Markets rarely sit still for long. One week it’s AI disruption dominating headlines; the next it’s geopolitical tensions or sharp swings in commodity prices. For investors, that constant noise can make it difficult to separate short-term drama from long-term opportunity.
Yet beneath the volatility, some trends show very little change. Businesses with strong fundamentals, clear competitive advantages, and exposure to structural growth themes continue to attract serious capital. Quality companies with durable tailwinds tend to hold their ground, and often emerge stronger.
Recent insights from leading Australian fund managers, along with growth forecasts and insider ownership data, highlight where conviction is building. Small-cap resources, energy security plays, industrial enablers, wealth platforms, and select structural growth names are increasingly shaping long-term portfolios.
Here’s a closer look at the ASX growth stocks investors are backing for 2026 and beyond.
Small-Cap Resources: Gold Leads the Charge
If there is one clear consensus among top-performing fund managers, it is gold.
Several leading funds have converged on smaller-cap gold producers with improving operations and earnings leverage. Rather than buying bullion exposure, managers are targeting businesses ramping up production, strengthening balance sheets, and delivering operational improvements.
Standout Gold Names
Genesis Minerals (ASX: GMD)
Fund managers highlight Genesis as a transitioning producer with improving scale and earnings leverage. Broker coverage remains strongly supportive, with most analysts rating it a buy.
Bellevue Gold (ASX: BGL)
Bellevue continues ramping production in Western Australia. Investors see upside if execution meets forecasts, though operational delivery remains key.
Capricorn Metals (ASX: CMM)
Operating the Karlawinda and Mt Gibson projects, Capricorn combines production growth with balance sheet strength.
Managers favour these companies because they offer operational leverage to a firm gold price, rather than purely defensive exposure. If gold remains resilient, earnings acceleration could drive further upside.
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Uranium and Energy Security: Structural Tailwinds
Energy security has re-emerged as a global priority. Rising electricity demand, particularly from AI infrastructure and data centres, has strengthened the long-term case for nuclear power.
Two uranium producers consistently appear in fund commentary:
NexGen Energy (ASX: NXG)
NexGen’s Rook I project represents one of the most significant undeveloped uranium assets globally. Analysts continue to back its long-term potential.
Paladin Energy (ASX: PDN)
After operational challenges during its restart phase, Paladin has regained investor confidence as it stabilises production.
The structural thesis remains consistent: constrained uranium supply meets growing nuclear demand. For long-term investors, this theme intersects directly with electrification and energy transition trends.
Industrial Enablers: Real Earnings, Real Cash Flow
Beyond pure resources, fund managers show strong conviction in industrial operators tied to real economy activity.
Key Industrial Growth Plays
Codan (ASX: CDA)
Codan designs communications equipment and metal detection technology. Analysts point to strong gold detector demand and growing defence tailwinds. Potential acquisitions could add further earnings accretion.
Monadelphous (ASX: MND)
The engineering services provider benefits from mining and infrastructure capex cycles, converting profits into consistent cash flow.
RPMGlobal Holdings (ASX: RUL)
RPMGlobal develops mining software and advisory solutions. Earnings are forecast to grow strongly as digitalisation accelerates across the mining sector.
These businesses share attractive traits: tangible earnings, strong balance sheets, and exposure to capital expenditure rather than discretionary consumer spending.
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Wealth Platforms: Structural Financial Growth
Instead of concentrating exposure in major banks, professional investors increasingly prefer wealth infrastructure platforms.
Structural Financial Growth Leaders
Generation Development Group (ASX: GDG)
With high insider confidence and strong earnings momentum, GDG benefits from structural flows into investment bonds and managed accounts.
HUB24 (ASX: HUB)
HUB24 acts as a toll road on retirement savings, delivering scalable platform economics.
These companies combine asset-light models with recurring revenue and long-term demographic tailwinds tied to Australia’s growing superannuation pool.
Technology: Selective, Not Speculative
Technology stocks experienced sharp rotations amid AI enthusiasm and SaaS scepticism. However, long-term investors remain selective rather than dismissive.
High-Conviction Growth Names
TechnologyOne (ASX: TNE)
The enterprise software provider continues expanding its SaaS footprint across governments and universities. Management believes it can double in size every five years.
Energy One (ASX: EOL)
Serving wholesale energy and carbon markets, Energy One is forecast to grow earnings above market averages, supported by strong insider buying.
Zip Co (ASX: ZIP)
Zip benefits from strong US consumer demand and improving operating leverage after a difficult cycle.
The key message from fund managers: indiscriminate growth investing no longer works. Stock selection matters more than ever.
Structural Property and Healthcare Leaders
Not all long-term growth sits in small caps. Several large-cap ASX leaders offer durable structural advantages.
High-Quality Compounders
Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)
Goodman develops logistics and data centre infrastructure in high-demand global cities. Scarcity of infill industrial land supports long-term value creation.
ResMed (ASX: RMD)
Operating in sleep apnoea and respiratory care, ResMed benefits from ageing populations and rising health awareness. Its expanding software ecosystem adds recurring revenue streams.
These companies combine defensive characteristics with structural growth drivers — a rare combination in uncertain markets.
Insider Ownership: A Signal of Confidence
Data on fast-growing ASX companies with high insider ownership adds another dimension to stock selection. Companies where insiders hold significant stakes often signal strong internal conviction.
One standout is:
Advanced Energy Minerals (ASX: AEM)
With insider ownership exceeding 30%, the company forecasts strong revenue growth as demand for high-purity alumina rises across advanced manufacturing and energy applications.
High insider ownership does not guarantee returns, but it often aligns management incentives with shareholders.
What This Means for Long-Term Investors
Across fund manager commentary and growth screens, four dominant themes emerge:
- Small-cap resources with operational leverage
- Energy security and electrification
- Industrial earnings linked to capex cycles
- Structural wealth and software platforms
The market’s recent alpha has concentrated in these areas. If gold prices remain firm, uranium gains continued policy support, and domestic infrastructure spending holds up, small- and mid-cap growth names could extend their momentum into 2026.
However, positioning could become crowded. If macro tailwinds weaken, stock selection will matter even more.
For long-term investors, the message is clear: focus on businesses with structural demand, operational execution, strong balance sheets, and aligned management. Markets will remain volatile, but high-quality growth companies tend to reward patience over time.
Note: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Investors should conduct their own research before making investment decisions.
