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

ASX 200 expected to fall

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

Oil prices rise

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

Buy Premier Investments shares

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

Gold price edges lower

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

GenusPlus shares given buy rating

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

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

By the time trading wrapped up, the index had lost 0.72%, closing at a flat 8,702 points.

This rough day for the ASX followed a similarly bearish session over on the US markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was not in favour, losing 0.68% of its value.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was even worse, diving 1.13%.

But let's return to the local markets now and dig a little deeper into what was happening with the different ASX sectors today.

Winners and losers

Only a handful of sectors came out unscathed in today's trading.

But first, it was gold stocks that were hit the hardest. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) was smashed, tanking 2.25%.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were punished too, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) plunging 1.95%.

We could say the same for mining shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) cratered by 1.46% this session.

Communications stocks weren't popular either, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 1.07% tumble.

Financial shares weren't riding to the rescue. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) had 1.07% shaved from its value.

Industrial stocks were our last losers of the day, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) dipping 0.2%.

Turning to the green sectors now, it was energy shares that were treated the most kindly. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) saw its value surge 1.17% this Thursday.

Consumer staples stocks held their value too, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.36% rise.

Utilities shares were also in that ballpark. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) jumped 0.29% today.

Tech stocks were right behind, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) advancing 0.25%.

Healthcare shares tied that result. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) also added 0.125% to its value.

Finally, consumer discretionary stocks managed to stay above water, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.09% bump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Our Thursday winner was retail stock Premier Investments Ltd (ASX: PMV). Premier shares rocketed 7.08% higher today, finishing up at $11.95 each.

This big move came after the company reported its full-year results, which clearly impressed the market.

Here's how the other top stocks 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.

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

ASX 200 expected to sink

It looks set to be a tough session for Australian investors on Thursday following a poor night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 104 points or 1.2% lower this morning. In the United States, the Dow Jones fell 0.7%, the S&P 500 dropped 0.75%, and the Nasdaq was 1.1% lower.

ASX 200 shares paying dividends

A number of ASX 200 shares are rewarding their shareholders with dividends on Thursday. This includes PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD), Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC), and Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO). The latter is paying a fully franked $2.96 per share interim dividend later today.

Oil prices rise

ASX 200 energy shares Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a good session after oil prices rose overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 2.4% to US$92.70 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 4.1% to US$103.35 a barrel. Doubts over a US-Iran peace deal were behind the rise.

Buy Nufarm shares

Nufarm Ltd (ASX: NUF) shares could be a good option for investors according to Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has retained its buy rating on the agricultural chemicals company's shares with an improved price target of $3.90 (from $3.75). It said: "Our Buy rating is unchanged. In FY26e NUF has delivered a result that was consistent with our expectations, while incurring costs related to plant outages that were not expected. The underlying performance looks to be stronger than what is implied at the headline, with material YoY growth in Seeds and the basis of the next leg of cost outs now articulated."

Gold price falls

It could be a poor day for ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) on Thursday after the gold price fell overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 1.2% to US$4,323.9 an ounce. A rebound in oil prices appears to have led to increased US rate hike bets.

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

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

ASX 200 to rise

The Australian share market looks set for a decent session on Wednesday despite a mixed night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 18 points or 0.2% higher. In the United States, the Dow Jones fell 0.35%, the S&P 500 was flat, and the Nasdaq was 0.45% higher.

Oil prices fall

ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a subdued session on Wednesday after oil prices fell overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 0.6% to US$95.21 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 1.8% to US$98.52 a barrel. Traders were selling oil on US-Iran peace hopes.

ASX shares going ex-dividend

A number of ASX shares are going ex-dividend this morning and could trade lower. This includes gold miner St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM), energy company Genesis Energy Ltd (ASX: GNE), and toll road operator Atlas Arteria Group (ASX: ALX). The latter will be rewarding its shareholders with an unfranked 20 cents per share dividend next month on 7 October.

Gold price rises

ASX 200 gold shares Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a good session on Wednesday after the gold price pushed higher. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 0.3% to US$4,396.4 an ounce. Falling oil prices have eased rate hike bets.

Hold Seek shares

Bell Potter thinks Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK) shares are around fair value at current prices. This morning, the broker has retained its hold rating on the job listings company's shares with a trimmed price target of $13.00 (from $13.80). It said: "We await a positive shift in sentiment or visibility on jobs volumes recovery; potential near term Growth Fund monetisation remains an asymmetric upside risk, though the rising interest rate backdrop may also be an additional headwind in seeking a desired exit price for nominated assets. SEK appears to be improving operations to sustainably target 10% yield growth on top of strong cost controls, however, despite trading at deep value ex. Growth Fund, macro-based headwinds suggest difficult sentiment near-term for the stock. Maintain Hold."

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

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

ASX 200 to rise

The Australian share market looks set for a good session on Tuesday following a strong night in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 28 points or 0.3% higher. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones rose 0.7%, the S&P 500 jumped 1.5%, and the Nasdaq stormed 2.25% higher.

Dividend payday

A group of ASX 200 shares will be rewarding their shareholders with their latest dividend payments on Tuesday. This includes Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG), Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN), and Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL). The latter is paying shareholders a fully franked 37 cents per share dividend later today.

Oil prices tumble

ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a tough session on Tuesday after oil prices tumbled overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 4.9% to US$95.37 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 3.6% to US$100.10 a barrel. This was driven by optimism that the US and Iran could start peace talks.

Gold price falls

ASX 200 gold shares Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) and Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) could have a soft session after the gold price dropped overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 1% to US$4,381.3 an ounce. The precious metal has come under pressure due to increasing US rate hike bets.

Buy Telix shares

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) shares could be in the buy zone according to Bell Potter. In response to its merger news, the broker has retained its buy rating and $19.00 price target on Telix's shares. It said: "We are yet to include the earnings impact from the transaction in our forecast, nevertheless, it represents a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire a dominant share in the supply of Lu-177 that is very difficult to replicate. While earnings may take a year or two to realise, the underlying value is obvious. Maintain Buy rating."

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday 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 fall

The Australian share market looks set for a poor start to the week following a mixed session on Wall Street on Friday. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 57 points or 0.65% lower. In the United States, the Dow Jones was down 0.2%, the S&P 500 rose 0.15%, and the Nasdaq pushed 0.4% higher.

Oil prices drop

ASX 200 energy shares including Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) could have a soft start to the week after oil prices pulled back on Friday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price was down 1.6% to US$100.30 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price was down 0.9% to US$103.87 a barrel. This was driven by optimism over Saudi Arabian oil flows.

Buy Nickel Industries shares

Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC) shares could be worth a look according to Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has retained its buy rating and $1.45 price target on the nickel producer's shares. It said: "NIC is one of the world's largest listed nickel producers and offers exposure across a range of nickel products and markets. It has a track record of maintaining margins through low nickel prices, benefitting from its diversified product suite and margin exposure across an integrated value chain. We retain our Buy recommendation and TP$1.45/sh."

Gold price rises

It could be a positive start to the week for ASX 200 gold shares Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) after the gold price rose on Friday night. According to CNBC, the gold futures price was up 0.55% to US$4,424.9 an ounce. Easing oil prices gave the precious metal a boost.

New Hope shares downgraded

New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) shares are overvalued according to Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has downgraded the coal miner's shares to a sell rating with a $5.00 price target. It said: "We have downgraded our NHC recommendation to Sell on recent share price appreciation. Our $5.00/sh Target Price already incorporates a 14% premium to our sum-of-the-parts valuation, reflecting NHC's leverage to global energy security themes amplified by recent geopolitical tensions. We expect energy markets will normalise over the near-term. Beyond the ramp-up of New Acland Stage 3, NHC has a limited organic production growth pipeline, and we expect earnings will peak in FY27. We expect NHC may participate in further industry consolidation as an acquirer."

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

Oil and gas shares like Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) are among the ASX's most widely held energy stocks. With energy prices in focus and both companies riding strong year-to-date gains, it's fair for investors to wonder: between Santos and Woodside, which share offers better value right now? Here's how they stack up for both growth and income.

The case for Santos

Santos is a leading independent oil and gas producer spanning Australia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Alaska. The company has deep Australian roots and, as of its company profile, boasts one of the largest exploration and production acreages in Australia. Santos supplies natural gas domestically and to Asian markets, and is building towards significant projects like PNG LNG and Barossa LNG.

Looking at the numbers, Santos currently trades with a market cap of $27.83 billion and a P/E ratio of 27.69. It pays a dividend yield of 3.52%, though its dividends are currently unfranked. Earnings per share sit at $0.225, and the company has delivered a very robust year-to-date return of 46.48%. Notably, Santos' dividend payout has generally increased over the years, but franking has diminished — none of the recent dividends have carried franking credits.

The case for Woodside

Woodside Energy Group is the largest independent Australian oil and gas operator, with extensive offshore production facilities and international assets. Its position was recently strengthened through a merger with BHP's oil and gas portfolio, as flagged in its most recent public description. With a long history and global ambition, Woodside remains a heavyweight among ASX energy companies.

Fundamentally, Woodside stands out. Its P/E ratio is 14.79, noticeably lower than Santos, suggesting the market is pricing it more cheaply relative to earnings. Woodside delivers a dividend yield of 4.90%, with dividends fully franked. Its EPS is a much stronger $1.605, and the year-to-date return clocks in at 47.94%. Unlike Santos, all Woodside dividends in recent years have been fully franked, a likely appeal for income investors.

Valuation comparison

Here's a direct head-to-head on key metrics:

Woodside is much larger and offers both a higher and fully franked dividend yield, with a lower P/E and stronger per-share earnings. Santos is priced at a higher earnings multiple and doesn't offer franking at present.

Recent share price performance

The two shares have tracked similar momentum recently. Over the past fortnight, Santos' share price rose from $8.31 (2 Sep) to $8.57 (17 Sep), despite some ups and downs — an overall increase of roughly 3%.

Woodside's share price moved from $33.08 (2 Sep) to $32.98 (17 Sep), showing little net change but with more pronounced swings, including both rallies and dips.

Both shares have delivered impressive year-to-date gains (Santos: 46.48%, Woodside: 47.94%), but in this recent fortnight, Santos has slightly edged up while Woodside has been broadly steady.

Which is the better buy?

Both companies are proven performers in the oil and gas space and have posted strong year-to-date returns. But when it comes to value today, my pick would be Woodside. The reasons are clear: it trades on a far lower P/E (14.79 vs 27.69), offers a higher and fully franked dividend yield (4.90%), and boasts much stronger earnings per share. If income matters — especially for Australian retirees after franking credits — Woodside's 100% franking is a real drawcard. Santos, while delivering credible growth and momentum, simply doesn't match Woodside's combination of earnings power and franked dividends.

Both stocks have upside in an energy-hungry world, but based on the fundamentals and income appeal in front of me, I'd lean to Woodside as better value today.

The post Santos vs Woodside: Which ASX energy share is better value? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Meanwhile, brokers have indicated continuing confidence in scores of ASX 200 shares this week.

Let's see a sample.

Santos Ltd (ASX: STO)

The Santos share price is $8.51, down 0.8% today.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 energy share has risen 5%.

Bernstein renewed its buy rating on Santos shares on Monday.

The broker raised its 12-month price target from $8.90 to $10.10.

This suggests a potential 19% upside ahead.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

The Xero share price is $63.29, down 3.3% today.

This ASX 200 tech share has fallen 24% over the past month.

Citi reiterated its buy call on Xero shares with a price target of $113.60.

This implies potential capital gains of 80% ahead.

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC)

The Westpac share price is $34.57, down 0.8% today.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 bank share has fallen 0.3%.

UBS reaffirmed its buy rating on Westpac shares with a 12-month target of $45.

This suggests a potential 30% upside ahead.

Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF)

The Rural Funds share price is $1.95, down 0.5% today.

This ASX 200 agricultural real estate investment trust (REIT) has fallen 11% over the past month.

UBS renewed its buy rating on Rural Funds Group shares with a $2.30 target.

This implies potential capital growth of 19% over the next year.

AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP)

The AMP share price is $2.49, down 0.2% today.

Over the past month, this ASX financial share has risen 6%.

Citi renewed its buy rating on AMP shares with a $2.60 target.

This suggests a potential 4% upside ahead.

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP)

The Zip share price is $2.21, down 0.5% today.

This ASX 200 financial share has fallen 13% over the past month.

Citi reiterated its buy rating on Zip shares on Monday.

The broker lowered its 12-month target from $3.55 to $3.20 per share.

This implies a potential 45% upside ahead.

Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS)

The Ramelius Resources share price is $3.57, up 2.7% today.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 gold share has fallen 1%.

Morgans renewed its buy call on Ramelius Resources shares with a $4.74 target.

This suggests a potential 33% upside ahead.

Morgans said:

RMS is expected to release FY27 guidance and an updated outlook to FY30 in Sep-26, following execution of the EPC contract for the Mt Magnet mill expansion, providing greater clarity on project costs and timing.

The post 7 ASX 200 shares with reaffirmed buy ratings this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

ASX 200 expected to rise

The Australian share market looks set for another good session on Friday following a strong night of trade in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 54 points or 0.6% higher this morning. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones was up 0.6%, the S&P 500 rose 1.15%, and the Nasdaq jumped 1.7%.

Oil prices fall

ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) could have a poor finish to the week after oil prices fell overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 1.15% to US$101.26 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 1.55% to US$104.19 a barrel. This reflects more crude oil being brought to market.

Sell REA shares

The REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) share price could be overvalued according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has retained its sell rating on the property listings company's shares with an improved price target of $148.00. It said: "We retain our Sell recommendation. Despite REA's ability to generate strong results in challenged operating environments, we continue to see significant downside risk to listings volumes/earnings vs. company guidance and consensus and await further data points via lending volumes and market listings before re-considering our thesis."

Gold price softens

ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) could have a subdued finish to the week after the gold price edged lower overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 0.15% to US$4,380.8 an ounce. The precious metal has come under pressure this week after US interest rates were increased.

James Hardie shares upgraded

Morgans was pleased with the investor update from James Hardie Industries PLC (ASX: JHX) this week. In response, the broker has upgraded the building materials company's shares to an accumulate rating with a $43.00 price target. It said: "…management guided to 4% to 7% organic sale growth above market, while stressing the growth did not require a US housing recovery to work. The growth is meant to come from the AZEK combination, synergies running ahead of plan, and a leaner, lower-capex portfolio after the Europe sale."

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday 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 drop

It looks set to be a tough session for Australian investors on Thursday following a disappointing night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 63 points or 0.7% lower this morning. In the United States, the Dow Jones fell 1.2%, the S&P 500 dropped 0.45%, and the Nasdaq was a fraction lower.

ASX 200 shares going ex-dividend

A number of ASX 200 shares are going ex-dividend this morning and could trade lower. This includes A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M), Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT), South32 Ltd (ASX: S32), and West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF). Flight Centre is rewarding its shareholders with a 30 cents per share fully franked dividend next month on 16 October.

Oil prices tumble

ASX 200 energy shares Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a poor session after oil prices pulled back overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 3.5% to US$102.07 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 3% to US$105.62 a barrel. This follows reports that Saudi Arabia's damaged pipeline will restart in the coming days.

Dyno Nobel on watch

Dyno Nobel Ltd (ASX: DNL) shares will be on watch today after the explosives company released an investor update. The company revealed that it is performing positively in FY 2026 and is on track to achieve its group guidance for a net profit after tax (before one-offs) of $325 million to $340 million. It also believes it is on track to deliver on its $600 million EBIT ambition in FY 2028. 

Gold price falls

It could be a subdued day for ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) on Thursday after the gold price fell overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 0.7% to US$4,302.2 an ounce. Traders were selling gold after the US Federal Reserve lifted interest rates.

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

Here's what has happened, and what brokers tip next.

Santos shares

The ASX energy shares have climbed over 2% to $8.74 at the time of writing, in what is the highest recorded share price for Santos since January 2020. Today's increase means the shares are now 42% higher for the year to date and 14% higher than 12 months ago.

It looks like the oil and gas major's shares are enjoying tailwinds from a climbing oil price. According to Trading Economics, crude oil is trading around US$104 per barrel on Wednesday. This is a retreat from a high of US$105 per barrel yesterday, but it still represents a 24% increase in the price of crude oil over the past month alone. 

Prices are rising amid new drone attacks and ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has restricted oil supply even further. 

And investment bank Goldman Sachs said recently that it thinks crude oil could rise above US$120 if production remains well below pre-conflict levels. 

Experts are bullish that Santos shares can keep climbing higher, too. TradingView data shows that all brokers have a strong buy rating on the stock. The $8.99 average target price implies around a 3% upside at the time of writing.

Ramsay Health Care shares

Ramsay Health shares are also up around 2% to a multi-year high of $54.64 at the time of writing. The share price flew higher in late August off the back of a healthcare-sector-wide rebound and the company's impressive FY26 results announcement. 

Ramsay Health shares are now up around 58% for the year to date and 63% higher than 12 months ago.

For FY26, the company reported a 22.9% increase in its underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) and a 11.8% increase in its underlying EBIT. Revenue also climbed 4.2%. Shareholders also received a dividend increase, up 13.8% to 91 cents per share for the full-year FY26.

Looking ahead, Ramsay expects to report EBIT growth and further margin improvement in FY27, with ongoing focus on cost management, activity growth, and capital discipline. 

The company is also moving ahead with plans to separate its 52.79% stake in Ramsay Santé, which owns hospitals across Europe.

But it looks like the experts want to see more evidence that the company can keep growing. TradingView data shows the majority of brokers have a hold rating, with the $51.49 average target price implying a downside of around 6%.

AMP shares

AMP shares are up around 0.5% to $2.51 at the time of writing on Wednesday. This is the highest share price AMP has traded at since November 2018. The shares are also up an impressive 37% year to date and 39% higher than a year ago.

Ongoing geopolitical tensions and concerns about Australia's inflation data weighed heavily on financial shares like AMP throughout the first half of the year.

But the diversified financial services company continues to post some strong financial results. In mid-July, it announced first-half NPAT guidance of $170 to $180 million, significantly higher than the $131 million reported for the same period last year. Investors rushed to buy the shares and sent the price flying 22% higher within a week.

Then, early last month, AMP posted its first-half FY26 results, including a 33% year-on-year increase in underlying NPAT to $174 million, an 8.2% year-on-year increase in assets under management (AUM), and a 33% increase in AMP's Platforms net cash flows.

Again, investors were thrilled, and the share price has continued climbing since the announcement.

TradingView data shows that the majority of brokers have a buy rating on AMP shares. But after such a strong rally recently, the average $2.49 target price now implies a downside of around 1%.

The post Santos, Ramsay Health Care, and AMP shares reach new 52-week highs: Can they keep climbing? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

ASX 200 to rise

The Australian share market looks set for a better session on Wednesday despite a poor night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 31 points or 0.35% higher. In the United States, the Dow Jones fell 0.6%, the S&P 500 dropped 0.45%, and the Nasdaq was 0.8% lower.

Oil prices jump

ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a good session on Wednesday after oil prices jumped overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 4% to US$105.48 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 2.65% to US$108.48 a barrel. This follows reports that Saudi Arabia has been forced to cancel some crude cargoes.

Lovisa shares upgraded

Bell Potter thinks that Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) shares are attractively priced. This morning, the broker has upgraded the fashion jewellery retailer's shares to a buy rating (from hold) with a steady price target of $27.00. It said: "Our TP remains unchanged at $27.00 given we make no changes to our forecasts while our target P/E multiple remains unchanged at ~29x on a blended FY27/28e basis. Post the market sell-off, we think the current valuation at ~22x FY27e P/E (BPe) which is a ~20% discount to LOV's recent mid-cycle P/E as BPe of 28.5x appears attractive, and we upgrade our recommendation to BUY."

Gold price falls

ASX 200 gold shares Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a subdued session on Wednesday after the gold price pulled back again. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 0.45% to US$4,333.4 an ounce. Traders are betting on inflation spiking due to high oil prices.

Buy Netwealth shares

Bell Potter is also recommending Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL) shares to clients today. In response to its deal to acquire Paradino, the broker has retained its buy rating with a trimmed price target of $30.00. It said: "The impact from Paradino is limited. There is 10% adviser growth straight away and the price tag is fair for what could be a transformational strategic move. Trading on 33x, NWL continues to offer strong revenue growth potential at a discount to its prior TTC valuations. Buy."

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

The shares have slid around 1.5% in lunchtime trade today to $8.60 apiece. But even after today's decline, they're still up 40% year to date and 12% higher than a year ago.

Why are Santos shares flying higher in 2026?

The ASX energy shares have jumped higher in 2026 off the back of the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran. Volatility in the region has fuelled significant concerns about a tighter global oil supply and rising prices.

Santos shares spiked in February and March, around the time news first broke that the conflict between the two nations had escalated. The shares continued climbing in value as the war heated up.

They cooled again in June off the back of news that the two nations could soon reach a peace agreement, but strikes recently resumed, throwing the market back into chaos and creating a strong tailwind for Santos.

According to the latest update and data from Trading Economics, Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline, which provides an alternative oil shipping route to the Strait of Hormuz, continues to remain shut following recent drone attacks. 

Meanwhile, a meeting between Iran and the Gulf Arab states to discuss the Strait of Hormuz has also been postponed.

The price of crude oil has now jumped to around US$103 per barrel at the time of writing, a 22% increase over the past few months alone. 

And it looks like prices could keep climbing higher still. 

Investment bank Goldman Sachs said it thinks crude oil could rise above US$120 if production remains well below pre-conflict levels. The bank estimates average output next year could still be around 4 million barrels per day below pre-war levels.

If oil stays above US$100 a barrel, oil and gas giants like Santos could benefit from higher realised prices.

Santos' share price rally has also been supported by its strong half-year FY26 results announcement, which it posted last month.

The company reported a 2% year-on-year increase in sales revenue and a 1.7% increase in production volumes. The company also generated free cash flow from operations, driven by strong base business performance.

Can Santos shares keep climbing higher?

The oil and gas business is well-placed to continue increasing production in the coming reporting periods, which could help boost its earnings for FY27.

The experts are bullish about the outlook for Santos shares over the next 12 months, too.

Market Index data shows that all brokers have a strong buy rating on the stock. But after the latest rally, the $8.57 average target price is practically flat against the $8.60 price at the time of writing.

Sentiment is also very positive on TradingView. Out of 15 analysts, 13 have a buy/strong buy rating on Santos shares. Meanwhile, one analyst rates it a hold, and one rates the energy share a sell. 

The average $8.95 target price implies a potential 4% upside ahead, at the time of writing. But some expect the shares to jump around 25% to $10.68 within the next 12 months.

The post Santos shares slide from fresh multi-year high: What's next for the ASX energy stock? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The Santos share price is down 1.72% to $8.58 at the time of writing, but the stock is still up almost 40% since the start of 2026.

Just yesterday, it traded as high as $8.75, a level not seen since late 2014.

Yes, buying after a run like that can feel uncomfortable. Nobody wants to turn up after most of the gains have already been made.

But despite the much higher share price, I'd still be happy buying Santos today.

Here's why.

Production is about to step up

The biggest reason is that Santos is entering a very different stage of its growth phase.

After years of heavy spending, major projects such as Pikka in Alaska and Barossa are now producing and ramping up.

Pikka achieved first oil in May and has already reached around 40,000 barrels of gross production per day.

Santos is targeting roughly 80,000 barrels per day by the end of the third quarter.

Barossa is starting to contribute as well, giving the company another source of production growth.

Santos expects second-half production to be around 20% to 30% higher than the first half.

And that's the part I really like.

The company has already done much of the expensive work.

Investors should now start to see greater benefits from those projects, including higher production and stronger cash flow.

The next project is already lined up

Pikka and Barossa aren't the end of it either.

Santos recently agreed to increase its interest in the Papua LNG project by an additional 3.3% for approximately US$189 million.

That gives the company another sizeable growth project beyond those already contributing.

Papua LNG is still further down the track, but it adds another potential production source without Santos having to rely too heavily on Pikka and Barossa.

The company also has operations across Australia, Papua New Guinea and the United States, which gives it a decent spread of assets.

And with oil prices above US$100 a barrel, Santos is getting some help from higher energy prices as well.

Would I worry about the valuation?

TipRanks shows 9 ranked analysts covering Santos, with 7 buys and 2 holds.

The average 12-month price target is $8.64, which is nearly identical to the current share price.

But there are more bullish targets out there.

Bernstein sits at $10.10, while Citi has a $9.35 target and Macquarie recently lifted its target to $9.25.

So, I wouldn't buy Santos expecting another 40% gain in the next few months.

My interest is more about what the business could look like over the next few years.

The post Santos shares are up 40% in 2026. Here's why I'd still buy them today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

But Goldman Sachs reckons they could still go a fair bit higher.

The investment bank says Brent crude could rise above US$120 a barrel in early 2027 if problems across the Middle East continue.

Brent is trading at around US$106 a barrel on Tuesday morning, up roughly 57% over the past year.

A big part of that rise has come as attacks around the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea continue to make it harder to get oil out of the region.

And Goldman Sachs thinks prices could stay high for quite some time.

Why could oil reach US$120?

A lot comes down to how quickly Gulf oil supply can recover.

Goldman Sachs believes Brent could rise above US$120 if production stays well below pre-conflict levels.

The bank estimates average output next year could still be around 4 million barrels per day below pre-war levels.

Goldman Sachs global commodities co-head Daan Struyven said:

Markets are increasingly pricing a prolonged Mideast conflict.

The intensity and geographical breadth of tanker attacks … will remain a key driver of whether Gulf oil exports recover and how quickly.

And we're already not that far away.

Crude reached US$109 a barrel last week, its highest level in around 5 months.

China could have a big say in what happens next too.

The country has cut crude imports by around a third while drawing more heavily on its large strategic petroleum reserves.

Goldman Sachs said how long China keeps dipping into those reserves could play a big role in how tight the global oil market becomes.

Why investors should care

Goldman Sachs said LNG markets across Asia and Europe are still tight, with only around 25% to 30% of pre-war Gulf energy exports restored.

If Middle East exports don't improve, the bank believes global LNG prices could rise by around 55%.

Coal demand is holding up too.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) recently forecast that global coal demand would rise 1.2% in 2026 to a record 8.94 billion tonnes.

Goldman Sachs said US coal-fired power plants are also closing more slowly than expected, as electricity demand continues to grow.

Where to from here?

If oil stays above US$100 a barrel, Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS), and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could benefit from higher realised prices.

But there is another side to it.

Fuel is a major cost for transport, manufacturing and plenty of other businesses.

If those costs keep rising, some of them will eventually find their way through to consumers.

That could make inflation even harder to bring down, especially if energy costs continue to stay high.

The post Goldman Sachs says oil could surge past US$120. Could this be the next big market shock? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

And both S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) energy stocks are outperforming again today.

In morning trade on Monday, Santos shares are swapping hands for $8.68 apiece, up 1%. Woodside shares are trading for $33.14 each, up 0.9%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is just about flat at this same time.

Taking a step back, the ASX 200 is up a slender 0.2% so far in 2026. That compares to the 41.2% year-to-date gains for Santos stock and the 40.1% gains posted by Woodside.

Atop those capital gains, both ASX 200 energy stocks have paid (or shortly will pay) two dividends this calendar year, making them appealing passive income plays.

Santos shares currently trade on a 3.5% unfranked dividend yield, while Woodside shares trade on a fully-franked 4.9% dividend yield. That equates to a 7% yield grossed up.

What's been sending the ASX 200 energy stocks flying?

The Aussie oil and gas giants have been clear beneficiaries of surging global oil prices in the wake of the Iran war.

Indeed, on 1 January, Brent crude oil was trading for a mere US$60.85 per barrel. The oil price then topped US$118 per barrel in April, before sinking back to US$72.01 per barrel in July.

But oil has been on the rise again since then, and Brent surged back to US$107.36 per barrel over the weekend as the Middle East conflict heated back up.

That means the vital Strait of Hormuz oil shipping route is unlikely to reopen for normal business anytime soon.

And with Iranian-backed Houthi forces increasing their attacks over the weekend and threatening to block another Red Sea shipping chokepoint, oil supplies could remain restricted for some time.

While that's bad news for inflation and the economy, it could support further gains in Santos and Woodside shares, as well as boost their next round of dividends.

Why Santos and Woodside shares still look like a good buy

Despite their strong outperformance already this year, I think Santos and Woodside shares are well-placed to keep outperforming in the year ahead.

Just how well they perform will depend to a significant extent on global oil prices.

On that front, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) head of commodities Vivek Dhar said (quoted by the Australian Financial Review):

US tolerance to delay any peace deal with Iran … rising Chinese imports and lower supply outside the Middle East in 2026 indicate that Brent oil futures may stay above US$100 a barrel for longer than it did in late July.

RBC Capital Markets head of commodity strategy Helima Croft added, "Maritime traffic … is gravely imperilled by the Houthi advances, bringing into focus our high oil price forecast."

Croft noted that the latest attacks had "reduced the efficacy of one of the key oil release valves for the six-month Iran war".

Croft said that if the conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia escalated, it could see the oil price hit US$118 per barrel in 2026 and potentially reach US$130 per barrel in 2027.

At those levels, both ASX 200 energy stocks would see their profit margins grow, likely supporting higher dividends and spurring further increases in the Santos and Woodside share price.

The post Why I'd buy Santos and Woodside shares today 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 session on Wall Street on Friday. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 18 points or 0.2% higher. In the United States, the Dow Jones was up 1%, the S&P 500 rose 0.85%, and the Nasdaq stormed 0.95% higher.

Oil prices fall

ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) will be on watch on Monday after oil prices pulled back on Friday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price was down 2.4% to US$100.05 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price was down 2.8% to US$104.61 a barrel. However, an escalation in the Middle East over the weekend could send oil prices higher when Asian markets open.

Buy NextDC shares

NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) shares could be worth a look according to Shaw and Partners. This morning, according to The Bull, its team has named the data centre operator as a buy. It said: "While investment spending remains elevated, management continues to secure long term customer contracts that provide earnings visibility. With structural growth tailwinds expected to persist for many years, NXT remains well positioned to deliver attractive long term shareholder returns."

Gold price edges higher

It could be a mildly positive start to the week for ASX 200 gold shares Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) after the gold price edged higher on Friday night. According to CNBC, the gold futures price was up slightly to US$4,408.9 an ounce. Traders were buying the dip despite increasing US rate hike bets.

ASX shares going ex-dividend

Another group of ASX shares are going ex-dividend this morning and could trade lower. Among them are debt collector Credit Corp Group Ltd (ASX: CCP), telco Chorus Ltd (ASX: CNU), travel and transport company Kelsian Group Ltd (ASX: KLS), and airline operator Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd (ASX: VGN). The latter is paying a fully franked 7.6 cents per share dividend next month on 15 October.

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

While the broader index is under pressure amid the re-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, investors are bidding up the ASX 200 energy stocks as oil prices continue to climb.

Brent crude oil topped US$109 per barrel overnight. A barrel of Brent is currently trading for US$108.32, according to data from Bloomberg. That's up 19.7% from US$90.50 per barrel on 1 September.

That's today's price action for you.

But if you'd invested $10,000 in Santos and Woodside shares three years ago, would you have beaten the 20% returns delivered by the ASX 200 since 15 September 2023?

Woodside shares endure long slide before a rebound

Three years ago, when Brent crude oil was on an upward trend at US$94 per barrel, you could have picked up Woodside shares for $38.39 apiece.

So, for $10,000, you could have bought 260 shares in the ASX oil and gas giant. From there, however, the stock was in a lengthy downward trend through to April 2025, when it commenced a strong rebound.

At time of writing, shares are changing hands for $33.14 each, down 13.7% in three years.

Though, thanks to the passive income Woodside pays, the losses are much less.

Here's what I mean.

If you owned Woodside shares for the last three years, you would have received (or shortly will receive) the past six fully-franked Woodside dividends, totalling a rounded $5.24 a share.

Woodside stock traded ex-dividend on 3 September. Eligible stockholders can expect that passive income payout to land in their bank account on 25 September.

Now, if we add that $5.24 back into today's share price, then the accumulated value of the Woodside shares you bought three years ago is worth $38.38 today.

And the 260 shares you bought for $10,000 are worth an accumulated $9,979.

So, how about Santos?

Santos shares lead the three-year race

While not shooting the lights out, Santos outperformed Woodside shares over the last three years.

On 15 September 2023, you could have bought Santos shares for $7.91 each. Meaning your $10,000 investment would have netted you 1,264 shares.

At time of writing, Santos shares are swapping hands for $8.65 apiece, up 9.4% in three years.

If you owned the stock over this period, you'd also have received (or shortly will) the last six Santos dividends, mostly unfranked, totalling a rounded $1.13 a share.

Santos traded ex-dividend on 24 August. Eligible investors can expect to receive that passive income payment on 23 September.

If we add that $1.13 back in to today's share price, then the Santos shares you bought for $7.91 three years ago are now worth an accumulated $9.78 each.

And the 1,264 shares you bought for $10,000 are worth an accumulated $12,362.

How have the ASX 200 energy stocks fared in 2026?

Both ASX 200 energy stocks are enjoying a banner year amid tight global oil markets.

Santos shares have gained 40.6% in 2026, while Woodside shares are up 39.9%, not including their dividends.

The post $10,000 invested in Santos and Woodside shares 3 years ago is now worth… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

ASX 200 expected to tumble

The Australian share market looks set for another poor session on Friday following a weak night of trade in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 78 points or 0.9% lower this morning. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones was down 0.6%, the S&P 500 fell 0.6%, and the Nasdaq dropped 0.65%.

Oil prices rocket

ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) could have a strong finish to the week after oil prices jumped again overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 8.2% to US$103.93 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 7.4% to US$108.70 a barrel. Traders were bidding oil higher after bracing for a prolonged Iran war.

Hold Seek shares

The Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK) share price could be fully valued according to Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has retained its hold rating on the job listings company's shares with a trimmed price target of $13.80 (from $15.20). It said: "We await a positive shift in sentiment or visibility on jobs volumes recovery; potential near term Growth Fund monetisation remains an asymmetric upside risk, however the rising interest rate backdrop may also be an additional headwind in seeking a desired exit price for nominated assets."

Gold price drops

ASX 200 gold shares including Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) could have a poor finish to the week after the gold price dropped overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 2.3% to US$4,358.5 an ounce. This was driven by the release of US inflation data, which boosted US rate hike bets.

Buy Graincorp shares

The team at Bell Potter sees value in Graincorp Ltd (ASX: GNC) shares at current levels. This morning, the broker has retained its buy rating on the grain exporter's shares with an improved price target of $7.50 (from $7.15). It said: "Buy rating retained. The recent ABARE crop report was positive lead for FY27e and is yet to filter entirely through consensus expectations. However, the margin backdrop at this point, in terms of both grain basis and oilseed crush margins, remains the strongest it has for three years. To us this is key, as consensus FY27e expectations (which the 2026-27 crop underwrites) looks to be carrying forward the margin environment of FY25-26e, which was materially weaker. Trading at ~5.0x FY27e PBTDA we see the valuation as undemanding."

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

Starting early brings with it the benefits of compound interest and can make what seems like a large savings task much more achievable.

Savings currently falling short

It's true that, on average, people's superannuation savings at age 60 fall well short of being able to generate the $80,000 per year in passive income I am looking at today.

Figures from the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia show that men aged 60-64 have on average $395,852 in superannuation while women have $313,360.

So, how much would you need in your super to generate $80,000 per year in passive income?

Let's do the sums.

If you were able to generate a 10% average dividend yield on your investments, which would be a difficult task, you'd need $800,000 in superannuation.

If you were getting just a 5% return, you would need double this, at $1.6 million.

I would argue that with the benefit of franking credits, retirees can aim for a return somewhere in the midpoint. So, to generate $80,000 from a 7.5% return, you would need to have $1.06 million in retirement savings.

Franking credits are crucial to this equation. If you invest in fully franked dividends, you get back all the tax the company has already paid.

This is because retirees are not taxed on their superannuation earnings.

In practical terms, this means a share paying a 5% dividend yield actually pays 7.14% once franking credits are included.

Which shares might help you hit the $ 80,000-per-year goal?

Infrastructure stocks such as APA Group Ltd (ASX: APA) and toll roads operator Atlas Arteria Ltd (ASX: ALX) pay healthy dividends of 5.36% and 8.86%, respectively.

In the resources sector, iron ore miner Fortescue Group Ltd (ASX: FMG) pays 6.07%, Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) pays 3.67%, and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) pays 5.04%.

In the financial services sector, Regal Partners Ltd (ASX: RPL) is paying 11.06%, Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ) is paying 6.03%, and Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX: WBC) is paying 4.39%.

How to check your progress

If you're keen to check how much superannuation you're likely to have when you retire, it's worth checking out the federal government's Moneysmart website, which has an easy to use calculator.

And if you want to top up your superannuation, it's also worth reading up on concessional contributions, which are contributions you can make to your superannuation each year up to a cap of $32,500, which are only taxed at 15%.

Keep in mind that the $32,500 cap includes any employer contributions and salary sacrifice contributions.

The post How much superannuation do I need to earn $80,000 per year in passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.