Are they bullish, bearish, or something in between? Let's find out.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

Shaw and Partners has given its verdict on this banking giant. Unfortunately, it thinks CBA shares are a sell this week.

The main reason for this is its current valuation. The broker sees little margin for error and better value elsewhere in the sector. It said:

The CBA remains a high quality banking operation, but its valuation is increasingly difficult to justify. The stock trades at a significant premium to global peers despite a mature domestic banking market and limited growth potential, in my view.

While earnings remain stable, we see better value elsewhere in the sector. We believe the current share price leaves little margin for error, supporting a sell recommendation on valuation grounds. The shares have risen from $158.74 on February 10 to trade at $181.65 on April 9.

Reece Ltd (ASX: REH)

Over at DP Wealth Advisory, its analysts have named this plumbing parts company's shares as a sell.

It highlights supply and demand pressures as a reason to be cautious, as well as a premium valuation. It explains:

This plumbing supplies company operates in Australia, New Zealand and the United States. It's exposed to cyclical forces within the building industry, including supply and demand pressures. While sales revenue was up 6 per cent in the first half of 2026 compared to the prior corresponding period, net profit after tax fell 20 per cent. EBITDA declined 6 per cent in response to elevated costs.

The company is re-investing to drive longer term cost efficiencies and growth opportunities. However, the company is trading on a lofty price/earnings ratio compared to peers. In my view, Reece is exposed to supply chain and cost issues if the Middle East turns into a prolonged conflict.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Shaw and Partners is a little more positive on Bunnings owner Wesfarmers. It has named its shares as a hold this week.

While the broker is a fan of the company, it believes its share price is fully valued now and offers only limited upside. It said:

This company continues to deliver reliable earnings through its diversified portfolio of quality retail and industrial businesses. Company net profit after tax rose 9.3 per cent in the first half of 2026 when compared to the prior corresponding period. Revenue was up 3.1 per cent. Hardware giant Bunnings lifted total sales by 4 per cent. Total sales at Officeworks were up 4.7 per cent.

Strong balance sheet discipline and management execution support resilience across economic cycles. Much of this is already reflected in the share price, limiting near term upside, in my view. While it remains a high quality core holding, we believe a hold rating is appropriate until a lower share price or growth catalyst emerges.

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

Four ASX shares that are acting as a drag on the market today are listed below. Here's why they are falling:

New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC)

The New Hope share price is down 5.5% to $5.00. Investors have been selling this coal miner's shares following the release of its half-year results. New Hope posted a 20.1% decline in revenue to $814.4 million and an 84% decline in net profit after tax to $54.3 million. This was driven by a 20.4% decline in its average realised selling price, its exposure to increased prime overburden movement, and lower non-regular gains. In light of New Hope's falling profits, the company slashed its fully franked interim dividend to 10 cents per share (from 19 cents per share a year ago).

Pepper Money Ltd (ASX: PPM)

The Pepper Money share price is down 10% to $1.90. This follows an announcement from Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF) relating to its takeover approach. The annuities company revealed that it has amended its takeover offer and reduced the offer price from $2.60 per share to $2.25 per share. This is less the final fully franked Pepper Money 2025 dividend of 7.8 cents per share and any special dividend. Challenger notes that the revised proposal represents its best and final offer, in the absence of a superior proposal. Pepper Money's independent board committee advised that it will consider the revised proposal.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

The Pro Medicus share price is down 3% to $127.50. This is despite there being no news out of the health imaging technology company. However, it seems that AI disruption concerns are continuing to weigh heavily on the tech sector on Tuesday. This has seen the S&P/ASX All Technology Index underperform with a 1.3% decline this afternoon.

Reece Ltd (ASX: REH)

The Reece share price is down over 2.5% to $14.11. The catalyst for this has been the plumbing parts company's shares going ex-dividend today for its latest payout. Last month, Reece released its half-year results and declared a fully franked 5.4 cents per share dividend. This will be paid to eligible shareholders next month on 1 April.

The post Why New Hope, Pepper Money, Pro Medicus, and Reece shares are falling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

ASX 200 set to rebound

The Australian share market looks set for a good session on Tuesday following a decent start to the week in the US. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is poised to open the day 43 points or 0.5% higher. In late trade on Wall Street, the Dow Jones is up 0.8%, the S&P 500 is up 0.95%, and the Nasdaq is 1.1% higher.

Oil prices sink

It could be a poor session for ASX 200 energy shares Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) after oil prices sank overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 4.75% to US$93.89 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 2.7% to US$100.31 a barrel. This was driven by news that Donald Trump is pressuring allies to protect tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

RBA meeting

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) shares will be on watch on Tuesday when the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) makes its decision on interest rates. According to the latest cash rate futures, the market is pricing in a 71% probability of the RBA lifting the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.1%.

Gold price softens

ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) could have a subdued session on Tuesday after the gold price softened overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 0.85% to US$5,019.4 an ounce. Inflation fears have been weighing on the precious metal.

ASX 200 shares going ex-div

A number of ASX 200 shares are going ex-dividend today and could trade lower. This includes job listings company Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK), plumbing parts company Reece Ltd (ASX: REH), and debt collector Credit Corp Ltd (ASX: CCP). With respect to Seek, it will be rewarding its shareholders with a fully franked 27 cents per share interim dividend on 1 April.

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

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

As we've reported, some of the biggest dividend increases among ASX mining shares this season came from the gold miners.

Next week, two of them go ex-dividend.

Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) shares will pay a fully-franked interim dividend of 3 cents per share on 15 April.

This exceeds the company's commitment to pay a minimum annual dividend of 2 cents per share for FY26.

Ramelius Resources reported a 13% increase in EBITDA to $347.7 million but a 6% fall in net profit after tax (NPAT) to $160 million.

The ASX gold share goes ex-dividend on Monday.

Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) shares will pay a maiden fully franked interim dividend of 5 cents per share.

The gold miner reported a 130% jump in underlying NPAT to $144.8 million for 1H FY26.

The ASX gold share also goes ex-dividend on Monday.

Here is a sample of the other ASX All Ords shares with ex-dividend dates next week.

ASX shares about to go ex-dividend

The post 26 ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

By the time trading wrapped up today, the ASX 200 had given up a morning lead to close down 0.041%. That small drop leaves the index at 9,022.3 points.

This miserly session for the ASX follows an even nastier start to the American trading week on Wall Street in the early hours of this morning.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was crushed, dropping 1.66%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared slightly better, but still lost 1.13% of its value.

But let's return to the local markets and take stock of how the different ASX sectors fared amid today's tough trading conditions.

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

After a strong start at market open, the ASX 200 fell into negative territory mid-morning and never recovered, closing down a hefty 0.61%. That leaves the index at a flat 9,026 points.

This painful start to the trading week for the Australian markets comes after a far rosier end to the American trading week on Saturday morning (our time).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in fine form, cruising 0.47% higher.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did one better, gaining 0.9%.

But let's get back to this week and the local markets now, though, for a deeper dive into what was happening amongst the various ASX sectors this session.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today 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:

Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CU6)

The Clarity Pharmaceuticals share price is up 12% to $3.92. This morning, the company announced another patient in its SECuRE Phase II trial achieved undetectable disease following treatment with its 67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA therapy. Clarity's executive chair, Dr Alan Taylor, said: "The momentum of data we are generating with our lead SAR-bisPSMA product in both theranostic and diagnostic trials is strong, with excellent results to date on all fronts. We are beyond excited to see yet another patient achieve undetectable disease following their 67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA treatments."

Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS)

The EOS share price is up 17% to $8.57. This follows the release of the defence company's FY 2025 results. EOS reported revenue from continuing operations of $128.5 million, which is down 27% year on year. However, looking ahead, management revealed that its unconditional order book stood at $459 million on 31 December 2025. This is up 238% from $136 million a year earlier. Importantly, EOS aims to realise 40% to 50% of the current order book during 2026.

Nuix Ltd (ASX: NXL)

The Nuix share price is up 16% to $1.58. Investors have been buying this investigative analytics and intelligence software provider's shares after it released its half-year results. Nuix reported an 8.4% increase in annualised contract value (ACV) to $234.4 million. A key driver of this has been the Nuix Neo offering, which reported ACV growth of 148% year on year to $46.8 million. It now represents 20% of the company's total ACV. Commenting on the AI threat, Nuix's interim CEO, John Ruthven, said: "The rapidly evolving AI landscape presents both challenges and opportunities for enterprise software companies. Nuix is well positioned to capitalise on these dynamics through our BYO AI framework, which allows customers to integrate their preferred AI models whilst Nuix Neo provides the critical enterprise infrastructure required by regulated industries."

Reece Ltd (ASX: REH)

The Reece share price is up 16% to $16.15. This follows the release of the plumbing parts company's half-year results. Reece reported a 6% increase in revenue to $4,648 million but a 20% decline in net profit after tax to $144 million. The latter is better than Morgans was expecting. It was forecasting a 22.9% decline in net profit to $139.5 million.

The post Why Clarity Pharmaceuticals, EOS, Nuix, and Reece shares are racing higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Reece report?

• Sales revenue up 6% to $4,648 million
• EBITDA down 6% to $448 million
• Net profit after tax (NPAT) down 20% to $144 million
• EPS down 19% to 22.7 cents
• Interim dividend of 5.44 cents per share, fully franked
• Capex to sales ratio of 1.8%

What else do investors need to know?

Reece's results reflect ongoing subdued conditions in the housing and construction markets across both Australia/New Zealand and the United States. Like‑for‑like sales were flat, with the company's network expansion contributing to overall revenue growth.

The business remains focused on three key strategic priorities: operational excellence, accelerating innovation, and investing for profitable growth. During the half, Reece added 23 net new branches across its ANZ and US networks, introduced new products, and enhanced digital capabilities for both team members and customers.

Net debt increased to $1.0 billion due to lower operating cash flow and partially funding the share buyback. A total of $401 million was returned to shareholders through these buybacks.

What did Reece management say?

Chair & CEO Peter Wilson said:

Our half year result reflects the challenges we outlined last year, with subdued housing markets continuing to impact demand resulting in flat sales on a like for like basis. In our ANZ business, we have seen signs of a gradual recovery emerging, but performance remains mixed across states. In the US, the residential new construction market is still being impacted by affordability pressures.

While it's a challenging environment, we want to do better. We're focused on actions that position us well when conditions improve – showing up for customers, delivering on our 2030 strategy and building a stronger business for the long-term.

What's next for Reece?

Reece expects subdued trading conditions to persist for the rest of FY26 and does not anticipate a material shift in demand in the short term. The business remains cautious about the pace of any recovery, but continues to invest strategically to position itself for long-term growth.

Management forecasts group EBIT for FY26 in the range of $520–$540 million. The board has declared a fully franked 5.44 cent interim dividend to be paid on 1 April 2026.

Reece share price snapshot

Over the pat 12 months, Reece shares have declined 27%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 9% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Reece HY26 results: Profit falls despite higher sales revenue appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

ASX 200 expected to rise

The Australian share market looks set for a decent start to the week following a good finish on Wall Street on Friday. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 16 points or 0.2% higher. In the United States, the Dow Jones was up 0.45%, the S&P 500 rose 0.7%, and the Nasdaq stormed 0.9% higher. However, the announcement of US tariffs over the weekend could add some volatility to today's session.

Oil prices edge higher

It could be a positive start to the week for ASX 200 energy shares such as Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) after oil prices edged higher on Friday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price was up 0.1% to US$66.48 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price was up 0.15% to US$71.76 a barrel. Oil prices have been rising after the US weighed up military strikes on Iran.

Half-year results

A number of ASX 200 shares will be on watch today when they release their half-year results. Among them are NIB Holdings Limited (ASX: NHF), Perpetual Ltd (ASX: PPT), and Reece Ltd (ASX: REH). With respect to the latter, Morgans expects the plumbing parts company to report a 22.9% decline in net profit to $139.5 million. It said: "Management noted that the macroeconomic environment remains challenging across ANZ and the US and expects activity in both regions to stay subdued in the near term."

Gold price jumps

ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a good start to the week after the gold price jumped on Friday night. According to CNBC, the gold futures price was up 1.7% to US$5,080.9 an ounce. This was driven by the release of soft US economic data which supported interest rate cut hopes.

Buy Telix shares

Bell Potter thinks investors should buy Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) shares following the release of its half-year results. It has retained its buy rating with a trimmed price target of $19.00. It said: "FY25 was a challenging period by virtue to the two CRLs from the FDA and a stream of negative news flow – most recently the sudden resignation of the Chairperson. Nevertheless, the clinical programs are ongoing, and the company is well funded to continue these."

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

These companies experienced share price falls of 4.4% and 4.6% respectively. 

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) rose 0.24%. 

Lets see what was behind the fall and if now is a good time for investors to scoop them up. 

Treasury Wine Estates

Treasury Wine Estates is among the world's top five wine producers and owns a portfolio of more than 70 brands including Australian labels such as Penfolds. 

Its share price tumbled 4.6% yesterday following a 5% fall on Monday.

It seems investors are exiting the ASX 200 stock following the release of its half-year results.

The company reported profits that were down substantially from the prior corresponding period.

It reported: 

• Net Sales Revenue (NSR) down 16.0% to $1.3 billion.
• EBITS dropped 39.6% to $236.4 million; EBITS margin shrank to 18.2% from 25.3%.
• NPAT before material items and SGARA was $128.5 million, down 46.3%.
• Statutory NPAT loss of $649.4 million

Perhaps the most disappointing part of the announcement was the suspension of dividends.

Its share price is now down more than 50% over the last year. 

Reece

For those unfamiliar, the company is a supplier of plumbing, bathroom, heating ventilation, and air-conditioning products.

This ASX 200 stock also lost significant ground during Tuesday, falling 4.4%.

However unlike Treasury Wine Estates, there was no price sensitive news out of the company. 

Reece Ltd has endured a tough 12 months, down roughly 36% in that span. 

It is now sitting close to its 52-week low.

Is either ASX 200 stock a buy low candidate?

With both stocks being down significantly in the last 12 months, it could be an opportunity for investors to buy. 

Recent valuations from experts suggest investors should wait for further drops before entering. 

A recent note out of UBS included a share price target of $4.75 for Treasury Wine Estates shares. 

That is right around the current levels. 

Morgans had a recent price target of $5.25 on the ASX 200 stock on the back of disappointing US performance in January. 

This indicates a modest upside after the recent fall, however general sentiment is negative/neutral on Treasury Wine Estates shares. 

It's unfortunately a similar story for Reece shares. 

Analysts via TradingView have an average one year price target of $13.28 on this ASX 200 stock. 

That's roughly 4.5% below current levels. 

The post These 2 ASX 200 stocks crashed yesterday – should investors swoop in? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

With that in mind, it could be worth hearing what analysts are saying about the shares listed below, courtesy of The Bull.

Here's what they are saying:

ASX Ltd (ASX: ASX)

The team at Catapult Wealth thinks that this stock exchange operator is a sell this week.

It highlights that there has been a long stream of bad news out of ASX and appears concerned there's more to come. As a result, it thinks investors should wait for the ASIC final report before even considering a position. It said:

On January 28, 2026, the Australian financial markets operator updated the market on fiscal year 2026 expense guidance. Previous guidance, excluding Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) inquiry costs, has been lifted from between 8 per cent and 11 per cent to between 13 per cent and 15 per cent.

Including ASIC inquiry costs, total expense guidance has increased from between 14 per cent and 19 per cent to between 20 per cent and 23 per cent. Unaudited statutory net profit after tax of $263.6 million in the first half of 2026 was up 8.3 per cent on the prior corresponding period.

Underlying return on equity of 13.5 per cent remains flat. ASIC's interim report cited ASX operational and governance issues. The shares have been under pressure since the ASIC inquiry was announced in June, 2025. Until we know what ASIC's final report contains, other stocks appeal more.   

Reece Ltd (ASX: REH)

Catapult Wealth also thinks that this plumbing parts company is an ASX share to sell this week.

It notes that Reece has started FY 2026 softly and given the lofty premium its shares trade on, it thinks investors should be taking profit now. Catapult Wealth explains:

The soft first quarter of fiscal year 2026 for this plumbing supplies company reflected subdued housing activity in Australia and the United States. Sales on a like-for-like basis increased just 2 per cent in Australia and New Zealand amid a low single digit decline in the US. Group EBITDA of $222 million was down 8 per cent year-on-year.

The shares fell from $24.07 on January 30, 2025 to $10.22 on September 4. The shares were trading at $14.69 on January 29, 2026. The company was recently trading on a lofty price/earnings ratio above 28 times. Investors may want to consider locking in some gains, as the shares are exposed to a downwards rating, in our view.

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC)

Over at Morgans, its analysts have named this big four bank as an ASX share to sell this week.

The broker believes there are better options out there for investors to choose from, especially given its subdued earnings growth outlook. It said:

Weaker consumer sentiment in an uncertain policy environment cloud the earnings outlook. Recent economic commentary highlights creeping pessimism among Australian consumers. Uncertainty around interest rate expectations creates a challenging setting for major banks to profitably grow credit. Westpac's long term projections show acceptable returns.

However, in our view, near term momentum appears constrained by operational adjustments, margin pressure and a more cautious economic tone. Given limited earnings catalysts on the horizon, we see better opportunities elsewhere.

The post Analysts name 3 ASX shares to sell appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

When a share price drops sharply, people begin to question the business and its outlook.

Here are 3 ASX shares that had a tough year and could be worth watching as we move into 2026.

Reece Ltd (ASX: REH)

Reece shares struggled throughout 2025 as housing and construction activity slowed across Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Higher interest rates reduced new building and renovation activity, putting pressure on sales and margins.

Recent results showed weaker earnings, which disappointed investors who had become used to steady growth. Brokers have also taken a more cautious view in the short term, pointing to uncertainty around when construction markets will recover.

Despite that, Reece remains a high-quality business with a strong distribution network and leading market position. The company has navigated housing cycles before, and when demand eventually stabilises, earnings should begin to recover.

If interest rates ease and building activity picks up, Reece shares could start to look much more attractive heading into 2026.

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE)

Treasury Wine Estates shares were among the worst performers on the ASX in 2025, falling more than 50% over the year. Weaker global wine demand, higher costs, and disappointing earnings all weighed on the share price.

Management has responded by cutting costs and resetting expectations. While near-term conditions remain challenging, several brokers believe much of the bad news is already priced into the share price.

There has also been renewed investor interest in the business, particularly given its portfolio of premium global wine brands. If demand improves in key markets or cost pressures ease, earnings could stabilise faster than expected.

There are risks, but the recent sell-off has made Treasury Wine's potential recovery more appealing than a year ago.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

WiseTech shares fell sharply in 2025 as global freight volumes normalised and investors pulled back from high-growth technology stocks.

Slower near-term growth and ongoing investment weighed on margins, which unsettled investors. However, the company remains the global leader in logistics software through its CargoWise platform.

Several brokers continue to see value at current levels, with price targets sitting well above the current share price. Those analysts argue that the market has become overly pessimistic about WiseTech's long-term growth potential.

If global trade activity improves and margins begin to recover, WiseTech could be well placed for a rebound into 2026.

Foolish takeaway

All 3 ASX shares have fallen more than 40% in 2025, but for different reasons.

Each has short-term challenges, but none of the businesses look fundamentally broken.

For investors willing to look beyond the near-term market noise, these sell-offs could create opportunities if conditions improve in 2026.

The post Down over 40% this year, could these 3 ASX shares bounce back in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The market clearly loved the announcement but beyond the share price reaction, the decision raises a bigger question for investors: Why would management choose to buy back shares and should investors turn bullish on Reece shares?

Why buy back shares?

At its core, a share buyback is a capital allocation decision. Reece management are effectively saying that, at current prices, buying the company's own shares offers a better risk-adjusted return than alternative uses of capital such as acquisitions, branch expansion, or accelerated investment in growth initiatives.

The move also implies that management believe that Reece shares are currently undervalued. Even after today's 3% rise, Reece shares are still down 42% year to date and down 11% over the last 5 years.

For shareholders, buybacks can be attractive.

All else equal, buybacks reduce the number of shares on issue, which can lift earnings per share, support valuation metrics, and signal management confidence in the underlying business.

The flipside of share buybacks

That said, buybacks aren't always an unambiguous positive.

When a company chooses to return capital rather than reinvest it, it can also imply that management sees fewer high-return organic growth opportunities available right now. In other words, Reece may believe its best option is to optimise its share price using financial engineering rather than organic growth.

Of course, its never that black and white and in reality, management could be pursuing both organic growth and and buybacks to optimise their capital allocation mix.

Another thing for investors to take note of is that Reece is funding the buyback from existing cash and debt facilities.

There are plenty of situations where increasing debt to buyback equity makes financial sense (e.g. debt is typically a cheaper form of financing than equity partly because it is typically tax deductible), but some investors may still be uncomfortable with increasing debt for this purpose.

So how should investors think about it?

For long-term investors, the expanded buyback builds confidence that management view the current share price as undervalued and an opportunity to reduce the total number of shares outstanding, increase earnings per share, and ultimately increase the value of the shares for shareholders.

However, it's not a substitute for growth and ultimately, the share price over time will still depend on Reece's performance in its core residential and commercial markets, particularly in Australia and the US.

For now, the market clearly sees value in Reece backing itself.

The post Where would you invest $85m? Reece shares jump 3% on major buyback expansion appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Reece report?

• Increased its on-market share buyback target from $35 million to $85 million
• The buyback will be funded from existing cash reserves and debt facilities
• The program commenced on 12 December 2025 and may run up to 12 months
• Actual purchase amount and timing will depend on share price and market conditions
• No change to Reece's balance sheet strength or conservative leverage ratio

What else do investors need to know?

Reece Group's decision to expand the buyback signals confidence in its financial position and outlook. The Board has emphasised that managing capital efficiently remains a top priority, supporting both future growth and shareholder returns.

The buyback is described as occurring in the ordinary course of ASX trading. Reece says the final number of shares repurchased and the timing will be adjusted as needed, based on ongoing market factors.

What did Reece management say?

Chairman and CEO Peter Wilson commented:

Further to the announcement of our on-market share buyback on 27 November 2025, the Board has approved an increase to the total target, now set at $85 million. This reflects our disciplined approach to capital management and ongoing commitment to delivering shareholder value. We continue to focus on maintaining a strong balance sheet with a conservative leverage ratio to fund future growth.

What's next for Reece?

The company plans to continue its buyback program over the coming year, watching market movements and its own capital needs. Maintaining a strong balance sheet and conservative leverage will underpin its ongoing investment and growth strategy.

Shareholders can expect Reece to remain focused on prudent financial management as it navigates changing market conditions. Management has reaffirmed the company's commitment to operational strength and long-term growth ambitions.

Reece share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Reece shares have declined 44%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Reece announces $85 million on-market buyback target appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The most recent rebalance of the ASX indices is set to take effect from December 22, with the additions and exclusions to each index important for funds that look to track those indices.

As such, an inclusion can be a boon for shareholders, while an exclusion can put downward pressure on a company's share price performance.

With Lynas and Soul Patts to be included in the ASX 50, two companies, Amcor Plc (ASX: AMC) and Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR), will be removed.

China moves spur interest in Lynas

Lynas shares have been trading between $13 and $16 for the past month or so, after surging to a 12-month high of $21.96 in mid-October at a time when China flagged extra export controls on key rare earths elements.

The shares are still well up on the 12-month lows of $6.16, and Macquarie recently issued a research note maintaining its outperform rating for the stock, with a 12-month price target of $17. The shares closed Friday's session at $14.14.

As for the S&P/ASX 100 Index (ASX: XTO), vehicle dealership owner Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE) will be included in the next rebalance, as will Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM).

The $7.57 billion Eagers, in recent months, announced a major capital raise at $21 per share to help pay for its $1.04 billion 65% buyout of CanadaOne Auto Group, with the shares continuing to trade well above that level, last changing hands for $26.84.

Analysts have looked kindly on the CanadaOne purchase, with Macquarie in early November saying the "acquisition of CanadaOne provides a platform for further North American inorganic growth, in what is a highly fragmented market''.

At the time, Macquarie had a price target of $29.98 on Eagers stock.

As for Capricorn Metals, its shares are up more than 100% over the past 12 months, during which time it acquired its Mt Gibson gold project where it has grown the mineral resource estimate to 4.5 million ounces of contained gold.

The company also recently acquired Warriedar Resources for an equity value of $188 million.

To make way for Eagers and Capricorn, Reece Ltd (ASX: REH) and Reliance Worldwide Corporation Ltd (ASX: RWC) will be removed from the ASX 100.

There will be no changes to the S&P/ASX 20 Index (ASX: XTL) this time around.

The post See which companies have just been added to key ASX indices appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The bathroom, HVAC, plumbing and waterworks business has a significant presence across Australia, New Zealand and the US. However, this diversification hasn't helped the business avoid a significant decline.

Reece's FY25 result did not inspire, with revenue declining 1%, operating profit (EBITDA) dropping 11% to $901 million, and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) sinking 20% to $548 million. ANZ revenue rose 1% but US revenue declined 5% in US dollar terms.

Profit isn't going in the right direction, but there are a number of signs that this could be the right time to invest for brave investors.

Compelling reasons to like the ASX 200 share

Firstly, revenue momentum seems to have improved from FY25. In the first quarter of FY26, the company reported that group sales were up 8% year-over-year, or 6% on a constant currency basis.

While EBITDA was down 8% and EBIT down 18% in the first quarter, the company said that a significant portion of that was due to network growth, ongoing investment in core capabilities and elevated depreciation and amortisation because of ongoing investment in the business.

We'd like to see profit rise year after year, but I think it's a good idea for Reece to invest for the long term because it should lead to stronger results for the business.

The company's investments in its network can help unlock revenue growth and should help Reece's economies of scale as it becomes larger.

In the first three months of FY26, Reece added another 15 branches across its two regions, with five new locations in Australia and New Zealand, as well as 10 new locations in the US.

The business is continuing to expect a period of "soft activity in both regions" – that's why the Reece share price has fallen so much over the past year, it's seeing weak conditions with no clear end in sight. But, I think this is the right time to invest when conditions are weak. Shares don't fall heavily for no reason.

Management see this as a good time to buy Reece shares, which is why the ASX 200 share recently announced another share buyback, this time for $35 million.

While earnings are projected to decline in FY26, earnings per share (EPS) is forecast to rise 14% in FY27, according to the forecast on CMC Markets. This could be the start of a longer-term recovery for the business, in my view. Rising profit could make a big difference to market confidence.

Based on that projection, the Reece share price is valued at 25x FY27's estimated earnings, which is a lot cheaper than it used to be.

The post This ASX 200 share is down 57% from its peak. I think it's a turnaround buy! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT)

The Catapult Sports share price is up 5.5% to $5.35. This appears to have been driven by the release of a broker note out of Morgans this morning. According to the note, the broker has initiated coverage on the sports performance technology company's shares with a buy rating and $6.25 price target. It said: "We forecast strong topline growth for CAT, estimating a ~20% ACV 3-year CAGR, reaching ~US$180m by FY28. A scalable platform and strong SaaS metrics should see CAT join the 'Rule of 40' club by FY27. We initiate coverage on Catapult Sports (CAT) with a Buy recommendation and a A$6.25 per share price target."

Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd (ASX: KCN)

The Kingsgate Consolidated share price is up 2.5% to $4.22. This morning, this gold miner revealed that it has mutually agreed to terminate arbitration proceedings with the Thai government that were commenced in November 2017. Kingsgate's CEO, Jamie Gibson, said: "This is a historic moment for Kingsgate's investment in the Chatree Mine. I look forward to an era of renewed cooperation with the Thai Government. I believe that the continuance of operations at the Chatree Mine will deliver significant benefits to Kingsgate and its shareholders as well as to the people of Thailand. More generally, I think this development is a strong and positive signal that Thailand is open for business."

Light & Wonder Inc. (ASX: LNW)

The Light & Wonder share price is up 5.5% to $151.55. This may have been driven by a broker note out of UBS. This morning, the broker reaffirmed its buy rating and $206.00 price target on the gaming technology company's shares. It highlights that industry data shows that gaming revenues in the US increased strongly in October.

Reece Ltd (ASX: REH)

The Reece share price is up 4% to $12.75. This morning, this plumbing parts company announced a new $35 million on-market share buyback. The company's chair and CEO, Peter Wilson, said: "We have a well-defined capital allocation framework and continue to take a long-term approach to shareholder value creation. We remain committed to maintaining a strong balance sheet with a conservative leverage ratio to fund future growth."

The post Why Catapult, Kingsgate, Light & Wonder, and Reece shares are storming higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Shares in the plumbing parts company closed yesterday trading for $12.24. In early morning trade on Thursday, shares are changing hands for $12.60 apiece, up 2.9%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.2% at this same time.

Despite today's boost – and the 18.7% gains achieved since last Wednesday's close – the Reece share price remains down a sharp 50.8% since this time last year.

Those losses will have only been modestly dampened by the 18.4 cents per share in fully franked dividends the company paid eligible stockholders over this period. Reece shares currently trade at a fully franked 1.46% trailing dividend yield.

Now, here's what's happening today.

ASX 200 stock increases share buyback to $400 million

In October, Reece completed a $365 million off-market share buyback, with the company paying $13 per share. The buyback was funded with both cash and debt.

Today, the ASX 200 stock announced an on-market share buyback of up to $35 million. Management noted this is now at the upper limit of the buyback the company had previously announced.

The new $35 million buyback will also be funded via a mix of on-hand cash and existing debt facilities.

Commenting on the new buyback, Reece chair and CEO Peter Wilson said, "We have a well-defined capital allocation framework and continue to take a long-term approach to shareholder value creation."

Wilson added, "We remain committed to maintaining a strong balance sheet with a conservative leverage ratio to fund future growth."

The ASX 200 stock expects the on-market buyback to commence on or after 12 December. It will be conducted in the ordinary course of trading and could run for up to 12 months.

What else has been impacting Reece shares?

Reece shares have enjoyed a strong run since the company reported its September quarter results on 21 November.

Highlights included an 8% year-on-year increase in sales revenue for the three months to $2.41 billion. (Sales revenue was up 6% on a constant currency basis.)

"Sales were supported by network expansion over the past 12 months," Wilson said.

Indeed, over the quarter, the ASX 200 stock added 10 new branches in the United States and five new branches in Australia and New Zealand.

But with costs rising, earnings came under pressure.

Reece reported an 8% year-on-year decline in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) to $222 million.

"Costs remain elevated driven by network growth, ongoing investment in core capabilities and the impact of labour cost inflation in competitive markets, especially the US," Wilson said.

The post Down 51% in a year, guess which resurgent ASX 200 stock is lifting off on $35 million buyback news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Australia's leading plumbing and bathroom supplier has seen its share price tumble from $25.92 per share at the end of November last year to $12.12 at the time of writing.

This equates to a 52% drop in the last 12 months. By comparison, the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) has climbed by 1.7% in the same period.

Expanding US network

Founded in Australia and now also operating across New Zealand and the US, Reece serves both trade and retail customers. The network of the popular ASX 200 share continues to expand. In the last quarter, it added 18 branches in the US and 14 in Australia and New Zealand.

Reece's scale gives it a competitive advantage, and over the years, it has built strong margins due to high-frequency trade customers and a broad product range.

Weak housing conditions

However, cracks are appearing. The housing markets are weak in both the US, and Australia and New Zealand, and margins are under pressure from elevated labour costs and inflation.

Reece also faces increasing competition, especially on its home turf with players like Tradelink and JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH), which has entered the market of home fittings.

Better-than-expected sales

The ASX 200 share was one of the big winners on Monday, gaining 12.6%. The share price lifted on Friday's quarterly update, which was better than expected. After the Tuesday lunch hour, the Reece share price recorded a 2% loss, settling at $12.12.

Reece reported 8% revenue growth to $2.41 billion for 1Q FY26, while EBITDA fell 8% to $222 million. Management warned that soft demand could persist, making short-term earnings recovery uncertain.

Peter Wilson, Chair and CEO, said:

Costs remain elevated driven by network growth, ongoing investment in core capabilities and the impact of labour cost inflation in competitive markets, especially the US. We are still expecting a period of soft activity in both regions.

Long and bumpy recovery

Analysts are broadly cautious and warn that recovery could be long and bumpy.

Morgans rates the ASX 200 share as a hold. The broker applauds the stronger sales in 1Q FY26 but sees ongoing margin pressures from higher costs and tough market conditions in ANZ and the US.

As a result, it has only upgraded Reece shares to a hold rating with a slightly increased price target of $11.25, up from $11.10.

Morgans noted in its recent research:

With a 12-month forecast TSR of 5%, we upgrade our rating to HOLD (from TRIM). While we continue to view REH as a fundamentally strong business with a good culture and a long track record of growth, the operating environment remains challenging, particularly in the US where competitive pressures persist. Trading on 24.2x FY26F PE with a 1.6% yield, we see the stock as fully valued and prefer to wait for signs of market improvement before reassessing our view.

The post Can this ASX 200 share bounce back after crashing 52% this year? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.