At the start of each week, I like to look at ASIC's short position report to find out which shares are being targeted by short sellers.

This is because I believe it is well worth keeping a close eye on short interest levels as high levels can sometimes be a sign that something isn't quite right with a company.

With that in mind, here are the 10 most shorted shares on the ASX this week according to ASIC:

• Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) has become the most shorted ASX share after its short interest jumped to 16.2%. It seems that short sellers are betting against this radiopharmaceuticals company gaining approval for new products from the US FDA.
• Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) has seen its short interest rise to 15.6%. There appear to be doubts around this pizza chain operator's turnaround strategy.
• Polynovo Ltd (ASX: PNV) has 14% of its shares held short, which is up since last week. This medical device company's shares trade on high earnings multiples. It seems that short sellers think they could be overvalued.
• Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) has short interest of 13.9%, which is up week on week. Although this quick service restaurant operator released a better than expected update this month, short sellers aren't giving up. They seem to have concerns over its struggling US business.
• Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) has 13% of its shares held short, which is flat since last week. Short sellers will have been disappointed to see this wine giant's shares jump last week following a surprisingly positive trading update.
• Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) has short interest of 12.5%, which is down week on week. There are concerns that travel demand could be impacted by the Middle East conflict and higher airfares.
• Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) has 11.9% of its shares held short. This is down week on week. Some short sellers may have been closing positions after the buy now pay later provider impressed with its quarterly update this month.
• Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) has short interest of 11.6%, which is up since last week. There are concerns about this uranium miner's production outlook beyond 2026.
• DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) has 11.5% of its shares held short, which is down since last week. Valuation concerns may be why short sellers are targeting this counter-drone technology company.
• Lotus Resources Ltd (ASX: LOT) has short interest of 11%, which is flat week on week. It is another uranium producer that short sellers are targeting.

The post These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week
• Nervous investors turn to ASX 200 defensives as global energy shock drags on
• 1 ASX dividend stock down 50% I'd buy
• Buy, hold, sell: Cochlear, CSL, and DroneShield shares
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Domino’s Pizza Enterprises and Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, DroneShield, PolyNovo, Telix Pharmaceuticals, and Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, Flight Centre Travel Group, PolyNovo, and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Do you have room in your portfolio for some more ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs)?

If you do, it could be worth checking out the three in this article that are highly rated. Here's what you need to know about them:

BetaShares Crypto Innovators ETF (ASX: CRYP)

The first ASX ETF to consider is the BetaShares Crypto Innovators ETF.

This ETF captures companies linked to the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Its holdings include stocks such as Coinbase Global (NASDAQ: COIN), Marathon Digital (NASDAQ: MARA), and MicroStrategy (NASDAQ: MSTR).

Coinbase is central to this theme. As one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges, its revenue is tied to trading activity and broader interest in digital assets.

While high levels of volatility are part of the story, continued development in blockchain technology could support long-term growth. The BetaShares Crypto Innovators ETF could suit investors comfortable with that risk profile.

Betashares Global Cash Flow Kings ETF (ASX: CFLO)

Another ASX ETF that to look at is the Betashares Global Cash Flow Kings ETF.

Rather than focusing on emerging trends, this fund targets companies with strong and consistent free cash flow generation. That can be a useful way to balance a portfolio tilted toward higher-growth themes.

Its holdings include companies such as Costco (NASDAQ: COST), Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), and Mastercard (NYSE: MA).

Mastercard highlights the type of business the Betashares Global Cash Flow Kings ETF invests in. It is a payment processing giant that generates steady cash flow across different economic conditions. That consistency can support dividends and reinvestment over time.

By focusing on cash-generating businesses, this fund could be one to hold for the long term, particularly as a counterbalance to more growth-oriented exposures. It was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

Betashares Video Games And Esports ETF (ASX: GAME)

A final ASX ETF that could be a top pick is the Betashares Video Games And Esports ETF.

It offers investors easy exposure to the global video gaming and esports industry. This is a sector that continues to grow well beyond its early roots.

Video games are no longer a niche hobby. They are a mainstream form of entertainment with recurring revenue through subscriptions, in-game purchases, and digital content.

Among its holdings are the likes of Nintendo, Unity Software (NYSE: U), and Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ: TTWO). These companies sit at the heart of entertainment, technology, and digital engagement.

This fund was also recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

The post 3 excellent ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years or more appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX ETFs to invest $3,000 into in April and May
• 3 BetaShares ASX ETFs I'd buy in April for long-term growth
• 3 exciting ASX ETFs for growth investors
• Why I'd buy these BetaShares ETFs for my portfolio in April

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 Costco Wholesale, Mastercard, Nintendo, Take-Two Interactive Software, and Unity Software. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Coinbase Global and Johnson & Johnson. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Mastercard and Unity Software. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Qoria Ltd (ASX: QOR) shares were well and truly out of form on Friday and crashed 19% to 26 cents.

Investors were selling the ASX cyber safety share following the release of its quarterly update and an update on its proposed merger with Aura.

While this decline is disappointing, the team at Bell Potter believes it has created a buying opportunity and is tipping a significant rebound.

What is the broker saying about this ASX share?

Bell Potter was a touch disappointed with Qoria's performance during the third quarter. It notes that its annual recurring revenue (ARR) was softer than expected, which ultimately led to a miss on cash receipts. It said:

Exit ARR of $151m at 31 March was 3% below our forecast of $155m and the miss was driven by lower-than-expected K12 growth and a higher-than-expected negative FX impact of $5.1m. The positive surprise, however, was record Qustodio growth for the quarter of $2.7m when Q3 is meant to be the seasonally weak quarter for the consumer business.

Cash receipts of $23.3m was 7% below our forecast of $25.0m and again was partly driven by FX headwinds but was an unusually low 18% of our full year forecast (is more usually ~20%). Net operating cash flow was an outflow of $4.7m versus our forecast of an inflow of $1.5m with the difference being the lower cash receipts and higher working capital.

Big rebound potential

While this was disappointing, Bell Potter remains positive. In response, the broker has retained its buy rating on the ASX share with a reduced price target of 50 cents (from 60 cents).

Based on its current share price of 26 cents, this implies potential upside of 92% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its recommendation and expectations for the future, Bell Potter said:

We have reduced the multiple we apply in the EV/Revenue valuation from 4.5x to 4x and increased the WACC we apply in the DCF from 9.1% to 9.3% due to the lowerthan-expected Q3 result and the what-looks-to-be delay in positive free cash flow. The net result is an 18% decrease in our target price to $0.50 which is still close to double the share price so we maintain our BUY recommendation.

The thesis is now obviously more about the combined Qoria and Aura businesses going forward and we note that Aura had a strong Q3 in terms of ARR growth – up 31% y-o-y – and was not negatively impacted by currency like Qoria (as it reports in USD). The key, however, for the combined group will be showing/proving it can generate strong positive free cash flow when this has been the challenge individually to date.

The post This ASX share crashed 19% on Friday, Bell Potter says it could rebound 90% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 4 ASX shares tipped to fly 100% to 125% higher
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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 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.

Having some exposure to the small side of the market can be a good thing for a balanced portfolio, if your risk tolerance allows.

That's because the potential returns on offer from small-cap ASX stocks are often superior to what you would find elsewhere on the market.

With that in mind, let's look at one small cap that Bell Potter is tipping to more than double in value. Here's what the broker is recommending:

Which small-cap ASX stock?

The small cap that has caught the eye of Bell Potter is Alpha HPA Ltd (ASX: A4N).

It is the owner of the First Facility in Queensland, which is aiming to supply high-purity aluminium-based products to the semiconductor, lithium-ion battery, and light emitting diode (LED) manufacturing sectors.

Bell Potter highlights that the project's proprietary technology is expected to disrupt incumbent HPA production through delivering ultra-high purity products with significantly lower unit costs.

Following a site visit, the broker is feeling very positive about the small-cap ASX stock's outlook. It said:

A4N hosted a site visit and management briefings at its HPA First project in Gladstone yesterday, attended by around a dozen investors and sell-side analysts. The visit highlighted construction progress at Stage 2 and an update on engagement with customers. With reference to the January 2026 estimates, Stage 2 development is on budget and on schedule for wet commissioning in mid-2027 and first production in 2H 2027. A4N management spoke confidently about product demand and the potential for future expansions at Gladstone. They expect to meet the conditions for debt draw-down by the end of 2026.

Bell Potter also points out that the company is well-placed to benefit from increasing demand for aluminium compounds in the booming data centre market. It adds:

Around 70-80% of A4N's current customer engagement is with the semiconductor sector which is seeing unprecedented demand from AI data centre expansions. A4N's high purity aluminium compounds have purity and morphology which unlock greater manufacturing and computational efficiency compared with incumbent suppliers and materials (high purity silica). Key applications are for Chemical Mechanical Planarization used in semiconductor manufacturing and for thermal management (thermal fillers). A4N also has ongoing engagement for direct lithium extraction and battery anode coating use-cases where its products are again driving higher value in use.

Big potential returns

According to the note, the broker has retained its speculative buy rating on the small-cap ASX stock with an unchanged price target of $1.50.

Based on its current share price of 62.5 cents, this implies potential upside of 140% over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its buy rating, Bell Potter said:

A4N's HPA First process has a competitive advantage in the production of aluminabased thermal interface fillers and CMP abrasives for the semiconductor sector. A Stage 1 facility commissioned in 2022 has technically derisked the process and is providing product for market outreach and customer qualification. Over 2026, we expect A4N to sign further offtake Letters of Intent and progress to sales contracts.

The post Why Bell Potter says this small-cap ASX stock could rise 140% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• $5,000 invested in Woodside shares 12 months ago is now worth…
• 3 excellent ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years or more
• This ASX share crashed 19% on Friday, Bell Potter says it could rebound 90%

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 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.

Investors have no shortage of ASX shares to choose from on the local market.

To narrow things down, let's see what analysts are saying about three big names, courtesy of The Bull.

Are they buys, holds, or sells this week? Let's find out:

Brambles Ltd (ASX: BXB)

The team at MPC Markets thinks that this supply chain logistics company's shares are a sell this week.

It believes the Middle East conflict will weigh on its performance and could push its shares lower. It said:

Brambles is an integrated supply chain logistics giant. BXB lifted sales revenue by 2 per cent in the first half of 2026. Underlying profit was up 7 per cent. However, the shares have fallen from $25.27 on March 2 to trade at $22.18 on April 23. The fall has occurred since the conflict in the Middle East began on February 28. We believe the odds favour further weakness, at least in the short term, rather than a bounce to the top end of its trading range. Investors may want to consider taking some gains in uncertain and volatile times.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

Over at Morgans, its analysts continue to believe that CBA shares are overvalued.

This week, the broker has named Australia's largest bank as a sell. While acknowledging its quality, it thinks better value can be found elsewhere. It said:

CBA is Australia's strongest major bank, with a leading retail franchise and consistent profitability. However, the market fully recognises these strengths. The shares were recently trading at a significant premium, leaving limited upside as interest rate benefits fade and competition increases. While the business remains high quality, future returns are likely to be more modest, in our view. With the company's valuation pricing in a lot of good news, we see better value elsewhere, supporting a sell view.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

The team at MPC Markets is positive on investment bank Macquarie and has named its shares as a buy this week.

It thinks the company has a bright outlook and highlights its strong track record as a reason to buy. It said:

This global financial services company operates in more than 30 markets. Businesses include asset management, banking and financial services and commodity and global markets. Its diversification appeals to investors, particularly in volatile markets. The trading desk has been a driver of growth in previous years and we suspect it will feature prominently at the company's full year results due in May. The shares have surged from $191.53 on March 4 to trade at $229.95 on April 23. We believe the company's outlook is bright. The company's solid track record has stood the test of time.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Brambles, CBA, and Macquarie shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Want to fast-track retirement? These ASX ETFs could get you there
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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 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 Friday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) finished the week with a small decline. The benchmark index fell slightly to 8,786.5 points.

Will the market be able to bounce back on Monday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to fall

The Australian share market looks set for a subdued start to the week despite a relatively good finish on Wall Street on Friday. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 3 points lower. In the United States, the Dow Jones was down 1.5%, the S&P 500 rose 0.8%, and the Nasdaq jumped 1.6%.

Oil prices mixed

ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) will be on watch on Monday after a mixed night for oil prices on Friday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price was down 1.5% to US$94.40 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price was up 0.25% to US$105.33 a barrel. However, with the US cancelling peace talks with Iran over the weekend, oil prices could be on the move again when Asian markets open.

PLS shares named as a hold

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) shares are fairly valued according to analysts at Bell Potter. In response to the lithium miner's quarterly update, the broker has retained its hold rating on the lithium miner's shares with an improved price target of $5.50. It said: "We maintain our Hold recommendation. At current lithium market prices, PLS will generate substantial earnings and cash flow ahead of the restart of the 200ktpa Ngungaju processing plant. P2000 and Colina development studies are being progressed, providing substantial organic growth optionality in markets with strong underlying EV and BESS-led long term demand fundamentals."

Gold price rises

ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a good start to the week after the gold price pushed higher on Friday night. According to CNBC, the gold futures price was up 0.35% to US$4,740.9 an ounce. This couldn't stop the precious metal from recording a weekly decline on inflation and rate hike concerns.

BHP and Rio Tinto shares on watch

Mining giants BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) will be on watch on Monday after a poor finish to the week for their London listed shares. Both miners saw their shares fall around 1% on the LSE. This may have been driven by a pullback in copper prices on Friday.

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

More reading

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• $5,000 invested in Woodside shares 12 months ago is now worth…
• Is the Santos share price a buy or a sell amid the Middle East events?
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• 3 reasons to buy BHP shares now and hold for the next decade

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woodside Energy Group Ltd. 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 BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

It was another busy week for Australia's top brokers. This has led to a number of broker notes being released.

Three broker buy ratings that you might want to know more about are summarised below. Here's why brokers think these ASX shares are in the buy zone:

DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO)

According to a note out of Bell Potter, its analysts have retained their buy rating and $4.80 price target on this counter-drone technology company's shares. Bell Potter was pleased with DroneShield's performance in the first quarter, highlighting that revenue was up 121% on the prior corresponding period and ahead of expectations. The broker was also pleased that the company's SaaS revenue continues to grow strongly. It now represents 6.9% of total revenue. Looking ahead, Bell Potter thinks DroneShield has a market leading offering and a strengthening competitive advantage. As a result, it believes the company is well-positioned to benefit from an expected wave of spending on counter-drone solutions. It suspects that this will lead to material contracts flowing from its $2 billion+ potential sales pipeline over the next three to six months. The DroneShield share price ended the week at $3.72.

NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT)

A note out of Morgan Stanley reveals that its analysts have retained their overweight rating on this data centre operator's shares with a slightly reduced price target of $18.00. The broker notes that NextDC has raised capital to support accelerated construction plans. Morgan Stanley points out that NextDC is doing this having won its largest-ever single contract with a 250MW customer for the S4 data centre in Sydney. And while it concedes that NextDC shares trade at a premium to US peers, the broker believes this is justified given its significantly stronger growth outlook. The NextDC share price was fetching $14.95 at Friday's close.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

Analysts at Morgans have retained their buy rating on this health imaging technology company's shares with a reduced price target of $210.00. According to the note, the broker has revised its financial model for Pro Medicus. This includes deliberately setting a lower bar for its estimates. Morgans notes that its remodelled estimates prioritise achievability over optimism. In addition, they stage implementation revenue conservatively and mark foreign exchange to spot. The broker believes this is the right framework for a stock where sentiment has been fragile of late. Nevertheless, Morgans believes Pro Medicus' growth story remains untarnished, highlighting that contract news flow since February has been exceptional. This includes ~$100 million in wins and renewals, all at higher pricing, with cardiology upsell gaining traction. The Pro Medicus share price ended the week at $138.34.

The post Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• NEXTDC opens $0.5 billion retail entitlement offer
• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares
• Buy, hold, sell: Cochlear, CSL, and DroneShield shares
• 2 ASX 200 stocks that could rise 50%
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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Nextdc and Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield. 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.

Building a passive income stream from the share market isn't as hard as you think.

Rather than relying on a handful of dividend-paying ASX stocks, many investors use exchange traded funds (ETFs) to access a broader pool of income-generating companies.

This can help smooth out returns and reduce the impact of any single company cutting its payout.

Here are two ASX ETFs that offer different approaches to generating income.

Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY)

The first ASX ETF for income investors to look at is the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF.

This popular fund focuses on Australian shares with higher forecast dividend yields. It provides exposure across sectors, while applying limits to reduce concentration in any single industry or company.

Its holdings include shares such as BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS).

Commonwealth Bank highlights the type of income this ETF targets. As Australia's largest bank, it has a long history of paying dividends and benefits from a dominant position in the domestic market.

By combining multiple high-yielding companies in one portfolio, this fund offers a diversified source of income that can be easier to manage than holding individual shares.

At present, the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF offers an attractive trailing dividend yield of 4.15%.

BetaShares Global Royalties ETF (ASX: ROYL)

Another ASX ETF worth considering for a passive income portfolio is the BetaShares Global Royalties ETF.

This fund takes a different approach by focusing on companies that earn revenue through royalties rather than traditional operations.

Because royalty-based businesses often have lower capital requirements, they are able to return more of their earnings to shareholders than other companies.

The BetaShares Global Royalties ETF's holdings currently include companies such as Franco-Nevada Corporation (NYSE: FNV), Texas Pacific Land Corporation (NYSE: TPL), and Wheaton Precious Metals Corp (NYSE: WPM).

Franco-Nevada provides a useful example of the type of holding you will get with this fund. It earns royalties from mining operations, giving it exposure to commodity production without the same level of operational risk as miners themselves. This can support more stable cash flows over time.

The BetaShares Global Royalties ETF currently trades with a generous trailing dividend yield of 5.4%.

The post The best ASX ETFs to buy for passive income appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Almost ready to retire? I'd buy cheap ASX dividend shares for passive income
• The easy way to buy ASX dividend shares and build passive income
• How to build a second income from ASX shares without taking big risks
• Why this is the best income ASX ETF for retirees
• Vanguard ETF dividends to be paid today

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woodside Energy Group Ltd. 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 positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group and Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

When it comes to retirement, one of the most common assumptions is that couples need far more superannuation than singles.

After all, two people means double the expenses, right?

Not quite.

The reality is more nuanced, and understanding the difference can have a big impact on how you plan for retirement.

What the benchmarks say

According to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia, the amount of super required for a comfortable retirement is around $630,000 for a single person and around $730,000 for a couple combined.

At first glance, that might seem surprising. A couple only needs $100,000 more than a single person, not double.

That's because many costs in retirement are shared.

Why couples need less superannuation per person

Retirement spending doesn't scale linearly.

Housing is the clearest example. Whether one person lives in a home or two, many costs remain the same. Rates, maintenance, and utilities don't double just because another person is there.

The same applies to a range of other expenses. Things like internet, streaming services, insurance policies, and even groceries benefit from economies of scale.

This means couples can spread costs across two people, making retirement more efficient on a per-person basis.

Income needs tell the same story

This dynamic is also reflected in annual spending estimates.

A comfortable retirement currently requires around $54,000 per year for singles and about $76,000 for couples. Again, the couple doesn't need twice as much, they need only about 40% more.

That difference highlights how shared living reduces financial pressure.

Where singles face challenges

For singles, the lack of shared costs creates a tougher financial equation.

Every expense, from housing to utilities to everyday living, must be covered by one income source. There is less flexibility and fewer opportunities to reduce costs without impacting lifestyle.

This means singles often need a higher super balance relative to their situation, even if the absolute number is lower.

There is also less margin for error. Unexpected expenses or market downturns can have a more immediate impact when there is only one income stream to rely on.

Where couples have an advantage

Couples benefit from both shared costs and shared resources.

They often have two super balances, two potential income streams, and more flexibility in how they manage spending and drawdowns.

Even if one partner has a smaller balance, the combined pool can still support a comfortable lifestyle.

In many cases, couples are also better positioned to continue part-time work or adjust their retirement timing, which can further strengthen their financial position.

But it's not always straightforward

Of course, not all couples are financially equal.

Differences in age, health, spending habits, and super balances can all influence outcomes. In some cases, one partner may carry most of the financial weight.

Similarly, singles who own their home outright and have modest spending needs may find they can retire comfortably on less than expected.

The real takeaway

So, who needs more superannuation to retire?

In absolute terms, couples need more, but only slightly.

In practical terms, singles often face the greater challenge because they don't benefit from shared costs and flexibility.

Foolish takeaway

Retirement isn't just about how much super you have, it is about how your life is structured.

Couples can stretch their savings further thanks to shared expenses, while singles need to be more self-reliant.

Understanding that difference can help you set more realistic goals and plan a retirement that works for your situation, not just the averages.

The post Australian couples vs singles: who needs more superannuation to retire? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
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• 3 reasons to buy BHP shares now and hold for the next decade
• Experts are bullish about the potential of this ASX 200 share!

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 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.

For many Australians, retirement planning starts with a simple question: how much income will be enough?

If the goal is to replace the median salary, that benchmark currently sits around $74,000 per year or $6,166 per month. Generating that level of income from a self-managed super fund (SMSF) could allow investors to maintain a similar standard of living without relying on employment.

That raises an important question. How much capital is needed to produce that level of passive income?

Working backwards from the income goal

The simplest way to approach this is to start with the income target and apply a realistic dividend yield.

If a portfolio is generating a 5% dividend yield, an annual income of $74,000 would require an SMSF balance of approximately $1.48 million.

Of course, yields can vary over time and across different investments. But this provides a useful benchmark when setting long-term goals.

Building toward the target

Reaching a $1.48 million SMSF balance is not usually the result of a single investment. It is typically built over many years through a combination of contributions and investment returns.

Regular contributions play an important role. Employer contributions, salary sacrifice, and personal contributions can steadily increase the balance over time.

The earlier this process starts, the more time the fund has to compound. Even small contributions can grow meaningfully when combined with consistent investment returns.

Focusing on growth and income

In the early stages, the priority is often growth rather than income.

A portfolio tilted toward growth assets like ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD) and TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE) could help increase the overall balance more quickly. As the fund grows closer to its target, the focus can gradually shift toward income-generating investments.

This transition allows the portfolio to move from accumulation to income production in a more controlled way.

Managing risk along the way

While aiming for a specific income level, it is important to consider risk.

A diversified portfolio is important and can help reduce the impact of market volatility and protect against unexpected changes in income. This can include a mix of sectors, asset types, and income sources.

It also helps to avoid relying too heavily on a small number of investments.

Foolish takeaway

A $6,166 monthly income is a clear and tangible goal.

Understanding the capital required to reach it can help shape investment decisions and set realistic expectations.

From there, the focus shifts to building the balance steadily over time and positioning the portfolio to deliver consistent income.

The post How much is needed in an SMSF to target a $6,166 monthly passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• I was going to buy these ASX tech stocks. Now, I'm not so sure
• 6 ASX 200 shares downgraded by brokers this week
• Where I'd invest my first $500 into ASX shares
• How to invest in ASX shares when the market feels uncertain

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

Turning an investment into a million dollars is rarely about a single decision. It is usually the result of backing businesses that can grow consistently over many years.

That often means focusing on Australian shares with scalable models, strong competitive positions, and exposure to long-term trends.

Here are three ASX shares that could fit that profile.

Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

One Australian share building momentum through scale is Life360 Inc.

This technology company has developed a global platform centred on family connectivity and safety. Its app sits on users' phones and becomes part of their daily routine, which helps drive engagement over time.

Another positive is how the company is expanding beyond its core offering. It is layering in additional services such as driver protection and emergency assistance, creating more opportunities to increase revenue per user.

The size of its user base provides a foundation for this strategy. As more users join the platform, even small improvements in monetisation can have a meaningful impact on earnings.

With engagement already established and additional services being rolled out, Life360 shares offer exposure to a business that is still early in its monetisation journey.

Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV)

Lovisa is approaching growth from a different angle.

Instead of relying on a single market, the company is steadily building a global retail footprint. Its store network continues to expand across regions, supported by a fast product cycle that keeps ranges aligned with current trends.

A key part of the model is its ability to execute consistently. New stores are opened at a steady pace, and the company has shown it can translate that expansion into sales growth.

This rollout strategy means growth does not depend on one breakthrough moment. It comes from repeating a model that has already proven effective across multiple markets.

As long as store expansion continues at pace, Lovisa remains closely tied to a strategy that can drive earnings higher over time.

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

Megaport is an Australian share that offers exposure to the infrastructure behind cloud computing and AI.

Its platform allows businesses to connect to cloud providers and data centres on demand, creating flexibility compared to traditional network solutions.

The company benefits from the ongoing shift toward cloud-based services. As more businesses move workloads online, the need for efficient connectivity continues to grow.

In addition, it recently completed the acquisition of Latitude.sh, which expands its addressable market beyond connectivity into compute.

As cloud adoption continues to build globally, Megaport is positioned to benefit from that increasing demand.

The post What are the best Australian shares to buy now to try and make a million? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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There are plenty of options for investors on the Australian share market.

To narrow things down, let's see what analysts are saying about three very popular ASX 200 shares.

Here's what you need to know:

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

The team at Morgans has responded negatively to this hearing solutions company's disappointing trading update.

So much so, it has retained its hold rating but cut its price target in half to $107.17 (from $214.93). It said:

COH has delivered a material downgrade to FY26 earnings, cutting guidance by c30% at the midpoint. While FX, geopolitics and cost actions contributed, the key takeaway is more fundamental, with CI demand, especially in developed markets, proving to be more cyclical and macro-sensitive than previously assumed.

This challenges the market's long-held view as a structural, volume-driven growth story largely insulated from economic cycles. While we view long-term fundamentals as intact, near-term earnings visibility has deteriorated materially, so we wait for demand stabilisation before re-engaging. We adjust our FY26-28 estimates and lower our target price to A$107.17 HOLD.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

Bell Potter notes that CSL shares have de-rated to lower than normal earnings multiples.

However, it feels this is justified at present given its soft outlook. As a result, it has a hold rating and $155.00 price target on its shares. It explains:

The current share price reflects a materially de-rated PE multiple of ~15x our FY27 NPAT forecast, bringing CSL in line with the global biopharma peer set which also trades at an avg PE of 15x. While CSL doesn't face the same extent of generic/biosimilar competition as these biopharma peers, it does have a lower growth outlook of ~2.5% revenue CAGR (3yr) per our forecast compared to >4% avg for global peers.

Considering the low-growth outlook in the near-term, risk to FY26 guidance, and our below-consensus FY27 forecasts, we maintain our HOLD recommendation notwithstanding the historically low trading multiple. We don't think CSL is out of the woods just yet. PT is lowered to $155.

DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO)

Bell Potter is much more positive on this counter-drone technology company's shares.

In response to a strong quarterly update, the broker retained its buy rating and $4.80 price target.

The broker believes DroneShield is well-placed for growth thanks to favourable industry tailwinds. It said:

We believe DRO has a market leading RF detect/defeat C-UAS offering and a strengthening competitive advantage owing to its years of battlefield experience and large and focused R&D team. We expect 2026 will be an inflection point for the global C-UAS industry with countries poised to unleash a wave of spending on RF detect and defeat solutions.

Consequently, we believe DRO should see material contracts flowing from its $2.3b potential sales pipeline over the next 3-6 months as defence budgets roll over to FY26e. At 43x CY26e EV / EBITDA, DRO trades at a discount to the global drone peer group. Further, we see upside risk to our revenue forecasts in CY26/27e, given the opportunities observed in the C-UAS industry.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Cochlear, CSL, and DroneShield shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• The Warren Buffett rule I keep coming back to with ASX shares

If you are hunting for big returns for your portfolio, then read on.

That's because the ASX 200 shares in this article have been tipped to rise strongly from current levels by a couple of leading brokers.

Here's what they are saying about these shares:

Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST)

This gold giant could be an ASX 200 share to buy according to Morgans.

It was pleased with its quarterly update and its decision to return funds to shareholders through an on-market share buy-back.

Overall, Morgans sees plenty of value in the gold miner's shares at current levels and has put a buy rating and $30.00 price target on them. Based on its current share price, this implies potential upside of almost 40% for investors. It also expects a 2.5% dividend yield in FY 2026, boosting the total potential return further.

Commenting on its quarterly update, the broker said:

Gold sold of 381koz at AISC of A$2,709/oz beat our revised expectations, with sequential improvement across all three production centres following ongoing production issues. KCGM Mill Expansion on track for commissioning in early FY27; FY26 guidance has been provided and is above 1,500koz at AISC of A$2,600–2,800/oz. Net cash of A$320m; A$500m on-market buy-back announced, commencing ~23 April. We maintain our BUY rating, price target A$30.00ps (unchanged).

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

The team at Bell Potter has trimmed its valuation of this logistics solutions technology company. However, even after this revision, it sees potential for WiseTech Global's shares to rise very strongly over the next 12 months.

The broker has put a buy rating and $78.75 price target on them. Based on its current share price of $44.44, this implies potential upside of almost 80% for investors over the next 12 months.

Bell Potter believes the current discount that the ASX 200 share is trading on is excessive, especially given its strong competitive moat. It explains:

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

The post These ASX 200 shares could rise ~40% to 80% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• What is Morgans saying about Cochlear and Northern Star shares?
• 5 ASX 200 shares with renewed buy ratings this week

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

There are plenty of ASX dividend shares to choose from on the local market.

But which ones could be best buys?

To narrow things down, let's look at two that Bell Potter has on its Australian equities panel.

These are equities that the broker believes offer attractive returns over the long term.

Here are two ASX dividend shares it is tipping as buys:

Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD)

Bell Potter thinks this agribusiness company's shares are undervalued at current levels.

In addition, it highlights Elders' strong dividend yield as a reason to buy. It said:

We see value in ELD, particularly with the market appearing to undervalue the pending Delta acquisition. The base business is performing well with multiple growth drivers including recovery from drought conditions, system modernisations, and backward integration benefits. We are attracted to ELD's valuation, which is relatively cheap at 12x 12MF P/E, along with these potential upside catalysts and a strong dividend yield.

The broker is forecasting fully franked dividends of 39 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 45 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $7.35, this would mean dividend yields of 5.3% and 6.1%, respectively.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $9.00 price target on Elders' shares.

Nick Scali Limited (ASX: NCK)

Another ASX dividend share that Bell Potter is bullish on is furniture retailer Nick Scali.

It believes the company is well-placed for growth given its UK rollout. It said:

Nick Scali is an Australian retailer specialising in household furniture and related accessories, operating under the core Nick Scali brand as well as the Plush banner. >90% of sales are completed in-store, with the company maintaining a substantial physical presence with over 100 showrooms across Australia and New Zealand, and has recently expanded into the UK, which now contributes around 8% of total revenue.

Looking ahead, the key growth drivers include the continued roll-out of Nick Scali stores in the UK, supported by the refurbishment of acquired Fabb locations, and the ability to leverage the group's established supply base to drive scale efficiencies and margin expansion.

As for income, the broker is forecasting fully franked dividends of 61.9 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 75.1 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $14.93, this would mean dividend yields of 4.15% and 5%, respectively.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $25.00 price target on Nick Scali's shares.

The post Bell Potter names the best ASX dividend shares to buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Elders and Nick Scali. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Outperforming the market over long periods often comes down to backing the right parts of the economy early and staying invested.

Broad index exchange traded funds (ETFs) tend to reflect where the market is today. More targeted ETFs can tilt towards where growth and returns may come from over the next decade.

Here are three ASX ETFs that offer that potential and were recently recommended by the team at BetaShares:

BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

The first ASX ETF that could be a market-beater is the BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF.

This fund leans into companies that are shaping consumer behaviour and digital infrastructure. It is less about the overall economy and more about where innovation is happening at scale.

Its holdings include companies such as Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX), Adobe (NASDAQ: ADBE), and Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA).

Adobe is a good example of how these businesses evolve over time. It has transitioned from one-off software sales to a subscription-based model, creating recurring revenue and improving margins. That ability to adapt is a common feature across many Nasdaq leaders.

With technology continuing to influence how industries operate, the BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF could be an ETF to hold for the long term.

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

Another ASX ETF to look at is the BetaShares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF.

This ETF focuses on automation, which is a theme that is becoming more important as companies look to improve productivity and reduce reliance on labour.

Its holdings include companies such as Fanuc Corporation (TYO: 6954), Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG), and Keyence Corporation.

Keyence stands out for its high-margin business model. It develops sensors and automation equipment used in manufacturing, with a strong focus on efficiency and precision. Its products are embedded in production processes, which can make demand more resilient over time.

As automation expands across industries, the BetaShares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF could be destined to outperform over the long term.

BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

A final ASX ETF worth considering for the long term is the BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF.

This ETF provides exposure to large technology companies across Asia, where digital adoption continues to accelerate.

Its holdings include companies such as Meituan (SEHK: 3690), PDD Holdings (NASDAQ: PDD), and Samsung Electronics.

Meituan is an interesting one. It operates a platform that connects consumers to services such as food delivery and local retail, building scale through network effects. Its growth reflects how digital ecosystems are developing differently across Asia.

With innovation and consumption trends continuing to evolve in the region, the BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF could be a top long-term pick.

The post 3 ASX ETFs with market-beating potential over the next 10 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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If you are looking for some big potential returns for your investment portfolio, then it could pay to hear what Morgans is saying about the two ASX 200 shares in this article.

That's because the broker believes these shares are cheap and have the potential to rise around 50% from where they trade today.

Let's see what the broker is recommending to clients this week:

Collins Foods Ltd (ASX: CKF)

Morgans thinks this quick service restaurant operator's shares are undervalued at current levels.

The broker has a buy rating and $12.50 price target on its shares. Based on its current share price of $8.29, this implies potential upside of 50%.

Commenting on its buy recommendation, Morgans said:

We revise our CKF forecasts ahead of the FY26 result in June, trimming underlying NPAT to reflect deferred store openings, reset German acquired store economics, and a lower EU SSS assumption to better capture the Netherlands-skewed mix for FY26, partially offset by a marginal AU SSS upgrade on sustained KFC Australia momentum. We maintain our BUY recommendation and reduce our price target to $12.50 (from $12.70).

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

Another ASX 200 share that Morgans is recommending to clients is health imaging technology company Pro Medicus.

After making adjustments to its financial model for Pro Medicus, the broker has retained its buy rating with a $210.00 price target. Based on its current share price of $138.73, this implies potential upside of 51% for investors between now and this time next year.

Morgans has been impressed with Pro Medicus' contract wins since the release of its half-year results in February and remains very positive on its long-term growth opportunity. It explains:

In this note, we deploy a new PME model where we have deliberately set a lower bar. Our remodelled estimates prioritise achievability over optimism, staging implementation revenue conservatively and mark FX to spot. We see this as the right framework for a stock where sentiment has been fragile. On the business operations front, the story remains untarnished.

Contract newsflow since February has been exceptional: ~$100m in wins and renewals, all at higher pricing, with cardiology upsell gaining traction. The demand story is not in question. We re-emphasise our positive long-term conviction on the name although lower our valuation to reflect current but potentially fleeting headwinds. Our target price is reduced to A$210 p/s and we retain our Buy recommendation.

The post 2 ASX 200 stocks that could rise 50% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• What on earth's going on with Pro Medicus shares?

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

It has been another busy week for many of Australia's top brokers. This has led to a number of broker notes being released.

Three broker buy ratings that you might want to know more about are summarised below. Here's why brokers think these ASX shares are in the buy zone right now:

DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO)

According to a note out of Bell Potter, its analysts have retained their buy rating and $4.80 price target on this counter-drone technology company's shares. This follows the release of a strong first-quarter update which revealed revenue up 121% on the prior corresponding period. Bell Potter was also pleased to see that SaaS revenue continues to grow strongly and now represents 6.9% of revenue. Looking ahead, the broker believes DroneShield has a market leading offering and a strengthening competitive advantage. This leaves it well-placed ahead of an expected wave of spending on these types of solutions. As a result, Bell Potter believes DroneShield should see material contracts flowing from its $2 billion+ potential sales pipeline over the next three to six months. The DroneShield share price is trading at $3.73 on Friday.

Generation Development Group Ltd (ASX: GDG)

A note out of Morgans reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating on this diversified financial services company's shares with a trimmed price target of $6.16. This follows the release of a solid quarterly update earlier this week. Morgans highlights that once again, the Investment Bond business delivered ahead of expectations. However, taking some of the shine off the result was the softer than expected performance from the Evidentia business. And while the latter has caused the broker to trim its earnings forecasts, it remains positive on Generation Development Group. This is largely due to its exposure to structural growth areas, and its strong competitive positioning in these markets. The Generation Development Group share price is fetching $3.54 at the time of writing.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

Another note out of Morgans reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating on this logistics solutions technology company's shares with a reduced price target of $70.40. Morgans has made significant changes to its technology coverage, lowering valuations to reflect higher discount rates and uncertainty over terminal values due to AI disruption. Despite this, the broker remains very positive on WiseTech Global and has named it as one of its key picks in the sector. The WiseTech Global share price is trading at $44.17 on Friday afternoon.

The post Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week
• Buy, hold, sell: Cochlear, CSL, and DroneShield shares
• These ASX 200 shares could rise ~40% to 80%
• Up 209%, what's next for DroneShield shares?

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Generation Development Group. 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 poor finish to the week. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is down 0.5% to 8,751.3 points.

Four ASX shares that are falling more than most today are listed below. Here's why they are tumbling:

Brainchip Holdings Ltd (ASX: BRN)

The Brainchip share price is down 3% to 15 cents. This follows the release of another disappointing update from the struggling semiconductor company. For the three months ended 31 March, Brainchip recorded customer cash inflows of US$700,000. However, this couldn't stop the company from recording an operating cash outflow of US$5.3 million for the three months. This led to its cash balance reducing to US$25.3 million from US$31.7 million.

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG)

The Fortescue share price is down 5% to $19.93. For the third quarter of FY 2026, Fortescue reported total iron ore shipments of 48.4 million tonnes (Mt). This was below consensus estimates of approximately 49Mt, which may have disappointed investors. Fortescue Metals and Operations CEO, Dino Otranto, was pleased with the quarter. He said: "We delivered a solid quarter, contributing to record shipments of 148.7 million tonnes for the nine months to March. That reflects a significant effort from the team right across the business." Fortescue also separately announced that it has approved a US$680 million investment to expand its green energy capacity in the Pilbara.

IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO)

The IGO share price is down 15% to $7.28. This battery materials company's shares have been sold off following the release of its quarterly update. Although it posted a 45% increase in group sales revenue to $119.7 million, the market appears disappointed with an update on its guidance. IGO has updated full-year guidance for Greenbushes spodumene production to 1,375kt to 1,425kt (down from 1,500kt to 1,650kt). IGO's CEO, Ivan van Vella, said: "Fundamental changes to operating approaches and systems take time to be effective and improvements are typically not linear. Greenbushes is a world-class asset and generated 75% EBITDA margin this quarter. I am confident the work underway will deliver the required performance and overall value optimisation."

Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

The Life360 share price is down 4% to $20.89. This follows another selloff of software stocks on Wall Street overnight. The catalyst for this may have been the release of GPT-5.5 by ChatGPT owner OpenAI. It stated: "We're releasing GPT‑5.5, our smartest and most intuitive to use model yet, and the next step toward a new way of getting work done on a computer."

The post Why Brainchip, Fortescue, IGO, and Life360 shares are tumbling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Why Newmont, PLS and Fortescue shares are grabbing headlines on Friday
• Guess which ASX iron ore stock could rise 85% (hint, not Fortescue shares)
• IGO shares sink 14%. Here's what just spooked investors?
• Why are Fortescue shares falling today?

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Life360. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Life360. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to end the week in the red. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 0.4% to 8,758 points.

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

Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM)

The Newmont share price is up 1.5% to $156.84. This follows the release of the gold miner's first-quarter update. The company achieved production of 1.5 million ounces of gold during the quarter, which was broadly in line with expectations. Newmont reported an average realised gold price of around US$2,944 per ounce, which underpinned net income of US$3.2 billion and adjusted EBITDA of US$5.2 billion. Looking ahead, for FY 2026, Newmont is still targeting 5.6 million ounces of gold with costs of US$1,650 per ounce on an all-in sustaining basis.

Nuix Ltd (ASX: NXL)

The Nuix share price is up 12% to $1.49. This has been driven by news that the Federal Court has dismissed the ASIC disclosure case against the investigative analytics and intelligence software provider. The company's chair, Robert Mactier, said: "We are pleased that the Federal Court has resolved the allegations concerning Nuix's early 2021 market disclosure and that the cases against both Nuix and the then directors of the company have been dismissed. We are committed to driving shareholder value, supporting our people and customers and using our products and services as a force for good."

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)

The PLS share price is up almost 4% to $5.90. Investors have been buying this lithium miner's shares following the release of a strong third-quarter update. The company posted a 12% quarter-on-quarter increase in spodumene concentrate production to 232.4kt. But the big positive was a 61% increase in its realised price to US$1,867 per tonne. This underpinned a 52% jump in revenue to A$567 million. And with costs reducing to A$520 per tonne, its cash margin from operations came in at A$461 million. This is up 178% quarter-on-quarter. PLS has reaffirmed its guidance for FY 2026. It expects production of 820kt to 870kt with unit operating costs of A$560 per tonne to A$600 per tonne.

Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: VUL)

The Vulcan Energy share price is up 3% to $3.66. This follows news that the lithium developer has officially broken ground at its Lionheart lithium chemicals facility in Germany. The company notes that this marks the start of major construction at the site. Vulcan's CEO, Cris Moreno, commented: "We are delighted to move beyond preparatory works and start full scale construction at our commercial lithium chemical plant. This groundbreaking event follows a similar ceremony held at our upstream lithium extraction plant in Landau late last year and highlights the progress towards our construction schedule and our 2028 commercial start of production target."

The post Why Newmont, Nuix, PLS, and Vulcan Energy shares are rising today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why Newmont, PLS and Fortescue shares are grabbing headlines on Friday
• Newmont shares jump again as record cash flow and buyback boost sentiment
• This ASX lithium stock is bouncing back today. Here's why

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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Nuix. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) shares are in the spotlight today after the iron ore giant released its quarterly update.

But the ASX iron ore stock that investors should be focusing more on is Fenix Resources Ltd (ASX: FEX), according to analysts at Bell Potter.

That's because they believe this iron ore miner's shares are significantly undervalued at current levels.

What is the broker saying?

Bell Potter was impressed with Fenix's performance during the third quarter, highlighting that production and sales were ahead of expectations despite the impact of Tropical Cyclone Narelle on operations. It said:

FEX reported quarterly group iron ore production of 1,243kt (BPe 955kt) and sales of 974kt (BPe. 955kt) at an average realised price of US$101/dmt CFR (A$146/dmt; BPe US$97/t), a 2% discount to the 61% Fe benchmark index. Group C1 cash costs were A$70/t (BPe A$78/t), down 7% QoQ. Stockpiles were drawn to support sales following impacts of Tropical Cyclone Narelle, with two shipments (~120kt) deferred into April 2026 due to the temporary Geraldton Port closure.

At 31 March 2026, FEX had cash of $86m (31 December 2025 $79m); we estimate debt (including leases) of around $74m. Key quarterly cash flows include: Operating cash flow +$18m; iron ore prepayments +$13m; capex -$11m; and debt repayments -$8m.

Another positive is that the ASX iron ore stock has reaffirmed its upgraded guidance for the full year despite diesel shortages. It adds:

FEX has maintained guidance (upgraded December 2025) of 4.2-4.8Mt sales at average C1 cash cost of A$70-80/wmt. The company is confident it will maintain sufficient diesel supply for all operational activities. However, costs are expected to rise in the current quarter with higher fuel and freight rates.

At the Beebyn Hub, construction of a new 5Mtpa crushing and screening facility is underway and mining is ramping up as Iron Ridge and Shine near the end of current mine plans. Several workstreams are underway at the broader Weld Range Project aiming to optimise the mine plan and product mix, and advance the permitting pathway ahead of the release of a Definitive Feasibility Study scheduled for 2H CY26.

Big potential returns

According to the note, Bell Potter has retained its buy rating and 63 cents price target on Fenix Resources' shares.

Based on its current share price of 34 cents, this implies potential upside of 85% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its buy recommendation, the broker said:

FEX has outlined a clear pathway to incrementally grow iron ore production to 10Mtpa at significantly lower unit costs, leveraging its integrated logistics network to underpin cash flows and fund its substantial organic growth outlook. FEX holds the largest storage position at the strategic and fast-growing Geraldton Port.

The post Guess which ASX iron ore stock could rise 85% (hint, not Fortescue shares) appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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.