Tag: Stock pick

In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to record a disappointing decline. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 0.85% to 8,874.4 points.

Four ASX shares that are not letting that hold them back are listed below. Here’s why they are rising:

Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD)

The Ampol share price is up almost 4% to $32.82. This morning, the fuel retailer released a trading update and revealed that first-quarter total refinery production rose 10% and its Lytton Refiner Margin (LRM) jumped to US$25.45 per barrel. It said: “The LRM for the first quarter of 2026 was US$25.45 per barrel. This included a substantial uplift in global refiner margins in the month of March following commencement of the Middle East conflict and its subsequent impact on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.”

Meteoric Resources NL (ASX: MEI)

The Meteoric Resources share price is up 12% to 19 cents. This follows news that the rare earths developer has received firm commitments to raise $40 million via a placement. These funds were raised at an offer price equal to its last close price of $0.17 per new share. Meteoric’s managing director and CEO, Stuart Gale, said: “To launch this capital raising at no discount to the prior close and be significantly oversubscribed is a great endorsement from investors in the Caldeira Project and the broader rare earth market. Proceeds from the Placement support the current activities and allow us to broaden our engineering studies and design work, including assessment of separation opportunities.”

Praemium Ltd (ASX: PPS)

The Praemium share price is up 2.5% to 75.2 cents. Investors have been buying this investment platform provider’s shares following the release of its quarterly update. Praemium revealed an 18% increase in funds under administration (FUA) to $73.7 billion. The company’s CEO, Anthony Wamsteker, commented: “The March quarter delivered strong net flows into Spectrum, reflecting adviser confidence in the platform and validating our strategic focus on the HNW segment. This demand highlights the breadth and strength of our offering and the opportunity to further grow our market share.”

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE)

The Treasury Wine share price is up 18% to $4.77. This morning, the wine giant announced its transition to a new regional operating model as it progresses its global transformation program, TWE Ascent. But perhaps the bigger news relates to current depletions trends. Management advised that Penfolds continues to deliver strong depletions growth in China, with depletions up 40% over the Chinese New Year period on a seasonally adjusted basis. In addition, overall US market depletions were up 9.1% versus the prior corresponding period and depletions returned to growth in California.

The post Why Ampol, Meteoric Resources, Praemium, and Treasury Wine shares are storming higher appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why this ASX 200 energy stock is back in focus today
• Why are shares in this ASX rare earths company surging today?
• Why are Treasury Wine shares rocketing 16% today?
• Ampol Q1 2026 trading update: Refiner margins soar, production lifts
• Treasury Wine Estates improves depletions and unveils regional model

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 Praemium and 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.

Shares in Atlas Arteria Ltd (ASX: ALX) hit a 12-month low this week, but the analyst team at Macquarie believes this could be the signal to buy in.

Weak quarterly results

The shares hit a low of $4.20 on Tuesday after the company reported its toll revenue for the quarter had increased by just 0.1%.

The toll road operator was not blaming fuel price increases for the lacklustre performance, but did say it was keeping a watching brief.

As the company said:

Historically, there has been low elasticity in the long term between fuel prices and traffic performance on our roads, which have demonstrated resilience through varied economic conditions. Atlas Arteria will continue to monitor the impacts of fuel costs and concerns created by the disruptions to supply out of the Middle East, noting that the regions in which Atlas Arteria primarily operates have lower exposure to these supply disruptions compared to Australia. In addition, most of our roads have toll regimes which are primarily CPI-linked, noting that any increases in fuel costs and associated impact to inflation will take time to flow through.

One thing working in the company’s favour is its robust dividend yield, which is running at 9.43%, with the company saying previously it was committed to maintaining dividends at 40 cents per share.

Looking into the details of the company’s quarterly report, it said its French APRR Group recorded a 0.9% decrease in traffic compared with the first quarter of 2025.

The company said:

Light vehicle traffic across France has been lower on most of the French toll road network, including before global fuel prices rose sharply worldwide. Conversely, heavy vehicle traffic has been consistently higher across the period. This, together with CPI-linked toll increases implemented from 1 February 2026, supported revenue performance in the period with toll revenue up 1.1%.

A price increase at the company’s Chicago Skyway business supported a 1.8% increase in revenue while traffic increased by 0.1%.

Traffic at the Dulles Greenway business was up 7.6% despite a series of adverse weather events.

Shares looking cheap

Macquarie ran the ruler over the quarterly report, and while it has reduced its share price forecast for Atlas, it still believes there is money to be made.

Macquarie lowered its price target on the stock to $5.02, from $5.43 previously, which, with the dividend yield, would imply a return of 27.7% based on the $4.24 share price when the report was written.

The shares are currently changing hands for $4.23.

Macquarie did warn that currency would become more of a headwind, which could make maintaining the dividend “materially harder”.

Atlas Arteria is valued at $6.1 billion.

The post This ASX dividend share could deliver a return of more than 25% Macquarie says appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why have Atlas Arteria shares hit a 12-month low today?
• Atlas Arteria shares: Q1 2026 toll revenue ticks higher
• How many shares in this high-dividend toll road stock do you need for a $10,000 income stream?
• This ASX dividend stock is now paying out more than 9%
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

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

Tabcorp Holdings Ltd (ASX: TAH) shares have flown higher over the past week, pushing the wagering and gaming products provider’s value to a multi-year high.

At the time of writing, Tabcorp shares are flat at $1.10 per share. But the latest trading price still represents a 16% increase over the past week and a 12% increase over last month.

Tabcorp shares have also increased an impressive 107% over the past year.

There hasn’t been any price-sensitive news out of the business since it posted its half-year results in February.

So the question is, why is everyone suddenly buying Tabcorp shares this week?

Here’s what is driving Tabcorp shares higher

It looks like investors are finally buying into Tabcorp’s recovery after a two-year period of weakness from late 2023 to late 2025.

The company has managed to stage a turnaround, which has created stronger financial results this year and renewed market confidence. Now it appears that the changes have finally gained some traction.

Tabcorp has undergone cost-cutting measures, a restructure, and also reshuffled its leadership in an effort to improve its revenue and earnings.

In its first-half results, the company revealed that group revenue was a modest 1% higher, EBITDA before significant items was up 14.3%, and statutory net profit before significant items had surged 61.5%.

The figures came in way ahead of market expectations (around 34% above consensus estimates), and a sudden rise in investor interest saw the share price jump nearly 24% in just one day.

Elsewhere, renewed confidence that the war between the US and Iran will soon come to a peace agreement has reinvigorated shares across most ASX markets.

What’s next from the wagering stock? Is there more upside ahead?

According to analyst estimates, we can expect to see much more upside from Tabcorp over the next 12 months as its earnings continue to build and investor confidence gains even more momentum.

TradingView data shows that eight out of 12 analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on Tabcorp shares. Another three have a hold rating on the stock.

The average target price of $1.135 implies another 3% upside at the time of writing. Whereas the maximum $1.29 target price suggests we could see Tabcorp shares climb another 18%.

Ord Minnett was the latest broker to update its rating on Tabcorp shares. In mid March the broker trimmed its rating to accumulate, from buy, and raised its price target to $1.17 “on valuation grounds”.

Morgans also recently maintained its accumulate rating and increased its target price to $1.20.

The post Why is everyone buying Tabcorp shares this week? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Guess which ASX stock is closing in on its multi-year high

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.

South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) shares are pushing higher.

The mining stock rose another 1% to $4.45 on Wednesday morning after delivering a solid March 2026 quarterly update. That continues a strong run, with shares now up 16% over the past month and 25% in 2026.

South32 shares are up an impressive 66% over the past year, well ahead of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which is up around 15%.

So what’s behind the lift today?

Record production

The headline numbers were encouraging. South32 reported a US$121 million increase in net cash for the quarter, strengthening its balance sheet. At the same time, Brazil Alumina delivered record year-to-date production, rising 5% to 1,060kt.

Operationally, the business held up well despite a challenging backdrop. The mining company maintained production guidance across most of its portfolio, signalling resilience across key assets. One standout was Sierra Gorda, which delivered a record quarterly distribution of US$135 million.

South32 Chief Executive Officer, Graham Kerr, said:

Our teams delivered several strong operating results in the March quarter, despite adverse weather impacts.
Hillside Aluminium continued to test its maximum technical capacity, capitalising on higher aluminium prices, while
Brazil Alumina achieved record year to date production, and Sierra Gorda made a record quarterly distribution of US$135M.

Supply chains, cyclone impact

There were some weak spots. Australia Manganese saw its guidance cut due to water issues following heavy rainfall and cyclone activity. However, this appears to be a site-specific issue rather than a broader trend across the group. South32 shares also noted it is keeping a close eye on supply chains, though it reported no current diesel shortages.

Like many global miners, it is navigating higher freight costs linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Safety remains a key focus. The company reported a tragic fatality at its Worsley Alumina operation in March, prompting a temporary suspension of non-critical work and an ongoing review.

Share buyback

On the investment front, South32 continues to deploy capital into growth and maintenance. It spent US$239 million on capital expenditure across the group in the first nine months of FY26, excluding major projects and joint ventures.

Shareholders are also benefiting. South32 shares completed a US$35 million on-market share buyback during the period and still has US$209 million remaining under its capital management program.

What next for South32 shares?

Looking ahead, attention is turning to its growth pipeline. South32 expects to complete a review of key milestones and capital spending for the Hermosa Taylor project in the June 2026 half, as infrastructure contracts continue to be awarded.

In the near term, management is focused on resolving operational issues, including water management at Australia Manganese and improving logistics at Mozal Aluminium and Cannington as rail access improves.

Foolish bottom line

The bigger picture remains intact. South32 is targeting long-term growth in commodities like copper, zinc, and silver, while maintaining a strong balance sheet to navigate volatility.

For investors, this update ticks several boxes: solid production, rising cash, and ongoing shareholder returns. That combination is helping explain why South32 shares continue to trend higher.

The post South32 shares are rising again – what just happened? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• South32 lifts net cash and sets Brazil Alumina output record in March quarter
• ASX 200 shares with renewed buy ratings this week
• Up 67% in a year! The red-hot South32 share price is smashing BHP, Rio and Fortescue
• Buy, hold, or sell? South32, Capstone Copper, and BHP shares
• Buy, hold, sell: Cochlear, South32, and Westpac shares

Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has positions in South32. 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.

DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO), Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST), and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are catching plenty of attention on Wednesday.

One of the ASX powerhouses is underperforming the 0.9% loss posted by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) in late morning trade, while two are shaking off the wider market malaise and marching higher.

Here’s what’s happening.

BHP shares lift on surging copper prices

BHP shares are in the green today, up 0.7% at $55.87 apiece.

The ASX 200 mining giant is making waves today following the release of its operational review, covering the nine months to 31 March.

Turning to its two top earning commodities, BHP reported a 2% year-on-year increase in iron ore production for the nine months to 197 million tonnes. This was supported by record production at the miner’s integrated Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) systems.

Copper production went the other direction, slipping 3% from the same period in FY 2025 to 1.461 million tonnes. But BHP shares look to be getting support, with the miner achieving a 31% year on year increase in its average realised copper price to US$5.47 per pound.

BHP also confirmed that Brandon Craig, current president Americas, will take over as CEO on 1 July. Current CEO Mike Henry is stepping down from the top job after six and a half years.

DroneShield shares rise on surging revenue

Like BHP shares, DroneShield shares are rising in today’s sinking market.

At time of writing, shares in the ASX 200 drone defence company are up 0.5%, changing hands for $3.83 apiece.

DroneShield is making financial news headlines today following the release of its first quarter (Q1 2026) results.

Highlights for the three months include a 121% year-on-year increase in revenue to $74.1 million. And customer cash receipts of $77.4 million were up 360% from Q1 2025.

Turning to the balance sheet, DroneShield’s cash balance at the end of the quarter was up 13% year-on-year to $222.8 million, with no debt.

Which brings us to…

Northern Star shares slide on update

Joining DroneShield and BHP shares in the top headlines today, Northern Star shares are down 3.0%, trading for $22.94 each.

The ASX 200 gold stock is under pressure following its own March quarter update release. Though to put today’s performance in better perspective, the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) is down 2.3% at time of writing.

For the March quarter, Northern Star sold 380,807 ounces of gold at an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of $2,709 per ounce. The Aussie gold mining giant reported revenue from gold sales of $2.01 billion.

However, investors may be favouring their sell buttons today, with the company also flagging an uptick in its FY 2026 growth capital expenditures.

Potentially supporting Northern Star shares down the road, management announced an on-market share buyback of up to $500 million.

As at 31 March, Northern Star had a cash and bullion balance of $1.18 billion.

The post Why Northern Star, DroneShield and BHP shares are making waves on Wednesday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why are Northern Star shares sinking today?
• DroneShield share price jumps after reporting 121% Q1 revenue increase
• BHP shares charge higher following third-quarter update
• Northern Star Resources March quarter 2026: higher-margin gold sales and solid cash flow
• DroneShield delivers record 1Q26 revenue and cash receipts

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 positions in and has recommended DroneShield. 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.

Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) shares are back in motion on Wednesday, pushing higher after a steady run into April.

The stock is up 4.43% to $33.01 in midday trade, adding to recent gains.

Over the past 12 months, the share price has climbed roughly 50%.

The stock had already been building momentum, and today’s update has kept it going.

Refining margins surge as trading conditions shift

According to the release, Ampol reported a Lytton Refiner Margin (LRM) of US$25.45 per barrel for the March quarter. That is up from US$6.07 a year earlier.

That jump reflects a clear shift in global refining conditions. Tighter product markets and shifting trade flows have lifted margins across the sector.

Production also improved during the quarter. Total output reached 1.434 billion litres, up 10% year-on-year after prior weather disruptions.

Sales volumes steady, but mix continues to evolve

Group sales volumes were broadly flat at 6,125 million litres. The detail underneath was more mixed.

Convenience retail volumes rose 3.5%, while wholesale volumes increased 5.2%. Both areas showed steady demand across the quarter.

Net sales volumes declined, reflecting differences in trading activity compared with last year. International volumes, including New Zealand, edged higher.

Overall demand has held up, even as pricing and supply conditions continue to shift.

Supply disruptions force operational adjustments

The broader backdrop has been shaped by disruption in the Middle East. Ampol said this has affected global oil markets and refined product flows into Australia.

The Lytton refinery processes a different crude slate, which has supported ongoing operations. That said, the company has taken steps to lock in additional supply.

This includes diesel and jet fuel imports through May and June. Agreements have also been put in place to support fuel availability.

Maintenance timing has been adjusted as well. Turnaround work on a key refinery unit has been pushed back to August.

Momentum carrying into the second quarter

Ampol expects stronger trading conditions to continue into the current quarter. The company has entered the period with a well-positioned trading book.

Refining margins remain elevated, although volatility in global markets continues. Crude pricing and supply flows remain key variables.

Consumer demand across Australia and New Zealand has held up despite cost pressures. That strength looks set to carry into the second quarter.

Foolish bottom line

The recent strength in Ampol shares is being backed by improving refining margins and steady demand.

However, much of that tailwind is tied to global conditions that can shift quickly. That leaves the share price exposed if refining margins begin to ease.

The post Why this ASX 200 energy stock is back in focus today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Ampol, Meteoric Resources, Praemium, and Treasury Wine shares are storming higher
• Ampol Q1 2026 trading update: Refiner margins soar, production lifts
• Up 60% in a year, 3 reasons to buy Ampol shares today
• Why Ampol shares just hit a multi-year high as Australia’s fuel squeeze deepens
• 2 ASX 200 blue-chip shares worth owning in April 2026

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

Superannuation funds have bounced back strongly from a lacklustre March to be performing well so far this month, industry analyst Chant West says.

Strong bounce back

Indeed, on their numbers, funds have almost entirely made up the losses chalked up in March, after markets fell following the US going to war with Iran in late February.

On the numbers calculated by Chant West, the median growth fund fell 3.2% in March, however, the funds have bounced back as share markets rallied, adding 3.1% in April so far, almost offsetting the March falls.

Chant West Head of Superannuation Investment Research, Mano Mohankumar, said the April rally was driven by optimism around a potential de-escalation in Middle East tensions, easing oil prices, and solid corporate earnings. 

He added:

The experience since the start of March is another clear reminder of why it’s important for super fund members to stay patient and maintain a long‑term perspective. Members who panicked after seeing their balances fall in March and switched to lower‑risk options or cash not only crystallised paper losses, but also missed out on the subsequent V‑shaped rebound. Over time, missing out on returns like these can make a significant difference to a member’s balance at retirement due to the power of compounding. That’s why we remind members that super is a long-term investment and encourage them to see a financial adviser if they’re thinking of switching options. An adviser can help assess their broader financial position, including assets held outside of super, and ensure their investment strategy remains appropriate.

Looking at specific investment settings more closely, all growth funds fell 5.2% in March, while high growth fell 4% and balanced fell 2.5%.

For the financial year to the end of March, all growth was up 3.1%, high growth was up 2.8%, and balanced was up 6.6%.

Stronger for longer

Mr Mohankumar said over the longer term, superannuation had proven to be a robust investment.

He added:

Since the introduction of compulsory super in July 1992, the median growth fund has returned 7.9% per annum. The annual CPI increase over the same period is 2.7%, giving a real return of 5.2% per annum – well above the typical 3.5% target. Even looking at the past 20 years, which includes three major share market downturns – the GFC in 2007-2009, COVID-19 in 2020, and the high inflation and rising interest rates in 2022 – super funds have returned 6.5% per annum, which is still ahead of the typical objective.

The post How much have superannuation funds grown so far in April. The answer might surprise you appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Ampol, Meteoric Resources, Praemium, and Treasury Wine shares are storming higher
• This ASX dividend share could deliver a return of more than 25% Macquarie says
• Why is everyone buying Tabcorp shares this week?
• South32 shares are rising again – what just happened?
• Why Northern Star, DroneShield and BHP shares are making waves on Wednesday

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

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares are back in the spotlight this week after the miner posted its latest update.

At the time of writing on Wednesday morning, Rio Tinto shares have climbed another 0.31% and are changing hands at $174.40 a piece. Earlier this morning, the shares spiked to an all-time high of $174.79.

This morning’s uptick means the shares are now 21% higher over the past month. The shares are also now 56% higher than this time last year.

What did Rio Tinto reveal in its update?

The copper miner posted a 9% year-on-year increase in copper equivalent production in the first quarter of FY26 yesterday. Iron ore production in the Pilbara region also jumped 13%, making it the second-best Q1 production since 2018, even despite weather disruptions and reduced shipments.

The miner said it is focused on expanding production across its core commodity assets. It also said that it is monitoring global geopolitical and commodity market developments and any potential impact in the second half of 2026.

Rio Tinto also said its full-year production and cost guidance for 2026 is unchanged across all major commodities.

What else has pushed the shares higher recently?

Conflict in the Middle East caused Rio Tinto’s share price to crash nearly 15% in the first three weeks of March as investors sold up their ASX shares over fears of commodity price weakness and operational disruptions.

The share price then rebounded nearly 21% to the time of writing. The turnaround is likely a result of a shift in investor sentiment. It looks like buyers have started taking advantage of the sell-off and buying in the dip, hoping that Iran and the US will reach an agreement and end the war.

Are Rio Tinto shares a buy, hold, or sell?

The long-term outlook for ASX mining shares is incredibly positive, with some stating that Australia is in the early stages of a new mining boom. 

This boom is expected to be driven mostly by a transition to green energy. This could support long-term demand for metals like copper. Copper is essential for green energy, acting as a key conductor in renewable technologies, electric vehicles (EVs), and power grids.

Analysts are mostly positive on the outlook for Rio Tinto shares. TradingView data shows that seven out of 15 analysts have a buy or strong buy rating. Another seven have a hold rating.

The average target price of $166.25 implies a potential 5% downside at the time of writing, mostly likely due to the shares’ latest price surge.

But the maximum target price of $189.72 suggests a potential 9% upside over the next 12 months.

The post Rio Tinto shares soar to an all-time high: Buy, hold or sell? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why is everyone talking about Regis Resources, Lynas and Rio Tinto shares on Tuesday?
• Rio Tinto shares close in on record high following strong Q1 update
• Rio Tinto Q1 FY26: Production growth and steady guidance drive optimism
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• PLS vs Rio Tinto shares: Which is the better buy?

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.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gold stock Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX: PNR) is sliding today.

Pantoro Gold shares closed yesterday trading for $3.90 In morning trade on Wednesday, shares are swapping hands for $3.77 apiece, down 3.5%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.7% at this time. And in a better comparison of golden apples to golden apples, the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) is currently down 2.0%.

Despite today’s slide, Pantoro Gold shares remain up 24.8% over 12 months, outpacing the 13.7% one-year gains delivered by the benchmark index.

Now, here’s what investors are mulling over today.

ASX 200 gold stock hits more high-grade intercepts

Pantoro Gold shares are falling despite the miner reporting on positive exploratory drilling results at its 100%-owned Norseman Gold Project, located in Western Australia.

The ASX 200 gold stock’s surface diamond drilling program at the Scotia Underground Mine, situated within Norseman, is ongoing.

According to the release, extensional drilling in Central Scotia has confirmed wide, high-grade mineralisation. That mineralisation is reported to extend for at least 50 metres below the current Scotia Indicated Mineral Resource.

Management noted that this remains open at depth, which supports the potential for additional development levels beyond Pantoro Gold’s existing mine plan.

The grade control drilling returned multiple high-grade intersections within the current mine plan.

Among the top results from Central Scotia, the ASX 200 gold stock reported one hole with 16.09 metres at 10.59 grams of gold per tonne, including 1.58 metres @ 30.48 g/t Au, and 1.75 metres @ 41.72 g/t Au, and 1.31 metres @ 18.02 g/t Au.

And one of the drill holes from Scotia North returned 3.35 metres @ 14.82 g/t Au, including 2.7 m @ 18.11 g/t Au.

Pantoro Gold said it has approved additional levels outside of the current mine plan to further extend mine life.

What did Pantoro Gold management say?

Commenting on the results that could help support the ASX 200 gold stock longer-term, Pantoro Gold managing director Paul Cmrlec said, “Development at Scotia North is now opening up new mineralisation for production, meaningfully improving production flexibility at the mine.”

Looking ahead, Cmrlec sounded a positive note for the miner’s production growth outlook in FY 2027:

These high-grade infill results, combined with the continued resource growth at Central Scotia and Scotia South, position the mine to grow its production in FY 2027.

While development and production have run behind schedule due to a number of factors in FY 2026, the orebody continues to impress. We remain confident that Scotia will deliver years of high-grade ore feed to Norseman as these additional areas come into full production.

The post How this $1.5 billion ASX 200 gold stock is on track to ramp up FY 2027 production appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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.

There are a lot of ASX shares to choose from on the local share market.

To narrow things down, let’s see what analysts are saying about three big names this week.

Are they buys, holds, or sells? Let’s find out:

ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ)

Morgans has been looking at this big four bank following recent sector updates.

This has seen the broker downgrade its earnings estimates for the near term and reaffirm its sell rating with a reduced price target of $30.72. It said:

We revise our forecasts ahead of ANZ’s 1H26 result in May and reflecting on the recent updates provided by NAB and WBC. FY26-28F EPS downgraded by 6-7%. Target price reduced 6% to $30.72/sh. SELL retained given c.-15% downside at current prices, including 4.4% cash yield.

National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB)

The team at Morgans is also feeling bearish about this big four bank.

In response to its recent update, the broker has downgraded its earnings estimates and reaffirmed a sell rating with a $34.56 price target. It explains:

NAB announced a $1.8bn DRP equity raising, increased loan provisioning, and acceleration of capital software amortisation. Material forecast downgrades as we adjust for today’s announcement and introduce increased conservatism into our modelling. SELL given potential TSR at current prices of -12% (including c.4.2% cash yield).

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

Bell Potter remains bullish on this logistics solutions technology company.

This week, the broker has retained its buy rating on WiseTech shares with a $78.75 price target.

It believes that the discount that its shares trade on is excessive given its positive growth outlook. It explains:

There are no changes in the key assumptions we apply in the valuations used to determine our target price – multiples of 55x and 30x in the PE ratio and EV/EBITDA and a WACC of 8.6% in the DCF. The net result of the downgrades is a 6% decrease in our target price to $78.75 which is still a significant premium to the share price so we maintain our BUY recommendation.

We note that WiseTech is currently trading at >30% discount to Technology One on an EV/EBITDA basis in both FY26 and FY27. While we believe some sort of discount is now warranted, we believe the current discount is excessive given WiseTech has greater forecast earnings growth over the medium term and also a similar strong competitive moat due to 30 years of proprietary data, deeply embedded software and high switching costs.

The post Buy, hold, sell: ANZ, NAB, and WiseTech shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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