But investors don't have to settle for that.

Not when there are ASX 300 shares out there with the potential to deliver outsized returns over the next 12 months.

But which share could be a buy? Bell Potter thinks the one in this article is worth considering.

Which ASX 300 share?

Bell Potter is recommending GenusPlus Group Ltd (ASX: GNP) shares to clients. 

It is an Australian infrastructure services provider specialising in the end-to-end design, construction, and maintenance of electrical transmission networks, substations, battery energy storage systems, and telecommunications infrastructure.

Bell Potter highlights that the ASX 300 share has started FY 2027 in a positive fashion. It said:

GNP has started FY27 on a strong footing with several contract awards. We estimate GNP has converted 10% of its $3.6b FY26 tender pipeline value this financial year so far; the company has averaged a 62% conversion rate over FY23-FY25. Accounting for the recent contract awards, our FY27-28 revenue forecasts are now 5% and 18% uncontracted, respectively, compared with 7% and 24% previously. We make no changes to our forecasts in this report.

One contract is from mining giant Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) and is estimated to be worth $55 million. It adds:

GNP has been awarded ~$350m of contracts this financial year to date. Firstly, GNP was contracted to construct the 220kV Millstream Substation expansion in the Pilbara region of WA by Rio Tinto, with the work package valued at ~$55m. Works are scheduled to complete in mid-CY28

Big potential returns

According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating and $12.80 price target on the ASX 300 share.

Based on its current share price of $9.67, this implies potential upside of 32% for investors over the next 12 months.

Speaking about its buy recommendation, the broker said:

GNP is working through a record tender pipeline valued at $3.6b (as at FY26; up 50% YoY) across the transmission, BESS, rail and wind farm construction markets. GNP's FY27 PE of 19.1x is undemanding; we see potential for a re-rate towards 22-24x in the near-term, a justified premium to the peer group average. Catalysts to drive this multiple re-rate include: 1) a guidance upgrade (we view the FY27 guidance as conservative); 2) strong conversion of the tender pipeline; and 3) further M&A.

The post Why this ASX 300 share could rise 32% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Friday and end the week on a high? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to fall

The Australian share market looks set for another poor session on Friday following a mixed night of trade in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 28 points or 0.3% lower this morning. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones was down 0.3%, the S&P 500 edged lower, and the Nasdaq rose slightly.

Oil prices rise

ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) could have a good finish to the week after oil prices rose overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 2.9% to US$94.80 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 3.85% to US$107.06 a barrel. This was despite reports of talks for a phased reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Buy Premier Investments shares

The Premier Investments Ltd (ASX: PMV) share price could be cheap according to Bell Potter. In response to its results release, the broker has retained its buy rating with a trimmed price target of $15.50. It said: "While we expect a period of slow growth for PMV near to medium term, we view PMV's forward multiple as attractive considering the Premier Retail division together with PMV's equity investments, land bank and cash position while retaining a strong balance sheet supportive of M&A. Our SOTP sees an attractive ~$1.6b EV for the key PA brand vs PMV's $1.9b market capitalization."

Gold price edges lower

ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) could have a soft finish to the week after the gold price edged lower overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 0.15% to US$4,310.1 an ounce. A rise in bond yields to fresh highs put pressure on the gold price.

GenusPlus shares given buy rating

The team at Bell Potter is also recommending GenusPlus Group Ltd (ASX: GNP) shares as a buy. This morning, the broker has retained its buy rating and $12.80 price target on the infrastructure services provider's shares. It said: "GNP is working through a record tender pipeline valued at $3.6b (as at FY26; up 50% YoY) across the transmission, BESS, rail and wind farm construction markets. GNP's FY27 PE of 19.1x is undemanding; we see potential for a re-rate towards 22-24x in the near-term, a justified premium to the peer group average. Catalysts to drive this multiple re-rate include: 1) a guidance upgrade (we view the FY27 guidance as conservative); 2) strong conversion of the tender pipeline; and 3) further M&A."

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

What did GenusPlus report?

• TasNetworks has issued a Notice to Proceed to GenusPlus for the Construction Phase of NWTD Stage 1
• Construction work is set to commence immediately and is planned for completion in 2029
• Total project value is approximately $750 million, including Early Works and Early Contractor Involvement phases ($122 million)
• The project covers essential power infrastructure in Tasmania

What else do investors need to know?

The announcement follows several earlier updates from GenusPlus about its agreements with TasNetworks, most recently on 8 May 2026. The project is a major contract win for GenusPlus and represents a significant milestone in its growth, given the scale and long-term nature of the work.

GenusPlus is set to play a central role in delivering critical infrastructure for Tasmania, aiming to create local employment and engage Tasmanian suppliers. This contract demonstrates the company's ongoing strength in the utilities and infrastructure sector across Australia.

What did GenusPlus management say?

GenusPlus Managing Director, David Riches, said:

Genus has worked closely with TasNetworks to reach this important milestone; and with the start of construction imminent we're proud to move into the next phase of delivering this critical infrastructure for Tasmania and Australia. We're committed to creating opportunities for Tasmanians throughout the project, from employing local people to engaging Tasmanian business and suppliers. By combining Genus' capability and experience with local knowledge and expertise, we can deliver lasting value for the community.

What's next for GenusPlus?

GenusPlus will now shift focus to delivering the construction phase of the TasNetworks NWTD project, with works scheduled until 2029. The company looks set to benefit from its expanded role as an essential service provider in the power and infrastructure sector.

Investors can expect ongoing updates on project milestones and further information about GenusPlus' strategy to collaborate with local businesses and deliver benefits to both Tasmania and broader Australia.

GenusPlus share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, GenusPlus shares have risen 66%, outperforming the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO).

View Original Announcement

The post GenusPlus gets green light for $750m TasNetworks build appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

In good news for prospective investors, price targets now indicate almost 50% upside. 

Here is what the broker had to say. 

Cedar Woods Properties Ltd (ASX: CWP)

The Australian property development company reported its full-year results yesterday.

Overall, the broker believes Cedar Woods delivered a stronger-than-expected FY26, with NPAT growth of 36%, ahead of its 30% to 35% guidance. 

Management guided to 15% NPAT growth in FY27, well above Bell Potter's prior 7.3% forecast and consensus at 7.9%.

CWP is well placed to weather a weaker residential sales environment with FY27 and FY28 revenues 90% and c. 40% (BPe) de-risked, as well as modest gearing (18%). Beyond FY27, we see +5.9% NPAT growth in FY28 as settlement volumes continue to grow and margins remain broadly steady.

Based on this guidance, Bell Potter retained its buy recommendation and increased its price target to $9.80 (previously $9.30). 

From current levels, this indicates an upside potential of roughly 27% for these ASX shares.  

GenusPlus Group Ltd (ASX: GNP)

GenusPlus Group is an Australian infrastructure services provider specialising in the end-to-end design, construction, and maintenance of electrical transmission networks, substations, battery energy storage systems, and telecommunications infrastructure.

The company released full-year results yesterday, which included record revenue of $1.281 billion, surging 70.5% year on year, and normalised EBITDA of $100.8 million, up by nearly 50%.

The team at Bell Potter viewed the result as largely positive, with recurring revenue set to rise sharply to $764 million, a $2.2 billion orderbook, and $3.6 billion tender pipeline, while the balance sheet strengthened significantly to $380 million net cash.

GNP enters FY27 with a materially higher tender pipeline of $3.6b (vs $2.6b at 31December 2025) across the transmission, BESS, rail and wind development markets. GNP's FY27 PE of 17.9x is undemanding; we see potential for a re-rate towards 20-22x in the short-term, a justified premium to the peer group average.

The broker retained its buy recommendation on these ASX shares, and has a $12.80 price target, indicating 47% upside from current levels. 

Propel Funeral Partners Ltd (ASX: PFP)

Propel Funeral Partners also reported full-year results yesterday.

The company posted FY26 revenue of $226.6 million, and declared a fully-franked final dividend of 6.9 cents per share.

Bell Potter said this came in at the mid-point of the guidance. 

The broker has retained its buy recommendation, and now has a $3.70 price target on these ASX shares. 

This indicates 16% upside from current levels. 

The post Three ASX shares set to rise up to 47% – Expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did GenusPlus Group report?

• Revenue was $1.281 billion, up 70.5% from FY2025's $751.3 million
• Normalised EBITDA grew 49.6% to $100.8 million
• Underlying NPAT rose 44% to $54.7 million
• Operating cash inflow reached $194.0 million
• Total dividends for FY2026 were 5.6 cents per share, fully franked, up 55.6%
• Orderbook sits at $2.2 billion (excluding recurring revenue)

What else do investors need to know?

GenusPlus finished the financial year with a strong cash balance of $476 million, boosted by a successful $195.6 million equity raise completed in May 2026. The funding supported the acquisition of MPK, which was completed on 1 July 2026, further strengthening GenusPlus' east coast presence and broadening its service offering.

The company also reported ongoing integration of recent acquisitions, including MPK and Commtel. These integrations are progressing as planned, with the MGC integration nearing completion and Commtel now operating under an improved management structure. GenusPlus continues to prioritise safety, achieving a Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate of 2.6 for FY2026

What did GenusPlus Group management say?

Managing Director David Riches said:

The business has delivered exceptional results in FY2026 with record revenue, EBITDA and NPAT. Additionally, the group continued to see a very strong orderbook with significant renewable energy and Rewiring the Nation projects moving into execution… Our staff are our key asset to drive the success of Genus.

What's next for GenusPlus Group?

GenusPlus is forecasting continued strong growth, with an EBITDA target of $200–205 million for FY2027. The company also expects recurring revenue to reach around $764 million next year, thanks to contributions from MPK. The business believes it is well positioned to benefit from Australia's energy network transition and increased demand from the data centre market.

Looking ahead, GenusPlus plans to keep investing in its east coast operations, explore more merger and acquisition opportunities, and continue growing its capabilities in gas, water, and rail. Its orderbook and pipeline of tendered work suggest further momentum for the business.

GenusPlus Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, GenusPlus shares have risen 91%, significantly outperforming the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post GenusPlus Group FY26 earnings: Record results and outlook appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Trading for 72 cents a share in late afternoon trade on Monday, Monash IVF shares have gained more than 22% since market close on 19 November. For some context, the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) has gained 3.6% over this same time.

Atop that share price rebound, Monash IVF also paid out a 1.2 cent per share fully franked dividend to eligible stockholders on 10 April.

If we add that back in to Tuesday's share price, then the accumulated value of the stock is up 24.1% since 19 November.

Looking ahead, however, Bell Potter Securities' Christopher Watt forecasts a more difficult run over the coming months (courtesy of The Bull).

Time to exit this ASX All Ords healthcare share?

"The fertility services company recently downgraded fiscal year 2026 guidance," Watt said. "It now expects underlying net profit after tax [NPAT] to range between $17 million and $18 million."

Monash IVF reported that adjustment, down from prior FY 2026 NPAT guidance of $20 million, on 12 June.

Management noted that the primary driver for the lowered FY 2026 earnings outlook was lower than expected Australian assisted reproductive technology (ART) market activity in the second half of the financial year.

Addressing the slowdown, Monash IVF CEO Victoria Atkinson said "Monash IVF has increased its Australian stimulated cycle market share during this period and has taken steps to reduce costs and improve operational performance."

But Bell Potter's Watt still foresees potential headwinds over the medium-term.

Summarising his sell recommendation on the ASX All Ords healthcare share, Watt said:

Across the Australian market, stimulated cycle volumes were down 4.7% on a rolling three-month basis to the end of April when compared to the prior corresponding period. Cost-of-living pressures and declining birth rates are structural headwinds for the whole industry.

New leadership has a genuine reset opportunity, but until there's evidence of an industry-wide recovery, I remain cautious.

Consider this surging ASX stock instead

Rather than buying ASX All Ords healthcare share Monash IVF, Watt recommended that investors consider buying ASX energy services provider GenusPlus Group (ASX: GNP)

"GNP appeals following the acquisition of MPC Kinetic Holdings, which broadens the business beyond electrical infrastructure and into gas, water and renewable energy services," he said.

Summarising his buy recommendation on GenusPlus shares, Watt concluded:

The deal adds scale, recurring customer relationships and complementary civil capability, while also improving the earnings outlook. With upgraded guidance, manageable leverage and exposure to major infrastructure investment, GenusPlus remains well placed to deliver growth from existing operations and future contract wins.

With a strong contracted position and the tailwind of tighter east-coast gas, I believe there's still upside to consensus.

As of late trade on Monday, GenusPlus shares are up 180% over the past 12 months.

The post Up 21% since November, should I buy this dividend paying ASX All Ords healthcare share today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

During this time, the ASX stock has risen by a whopping 200%.

But if you thought it was too late to invest, think again!

That's because Bell Potter believes there's still plenty more upside for its shares from here.

What is this ASX stock?

GenusPlus Group is an Australian infrastructure services provider specialising in the end-to-end design, construction, and maintenance of electrical transmission networks, substations, battery energy storage systems, and telecommunications infrastructure.

It has just announced a binding agreement to acquire MPC Kinetic (MPK), which is an Australian infrastructure and energy services provider. It primarily operates in the onshore gas, water, and renewable energy sectors.

Bell Potter is positive on the deal and highlights its attractive transaction metrics. It said:

Assuming MPK achieves its maximum earn-out hurdle, GNP will purchase MPK for 5.7x FY27 EBIT (vs Industrial Services peer group average of 13.1x and GNP's pre-acquisition multiple of 17.7x). GNP's pro forma leverage is expected to be 0.39x EBITDA (assuming total consideration settled). FY26 EPS(A) accretion is forecast to be 45-53% based on the earn-out limits.

It also highlights that the transaction gives the ASX stock exposure to the attractive Australian domestic gas and LNG markets. It adds:

Strategic rationale: 1) Diversifies GNP's end-market exposures; 2) provides entry into the attractive Australian domestic gas and LNG markets, which are anticipated to be short supply in the long-term; and 3) MPK's Civil Balance of Plant (CBOP) services are complementary to GNP's Electrical Balance of Plant (EBOP) capabilities, enabling GNP to deliver a holistic service offering in the renewable energy sector.

Buy rating

According to the note, the broker has responded to the news by retaining its buy rating on the ASX stock with an improved price target of $12.00 (from $10.50).

Based on its current share price of $10.10, this implies potential upside of approximately 19% over the next 12 months.

And while dividends are expected to be paid over the period, the forecast dividend yield is only a modest 0.6%.

Overall, Bell Potter is a fan of the transaction to acquire MPK and sees upside risk to consensus estimates. It concludes:

The MPK acquisition is strategically compelling. GNP is well positioned to capitalise on rising spend in the onshore gas, renewable energy and water infrastructure sectors. GNP's NTM PE of 19.2x is undemanding. We continue to see further upside to consensus earnings expectations driven by potential contract awards for large transmission developments and further accretive acquisitions.

The post Up 200%! Is it too late to buy this ASX stock? Bell Potter says it isn't appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

However for those on the outside looking in, it can be difficult to know where the peak is. 

Yesterday, three ASX shares rocketed to new record highs: 

• GenusPlus Group Ltd (ASX: GNP)
• Smartgroup Corporation Ltd (ASX: SIQ)
• Anteris Technologies Ltd (ASX: AVR). 

Here is what pushed them to new highs, and what experts are anticipating in the near term. 

GenPlus completes $200 million placement

Investors were gobbling up GenPlus shares yesterday after the company announced it has raised $200 million by issuing around 21.6 million new shares at $9.25 each. 

The share price offered was slightly below the recent market price, which is common in capital raisings to attract investors. 

The funds will mainly be used to help finance Genus' acquisition of MPC Kinetic Holdings Pty Ltd, an infrastructure services business announced earlier this week. 

For investors, the announcement signals that Genus is pursuing growth through acquisition and that there was strong demand from professional investors for the raising. 

This sent GenPlus shares 2% higher to a new 52-week high of $9.95. 

Its share price has now risen 60% year to date. 

Recent targets from brokers indicate these ASX shares could continue to climb higher. 

Bell Potter recently placed a buy rating on the ASX industrials stock with a $10.50 price target. 

This indicates a further 5% upside. It has also generated a positive outlook from Wilson Asset Management (WAM).

SmartGroup rises on buyback news

SmartGroup shares hit a fresh yearly high of $11.54 yesterday after the company announced it was launching a $20 million share buyback.

The company provides specialist employee management services to organisations throughout Australia. The company's services include salary packaging, novated leasing, vehicle fleet management, payroll, employee share plan administration, and workforce optimisation.

The ASX 300 stock is engaging in the buyback after agreeing to sell the majority of its self‑funded fleet portfolio. That decision followed Smartgroup's fleet-funding partnership with Volkswagen Financial Services Australia in 2025.

Following yesterday's gain, it is now up 27% year to date. 

Unfortunately for prospective investors, these ASX shares now look close to fully valued. 

Bell Potter recently placed an $11.50 price target on SmartGroup shares, right around current levels. 

Anteris jumps 6% 

Anteris Technologies shares hit new record highs of $11.05 per share yesterday. 

This was despite no price sensitive news out of the healthcare stock.

Yesterday's 6% rise takes its year to date gain to 48%. 

Much of this has come following the company's quarterly results released on 13 May.

Experts are tipping this rise can continue. 

Five analyst forecasts via TradingView have an average one year price target of $20.41, indicating a further 85% upside from current levels. 

The post Which of these ASX shares hitting record highs is the best buy right now? 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:

Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT)

The Catapult Sports share price is up 10% to $3.17. Investors have been buying the sports technology company's shares today following the release of its FY 2026 results. Catapult delivered a result ahead of expectations across key metrics. For example, Bell Potter was forecasting management EBITDA of US$23 million, while noting consensus appeared to be closer to US$22.4 million. Catapult outperformed both with a 67% increase in management EBITDA to US$24.7 million. This was driven by a 28% increase in annualised contract value to US$133.8 million and an expanding contribution margin.

GenusPlus Group Ltd (ASX: GNP)

The GenusPlus share price is up 3% to $10.06. This follows the completion of the essential power and communications infrastructure provider's $200 million placement. GenusPlus raised the funds at a 5% discount of $9.25 per new share. The proceeds will be used to partly fund the transformational and highly accretive acquisition of MPC Kinetic. It is a leading provider of gas gathering and well maintenance services to tier one customers in the Queensland onshore gas sector, as well as construction services for renewable energy and major pipeline projects in Australia. Genus' managing director, David Riches, said: "I am very excited to announce the signing of this transformational transaction after a period of exclusive bilateral engagement with the vendors of MPK. The acquisition of MPK will be transformational for Genus."

Meeka Metals Ltd (ASX: MEK)

The Meeka Metals share price is up 4% to 12 cents. This follows the release of positive drilling results from the gold miner. Meeka Metals revealed that its first pass exploration drilling continues to hit gold at Rosapenna within the Fairway shear zone at the Murchison Gold Project. Meeka's managing director, Tim Davidson, said: "The strong gold results in this broad spaced, first pass exploration drilling highlights the broader growth opportunity available to us within a highly fertile but until now underexplored ~25km long belt of Archean greenstones."

TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE)

The TechnologyOne share price is up almost 8% to $29.99. Investors have been buying the enterprise software provider's shares on Wednesday after brokers responded positively to yesterday's half-year results. One of those is Bell Potter, which has retained its buy rating and $32.25 price target on its shares. It said: "There is perhaps a lack of short term catalysts for the stock but we believe the stock should continue to perform well given it is in our view the best positioned tech stock on the ASX to benefit from rather than be disrupted by AI. We also see very little if any downside risk to the guidance given the high level of SaaS and recurring revenue (c.93% of total revenue in H1), good visibility and strong pipeline."

The post Why Catapult, GenusPlus, Meeka Metals, and TechnologyOne shares are pushing higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

During morning trade, the ASX industrials stock jumped 6% to $9.74.

That continues what has already been a phenomenal run for shareholders. GenusPlus shares have now surged roughly 219% over the past 12 months, massively outperforming the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has gained just 4% over the same period.

So what exactly got investors excited today?

A major acquisition move

The biggest catalyst was GenusPlus' announcement of the acquisition of MPC Kinetic (MPK), a major infrastructure contractor operating across the gas, water, and energy sectors.

The deal significantly expands GenusPlus beyond its traditional electricity infrastructure operations. It also pushes the company deeper into critical national infrastructure projects.

Importantly, the acquisition also diversifies the ASX industrials stock across multiple utility sectors at a time when infrastructure spending across Australia continues to accelerate. That broader exposure appears to have impressed investors.

What did GenusPlus management say?

Management of the ASX industrials stock believes the acquisition will strengthen earnings, expand the customer base, and create additional long-term growth opportunities.

GenusPlus Managing Director David Riches was clearly enthusiastic about the transaction, commenting:

MPK is a high-quality business with a strong management team. Blue-chip client base and significant potential. The combination diversifies Genus into the attractive gas and water sector and accelerates our strategy to becoming the leading provider of critical infrastructure across Australia.

The market appears to agree.

Infrastructure businesses exposed to electricity, water, gas, and communications are becoming increasingly popular with investors. Massive spending on energy transition projects and utility upgrades is creating a powerful long-term growth tailwind for the sector.

Earnings upgrade

The acquisition was not the only major announcement. The ASX industrials stock also upgraded its earnings guidance on Monday, giving investors another reason to pile into the stock.

The company now expects stronger profitability than previously forecast. This is thanks to continued project momentum, robust demand conditions, and improving operational performance across the business.

Genus upgraded its FY26 earnings guidance, with management now expecting normalised EBITDA of between $96 million and $100 million. That would represent impressive growth of roughly 42% to 48% compared to FY25 levels.

Meanwhile, normalised EBIT(A) is forecast to land between $76 million and $80 million, excluding acquisition amortisation.

Importantly, the ASX industrials stock expects that part of that earnings boost will come from the recently completed Railtrain Holdings acquisition. This should contribute around $2 million to $3 million in EBITDA growth this financial year.

What's next for GenusPlus?

Of course, risks remain for the ASX industrials stock. Large infrastructure projects can face execution risks, cost overruns, labour shortages, and margin pressure.

And after a staggering 219% share price rally over the past year, some investors may question how much good news is already priced into the stock.

Still, today's announcements reinforced why momentum around GenusPlus remains extremely strong.

The combination of a major strategic acquisition, upgraded earnings guidance, and growing exposure to long-term infrastructure spending themes appears to be keeping investors firmly interested in the ASX industrials stock.

The post Why is this $2 billion ASX industrials stock racing higher today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Both of the businesses below are tapping into strong demand tailwinds that could help their earnings in the coming years.

Let's look at what makes them appealing buys today.

GenusPlus Group Ltd (ASX: GNP)

The first ASX share I'll talk about is a national power and communications infrastructure contractor.

WAM noted that the GenusPlus share price rose in April, as investors gained confidence in the company's near-term earnings upgrade potential and exposure to large-scale energy infrastructure projects.

The fund manager said that GenusPlus Group has approximately $2.5 billion in confirmed orders and continues to bid for major transmission projects, including the Hunter, Gippsland Offshore Wind and New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) developments.

Potential contract awards through 2026 remain "important near-term catalysts".

The fund manager concluded with the following:

We believe the April share price performance reflects growing confidence in GenusPlus Group's earnings outlook, supported by a strong pipeline of work linked to Australia's energy transition.

Nextdc Ltd (ASX: NXT)

Nextdc is a major data centre builder, owner and operator. WAM noted that in April, the ASX share announced a record 250MW contract win at its S4 data centre.

For data centres, megawatts (MW) explain how much power capacity is available to run customers' IT equipment (servers and infrastructure), which is the primary driver of how much customer demand a facility can support.

WAM noted that this contract win lifted total contract utilisation to 667MW, a 60% increase in a single quarter. The company expects existing contracts to generate over $1 billion in operating profit (EBITDA) once these convert into billing by FY30.

To support an accelerated build program, Nextdc brought forward an additional $1.5 billion of S4 capital expenditure into FY27. It also launched a $1.5 billion capital raising, an upsized La Caisse hybrid securities facility to $1.7 billion and raised $750 million in subordinated debt.

The fund manager said that these steps de-risk the near-term pipeline and provide sufficient liquidity to build through FY27 and beyond.

WAM said:            

We see the company as well-positioned to benefit from strong demand for computational power, with valuations not yet reflecting the earnings potential being secured through investment grade hyperscale customers.

The post Experts: 2 ASX shares to buy with big growth plans! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

That's because Bell Potter believes it has the potential to deliver outsized returns over the next 12 months.

Which ASX All Ords share?

The share that Bell Potter is bullish on is GenusPlus Group Ltd (ASX: GNP).

It is a service provider to mining, utilities, and other private customers who have needs across electrical plant and equipment, power, and telecommunications infrastructure.

Bell Potter has been running the rule over the ASX All Ords share and likes what it sees. It believes the company has the potential to deliver revenue growth well ahead of expectations in FY 2027 based on its current orderbook. The broker said:

Deconstruction of GNP's current orderbook of ~$2.5b (includes the recent $110m Koolunga BESS contract award), the expectation of expanding recurring revenue and forecast sales from recent acquisitions indicates that the company could deliver revenue growth of 27.9% in FY27 (vs BPe 17.7% and consensus 14.8%).

The variance with BPe and consensus expectations suggests major upgrade potential in the short-term. The caveat is that unexpected project delays may extend this upside into FY28. Strong conversion of the company's $2.6b tender pipeline (at end of CY25) would drive incremental upside to our forecasts.

It also highlights that there is potential for some major contract awards in the near term, which it believes could be a catalyst for driving its shares higher. It adds:

GNP is tendering on three large scale transmission projects: the Hunter Transmission Project; the Gippsland Offshore Wind Transmission Project; and the New England REZ Transmission Project (Stage 1). Announcement of preferred contractors for each project is expected in CY26, representing significant catalysts. Given the capital costs of these projects, GNP's share of contract award could be consistent with the HumeLink East work package (~$350m) or greater.

Buy rating reaffirmed

According to the note, the broker has reaffirmed its buy rating on the ASX All Ords share with an improved price target of $10.50 (from $9.50).

Based on its current share price of $9.10, this implies potential upside of 15% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its buy recommendation, the broker said:

GNP is a key beneficiary of Australia's decarbonisation and electrification ambitions which is currently driving significant investment in renewable energy generation, storage and transmission infrastructure development. GNP's financial flexibility allows the company to maintain an aggressive approach to inorganic growth.

The post Bell Potter is tipping this ASX All Ords share as a buy with 15% upside appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Genusplus Group Ltd (ASX: GNP) shares are moving higher after the company released a new project update.

The stock is up 2.16% and touched an intraday high of $8.99. That continues a strong run, with the share price now up around 40% in 2026.

Here's what came through.

New battery project contract secured

Genusplus has been awarded the Koolunga Battery Energy Storage System project in South Australia.

The contract covers engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning across both the balance of plant and battery installation.

The total contract value is approximately $110 million.

The project will deliver a 200MW/800MWh battery system, adding large-scale storage capacity to the grid.

It is located near Koolunga, north-east of Brinkworth, and will connect into South Australia's electricity network.

Construction is expected to begin shortly, with completion targeted for September 2027.

Backing from major infrastructure investor

The project is owned by Equitix, a large infrastructure investor with a focus on energy and essential assets.

Genusplus will act as the turnkey contractor across the full delivery scope.

That gives it exposure across multiple stages of the project lifecycle, from design through to final commissioning.

The announcement also points to continued demand for battery storage as more renewable energy enters the grid.

Large-scale storage is becoming more important in balancing supply and demand, particularly in test markets such as South Australia.

Momentum building across the business

This latest contract adds to a growing pipeline of energy and infrastructure work.

Genusplus operates across transmission, distribution, and communications infrastructure.

And battery and grid-related projects are quickly becoming a larger part of that mix.

The company has been building exposure to energy transition work, including renewables and storage.

That shift is showing up in the share price performance over the past year, with the stock up over 220%.

At current levels, Genusplus has a market capitalisation of around $1.6 billion.

What the market is watching

The focus now turns to the delivery of the project.

Large contracts like this bring revenue visibility, but execution is what really matters.

Timing, cost control, and project delivery all feed into the company's margins.

Furthermore, investors will also be watching how quickly new work comes through.

Battery storage is a growing segment, and competition for these projects is only increasing.

Genusplus is starting to build a track record in this space, which could help with future wins.

Foolish takeaway

The latest contract adds to a growing pipeline and shows the company is winning relevant work in energy infrastructure.

But share price already reflects a lot of that momentum after a strong run.

I'd be watching from here and would be more interested on a pullback or after a few more projects are completed.

The post This ASX stock just landed a $110 million battery project. Shares near record highs. appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

ASX 200 set to edge higher

The Australian share market looks set for a subdued session on Tuesday following a poor start to the week in the US. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is poised to open the day 1 point higher. In late trade on Wall Street, the Dow Jones is up a fraction, but the S&P 500 is down 0.5% and the Nasdaq is 0.9% lower.

Oil prices jump

It could be a good session for ASX 200 energy shares such as Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) after oil prices jumped overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 4.35% to US$103.96 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 1.25% to US$113.98 a barrel. This leaves oil prices on track to post a record monthly surge.

Shares going ex-dividend

A number of ASX shares are going ex-dividend this morning and could trade lower. This includes Cromwell Property Group (ASX: CMW), GenusPlus Group Ltd (ASX: GNP), Maas Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: MGH), and New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC). The latter will be paying its shareholders a 10 cents per share fully franked dividend next month on 20 April.

Gold price edges higher

ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) could have a relatively positive session on Tuesday after the gold price edged higher overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 0.1% to US$4,494.7 an ounce. This was driven by increased demand for safe haven assets.

Strike Energy named as a buy

The team at Bell Potter has named Strike Energy Ltd (ASX: STX) shares as a speculative buy with a 15 cents price target. This implies potential upside of over 40% for investors from current levels. It said: "STX announced that the Western Australian Economic Regulation Authority had finalised its determination for the Benchmark Reserve Capacity Price for the 2028/29 capacity year at $488,500/MW per year which could support revenues of around $42m from the South Erregulla project, before electricity sales."

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

The company is a service provider to mining, utilities and other private customers who have needs across electrical plant and equipment, power, and telecommunications infrastructure.

Its share price has almost risen 200% in the last year. 

This includes a 32.26% increase for the year to date. 

Key acquisition 

This ASX industrials stock was making headlines yesterday after it announced it had entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of Railtrain Holdings Pty Ltd (Railtrain).

The deal is for a total consideration of up to $55.0m. 

According to the release from GenusPlus Group, it was a highly logical acquisition that bolsters Genus' existing MGC rail business. It will add critical scale, diversification and national presence, as well as expanding service capabilities in the rail sector. 

Speaking on the acquisition, Genus Managing Director, David Riches, said: 

I am pleased to announce the signing of binding documentation for our acquisition of Railtrain which is another step forward in our strategy to expand into the rail infrastructure sector. Railtrain is a highly logical acquisition which will add critical scale, and expands the geographical and service capability of our existing MGC rail business.

The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of March 2026.

Bell Potter weighs in

Following the announcement, Bell Potter released a new report with updated guidance on the ASX industrials stock. 

It said Railtrain is a diversified rail service provider, with capabilities including overhead wiring solutions, rail maintenance and construction, track protection services, rail signalling and electrical and rail surveying. 

Railtrain has a national footprint with approximately 300 staff across offices and depots in three states.

EPS changes reflect Railtrain acquisition accretion over FY26-28: +1%/+7%/+6%.

The broker said it is particularly pleased to see an attractive acquisition multiple of 2.75x EBITDA (assuming all earn-out hurdles are satisfied), which implyies significant valuation arbitrage against the company's pre-acquisition FY26 multiple of 14.3x). Bell Potter also drew attention to an enhanced EBITDA margin outlook as well as immediate earnings accretion.

Price target upgrade

In yesterday's report, Bell Potter retained its buy recommendation on this ASX industrials stock. 

The broker also increased its price target to $9.50 (previously $9.00). 

From yesterday's closing price of $8.20, this indicates an upside of almost 16%. 

GNP is making another great acquisition, solidifying its track record for delivering a highly accretive M&A strategy, and complementing its strong organic growth.

The post Bell Potter lists this ASX industrials stock as a buy after key acquisition 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:

Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS)

The EOS share price is up 5% to $9.92. Earlier this week, the defence and space company announced that it secured new remote weapon system (RWS) orders valued at approximately $17 million. The largest component is a US$12 million order for R400 RWS units from an established Middle Eastern government customer. EOS also advised that it has finalised a $100 million two-year secured term loan facility. This will support growth across the business, provide additional working capital, and help fund payments related to the acquisition of MARS.

GenusPlus Group Ltd (ASX: GNP)

The GenusPlus share price is up 1% to $8.07. This morning, this essential power and telecommunications infrastructure services provider agreed to acquire Railtrain Holdings. The two parties have agreed upfront consideration of $36.5 million, which is payable in cash. Genus' managing director, David Riches, said: "I am pleased to announce the signing of binding documentation for our acquisition of Railtrain which is another step forward in our strategy to expand into the rail infrastructure sector. Railtrain is a highly logical acquisition which will add critical scale, and expands the geographical and service capability of our existing MGC rail business."

Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

The Life360 share price is up 2% to $20.76. This morning, analysts at Bell Potter responded positively to its full-year results release from yesterday. It has retained its buy rating with a slightly trimmed price target of $40.00. The broker was impressed with Life360's performance in FY 2025. It said: "2025 revenue of US$489m was slightly above our forecast of US$488m and VA consensus of US$486m and was top end of the US$486-489m guidance range. Adjusted EBITDA of $93m, however, was a beat versus our forecast of US$90m and VA consensus of US$88m and was also above the US$87-92m guidance range. Cash at year end was US$495m which was ahead of our forecast of US$476m."

WIA Gold Ltd (ASX: WIA)

The WIA Gold share price is up 4% to 57.7 cents. This follows the release of additional significant assay results from recent drilling at its Kokoseb Gold Project in Namibia. The company revealed that results from 18 diamond drill holes targeting mineralised depth extensions beyond the current open-pit mineral resource estimate further confirm the continuity, scale, and robustness of high-grade plunging shoots. WIA Gold's managing director and CEO, Henk Diederichs, said: "These drilling results continue to confirm the continuity and scale of the high‑grade gold system at depth, further enhancing the prospectivity of an underground mining operation beyond the open pit shell."

The post Why EOS, GenusPlus, Life360, and WIA Gold shares are rising today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Wilson Asset Management picked out GenusPlus as a compelling business in its listed investment company (LIC) WAM Active Ltd (ASX: WAA) portfolio.This LIC aims to target "mispricing opportunities" in the Australian market.

The LIC has just come off a very strong period. The investment portfolio returned 31.4% over the six months to 31 December 2025, and 41.4% over the full year. Of course, past performance is not a guarantee of future returns.

Let's get into why the investment team at Wilson Asset Management likes GenusPlus Group.

Why it's a compelling ASX share

WAM describes GenusPlus Group as a specialist power and communications infrastructure provider, delivering transmission, distribution and related services across Australia.

The fund manager noted that during January, the GenusPlus Group share price strengthened 18% after the company upgraded its FY26 earnings guidance, pointing to approximately 35% growth of normalised operating profit (EBITDA) compared to the FY25 normalised EBITDA of $67.4 million.

This strength was driven by better-than-forecast performance from the energy and engineering and services segments.

WAM pointed out that this positive momentum was further underpinned by contract wins and project progression, including its joint venture with ACCIONA being awarded by AusNet the approximately $1.6 billion Western Renewables Link construction contract, subject to approvals.

On top of that, the market received confirmation that construction will proceed on the Ausgrid Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone sub-transmission line works, with a contract value of approximately $140 million. Construction is planned to commence in February 2026.

The fund manager then said:

We remain positive on the outlook, supported by strong organic growth momentum, with the balance sheet in excellent shape to undertake earnings accretive acquisitions.

What is the valuation of the ASX share?

The business has steadily increased its annual dividend per share each year for the last couple of years and the dividends are being hiked at a fast pace. The company grew its FY25 final dividend per share by 44% to 3.6 cents.

In FY25, the company's total revenue rose by 36% to $751.3 million, infrastructure revenue climbed 30% to $415.6 million, energy and engineering revenue climbed 54% to $234.5 million and services revenue soared 38% to $123.2 million.

It's currently trading at 35x FY25's earnings, but the business is clearly expected to deliver further strong growth in the coming years.

At its AGM, the company said that it's well-positioned for organic growth and targeted strategic acquisitions with a focus on expanding its delivery capabilities. It also said that the momentum of new energy projects connecting to the national electricity network market continues to build, which bodes well for the ASX share's foreseeable future.

The post Experts rate this ASX share as a buy! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

That's the view of analysts at Bell Potter, which rate this ASX All Ords stock very highly.

What is the broker saying?

Firstly, in case you are not familiar with this ASX All Ords stock, it is a service provider to mining, utilities, and other private customers across electrical plant and equipment, power, and telecommunications infrastructure.

Bell Potter highlights that GenusPlus has upgraded its earnings guidance for FY 2026 thanks to a stronger than expected first half from the Energy & Engineering and Services segments. It said:

GNP has upgraded its FY26 EBITDA growth guidance to ~35% (up from the prior guidance range of 20-25%; vs BPe of 23%). The guidance upgrade is attributed to better-than-expected 1H FY26 unaudited financial results from the Energy & Engineering and Services segments, with Infrastructure performing as per company expectations. GNP remains confident in continued earnings growth beyond FY26 given its contracted position, integration of recent acquisitions and increased momentum in secular tailwinds.

Time to buy this ASX All Ords stock

In response to the above, Bell Potter has reaffirmed its buy rating on this ASX All Ords stock with an improved price target of $8.70 (from $7.50).

Based on its current share price of $7.57, this implies potential upside of 15% for investors over the next 12 months.

Bell Potter is positive on GenusPlus due to its exposure to increased spending on renewable energy generation, storage, and transmission infrastructure. It believes this leaves it well-placed for strong growth in both FY 2026 and FY 2027. Earnings per share growth of 33.9% and 16.9%, respectively, is forecast by the broker.

Commenting on the ASX All Ords stock, its analysts said:

GNP offers investors concentrated exposure to a long-duration tailwind in rising investment levels for renewable energy generation, storage and transmission infrastructure. GNP's current record $2.6bn+ orderbook of transmission and BESS work packages confirms this secular trend. Together, with a growing recurring revenue profile, we have good visibility on near-term earnings growth.

We highlight management's track-record of exceeding guidance over the past 2 years; the FY26 guidance upgrade this early in the financial year is highly encouraging of further positive surprises to come. Our upgraded Target Price of $8.70/sh implies a NTM PEG of 1.2x, which we view as justified given our confidence in the company's outlook.

The post Broker says this ASX All Ords stock could rise 15% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Three top ASX shares that leading brokers have named as buys this week are listed below. Here's why they are bullish on them:

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

According to a note out of Macquarie, its analysts have retained their outperform rating on this travel agent's shares with an improved price target of $17.85. It notes that Flight Centre has just signed an agreement to acquire the UK's leading online cruise agency, Iglu, for 100 million British pounds. Macquarie highlights that Iglu has a 15% of the UK market and upwards of 75% of online bookings. It was pleased the move and points out that Flight Centre is leveraging its scale and balance sheet to accelerate its growth with strategic acquisition. The broker sees the cruise industry as attractive with further acquisition opportunities. Outside this, Macquarie likes Flight Centre due to its belief that it will achieve its guidance, which is being supported by improving consumer trends. The Flight Centre share price is trading at $14.98 this afternoon.

Generation Development Group Ltd (ASX: GDG)

Another note out of Macquarie reveals that its analysts have initiated coverage on this diversified financial services company's shares with an outperform rating and $6.70 price target. The broker highlights that Generation Development Group's businesses are market leaders in growth sectors, and well positioned to scale. This includes the key Evidentia (managed accounts) segment, which is poised to capture an outsized share of industry growth over 2024 to 2030. Another positive is that management incentives support alignment with investors, with the top end of long term incentives requiring an earnings per share growth hurdle of +27.5%. The Generation Development Group share price is fetching $5.64 at the time of writing.

GenusPlus Group Ltd (ASX: GNP)

Analysts at Bell Potter have retained their buy rating on this power and communications infrastructure and services provider's shares with an improved price target of $7.50. It notes that GenusPlus has been awarded several major contracts since its FY 2025 results, including this month's major Western Renewables Link contract. The good news is that the broker expects this trend to continue. It highlights that the company provides investors with concentrated exposure to a long-duration tailwind in rising investment levels for renewable energy generation, storage, and transmission infrastructure. It points out that its current record $2.6 billion+ orderbook of transmission and BESS work packages reflects this thematic. The GenusPlus share price is trading at $6.26 on Monday.

The post Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The investment team of the listed investment company (LIC) WAM Microcap Ltd (ASX: WMI) are looking for the "most exciting undervalued growth opportunities in the Australian micro-cap market".

Two businesses in the WAM Microcap portfolio at the end of October were a communications infrastructure and services provider, and a property developer and investor. Let's get into what could make these compelling investments.

GenusPlus Group Ltd (ASX: GNP)

WAM described GenusPlus as a national power and communications infrastructure contractor. In October, the GenusPlus share price climbed by more than 14% amid consecutive contract wins.

The company won additional Western Power packages on the Clean Energy Link – North (CELN) program and related underground power works, with a total value of approximately $50 million.

The ASX growth share followed this up with an approximate $60 million decarbonisation contract with Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) at Christmas Creek for 30km of overhead power distribution infrastructure, along with the construction of fast-charger and pit power facilities at Eliwana and Flying Fish.

WAM said the cadence and scale of these awards reinforced revenue visibility and highlighted GenusPlus Group's positioning on Western Australia's network upgrade cycle, which supported sentiment through the month. The fund manager concluded its thoughts on the business with the following:

Longer term, we believe the expanding backlog which now includes the major CELN network will underpin earnings growth across transmission, distribution and resources.

Cedar Woods Properties Ltd (ASX: CWP)

WAM described Cedar Woods Properties as a property developer and investor primarily interested in urban land subdivision and built form development for residential, commercial, and retail purposes.

The fund manager stated that the ASX growth share recently reported a strong quarter for the three months to September 2025. This reflected "excellent execution, macroeconomic tailwinds and the ongoing structural housing shortage in Australia".

Property settlement volumes rose 17% compared to the same quarter in 2024, while management upgraded the FY26 net profit growth guidance from 10% to 15%.

WAM likes that the company has "high earnings visibility", with over 90% of FY26 revenue already pre-sold – this is the most visibility it has had "in decades".

The fund manager then explained why it's optimistic about the ASX growth share for the future:

With approximately 9,400 lots, dwellings and office units across 35 projects in Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia, we believe Cedar Woods Properties is well positioned to benefit from population growth, limited housing supply and supportive government policy that is expected to sustain demand over the medium term.

The post This fund manager is bullish on these ASX growth shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.