% to close 2025 at $5.95 per share. The 52-week high was $6.05.

Ventia is a leading infrastructure maintenance services provider in Australia and New Zealand.

Ventia announced several new contracts in 2025.

This included a $100 million NSW Whole‑of‑Government cleaning contract for Western Sydney, with a potential one-year extension.

During the August earnings season, Ventia reported a 19.4% lift in the value of work in hand to a record $20.6 billion for 1H FY25.

The post 5 best ASX 200 industrial shares of 2025 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 of the fastest-growing stocks on the planet in 2025
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• US stocks vs. ASX shares in 2025
• Why 2025 was the year of the ASX small-cap shares
• Why Andean Silver, CBA, Life360, and Silex shares are dropping today

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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 DroneShield. 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.

On Tuesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was out of form and tumbled into the red. The benchmark index fell 0.5% to 8,682.8 points.

Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Wednesday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to rebound

The Australian share market looks set to rise on Wednesday following a strong night of trade on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 45 points or 0.5% higher this morning. In late trade in the United States, the Dow Jones is up 1%, the S&P 500 is up 0.65%, and the Nasdaq is up 0.6%.

Oil prices tumble

ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a poor session after oil prices tumbled overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 2% to US$57.11 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 1.75% to US$60.68 a barrel. This was driven by a lower supply outlook and Venezuelan output uncertainty.

BHP and Rio Tinto on watch

It could be a good session for BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares and Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares on Wednesday. Overnight on the NYSE, both mining giants saw their US-listed shares rise over 2% to new 52-week highs. This bodes well for the performance of their ASX-listed shares during today’s session.

Gold price rises

ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a good session on Wednesday after the gold price pushed higher again. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 0.85% to US$4,490.6 an ounce. The precious metal neared a record high after geopolitical risks boosted demand for safe haven assets.

Buy Aeris shares

Bell Potter thinks that Aeris Resources Ltd (ASX: AIS) shares are in the buy zone. The broker has retained its buy rating on the copper miner’s shares with an improved price target of 82 cents (from 65 cents). It said: “AIS is a copper-dominant producer, with its near-term outlook highly leveraged to the copper price, increasing production at Tritton and gold production at Cracow. Tritton is an attractive corporate target, in our view, with upside to our Target Price supported by low valuation multiples. Our Target Price lifts 26% to $0.82/sh. We maintain our Buy recommendation.”

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday 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 recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Defensive shares can be a strong investment decision to weather the storm of volatile markets. 

Last year, global geopolitical events contributed to market volatility, particularly in April, which saw a strong dip for ASX shares around the US liberation day tariff announcements. 

Already in 2026, we have witnessed the US capturing of Venezuelan President Maduro.

While here in Australia we might feel far removed, it’s important to understand how these kinds of geopolitical events can impact local markets. 

Interconnected markets 

Regardless of your political stance, geopolitical events can impact ASX shares by increasing global uncertainty, which prompts investors to reduce exposure to riskier assets such as equities. 

Because Australia is closely integrated into global financial markets and relies heavily on foreign investment, sudden shifts to “risk-off” sentiment can trigger capital outflows from the ASX even when the event occurs overseas. 

Such shocks often cause volatility in commodity prices and the Australian dollar. Both of these strongly influence major Australian sectors like mining, energy, and banking. 

As investors reassess growth prospects, inflation risks, and credit conditions, Australian share prices may fall due to weaker confidence rather than any direct damage to the domestic economy.

Of course, on the flip side, global events can create supply and demand shifts, which can also positively impact certain sectors.

Yesterday, the Motley Fool’s Bernd Struben covered how recent the recent events in Venezuela might influence ASX energy shares.

Defensive shares 

It’s often a fool’s game to predict the future of the stock market. But one thing that is guaranteed is there will always be periods of volatility.

However, for investors looking to position themselves with some safety, a good option is to consider defensive shares. 

Defensive stocks are typically defined as established, dividend-paying companies that earn steady profits regardless of economic conditions. 

They often operate in essential sectors like consumer staples, healthcare, utilities, and fast food, where demand stays strong even during economic downturns.

Should the ASX experience volatility in 2026, from emerging geopolitical events or unrelated economic downturn, here are three defensive shares to consider. 

Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS)

As Australia’s largest telecommunications provider, Telstra supplies essential services such as mobile, internet, and fixed-line connectivity that households and businesses continue to use during economic downturns. 

Its large, recurring subscription revenues, strong market position, and historically reliable dividend payments make its cash flows more predictable than cyclical companies. 

Investors often view Telstra as a safer place to park capital during periods of market uncertainty.

Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

Transurban operates tollways in Australia, Canada, and the United States. 

Demand for road transport is relatively steady. People and freight keep moving even in downturns. 

Essentially, it generates stable, long-term, inflation-linked cash flows regardless of economic cycles.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

Another option for a defensive investment is Woolworths. 

Data shows Woolworths has 38% of supermarket grocery sales nationally, which means Australians depend on the company for essential groceries. 

This dependence keeps Woolworths essential to the Australian economy regardless of market conditions. 

Its large scale, strong market position, and steady cash flows help insulate earnings from economic downturns, making Woolworths relatively resilient during periods of market volatility.

The post Expecting a down year for the ASX? Here’s 3 ASX defensive shares to target appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• 3 no-brainer ASX stocks to buy with $1,000 right now for the New Year
• How I’d build a growing passive income stream from ASX shares over 15 years
• Forecast: Here’s what $10,000 invested in Telstra shares could be worth next year
• Why I think Telstra and Woolworths shares are buys for passive income

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group, Transurban Group, and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.