One of the top-performing stocks on our list for this week is a major Aussie bank, the second provides buy now, pay later (BNPL) services, and the third earns its keep in the fast food sector.

So, which ASX 200 stocks are leading the charge higher this week?

Read on!

ASX 200 stocks storming higher

First up, we have Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN).

Bendigo Bank shares closed last Thursday (ahead of the Good Friday holiday) trading for $10.12. At the time of writing, shares are changing hands for $11.51 each.

That sees this ASX 200 stock up 13.4% over the four-day trading week. A lot of those gains were delivered on Thursday.

Bendigo Bank shares closed up 8.4% yesterday after the company released its March-quarter trading update (Q3 FY 2026).

Highlights for the three months included unaudited cash earnings of $137.9 million. That represents an increase of 7.6% from the quarterly average the bank reported in the first half of FY 2026.

Bendigo Bank reported a quarterly statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) of $109.4 million.

Which brings us to the second ASX 200 stock shooting the lights out this week, Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP).

Zip shares closed last Thursday trading for $1.58, and are currently trading for $1.84. This sees the Zip share price up an impressive 16.5% for the week.

There was no fresh news out from the company this week. But BNPL stocks like Zip have proven to be highly sensitive to interest rate moves and expectations.

With negotiations underway to end the Iran war this week, energy prices came down, which lowered the outlook for inflation. This, in turn, has lowered expectations for future interest rate hikes from central banks like the RBA and the US Federal Reserve.

Leading the charge

The top performing ASX 200 stock on our list for this four-day trading week is Guzman Y Gomez (ASX: GYG).

Shares in the Mexican fast food restaurant chain closed last Thursday trading for $15.20. At the time of writing, shares are changing hands for $20.67 apiece. This sees the embattled Guzman Y Gomez share price up a sizzling 36% for the week.

The ASX 200 stock closed up 18.6% on Tuesday following the release of its third-quarter trading update.

Investors responded favourably to the company's 19.5% year-on-year increase in sales to $345.9 million.

The quarter also saw Guzman Y Gomez open five new restaurants in Australia, bringing its global network to 278 outlets.

The post 3 ASX 200 stocks surging 13% to 36% in this shortened trading week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The latest uptick means the shares are now 13.2% higher over the past five days and 6.9% higher for the year-to-date.

It's welcome news for investors too, after Bendigo Bank shares shed over 14% of their value between mid-February and late-March.

Why are Bendigo Bank shares climbing higher this week?

The regional Australian bank posted its third-quarter trading update ahead of the ASX open on Thursday morning.

The bank revealed a 7.6% increase in unaudited cash earnings and a 1.98% rise in net interest margin. It's annualised lending growth was 5.6% for the quarter and its statutory NPAT reached $109.4 million.

It also revealed that its operating expenses came in 4.1% lower than the previous quarter, largely due to reduced staff costs.

Alongside the trading update, the bank also announced the second phase of its Productivity Program to accelerate its progress towards its 2030 strategy.

The program is expected to help the bank evolve its operating model with a view to be simpler and more efficient. It is also accessing leading global capabilities to drive innovation for customers, and support operational excellence.

Bendigo Bank announced a partnership with Google in November last year. It has now added two more strategic partnerships with leading technology providers. 

These include a seven-year technology service partnership with Infosys (NYSE: INFY) and a six-year business operations partnership with Genpact (NYSE: G).

The Infosys partnership is expected to help improve Bendigo Bank's IT service delivery capability and help drive innovation through better software engineering and access to AI talent.

Meanwhile, the Genpact partnership will help with optimisation to help drive productivity and improve risk management across the bank.

Bendigo Bank said it expects the partnerships will help drive an annual run rate expense benefit of approximately $65 million to $75 million by FY28. 

Investors were clearly thrilled with the latest update. Many rushed to buy into the shares soon after the announcement.

Are the shares a buy, sell or hold?

Bendigo Bank's latest update injected some positive sentiment into investors, but it's unclear whether the share price increase is sustainable.

ASX bank stocks across the board have been strained recently as ongoing conflict in the Middle East, soaring fuel prices, and interest rate growth weigh heavily on investor sentiment.

Experts are now warning that Australia's inflation rate could keep climbing. Major banks widely predict another cash rate increase in May. 

It's not too surprising then that analysts are relatively neutral on Bendigo Bank shares. While the bank has made some positive waves, the sector as a whole is still under pressure. 

According to TradingView data, nine out of 14 analysts have a hold rating on Bendigo Bank shares. The average $10.43 target price, however, implies a potential 8% downside at the time of writing. 

The post Are Bendigo Bank shares a buy after jumping 13% this week? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN)

The Bendigo and Adelaide Bank share price is up 8% to $11.33. This morning, the regional bank revealed the second phase of the Productivity Program to accelerate its progress towards its 2030 strategy. This includes a seven-year technology service partnership with Infosys (NYSE: INFY), which will significantly improve its IT service delivery capability and provide access to enhanced capabilities, software engineering, and AI talent to deliver greater capacity to innovate. These changes are expected to result in an annual run rate expense benefit of approximately $65 million to $75 million, which will be realised by FY 2028. In addition, it released a trading update which revealed unaudited cash earnings of $137.9 million during the third quarter. This is up 7.6% on the quarterly average during the first half.

EBR Systems Inc (ASX: EBR)

The EBR Systems share price is up 7% to 70.5 cents. This follows the release of a first-quarter update from the medical device company this morning. EBR advised that it expects to report revenue in the range of US$2.25 million to US$2.36 million for the first quarter of 2026. The company's CEO, John McCutcheon, said: "In Q1 2026, we made impressive progress across both our commercial and clinical programs. Case volumes increased strongly during the quarter, reflecting growing physician experience, expanding site readiness and the steady execution of our Limited Market Release."

Strickland Metals Ltd (ASX: STK)

The Strickland Metals share price is up 9% to 23.5 cents. This has been driven by the release of positive assay results from diamond drilling at the Obradov Potok prospect in the Rogozna Project, Serbia. Strickland Metals' managing director, Paul L'Herpiniere, commented: "Following recent discoveries at Red Creek and Kotlovi, these results continue to highlight the scale and endowment of the broader Rogozna system. We are looking forward to undertaking follow-up drilling as part of the 2026 field season targeting the interpreted core of the system at Obradov Potok, where we see a compelling opportunity to make a major new discovery."

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

The Woodside Energy share price is up 4% to $33.27. This is despite there being no news out of the energy giant on Thursday. However, it is possible that investors believe Woodside shares were oversold yesterday after oil prices sank in response to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The post Why Bendigo Bank, EBR Systems, Strickland, and Woodside shares are rising today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

In late morning trade on Thursday, two of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) stocks are outpacing the 0.1% losses posted by the benchmark index, while the other is trailing behind.

Here's what's happening.

DroneShield shares lift on growth outlook

DroneShield shares are outperforming today. Shares in the ASX 200 drone defence company are up 1.2% at the time of writing, trading for $3.49 apiece.

The stock is grabbing headlines again today following a market update highlighting the immense growth potential of its defence-oriented business model.

Indeed, the company estimates that the global counter-drone market is worth some US$60 billion, with both national defence and civilian customers seeking to secure potentially vulnerable assets.

Today's update follows yesterday's news that CEO Oleg Vornik was exiting the top role after more than 10 years at the helm. Angus Bean, who's been working as chief product officer, has stepped in as the new CEO.

DroneShield shares closed down 13.5% on Wednesday following the leadership shakeup, but remain up a whopping 315% since this time last year.

Sandfire shares sink amid weather woes

Unlike DroneShield shares, Sandfire Resources shares are taking a tumble today following the release of the miner's March-quarter results.

Shares in the ASX 200 copper miner are down 4.1% at the time of writing, trading for $17.39 each.

Sandfire reported copper equivalent (CuEq) production of 34,500 tonnes for the three months. The miner had a net cash balance of $76 million as at 31 March.

But Sandfire shares look to be under pressure, with the company citing persistent high rainfall and unplanned maintenance as likely seeing its full-year CuEq production come in towards the lower half of its guidance range of 149,000 to 165,000 tonnes.

Sandfire shares remain up 114% over 12 months.

Which brings us to the third ASX 200 stock grabbing headlines today.

Bendigo Bank shares rocket on earnings boost

Bendigo Bank shares are outperforming the benchmark and DroneShield shares today, following the release of the challenger bank's March-quarter trading update (Q3 FY 2026).

Bendigo Bank shares are up 8.3% at the time of writing, changing hands for $11.33 apiece.

Investors are bidding up the ASX 200 bank stock with Bendigo reporting unaudited cash earnings of $137.9 million for the quarter. That's up 7.6% from the quarterly average achieved in the first half of FY 2026.

On the bottom line, the bank reported a statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) of $109.4 million.

Bendigo Bank shares are up 14% in 12 months.

The post Why is everyone talking about Sandfire, Bendigo Bank, and DroneShield shares on Thursday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

At the time of writing, the ASX bank stock is up 7.5% to $11.24.

Why is this ASX bank stock jumping?

Investors have been buying the regional bank's shares today after it announced strategic partnerships and released a third-quarter trading update.

According to the release, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank has revealed the second phase of the Productivity Program to accelerate its progress towards its 2030 strategy.

It notes that it is evolving its operating model to be simpler and more efficient, accessing leading global capabilities to drive innovation for customers, and support operational excellence.

Following the Google partnership announced in November, it has now entered into two new strategic partnerships with leading providers of technology services and business operations.

The first is a seven-year technology service partnership with Infosys (NYSE: INFY), which will significantly improve its IT service delivery capability and provide access to enhanced capabilities, software engineering, and AI talent to deliver greater capacity to innovate.

The second is a six-year business operations partnership with Genpact (NYSE: G), which will bring deep expertise in process optimisation and delivery to drive greater productivity and support stronger risk management across the bank.

These changes are expected to result in an annual run rate expense benefit of approximately $65 million to $75 million, which will be realised by FY 2028. However, it also expects to incur upfront transition costs of approximately $85 million to $95 million. The majority of this will be incurred in FY 2027.

The ASX bank stock's CEO and managing director, Richard Fennell, commented:

Decisions that impact our people are never easy. We acknowledge this will be a challenging time for our people and we are committed to lead these changes with care and respect. The operational efficiencies delivered through this change will support our previous stated guidance of business as usual expenses to be no higher than inflation through the cycle.

Trading update

The ASX bank stock also released a trading update this morning.

The bank revealed that it achieved unaudited cash earnings of $137.9 million during the third quarter. This is up 7.6% on the quarterly average during the first half.

Unaudited statutory net profit after tax was $109.4 million in the quarter.

This reflects a 6 basis points increase in its net interest margin to 1.98%, lending growth of 5.6%, and a 4.1% reduction in operating expenses to $305.1 million.

The post ASX bank stock jumps 7% on strategic partnerships and trading update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Bendigo and Adelaide Bank report?

• Unaudited cash earnings of $137.9 million for 3Q26, up 7.6% from the 1H26 quarterly average
• Statutory net profit after tax of $109.4 million for the quarter
• Net interest margin improved to 1.98%, up 6 basis points on 2Q26
• Lending growth annualised at 5.6% for the quarter, with strong momentum in both residential and business lending
• Operating expenses were 4.1% lower than the previous quarter, largely due to reduced staff costs
• Credit expenses incurred were $2.1 million

What else do investors need to know?

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank kicked off the next phase of its Productivity Program, which includes newly announced partnerships with Infosys and Genpact. The Infosys collaboration brings a seven-year boost to technology services, giving the bank access to more advanced software and AI expertise, while the six-year deal with Genpact focuses on process optimisation.

These partnerships are expected to enhance efficiency, build on existing technology platforms, and help respond more quickly to customer needs. However, they'll also result in changes to the workforce, especially in technology and business operations teams, with consultations to follow.

Significant operational improvements are targeted, with ongoing expense benefits of $65–$75 million per year expected by FY28. Upfront transition costs of $85–$95 million are mostly expected to fall in FY27.

What's next for Bendigo and Adelaide Bank?

Looking ahead, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank remains focused on accelerating its 2030 strategy by investing in technology and process excellence. Management says the operational efficiencies achieved through these partnerships will support expense guidance, aiming for business-as-usual costs to remain no higher than inflation through the cycle.

The bank is also keeping a close eye on global developments and potential impacts on credit risk, while continuing to support its customers, particularly amid a challenging external environment.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank shares have risen 6%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 21% over the same period.

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The Reserve Bank raised the official cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.10% this month, marking the second consecutive increase in 2026. The bank cited persistent inflationary pressures and a tight labour market for the increase. 

Now the experts are warning that Australia's inflation rate could keep climbing, and major banks widely predict another cash rate increase in May. 

What's the latest out of ASX bank stocks?

The Australian share market is dominated by the big 4 major banks. Together, the majors – Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB), and ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) – make up around a quarter of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) by market capitalisation.

Then there are the smaller players, Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ), Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN), and Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO). 

At the time of writing on Wednesday morning, CBA shares are up 1% to $172.86; Westpac shares are up 1.3% to $40.25; NAB shares are up 1.4% to $40.31; and ANZ shares are up 1.3% to $36.93.

Over the month, the major bank shares are down 3%, 6.2%, 11.8%, and 7%, respectively.

Outside of the majors, Macquarie shares are 1.9% higher at the time of writing to $198.71; BOQ shares are 1% higher at $6.83 a piece; Bendigo shares are 0.6% higher at $10.11 each; and Judo shares have climbed 0.3% to $1.48.

Over the month, the smaller bank shares are down 4%, 2%, 6.5%, and 14%, respectively.

Which ASX bank stocks are a buy?

Analysts are the most optimistic about the outlook for Judo Bank shares. It's the only ASX bank stock where analysts mostly hold a strong buy rating. Its average target price is $2.25, which implies a huge 51% upside at the time of writing. Although some think this could jump even higher, by up to 68% to $2.50 per share.

Sentiment on the outlook for Macquarie shares is mostly very positive. Most analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on the bank's shares. The average $238.28 target price implies the shares could jump 21% from here.

Which ASX bank stocks are a hold?

Analysts are undecided about the outlook for NAB shares, with sentiment mostly for a hold rating. The average target price is $43.90, which implies a potential 1.88% downside at the time of writing.

Brokers are also neutral on the outlook for ANZ shares over the next 12 months. Most have a hold rating with an average target price of $35.56, which implies a potential 0.3% downside at the time of writing.

Sentiment is also neutral on BOQ shares, with data showing most analysts have a hold rating on the stock. However, the average $6.37 target price implies a potential 6.5% downside at the time of writing.

Analysts also mostly have a hold rating on Bendigo shares. Although its average target price of $10.41 implies a 3% upside at the time of writing.

Which ASX bank stocks are a sell?

Sentiment is that CBA shares are overpriced and out of keeping with the company's fundamentals. Most analysts have a sell or strong sell rating on CBA shares and are tipping an average downside of 23% to $133.85 a piece over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

Westpac is also expected to have limited growth over the next few years. Most analysts also have a sell or strong sell rating on the ASX bank's shares and tip an average downside of 8% to $40.35.

The post ASX bank stocks: Buy, sell, or hold? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The S&P/ASX 200 Banks Index (ASX: XBK) is currently up 0.43% while the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 0.13%.

As earnings season continues, all of the banks due to report have now done so.

This has prompted brokers to review their ratings and 12-month price targets.

Let's take a look at how earnings season played out for one regional and one major bank, and the experts' conclusions on both.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN)

The Bendigo and Adelaide Bank share price is down 3.5% to $11.04 on Friday.

This week, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank reported cash earnings of $256.4 million for 1H FY26.

That was a 2.8% increase on 2H FY25 but a 3.3% decrease compared to 1H FY25.

The ASX 200 bank share fell 2.2% on the day of the report.

Brokers have now reviewed their new ratings and 12-month price targets on Bendigo Bank shares.

Ord Minnett reiterated its buy rating and lifted its price target from $11 to $11.50.

Jarden reiterated its hold rating on the ASX 200 bank share with an $11 target.

UBS kept its hold rating with a target of $10.95.

Jefferies reiterated its hold rating and lifted its target from $9.51 to $9.64.

Citi kept its sell rating but lifted its price target slightly from $10.25 to $10.50.

Morgan Stanley kept its sell rating with a price target of $10.40.

Macquarie reiterated its sell rating with a price target of $10.

The Bendigo and Adelaide Bank share price traded at a 52-week high of $13.73 last August.

ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ)

The ANZ share is up 0.9% to $40.43 on Friday.

Last week, ANZ revealed a $1.94 billion cash profit for 1Q FY26, which was 75% higher than the 2H FY25 quarterly average.

Management said the strong profit was driven by a 4% bump in operating income and a 21% reduction in operating expenses.

The ASX 200 bank share ripped 8.5% on the day of the report.

The next day, ANZ shares reached a record high of $41 per share.

After going over the numbers, the experts have reassessed their ratings and 12-month price targets for ANZ shares.

Jarden reiterated its buy rating with a $35 target.

Morgan Stanley upgraded ANZ to a buy and raised its 12-month share price target from $36.30 to $41.30.

Macquarie kept its hold rating on the ASX 200 bank share with a price target of $37.

Jefferies reiterated its hold rating on ANZ shares with a price target of $34.55.

Morgans downgraded ANZ to a sell rating but increased its target slightly from $32.57 to $32.65.

Ord Minnett kept its sell rating with a price target of $33.

UBS retained a sell rating but lifted its target from $35 to $36.50.

The post How do the experts rate ANZ and Bendigo Bank shares after their earnings reports? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

However, broker UBS thought the report was a "mixed result", with the group net interest margin (NIM) improving by 4 basis points (0.04%) half over half to 1.92% thanks to an improving deposit base and asset mix.

However, lending was down 1.9% half over half with weakness in residential and agri-related loans. But at the same time, costs increased by 4.2% half over half, despite investment spending down by 12% half over half.

What did UBS think of the result?

UBS noted that the bank has focused on expanding its proprietary channels, while improvements in funding costs and mix supported the NIM.

The broker said the result was "disappointing" on lending growth, though it increased its expectation for cash earnings per share (EPS) for FY26 due to a lower-than-expected credit provision. It also reduced the cash EPS expectation for FY27 by 2.9% and cut the FY28 EPS forecast by 0.2%. This reflected UBS' views on the ASX 200 bank share's loan book growth and costs, with this offset somewhat by reduced credit charges.

UBS also highlighted that costs related to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) led to the Bendigo Bank share price falling 2% on the day.

The broker wrote:

Looking ahead, the bank aims to align lending growth more closely with system growth, though this strategy may exert pressure on margins. We revise our projections for BEN to reflect the reduced loan growth and updated cost estimates related to the $70-90M program aimed at addressing AML/CFT compliance issues. Additionally, we slightly increase our NIM assumptions, taking into account BEN's growth targets for 2H 26, which are balanced by enhancements in their liability structure and anticipated cash rate hikes.

Expert rating on the Bendigo Bank share price

UBS thinks the ASX 200 bank share could make EPS of 82 cents in FY26, 75 cents in FY27, and 80 cents in FY28. That would put the business at less than 14x FY26's estimated earnings.

The broker has a neutral rating on the ASX 200 bank share, with a price target of $11.20. A price target is where analysts expect the business to trade in 12 months from the time of the investment call. Therefore, UBS suggests the business could slightly decline from where it is today.

UBS suggested that the business is trading above its long-term price-earnings (P/E) ratio average.

The post Is this ASX 200 bank share a buy after its recent result? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Bendigo and Adelaide Bank report?

• Cash earnings of $256.4 million, up 2.8% on the prior half
• Statutory net profit after tax of $230.6 million
• Net interest margin increased by 4 basis points to 1.92%
• Fully franked interim dividend of 30 cents per share
• Customer deposits grew 1.1% over the half; lending balances contracted 1.9%
• Total operating expenses rose 4.2% from the previous half

What else do investors need to know?

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank continued its digital transformation, rolling out the Bendigo Lending Platform across all branches and expanding app functionality. The bank completed the migration of 180,000 Adelaide Bank customer accounts to a single core platform, simplifying its operations.

A key strategic move included the pending acquisition of RACQ Bank's loan and deposit book, set to add around 90,000 new customers and boost the bank's presence in Queensland. The bank is also launching a multi-year AML/CTF improvement program, with up to $90 million expected spend, including about $15 million in the upcoming half.

What did Bendigo and Adelaide Bank management say?

Managing Director and CEO Richard Fennell said:

This result reflects good progress on our strategy over the half, with our deposit-led approach to drive sustainable loan growth gaining momentum and improving our earnings. This improvement was largely driven by the growth in lower cost deposits benefiting margin, as well as a reduction in costs in the second quarter. In addition, we made the strategic decision to exit our legacy mortgage partner business which impacted loan growth for the half. We remain confident that our residential lending book will return to growth over the second half of the financial year. […] We reaffirm our objective to deliver improved returns to shareholders, targeting a ROE of above 10% by 2030.

What's next for Bendigo and Adelaide Bank?

Looking forward, the bank is focusing on completing its AML/CTF remediation program and preparing for the integration of RACQ Bank customers. Management highlighted further progress with technology partnerships and productivity initiatives aimed at holding costs in line with inflation.

Despite broader economic challenges, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank sees its balance sheet as resilient and well positioned for future growth. The board remains focused on achieving stronger returns and supporting its strategic roadmap to 2030.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank shares have risen 1%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 4% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Bendigo and Adelaide Bank earnings: Profit up, dividend holds steady appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

It's a welcome reprieve from the multiple share price declines the banking giant has endured over the past few months. 

For the year-to-date, CBA shares are now down 6.57%. They're 5.49% below the share price this time last year, and 21.3% lower than an all-time high in June last year.

In 2025, CBA shares enjoyed a fantastic rally, peaking at an all-time high of $192.00 per share in June. But the bank is facing strong headwinds right now that I think could keep pushing its share price lower.

CBA's share price is significantly higher than other major Australian banks. It's concerning because many experts don't think the share price is supported by the bank's earnings and core business strength. 

At the same time, CBA is facing ongoing net interest margin pressure due to intense market competition and regulatory changes. 

And not to mention, it looks like the Reserve Bank could keep the cash rate on hold for the foreseeable future, or even hike rates in 2026. This puts even more pressure on banks to compete.

I even think it's possible that CBA shares could crash below $100 this year.

I'd buy this ASX bank stock instead

Analysts expect that all of the big four major banks' shares will drop in 2026. Even sentiment on the smaller banks like Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN) and Bank of Queensland Limited (ASX: BOQ) is bearish, with many analysts holding buy or sell positions.

But then there is Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO). Judo Bank is an Australian bank which was built to focus on providing financial services and lending to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). These SMEs have annual turnovers of up to $100 million.

The bank was founded in 2016 and received its banking license in 2019, so it's relatively new in comparison to the majors. It was listed on the ASX in 2021.

The bank provides business lending starting at $250,000 and touts itself as providing more flexibility than major banks. It also offers personal term deposit products and home loans.

Unlike its larger peers, the bank has had a strong start to FY26, and it looks set to continue. At its latest AGM, it said lending momentum was strong over the first quarter and that it's confident it can achieve FY26 guidance of $180-$190 million.

At the time of writing, Judo Bank's shares are up 0.27% to $1.88 a piece. For the year-to-date the shares are 4.17% higher, although they're still 4.82% below this time last year.

The best part is analysts are incredibly bullish on Judo Bank shares. 

UBS recently said it rates Judo as a buy, with a price target of $2.20, implying a potential 17.83% upside over the next 12 months. The broker thinks the bank is well placed to meet FY26 targets. It also noted that its new business origination "looks strong", with agriculture and regional lending doing a lot of the heavy lifting for its growth.

Some are even more optimistic. TradingView data shows 9 out of 10 analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on Judo Bank shares. Analysts have a maximum target price of $2.40. That implies a potential 28.34% upside from here!

The post Forget CBA shares: I'm buying shares in another Aussie bank appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

It's important to recognise that a share price decline does not automatically translate into better value. Something can go up and seem great value (if it has released a great update) or something can decline and seem expensive.

Let's take a look at what investors can expect from Bendigo Bank's earnings between now and FY30.

FY26

We're currently halfway through the 2026 financial year, though we haven't seen the numbers – they will be released in February during reporting season.

In December, it was announced that APRA and AUSTRAC have decided on three initial actions against Bendigo Bank that the business will need to address after the self-reported money laundering discovery at one of the branches.

Broker UBS thinks this is expected to have an impact on Bendigo Bank in a few different ways, which is why the Bendigo Bank share price has declined as much as it has in the last couple of months.

First, Bendigo Bank has been instructed to undertake a root cause analysis into non-financial risk beyond anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF).

Second, AUSTRAC has commenced an enforcement investigation which will focus on whether the bank has complied with its obligations under the AML/CTF Act.

Third, APRA will require Bendigo Bank to hold an operational risk capital add-on of $50 million.

However, the unknown is what AUSTRAC will do – it has various enforcement options and there are various appropriate regulatory responses. UBS acknowledged a favourable outcome is possible, though it's considered unlikely.

But, UBS does foresee that overall costs are likely to move up, even if it doesn't experience a civil penalty like Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) did several years ago. But, due to the fact Bendigo Bank self-reported, UBS thinks it's more probable that it will be an enforceable undertaking.

Corrective actions will increase operating costs, which are "already elevated". This may also take significant time and attention from management and the board.

Taking all of that into account, UBS is predicting that Bendigo Bank could deliver statutory earnings of $440 million in FY26, with underlying net profit of $489 million. The broker suggests the AUSTRAC investigation and likely ramifications are likely to remain an overhang on the Bendigo Bank share price.

FY27

Net profit at the regional ASX bank share is expected to essentially remain flat in the 2027 financial year.

Bendigo Bank is predicted to generate $445 million of statutory net profit in FY27 and $494 million of underlying net profit.

FY28

Net profit is expected to start climbing in the 2028 financial year and beyond, which will be music to the ears of investors after a seemingly difficult period.

UBS projects that in FY28, Bendigo Bank could make $463 million of reported net profit and $514 million of underlying net profit.

FY29

Owners of Bendigo Bank shares could see further progress in the 2029 financial year.

The ASX bank share is projected to generate $498 million of statutory net profit in FY29 and also $554 million of underlying net profit.

FY30

In the 2030 financial year, Bendigo Bank is expected to make the most net profit of this series of projections.

UBS has estimated that the ASX bank share could make $557 million of statutory net profit and $619 million of underlying net profit.

Therefore, the broker is forecasting that the bank could grow its reported net profit by 26% between FY26 and FY30.

UBS currently has a neutral rating on Bendigo Bank shares due to the AUSTRAC issues, but also acknowledges it has already fallen by double digits. The price target is $10.95, implying a possible rise in the single digits within the next year.

The post Here's the earnings forecast out to 2030 for Bendigo Bank shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Bendigo and Adelaide Bank report?

• Received a $50 million operational risk capital charge from APRA effective 1 January 2026
• The capital charge is expected to lower the Level 2 Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio by about 17 basis points
• CET1 ratio was 11.19% as at 30 November 2025, still above the board's target
• AUSTRAC has begun an enforcement investigation relating to serious potential contraventions of AML/CTF laws
• The bank continues to uplift its approach to non-financial risk management

What else do investors need to know?

APRA's decision means Bendigo and Adelaide Bank must hold extra capital against operational risk, but its CET1 ratio remains above both board targets and regulatory minimums for 'unquestionably strong' banks.

On the regulatory front, AUSTRAC has not yet decided whether it will take enforcement action following its investigation, leaving some future uncertainty for shareholders. The bank has committed to ongoing engagement with the regulator and ramping up risk management efforts.

Cost estimates for potential remediation or additional compliance are not yet available, with the bank saying further updates will be provided when they are determined.

What did Bendigo and Adelaide Bank management say?

Bendigo Bank CEO and Managing Director Richard Fennell said:

Bendigo Bank has taken a number of steps to improve its risk capability and strengthen its risk culture over the last 12 months however I recognise the need to intensify our focus and our efforts.

What's next for Bendigo and Adelaide Bank?

The board and executive team are prioritising a broader uplift in non-financial risk maturity, particularly in response to regulators' feedback and evolving expectations around compliance. The bank says it will provide investors with cost estimates and more information on remediation plans as details are finalised.

In the near term, the bank is focused on constructive engagement with AUSTRAC, strengthening frameworks, and maintaining capital strength. Investors will be watching for more guidance as further regulatory outcomes emerge.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank shares have declined 24%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 3% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Bendigo and Adelaide Bank hit with APRA capital charge, faces AUSTRAC probe appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

These four banks sit inside the top 6 largest companies in Australia weighted by market capitalisation. 

Earlier in December I covered the success of Australia And New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) shares in 2025 compared to its peers. 

But what about the ASX bank shares outside the big four?

Here is an overview of how some of the others have performed. 

A tough year for bank shares

Across the board, it has been overall a down year for bank shares. 

Starting with Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN), which has fallen more than 20% since the start of the year. 

That included two horror days of trading in November. 

On 11 November, shares lost 8.5% following the release of the company's first-quarter (Q1 FY 2026) results. 

Two weeks later, on 25 November, shares fell another 7.4%. 

Elsewhere, Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) has also struggled in 2025. 

While it does offer banking services, it is primarily involved in investment and commercial banking and asset management, with Macquarie now in the top 50 global asset managers.

Its share price is down more than 9% since the start of the year.

Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ) is one of Australia's largest regional banks still operating independently of the 'Big Four' banks. 

Its share price has also faced volatility this year, and is down approximately 2.7% year to date. 

Finally, Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO), which focuses on lending to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), has fallen just over 7%. 

Most notably, in April, Judo Bank's share price crashed 19% after releasing its third-quarter update. 

Which has the most upside in 2026?

While 2025 has been rough on these bank shares, there is one drawing positive attention from experts. 

Judo Bank is tipped by brokers to rebound in 2026. 

It appears this may have already begun to be priced in, as its share price is up 12% over the last month since its AGM.

Macquarie has an outperform rating and $1.90 price target on Judo Bank shares. 

This indicates an upside of almost 11% from yesterday's closing price of $1.72. 

There are other brokers even more bullish. 

UBS placed a $2.20 price target on Judo Bank shares in November, and TradingView currently has a consensus price target of $2.15.

These targets indicate an upside of between 25 – 28%. 

The post Is there opportunity in 2026 outside the big four bank shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

That's because insider buying is often regarded as a bullish indicator, as few people know a company and its intrinsic value better than its directors. If they are buying, it could be a sign that they are confident in the direction the company is heading and see value in its shares.

With that in mind, listed below are a few ASX shares that have reported meaningful insider buying recently. They are as follows:

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN)

A change of director's interests notice reveals that this regional bank's chair has been buying shares in December. According to the notice, independent chair, Vicki Carter, snapped up a total of 4,933 Bendigo and Adelaide Bank shares last week through an on-market trade on 4 December.

Carter paid an average of $10.13 per share, which equates to a total consideration of $49,971.29. This purchase boosted the chair's holding to a total of 38,849 shares.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank shares are down 21% over the past 12 months. The majority of this can be attributed to the release of the results of an investigation by Deloitte into suspicious activity.

The investigation, which was initiated by the bank, concluded that deficiencies existed regarding the bank's approach to the identification, mitigation and management of money laundering (ML) and terrorism financing (TF) risk.

Chalice Mining Ltd (ASX: CHN)

Another change of director's interests notice shows that one of this mineral exploration company's non-executive directors has been buying shares this week.

On Wednesday 10 December, Richard Hacker paid a total of $99,566.34 to acquire 59,862 Chalice shares through an on-market trade. This represents an average of approximately $1.66 per share.

This lifted Hacker's shareholding (indirect and direct) to over 1.3 million shares. He also has a large number of unlisted options, which are out of the money at present, and performance and retention rights.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

Finally, a non-executive director at Xero has taken advantage of recent share price weakness to load up on its shares.

A notice reveals that Dale Murray has bought 1,286 Xero shares through an on-market trade on 11 December. Murray paid an average of $115.30 per share, which represents a total consideration of $148,275.80.

This increased the non-executive director's shareholding to a total of 2,719 shares.

The post Insiders are buying Xero and these ASX shares this month appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) bank stock closed yesterday trading for $10.37. In late morning trade on Wednesday, shares are swapping hands for $10.34 apiece, down 0.3%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.1% at this same time.

Taking a step back, Bendigo Bank shares are down 22.3% over 12 months, trailing the 2.4% one-year gains posted by the benchmark index. Though that doesn't include the two fully-franked dividends totalling 63 cents a share the bank paid out over the year.

At the current price, Bendigo Bank stock trades on a fully franked trailing dividend yield of 6.1%.

Which brings us back to our headline question.

With the ASX 200 bank stock down 20.1% since early November, is it time to buy the dip?

Bendigo Bank shares: Buy, hold, or sell?

Family Financial Solutions' Jabin Hallihan recently ran his slide rule over the Aussie bank (courtesy of The Bull).

"Bendigo and Adelaide Bank is one of Australia's largest regional banks," Hallihan said.

Commenting on the big fall Bendigo Bank shares suffered in November, he noted, "Recently, an independent report highlighted weaknesses in the bank's anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing controls. The shares plunged on the news."

Despite that regulatory weakness, Hallihan has a hold recommendation on the stock. He said:

The bank is committed to undertaking the necessary enhancements to systems, frameworks and processes to ensure full compliance with its obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing Act 2006.

Hallihan concluded, "The shares on December 4 were trading below our $11 target. We suggest holding the stock, but investors should monitor regulatory developments and the bank's remediation plan."

What happened with the ASX 200 bank stock in November?

Bendigo Bank shares had two horror days of trading last month.

On 11 November, shares in the ASX 200 bank stock closed down 8.5% following the release of the company's first-quarter (Q1 FY 2026) results, which fell short of market expectations.

Two weeks later, on 25 November, shares tumbled another 7.4% after the bank reported on an independent Deloitte review. That review identified deficiencies in Bendigo Bank's approach to identifying, mitigating, and managing money laundering and terrorism financing risk between 1 August 2019 and 1 August 2025 at multiple branches.

The Bendigo Bank board said it is committed to fully funding the uplift program to address all of the identified deficiencies.

The post Down 20% since November, are Bendigo Bank shares now a buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Of the 500 companies making up the ASX All Ords index, 326 shares have recorded capital growth this year.

Among the 174 companies that have lost value are the following three ASX stocks.

Despite significant share price falls this year, experts say current investors should continue to hold them.

Here's why.

3 ASX shares down 20% to 40% in 2025

Analysts have revealed hold ratings on these three ASX stocks despite substantial price falls in the year to date (YTD).

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

Wisetech is the largest ASX tech share with a market capitalisation of $25 billion.

The Wisetech share price closed at $74.01, up 0.18% yesterday and down 40.3% in the YTD.

On The Bull this week, Ben Faulkner from Sanlam Private Wealth explained their hold rating on Wisetech shares.

Faulkner said:

WiseTech is a global leader in logistics software. It offers market dominance, high margins and long term growth potential.

The recent acquisition of e2open offers upside. Recent corporate matters and board changes have discounted the stock to a level where it offers compelling long term value, in our view.

WiseTech's flagship platform CargoWise is used by 24 of the top 25 largest freight forwarders and 46 of the top 50 logistics providers worldwide.

Tech shares endured a rough month in November amid fears that the artificial intelligence revolution may be creating a market bubble.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN)

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank is an ASX bank share with a market cap of $6 billion.

The Bendigo and Adelaide Bank share price closed at $10.37 on Tuesday, down 0.48% for the day and down 20.6% in 2025.

Jabin Hallihan from Family Financial Solutions notes that the ASX share is trading below their $11 price target.

Hallihan explained his hold rating:

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank is one of Australia's largest regional banks. Recently, an independent report highlighted weaknesses in the bank's anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing controls. The shares plunged on the news.

The bank is committed to undertaking the necessary enhancements to systems, frameworks and processes to ensure full compliance with its obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing Act 2006.

We suggest holding the stock, but investors should monitor regulatory developments and the bank's remediation plan.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

Goodman Group is the largest ASX property share with a market cap of $60 billion.

The Goodman Group share price closed at $29.28, down 1.28% yesterday and down 18.7% in the YTD.

On The Bull last week, Stuart Bromley from Medallion Financial Group explained his hold rating on Goodman Group shares.

Goodman Group continues to position itself as a global leader in industrial property, supported by high quality tenants, such as Amazon, Samsung, Telstra, Coles and Australia Post.

Its portfolio remains robust, with strong occupancy amid long lease terms and a conservative balance sheet relative to peers.

With most new development geared towards data centres and artificial intelligence-driven infrastructure, Goodman is well placed to benefit from long term structural growth.

We view Goodman as a high quality, long term firm that we're happy to hold.

The post 3 ASX shares down 20% to 40% in 2025: Why analysts say you should hold on appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN)

The Bendigo and Adelaide Bank share price is up 2% to $10.35. Investors have been buying the regional bank's shares after analysts responded positively to its plan to acquire RACQ Bank's retail lending assets and deposits. The purchase price will be based on the book value of the transferring book at completion, which comprised $2.7 billion of retail loans and $2.5 billion of retail deposits at the end of June. In response, Ord Minnett upgraded its shares to an accumulate rating with an $11.00 price target.

Nextdc Ltd (ASX: NXT)

The Nextdc share price is up 4% to $13.98. This follows news that the data centre operator has agreed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ChatGPT's owner OpenAI. The MOU will focus on developing a sovereign AI infrastructure partnership under the OpenAI for Australia program. This will see OpenAI and NextDC collaborate on the planning, development, and operation of a next generation hyperscale AI campus and large-scale GPU supercluster at NextDC's S7 site in Eastern Creek, Sydney. This will reportedly be the largest data centre in the southern hemisphere.

Nuix Ltd (ASX: NXL)

The Nuix share price is up 3% to $1.87. This investigative analysis software provider's shares have been pushing higher this week after it announced an acquisition. Nuix advised that it has agreed to acquire graph-powered AI decision platform Linkurious for up to 20 million euros (~A$35.4 million). Nuix's interim CEO, John Ruthven, said: "The acquisition of Linkurious is an exciting accelerator for our strategic vision to enable our customers with insights from complex data at unparalleled speed and scale. This injection of graph-native expertise, proven link analysis technology and quality customers will allow us to bring immediate value to our customers."

Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: VUL)

The Vulcan Energy share price is up 10% to $4.50. This lithium developer's shares are rebounding after a significant decline on Thursday. That decline was driven by the company's capital raising. Vulcan Energy's institutional offer raised 398 million euros (A$710 million) at $4.00 per new share. This represented a 34.7% discount to its share price at the time. Vulcan's managing director and CEO, Cris Moreno, said: "We would like to thank our existing shareholders for their continued support and welcome our new shareholders onto the register, including strategic investors. The Placement will enable Vulcan to transition from development phase into execution phase with project execution of Project Lionheart due to commence in the coming days."

The post Why Bendigo Bank, NextDC, Nuix, and Vulcan Energy shares are rising today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Managing Director Richard Fennell said the deal, which is expected to be completed in the first half of FY27, would add to Bendigo and Adelaide Bank's current deposit franchise, and "leverages our proven ability to efficiently integrate significant portfolios and is expected to drive improved shareholder returns through cost efficiencies and geographic diversification''.

The transaction is expected to generate $50-$55 million in net interest income and add 4-5 cents to the company's earnings per share.

Strategically sensible move

The team at Jarden has had a look at the proposed deal, which is subject to regulatory sign-off, and said the Queensland-focused deal makes sense.

Bendigo acquired the Queensland-based First Australian Building Society in 2000 and have a reasonably strong presence in Australia's most dynamic state. The acquisition fits well with their strategic pillar of 'optimising their deposit base' with retail deposits representing 92% of the RACQ lending portfolio (with a high proportion of lower-cost deposits). It also supports their ambition in becoming a greater presence in agri, and at book value, we believe the price is full, but fair. We will process the acquisition upon regulatory approval – financially the acquisition is relatively immaterial but strategically it is on par.

Jarden has a neutral rating on Bendigo and Adelaide Bank shares and, following the investor day presentations earlier this week, has kept its price target for the company's shares at $11.

Including a 6.2% dividend yield, this would equate to a total shareholder return of 14.8% over a year based on the company's closing share price of $10.13 on Thursday.   

The Jarden analysts said bank strategies in general were focused on two main themes at the moment – optimising lower cost deposit bases and minimising costs generally, "reflecting a difficult environment''.

Both are challenging. Heightened focus on growing deposits (alongside deposit alternatives i.e. stablecoins) is set to only increase competitive pressure on paid rates. Meanwhile, the combination of stubborn inflation and regulatory scrutiny will continue to drive cost expansion. Bendigo's acquisition of RACQ's book is a step in the right direction in growing low cost deposits, but the productivity benefits required to hold business as usual costs to inflation are unclear.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank was valued at $5.75 billion at the close of trade on Thursday.

The post This bank's shares could deliver double-digit returns analysts say appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

There are more smaller players outside of the majors, though. Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ), Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN), and Judo Capital Holdings Limited (ASX: JDO) are alternative options for investors looking for banking exposure. Bendigo Bank is the only one not listed on the ASX 200 Index.

At the time of writing, CBA shares are down 0.81% to $150.82, Westpac shares are down 0.86% to $37.08, NAB shares are 0.74% lower at $40.12, and ANZ shares are down 0.12% to $34.69.

Outside of the majors, Macquarie shares are 0.12% lower at the time of writing to $195.73; BOQ shares are 0.16% higher at $6.35 a piece; Bendigo shares are 0.2% higher at $10.10 each; and Judo shares have climbed 1.93% to $1.69.

Which ASX bank stocks are a buy?

While sentiment around Macquarie shares is mixed, overall, analysts are pretty positive on the stock. Out of 14 analysts, 7 have a buy or strong buy rating on the shares, and the maximum target price is as high as $264.98. This implies a potential 34.9% upside from the share price at the time of writing.

Broker consensus for Judo Bank shares is a strong buy. The maximum target price is $2.40, implying a potential 42.26% upside for the ASX bank stock over the next 12 months. Analysts and investors appeared to be pleased with the bank's latest AGM update and think the stock is currently undervalued with the likelihood of a substantial upside ahead.

Which ASX bank stocks are a sell?

Analysts think CBA's premium share price is far too expensive right now, and overdue a correction. The majority have a sell rating on the banking giant's stock, with a target price as low as $96.07 each. This implies a potential 36.26% downside over the next 12 months, based on the share price at the time of writing. The team at Medallion Financial Group urges investors to be cautious about buying the stock.

Westpac shares are also tipped to sink further over the next 12 months. The team at Macquarie has an underperform rating on the stock and a target price of $31. This implies a potential 22.7% downside at the time of writing. The bank is expected to have limited growth over the coming years.

Analysts also have a sell rating on NAB shares. The team at Morgans said the bank missed consensus expectations of flat earnings in the second half of FY25. The broker has a sell rating and $31.46 target price on the stock. This implies a potential 21.6% downside for investors. 

Bendigo Bank shares have been dealt an underperform rating and $10.50 target price by the team at Macquarie. This implies a potential 3.9% upside could be ahead for the bank, using the current trading price. The broker said it isn't overly impressed with the bank's latest results, saying it missed consensus expectations by 8%.

BOQ shares are also on the chopping board right now. The majority of analysts have a sell or strong sell rating on the shares. They expect the price could drop as low as $4.64 over the next 12 months. That's a potential 27.2% downside at the time of writing. Macquarie analysts said the bank's valuation is stretched and that there is a downside risk to its earnings and margins.

Which ASX banks stocks are a hold?

ANZ is lagging behind the other big 4 banks, and while its shares are higher for the year to date, brokers at Macquarie said the bank is showing early signs of revenue underperformance. The broker has a neutral rating on ANZ shares with a target price of $35, which implies a 0.9% upside at the time of writing.

The post ASX bank stocks: Buy, sell, or hold? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.