Tag: Stock pick

The ‘big four’ ASX bank shares have had a phenomenal run since late 2023.

The S&P/ASX 200 Banks Index (ASX: XBK) has ripped 51% over this period versus a 22% lift for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares rose from just under $100 in November 2023 to a record of $192 in June this year.

Since then, CBA shares have come off the boil, falling 20% to a closing value of $153.14 yesterday.

Meanwhile, the smaller players of the ‘big four’ have surged to all-time highs.

The Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) share price hit a record of $41 this month and closed at $38.02 yesterday, up 12% in FY26.

National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) shares soared to a record $45.25 this month and closed at $40.63 yesterday, up 3% in FY26.

ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) shares reached a record $38.93 this month and closed at $34.91 yesterday, up 20% in FY26.

The following chart shows the big four’s performance since November 2023 and the recent divergence of the CBA share price.

How do experts rate the big four banks?

Brokers appear pretty pessimistic on the big four ASX bank shares today.

Macquarie has neutral ratings on ANZ and NAB shares with 12-month price targets of $35 and $39, respectively.

The broker has underperform ratings on CBA and Westpac shares with price targets of $106 and $31, respectively.

All of those price targets imply downside from here.

Bell Potter is underweight on CBA shares and overweight on ANZ shares.

On CBA shares, the broker says:

We are moving further Underweight in CBA, establishing it as our largest active underweight position in the Core portfolio.

The bank’s valuation premium has expanded to an extreme and, in our view, unsustainable level, trading at a P/E multiple that is ~40% above the peer average.

On ANZ shares, the broker says:

We are moving to an overweight position in ANZ, which we see as the clear relative value proposition and our preferred holding in the sector. ANZ delivered the cleanest and highest-quality result of the recent reporting season, providing a tangible “self-help” story that NAB and CBA lack, while Westpac’s is relatively priced in.

Wilsons Advisory rates ANZ as the best value among the ASX bank shares “on all key valuation metrics”.

Morgans has a trim rating on ANZ shares with a price target of $33.09. The broker has a sell rating on NAB and CBA shares.

Wilsons notes that Westpac shares offer an attractive dividend yield and the bank has “the strongest balance sheet” of the big four.

Buy this ASX bank share instead

On The Bull this week, Tony Paterno from Ord Minnett revealed a buy rating on small-cap ASX bank share, MyState Ltd (ASX: MYS).

Paterno explained:

MYS is a national diversified financial services group. Brands include MyState Bank, Auswide Bank, Selfco and TPT Wealth.

We view MyState as an attractive income stock with dividends to reflect stronger earnings growth during the next three years as Auswide merger synergies are delivered.

In an expensive banking sector with only modest forecast earnings and dividend growth to fiscal year 2028, we believe MYS is a standout.

The post Buy this ASX bank share instead of the ‘big four’: expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Invested in NAB shares? Here are the key dates for 2026
• Top 10 most-traded ASX shares last week
• This is the price at which I would buy CBA shares
• $20,000 of ANZ shares can net me a $1,220 passive income!
• Age Pension worries? 7 income stocks to consider for retirement

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 Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. 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) fought hard and recorded a small gain. The benchmark index rose 0.15% to 8,537 points.

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

ASX 200 expected to rise again

The Australian share market looks set to rise again on Wednesday following a positive night of trade on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 81 points or 0.95% higher this morning. In late trade in the United States, the Dow Jones is up 1.25%, the S&P 500 is up 0.6%, and the Nasdaq is 0.2% higher.

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 1.55% to US$57.93 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 1.5% to US$62.44 a barrel. This was driven by reports that Ukraine is ready to accept a Russian peace deal.

Annual general meetings

A number of ASX 200 shares will be on watch today when they hold their annual general meetings. Among the companies holding events are retail giant Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN), lithium miner Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR), and rare earths producer Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC). It is possible that they will release trading updates before the market opens.

Gold price rises

It could be a good session for ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) on Wednesday after the gold price stormed higher overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 1% to US$4,134.7 an ounce. US interest rate cut optimism has given the gold price a lift.

Buy IPD shares

The team at Bell Potter thinks investors should be buying IPD Group Ltd (ASX: IPG) shares. This morning, the broker has retained its buy rating and $5.00 price target on this electrical solutions company’s shares. It said: “IPG is well positioned to capitalise on the Commercial construction market recovery currently underway as well as continued strong momentum in Data Centre and Infrastructure construction activity. IPG represents a relatively undervalued Industrials business compared with the ASX300 Industrials index with strong re-rate potential, in our view.”

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: Sigma Healthcare, CSL, and Lynas shares
• Liontown Resources shares up 147% this year: What’s next for this lithium stock?
• Why Gentrack, IPD, SRG, and Web Travel shares are racing higher today
• Analysts name 3 ASX shares to sell now
• Top 10 most-traded ASX shares last week

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

If you’ve ever felt that investing is something only high earners or seasoned market veterans can do, you would be wrong.

You don’t need a lump sum to build serious long-term wealth. You just need consistency. In fact, one of the simplest and most powerful strategies available to everyday Australians is investing a small amount every week.

So, what could $100 a week, barely the cost of a couple of dinners out, turn into over 20 years on the Australian share market? Let’s find out.

Investing small amounts

When you invest regularly, you take advantage of something called dollar-cost averaging. Instead of trying to pick the perfect buying moment (which even the pros struggle with), you gradually build your holdings over time, buying more when prices fall and less when prices rise.

Combine this with the fact that the share market has historically returned around 10% per annum on average, and suddenly even modest weekly contributions can snowball into something life-changing.

Where to invest

You want to think about businesses that have strong growth drivers and sustainable competitive advantages.

Take ARB Corporation Ltd (ASX: ARB), which is a global leader in 4WD accessories that has steadily expanded internationally. Or Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG), which is an appliance manufacturer that has been growing for decades. Investment bank Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) could also be worth a look given its long track record of strong shareholder returns.

These aren’t speculative micro-caps, they are established, profitable companies with clear runways for growth. And drip-feeding small weekly investments into quality businesses like these can quietly transform your financial future over time.

What $100 a week could become

Now for the big question. If you invested $100 every week and earned 10% per year on average, what would $100 a week turn into?

After 20 years, your weekly contributions into your portfolio could grow to around $315,000.

And remember, this doesn’t require picking the perfect stocks, timing the market, or taking huge risks. It simply requires staying consistent, focusing on quality, and giving your investments time to work.

You could even opt for a broad-based index fund like the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) for Australia or the iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) for the United States.

Foolish takeaway

$100 a week may not feel like much today. But when you combine patience, discipline and the long-term strength of the ASX, it becomes a powerful wealth-building engine.

The best part? You can start anytime. And the sooner you begin, the more time compounding has to quietly turn small weekly savings into something extraordinary.

The post What $100 a week in ASX shares could become in 20 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to invest and build wealth globally without leaving the ASX
• $10,000 invested in IVV ETF a year ago is now worth…
• Top 10 most-traded ASX shares last week
• 5 ASX ETFs to buy with $10,000 in December
• What $5,000 invested in ASX ETFs today could become in 10, 15, and 20 years

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended ARB Corporation, Macquarie Group, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended ARB Corporation and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) biotech stock CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) closed yesterday trading for $182.14.

CSL shares remain down a sharp 35.32% in 2025. Taking a tiny bit of the sting out of those losses, the ASX 200 stock also trades on an unfranked 2.5% trailing dividend yield.

As you’re likely aware, most of the share price losses followed the decidedly underwhelming release of the company’s full-year FY 2025 results on 19 August.

Among the factors that saw investors overheating their sell buttons on the day, the company revealed plans to spin off CSL’s Seqirus segment – one of the world’s largest influenza vaccine businesses – into a separate ASX-listed company.

That plan has since been put on hold until conditions in the slumping United States influenza vaccine market improve. But it remains on the table.

Which brings us back to our headline question.

Are CSL shares a good buy amid the cost-cutting program?

MPC Markets’ Mark Gardner recently ran his slide rule over the ASX 200 biotech stock (courtesy of The Bull).

“Uncertainty continues to surround this biopharmaceutical giant after the share price plunged following its 2025 results,” said Gardner, who has a hold recommendation on CSL shares.

“It recently cut revenue and profit growth forecasts for fiscal year 2026. Its Seqirus influenza vaccines division is under pressure from a decline in vaccination rates in the US,” he added.

Indeed, on 28 October, CSL shares plunged 15.9% when management reduced FY 2026 guidance.

On 19 August, CSL had forecast that it would achieve full-year revenue growth (in constant currency) in the range of 4% to 5%. And guidance for net profit after tax before amortisation (NPATA) and excluding non-recurring restructuring costs was forecast to increase between 7% to 10%.

Then on 29 October, investors punished the stock when management reduced full-year revenue growth guidance to the range of 2% to 3% as well as cutting NPATA growth guidance to 4% to 7%.

But in issuing his hold recommendation, Gardner sees light at the end of the tunnel.

He concluded:

Plans to reduce fixed costs and enhance efficiencies were initially earmarked to save more than $500 million by fiscal year 2028. The company is undertaking a buy-back program of up to $750 million in fiscal year 2026.

CSL shares have fallen from $271.32 on August 18 to trade at $178.82 on November 19.

At these levels, we suggest holding CSL and monitor performance of a company that has a solid track record of performance over the longer term.

The post Are CSL shares a buy amid the company’s $500 million cost-cutting plans? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: Sigma Healthcare, CSL, and Lynas shares
• Top 10 most-traded ASX shares last week
• Is the 2025 ASX share selloff your chance to buy generational bargains?
• These ASX 200 blue chip shares could rise 25% to 40%
• 3 of the best Australian stocks to buy after the market selloff

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 CSL. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Reaching your mid-50s with little or no savings can feel like you’ve run out of time.

But the truth is that it is not too late, not even close.

Even at 55, you still have a decade or more of working life ahead of you, and that is more than enough time to build a meaningful passive income stream. With the right approach, sensible risk management and a focus on quality investments, it is entirely possible to retire with real financial breathing room.

Here’s how a late-start investment plan can come together.

Start by growing your capital base

Many people reaching their mid-50s assume they should immediately chase high-yielding stocks. But that can be a trap, especially if your portfolio is still small.

Early on, the focus should be on growth, not income. Bigger capital leads to bigger future income, and the fastest path to growing that capital is by investing in high-quality ASX growth shares and broad-based ETFs.

Companies like TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE), ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD) or NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) have delivered years of compounding growth. And global ETFs such as the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ) and the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) have done the same by providing exposure to some of the world’s biggest companies.

Even modest weekly contributions in shares and funds like these could add up quickly when your money compounds at an average of 10% per year over a decade.

For example, $1,000 a month would turn into $270,000 in 12 years, and $2,500 a month would become $675,000 over the same period.

Transition toward high-quality income

Once your portfolio has gained real size, you can start shifting the focus toward income-producing assets. This is the stage where reliable ASX dividend shares and income ETFs earn their place.

Businesses like Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL), Transurban Group (ASX: TCL) and APA Group (ASX: APA) have long histories of delivering sustainable, growing income streams. At a 5% average dividend yield, a $270,000 portfolio can generate around $13,500 a year before franking credits and a $675,000 portfolio would pull in passive income of $33,750 a year.

Foolish takeaway

Having no savings at 55 isn’t a dead end, it is a starting line. With 12 years of smart investing, a focus on high-quality growth first, and a gradual shift toward dividend income, you can still build a portfolio that supports a comfortable retirement.

It won’t happen overnight, but with consistency and patience, passive income is absolutely within reach, no matter when you begin.

The post No savings at 55? Here’s how to still retire with passive income appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Down 21% in 30 days, this top ASX 200 stock now looks on sale to me
• Buy Telstra and these ASX dividend shares for passive income
• Is the 2025 ASX share selloff your chance to buy generational bargains?
• What $5,000 invested in ASX ETFs today could become in 10, 15, and 20 years
• Best buy for dividends today: Coles or Woolworths shares?

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Nextdc, ResMed, and Technology One. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, ResMed, Technology One, and Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, ResMed, and Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Technology One and Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) shares have been on a wild ride in 2025 with investors engaged in a tug of war of sorts, between bears and bulls. The bears base their position in reality, a reality where Tesla sales and profits are in decline and its vehicle lineup is aging. The bulls base their position in a potentially lucrative future based around artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and robotaxis. Right now, the bulls are winning with Tesla stock up 28% over the past three months, but here’s why investors might want to pump the brakes a bit.

Coming to a city near you

“Safe, routine, ready: Autonomous driving in new cities” are the words that should have Tesla investors pumping the brakes on the potentially lucrative future they envisioned for the electric vehicle (EV) maker. That’s because direct competitor Waymo is shifting its expansion into a higher gear: “We’ve built a generalizable Driver, powered by Waymo’s demonstrably safe AI, and an operational playbook to reliably achieve this milestone,” said Tekedra Mawakana, Waymo’s co-CEO, on the expansion, according to Electrek.

This week, Waymo announced fully autonomous driving in five new cities: Miami, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando. Operations started in Miami this week and will begin in the remaining four cities in the coming weeks, although it’s important to note that doors for riders won’t open until next year. This goes with Waymo’s recent playbook to test for a few months before opening the app to the public.

Playing catch up

It’s also important for investors to grasp the lead that Waymo may have developed over the past few years. For instance, Tesla is currently testing its initial robotaxi operations in Austin, Texas, with roughly 30 robotaxis in operation and plans to expand the fleet to about 500 by the end of the year. Tesla is still using a safety monitor, which Waymo removed in 2020, but has plans to transition to fully driverless operation by the end of the year. 

The five new cities that Waymo is entering will bring its total city count to 10 at a time when Tesla just announced it obtained a permit to operate a ride-hailing service in Arizona. It’s definitely a step forward for Tesla, although additional permits will be required before the automaker can operate a full robotaxi service in the state. When Tesla enters the Phoenix, Arizona market next year, it will already trail Waymo’s operations in the city, which boasts at least 400 autonomous vehicles. In fact, Waymo said it has already surpassed 10 million driverless trips served to riders across its U.S. operations.

Despite Tesla playing catch up to rival Waymo, Tesla investors have some reason to be optimistic. Tesla could very well develop a competitive advantage in scaling a robotaxi business thanks to access to a plethora of Tesla vehicles on the road and its production capacity. Furthermore, Tesla’s strategic rollout could be more scalable as the company is relying on a camera-based system rather than LiDAR and radar, which competitors are using.

What it all means

Tesla shareholders also made it clear where they want CEO Elon Musk’s focus. Musk’s new compensation package, worth up to $1 trillion, was approved by 75% of voters but with milestones tied to future endeavors. Musk will still have to build cars for some of his rewards, have 1 million robotaxis in commercial operation, 1 million Optimus robots, and 10 million Full Self-Driving subscriptions. These goals suggest the company is pivoting its core business from automotive manufacturer to a more tech-centric company.

Tesla’s best days may very well be ahead of it. It’s already proven many naysayers wrong by making it this far, but it’s important for investors to pump the brakes on robotaxi hype, because not only is Tesla playing catch up to Waymo; the future of robotaxis is more uncertain thanks to evolving regulations, lawsuits, and safety concerns. Investors need to understand what company they’re investing in moving forward, given Tesla’s lofty valuation and price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio approaching 300 times, and a market capitalization more than 10 times Ford and GM combined.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

The post Safe, routine, ready: Does that spell the end for Tesla’s run-up? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

More reading

• I would buy Tesla stock at this price
• Ranking the best “Magnificent Seven” stocks to buy for 2026. Here’s my No. 7 pick.
• The best ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 20 years
• How does Tesla make money?
• US stocks will underperform over next decade: Goldman Sachs

Daniel Miller has positions in Ford Motor Company and General Motors. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Tesla. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended General Motors. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) dispelled investor worries about a slowdown in artificial intelligence (AI) with a stellar earnings report last week. Revenue increased 62% year over year in the fiscal 2026 third quarter, and earnings per share (EPS) rose from $1.08 last year to $1.30 this year, blowing analyst estimates out of the water, as usual.

However, even though the results were spectacular, and the company updated investors with great news about future opportunities, Nvidia’s stock barely registered it. There are still fears about where all of this AI spending is going.

If you were prescient enough to see Nvidia’s potential 10 years ago and invested then, even $100 would be worth an incredible amount today. 

The key to AI

There are multiple companies with heavy AI investments that are already changing the world. They have several key components, and for many of them, that includes Nvidia.

Nvidia designs the graphics processing units (GPUs) that make the most powerful AI possible. All of the top AI companies, like Amazon and Microsoft, have partnerships with Nvidia as they try to climb to the top of the AI mountain.

The advent of generative AI has completely changed Nvidia’s trajectory as a chip company, and no one could have foreseen these developments 10 years ago. What investors could have seen was a company with solid technology committed to innovation, and if you believed in that mission, you’d be a lot richer today. All it would have taken was a $100 investment in Nvidia stock to have $23,000 today.

Although it looks like Nvidia stock is sputtering right now, that’s part of how the market works. Long term, Nvidia could still create shareholder value, although at a slower rate; $100 today won’t create nearly the same gains at today’s prices.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

The post If you’d invested $100 in Nvidia 10 years ago, here’s how much you’d have today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

More reading

• 3 ASX thematic ETFs that could boom over the next decade
• Why Nvidia could be a bigger winner in quantum computing than you might think
• Is Nvidia in an AI bubble? Here’s what Jensen Huang says.
• The best ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 20 years
• Does the AI revolution justify today’s high ASX 200 valuation?

Jennifer Saibil 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 Amazon, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Amazon, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Spotting the next major investing wave isn’t always easy, but one thing is clear. The world is changing faster than ever.

Our homes, workplaces and even our governments are leaning more heavily into digital systems, smarter automation and cloud-driven technology. And when huge structural shifts like these occur, investors who position themselves early often reap the biggest rewards.

Fortunately, you don’t need to be a tech expert or chase risky individual stocks to participate.

Several thematic ETFs provide simple, diversified exposure to the industries shaping the next decade. And if these megatrends continue gathering momentum, the ASX ETFs in this article could be among the strongest performers on the market.

BetaShares Cloud Computing ETF (ASX: CLDD)

Cloud computing is one of the most powerful long-term structural trends in technology. Every year, more businesses move their operations into the cloud, relying on scalable platforms for data storage, workflow management and AI-driven tools. The BetaShares Cloud Computing ETF gives investors access to the companies building and enabling this infrastructure.

The ASX ETF’s portfolio includes global names such as Shopify (NASDAQ: SHOP), which powers cloud-based e-commerce; ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW), a leader in digital workflow automation; and Salesforce (NYSE: CRM), the world’s largest cloud CRM provider. These companies don’t just benefit from cloud adoption, they help accelerate it, creating sticky recurring revenue and deep customer integration.

BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK)

As the world becomes more digital, cyber threats are increasing at an alarming pace. Businesses, governments and individuals all require greater protection, and this is driving explosive growth in the cybersecurity sector. The BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF offers exposure to key players in this space.

This fund includes heavyweights such as CrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD), known for its AI-powered endpoint protection; Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW), a leader in enterprise network security; and Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT), which provides integrated cybersecurity solutions. These companies enjoy rising demand regardless of economic cycles because cybersecurity is no longer optional, it is essential.

And with cybercrime expected to cost trillions globally over the next decade, the BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF is positioned at the heart of a growth story that shows no signs of slowing.

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

Finally, robotics and artificial intelligence are transforming industries from manufacturing to healthcare. The BetaShares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF provides access to companies leading these innovations.

Its holdings include Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), the chipmaker powering most of the world’s AI systems; ABB (SWX: ABBN), a global leader in industrial robotics; and Fanuc (TSE: 6954), which produces factory automation technologies used across automotive, electronics and aerospace manufacturing.

As automation spreads and AI becomes embedded in everyday business operations, companies in this ASX ETF’s portfolio could enjoy substantial growth tailwinds.

The post 3 ASX thematic ETFs that could boom over the next decade appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX ETFs to buy with $10,000 in December
• Why Nvidia could be a bigger winner in quantum computing than you might think
• Is Nvidia in an AI bubble? Here’s what Jensen Huang says.
• 5 excellent ASX ETFs to buy in December
• 3 ASX ETFs for smart investors to buy with $2,500

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Abb, BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF, CrowdStrike, Fortinet, Nvidia, Salesforce, ServiceNow, and Shopify. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Palo Alto Networks. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CrowdStrike, Nvidia, Salesforce, ServiceNow, and Shopify. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

If you are wanting exposure to the beaten down tech sector, then it could be worth looking at the ASX tech stock in this article.

That’s because analysts at Bell Potter see potential for its shares to rise strongly from current levels.

Which ASX tech stock?

The stock in question is airports and utilities software provider Gentrack Group Ltd (ASX: GTK).

Bell Potter was pleased with the company’s FY 2025 results, noting that they were largely in line with expectations. It said:

GTK’s FY25 was largely in-line with consensus revenue/EBITDA at $230.2m/$27.8m respectively (-4% vs. BPe EBITDA). Positive pipeline commentary drove a strong share price reaction, which provided improved visibility on near-term project win/growth outlook.

Group revenue grew 8% to $230.2m, in-line with guidance/consensus (- 1% vs. BPe); Utility revenue increased 7% to $193.4m, which was underpinned by 12% recurring revenue growth somewhat offset by a -5% decline in project revenues (reflecting strong pcp); 2H25 was a record half for Utility project revs. Veovo revenue increased +15% to $36.8m on both ARR/NRR growth (+27% ex. Hardware sales)

Another positive for the broker was its outlook commentary. It highlights that the ASX tech stock’s sales pipeline has improved significantly in recent months. Bell Potter adds:

GTK’s pipeline has developed considerably since it’s last update; it is currently a “preferred” vendor at 3 prospects, shortlisted at 3 others, and well placed at 4 others for 2026 counterparty decisions. These opportunities represent ~30m meter points in total; winning 3-4 would set up strong FY27 growth according to GTK. EPS changes in following the result are -1%/+2%/+8% through FY26e-28e respectively on a broad mix of mix shift across segments and increased amortisation.

Time to buy

According to the note, the broker has responded to the update by reiterating its buy rating with an improved price target of $11.00 (from $9.80).

Based on its current share price of $8.49, this implies potential upside of almost 30% for investors from current levels.

Commenting on its buy recommendation, Bell Potter said:

Our TP rebounds to A$11.00 on roll fwd of DCF and earnings upgrades following pipeline commentary which has provided greater visibility on potential project revenue growth as well as go-live proof-points for GTK to reference in g2.0 discussions. A positive growth outlook for GTK is underpinned by rapidly shifting energy consumption and production trends, driving increased complexity in energy grids which is meeting technical debt within legacy billing platforms.

The post Buy this ASX tech stock before it’s too late: Bell Potter appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Gentrack, IPD, SRG, and Web Travel shares are racing higher today
• Why Gentrack, Monash IVF, Pro Medicus, and Qube shares are racing higher today
• Why is this ASX 300 tech stock rocketing 21% today?
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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Gentrack Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Gentrack Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The team at Morgans has been busy looking at a number of ASX 200 shares following recent update.

Two that have fared well and have been upgraded by the broker are named below. Here’s what it is saying about them:

Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV)

The first ASX 200 share to get an upgrade from Morgans is fashion jewellery retailer Lovisa.

While the company’s trading update was a touch softer than it was expecting, it acknowledges that its sales growth has been very strong so far in FY 2026. Especially in such a tough economic environment.

So, with its shares taking a tumble, the broker has upgraded them to a buy rating with a trimmed price target of $40.00. Based on its current share price, this suggests that upside of approximately 30% is possible.

Commenting on its recommendation, Morgans said:

LOV provided a trading update for the first 20 weeks of FY26 which was slightly below expectations. LFL sales have slowed in the last 12 weeks and store rollout was a little bit slower than expectations, but total sales growth remains strong (over 20%). We see very few Australian retailers able to deliver +20% sales growth in light of the ongoing challenging retail trading conditions. Given the share price weakness, we have upgraded to a BUY from an ACCUMULATE.

We see this as a great opportunity to buy this high quality retailer with a global store rollout opportunity trading back around its average 10-year 1-year forward PE multiple (~31x), offering ~20% EPS growth CAGR over the next 3 years. We have lowered our price target to $40 (from $44.50) driven by moving back to 50/50 weighting EV/EBIT and DCF valuation.

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

Morgans was pleased with this network-as-a-service provider’s performance so far in FY 2026, highlighting that its net revenue retention (NRR) and annual recurring revenue (ARR) have grown strongly since the end of the last financial year.

In addition, it has updated its forecasts to reflect the acquisition of Latitude.sh and its network expansion into the India market.

This has led to Morgans upgrading its shares to a buy rating with a $17.00 price target. This implies potential upside of 22% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its upgrade, the broker said:

We update our forecasts to include MP1 recent capital raising, acquisition of “Compute-as-a-Service” provider Latitude.sh and network expansion into India. The acquisitions accelerate revenue and EBITDA growth while the core MP1 business keeps improving. Since June 2025 NRR (net revenue retention) has lifted 2 ppts to 109%. Revenue and ARR (annual recurring revenue) growth is strong. We upgrade to a BUY recommendation and our target price moves to $17.

The post Morgans just upgraded these ASX 200 shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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