Three broker buy ratings that you might want to know more about are summarised below. Here's why brokers think these ASX shares are in the buy zone right now:

Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG)

According to a note out of Morgans, its analysts have retained their buy rating on this appliance manufacturer's shares with an improved price target of $40.65. This follows the release of a better than feared half-year result from Breville this week. It notes that its double-digit sales growth was largely offset by US tariff pressures, leading to a flat net profit outcome. Nevertheless, Morgans continues to be impressed by Breville's strong operational execution, green shoots in food preparation, and powerful medium-term tailwinds. The latter includes geographic expansion and at-home coffee tailwinds. The Breville share price is trading at $32.53 on Friday.

Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST)

A note out of Citi reveals that its analysts have upgraded this gold miner's shares to a buy rating with an improved price target of $33.40. The broker made the move in response to the company's half-year results this week. It was pleased with the results and management's reiteration of guidance for FY 2026. And while it sees short-term downside risks, the broker feels its valuation is compelling based on the current gold price and its price to net asset value. The Northern Star share price is fetching $28.29 at the time of writing.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

Analysts at Bell Potter have retained their buy rating on this health imaging technology company's shares with a reduced price target of $240.00. This follows the release of Pro Medicus' half-year results, which were a touch short of expectations. Bell Potter notes that although it delivered a record result with strong revenue and profit growth, its revenue was still a 5% miss. And as it was priced to perfection, it wasn't surprised to see its shares tumble. Outside this, the broker highlights that management spoke about how it doesn't believe AI will disrupt its business. The broker agrees with this and believes that it is well-placed to benefit from increasing demand for radiology services. This is especially the case given how its systems remain a driver of efficiency in radiology. Overall, it believes that following this downgrade and the re-rating now applied to software providers, it is an attractive entry point for investors. The Pro Medicus share price is trading at $120.49 today.

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

If you do, then it could be worth considering the three named in this article that brokers rate as buys. Here's why they could be top picks:

Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG)

The first ASX growth share to consider is Breville Group. It sells kitchen appliances, which is a category that many investors assume is mature. But Breville's edge lies in how it treats appliances as premium, design-led products rather than commodities.

The company has spent years building brand loyalty in key global markets, particularly North America and Europe. Once consumers buy into the Breville ecosystem, repeat purchases and word-of-mouth do much of the heavy lifting. That brand-led approach allows the company to command higher prices and protect margins.

In addition, Breville has built a very strong position in the at-home coffee market, which continues to grow at a strong rate. Combined with the rest of the business, Breville could be well-placed for growth over the next decade and beyond.

Citi currently has a buy rating and $36.03 price target on Breville's shares.

NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT)

Another ASX growth share to consider is NextDC. It sits behind the scenes of the digital economy. Its data centres provide the physical infrastructure that cloud platforms, enterprises, and governments rely on to store and move data securely.

What makes NextDC interesting from a growth perspective is that demand does not arrive evenly. Large contracts tend to come in waves as customers scale up capacity or enter new regions. That can make short-term results look uneven, even while the long-term trajectory remains intact.

As data usage, cloud adoption, and AI workloads continue to grow, the need for secure, well-located data centres is unlikely to fade. NextDC's expanding footprint positions it to benefit as customers' infrastructure requirements become larger and more complex.

Macquarie is bullish on this one and has an outperform rating and $22.30 price target on its shares.

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX)

A final ASX growth share to look at is Telix Pharmaceuticals. It develops radiopharmaceuticals used in cancer diagnosis and treatment, combining biotechnology with specialised manufacturing and distribution.

What sets Telix apart is that it is transitioning from a development-stage business to a commercial one. As products move from approval into wider clinical use, revenue can scale quickly without the need to reinvent the underlying platform each time.

This creates a growth profile that is tied more to clinical adoption and market penetration than traditional economic cycles. For investors, that introduces volatility, but it also offers exposure to a part of healthcare where innovation can translate directly into earnings growth.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $23.00 price target on its shares.

The post Where to invest $10,000 in ASX growth shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ)

According to a note out of Citi, its analysts have retained their buy rating and $40.00 price target on this banking giant's shares. With the major banks expected to release updates this month, Citi is feeling relatively confident about ANZ. The broker expects constructive outlook commentary and steady performances to support recent share price strength. Citi has named ANZ as one of its top two picks among the big four banks. The ANZ share price is trading at $37.66 on Monday afternoon.

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)

A note out of Macquarie reveals that its analysts have upgraded this lithium miner's shares to an outperform rating with an improved price target of $5.00. This follows a significant upgrade to its lithium price forecasts for 2026. Macquarie is now materially more positive on spodumene and is expecting a price of US$1,800 per tonne this year. This is notably higher than PLS' unit operating costs per tonne. As a result, it has boosted its earnings per share estimates and valuation accordingly and sees plenty of value on offer here. The PLS share price is fetching $4.13 at the time of writing.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

Analysts at Morgans have upgraded this property listings company's shares to a buy rating with a $230.00 price target. According to the note, the realestate.com.au operator's half-year results were only slightly behind expectations. As a result, it thinks the significant share price weakness was likely driven by a variety of factors, including cost outcomes and a lower volume guidance for the full year. Nevertheless, Morgans feels that the result highlighted the resilience of the franchise in a tougher volume environment. It highlights that REA Group's strong yield growth (+14%) offset a 6% decline in listings. So, with its shares falling heavily from recent highs and comfortably below the broker's valuation, Morgans sees now as a good time to buy. The REA Group share price is trading at $168.13 on Monday.

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

The latest decline means the shares have now dropped 9.55% for the year-to-date but are 0.66% above the trading price this time last year.

What dragged Zip shares lower so far this year?

Zip shares jumped over 11% in just two days of trade earlier this month after positive market sentiment for buy-now-pay-later (BPNL) stocks boosted investor confidence. But the hike was short-lived.

However last week, Zip shares plunged 13.24%. There was no news out of the company at the time to explain the decline so it was more-than-likely linked to investors selling off their stock and taking profit.

What's next for the business in 2026?

There have been plenty of ups and downs for the Australian financial technology company over the past year, but the business continues to show strong and improved earnings.

In the first quarter of FY26, the company said that its total transaction value grew 38.7% to $3.9 billion and income was up 32.8% to $321.5 million. 

At the time, the company said it is on track to meet its FY26 results target.

Meanwhile, Zip is also working on broadening its product range beyond the traditional BNPL options. In late October, the company announced that its US segment is expanding its partnership with programmable financial services business, Stripe.

Zip has said it is still considering a secondary sharemarket listing in the US which would reduce dependence on Australian markets and potentially introduce more opportunity for business expansion. A dual listing on Nasdaq could help the business tap into US capital markets and boost its valuation among US-based investors.

The next major update out of the company is expected next month. Zip plans to post its FY26 half-year results h on the 19th of February. Investors are expecting that the company will reveal news about whether the business is still on track, any news about the potential US expansion, and an update on transaction growth. 

Are Zip shares a buy, hold or sell?

Despite a lacklustre start to the year so far, analysts seem to be bullish that there is plenty more upside ahead for Zip shares. I certainly think the stock is a screaming buy for 2026.

Analysts at UBS have a buy rating and price target of $5.20 on the BNPL provider. The broker said that significant share price weakness has created a buying opportunity for investors.

Analysts at Citi also have a buy rating on Zip shares, and a price target of $4.30. The broker is predicting total transaction value (TTV) growth of 43% in the second quarter. 

TradingView data shows that the majority of analysts have the same bullish sentiment. Eight out of 10 have a buy or strong buy rating on the shares. The maximum target price is $6.11, which, at the time of writing, implies a potential 104.01% upside ahead over the next 12 months. 

The post Are Zip shares a buy, hold or sell in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

To narrow things down, let's take a look at three that analysts have named as buys above others.

Here's what they are recommending to clients:

Cedar Woods Properties Limited (ASX: CWP)

The first ASX dividend share that analysts are tipping as a buy is Cedar Woods.

It is one of Australia's leading property developers and the owner of a portfolio that is diversified by geography, price point, and product type.

Cedar Woods' developments include subdivisions in emerging residential communities, high-density apartments, and townhouses in inner-city neighbourhoods.

Bell Potter is a big fan of the company due to its belief that it is well-placed to benefit from Australia's chronic housing shortage.

The broker believes this will underpin fully franked dividends per share of 35 cents in FY 2026 and then 39 cents in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $8.27, this equates to 4.2% and 4.7% dividend yields, respectively.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $10.00 price target on its shares.

Charter Hall Retail REIT (ASX: CQR)

Another ASX dividend share that is rated highly by analysts is the Charter Hall Retail REIT.

This property company owns a diversified portfolio of convenience-based retail centres that are anchored by supermarkets, service stations, and essential services.

These assets tend to be highly defensive. That's because shoppers continue to spend on groceries and everyday essentials regardless of economic conditions. In addition, long leases and high-quality tenants provide visibility over rental income. This supports consistent distributions to unitholders.

The team at Citi is positive on the company due to its successful capital deployment, improving margins, and retail property trends. It believes this will support dividends per share of 25.5 cents in FY 2026 and then 26 cents in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $4.14, this would mean dividend yields of 6.15% and 6.3%, respectively.

Citi has a buy rating and $4.50 price target on its shares.

Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD)

Finally, Elders could be an ASX dividend share to buy. It is an agribusiness company that provides rural and livestock services, agricultural inputs, and real estate services to Australia's farming sector.

Macquarie is bullish on Elders due to its belief that the cycle is turning favourable after a tricky period.

The broker expects this to allow Elders to pay fully franked dividends of 36 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 37 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $7.51, this would mean dividend yields of 4.8% and 4.9%, respectively.

Macquarie has an outperform rating and $8.25 price target on its shares.

The post Analysts say these ASX dividend shares are top buys appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four ASX shares that have failed to follow the market higher on Thursday and named below. Here's why they are falling:

4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX)

The 4DMedical share price is down 2% to $4.20. This morning, this respiratory imaging technology company revealed that it has received total firm commitments from wholesale, professional, and sophisticated investors for a $150 million single-tranche institutional placement. These funds are being raised at $3.80 per new share, which represents an 11.4% discount to its last close price. The company's founder and CEO, Andreas Fouras, said: "We are pleased to welcome several high-quality global institutional investors to our share register and sincerely appreciate the strong ongoing support from existing shareholders. This placement provides 4DMedical with the balance sheet strength to accelerate U.S. commercialisation of CT:VQ at a time when unprecedented interest from clinicians is driving rapid adoption across leading academic medical centres."

Amaero Ltd (ASX: 3DA)

The Amaero share price is down 21% to 25.5 cents. Investors have been selling this high-value refractory and titanium alloy powders producer's shares after it downgraded its guidance for FY 2026. Amaero now expects revenue of $18 million to $20 million in FY 2026. This is down from its prior guidance of $30 million to $35 million. Management advised that this "primarily reflects timing delays in contract awards and revenue recognition associated with extended U.S government funding uncertainty and a temporary federal government shutdown during the December quarter."

Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CU6)

The Clarity Pharmaceuticals share price is down 4% to $3.46. This is despite the pharmaceuticals company revealing that its Phase II SECuRE clinical trial will continue as planned. This follows a formal safety review by independent doctors. The SECuRE trial is testing a targeted treatment for advanced prostate cancer using a copper-based approach.

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE)

The Treasury Wine share price is down 5% to $5.08. This may have been driven by a broker note out of Citi this morning. According to the note, the broker has downgraded the wine giant's shares to a sell rating (from neutral) with a $4.80 price target. The broker has concerns over its outlook in the United States amid reports that distributor RNDC could sell operations in seven states. In addition, given recent share price strength, the broker thinks its shares are now overvalued.

The post Why 4DMedical, Amaero, Clarity Pharmaceuticals, and Treasury Wine shares are falling today 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 expected to rise again

The Australian share market looks set to push higher again on Tuesday following a positive start to the week on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is poised to open the day 23 points or 0.25% higher. In late trade in the United States, the Dow Jones is up 0.1%, the S&P 500 is 0.2% higher, and the Nasdaq is up 0.5%.

Oil prices rise

It could be a decent session for ASX 200 energy shares Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) after oil prices pushed higher overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 0.5% to US$59.42 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 0.7% to US$63.77 a barrel. Traders were buying oil in response to Iranian and Venezuelan uncertainty.

BHP and Rio Tinto expected to rise

It looks set to be a good session for BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares on Tuesday after their NYSE-listed shares charged higher on Monday night. Both miners were up around 2% during the session on Wall Street.

Gold price jumps

ASX 200 gold shares including Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) could have a good session on Tuesday after the gold price jumped overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 2.8% to US$4,626.7 an ounce. This was driven by safe haven demand and a weaker US dollar.

Buy WiseTech shares

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares offer major upside according to analysts at Citi. The broker has retained its buy rating and $109.15 price target on this logistics solutions technology company's shares. It believes WiseTech can achieve the midpoint of its annual revenue guidance despite granting some customers a short-term exemption from its new pricing model. Although Citi concedes that second half revenue from Cargowise value packs could be smaller than previously expected, it believes this could be offset by stronger than expected industry freight volumes. The broker also sees scope for strong earnings from lower than forecast operating expenses.

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

Especially when most analysts believe that the big four bank's shares are overvalued and destined to fall from current levels.

But don't worry, because there are plenty of quality alternatives for investors to choose from with bigger dividend yields and potential for plenty of upside.

Here's what analysts are recommending to income investors:

Harvey Norman Holdings (ASX: HVN)

The first ASX dividend share that could be worth considering is Harvey Norman.

It is of course one of Australia's largest retailers with a growing network of superstores across Australia and the world. It also owns one of the largest retail property portfolios, which provides both stability and an additional layer of asset backing for shareholders.

Bell Potter is bullish on the retailer and believes it is positioned to pay fully franked dividends of 30.9 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 35.3 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $7.06, this would mean dividend yields of 4.4% and 5%, respectively.

The broker has a buy rating and $8.30 price target on the company's shares.

Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL)

Another ASX dividend share that Bell Potter rates highly is Sonic Healthcare.

It is a medical diagnostics company with laboratories and collection centres across Australia, Europe, and the United States.

After a tough period following the end of COVID testing, Bell Potter thinks the company is ready for a return to consistent growth.

It is expecting this to support partially franked dividends of 109 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 111 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $22.98, this equates to dividend yields of 4.75% and 4.8%, respectively.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $33.30 price target on its shares.

Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

A third ASX dividend share that could be a good alternative to CBA shares is Transurban.

It is a toll road giant that operates a network of important roads across Australia and North America. This includes the newly opened West Gate Tunnel in Melbourne, the Eastern Distributor in Sydney, and AirportlinkM7 in Brisbane.

The team at Citi believes the company's portfolio is positioned to pay dividends per share of 69.5 cents in FY 2026 and then 73.7 cents in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $14.42, this equates to dividend yields of 4.8% and 5.1%, respectively.

Citi has a buy rating and $16.10 price target on its shares.

The post These shares have bigger dividend yields (and more upside) than CBA shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The metal has now gained more than 30% in London since the start of the year, comfortably outpacing the broader market.

For context, the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Index in up by 5.16% during the same period.

This record-breaking copper rally appears to be a boon for BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP).

In recent years, the ASX 200 mining stock has steadily expanded its copper exposure through a series acquisitions and strategic investments.

Such efforts have propelled the company into the world's largest copper miner, having producing 500,000 tonnes of the metal in just the third quarter of 2025.

And BHP shares have benefited accordingly.

Since early January, the stock has climbed by 11.84% to $44.68 at the time of writing.

Overall, BHP shares are currently flirting with 52-week highs.

But the copper boom could still have plenty of room to run, according to US investment firm Citigroup (NYSE: C).

Let's find out why the broker is bullish on the metal.

Strong outlook

Demand for copper remains supported by both traditional and fast-growing modern applications.

Amongst others, the metal is central to the global energy transition, with significant use in electric vehicles and associated charging infrastructure.

It is also a critical component in AI data centres thanks to its conductivity and efficiency in power distribution and cooling.

Such factors hint at the prospect for long-term growth in global copper consumption.

In turn, analysts at Citi have now projected global end-use consumption to rise by 2.5% next year, as reported in the Australian Financial Review.

The broker cited a lower interest-rate environment and fiscal expansion in the US as drivers of growth, alongside European demand and the global energy transition.

Citi analysts, led by Max Layton, stated:

We have conviction in copper upside through 2026 supported by multiple bullish catalysts, including an incrementally constructive fundamental and macro backdrop. 

As a result, Citi sees the copper price averaging US$13,000 per tonne in the second quarter of next year, under a base-case scenario.

This equates to more than 10% upside from current levels.

Implications for BHP shares?

Any further strength in the copper price is likely to be welcome news for BHP shares.

The ASX 200 mining powerhouse holds a vast portfolio of copper mines spanning Chile, Peru, South Australia, and Arizona.

All up, it produced two million tonnes of the metal in FY25.

Furthermore, copper contributed 45% of its underlying operating earnings (EBITDA) during the year, up from 29% in FY24.

BHP is also moving to expand its total copper output.

The group recently outlined plans to invest A$840 million in South Australian copper projects, including its the giant Olympic Dam operation.

The post BHP shares take centre stage as Citi tips record-breaking copper price to storm even higher appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Right now, I believe ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD) is one of those opportunities.

A global health giant hiding in plain sight

ResMed has quietly grown into one of Australia's most successful global healthcare companies. It dominates the market for sleep apnoea devices and masks, and its software platforms support millions of patients and providers worldwide.

And yet, despite that leadership, its shares have only risen by 9% since this time four years ago due largely to concerns about weight-loss drugs. But when you zoom out, the long-term outlook becomes impossible to ignore.

Sleep apnoea is one of the most underdiagnosed medical conditions on the planet, with more than one billion people estimated to suffer from it globally. The vast majority are undiagnosed and untreated. That gives ResMed a total addressable market so large that even modest gains in diagnosis and treatment can fuel years, if not decades, of growth.

Long term opportunity

The market became preoccupied with fears that weight-loss medications could meaningfully reduce sleep apnoea cases. But real-world data has shown that isn't happening. Independent analysts and sleep specialists continue to report that while weight loss helps, it rarely eliminates the condition entirely. In many cases, patients still require ongoing treatment.

At the same time, ResMed has been consistently improving margins through cost efficiencies, manufacturing improvements, and strong demand for its latest devices.

Big potential returns

Despite its world-class fundamentals, ResMed is trading at a sharp discount to what many analysts believe is fair value.

For example, analysts at Citi have a buy rating and $51.00 price target on this Australian stock.

Based on its current share price of $39.31, this implies potential upside of approximately 30% for investors over the next 12 months.

The team at Macquarie isn't far behind with its outperform rating and $49.20 price target, which offers a potential return of 25%.

Investors don't often get a chance to buy a healthcare leader of this calibre at a discount, and they rarely get two chances.

Foolish takeaway

Fast-forward 10 years, and this Australian stock is likely to be even bigger, more technologically advanced, and more profitable than it is today.

The sleep apnoea market is vast, underpenetrated, and growing. ResMed's competitive position is formidable. And the current share price simply doesn't reflect that long-term potential.

The post 1 Australian stock you'll probably kick yourself for not owning a decade from now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV)

According to a note out of Citi, its analysts have retained their buy rating on this fashion jewellery retailer's shares with a trimmed price target of $38.45. This follows the release of a trading update at Lovisa's annual general meeting last week. The broker was pleased with the update and has lifted its profit forecast for the financial year to reflect stronger than expected sales. In addition, Citi has visited a new store design and believes it will be successful in bringing more customers inside. Overall, it sees a lot of value in its shares at current levels following a recent pullback and thinks investors should be snapping them up. The Lovisa share price is trading at $30.62 this afternoon.

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

A note out of Morgans reveals that its analysts have upgraded this network-as-a-service provider's shares to a buy rating with a $17.00 price target. The broker has been busy updating its model to reflect a recent capital raising, the acquisition of compute-as-a-service provider Latitude.sh, and network expansion into India. Morgans highlights that the acquisitions accelerate revenue and EBITDA growth while the core MP1 business keeps improving. It notes that since June, its net revenue retention has lifted 2 percentage points to 109%. In addition, revenue and annual recurring revenue growth has been strong. The Megaport share price is fetching $13.29 at the time of writing.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

Analysts at Bell Potter have retained their buy rating on this logistics solutions software provider's shares with a trimmed price target of $100.00. According to the note, the broker was pleased to see management reiterate its guidance at its annual general meeting last week. It believes this guidance reiteration was the first hurdle cleared by management. It is now looking forward to its investor day event next week, when an update will be given on its new commercial model and the launch of its Container Transport Optimisation (CTO) offering. Bell Potter believes WiseTech will achieve the low end of its guidance in FY 2026. The WiseTech Global share price is trading on Monday.

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

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

Santos Ltd (ASX: STO)

According to a note out of Citi, its analysts have retained their buy rating and $7.50 price target on this energy giant's shares. The broker believes that Santos is well-positioned for a re-rating when the oil price bottoms out in the near future. It highlights that the company is emerging from its capital expenditure cycle with stronger cash margins, rising free cash flow, and higher quality earnings. In addition, it expects an improving return on invested capital (ROIC) through the next decade and Santos' gearing to normalise as the Barossa and Pikka operations ramp up. As a result, the broker thinks now could be an opportune time for investors to pick up its shares. The Santos share price is trading at $6.66 on Monday afternoon.

Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN)

A note out of Morgan Stanley reveals that its analysts have retained their overweight rating and $25.00 price target on this insurance giant's shares. This follows the release of an update from one of its rivals, which it believes provide a positive read-through for Suncorp. It highlights that renewal rates have been strong despite higher pricing. Another positive was that its rival reported an improvement in its key combined operating ratio, which was supported by lower catastrophe losses. Overall, the broker thinks that this bodes well for Suncorp in FY 2026. The Suncorp share price is fetching $19.36 at the time of writing.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

Analysts at Macquarie have retained their outperform rating on this cloud accounting platform provider's shares with an improved price target of $230.30. According to the note, the broker was pleased with Xero's performance in the first half of FY 2026. It highlights that there was nothing in the result that breaks its thesis, despite what the market reaction might imply. In fact, Macquarie believes that the US growth platform (Payments: Melio; Payroll: Gusto) is in place earlier, and management is executing. Overall, it feels that Xero has a great growth story that is on sale and only needing a catalyst. And at 25x estimated FY 2027 earnings, the broker thinks that Xero shares are undervalued and sees scope for big returns over the next 12 months. The Xero share price is trading at $120.82 on Monday.

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

A combination of macroeconomic headwinds, geopolitical uncertainty, and softening demand created a muted sentiment for the broader lithium market.

In fact, the price of lithium carbonate hit a four-year low in late June to leave the sector in a glut.

Fast forward to today and the narrative appears to be rapidly changing.

Since those June lows, lithium carbonate prices have rallied by about 40%.

Not only that, but prices for spodumene – the type of lithium mined in Australia – have nearly doubled over the past five months, as reported in the Financial Review.

And the share prices of some leading Aussie lithium shares have followed suit.

More specifically, three of the most revered ASX 200 mining stocks have seen their share prices more than double since the start of July.

Let's take a closer look at the stellar performance of these lithium mining heavyweights.

Pilbara Minerals shares lead the charge

Pilbara Minerals shares were changing hands at $1.35 apiece at the start of July.

At Friday's close, they were priced at $3.82 each.

This equates to a stunning 183% return for shareholders in less than four months.

For context, the broader All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) has risen by a modest 1.54% during the same period.

Fellow Western Australian miner Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) has also performed handsomely.

The company's share price has risen by 133% since early July to reach $50.74 at the yesterday's close.

Not to be outdone, shares in Australia's newest lithium miner Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) have also been roaring.

Since the start of July, Liontown shares have jumped from $0.69 each to $1.465 per share.

This represents a 112% increase in just a handful of months.

Bullish outlook for lithium

After several challenging years, the lithium sector could finally be entering a new bullish phase according to some experts.

Late last month, American investment bank JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE: JPM) released an upbeat research note on the lithium sector.

Here, the broker forecast a sharp rebound in lithium prices, driven by growing demand for electric vehicles and higher expected production rates for large-scale battery storage.

Similarly, fellow US investment firm Citigroup (NYSE: C) recently upgraded its lithium forecast on the back of a strong outlook for battery demand.

More specifically, it expects battery demand to soar by 31% in 2026 compared to 2025, as reported in the Financial Review.

The broker anticipates this surge to be driven by a 45% rise in energy storage systems and a 26% jump in electric vehicle adoption.

The post Lithium bulls take control as these 3 ASX 200 mining stocks soar by more than 100% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

That's why ASX 200 blue chips are often the foundation of a retiree's portfolio. These companies are leaders in their industries, generate strong cash flow, and have business models built for the long term.

Here are three strong ASX 200 shares that analysts think could make excellent additions to a retirement portfolio today.

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

Coles is arguably the definition of a dependable ASX 200 share. As one of Australia's largest supermarket operators, it provides the essentials that households need, regardless of what is happening in the economy.

This resilience has allowed Coles to maintain consistent profits and pay reliable, fully franked dividends to shareholders.

But the company is settling for that. It continues to invest heavily in automation and efficiency, including next-generation distribution centres designed to reduce costs and boost margins over time.

While it won't necessarily deliver explosive growth, Coles offers stability. This is something even more valuable for retirees.

Morgan Stanley has an overweight rating and $26.60 price target on its shares.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Once viewed as a slow-moving telco, Telstra has been quietly reinventing itself into a modern, technology-driven communications leader.

Under CEO Vicki Brady, the company is focusing on simplifying its structure, cutting costs, and expanding high-margin mobile and enterprise services. It has also been steadily returning excess capital to shareholders through dividends and buybacks.

Telstra's recurring revenue from its mobile and broadband networks provides a stable base of income, while the rollout of 5G technology and its growing infrastructure arm offer long-term growth potential.

Macquarie has an outperform rating and $5.04 price target on its shares.

Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

Transurban offers something rare in the market, inflation-linked income from assets that Australians use every single day.

As the country's largest toll road operator, Transurban generates predictable cash flow through long-term concessions on major motorways in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, as well as assets in North America.

Transurban is also investing in future projects to support population growth and urban expansion, giving investors both stability and steady growth potential.

Citi is positive on this ASX 200 stock and recently put a buy rating and $16.10 price target on its shares.

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Several leading brokers have recently upgraded their outlooks on some high-quality income stocks, tipping them to offer attractive dividend yields over the next couple of years.

Here are three ASX dividend shares that analysts are calling buys today.

Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF)

One dividend stock that's caught the attention of brokers is Rural Funds Group. It is Australia's only listed agricultural real estate investment trust.

The company owns a broad mix of farmland assets including cattle, vineyards, orchards, and cropping properties, which it leases to established agricultural operators on long-term contracts.

These leases generally feature inflation-linked rent escalations, giving Rural Funds reliable income growth and solid protection against rising costs. And with global food demand trending higher and farmland remaining in limited supply, the company's underlying assets are well positioned to appreciate over time.

Bell Potter remains positive on its outlook, forecasting dividends of 11.7 cents per share in both FY 2026 and FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $1.95, that implies dividend yields of around 6% for each year.

The broker retains a buy rating and $2.45 price target on the stock.

Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

Analysts at Citi have highlighted Transurban Group as an attractive income option for dividend investors.

The toll road operator owns and manages major assets across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and North America, including Melbourne's CityLink and Sydney's Cross City Tunnel. Its infrastructure assets generate stable, inflation-linked cash flows, ideal for supporting consistent dividend growth.

Citi is forecasting dividends of 69.5 cents per share in FY 2026 and 73.7 cents per share in FY 2027. At the current share price of $15.18, that equates to potential dividend yields of 4.6% and 4.9%, respectively.

The broker has a buy rating and a $16.10 price target on Transurban shares.

Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI)

Lastly, Universal Store has been singled out by Bell Potter as another attractive dividend opportunity.

The youth fashion retailer owns a trio of popular brands, Universal Store, Thrills, and Perfect Stranger, and has continued to perform well despite a tough retail environment.

Bell Potter believes the company's strong execution, growing private-label range (now around 55% of sales), and multi-brand strategy will support sustained earnings and margin expansion in the years ahead.

On the income front, the broker is forecasting fully franked dividends of 37.3 cents per share in FY 2026 and 41.4 cents in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $8.54, that represents dividend yields of 4.4% and 4.85%, respectively.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and a $10.50 price target on Universal Store shares.

The post 3 ASX dividend shares to boost your passive income in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

That's because these shares have been rated as buys and tipped to provide investors with attractive dividend yields in the coming years.

Here's what they are recommending to clients this week and what sort of yields are on offer for income investors:

Aurizon Holdings Ltd (ASX: AZJ)

Macquarie thinks that rail freight operator Aurizon could be an ASX dividend stock to buy.

Although its performance has been relatively mixed, the broker believes it is positioned for growth in the near term. As a result, it sees value in the company's shares at current levels.

It also expects some attractive dividend yields from its shares. Macquarie is forecasting fully franked dividends per share of 19.6 cents in FY 2026 and then 21.8 cents in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $3.41, this equates to dividend yields of 5.75% and 6.4%, respectively.

Macquarie has an outperform rating and $3.70 price target on its shares.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Another ASX dividend share that could be a buy for income investors is Telstra.

It remains a top choice for dividend-focused investors and it isn't hard to see why. Its leading position in Australia's mobile and broadband markets supports consistent cash flows.

Analysts at Macquarie expect this to underpin fully franked dividends of 20 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 21 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $4.85, this would mean dividend yields of 4.1% and 4.3%, respectively.

Macquarie has an outperform rating and $5.04 price target on Telstra's shares.

Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

Toll road giant Transurban could be another ASX dividend share to buy according to analysts.

The team at Citi remains positive on the company and has been pleased with recent traffic growth trends.

It believes this could allow Transurban to outperform its dividend guidance this year. As a result, it is forecasting dividends per share of 69.5 cents in FY 2026 and then 73.7 cents in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $14.41, this would mean dividend yields of 4.8% and 5.1%, respectively.

The broker currently has a buy rating and $16.10 price target on its shares.

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If you have $5,000 to put to work today, spreading that across a few high-quality dividend payers could be a smart move.

But which stocks?

Here are three ASX dividend stocks that analysts think could be buys right now. They are as follows:

National Storage REIT (ASX: NSR)

UBS rates National Storage REIT as a buy and has a $2.80 price target on its shares.

It is Australia and New Zealand's largest self-storage operator, managing more than 230 storage centres across both countries.

The ASX dividend stock benefits from predictable, recurring revenue as individuals and businesses rent storage units for the long term. Demand for self-storage has proven remarkably resilient, supported by population growth, urbanisation, and lifestyle trends such as downsizing and flexible workspaces.

Citi expects this demand to underpin dividends per share of 11.8 cents in FY 2026 and then 12.3 cents in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $2.43, this would mean dividend yields of 4.9% and 5.1%, respectively.

Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF)

If you're looking for stable, inflation-linked income, Rural Funds Group deserves a spot on your watchlist. Bell Potter rates it as a buy with a $2.45 price target on its shares.

This real estate investment trust owns a portfolio of high-quality Australian agricultural assets, including almond orchards, vineyards, macadamia farms, and cattle properties, which it leases to well-established operators.

Rural Funds' income is largely insulated from market volatility, with rental revenues largely tied to inflation, providing steady and predictable returns.

Bell Potter expects this to underpin dividends per share of 11.7 cents in FY 2026 and FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $1.95, this equates to dividend yields of 6% for both years.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Telstra is Australia's largest telecommunications company. Macquarie thinks it would be a good pick for income investors and has an outperform rating and $5.04 price target on its shares.

After years of industry turbulence, Telstra has emerged stronger, streamlining its operations, cutting costs, and benefitting from growing demand for mobile data and 5G connectivity.

Macquarie expects this demand to support the payment of fully franked dividends of 20 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 21 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $4.90, this would mean dividend yields of 4.1% and 4.3%, respectively.

The post Where to invest $5,000 in ASX dividend stocks today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

But which ASX dividend shares could be top picks for them this week?

Listed below are three that brokers are recommending as buys to their clients. Here's what they are bullish on:

Nick Scali Limited (ASX: NCK)

The team at Citi is positive on furniture retailer Nick Scali and has named it as an ASX dividend share to buy.

The broker thinks Nick Scali is well-positioned for growth in the coming years thanks partly to its expansion in the United Kingdom.

This is expected to support the payout of fully franked dividends of 66.6 cents in FY 2026 and then 80.7 cents in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $22.14, this would mean dividend yields of 3% and 3.6%, respectively.

Citi currently has a buy rating and $24.40 price target on its shares.

Perpetual Ltd (ASX: PPT)

Another ASX dividend share that analysts are tipping as a buy is financial services company Perpetual.

Bell Potter is positive on the company. This is due partly to its belief that its transformation will deliver the goods for shareholders.

The broker recently stated that its analysts "anticipate that the sale of the Wealth Management business will free resource within the company, reducing net debt, and lower interest costs which in turn should free cashflow for dividends and reinvestment in the business."

Bell Potter expects this to support the payout of dividends per share of $1.25 in FY 2026 and then $1.38 in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $20.65, this would mean dividend yields of 6% and 6.7%, respectively.

The broker currently has a buy rating and $24.00 price target on its shares.

Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI)

A final ASX dividend share that gets the thumbs up from analysts is Universal Store. It is the youth fashion retailer behind the Universal Store, Thrills, and Perfect Stranger brands.

Despite operating in a tough environment, the Universal Store was on form again in FY 2025 and delivered a strong result. The good news is that analysts expect more of the same this year and in the coming years thanks partly to the expansion of its footprint and the building of its online presence.

The broker expects this to underpin fully franked dividends of 36.8 cents per share in FY 2026 and 41.1 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $8.56, this equates to dividend yields of 4.3% and 4.8%, respectively.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $10.50 price target on its shares.

The post Analysts think you will regret not buying these 3 ASX dividend shares soon 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 subdued start to the week despite a decent finish to the last one on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 6 points or 0.1% lower. In the United States, the Dow Jones was up 0.5%, the S&P 500 rose 0.5%, and the Nasdaq pushed 0.5% higher.

Oil prices rise

It could be a positive start to the week for ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) after oil prices rose on Friday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price was up 0.15% to US$57.54 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price was up 0.4% to US$61.29 a barrel. Traders appear to believe that oil had been oversold.

Zip update

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) shares will be on watch on Monday when the buy now pay later provider releases its first quarter update. A strong update is expected by the market, with Citi forecasting quarterly EBITDA of $57 million for the three months. This is expected to be driven by US transaction volume growth of 40%+.

Gold price sinks

ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could start the week in the red after the gold price sank on Friday night. According to CNBC, the gold futures price was down 2.1% to US$4,213.3 an ounce. Traders were selling the precious metal after Donald Trump used a more conciliatory tone when talking about tariffs on China.

Buy Challenger shares

Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF) shares are in the buy zone according to analysts Bell Potter. This morning, in response to the annuities company's first quarter update, the broker retained its buy rating with an improved price target of $10.25. It said: "The medium term buy case is supported by both the freeing of capital from the APRA proposals and growth opportunities as Retiring Australians are offered advice and products to achieve an optimal retirement income. A small increase in the take up of annuities, with more favourable capital rules could dramatically increase the long-term growth of CGF."

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

The only negative is that it can be hard to decide which ASX dividend stocks to buy given the many options.

To help narrow things down, I have picked out three stocks that analysts are tipping as buys this month. Here's what they are recommending and why they could be top picks for a $10,000 investment:

Regal Partners Ltd (ASX: RPL)

Bell Potter thinks that Regal Partners could be an ASX dividend stock to buy this month.

It is a specialist alternative investment manager with approximately $18.5 billion in funds under management. It manages a broad range of investment strategies covering long/short equities, private markets, real and natural assets, and credit and royalties on behalf of institutions, family offices, charitable groups, and private investors.

Bell Potter believes the company is positioned to pay fully franked dividends of 13.2 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 19 cents in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $3.28, this equates to dividend yields of 4% and 5.8%, respectively.

The broker currently has a buy rating and $4.10 price target on its shares.

Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF)

A second ASX dividend stock that could be a buy for income investors in October is Rural Funds.

Bell Potter is also positive on this agricultural property company. Its portfolio includes almond and macadamia orchards, premium vineyards, water entitlements, cropping and cattle farms. These are leased to some of the biggest players in the industry on long leases.

The broker believes its portfolio positions it to pay dividends per share of 11.7 cents in FY 2026 and FY 2027. Based on the current Rural Funds share price of $1.91, this would mean dividend yields of 6.1% for both years.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $2.45 price target on its shares.

Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX: SGP)

The team at Citi thinks that Stockland could be an ASX dividend stock to buy.

It is one of Australia's largest diversified property companies with a specialty in residential communities, land lease communities, town centres, logistics, and office real estate.

Citi recently named the company as one of its top picks in the sector as cap rates fall and valuations lift.

As for income, the broker is forecasting dividends per share of 25.2 cents in FY 2026 and then 26.7 cents in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $6.21, this would mean dividend yields of 4% and 4.3%, respectively.

Citi has a buy rating and $6.90 price target on its shares.

The post Where to invest $10,000 in ASX dividend stocks in October appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.