Tag: Stock pick

Investors searching for ASX growth shares often look for the same ingredients: market leadership, a strong competitive moat, and a share price that doesn’t fully reflect future potential.

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) and Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT) fit that description.

Both companies have faced significant share price pressure over the past year. Telix shares are up 26% year to date but remain down 43% over 12 months. Catapult has fared even worse, falling 28% in 2026 and 47% over the past year.

Despite those declines, analysts see substantial upside ahead for the ASX shares. Here’s why.

Telix Pharmaceuticals

Telix develops radiopharmaceutical products used to diagnose and treat cancer. Its flagship products target some of the largest oncology markets globally, giving the company exposure to a rapidly growing area of healthcare.

One of Telix’s biggest strengths is its moat. Developing radiopharmaceuticals requires specialised expertise, manufacturing capabilities, regulatory approvals, and distribution networks that are difficult and expensive to replicate. Those barriers help protect established players such as Telix.

After a difficult period, the ASX growth share appears to have found its groove since February. The rebound began when the company confirmed it had filed for a key regulatory approval in Europe.

Momentum continued into April. Telix announced that the US Food and Drug Administration had accepted its New Drug Application for TLX101-Px (Pixclara®), an important milestone for the business. It also revealed a major collaboration with US biotechnology giant Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, further strengthening confidence in its long-term prospects.

Analysts remain highly optimistic. TradingView data shows the majority of brokers rate the $5 billion ASX growth share as a strong buy. The most bullish price target sits at $31.64 per share, implying upside of approximately 123% from current levels.

Morgans is also positive on the stock, with a $24.33 price target, which suggests a 71% upside. The broker recently noted that increasing consolidation across the healthcare sector could generate additional interest in Telix shares.

Catapult Sports

Catapult develops athlete performance and analytics technology used by professional sporting teams around the world.

Its solutions help coaches and performance staff monitor player workloads, reduce injury risks, analyse performance, and improve decision-making. The technology is widely used across major sporting organisations, including teams in the AFL, NRL, Premier League, NFL, NBA, MLB, and international rugby competitions.

That extensive customer base gives Catapult a significant competitive advantage. Once teams integrate the company’s hardware, software, and performance data into their operations, switching providers becomes difficult. This creates sticky customer relationships and recurring revenue streams.

Despite these strengths, investors have remained cautious, helping drive the share price of the ASX growth share sharply lower over the past year.

Analysts, however, remain overwhelmingly bullish. TradingView data shows every analyst covering Catapult currently rates it as either a buy or strong buy. The average price target stands at $5.72, implying upside of approximately 94% from current levels. The most optimistic forecast suggests the ASX growth stock could rise by as much as 175% over the next year.

Morgans has a buy rating and a $5.40 target price. Based on the current share price of $2.95, that points to potential gains of roughly 83%.

The post 2 ASX growth shares that could double your money appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther 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 Catapult Sports and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares have pulled back from their highs, but they still trade at a sizeable premium to the other major banks.

At around $163.56 at the time of writing, CBA shares are above their 52-week low of $146.97 but still well below their 52-week high of $192.

That creates an interesting setup. The banking sector is dealing with a difficult backdrop, including higher interest rates and proposed changes to negative gearing weighing on the housing market. But I think there are still good reasons to buy CBA shares today.

Quality counts in a tougher banking market

The first reason is quality. When conditions become more uncertain, I think investors have a strong reason to focus on the highest-quality bank in the sector. CBA has long held a powerful position in Australian banking, helped by its huge customer base, strong deposit franchise, digital strength, and trusted brand.

Those advantages can be especially useful when the operating environment is harder.

Higher interest rates can put pressure on borrowers. Housing market sentiment can shift. Competition for deposits and mortgages can affect margins. Credit quality also needs watching when households and businesses are under pressure.

In that environment, I think CBA’s scale and customer relationships matter.

The bank has a broad presence across home lending, deposits, business banking, payments, cards, apps, and everyday financial services. It is deeply embedded in the financial lives of many Australians, and that gives it a level of resilience that is hard to replicate.

CBA shares are rarely cheap. But I think the premium reflects a business that investors trust to navigate more difficult periods better than most.

The dividend still has appeal

The second reason is income. CBA shares may not offer the highest dividend yield among the major banks, but the dividend still looks attractive, particularly because it is expected to be fully franked.

According to CommSec, consensus estimates point to dividends per share of $5.10 in FY26 and $5.15 in FY27.

Based on the current share price of around $163.56, that implies forward dividend yields of approximately 3.1% in both years.

For investors who can use franking credits, the grossed-up income picture could look more appealing.

I also think investors should consider the total return potential. A bank share does not need to have the highest yield on the ASX to be worthwhile. If CBA can keep paying reliable dividends while also delivering capital growth over time, the overall return can still be attractive.

That combination is why I think CBA remains such a popular long-term holding.

Earnings support the premium

The third reason is the earnings base. CommSec consensus estimates suggest CBA could generate earnings per share of $6.54 in FY26 and $6.72 in FY27.

At the current share price, that puts the bank on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of about 25 times FY26 earnings and 24 times FY27 earnings.

That is a premium multiple for a bank. But CBA is also the bank with the strongest market reputation, and I think investors have historically been willing to pay more for its quality, consistency, and digital leadership.

The key question is whether CBA can keep justifying that premium.

I think it can. The bank’s technology investment, customer engagement, balance sheet strength, and ability to generate substantial profits all support the case. It may not deliver explosive growth, but it does not need to. A high-quality bank with strong dividends, disciplined lending, and a trusted position in the economy can still create value for shareholders over time.

Foolish Takeaway

CBA shares are not priced like a bargain-bank stock, and that is unlikely to surprise anyone who follows the sector.

But I do not think the investment case rests on the bank suddenly becoming cheap. It rests on the strength of the franchise, the role CBA plays in Australian financial life, and the likelihood that patient investors can still be rewarded through a mix of earnings, dividends, and time.

The sector faces uncertainty, especially around borrowers, housing sentiment, and competition. Even so, for long-term investors looking for exposure to Australian banking, I think CBA remains a share worth considering.

The post 3 big reasons to buy CBA shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Commonwealth Bank Of Australia. 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 taken a severe hit over the past year. The stock is down around 34% year to date and roughly 52% over the past 12 months at the time of writing.

That kind of drawdown has forced investors to rethink the once-premium growth story, and analyst sentiment has clearly turned more cautious. Let’s break down why.

Three major pillars

CSL is one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies, built on three major pillars. It collects and processes blood plasma through CSL Behring, supplies influenza vaccines through CSL Seqirus, and operates CSL Vifor, which focuses on iron deficiency and nephrology treatments after its major acquisition of Vifor Pharma.

For years, CSL shares were treated as a defensive growth compounder with strong pricing power and resilient demand. That reputation is now being tested as growth slows and integration challenges emerge.

Why CSL shares are under pressure

The sell-off has not come from a single issue. It has built gradually as investors reassess earnings quality, acquisition outcomes, and valuation support.

One of the clearest warning signs has been the downgrade cycle building across FY26 expectations and beyond. Analysts have trimmed revenue and earnings forecasts as they factor in weaker contributions from CSL Vifor and slower growth across parts of the business.

On top of that, CSL has recognised around $5 billion in impairments linked to acquired assets. While these are non-cash charges, they signal that earlier assumptions about the value and performance of those assets may have been too optimistic.

CSL Vifor is proving harder to fix than expected

The real battleground for sentiment is CSL Vifor. The business was supposed to be a strategic growth engine, particularly in nephrology, but it continues to underperform.

Ord Minnett has taken a notably bearish view on CSL shares, arguing the market is still underestimating the scale of the Vifor challenge. The broker explains:

Ord Minnett has reviewed its CSL (CSL) model further with a focus on its Vifor nephrology business that is facing challenges which, in our view, are being underestimated by the broader market. Our estimates for Vifor revenue and operating profit in FY27 are below consensus estimates by 15% and 32%, respectively, while our forecasts for operating profit across the FY27–FY29 horizon are more than 10% below market expectations.

That gap between broker expectations and consensus highlights a simple risk: earnings may still be drifting lower.

Higher interest rates are compressing valuation

The final pressure point is macro-driven. Higher interest rates have hit growth stocks hard, and CSL shares are no exception.

When interest rates rise, future earnings are discounted more heavily. That matters for CSL because a large part of its valuation depends on long-term growth assumptions rather than near-term earnings. As discount rates increase, that long-term value becomes less attractive in present terms.

What next for CSL shares?

CSL is still a global leader in plasma therapies and vaccines, and its core businesses remain highly valuable. However, the market is no longer willing to pay a premium multiple without clearer proof that growth is re-accelerating. That’s why analysts at Peak Asset Management have a sell rating on CSL shares.

Until CSL Vifor stabilises and earnings forecasts stop drifting lower, sentiment is likely to remain cautious. For now, the stock is still working through a reset in expectations, and that process rarely happens quickly.

The post 3 reasons why experts think CSL shares are a sell appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther 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.

Building a balanced portfolio doesn’t have to be complicated. One approach is to combine a reliable dividend payer with a high-quality ASX growth stock.

That way, investors can enjoy a stream of passive income while also benefiting from the potential for long-term capital growth. With that in mind, here are two ASX shares that could be worth considering right now.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

When it comes to dependable dividend shares, Woolworths stands out as one of the ASX’s most established blue chip companies.

Woolworths operates Australia’s largest supermarket network and serves millions of customers every week through its supermarkets, online platforms, and complementary retail businesses. While grocery retailing may not be the most exciting industry, the ASX stock offers something many investors value: resilience.

Consumers still need to buy food and household essentials regardless of economic conditions. That defensive characteristic helps Woolworths generate relatively stable earnings and cash flow across market cycles, providing a strong foundation for dividend payments.

The company has also been investing heavily in technology, supply chain improvements, and its digital capabilities. These initiatives should help strengthen its competitive position and support earnings growth over the long term.

While dividend yields can fluctuate, Woolworths has a long history of rewarding shareholders through fully franked dividends. Bell Potter expects Woolworths to pay dividends of 91 cents per share in FY26 and 94 cents in FY27. This translates to forward dividend yields of approximately 2.4% and 2.5%, respectively.

For investors seeking a combination of income and stability, the ASX supermarket stock remains one of the highest-quality dividend stocks on the Australian market.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

For investors seeking capital growth, Pro Medicus continues to stand out as one of the ASX’s premier growth companies. The $18 billion ASX stock has jumped 35% in the past month, but is still 20% down in 2026.

Pro Medicus develops medical imaging software used by hospitals, healthcare networks, and radiology providers around the world. Its flagship Visage platform allows clinicians to access, analyse, and share medical images quickly and efficiently, helping improve workflow and patient outcomes.

What makes the ASX stock particularly compelling is the strength of its business model. The company generates high-margin recurring revenue, carries no debt, and consistently converts a large portion of its earnings into cash.

Just as importantly, demand for advanced medical imaging technology continues to grow. Healthcare providers are handling increasing volumes of imaging data and are seeking faster, more efficient solutions. Pro Medicus has positioned itself at the centre of this trend.

The company has also built a strong track record of winning major contracts with leading healthcare institutions, particularly in the US. Each new contract expands its customer base and creates opportunities for future growth.

Macquarie has an outperform rating on the ASX healthcare company, with a $221 target, implying a potential gain of 27%. The analyst team at Morgans is a little less bullish, but still has a buy rating and $210 target price on the shares. This points to a 19% upside over the next 12 months.

The post One ASX dividend and one ASX growth stock to buy now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen 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.

It is fair to say that technology has become one of the strongest forces in global markets over the past decade.

It is changing how people work, shop, communicate, travel, manufacture goods, run businesses, and manage data.

That is why tech-focused ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) can be useful for long-term investors.

They provide exposure to broad technology themes without relying on a single company to get everything right.

But which ones could be good options right now?

Here are three amazing ASX tech ETFs that could be worth considering if you are aiming to buy and hold for a very long time.

Betashares S&P/ASX Australian Technology ETF (ASX: ATEC)

The first ASX tech ETF to look at is the Betashares S&P/ASX Australian Technology ETF.

This fund gives investors exposure to Australian technology companies.

That makes it quite different from many global technology ETFs, which are dominated by US mega-caps.

The Betashares S&P/ASX Australian Technology ETF offers local exposure to companies involved in software, online services, payments, digital infrastructure, and technology-enabled business models. This includes WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) and Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO).

The fund has been and will likely remain volatile, because smaller technology companies can move sharply when market sentiment changes. But for investors wanting exposure to home-grown innovation, this ASX ETF could be a compelling long-term option.

It was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

Another ASX tech ETF to consider for the long-term is the Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF.

Asia is central to the global technology ecosystem. The region is home to major semiconductor companies, ecommerce platforms, digital payment networks, gaming businesses, hardware manufacturers, and online services used by over a billion people.

This gives the Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF a powerful long-term theme.

It provides easy access to the companies building and serving the digital economies of countries such as Taiwan, South Korea, China, and India. This includes Tencent (SEHK: 700) and Baidu (NASDAQ: BIDU).

The fund can be more volatile than a broad global ETF because it is concentrated in one region and one sector. Investors also need to be comfortable with currency, regulatory, and geopolitical risks. But the long-term opportunity remains significant.

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

A third ASX tech ETF to look at is the Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF.

As its name implies, it gives investors exposure to the physical side of the technology revolution.

Artificial intelligence receives plenty of attention, but the real-world application of technology often requires machines, sensors, automation systems, industrial software, and robotics.

That is where this ETF comes in. It invests in companies involved in robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, and related technologies. These tools can help factories become more efficient, warehouses move faster, healthcare systems improve precision, and businesses reduce reliance on repetitive manual processes.

Its holdings include Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG) and Keyence Corp.

The long-term case is easy to understand. Many industries are looking for ways to improve productivity, deal with labour shortages, and make better use of data. Robotics and artificial intelligence can help solve those problems.

The post 3 amazing tech ETFs to buy and hold forever appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Betashares Capital – Asia Technology Tigers Etf, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Baidu, Intuitive Surgical, Tencent, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended the following options: long January 2028 $520 calls on Intuitive Surgical and short January 2028 $530 calls on Intuitive Surgical. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global and Xero. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is having a fairly quiet start to the week as investors wait for US markets to reopen.

At the time of writing, the ASX 200 is down 0.09% to 8,821 points.

At the latest check, 106 ASX 200 shares are trading higher, 81 are falling, and 13 are unchanged.

However, some of the stocks going backwards are among the larger names on the market, which is why the index is still stuck in the red.

Here’s what is weighing on the ASX 200 today.

Waiting on Wall Street

Aussie investors are still waiting for the US markets to reopen after the Juneteenth holiday kept Wall Street closed on Friday night.

This has left the ASX 200 trading mostly around local company news and the latest overseas developments.

The Middle East uncertainty is still one of the main issues being watched by markets. Oil prices have been moving around as traders react to tensions involving Iran, the US, and the Strait of Hormuz.

Currently, Brent crude is down 1.5% to US$79.38 a barrel, while WTI crude is down 2.16% to US$75.66 a barrel.

Our local market has avoided a heavier fall so far. But with Wall Street back tonight, investors may be reluctant to take on too much risk before seeing how US markets react.

Large names weigh on the index

While more stocks are rising than falling, the ASX 200 is being held back by weakness in some of its larger companies.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are down 0.66% to $60.995, while Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares are 0.24% lower at $176.94.

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) shares are also in the red, falling 0.81% to $19.59.

Healthcare is another big drag. CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares are down 3.92% to $111.76, which is a sizeable fall for one of the biggest stocks on the market.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) is under even more pressure. Its shares are down around 15.27% to $31.25 after media reports that the AFP is investigating chairman Richard White.

Banks are helping limit the damage

The big banks are doing some of the heavy lifting today.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares are up 0.90% to $163.86, while Westpac Banking Corp(ASX: WBC) shares are slightly higher at $35.03.

National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) shares are up 0.09% to $37.775, and ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) shares are 0.47% higher at $35.195.

There are also gains from QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE), which is up 1.52% to $24.425, and Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL), which is rising 2.27% to $56.195.

The post ASX 200 stuck in the red as investors wait for US lead appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 CSL and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group and CSL. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) shares came under heavy pressure in Monday afternoon trade, sliding around 5% to $5.60.

The move extends a weak patch for the lithium producer, with the stock now down about 11% over the past month. That stands in sharp contrast to the broader market, with the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) up roughly 2% over the same period.

Even so, PLS remains one of the ASX’s standout long-term performers, up 33% year to date and an extraordinary 302% over the past 12 months.

So why are PLS shares going backwards lately?

Lithium sentiment turns lower again

PLS sits at the centre of the global lithium cycle. That means its share price moves closely with spodumene and lithium carbonate pricing, which swing sharply with shifts in supply and demand expectations.

Today’s decline reflects renewed softness in lithium sentiment. Investors are once again questioning whether the market is still dealing with structural oversupply.

Global production has ramped up aggressively in recent years, while electric vehicle demand growth has cooled from earlier expectations. At the same time, the system is still working through elevated inventory levels built up during the boom.

When lithium sentiment weakens, the price of PLS shares almost always follows, even without any company-specific news.

Profit-taking after huge run

The selling is not isolated. Other lithium and battery materials stocks typically move in the same direction when sentiment turns.

The broader ASX resources sector has also been choppy, adding to the pressure. In softer market conditions, investors tend to rotate out of high-beta commodity names first, and lithium producers sit right at the centre of that trade. That rotation can easily amplify intraday moves, even when fundamentals remain unchanged.

PLS has also been volatile for months. After strong rallies driven by rebounds in lithium pricing, the stock often pulls back when momentum fades.

That’s the nature of cyclical commodities. Traders chase upside during rallies and exit quickly when sentiment shifts. That “hot money” effect can turn a normal trading day into a sharp 5% move.

What matters next for PLS shares

In the short term, PLS will focus on one of its key growth projects, P2000 at Pilgangoora. According to a release issued last week, PLS has approved early spending on the project, which it describes as the world’s largest independent hard-rock lithium operation.

Longer term, the key drivers for PLS shares remain unchanged: lithium pricing, electric vehicle demand growth, and supply discipline across the industry. They will determine the next major move for PLS shares.

The post PLS shares drop 5%: What’s driving the move? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther 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.

Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) shares are marching higher today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gold stock closed on Friday trading for $20.87. In early afternoon trade on Monday, shares are changing hands for $21.12 apiece, up 1.2%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.1% at this same time amid news that Iran has once more closed the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping route.

Northern Star shares look to be catching some tailwinds today from an uptick in the gold price. Gold is currently fetching US$4,188.41 per ounce, up 0.8%.

Still, with the gold price now down 3.5% in 2026, and Northern Star flagging rising costs and lower production for the full 2026 financial year (FY 2026), shares in the Aussie gold giant are down 13.5% year to date.

That’s well behind the 1.1% gains posted by the benchmark index since market close on 2 January.

And that underperformance will have only been modestly eased by the miner’s 25 cent per share dividend payout on 26 March. Northern Star stock currently trades on a 2.6% fully-franked trailing dividend yield.

Which brings us back to our headline question.

Northern Star shares: Buy, hold, or sell?

Baker Young’s Toby Grimm recently ran his slide rule over the Aussie gold mining giant (courtesy of The Bull).

“The emergence of prominent US based activist investor Elliott Investment Management has prompted optimism surrounding the gold miner,” Grimm said.

If you missed it, in early June, the United States-based investment manager reported that it had upped its stake in Northern Star to more than $1 billion. That sees Elliot among the top five shareholders in the ASX 200 gold stock.

Citing a series of “operational missteps and repeated failures to execute capital projects on time and on budget”, the US fund manager suggested a major board shakeup, a strategic review, and potential sale of the gold miner.

But Grimm doesn’t believe these steps justify holding onto the stock at this time.

Summarising his sell recommendation on Northern Star shares, he concluded:

However, in our view, it doesn’t alter the underperformance of NST’s asset base involving production volumes, costs and capital expenditure requirements.

A new management team will likely rebase expectations. But we would seek alternative gold exposure for those still playing the theme. The shares have fallen from $31.73 on March 2 to trade at $21.44 on June 18.

The post With the gold price up on Monday, are Northern Star shares a good buy now? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

It has been a huge year for Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) shares, but Monday has brought a bit of selling pressure.

At the time of writing, the Mineral Resources share price is down 2.91% to $67.14.

Even after today’s fall, the ASX 200 mining stock is still up 23% in 2026 and around 220% higher than this time last year.

So, what is the market weighing up today?

Onslow Iron drives the turnaround

The latest attention comes after Mineral Resources posted what has been called the strongest 6-month period in its history.

The company has benefited from its iron ore business, particularly the Onslow Iron project, which has been ramping up after a difficult start.

Onslow Iron is currently running at a 35 million tonne annualised rate, with 40 million tonnes possible within two years.

Evidently, this has helped Mineral Resources return to a much stronger financial position of late.

The company generated a record EBITDA of $1.2 billion for the half, while revenue came in at $3.05 billion. It also posted a net profit of $573 million, compared with a heavy loss a year earlier.

Iron ore delivered $519 million in EBITDA, while lithium has also been helped by the recent recovery in spodumene prices.

Leadership remains in focus

While the numbers have improved, the leadership question is still hanging over the company.

According to The Australian, Mineral Resources has been working through a governance review after issues involving related-party dealings and company resources.

Chair Mal Bundey has indicated the search for a new chief executive is still underway, although the timing remains unclear.

The report suggests Ellison could stay in the top job until the completion of a major project in 2027 and then leave on his own terms.

That leaves investors with two things to weigh up.

On one hand, Mineral Resources is in a much better operating position than it was a year ago. On the other, the leadership issue still needs to be resolved before the company can fully move on from a messy period.

Could dividends return?

Another point getting attention is the possibility of dividends returning.

Mineral Resources stopped paying dividends in 2024 as it focused on reducing debt and protecting its balance sheet.

The company’s net debt has reportedly fallen slightly to $4.9 billion, while free cash flow improved to $292 million for the half.

While no dividend has been declared, the company has flagged that payouts could return if liquidity and leverage targets are met.

That would be a big change after a difficult period for shareholders.

The post Mineral Resources shares slide as CEO uncertainty weighs in appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.