Comparing REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) and CAR Group Ltd (ASX: CAR) might seem like splitting hairs at first—both are digital advertising powerhouses offering online marketplaces in property and automotive, respectively. But for income-focused investors, there are some clear differences between REA and CAR shares worth digging into. If you're searching for franked dividends, capital growth or just a reliable yield, here's how these two stack up.

The case for REA Group

REA Group runs the dominant realestate.com.au platform in Australia, a go-to site for property buyers, sellers, and renters. The company also has exposure to complementary businesses such as mortgage broking and property data, adding some diversification to its earnings.

Looking at the fundamentals, REA is a $20.84 billion business with a P/E ratio of 30.98, making it a premium-priced market leader. Its 1.88% dividend yield won't knock your socks off, but it's underpinned by 100% franking—perfect for Aussie investors who can use those tax credits. REA's earnings per share (EPS) sits at $5.106, and dividend history shows steady growth over recent years, with payments fully franked as far back as the records go.

REA's business is solid, especially with its dominant market position in online property listings and services. According to its most recent public description, it's got a stronghold over the residential and commercial property websites sector in Australia and growing reach overseas.

The case for CAR Group

CAR Group, most familiar to Aussies as the owner of carsales.com.au, is a leader in online automotive classifieds. But CAR has expanded beyond Australian shores, with stakes in major auto marketplaces across South Korea, the US, Chile and Brazil. This international reach gives it multiple growth levers that don't depend solely on the local market.

Fundamentally, CAR Group has a $9.09 billion market cap—smaller than REA but still substantial. Its P/E ratio is 29.01, a touch lower than REA's, and its dividend yield is a standout at 3.58%. The shares come with only partial franking (recent dividends ranged from 30–50%), so the after-tax yield for Australian shareholders isn't quite as attractive as a fully-franked payout, but the grossed-up yield still compares favourably. The latest annual dividend per share is $0.87, and the company has lifted dividends steadily in recent years.

CAR Group's diverse earnings base across multiple countries and digital marketplaces adds some resilience in case the Australian car or job market slows.

Valuation comparison

Here's a side-by-side of the key numbers:

REA is pricier on most measures, but CAR delivers a higher headline yield. However, REA's fully franked dividends make it more tax effective for some income-driven investors.

Recent share price performance

Both companies have seen share price declines in 2026 so far, but REA has held up a bit better.

REA's share price history (18 August–17 September 2026) shows a drop from $178.62 (on 18 August) to $159.22 (17 September): a fall of about 11%.

CAR Group's price history (same 18 August–17 September 2026 period) starts at $29.10 and ends at $23.97, a decline of roughly 18%.

So over this snapshot, both have tracked down with the broader market, but CAR Group has seen a steeper fall.

Which is the better buy?

For income investors, I'm leaning towards CAR Group. While REA Group's fully franked dividends are gold for some—especially for retirees or those keen to maximise franked income—the yield is modest at 1.88%. With CAR now offering a 3.58% yield (albeit with only partial franking), the gross cash return is much stronger.

That said, if you place a high value on franking credits, or you want the perceived safety that comes with REA's virtual monopoly on real estate listings (and you don't require much income), REA is hard to beat in terms of stability and after-tax benefit.

But if income is truly the goal and you can live with 30–50% franking, my pick would be CAR Group for its significantly higher yield and solid record of dividend growth.

The post REA Group vs CAR Group: Which is best for income investors? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

On The Bull this week, Toby Grimm from Baker Young explains his views and ratings on three ASX 300 shares.

Let's take a look.  

Aurizon Holdings Ltd (ASX: AZJ)

The Aurizon share price is $3.73, up 0.5% today and up 16% over 12 months. 

Grimm has a buy rating on this ASX 300 industrials share. 

He commented: 

This coal and freight logistics firm delivered better than expected full year 2026 results, in our view. Revenue of $4.194 billion was up 6 per cent on the prior corresponding period and statutory net profit after tax of $362 million was up 19 per cent.

A highly encouraging performance at its containerised freight division provides a long term opportunity, in our view.

Strong global coal prices amid favourable weather conditions to date in New South Wales and Queensland should generate demand for export logistics.

While competition for haulage contracts may lower margins, the business outlook remains positive.

It was recently trading on an attractive dividend yield above 6 per cent.

CAR Group Limited (ASX: CAR)

The CAR share price is $23.91, down 0.5% today and down 37% over 12 months. 

Grimm has a hold rating on this ASX 300 communications share. 

He said: 

Australia's premium online car trading platform posted reported revenue of $1.253 billion in full year 2026, up 6 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Reported net profit after tax of $314 million was up 14 per cent.

Guidance for 2027 appears favourable relative to consensus expectations.

While the stock remains expensive relative to the broader market, its recent forward price/earnings ratio was trading at a significant discount to its average over the past four years.

The company expects revenue growth of between 11 per cent and 14 per cent in constant currency in full year 2027.

Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG)

The Guzman Y Gomez share price is $24.91, up 0.2% today and down 1% over 12 months. 

Grimm has a sell rating on this ASX 300 consumer discretionary share. 

He explained: 

The share price has rallied strongly after a decision to exit loss making US operations in May, followed by encouraging full year results in August.

While there's a near term benefit of withdrawing from the US, the decision also removes long term expansion potential. Also, it places more pressure on Australia, Singapore and Japan to perform to greater heights to justify what we consider a lofty price-earnings multiple.

The shares materially exceed our valuation. The shares have risen from $16 on May 20 to trade at $26.85 on September 10.

Investors may want to consider taking a profit at these levels given the Australian economy is dealing with a cost of living crisis.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Aurizon, Car Group, Guzman y Gomez shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

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

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

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

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

Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN)

Paladin Energy shares are rebounding on Thursday after a steep sell-off over the past week.

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

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

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

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

CAR Group Ltd (ASX: CAR)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hundreds of S&P/ASX All Ords Index (ASX: XAO) companies announced their next dividends during the EOFY reporting season.

We're helping you keep track of ex-dividend dates with an article every Friday.

Here is a sample of the ASX shares due to trade ex-dividend next week.

Remember, in order to receive a dividend, you must own the ASX share before its ex-dividend date.

ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week

Check out which ASX shares begin trading ex-dividend today.

The post 40 ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

ASIC publishes an aggregated short position report covering every listed security.

It is one a genuinely useful public windows into what professional money is betting against.

This week's table is led by DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) at 14.9% and Lotus Resources Ltd (ASX: LOT) at 13.6%.

Why these ASX shares are being shorted

Short interest above 10% is unusual.

It generally means a fund has done the work, taken a view, and is willing to pay to hold the position.

The list also includes 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) at 12.4%, Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) at 12.3% and CAR Group Ltd (ASX: CAR) at 12.1%.

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) has also entered the top ten at 10.9% after a strong recovery in its share price.

The common thread is not weak businesses, but rather a gap between what the market is paying today and what these companies currently earn.

DroneShield: growth without profit

DroneShield is the most shorted stock on the ASX, and its half-year result showed why the argument remains unresolved.

Revenue jumped 74% to $125.8 million, and recurring revenue climbed 229% to $11.5 million.

The counter-drone specialist also swung to a statutory net loss of $32.2 million, from a $2.1 million profit a year earlier.

Underlying EBITDA was a $12.4 million loss.

Cash and term deposits stood at $180 million at 30 June, so funding is not the immediate concern.

Interestingly, more than half of revenue now comes from Europe and the United Kingdom.

The complications sit elsewhere.

The company changed chief executive during the half, with Angus Bean replacing Oleg Vornik, and Hamish McLennan took over as chairman.

An ASIC investigation also remains unresolved, and that alone keeps some institutions on the sidelines.

Lotus Resources: a ramp-up under scrutiny

Lotus Resources is a different case entirely.

The uranium producer restarted its Kayelekera mine in Malawi and is ramping toward steady-state production of 2.4 million pounds of uranium oxide a year.

The resource stands at 51.1 million pounds, the mine life is around ten years, and all-in sustaining costs are expected near US$45 per pound.

Binding offtake agreements cover 3.5 million pounds of sales between 2026 and 2029.

With uranium spot prices near US$89 per pound, the economics look comfortable on paper.

Short sellers are questioning the timeline rather than the orebody.

Ramp-ups slip, and a developer without steady production has no earnings to defend its valuation.

Short interest here has fallen sharply in recent weeks, which suggests some of that scepticism is already being unwound.

What short interest does not tell you about ASX shares

Plenty of heavily shorted companies go on to perform perfectly well.

Short interest tells you that someone is betting against a business, but not that they are necessarily right.

It also creates a risk of its own, because a crowded short position can unwind violently after a single piece of good news.

Foolish takeaway

I generally treat the short report with a fair bit of caution.

However, when more than one share in ten is sold short, it is worth understanding the bear case properly before you buy.

For DroneShield, that case is about profitability and governance.

For Lotus Resources, it is about execution.

Neither argument is unanswerable, but both are good reasons to approach these ASX shares carefully.

The post Short sellers are targeting these ASX shares. Should you worry? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

That's because I believe it is 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, listed below are the 10 most shorted shares on the ASX this week according to ASIC.

The top 10 most shorted ASX shares

• DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) has returned to the top of the table with short interest of 14.9%, which is down slightly week on week. The counter-drone technology company remains a popular target for short sellers. This could be partly due to the ongoing uncertainty created by ASIC's investigation.
• Lotus Resources Ltd (ASX: LOT) has seen its short interest fall sharply to 13.6%, but it remains the second most shorted ASX share. The uranium developer's recent capital raising may have eased some pressure, though short sellers still appear to be questioning development timelines and uranium demand.
• 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) has short interest of 12.4%, which is broadly unchanged since last week. The medical imaging technology company continues to divide the market. While some investors see a large commercial opportunity, short sellers may be focusing on the gap between its market valuation and its current revenue base.
• Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) has seen its short interest ease to 12.3%. The pizza chain operator is trying to reset the business after a difficult period of store closures, impairments, and weaker trading. Short sellers may be waiting for clearer evidence that the turnaround will succeed.
• CAR Group Limited (ASX: CAR) has short interest of 12.1%, which is flat since last week. This may reflect concerns over the auto listings company's outlook in a difficult operating environment.
• Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) has seen its short interest rise to 12%. Short sellers may have concerns over weak wine demand and the pace of the Penfolds owner's recovery.
• Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) has 11.2% of its shares held short, which is down slightly week on week. Short sellers appear to believe the market is too optimistic on production, costs, and uranium prices.
• PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) has seen its short interest rise to 11.1%. Short sellers may be betting that prices for the battery-making ingredient remain under pressure, which would be bad news for margins.
• Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) has entered the top ten with short interest of 10.9%. Its strong share price recovery may have led some short sellers to question whether expectations have run too far, especially given weak consumer spending.
• Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) has seen its short interest ease to 10.8%. Short sellers may still have concerns over Middle East disruption, margins, and travel demand.

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

Meanwhile, three experts share their views on three ASX shares.

Let's take a look.

Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG)

The Breville share price is $33.02, down 1.4% today and down 0.5% over 12 months. 

After Breville released its FY26 results, Morgans downgraded the retail stock from buy to accumulate "purely on a valuation basis".

Morgans explained: 

BRG delivered A$207m EBIT (+1% yoy) in line with guidance, in what was an exceptionally challenging year as the group navigated a volatile tariff backdrop and ongoing supply chain shocks via geopolitical conflicts.

Revenue growth was slightly below expectations (~2%), as FX headwinds in the 2H (US ~10%; EMEA ~5%) detracted from the topline.

Growth on a constant currency (cc) basis remains solid (+10%), and ongoing premiumisation tailwinds, and coffee (up double digits), have continued into FY27.

We view BRG as having emerged from this transitional year as a better business, with a robust outlook.

New market expansion continues to accelerate (+74% yoy), the NPD pipeline is strong and new initiatives (Best Buy) are driving a material step-change in sell out performance.

We expect FY27 forecasts may prove conservative, with BRG able to return to a sustainable level of growth in FY27.

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

The Temple & Webster share price is $4.71, down 2.3% today and down 81% over 12 months. 

Bell Potter has a hold rating on this ASX consumer discretionary share following the retailer's FY26 results.

Analyst Chami Ratnapala said: 

While the share trades towards 3-year lows, we see multiple risks related to the revenue recovery from current levels over the next few months in this current macroeconomic context, competitive landscape and following TPW's 4Q26 profit optimisation initiatives.

We factor in some downside risk to current company expectations and see the current trading multiple (0.7x in May-26 vs 1.4x in Aug-22, on BPe) as somewhat pricing in the near-term outlook as TPW sees revenue declines similar to our omni-channel retailer coverage.

Car Group Ltd (ASX: CAR)

The Car Group share price is $28.37, down 3% today and down 29% over 12 months. 

Tony Locantro from Alto Capital has a sell rating on the ASX communications share after Car's FY26 report.

On The Bull this week, Locantro said: 

CAR Group operates leading digital automotive markets in Australia and internationally.

It delivered another strong result in fiscal year 2026. Reported revenue of $A1.253 billion was up 6 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Reported net profit after tax of $A314 million was up 14 per cent.

International operations continue to generate attractive long term growth and management expects further revenue growth in fiscal year 2027.

However, the company's strong operating performance is increasingly reflected in its valuation, which requires sustained double digit growth and continuing successful international execution.

In our view, the risk-reward balance in response to valuation supports a lighten recommendation.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Breville, Car Group, Temple & Webster shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

That's because I believe it is 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, listed below are the 10 most shorted shares on the ASX this week according to ASIC.

The top 10 most shorted ASX shares

• Lotus Resources Ltd (ASX: LOT) has returned to the top of the table with short interest of 17.2%, which is up sharply week on week. Short sellers may be focusing on funding risk, the company's development pathway, and uncertainty around the uranium market after its heavily discounted capital raising.
• DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) has seen its short interest ease to 15%. Short sellers still appear to have concerns over the ASIC investigation into the counter-drone technology company, as well as valuation risk.
• Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) has short interest of 12.6%, which is down slightly week on week. This suggests some short sellers remain unconvinced by the pizza chain operator's turnaround plans.
• 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) has seen its short interest rise to 12.4%. The medical technology company remains heavily shorted due to its elevated valuation and modest revenue base. FY 2026 revenue came in at just $7.2 million.
• CAR Group Limited (ASX: CAR) has short interest of 12.1%, which is up week on week. Its recent result was well received by the market, but short sellers may still have concerns over its valuation, auto market conditions, and the potential impact of artificial intelligence on online classifieds over time.
• Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) has seen its short interest rise to 11.8%. Short sellers may be targeting the Penfolds owner due to weak luxury wine demand, excess supply in the Americas, and uncertainty around the pace of its recovery.
• Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) has 11.3% of its shares held short, which is down slightly week on week. This uranium producer continues to be targeted despite a positive update. This suggests that short sellers may still be wary of execution risk and uranium market volatility.
• Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) has seen its short interest fall to 11%. This elevated short interest may be due to concerns over pressure in leisure travel, softer consumer spending, and the company's ability to keep improving margins.
• PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) has entered the top ten with short interest of 10.7%. Short sellers may be expecting a slower recovery in prices for the battery-making ingredient, which could weigh on earnings and cash flow.
• Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD) has also entered the top ten with short interest of 10.6%. This agribusiness company may be attracting short sellers due to uncertainty around rural conditions, farmer spending, and the timing of an earnings recovery.

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

To help you figure things out, let's look at three ASX shares that experts are tipping as sells this week, courtesy of The Bull. 

Here's what they are saying:

CAR Group Ltd (ASX: CAR)

The team at Alto Capital is bearish on auto listings company CAR Group.

While it was pleased with its performance in FY 2026, it isn't a fan of its valuation and believes the risk-reward is unfavourable for investors. It said:

CAR Group operates leading digital automotive markets in Australia and internationally. It delivered another strong result in fiscal year 2026. Reported revenue of $A1.253 billion was up 6 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Reported net profit after tax of $A314 million was up 14 per cent. International operations continue to generate attractive long term growth and management expects further revenue growth in fiscal year 2027. 

However, the company's strong operating performance is increasingly reflected in its valuation, which requires sustained double digit growth and continuing successful international execution. In our view, the risk-reward balance in response to valuation supports a lighten recommendation.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

Red Leaf Securities has named CBA shares as a sell this week. While it acknowledges that CBA deserves to trade at a premium to peers, it believes a substantial re-rating leaves little room for disappointment. 

As a result, Red Leaf thinks investors should consider taking profit and focusing on areas with more reasonable valuations. It said:

CBA shares deserves to trade at a premium given its dominant retail franchise, strong technology platform, solid deposit base and consistent execution. However, Australian banking remains a mature industry, with intense competition across mortgages and deposits limiting the potential for outsized earnings growth. 

At a premium valuation, investors are paying a higher price for quality, leaving little room for disappointment. After a substantial re-rating, investors may be better served taking some profits and reallocating capital towards businesses offering stronger growth at more reasonable valuations.

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC)

The team at Red Leaf has also named Westpac shares as a sell this week.

It highlights the increasingly competitive environment as a reason to be cautious, especially given its valuation. It commented:

The bank remains well capitalised and continues to generate solid earnings, but the operating environment is becoming increasingly competitive. Mortgage pricing is aggressive, deposit competition remains intense and the scope for sustained margin expansion appears limited. Westpac's dividend remains attractive, but investors should also consider opportunity cost. We believe there are more compelling opportunities on the ASX, which offer stronger structural growth or more attractive valuations.

The post Experts name CBA and these ASX shares as sells today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

As earnings season continues, three experts give us their views on three ASX shares.

Let's check them out. 

Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

The Hub24 share price is $76.47, down 4.1% today and down 27% over 12 months. 

Morgans has an accumulate rating on this ASX 200 financial share after reviewing the company's FY26 report.

The broker said: 

HUB's FY26 Group result was largely in line with expectations with underlying EBITDA of A$211.4m, up 30% on pcp, consistent with MorgansF/Consensus A$212m, and underlying NPAT of A$137.3m slightly ahead of MorgansF A$131.9m.

Platform EBITDA however fell short of expectations due to slower revenue momentum in 2H26, which was outpaced by 2H26 Platform Opex growth.

HUB's FY28 FUA target of A$186-200bn points to FY28 net flows of ~A$18-19bn, however momentum through to Aug'26 appears to be running behind this due to elevated discretionary gross outflows.

Whilst the timing of this roll-off remains uncertain, we see this as a near-term headwind and likely to abate, although it does suggest FY27 flows will track lower than FY26 (particularly vs. 1H26).

Car Group Ltd (ASX: CAR)

The Car share price is $28.40, down 2.1% today and down 31% over 12 months. 

On The Bull this week, Tom Fairchild from Lazarus Capital Partners gives Car shares a hold rating.

After reviewing Car Group's FY26 report, Fairchild said: 

This global digital car market business enjoys first mover advantage.

Investors reacted positively to the company's full year results. Reported revenue of $A1.253 billion was up 6 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Reported net profit after tax of $A314 million was up 14 per cent.

The company expects to generate high single digit revenue growth in Australia in fiscal year 2027 and double digit revenue growth in constant currency in North America and Latin America.

The company is resilient through economic cycles and offers excellent brand value.

Baby Bunting Group Ltd (ASX: BBN)

The Baby Bunting share price is $1.30, up 3.4% today and down 47% over 12 months. 

Andrew Wielandt from DP Wealth Advisory has a sell rating on this ASX consumer discretionary share. 

Wielandt said: 

In June 2026, the specialty baby retailer downgraded full year guidance, citing softer trading in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Three interest rate rises in the second half of 2026 and higher fuel prices weighed on consumer spending and lifted distribution costs.

Also, the company is up against fierce competition.

Given industry and retail trends, I expect BBN to face challenging times moving forward, at least in the short term.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Car Group, Baby Bunting, Hub24 shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Today, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) share owns leading automotive marketplaces across several major international markets.

I think that global expansion could give the company plenty more room to grow over the next decade.

The model has travelled well

What first catches my attention is that CAR Group has managed to take what worked in Australia and build a much larger international business around it.

The company now operates major marketplaces in Australia, South Korea, Brazil, and North America. Importantly, management says its brands hold the number-one audience position in each market where they operate.

That scale can create a powerful cycle.

Car buyers gravitate towards marketplaces with plenty of vehicles to choose from. Dealers want to advertise where the buyers are. More dealers then bring more inventory, giving consumers another reason to return.

CAR Group now attracts an average monthly audience of around 52 million people across its marketplaces. I think that figure is worth highlighting because it shows how far the opportunity has expanded beyond Australia.

There is also still room to build more services around these audiences, rather than relying solely on charging for vehicle advertisements.

It can become more valuable to dealers

I think the next stage of this ASX 200 share's story could increasingly be about helping dealers run their businesses.

The company already sits between dealers and millions of potential buyers, giving it access to information about vehicle demand, pricing, enquiries, and how quickly particular cars sell.

It is now using that data to develop tools that can help dealers decide which vehicles to acquire, how to price them, and which enquiries deserve the most attention.

That moves CAR Group further into the daily operations of its customers.

For me, this could strengthen the relationship considerably. A dealer using the platform to advertise vehicles is valuable. A dealer relying on CAR Group to source inventory, set prices, manage leads, and improve turnover could be worth much more over time.

AI could strengthen an advantage it already has

Artificial intelligence (AI) provides another opportunity, although I think CAR Group's approach is more interesting than simply adding an AI feature to its website.

The company has decades of proprietary information covering listings, prices, enquiries, consumer behaviour, and vehicle transactions across its markets. Management is using this data to power its own AI platform.

The early applications are practical.

Its conversational search tool is helping people find vehicles using natural language, while AI is also being used to improve dealer listings, respond to enquiries, and provide pricing intelligence. CAR Group says users of its AI-led search are four times more likely to submit a lead.

I think this is where the company's scale becomes particularly valuable. The technology itself will continue evolving, but CAR Group owns data and customer relationships that have taken years to build.

That could allow AI to make an already strong marketplace more effective rather than forcing the company to create an entirely new business.

Foolish takeaway

CAR Group is the sort of ASX 200 share I find increasingly attractive the further ahead I look.

It has already shown that its marketplace model can succeed internationally, and the opportunity is now expanding into dealer technology, transactions, data, and AI.

If CAR Group keeps becoming more important to both buyers and sellers, I think today's business could look surprisingly small compared with what it becomes by 2036.

That is a growth story I would be happy to buy and give plenty of time.

The post Could this ASX 200 share be one of the best long-term buys? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

There are plenty of businesses out there that have been rated as a buy by an analyst. But there are not many that have received numerous buy ratings.

Let's look at two of the most heavily-backed ideas out there right now.

CAR Group Ltd (ASX: CAR)

CAR Group describes itself as a global digital marketplace business for vehicles. It has a presence in Australia (Carsales), South Korea (Encar), the US (Trader Interactive), Chile (Chileautos) and Brazil (Webmotors).

According to the Commsec collation of analyst opinions, there are currently 13 buy ratings and three hold ratings on the business, with no sell ratings. It's one of the businesses with the most buy ratings right now on the ASX.

The ASX share recently reported its FY26 result, which included solid growth.

Reported revenue increased 6% to $1.25 billion, adjusted operating profit (EBITDA) grew 9% to $700 million and reported net profit after tax (NPAT) rose 14% to $314 million. The company's full-year dividend was hiked by 8% to 86 cents per share.

In Australia, revenue increased 7% and adjusted EBITDA grew 8%. In North America, revenue rose 12% and adjusted EBITDA increased 12%. Latin American revenue grew by 19%, and adjusted EBITDA rose by 23%. In Asia, revenue increased by 15%, and adjusted EBITDA increased by 14%.

Carsales has provided compelling, pleasing guidance for FY27. Revenue is expected to grow by between 11% to 14%, adjusted EBITDA could grow by 10% to 13% and adjusted net profit may rise by between 9% to 12%.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

Goodman is one of Australia's real estate businesses, which owns industrial properties across a number of markets, including Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe, the UK and the Americas.

According to Commsec's collation of analyst opinions, there are currently 12 buy ratings and two hold ratings on Goodman shares.

Goodman reported that as at 31 March 2026, it had a total portfolio value of $87.1 billion and $14.5 billion of development work in progress (WIP).

The ASX share noted that it has an annualised production rate of $6 billion, with a yield on cost (YOC) of 8% on the current WIP. Goodman is increasingly investing its development dollars in data centres, which currently account for 73% of WIP.

It's expecting to grow operating earnings per security (EPS) in FY26 by 9%, which I'd describe as a solid improvement for a real estate business.

The post 2 ASX shares highly recommended to buy: Experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

That's because I believe it is 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, listed below are the 10 most shorted shares on the ASX this week according to ASIC.

The top 10 most shorted ASX shares

• DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) remains at the top of the table with short interest of 15.7%, which is up again week on week. Short sellers may still have concerns over the ASIC investigation into the counter-drone technology company, as well as valuation risk.
• Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) has seen its short interest rise to 12.7%. This suggests some short sellers remain unconvinced by the pizza chain operator's turnaround plans, particularly given its store closures, write-downs, and the challenge of restoring sales momentum.
• Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) has short interest of 12%, which is down slightly week on week. Short sellers may still have doubts over whether the uranium miner can deliver consistently from Honeymoon and support a stronger production outlook beyond the next couple of years.
• 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) has seen its short interest fall materially to 11.8%. However, the medical technology company remains heavily shorted due to its elevated valuation and modest revenue base. FY 2026 revenue came in at just $7.2 million.
• Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) has 11.6% of its shares held short, which is down slightly week on week. Short sellers may be focused on pressure in leisure travel, softer consumer spending, and the disruption caused by the Middle East conflict.
• Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) has 11.5% of its shares held short, which is down week on week. This uranium producer continues to be targeted despite a positive quarterly update, which suggests short sellers may still be wary of execution risk and uranium market volatility.
• Lotus Resources Ltd (ASX: LOT) has seen its short interest fall to 11.3%. Some short sellers appear to have closed positions after the uranium developer's deeply discounted capital raising and heavy share price decline.
• CAR Group Limited (ASX: CAR) has short interest of 11.3%, which is down week on week. Its recent result was well received by the market, but short sellers may still have concerns over the long-term impact of artificial intelligence on online classifieds.
• Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) has seen its short interest ease again to 11%. Regulatory uncertainty appears to remain a key concern, with investors watching closely for progress across the radiopharmaceuticals company's US approval pipeline.
• Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) has returned to the top ten with short interest of 10.9%. Short sellers may be targeting the Penfolds owner due to weak luxury wine demand, excess supply in the Americas, and the uncertainty created by its latest restructuring.

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

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:

CAR Group Limited (ASX: CAR)

According to a note out of Morgans, its analysts have retained their buy rating on this auto listings company's shares with an improved price target of $34.00. This follows the release of an FY 2026 result that the broker notes was solid overall and broadly in line with expectations. It highlights that CAR Group delivered double-digit constant-currency growth in revenue and EBITDA across its offshore regions. Looking ahead, it points out that the company's guidance implies double-digit revenue and EBITDA growth will be maintained into FY 2027. In light of this, Morgans remains positive on CAR Group's investment thesis. The CAR Group share price ended the week at $30.10.

Premier Investments Ltd (ASX: PMV)

A note out of Bell Potter reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating on this retailer's shares with a reduced price target of $16.50. The broker notes that Premier Investments' trading update saw Premier Retail EBIT come in at ~$176 million, which is a ~3% miss to consensus estimates. Despite this, the broker believes that there is an investment opportunity here, highlighting that its shares are significantly undervalued. And while it suspects there could be a period of slow growth in the near to medium term, it believes this is more than priced in. Bell Potter points out that it estimates there is a ~$1.6 billion enterprise value for the key Peter Alexander brand versus the company's $1.9b market capitalisation. The Premier Investments share price was fetching $12.52 at Friday's close.

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE)

Another note out of Morgans reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating on this wine giant's shares with a new price target of $7.30. This follows the release of FY 2026 results, which came in above the top end of its original EBITS guidance range. In addition, the Penfolds owner's net profit beat consensus expectations. And while FY 2027 is a transition year, Morgans thinks its guidance will still prove conservative and could be upgraded at the half-year result given the progress on inventory rebalancing and the strong depletions growth across key brands. In light of this, the broker sees value in the company's shares at current levels. The Treasury Wine share price ended the week at $5.91.

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

After opening sharply lower this morning, the ASX 200 stayed in red territory all day and ended up closing with a substantial 0.8% loss. That leaves the index at 9,115.2 points as we head into the weekend.

Today's rough end to the trading week for local investors follows a notably more positive night up on Wall Street.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) overcame a mid-session dip to finish up a lucky 0.13%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did better, enjoying a 0.81% rise.

But let's get back to the local boards now and check out how today's selling filtered down into the various ASX sectors this Friday.

Winners and losers

There were still a few sectors that managed to come out ahead this session.

But first, it was mining stocks that were the hardest-hit corner of the market today. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) was slammed, tanking 2.58%.

Gold shares weren't much better, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) plunging 2.38%.

Industrial stocks didn't get a reprieve either. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) cratered 1.38% this session.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) weren't popular, as you can tell by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 0.78% dive.

Nor were healthcare shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) had tumbled 0.68% by the end of trading.

Energy stocks did better, but the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) was still walked back by 0.31%.

Financial shares were in that ballpark, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) slid 0.12% lower this Friday.

But that's it for the red sectors, so let's get to the good stuff.

Leading the winners today were tech stocks, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 2.83% surge.

Utilities shares also ran hot. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) enjoyed a 1.03% jump today.

Communications stocks were in demand as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) lifting 0.47%.

As were consumer discretionary shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) advanced 0.28% over today's trading.

Finally, consumer staples stocks escaped unscathed, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.14% improvement.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

This Friday's index winner was classifieds stock Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK). Seek shares roared 9.13% higher this session to close the week at $15.18 each.

This came despite no fresh news. Perhaps it was a reobund after the big drops we saw earlier in the week, or perhaps a reaction to a buy rating from a broker.

Here's the rest of today's best:

Enjoy the weekend!

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

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

Here's why it is bullish on these names:

CAR Group Limited (ASX: CAR)

Morgans thinks this auto listings company's shares are good value. In response to its FY 2026 results, the broker has retained its buy rating with an improved price target of $34.00. This compares to its current share price of $28.54. It said:

CAR's FY26 result was solid overall and broadly in line with expectations. Double-digit constant-currency (c/c) growth in revenue and EBITDA across its offshore regions (US, LatAm, South Korea) was a highlight. Guidance implies double-digit revenue and EBITDA growth (c/c) is maintained into FY27, with investment in key growth regions/AI/product ongoing. We remain positive on CAR's investment thesis. Buy. Price target A$34.00 (previously A$33.40).

Meeka Metals Ltd (ASX: MEK)

This gold miner has caught the eye of Morgans. It was pleased enough with its quarterly update and expects the company to rebound after a tough second half. As a result, the broker has retained its buy rating with a 31 cents price target. This compares to its latest share price of just 11 cents. Morgans said:

We recently attended a site visit to MEK's Murchison Gold Project (MGP) following the release of its 4Q26 result. Whilst the Q4 result rounded out a tougher 2H26, we think MEK is well positioned to rebound in FY27 as Andy Well continues to ramp up in H1, followed by first ore out of Turnberry in Q3. The site visit took us underground at Andy Well, through the adjacent processing plant, and to the concluding open pit operations at Turnberry. 

We view the transition to a pure owner-operator underground model as a clear point of differentiation for MEK as it enters FY27. Following an analyst change, we retain a BUY rating with a TP of A$0.31 per share.

SGH Ltd (ASX: SGH)

A third ASX share that has been given a buy rating by Morgans is diversified investment company SGH. The broker has a $50.00 price target on its shares, which compares favourably to its current share price of $41.02. 

Commenting on its recommendation, Morgans said:

SGH's share price closed down 10% following the release of forward guidance, which sees EBIT forecast to be flat or increase low single-digits through FY27. While management is firm in their aspiration to compound EBIT/EPS 10% (pa) through the cycle, this is unlikely in FY27 as growth in the 12-months ahead remains more incremental, than transformational, and M&A (c.50% of their growth target) is elusive. 

Given we suspected FY27 would be a year of consolidation, we are prepared to look through to the growth in FY28 (FY28 EBITg: 14%) coming from Crux, potential property realisations, and M&A. Buy retained, with a $50/sh price target.

The post Morgans names 3 ASX shares to buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Three ASX shares that have fared well and been given buy ratings by the broker are named below. 

Here's what it is recommending to clients:

CAR Group Limited (ASX: CAR)

Bell Potter was pleased with this auto listings company's FY 2026 results. It highlights that "CAR reported a solid FY26 result in-line with BPe and consensus."

In light of this, the broker has retained its buy rating on CAR Group shares with a $34.60 price target. Commenting on its recommendation, Bell Potter said:

CAR's result and outlook reinforces our thesis of a preferred risk-adjusted earnings profile due to a geographically diversified network of auto and non-auto classifieds platforms, which generate cash flows to support growth investment and shareholder returns simultaneously. CAR is proactively implementing AI solutions across its platforms and geographies on top of a technical eco-system integrated into Dealer management workflows, network effect and unique data sets. Retain Buy.

Chrysos Corporation Ltd (ASX: C79)

This mining technology company delivered a result a touch short of expectations in FY 2026. The broker highlights that "underlying EBITDA of $27.2m (BPe $28.9m; VA $28.5m), up 69% YoY."

Despite this, Bell Potter has retained its buy rating with an improved price target of $8.70 (from $7.80). It commented:

C79's three-year installation target restores some confidence in management's ability to elevate unit deployment cadence, a key tenet of our Buy thesis. Progressing this target over time should support a valuation re-rate, in our view.

Life360 Inc. (ASX: 360)

This location technology company's shares were sold off yesterday following the release of its quarterly update. Bell Potter notes that "key metrics of average revenue per paying circle (ARPPC) and annualised monthly revenue (AMR) were both modestly below our forecasts."

Nevertheless, it remains very positive on Life360 shares and has retained its buy rating with a slightly trimmed price target of $34.00 (from $35.00). It said:

There is negligible change (i.e. <1%) in our revenue and adjusted EBITDA forecasts in 2026, 2027 and 2028. We continue to be around the middle of both the revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance ranges in 2026. […] We retain our BUY recommendation and note we expect the buyback to be more active this quarter after only modestly commencing last quarter.

The post Bell Potter names 3 ASX shares to buy after results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

That rally extends a recovery which began in late July, a great turnaround for a stock that spent most of 2026 going backwards.

So does a single strong result change the investment case?

What the FY26 numbers showed

Revenue came in at $1,253 million, up 6% in reported terms and 12% on a proforma constant currency basis.

Net profit after tax rose 14% to $314 million, whilst adjusted net profit reached $407 million, an increase of 8%.

The board declared a final dividend of 43.5 cents per share, franked at 30%. That takes the full-year dividend to 86.0 cents, up 8% on FY25.

EBITDA to operating cash flow conversion stood at 100%, which is about as clean a result as you can get.

Every geographic segment grew.

Australian revenue rose 7%, North America delivered 12% constant currency growth, Latin America managed 19%, and Asia added 15%.

The Australian business also launched Nexgate, a new platform aimed at dealers, opening up new future growth catalysts for the company.

Group EBITDA margins held at 56% despite heavy investment in artificial intelligence.

Why CAR Group shares rallied on the result

The market was not only rewarding the FY26 figures.

It was also responding to what management said about the year ahead.

CAR Group guided to FY27 revenue growth of 11% to 14% and adjusted EBITDA growth of 10% to 13%, both in constant currency terms.

For a stock that had been priced as though artificial intelligence would eventually eat its classifieds business, double-digit guidance across every region serves as a direct rebuttal.

Investors had been braced for something considerably worse.

What the broker community is saying

Bell Potter found the result broadly in line with both its own numbers and consensus.

The broker noted a healthy balance sheet, with $326 million of cash, $1.2 billion of net debt and leverage at 1.7 times EBITDA.

That was achieved despite $306 million of dividends and $202 million of bolt-on acquisitions during the year.

Bell Potter retained its buy rating and a $34.60 price target.

However, the broker does expect margin pressure to persist in North America and Asia as the company invests more for market share.

The offset should come from operating leverage in Australia and Latin America.

Are CAR Group shares a buy today?

The bull case is pretty clear.

This is a collection of dominant marketplaces across four regions, compounding revenue at double digits, converting essentially all of its EBITDA into cash, and lifting its dividend.

The bear case is equally important to consider.

Car Group shares have already recovered a large chunk of their decline in a matter of weeks, so the easy money has arguably been made.

Currency also remains a headwind, with management flagging a roughly 2% drag on FY26 and a similar impact expected in the year ahead.

Foolish takeaway

I think the FY26 results did exactly the job they needed to do.

They demonstrated that the international businesses are working, and that AI fears have not yet dented growth.

CAR Group shares still sit well below where they traded a year ago, which leaves room to run if guidance is delivered.

The risk is that a company guiding to double-digit growth has very little tolerance for a stumble.

For long-term investors, the half-year result in February will be the next test for CAR shares and the optimism around them.

The post Are CAR Group shares finally a buy after strong results? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

To narrow things down, let's look at three that Bell Potter has just named as buys. Here's what it is recommending:

CAR Group Limited (ASX: CAR)

Bell Potter thinks this auto listings company's shares are in the buy zone with a price target of $34.60.

It was pleased with its performance in FY 2026 and believes it supports its bullish view on the stock. The broker explains:

CAR's result and outlook reinforces our thesis of a preferred risk-adjusted earnings profile due to a geographically diversified network of auto and non-auto classifieds platforms, which generate cash flows to support growth investment and shareholder returns simultaneously. CAR is proactively implementing AI solutions across its platforms and geographies on top of a technical eco-system integrated into Dealer management workflows, network effect and unique data sets

As for income, Bell Potter is forecasting partially franked dividend yields of 3.2% in FY 2027 and then 3.6% in FY 2028.

Dexus Convenience Retail REIT (ASX: DXC)

The broker remains positive on this REIT following its FY 2026 results. In response, it has retained its buy rating and $3.15 price target.  

Bell Potter thinks that FY 2027 will be the bottom for the company and that it is onwards and upwards from there. But in the meantime, it still expects some very big dividend yields. The broker explains:

We believe FY27 FFO guidance of 20.4c marks a trough, with the -2.3% decline reflecting rising debt costs, not softening fundamentals. Growth should resume in FY28 as rate headwinds fade and rent reviews/development upside/buyback accretion flow through, supported by balance sheet capacity. The shift toward nonfuel/QSR improves diversity of income. We see DXC as undervalued, trading at a 30% discount to NTA and 7.8% yield vs 5.9% sector avg.

As mentioned above, Bell Potter expects dividend yields of 7.8% in both FY 2027 and FY 2028.

Nick Scali Limited (ASX: NCK)

Bell Potter was reasonably pleased with this furniture retailer's FY 2026 results, noting that its profit was in line with expectations thanks to strong gross margins and better than expected profitability in the UK. 

This saw the broker retain its buy rating on the ASX dividend share with a trimmed price target of $21.00. It commented:

Our TP decreases by 5% to $21.00 driven by mid-term earnings revisions however with some offset from our long-term UK profitability expectations and time creep. Our target P/E multiple remains unchanged at 23x on a FY27e basis. With a cautiously optimistic view on the broader Consumer Discretionary sector and looking through to CY27 opportunities, we see NCK's gross margins better placed vs our coverage in a potential downside than expected in our revenue assumptions. We view NCK among the highest quality retailers in our coverage and UK offering sufficient growth levers.

With respect to income, Bell Potter is forecasting fully franked dividend yields of 4.5% in FY 2027 and then 4.9% in FY 2028.

The post Bell Potter names 3 ASX dividend shares to buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

ASX 200 to edge lower

The Australian share market looks set for a subdued session on Tuesday following a poor night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 4 points lower. In the United States, the Dow Jones fell 0.1%, the S&P 500 edged 0.05% lower, and the Nasdaq dropped 0.3%.

Buy CAR Group shares

CAR Group Limited (ASX: CAR) shares are good value according to Bell Potter. This morning, in response to the auto listings company's results, the broker has retained its buy rating and $34.60 price target on its shares. It said: "CAR's result and outlook reinforces our thesis of a preferred risk-adjusted earnings profile due to a geographically diversified network of auto and non-auto classifieds platforms, which generate cash flows to support growth investment and shareholder returns simultaneously."

Oil prices jump

ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a strong session on Tuesday after oil prices jumped overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 5.1% to US$82.17 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 5% to US$87.73 a barrel. This was driven by doubts over the prospects of a US-Iran deal for the Strait of Hormuz.

Gold price rises again

ASX 200 gold shares Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) and Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) could have a positive session after the gold price rose overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 1.1% to US$4,449.6 an ounce. Traders continue to bid gold prices higher on reducing interest rate bets.

ASX 200 results

A number of ASX 200 shares will be releasing results today and will be worth watching closely. This includes diversified investment company SGH Ltd (ASX: SGH), lenders mortgage insurance provider Helia Group Ltd (ASX: HLI), automotive retailer Amotiv Ltd (ASX: AOV), and location technology company Life360 Inc. (ASX: 360). Bell Potter expects the latter to outperform paying circle expectations with the addition of 155,000 new paid users (vs consensus estimate of 135,000).

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