Tag: Stock pick

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has climbed higher again on Thursday morning, up around another 0.5%. The increase is great news after the index suffered consecutive declines over the past month. And now many investors are focused on ASX 200 shares that can continue climbing higher from here.

Here are three ASX 200 shares that broker forecasts suggest could jump up to 40% over the next 12 months.

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

The ASX 200 airline shares were smashed lower earlier this year as conflict in the Middle East and rising fuel prices put airlines under pressure. There was a brief rebound around July, but recent renewal of geopolitical tensions has seen the share price tumble again over the past month.

Jet fuel (refined from crude oil) is the highest operating cost for airlines. That means that when oil prices increase amid tight supply and geopolitical tensions, jet fuel prices also jump. And this means that airlines, such as Qantas, face higher operating costs.

But despite the higher fuel costs, the company expects to see unit revenues grow by 8% to 10% in the first half of FY27.

And the experts appear to be bullish that the ASX 200 shares could be a turnaround story for FY27. Market Index data shows all brokers have a strong buy rating on Qantas shares. And the $11.31 average target price implies a potential 30% upside at the time of writing.

Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN)

Paladin Energy shares are rebounding on Thursday after a steep selloff over the past week.

The decline is likely due to a number of factors. These include geopolitical uncertainty and a drop in confidence for ASX uranium shares.

Renewed conflict in the Middle East, higher inflation data, and concerns about more interest-rate rises has seen some investors reduce their exposure to higher risk shares.

But despite the latest investor loss of confidence and share price declines, it looks like the experts are still very bullish about the outlook for Paladin Energy shares over the next 12 months.

Market Index data shows the majority of brokers still have a buy rating on the ASX 200 shares. At the $12.83 average target price implies an upside of around 35% at the time of writing.

CAR Group Ltd (ASX: CAR)

Shares in the ASX 200 technology company, which runs online global marketplaces for cars, motorcycles, boats and commercial vehicles, have tumbled around 20% over the past month.

The company has been hit by broad market volatility and investors taking their gains off the table after a rally following its FY26 results last month.

CAR Group’s FY26 results overall were positive. It reported FY26 revenue of $1.253 billion, up 6%, and NPAT of $314 million, up 14% on the prior year. Reported adjusted EBITDA was up 8% to $667 million. 

And looking ahead to FY27, CAR Group said it expects revenue growth of 11% to 14% and adjusted EBITDA growth of 10% to 13% on a constant currency basis. The company also plans for high single-digit revenue growth in Australia and double-digit growth in North America, Latin America and Asia.

The shares spiked around 10% on the day of the announcement, but have since tumbled back towards an annual low. 

But broker forecasts suggest the selloff was overdone and that the shares have the potential to rebound in the near future. Market Index data shows all brokers have a strong buy rating on the ASX 200 shares. And the $33.64 average target price implies an upside of around 40% at the time of writing.

The post 3 ASX 200 shares forecast to fly 30% to 40% higher appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• These ASX 200 shares could return 50% to 85%
• Down 17% in a week: What has happened to Paladin Energy shares?
• Could I retire comfortably with $800,000 in superannuation?
• Why I’d invest $10,000 into Qantas shares today
• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares

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

Shares in Echo IQ Ltd (ASX: EIQ) jumped more than 10% after the company said it believed there was a “clear path” to obtaining regulatory approval in the US for its EchoSolv HF technology.

US roadblock not a dead end

Echo IQ shares fell almost 50% last week when the company revealed that the US Food & Drug Administration had issued a Not Substantially Equivalent determination for the company’s application for the approval of clinical use of EchoSolv HF.

But the company, having reviewed the situation, said on Thursday that work was underway with regulatory consultants and legal counsel about attaining regulatory approval.

The company said it “believes there is a clear path forward to obtaining FDA clearance for EchoSolv HF and it’s progressing this as a priority”.

The company added that the approval could be granted “over the coming quarters”.

Echo IQ said regarding the issue:

Following a review of the FDA’s feedback, the Company considers the matters cited to be limited to aspects of statistical analysis supporting the clinical validation. The Company’s assessment has not identified concerns relating to the underlying technology or core functionality of the EchoSolv HF device, and Echo IQ remains confident that clearance remains achievable under the 510(k) route. Echo IQ has identified multiple potential pathways to progress EchoSolv HF towards FDA clearance, including an administrative appeal of the NSE determination, seeking review through the FDA Ombudsman, or submitting a new 510(k) application.

The company said the timelines for an administrative appeal were not strictly defined, “and, in certain circumstances, may be shorter than 90 days”.

Echo IQ added:

If the Company were to file an administrative appeal, it may result in the NSE determination being overturned, the FDA reopening its review and potentially providing clearance of EchoSolv HF, or the FDA requesting that the Company resubmit a 510(k) for clearance, providing clarity on the matters Echo IQ must address to resolve the FDA’s previously identified concerns and obtain clearance.

EchoSolv HF is software that aims to improve the identification of patients at risk of heart failure.

The company recently said it remained well-funded, with more than $105 million in cash.

Shares bouncing back

Despite falling sharply on the recent news, Echo IQ shares have still appreciated 128% over a 12-month period.

The company’s shares were 10.7% higher at 57 cents on Thursday. They have traded as high as $1.87 and as low as 16.5 cents over the past year.

The company is valued at $381.6 million.   

The post Shares surge as ASX biotech charts road to redemption appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: Echo IQ, James Hardie, Woolworths shares
• 6 ASX shares downgraded by brokers this week
• Morgans says these ASX shares could return 48% to 95%
• EchoIQ shares just crashed 48%. What happens now?
• Why has this ASX biotech fallen nearly 50% today?

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.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares have climbed into the green in Thursday lunchtime trade. At the time of writing the ASX biotech shares are up around 1% and are changing hands for $176.50 each.

The shares have now jumped about 31% over the past month alone after rebounding strongly in August following the company’s FY26 results announcement.

CSL reported total revenue of US$15.8 billion and NPAT of US$2.6 billion. It also recorded a net loss after tax of US$2.6 billion for FY26, coming from pre-tax impairments and restructuring costs. The result came in way ahead of guidance and CSL management described FY26 as a ‘reset year’, with FY27 marking a return to growth.

A sectorwide rotation back into ASX healthcare shares has also helped boost CSL shares higher recently.

I think there is a lot of potential for the company to grow over the next few years. CSL is operating in a high-growth market, and its blood plasma division dominates the market for rare blood disorders and immunoglobulin products.

Analysts sentiment has also turned more positive. Market Index data shows the majority have a buy rating on CSL shares. But after the latest rally, the $159.86 average target price now implies a potential 8% downside ahead, at the time of writing.

The past month has seen CSL go from strength to strength, and the share price rebound is impressive.

But there is another ASX biotech stock I’d buy instead.

The ASX biotech stock I have my eye on right now

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) is a little different from CSL. The two businesses are major Australian biotech companies but have a vastly different focus, scale, and market position.

CSL focuses on plasma therapies while Telix focuses on radiopharmaceuticals. In terms of size, CSL is a global industry giant with multi-billion-dollar revenues but Telix is a mid-size company in the midst of strong growth.

It’s Telix’s growth opportunities which I find most appealing. 

Its shares are in the spotlight this week after the company announced that its brain cancer imaging drug, Pixclara, has received approval from the US FDA. This makes it the first FET-PET imaging drug cleared for use in glioma and expands Telix’s precision medicine portfolio.

Telix says Pixclara is already the subject of a Phase 3 trial for diagnosis in additional brain conditions, with potential expansion to brain metastases. 

The company said it plans to target market leadership in both imaging and treatment for several high-need cancers.

Telix’s broader pipeline includes late-stage assets in prostate, kidney, and glioblastoma cancers, with a focus on bringing further precision medicine products to both existing and new markets worldwide.

The update came off the back of several other good-news announcements out of Telix so far this year, including an application for key regulatory approval in Europe, several announcements about its growth and development plans, news that FDA had accepted its NDA for TLX101-Px (Pixclara®), and the announcement of a major collaboration with US-based biotech company Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. 

Telix also posted an impressive first-half FY26 result last month. Highlights include a 22% increase in revenue to US$477 million, and a strong gross margin improvement to 55%. Adjusted EBITDA also surged 146% year-on-year to US$52 million.

What do brokers tip next for Telix Pharmaceuticals shares?

I think there is plenty more room for Telix shares to run higher this year. And it looks like brokers agree too.

TradingView data shows that 14 out of 16 analysts have a buy/strong buy rating on the shares. The average $25.48 target price implies a potential 45% upside, while the maximum $30.99 target price suggests the stock could climb 76%, at the time of writing.

The post Forget CSL shares, I’d buy this ASX biotech stock instead appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• CSL acknowledges “disappointing” results but aims to do better
• CSL, Resmed, and more. See which ASX health stocks RBC Capital Markets has upgraded
• 4DMedical vs Telix Pharmaceuticals: ASX health tech share showdown
• Two broker upgrades put CSL shares back in focus
• Are Telix shares a buy after its big US FDA news?

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

Superannuation funds have had a solid start to the financial year, with the median growth fund growing by 1.1% over the first two months, according to industry research company Chant West.

Volatility not hindering superannuation returns

Chant West said despite concerns around inflation and ongoing geopolitical tensions, superannuation funds gained ground in August with the median growth fund, with 61% to 80% of its funds in growth assets, gaining 0.9%.

Chant West Head of Superannuation Investment Research Mano Mohankumar said the healthy return for August was driven by domestic and global share markets, which in aggregate account for about 55% of a typical growth portfolio.

He added:

Despite some volatility towards the latter part of August, over the full month, developed market international shares advanced 2.5% in hedged terms led by the US. Markets were supported by strong corporate earnings and the tech sector regained momentum after some AI-related companies had been sold down in July. The Australian dollar appreciated over the month, which pulled the 2.5% hedged return back to 0.5% in unhedged terms. On average, super funds have about 70% of international shares unhedged. Emerging markets also finished higher, returning 1.3%.

Mr Mohankumar said Australian shares gained 1.6% over August, falling short of international markets but still a solid result.

A stronger resources sector offset weakness among financial shares, he said.

High growth portfolios led the gains over August with 1.2% growth, with all growth second with 1.1%, and growth third on 0.9%.

Mr Mohankumar said over the long term, superannuation had outperformed its aims.

Since the introduction of compulsory super in July 1992, the median growth fund has returned 8% p.a. The annual CPI increase over the same period is 2.7%, giving a real return of 5.3% p.a. – 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 6.9% p.a., which is still ahead of the typical objective.

Time for a superannuation check-up?

If you’re looking to top up your super, it’s worth reading up on concessional contributions.

Concessional contributions include the amount contributed by your employer, but can also include extra amounts paid into your super on top of that.

This can be tax-effective, as these contributions are taxed at just 15%, meaning you could get tax back at the end of the year if your tax rate is higher than this.

The cap for such contributions, including your employer’s contribution, salary sacrifice amounts, and extra contributions, is $32,500 per year.

The post Superannuation has had a strong start to the year. See how much it’s up already appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Shares surge as ASX biotech charts road to redemption
• Forget CSL shares, I’d buy this ASX biotech stock instead
• 5 ASX shares I’d recommend to beginners
• 3 ASX shares I’d buy for income and growth in retirement
• James Hardie says it doesn’t need a US housing recovery. Can it prove it?

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.

Buying your first few ASX shares can feel overwhelming when there are thousands of companies to choose from.

For a beginner, I would keep things fairly simple and focus on established businesses that are easy to understand and have strong long-term prospects.

These five would be high on my list.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Macquarie would be one of the first shares I would consider.

The company operates across areas including asset management, infrastructure, commodities, financial markets, banking, and advisory.

For a beginner, I think that provides an interesting introduction to a financial business that looks quite different from the major Australian banks.

Macquarie earns money from managing assets for clients, helping businesses manage commodity and financial risks, lending, and providing other financial services around the world.

That gives the company several ways to grow as its operations expand.

Earnings can move around from year to year, so I would not expect a perfectly smooth ride. But for someone investing with a long-term view, I think Macquarie is a high-quality business with plenty of opportunity still ahead of it.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

Woolworths is another ASX share I think beginners should consider.

Most Australians are familiar with its supermarkets and the role they play in everyday spending.

Grocery demand is also fairly dependable. People may cut back on discretionary purchases when budgets become tighter, but they still need food and household essentials.

I think Woolworths also has opportunities to grow through population growth, online shopping, and continued improvements across its stores and supply chain.

The company pays dividends as well, which can give new investors another way to see how owning shares can generate returns over time.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Telstra would add a more defensive element.

Mobile phones and internet connections have become essential services for households and businesses, giving Telstra recurring demand through different economic conditions.

The company has also made sustainable dividend growth an important part of its plans.

I would not expect Telstra to deliver spectacular growth every year. But I think there is value in owning a business with dependable demand, established infrastructure, and regular cash returns to shareholders.

ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD)

ResMed would give beginners stronger growth potential.

The company develops devices, masks, and software for sleep apnoea and respiratory care.

I like how large the opportunity remains. Sleep apnoea is significantly underdiagnosed and undertreated globally, leaving ResMed with plenty of potential patients still to reach.

There is also recurring demand after someone begins treatment because masks and other accessories need replacing over time.

For a beginner, I think ResMed offers a good introduction to owning an ASX share with a genuinely global business.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

BHP would round out my five picks.

The mining giant gives investors exposure to commodities including iron ore and copper, which remain important to construction, manufacturing, electrification, and infrastructure.

BHP’s earnings can change significantly as commodity prices move, which is worth understanding before investing.

At the same time, its scale, strong balance sheet, and long-life assets make it one of the more established ways to gain exposure to the resources sector.

The company can also return substantial cash to shareholders when conditions are strong.

Foolish takeaway

I think all five companies give beginners something different to learn about investing.

Macquarie provides exposure to global financial markets, Woolworths and Telstra have businesses built around regular household demand, ResMed brings international healthcare growth, and BHP introduces the commodity cycle.

For someone researching their first few ASX shares, I think each is a sensible place to start.

The post 5 ASX shares I’d recommend to beginners appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: AGL Energy, Telstra, Zip shares
• BHP vs Rio Tinto: What’s the better buy?
• How much do I need in superannuation to receive $1,000 passive income per week?
• CSL, Resmed, and more. See which ASX health stocks RBC Capital Markets has upgraded
• Wesfarmers vs Telstra: Which ASX dividend stock comes out on top?

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

Retirement investing does not have to be all about chasing the highest dividend yield.

I would still want businesses that can grow over time, while also providing some income along the way.

These three ASX shares would be on my list.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers is one of the first ASX shares I would consider.

The group owns businesses including Bunnings, Kmart, Officeworks, and Priceline, giving it several sources of earnings across different parts of the Australian economy.

For retirement investors, I like the combination of established businesses and room for further growth.

Bunnings has built a powerful position in home improvement, while Kmart continues to benefit from its focus on affordable products. Wesfarmers also has the financial strength to invest in existing businesses or pursue new opportunities when management sees attractive returns.

The company has also paid dividends consistently over many years.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

CBA would give me a more traditional source of income.

The bank generates substantial profits from its large customer base across home lending, deposits, business banking, and other financial services.

That has allowed it to return significant amounts of cash to shareholders through fully franked dividends.

Australian banking is a mature industry, so I would not expect rapid earnings growth.

But for retirement, I would be comfortable owning a high-quality business capable of producing substantial cash flow while still gradually increasing earnings over time.

CBA is rarely the cheapest bank on the ASX, but I would be willing to pay a little more for what I think is the strongest banking business in Australia.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)

Sigma would be the more growth-focused choice of the three ASX shares.

Following its combination with Chemist Warehouse, the company now has exposure to one of Australia’s best-known pharmacy brands alongside a major pharmaceutical distribution operation.

I think there are several ways the business can become larger over the next decade.

Chemist Warehouse continues to expand its store network, while international markets such as New Zealand and the United Kingdom provide additional room for growth.

Sigma can also benefit from the wider pharmacy ecosystem, including distribution, retail sales, online channels, and relationships with suppliers.

While its dividend yield is not the largest, if the company can expand earnings over time, there should be greater scope for shareholder returns to increase.

Foolish takeaway

For me, retirement would not mean giving up on growth.

I would want some dependable income, but I would also want businesses capable of becoming more valuable over the years ahead.

Wesfarmers, CBA, and Sigma each offer a different balance between those two goals, which is why I would be comfortable considering any of them for a long-term retirement portfolio.

The post 3 ASX shares I’d buy for income and growth in retirement appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

•  If I invest $10,000 in CBA shares, how much passive income will I receive in FY27?
• Down 22%: Are Wesfarmers shares now a good buy for passive income?
• Wesfarmers vs Telstra: Which ASX dividend stock comes out on top?
• How much passive income could I earn from a $650,000 superannuation balance?
• How to make $26,000 of passive income from ASX shares

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

James Hardie Industries Plc (ASX: JHX) shares are showing a little more life on Thursday.

The James Hardie share price is up 0.29% to $37.41 in late morning trade, but that barely dents its recent losses.

The stock has fallen almost 15% over the past month and more than 8% in a week, although it is still up around 21% in 2026.

Wednesday was particularly rough, with the shares dropping 5.23% after the company held its 2026 Investor Day.

Management reckons the company can keep growing strongly even if the US housing market stays weak.

But can it actually pull that off?

The US market remains difficult

The backdrop in the United States is still pretty tough.

US homebuilder sentiment fell to a 12-month low in September, while the average 30-year mortgage rate recently hit 6.76%.

Existing home sales also dropped 2% in August to an annualised rate of 3.98 million, the lowest level in 14 months.

That’s not exactly ideal when North America is still the biggest part of James Hardie’s business.

But management isn’t banking on cheaper mortgages or a housing rebound to drive growth.

At its Investor Day, James Hardie said it is targeting organic growth of 4% to 7% above the market over the longer term.

And the company reckons it can get there even if housing conditions stay weak.

Growth is still holding up

James Hardie’s first-quarter numbers suggest the plan is already starting to show through.

Q1 FY27 revenue rose 64% to US$1.48 billion, while pro-forma sales increased 12%.

North American fibre cement sales also grew 20% organically during the quarter, even with US housing still struggling.

That’s probably the number I’d be paying closest attention to from here.

If James Hardie can keep growing ahead of the housing market, it takes some of the pressure off waiting for a full recovery.

Can it keep this going?

The next few results should give investors a better idea of whether James Hardie can keep this up.

So far, the early signs are encouraging.

At $37.41, the shares are well below their August high of $44.12, despite the business still moving in the right direction.

If James Hardie can keep growing ahead of the wider housing market, I think investors could start looking at the stock a little differently.

And if US housing eventually improves as well, that would give the company another reason to keep growing.

The post James Hardie says it doesn’t need a US housing recovery. Can it prove it? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Down 6% today: What’s going on with the James Hardie share price?
• James Hardie lifts guidance and details long-term growth at 2026 Investor Day
• Buy, hold, sell: Echo IQ, James Hardie, Woolworths shares
• Experts reckon this high-flying ASX 200 blue-chip stock is a buy
• This ASX 200 stock is up 30% in 2026. Here’s why I’d still buy it

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.

CSL Ltd’s (ASX: CSL) board has admitted the financial performance of the business has been disappointing, but vowed to do better ahead of the company’s upcoming annual general meeting.

Aiming for improvement

In the notice of meeting lodged with the ASX, CSL chair Brian McNamee said the past year had been one of “significant change” for the blood products company, “and the board acknowledges that many shareholders are frustrated with the recent disappointing commercial and financial performance of the company”.

Mr McNamee added:

This includes reporting a multibillion-dollar statutory loss, driven by significant restructuring activity, leadership transition and the recognition of substantial non-cash balance sheet impairments. We built up substantial fixed costs, we were slow to adapt to competitive pressures, our research and development efforts didn’t deliver and some investments the Company made did not perform. We recognise this, and the management team is acting with urgency to earn back the confidence of shareholders through results.

Mr McNamee said the company’s core markets remained attractive, and the business was resilient and delivering strong cash flows.

He said the strategy was to invest in the core of the plasma business, “with selective investment beyond that”.

He added:

The industry fundamentals remain attractive. Plasma is a structurally stable therapeutic area, with durable demand and significant unmet patient need. CSL also maintains strength in influenza vaccines through the Seqirus business.

Mr McNamee said the board was encouraged by the early positive results of changes implemented by the management team.

He said the company needed to focus on stronger execution and adapt more rapidly as markets evolve.

Mr McNamee said the search for a new Chief Executive Officer was well-advanced, and in the meantime interim CEO Gordon Naylor was positioning the company for the next phase of growth.

CSL shares were 1 cent lower at $174.40 on Thursday. The shares have traded as low as $90 over the past year and as high as $222.47.

CSL shares looking like a good buy

Brokers are currently positive on the outlook for CSL following the company’s August results release.

RBC Capital Markets this week upgraded the company to an outperform rating with a $213 price target.

The broker said they now believed that “growth in the Behring business can offset the weak outlook in the Seqirus and Vifor business, and enable the company to deliver mid-single digit EPS growth for the next 3 years”.

The company is valued at $83.7 billion. The AGM will be held on Tuesday 27 October.

The post CSL acknowledges “disappointing” results but aims to do better appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• CSL, Resmed, and more. See which ASX health stocks RBC Capital Markets has upgraded
• Two broker upgrades put CSL shares back in focus
• Is the CSL share price heading to $200?
• CSL shares have surged over 25%. Do brokers see more upside?
• CSL shares just fell 5% after a strong rally. Is the recovery losing steam?

Motley Fool contributor Cameron England has positions in CSL. 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.

Retiring at 60 would sound pretty good to me.

But finishing work earlier means my superannuation may need to support me for a long time.

So, how large would I want my balance to be before calling it a day?

Start with the lifestyle I want

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) provides a helpful starting point.

Its latest Retirement Standard estimates that a single homeowner aged 65 to 84 needs around $56,166 a year for a comfortable retirement. For a couple, the figure is approximately $78,998 a year.

That comfortable lifestyle includes things such as private health insurance, regular leisure activities, meals out, maintaining a car, home repairs, and occasional travel.

Of course, my own spending could be higher or lower.

But I think those figures provide a sensible benchmark for thinking about how much income my super may need to provide.

Retiring at 60 changes the numbers

ASFA estimates that a single homeowner needs around $630,000 in super to fund a comfortable retirement from age 67. A couple needs around $730,000 combined.

The important part is the age.

Those figures assume retirement at 67, whereas I am looking at stopping work seven years earlier.

Age Pension eligibility also currently begins at 67, subject to the relevant income, asset, and residency rules.

That means someone retiring at 60 may need to fund several additional years before any potential Age Pension support begins.

For people born from 1 July 1964, 60 is also the current preservation age for superannuation, although a condition of release still needs to be met before the money can generally be accessed.

How much would I want?

If I were a single homeowner aiming for something close to ASFA’s comfortable lifestyle, I would personally want around $900,000 in super before retiring at 60.

That is not an official ASFA target.

It simply gives me more room to fund those extra seven years while leaving plenty of capital invested for later in retirement.

For a couple, I would be thinking closer to $1.1 million combined, depending on our expected spending and other assets.

I would not treat either figure as a magic number. Someone with inexpensive hobbies, a paid-off home, and modest travel plans may be comfortable with less. Someone planning regular overseas holidays or helping family financially may want considerably more.

I would keep investing after retirement

I would also want my superannuation to continue growing after I stopped working.

At 60, retirement could still last 30 years or more.

That is too long for me to become entirely focused on cash and defensive investments like bonds.

I would still want exposure to Australian and international shares, alongside enough defensive assets to cover spending without being forced to sell shares during a market downturn.

Investment returns could then help offset some withdrawals and give the balance a better chance of keeping up with inflation.

Foolish takeaway

If I planned to retire at 60, I would personally aim for around $900,000 in superannuation as a single homeowner, rather than relying on the age-67 benchmark of $630,000.

Retiring seven years earlier creates a larger job for the portfolio.

For me, having that extra buffer would provide more flexibility around spending, market downturns, and the possibility of a retirement lasting several decades.

The post How much superannuation would I want if I planned to retire at 60? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Guess which ASX stock is rocketing 14% today?
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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino 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.

Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB) shares are edging higher on Thursday, but investors probably won’t be celebrating just yet.

The Hub24 share price is up 0.26% to $70.38 at the time of writing, but that barely makes a dent in the recent losses.

The shares have fallen almost 20% in the past month and around 27% in 2026.

They are now trading only slightly above their 52-week low of $68.70 and more than 42% below the $122.03 high.

So, has the sell-off gone too far?

Why have Hub24 shares fallen so much?

The sell-off looks pretty harsh when you look at Hub24’s latest financial results.

FY26 revenue rose 23% to $501.1 million, while underlying EBITDA climbed 30% to $211.4 million. Underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) increased 40% to $137.3 million.

Platform funds under administration (FUA) reached $139.5 billion, up 24%, while total FUA grew to $164.3 billion.

Hub24’s platform market share increased from 8.6% to 9.9%, while active advisers rose 11% to 5,649.

While those were solid numbers, what seems to be worrying investors more is the slowdown in inflows heading into FY27.

The company said outflows from discretionary IDPS accounts were still high in August, although superannuation flows were holding up better.

If that weakness hangs around, Hub24 may find it harder to keep FUA growing at the same pace.

What are the brokers saying?

Brokers are still much more positive on Hub24 shares after the recent drop.

According to TipRanks, the average 12-month price target from 13 ranked analysts is $97.18. From the current price of $70.38, that points to potential upside of around 38%.

Most of the targets are sitting in the $90s. Citi has a target of $93.50, Jefferies is at $93.75, Morgans is at $92, RBC Capital has $91, and JPMorgan is at $98.

Jarden has the highest target shown at $101, while Bell Potter is a little more cautious with a $90 target and a hold rating.

Why $70 has my attention

After falling almost 20% in a month, Hub24 shares are starting to look a lot more interesting around these levels.

The stock is still trading on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of around 48, so I wouldn’t call it cheap. And if inflows stay weak, that could put more pressure on the valuation.

Nonetheless, Hub24 is still growing earnings, and winning market share.

Management is also targeting Platform FUA of $186 billion to $200 billion by FY28, excluding PARS.

At around $70, I think the risk-reward looks much better than it did above $120.

The next big update comes on 20 October, when Hub24 releases its first-quarter results.

The post Hub24 shares have fallen 27% in 2026. Could they really rebound 38%? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. 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 positions in and has recommended Hub24, JPMorgan Chase, and Jefferies Financial Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Hub24. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.