2 ASX shares highly recommended to buy: Experts

These stocks are undervalued opportunities according to analysts.

| More on:
A trendy woman wearing sunglasses splashes cash notes from her hands.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points

  • Analysts recommend ALS Ltd (ASX: ALQ) as a strong buy, highlighting its solid first half FY26 results and anticipated organic revenue growth between 6% to 8%.
  • ALS is expected to benefit from high commodity prices and exploration activity, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10% for earnings per share over the next three years.
  • GQG Partners Inc (ASX: GQG) is also a buy, with UBS noting its recent outperformance and attractive valuation with a low P/E ratio and strong dividend yield.

It's interesting when one analyst thinks an ASX share is a buy, however it could be a compelling buy signal if numerous experts are calling that ASX share a buy.

Share prices are changing all the time, giving investors the opportunity to buy at good value if they appear undervalued.

While analyst predictions aren't necessarily going to be precisely correct, I think it could be very worthwhile to look at which businesses are expected to deliver big returns and underrated earnings.

Let's take a look at two ASX shares that are highly rated today.

ALS Ltd (ASX: ALQ)

According to the collation of analyst ratings by Commsec, there are currently nine buy recommendations on this company, which is a substantial number.

UBS describes ALS as a leading analytical and testing services business with operations spanning the mining, natural resources, environmental, food, pharmaceutical, industrial and inspection sectors. It provides testing, sampling and remote monitoring to those sectors.

UBS is one of the brokers that rates the business as a buy, with a price target of $20.87.

The broker notes that the company's FY26 first half result was solid, with net profit 3% of what the market was expecting thanks to stronger performances from both the life sciences and commodities divisions.

Operating profit (EBIT) growth of 15% was driven by organic revenue growth of 7%. The commodities division achieved 12% organic revenue growth, while geochemistry revenue grew 14%.

Mineral sample volumes were up in the low double-digits, thanks to supportive commodity prices for gold and copper, as well as demand from onshoring and mineral security trends. Geochemistry demand continues to come from major miners.

UBS notes that ALS' guidance means the company expects organic revenue growth of between 6% to 8%, up from between 5% to 7%, with commodities growth upgraded to between 12% to 14%, up from 5% to 7%.

The broker suggests ALS' view on its profit margins is "conservative".

UBS is optimistic on this ASX share because of the view that the record gold price "should drive a recovery in exploration activity", supporting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10% for earnings per share (EPS) over the next three years.

GQG Partners Inc (ASX: GQG)

GQG is a funds management business that gives clients the option to invest in different strategies such as US shares, international (excluding US) shares, global shares and emerging market shares.

According to the Commsec collation of analyst opinions, there are currently seven buy ratings on the ASX share. UBS is one of the brokers that rates GQG shares as a buy.

After a period of fund underperformance because of the defensive setting of GQG portfolios due to high AI-related valuations, the month of November saw GQG outperform.

UBS said the fund manager delivered 360 basis points (3.60%) of "alpha validating GQG's defensive posture amid increasing scepticism around the AI buildout".

The broker noted that the business reached US$166.1 billion of funds under management (FUM) in November 2025, a rise of 1.5% month over month, with client FUM net flows contributing negative 1.5% and investment returns contributing 3%.

When the GQG share price was trading at $1.73, UBS noted it's trading at a price/earnings (P/E) ratio of less than 8 and the dividend yield was around 12%.

UBS said its team continues "to see value appeal as a market-hedge with the dividend underpinned by relatively resilient FUM trends."

The broker also believes that recent outflows have been "resilient", considering the depth of GQG's recent underperformance. But, in early December, UBS saw that there are indications the net flows for December 2025 could show signs of improvement, with trackable flows in positive territory in-line with the first half of 2025 monthly experience.

UBS has a price target of $2.10 on the business, which assumes the business will trade at a P/E ratio of 10.

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

More on Cheap Shares

A man in his 30s with a clipped beard sits at his laptop on a desk with one finger to the side of his face and his chin resting on his thumb as he looks concerned while staring at his computer screen.
Cheap Shares

Could these ASX 200 losers be among the best shares to buy in 2026?

Is the stage set for a big rebound from these shares this year?

Read more »

A man has a surprised and relieved expression on his face.
Cheap Shares

3 phenomenal ASX stocks that could double in 2026

Analysts think these stocks could be dirt cheap after a difficult time in 2025.

Read more »

A man reacts with surprise when her see a bargain price on his phone.
Cheap Shares

2 unmissable ASX 300 shares that look too cheap to ignore!

I strongly believe these businesses are substantially undervalued.

Read more »

Red buy button on an apple keyboard with a finger on it representing asx tech shares to buy today
Cheap Shares

Brokers rate these 2 top ASX shares as buys in January

Here’s why these unknown names could be good buys this month.

Read more »

Smiling couple looking at a phone at a bargain opportunity.
Cheap Shares

These popular ASX 200 shares are in the Boxing Day sales

These quality shares have been sold down to levels that analysts think could make them dirt cheap.

Read more »

Man on computer looking at graphs
Cheap Shares

The ASX stocks I'd buy that nobody else wants

These beaten down stocks could be worth looking at. Let's see why.

Read more »

A man in his 30s holds his laptop and operates it with his other hand as he has a look of pleasant surprise on his face as though he is learning something new or finding hidden value in something on the screen.
Cheap Shares

2 ASX 200 shares with massive upside potential according to brokers

WiseTech and NextDC shares have pulled back in recent times, but brokers see meaningful upside from current levels.

Read more »

Two university students in the library, one in a wheelchair, log in for the first time with the help of a lecturer.
Cheap Shares

Why I'd buy dirt-cheap ASX shares now and aim to hold them for a decade

You could potentially beat the market with this strategy.

Read more »