When it comes to the world of gaming technology, both Light & Wonder (ASX: LNW) and Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL) are heavyweights that regularly come up in discussions among keen Aussie investors. If you're tossing up between these two innovative consumer discretionary companies, this side-by-side look at their fundamentals, performance, and outlook should help you decide which could be the smarter buy today.

The case for Light & Wonder

Light & Wonder, based in Las Vegas, develops and supplies technology-based gaming products and services to casinos and digital platforms. The company operates through three key segments: Gaming (physical machines and platforms for casinos), SciPlay (digital games for mobile and web), and iGaming (real-money online gaming and sports wagering solutions). According to its most recent public description, Light & Wonder draws on decades of experience to deliver content and platforms across both land-based and digital gaming.

Looking at the latest numbers, Light & Wonder currently has a market cap of $9.53 billion, making it a significant player but still notably smaller than Aristocrat. Its price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio stands at 25.88, and its earnings per share (EPS) is $3.40. Interestingly, the company doesn't currently pay a dividend, so it's more a growth-focused pick. Its year-to-date (YTD) return sits at –21.93%, so 2026 has been tough for LNW holders so far.

The case for Aristocrat Leisure

Aristocrat Leisure is one of Australia's best-known global gaming companies, with operations in around 100 countries and licences in more than 340 gaming jurisdictions. The group divides its business into three arms: its core gaming technology (slot machines and casino systems), Aristocrat Interactive (real-money digital gaming), and Product Madness, which creates highly popular free-to-play mobile games. Though its roots are in land-based pokies, Aristocrat has pushed hard into the digital and US markets, and according to its most recent company profile, is now a true global player.

On the numbers, Aristocrat is a giant with a market cap of $36.72 billion. Its P/E ratio is virtually identical to Light & Wonder at 25.90. Notably, Aristocrat does pay a dividend, with a yield of 1.61% and a current dividend per share of $0.99. Unlike Light & Wonder, it's delivered a positive YTD return of 6.57%, showing resilience in the recent market.

Valuation comparison

Here's how the key numbers stack up:

While both trade on almost identical P/E ratios, Aristocrat is much larger, is paying a dividend, and has delivered a positive YTD return.

Recent share price performance

Let's look at the recent share price trends, comparing share price performance from 18 August 2026 to 16 September 2026.

• Light & Wonder closed at $133.25 on 18 August 2026 and finished at $123.68 on 16 September 2026, representing a decline of around 7.2% over the period.
• Aristocrat Leisure closed at $63.41 on 18 August 2026 and at $61.50 on 16 September 2026, a fall of approximately 3% over the same stretch.

In other words, both shares have slipped over this four-week snapshot, but Light & Wonder's decline has been noticeably steeper.

Which is the better buy?

Based on the most recent data, my pick between these two is clear: I'd lean toward Aristocrat Leisure. Here's why. Both companies are tech-savvy gaming leaders, but Aristocrat is steadier and offers shareholders a dividend stream. The company's positive YTD return of 6.57% versus Light & Wonder's –21.93% signals underlying strength. Both trade on similar P/E multiples, so Aristocrat doesn't look overpriced versus its smaller rival. Light & Wonder may still offer growth potential down the track, but based on current momentum and yield, Aristocrat looks the more compelling buy today.

The post Light & Wonder vs Aristocrat Leisure: Which gaming share wins? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

UBS has released its latest "Top Picks" list, naming 10 ASX shares its analysts see as the most compelling opportunities over the next 3 to 6 months.

The list is selected from a wider pool of 30 stocks and is updated each month.

So, which ASX shares made the cut this time?

Resources and industrials are in hot demand

UBS says the August reporting season reinforced what it describes as a "capex over consumer" cycle.

The broker sees stronger conditions in areas benefiting from spending on data centres, mining, energy and defence, while consumer-facing parts of the market look less attractive.

Several of the stocks on the list fit that view.

They include Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD), which finished Monday at $8.17, Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) at $63.06, Orica Ltd (ASX: ORI) at $22.95 and Ventia Services Group Ltd (ASX: VNT) at $5.73.

UBS is currently overweight both the mining and industrial sectors.

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) also makes the cut. The data centre connectivity company closed Monday at $17.13 after a strong run this year, up 45%.

The full UBS top 10

The rest of the list is a pretty much a mixed bunch.

Auckland International Airport Ltd (ASX: AIA) finished Monday at $6.99, while AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP) closed at $2.48.

Healthcare heavyweight CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) ended the session at $173.18, while gaming company Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW) finished at $125.30.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) rounds out the list after closing Monday at $2.69.

That gives UBS a mix of mining, infrastructure, technology, healthcare, financial and consumer-related exposure.

It's also worth remembering these are short-term picks, not necessarily the stocks UBS likes best over the next 5 or 10 years.

The list can change quickly as share prices and earnings expectations move on the daily.

What is UBS avoiding?

Just as interesting is where UBS is more cautious.

The broker isn't keen on banks, consumer discretionary shares and real estate, with higher RBA interest rates and weaker sentiment making life tougher across those parts of the market.

UBS thinks that could lead to more earnings-per-share (EPS) downgrades in the months ahead.

That leaves the broker leaning more heavily towards companies exposed to business investment and infrastructure spending.

Of course, these are only 3-to-6-month picks, and UBS refreshes the list every month.

I'd be interested to see which of these 10 are still there next time around.

The post UBS names its 10 top ASX picks for the next 3-6 months appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

Life360 posted its second-quarter FY26 update in mid-August, including a 38% increase in revenue, to US$159 million, and a 53% increase in adjusted EBITDA, to US$31.1 million. Looking ahead, Life360 still expects FY26 revenue growth to accelerate between 33% to 40% year-on-year to between US$650 million and US$685 million. But investors weren't impressed, likely because they were expecting another upward revision to FY26 revenue guidance. But I think the ASX shares have been oversold and that there is still great growth potential ahead. Brokers seem to agree. Market Index shows they all have a strong buy consensus and the $31.72 target price implies a potential 57% upside, at the time of writing.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) 

WiseTech shares faced yet more headwinds in August after the company reported a 46% increase in EBITDA to US$558.4 million for the 12 months through to the 30th of June. The result was in line with the company's $550 million to $585 million guidance range but short of market forecasts of $569.5 million. It didn't blow investors away, but the company still maintains a strong competitive advantage in the global logistics industry, and I think the shares are trading well below fair value. Market Index shows that the majority of brokers are very bullish on the ASX tech shares and hold a strong buy rating. The average $57.66 target price implies a potential 45% upside over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS)

EOS posted a huge 283% hike in its half-year revenue last week, and a reduced net loss of $32.9 million. Underlying EBITDA swung into profit, and its net assets grew to $391.6 million. Going forward, EOS expects continued strong demand, driven by defence spending and escalating global interest in counter-drone technologies. Management is forecasting a record FY26 revenue ahead. Brokers are also incredibly bullish about the outlook for EOS shares. Market Index data shows that all analysts rate the ASX shares a strong buy. The average $13.10 target price implies a potential 15% upside at the time of writing.

Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW)

Light & Wonder has been reshaping its business in recent years, focusing on recurring revenue and higher-quality earnings. And it looks like all that hard work is finally coming to fruition. The company posted a strong second-quarter earnings update in early August, including a 2% increase in revenue and a 26% increase in net income year-on-year. The company also achieved a 16% increase in adjusted net profit after tax and amortisation (NPATA). Brokers are bullish on ASX gaming shares and expect them to keep climbing. At the time of writing, Market Index data shows all brokers have a strong buy rating, and the $187.50 target price implies an upside of around 45%.

The post 4 ASX shares I'd buy with $5,000 in September 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.

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:

Life360 Inc. (ASX: 360)

According to a note out of Bell Potter, its analysts have retained their buy rating and $35.00 price target on this location technology company's shares. The broker is feeling confident ahead of the release of Life360's second-quarter update. Bell Potter is forecasting paying circles, revenue, and EBITDA to all come in ahead of consensus estimates. This includes paying circles growth of 155,000 for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of 135,000. Outside this, it highlights its belief that Life360 shares are reasonable value trading on a 2027 EV/EBITDA multiple of around 25x. The broker highlights that this is a discount to peers when it should arguably be trading at a premium given its global market leader position and higher forecast earnings growth over the next few years. The Life360 share price ended the week at $28.56.

Light & Wonder Inc. (ASX: LNW)

A note out of Morgans reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating on this gaming technology company's shares with an improved price target of $174.00. This follows the release of a better than feared second-quarter result. It notes that while revenue was softer than expected, Light & Wonder's earnings beat expectations. This was driven by growth in Land-based gaming and iGaming, which offset ongoing softness in the SciPlay business. The good news is that Morgans believes this positive form can continue and is expecting further growth over the course of 2026. As a result, it continues to see value in its shares at current levels. The Light & Wonder share price was fetching $124.30 at Friday's close.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

Another note out of Morgans reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating on this property listings company's shares with an improved price target of $203.00. Morgans was pleased with REA Group's FY 2026 results and believes they continued to highlight the resilience of the franchise. The broker notes this is particularly the case with the company's ability to maintain double-digit yield growth in its core Australia business. In response to the result, Morgans has bumped its earnings estimates higher through to FY 2029, and lifted its valuation accordingly. The REA Group share price ended the week at $173.51.

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

The index opened sharply lower this morning, but recovered throughout the day to post a loss of just 0.086% for the session. That leaves the ASX 200 at 9,263.6 points as we head into the weekend.

This cooler end to the Australian trading week today comes after a red session up on Wall Street last night.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a rough time of it, losing a hefty 0.85%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared much better, though, dropping by just 0.057%.

But let's return to the local market now and check out how the different ASX sectors traversed today's tepid trading conditions.

Winners and losers

Despite the market's retreat, we still saw plenty of sectors record a rise today.

But first, it was financial shares that led the selling. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) was hit hard this Friday, slumping 0.95%.

Healthcare stocks weren't popular either, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) tanking 0.92%.

Industrial shares were on the nose too. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) took a 0.62% dive this session.

We could say the same for consumer discretionary stocks, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.62% dip.

Utilities shares weren't much better. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) sank 0.43% by the end of the day.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) didn't hold water, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) drifting down 0.09%.

Our last losers this Friday were communications stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) slipped 0.04% lower.

Let's get to the green sectors now. Leading the pack were again gold shares, as you can see from the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 3.45% jump.

Broader mining stocks didn't miss out either. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) soared 1.32% by the closing bell.

Tech shares also ran hot, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) shooting up 0.77%.

Energy stocks were on the winning team today, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) advanced 0.58%.

Finally, consumer staples shares proved to be a safe haven, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.11% rise.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Lithium stock Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) took out our top index spot this Friday. Liontown shares enjoyed a significant 9.26% surge to $1.18 today.

That came despite no news or announcements from the company.

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.

Three that have received buy ratings are listed below. Here's why the broker is bullish on them:

Aeris Resources Ltd (ASX: AIS)

Morgans remains positive on this copper miner despite its capital expenditure guidance for FY 2027 coming in well ahead of expectations.

In response, the broker has retained its buy rating with an improved price target of 55 cents. It said:

FY27 guidance in line on production but capex of $280-343m was well above expectations on Constellation construction and stripping ahead of first ore in 3Q27. Elevated near-term Tritton capex funds the development of Constellation and Mallee Bull, underpinning higher-grade mill feed and a path to 30ktpa of copper production by FY30. Maintain BUY with a A$0.55ps target price (previously A$0.53ps).

Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW)

Morgans was pleased with this gaming technology company's second-quarter update. It notes that earnings were ahead of expectations thanks to land-based gaming and iGaming.

As a result, its analysts have retained their buy rating on Light & Wonder's shares with an improved price target of $174.00. It commented:

Light & Wonder (LNW) delivered a better than feared 2Q26 result, beating expectations at the EPSA line, though a softer top line tempered the reaction with shares closing up 4% on the day. Growth in Land-based gaming and iGaming more than offset ongoing softness in SciPlay, but revenue still came in below expectations. The highlight was margin, where disciplined cost management and a favourable mix drove expansion across all three segments. 

We think most of that gain holds through the balance of the year, even as mix shifts toward lower-margin outright sales in a heavily fourth-quarter weighted finish. We forecast 6.3% growth in consolidated adjusted EBITDA in FY26, with 3Q and 4Q representing 26% and 28% of the full-year outcome, respectively. We maintain our BUY recommendation, with an increased target price of A$174.

Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI)

Finally, Morgans thinks that this investment management company could be an ASX share to buy despite its FY 2026 results falling short of expectations.

According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating with a trimmed price target of $23.41. It said:

PNI's FY26 underlying NPAT of A$138m (+21% on pcp) came in 7% below Factset consensus (A$148m) and 2% below MorgansF. Despite the headline result miss, we think PNI's FY26 underlying business performance was generally robust, with key business drivers like flows and AUM actually outperforming expectations.

Solid progress for PAM and Life Cycle also points to a positive trajectory for PNI's overseas expansion, in our view. Our FY27/FY28 NPAT forecasts are modestly revised down (-1% to -2%), although changes are slightly larger at EPS (-7%) due to a share count adjustment. Our price target falls to A$23.41 (previously A$23.94), with our earnings changes offset by a valuation roll-forward. Maintain BUY call with >20% upside to our price target.

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

That's because listed below are five ASX 200 broker buy ratings from this week.

Here's what is being recommended by brokers:

Capstone Copper Corp (ASX: CSC)

UBS is positive on this copper miner's shares. It was pleased with the company's solid quarterly performance, which revealed production and costs largely in line with expectations.

According to the note, UBS has retained its buy rating with a reduced price target of $17.50. Based on its current share price of $15.19, this implies potential upside of 15% for investors.

Credit Corp Group Ltd (ASX: CCP)

The team at Morgans is bullish on this debt collector's shares. Following the release of its record FY 2026 results, the broker retained its buy rating with a trimmed price target of $18.25. This implies potential upside of over 35% for investors from current levels.

Morgans notes that "at ~7.7x FY27F PE, the valuation continues to appear undemanding."

Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL)

Macquarie is recommending Netwealth as an ASX 200 stock to buy ahead of its results release this month.

The broker believes the investment platform provider will deliver a result in line with the market's expectations. It also feels confident about its FY 2027 guidance.

As a result, Macquarie has retained its outperform rating on Netwealth's shares with a slightly improved price target of $32.60. Based on its current share price of $24.91, this implies potential upside of 31% over the next 12 months.

Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU)

The team at Bell Potter is recommending this biotechnology company's shares to investors this week.

In response to an "impressive" quarterly sales update, the broker has retained its buy rating on Neuren Pharmaceuticals shares with an improved price target of $25.50. 

Based on its current share price of $21.56, this implies potential upside of 18% for investors.

Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW)

Bell Potter remains bullish on this gaming technology company. In response to its second quarter update, the broker has retained its buy rating on the ASX 200 stock with a trimmed price target of $183.00. Based on its current share price of $118.08, this implies potential upside of 55% for investors over the next 12 months.

The broker highlights that its analysts "see a resumption in top line growth occurring in 4Q26. We believe LNW offers compelling value at 10x EV/EBIT(A) given growth metrics."

The post 5 ASX 200 broker buy ratings appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Meanwhile, let's check out some fresh ratings from Morgans.

Light & Wonder Inc CDI (ASX: LNW)

The Light & Wonder share price is $119.61, up 1.4% today and down 12% over 12 months. 

Morgans maintained its buy recommendation on this ASX 200 consumer discretionary share. 

The broker increased its 12-month price target from $168 to $174.

This implies a potential 45% upside ahead.

The changes followed Light & Wonder's 2Q FY26 update yesterday.

Morgans said: 

The highlight was margin, where disciplined cost management and a favourable mix drove expansion across all three segments.

We think most of that gain holds through the balance of the year, even as mix shifts toward lower-margin outright sales in a heavily fourth-quarter weighted finish.

We forecast 6.3% growth in consolidated adjusted EBITDA in FY26, with 3Q and 4Q representing 26% and 28% of the full-year outcome, respectively.

Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

The Transurban share price is $14.68, down 0.1% today and up 6% over 12 months. 

Morgans recommends investors trim their positions in Transurban shares.

The broker raised its 12-month price target from $12.50 to $12.63.

This implies a potential 14% downside from here.

Transurban issued an update on NSW toll reform and June traffic volumes this week.

Morgans commented:  

We incorporate the impact of Sydney toll reforms (subject to definitive agreements and various approvals expected in 2HCY26) and 2H26 monthly traffic data into our forecasts and valuation.

TCL said the toll reforms were structured to be value neutral and not impact "near term" DPS. We largely agree on value – our target price adjusts -11 cps to $12.63/s albeit this includes actual June quarter CPI lower than we had expected.

The near- term DPS impact is mitigated by key reform changes not applying until FY28.

In coming years we expect TCL's EBITDA growth to be constrained by Melbourne weakness while its interest costs (paid and expensed) rise faster than consensus expectations.

TRIM ahead of first-time FY27 DPS guidance.

Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV)

The Endeavour share price is $3.45, up 0.4% today and down 15% over 12 months. 

Morgans downgraded the ASX 200 consumer staples share from hold to trim this week.

The broker raised its 12-month price target from $2.80 to $3.20.

This indicates a potential 7% downside ahead.

The changes followed Endeavour's preliminary FY26 report.

Endeavour disclosed a 1.3% lift year over year in group sales to $12,212 million.

However, the underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) fell to $363 million, down from $426 million in FY25.

Morgans said the preliminary figures for underlying sales, EBIT, and NPAT were mostly in line with expectations, but noted higher costs.

The broker increased its 12-month target price "due to an uplift in peer valuation multiples".

Morgans added:

We expect liquor demand to remain under pressure amid elevated interest rates, ongoing cost-of-living pressures and an uncertain macroeconomic backdrop.

The new management strategy also carries execution risk, in our view.

Endeavour will release its finalised FY26 results on 24 August.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Light & Wonder, Transurban, Endeavour shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

I've selected three new reports from Macquarie out this week, which identify stocks they think are undervalued at current levels.

Let's see who they like.

Pinnacle Investment Management Ltd (ASX: PNI)  

Pinnacle this week reported a net profit of $176.7 million, up 31% on the previous financial year, or $138 million, up 21%, if subtracting the impact of the company's acquisition of PAM.

The company declared a final dividend of 31 cents, bringing total dividends for the year to 60 cents, in line with FY25, and reported net inflows of funds under management of $33.4 billion for the year.

Pinnacle Managing Director Ian Macoun said:

We continue to build Pinnacle to deliver sustained high rates of growth for many years into the future. Our distinct business model and Three Horizons growth strategy have built a highly diversified platform across asset classes, geographies and product formats. This platform has supported strong growth to date and provides multiple pathways for further growth, including in larger international markets where we have demonstrated that the Pinnacle model can operate successfully.

Macquarie has an outperform rating on the stock, citing attractive organic growth and potential accretive M&A.

The broker has a price target of $23.95 for the stock, compared with $19.53 currently.

Pexa Ltd (ASX: PXA)

Pexa shares are down 52.3% over the past 12 months, begging the question: Is it time for a recovery?

Macquarie has done an analysis ahead of the property settlement technology company's results, and said that settlement activity in New South Wales was down sharply in July, falling 11.6% compared to the same month in 2025.

Macquarie is still forecasting that more Tier-1 lenders will take up the use of the platform however, and have left their share price target for Pexa unchanged at $14.85, compared to $7.66 currently.

Pexa is scheduled to report its full-year results on 28 August.

Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW)

Light & Wonder shares are also down over the past 12 months, losing 12.8% in value.

The company recently reported that net profit had increased 26% to US$120 million, with revenue up 2% to US$828 million.

The company said:

We continue to enhance our quality of earnings through a deliberate strategy to improve revenue quality, focusing on growing recurring revenue. Gaming operations, Grover and iGaming represented the primary growth drivers, each delivering double-digit year-over-year revenue increases, supported by continued operational momentum and content strength.

Macquarie reduced its price target from $200 to $180 on the back of the results, but this is still well above the current level of $118.98.

The post Macquarie says these 3 ASX 200 stocks can return 38% to 93% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

That's because the team at Bell Potter believes it could offer outsized returns over the next 12 months.

Which ASX 200 stock?

The stock in question is gaming technology company Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW).

Bell Potter highlights that the ASX 200 stock has released its results this week. And while its revenue growth was a touch softer than expected, its EBITDA beat expectations thanks to strong Gaming margins. It commented:

LNW reported +2% YoY revenue growth to $828m 3% below BPe of $852m and consensus of $847m, supported by +8% YoY growth in Gaming (-3% below BPe), -9% YoY decline in SciPlay (-7% vs. BPe) and +14% YoY growth in iGaming (+3% vs. BPe). Adj. EBITDA was $383m (+4% beat vs. BPe). Adj. NPATA of $156m was up +16% YoY (+11% beat vs. BPe). Nth. Am. 

The EBITDA beat to consensus was driven by strong Gaming margins reflecting mix shift towards Grover. Game Sales ASP and SciPlay were the drivers of the weaker than expected top line result. Restructuring costs of $6m compares to $17m in pcp, pleasing, given this line item has been consistently elevated in prior quarters.

One disappointment was its guidance, which was weaker than expected. It said:

2026 AEBITDA target of mid-to-high single digits was reiterated in mid-July 2026. Additional Gaming guidance was provided for 3Q26/2H26: Global gaming sales of 8.5-9.0k in 3Q26 (BPe 10.7k); FPD growth trending in line with CPI in 2H26 (BPe +8% YoY). Overall, these are weaker than we expected.

Big potential returns

According to the note, in response to the update, the broker has retained its buy rating on the ASX 200 stock with a trimmed price target of $183.00 (from $190.00).

Based on its current share price of $118.00, this implies potential upside of 55% for investors over the next 12 months.

To put that into context, a $10,000 investment would turn into over $15,000 if Bell Potter is on the money with its recommendation.

Commenting on its buy thesis, it said:

We retain Buy and reduce TP. We now forecast EBITDA growth of at the lower end of the company's guidance range. We see a resumption in top line growth occurring in 4Q26. We believe LNW offers compelling value at 10x EV/EBIT(A) given growth metrics.

The post Broker says this ASX 200 stock could rocket 50%+ in 12 months appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Will the market be able to build on this on Thursday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to edge lower

It looks set to be a soft session for Australian investors on Thursday following a mixed night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 8 points or 0.1% lower this morning. In the United States, the Dow Jones rose 0.5%, but the S&P 500 fell 0.15% and the Nasdaq dropped 0.8%.

ASX 200 results releases

A number of ASX 200 shares will be releasing their results on Thursday. This includes payments giant Block Inc. (ASX: XYZ), financial services company AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP), media behemoth News Corp (ASX: NWS), and property listings leader REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA). With respect to the latter, Bell Potter expects REA Group to report group revenue of $1,808 million and adjusted NPAT of $626 million. This represents 8% and 11% growth, respectively.

Oil prices soften

ASX 200 energy shares Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a subdued session after oil prices softened overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 1.1% to US$74.92 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 0.2% to US$79.21 a barrel. Oil prices have come under significant pressure this week amid easing US-Iran tensions.

Buy Light & Wonder shares

Light & Wonder Inc. (ASX: LNW) shares could be seriously undervalued according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, in response to the gaming technology company's results release, the broker has retained its buy rating with a trimmed price target of $183.00 (from $190.00). It said: "We retain Buy and reduce TP. We now forecast EBITDA growth of at the lower end of the company's guidance range. We see a resumption in top line growth occurring in 4Q26. We believe LNW offers compelling value at 10x EV/EBIT(A) given growth metrics."

Gold price jumps

It looks like it could be a great session for ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) on Thursday after the gold price jumped overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 3.75% to US$4,308.5 an ounce. This was driven by a weaker US dollar. 

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

Two of the ASX heavyweights are charging ahead of the 0.1% gains posted by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) in late morning trade today, while the other is just about flat.

Here's what's capturing investor interest.

BHP shares gain on $200 million deal

BHP shares are up 2.2% at the time of writing, changing hands for $61.87 apiece.

This comes amid news that the ASX 200 mining giant has awarded a $200 million contract to engineering company Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND).

The contract will see Monadelphous take a leading role in the Port Debottlenecking Project 2, located at BHP's Nelson Point Port Facility in Western Australia.

Monadelphous will install and commission all of the structural, mechanical, piping, electrical, and instrumentation activities associated with the construction of the new Car Dumper 6. Work will commence immediately and is expected to be completed in 2028.

"We look forward to working closely with BHP to successfully deliver PDP2 and increase Port capacity," Monadelphous managing director Zoran Bebic said.

Domino's shares in focus amid big leadership transition

Unlike the BHP shares, Domino's shares are flat today.

At the time of writing, shares in the ASX 200 fast-food pizza retailer are trading for $19.92 each, right where they closed yesterday.

Investors look to be weighing up the implications of today's leadership announcement.

Domino's reported that, as of today, Andrew Gregory has commenced as CEO and managing director. The company first revealed the expected changing of the guard on 11 February.

In other leadership news, the company reported that Jack Cowin has returned to his role as non-executive chair.

Which brings us to…

Light & Wonder shares leap on profit surge

Joining Domino's and BHP shares in turning heads today, we find Light & Wonder.

Shares in the ASX 200 gaming company are up 6.5% at the time of writing, trading for $120.90 each.

That strong outperformance follows the release of the company's second-quarter (2Q 2026) results.

Investors are responding enthusiastically, with Light & Wonder reporting a 2% year-on-year increase in consolidated revenue to US$828 million. And net income of US$120 million was up 26% from Q2 2025.

On the bottom line, Light & Wonder shares look to be getting a boost with the company achieving a 16% increase in adjusted net profit after tax and amortisation (NPATA) to US$156 million.

"Our second quarter results reflect continued execution of our content-centric operating model, with broad-based growth, margin expansion and quality earnings across all three businesses," Light & Wonder CEO Matt Wilson said.

The post Why is everyone talking about Domino's, Light & Wonder and BHP shares on Wednesday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Light & Wonder report?

• Consolidated revenue: US$828 million, up 2% year over year
• Consolidated AEBITDA: US$383 million, up 9% year over year (46% margin, +200bps)
• Net income: US$120 million, up 26% year over year
• Adjusted NPATA: US$156 million, up 16% year over year
• Adjusted free cash flow: US$156 million, up 50% year over year; conversion rate 41%
• Recurring revenue: US$580 million, representing 71% of total revenue

What else do investors need to know?

Light & Wonder continues to strengthen its recurring revenue streams, with growth across its Gaming and iGaming businesses outweighing continued market softness in SciPlay. Gaming operations posted an 18% revenue increase, particularly through its premium and Grover product lines, while iGaming revenue rose 14% to US$92 million thanks to strong first-party content.

The company returned US$134 million to shareholders through its buy-back program in the quarter and maintains a deliberate focus on investing in R&D and AI initiatives. Net debt leverage sits at 3.4x, with a clear plan to reduce it below 3.0x during the first half of FY27, aiming for an investment-grade profile.

What did Light & Wonder management say?

Light & Wonder's President and CEO, Matt Wilson, said:

Our second quarter results reflect continued execution of our content-centric operating model, with broad-based growth, margin expansion and quality earnings across all three businesses. We continue to see the benefits of our sustained investment in studios and content, as our franchises drive strong game performance across the portfolio. Gaming momentum remained robust, with our North American premium installed base growing for the 24th consecutive quarter, and Grover continuing to scale across existing and new markets.

What's next for Light & Wonder?

Looking ahead, Light & Wonder reaffirmed its outlook for mid- to high-single digit consolidated AEBITDA growth in FY26, expecting earnings to be weighted toward the second half, consistent with prior periods. The company is targeting a net debt leverage ratio below 3.0x by the first half of 2027 and aims for continued expansion in its core gaming and digital businesses, supported by investments in content and new market entries.

Management remains committed to its FY2028 targets of over US$10.55 in EPSa and US$2.0 billion consolidated AEBITDA, maintaining steady capital investment and focusing on recurring, predictable earnings streams.

Light & Wonder share price snapshot

The Light & Wonder share price has underperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) by some distance over the past 12 months with a decline of 20%.

View Original Announcement

The post Light & Wonder earnings: Q2 profit and recurring revenue up in FY26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

After a downbeat start to trading this morning, investors regained confidence after lunchtime, and ended up sending the ASX 200 up a healthy 0.6% by the time the markets closed. That leaves the index at 8.974.8 points.

This happy Tuesday for the local markets comes after the more nuanced start to the American trading week that we saw play out last night (our time).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in a good mood, gaining a solid 0.51%

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) wasn't so fortunate, though, dropping 0.18%.

But let's return to the Australian markets now and take stock of how the different ASX sectors navigated today's trading.

Winners and losers

Despite today's buoyant showing from the broader market, we still had a few corners that went backwards.

Leading those losers were gold stocks. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) was punished today, slumping 1.51%.

Broader mining shares were on the nose too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) dipping 1.36%.

Our other red sector today was utilities stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) saw its value slide 0.06% lower this session.

It was all smiles everywhere else though. Leading the charge higher were consumer discretionary shares, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 2.68% surge.

Communications stocks also had a day to remember. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) roared 2.55% this Tuesday.

Healthcare shares were in that ballpark too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) soaring up 2.26%.

Energy stocks recovered from an early slump. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) ended up banking a 1.6% improvement.

Consumer staples shares saw decent demand, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 1.31% jump.

We could say the same for tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) lifted 1.2% this session.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) didn't miss out either, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) leaping up 1.13%.

Financial shares ran hot as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) advanced 1.19% today.

Finally, industrial stocks didn't miss out on the positive sentiment, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.43% rise.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Energy stock Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA) was our best share on the index this Tuesday. Viva stock rallied 8.61% this session to finish at $2.65.

This jump came after the company delivered a well-received earnings update to investors.

Here's how the other winners landed their planes: 

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.

Both have fallen by more than 20% over the last year; however, new analysis from Bell Potter suggests they could offer value right now. 

Here's what the broker had to say. 

Light & Wonder a monster discount

Light & Wonder develops technology-based products and services, along with associated content.

In yesterday's report, the team at Bell Potter highlighted that conditions may be favourable for the company over the next 12 months. 

The American Gaming Association reported an overall improvement in conditions for gaming operators and suppliers. Notably, 63% of the surveyed gaming executives expected growth in capital investment over the next 6-12 months, a substantial increase on prior surveys. Further, a net positive of 60% and 20% of Suppliers expected growth in replacement and expansion sales, respectively. Overall, these results leave us less concerned with operator capex spend in CY26.

The broker believes the ASX 200 stock offers compelling value at 9 times EV/EBIT(A), given its growth metrics.

Hub24 a compelling option 

Hub24 is a diversified financial services business. The company's core platform segment develops and provides an administrative services platform to financial advisers, stockbrokers, accountants, and their clients.

Bell Potter provided fresh guidance on the company after it released quarterly results yesterday. 

As reported by The Motley Fool team, the company announced record net inflows of $18.9 billion in FY26, up 20% on the prior comparable period (pcp), and total funds under administration (FUA) hitting $164.3 billion, up 20% on pcp.

Overall, Bell Potter said HUB24 delivered a solid quarter, even though growth slowed a little.

The underlying business remains healthy, superannuation growth is improving, and Bell Potter still sees HUB24 as being on track for solid long-term growth.

Class is improving, with superannuation net inflows growing as a share, and boosting the result. The addition of retirement income streams (TAL) should support this trend and the result leaves FY27 target parts intact.

How much upside is there for these ASX 200 stocks?

In yesterday's reports, the team at Bell Potter retained its buy recommendations for both ASX 200 stocks. 

The broker has a price target of $110 for Hub24 shares. 

This indicates an upside potential of just over 35% for the ASX 200 stock. 

Meanwhile, it has a price target of $190 on Light & Wonder shares. 

This indicates an upside of nearly 72% for the gaming company. 

The post These ASX 200 stocks are tipped to rise up to 71% – Expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The companies profiled are from across the spectrum of listed companies, and in the case of the highest profile company, it's from overseas.

Let's check that one out first.

Space Exploration Technologies Corp (NASDAQ: SPCX) 

Shares in SpaceX plunged 5.4% over the weekend to be changing hands for US$123.99, well below the company's initial public offer price of US$135, and a far cry from levels higher than US$200 the stock visited in the days following its listing.

Despite the recent share price weakness, analysts are almost ubiquitous in their belief that the shares will trade higher, and UBS is one of those, with a share price target of US$210.

The investment thesis is based on the fact that SpaceX is an early and dominant player in the space sector, and that it has the chance to use that dominance to advance its other business units.

Currently, the company's space and AI divisions are not turning a profit, while its Starlink connectivity division is.

Fot its part, UBS believes SpaceX has "an unparalleled set of assets with a multifaceted return profile and multiple drivers of upside for long term, risk tolerant investors''.

Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

Morgan Stanley has included Hub24 in its small-mid cap ideas list, saying in a note to clients that a broader sell-off in Australian technology growth stocks has pushed its share price lower.

Morgan Stanley says Hub24 has "delivered industry leading net flows and funds under administration growth as well as operating leverage in recent periods, yet has underperformed its closest peers'', which are Netwealth Ltd (ASX: NWL), Praemium Ltd (ASX: PPS), and AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP) on a year-to-date basis.

The broker said they believed the Federal Budget created more demand for financial advice and increased relative tax advantages for superannuation, which would benefit Hub24.

Morgan Stanley has a price target of $120 on Hub24 shares compared to $84.95 at the time of writing.

Wisetech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

Bell Potter says while there has been a tech rally "of sorts" on the ASX over the past couple of months, Wisetech did not gain during this time.

This was possibly due to negative press around the company's founder Richard White, they said, "and risk around both the FY26 result and FY27 guidance and whether each meets market expectations''.

They added:

In our view, however, these negatives will start to dissipate over the coming months and indeed have already commenced with the appointment earlier this month of Raelene Murphy to Chair which we regard as a positive move. We also believe the company will achieve its FY26 guidance when it reports next month – albeit with some risk around revenue but this should be made up by the margin – and the FY27 guidance will meet expectations following downgrades by the sell-side (ourselves included) over the past few months.

Bell Potter has a price target of $71.75 on Wisetech shares compared to $33.88 at the time of writing.

Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW)

Jarden has released a research note on Light & Wonder ahead of its results release and says it expects the results to be broadly in line with consensus estimates.

The broker says customer demand has remained resilient in the US, and despite ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty, this should continue.

Jarden says it likes both Light & Wonder and Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL), but it has a "strong preference" for Light & Wonder on valuation grounds.

The broker has a price target of $182 on the company's shares compared to $112.34 at the time of writing.

The post 4 ASX share tips from 4 brokers, for returns better than 40% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The ASX 200 didn't record a gain for the day, though. It didn't record a loss either. Instead, it ended the day exactly where it started. Yep, the index was completely flat this Tuesday, moving precisely 0.00% and finishing at 8,808.5 points, where it was 24 hours ago. A rare occurrence indeed.

This fascinating result for the local markets followed a decisively negative night to kick off the American trading week on Wall Street, though.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) wasn't in a good mood, dropping 0.26%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared even worse, falling 1.55%

But let's return to ASX shares now and take stock of how the different ASX sectors navigated this Tuesday's tepid trading conditions.

Winners and losers

As you may expect, we had a fairly even break between winners and losers this session.

Leading the latter were real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) was hit hard today, tumbling 1.64%.

Consumer staples shares didn't hold their value either, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) tanking 0.81%.

Financial stocks also had a rough time. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) retreated 0.54%.

Industrial shares were on the nose too, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.47% slide.

That's it for the red sectors though, so let's get to the winners. Leading said winners were energy stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) rocketed 1.98% this Tuesday.

Utilities shares were in demand as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) soaring 1.37%.

Mining stocks ran hot, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) surged 0.67% by the closing bell.

Healthcare shares were right behind that, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.66% jump.

Gold stocks were also in that ballpark. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) leapt 0.62% higher this session.

Consumer discretionary shares came next, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) advancing 0.39%.

Communications stocks got out ahead as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) lifted 0.21% today.

Finally, tech shares were lucky to come out intact, evident by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 0.07% bump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Gaming technology company Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW) took out this Tuesday's top spot. Light & Wonder shares vaulted 7.98% higher today to finish at $111.60 each. We dove into this jump earlier today.

Here's how the other winners pulled up at the kerb: 

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.

At the time of writing, the ASX gaming shares are changing hands at $112.57 a piece.

The rebound is good news for investors after the stock tumbled around 39% from an all-time high in early January. 

Despite the latest rebound, Light & Wonder shares are still down around 28% year to date and 24% below the trading levels seen this time last year.

What has happened to Light & Wonder shares today?

There hasn't been any price-sensitive news out of the company today to explain the latest increase, but Light & Wonder has posted an update to the ASX this morning, which could have helped reinvigorate investor confidence in the company's outlook.

The company announced that it plans to release its financial results for the Q2 FY26, ending 30 June, before the ASX opens on the 5th of August.

Also, as part of the announcement, the company reiterated its 2026 outlook and said it continues to expect mid-to-high single-digit growth and consolidated adjusted EBITDA growth for the year, despite broad macroeconomic uncertainty.

The company also confirmed it is committed to deleveraging its balance sheet toward the mid-point of its targeted net debt leverage ratio range during 2026, and to below 3.0x in the first half of 2027, subject to the continuation of share repurchases. 

Approximately US$180 million remains under its ongoing share repurchase program. 

Do brokers rate the ASX gaming stock as a buy, sell, or hold?

The experts are uniformly bullish about the outlook for Light & Wonder shares over the next 12 months. And it looks like we could see a huge upside ahead, even after today's share price spike.

Market Index data shows that brokers agree on a strong buy consensus on the stock, and the $192.75 target price implies a 72% upside ahead.

TradingView data shows that some experts are even more bullish. The majority (20 out of 23) have a buy or strong buy rating on the shares. Another three have a hold rating.

The average target price is a little lower, at $176.2, but it still implies a potential 57% upside ahead, at the time of writing. But some analysts forecast that Light & Wonder shares could rise by up to 99% to $222.79 over the next 12 months.

My view on Light & Wonder shares

Light & Wonder has been reshaping its business in recent years, focusing on recurring revenue and higher-quality earnings. If the company's next results are able to confirm that execution has continued improving and there is potential to build value over the long term, investor confidence and its share price could follow suit.

The post Why are Light & Wonder shares flying 9% higher today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

I've reviewed the reports coming out of the major broking houses and zeroed in on four from Canaccord Genuity, which profile companies that could do very well indeed.

Let's see which companies they like at the moment.

Bravura Solutions Ltd (ASX: BVS)

Shares in Bravura jumped last week after the company delivered a better-than-expected earnings update for the past financial year.

The company said revenue would be within its previously guided range of $280 to $285 million, but cash EBITDA would be about $77 million, compared with previous guidance of $69 to $73 million.

Managing Director Colin Greenhill said the company had "continued to manage costs well whilst investing in core technology and exploring new initiatives''.

Canaccord Genuity said in its note to clients they believed cost management was the key to the result.

They said:

With costs very tightly managed in the half, we believe this positions BVS well entering FY27. With the new financial year potentially having lower project work, in our view, given FY26 featured work on the Aware and Telstra Super merger (of which Aware has labelled as completed), the potential for lower FY27 project revenue seems to be well managed by the cost-base being tightly managed.

The broker has a $2.73 price target on Bravura shares compared to $2.17 at the time of writing.

Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW)

Canaccord Genuity said a recent share price pullback has Light & Wonder shares trading near 12-month lows, "and offering valuation constructs not seen in recent years''.

They added:

In addition, a widening of the discount to Aristocrat Leisure (ASX: ALL) has been apparent in recent months at levels not far from historic peaks. We remain attracted to the LNW thesis and consider the business to have a solid medium-term growth profile.

The broker has a $182 price target on Light & Wonder shares compared to $102.78 at the time of writing.

Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB)

This drug company recently reported its quarterly sales results for its flagship drug Ryoncil, notching up US$36 million for the quarter and US$115 million for the full year.

The company's Chief Executive Officer, Dr Silviu Itescu, said Mesoblast was anticipating continued revenue growth in the current financial year, "in line with momentum we are seeing across major U.S. paediatric centres''.

Canaccord Genuity said it viewed consensus estimates of US$180 to US$190 million in Ryoncil sales this year as ambitious, but still has a bullish share price target of $3.23, up from $2.34 at the time of writing.

Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX: PNR)

Canaccord Genuity has a very bullish $4.20 share price target on this company, compared to the price of $2.04 at the time of writing, but stresses that this is a speculative buy for investors.

Pantoro missed production estimates for the June quarter, but Canaccord said the longer-term story was of interest.

PNR expects to release its 5-year production plan this quarter alongside its annual Resource and Reserve update, which we expect will incorporate the new high-grade underground zones being delineated by PNR's extensive ongoing growth program. We note PNR has reaffirmed its long-term growth target of up to 200kozpa of production.

This compares to the current guidance for FY27 of 90,000 to 105,000 ounces of gold.

The post 4 ASX shares which could improve by 25% to more than 100% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.