Thinking of Selling Your ASX Stocks? Watch This Now

With war escalating in the Middle East, oil prices climbing toward crisis levels, and the strait of Hormuz under threat, the question on every investor’s mind right now is whether it’s time to sell everything. In the latest episode of the Australian Stock Market Show, Wealth Within founder Dale Gillham, joined by senior analysts Janine Cox and Filip Tortevski, tackle this million-dollar question head-on.

The short answer: most investors are running blind right now and reacting to fear rather than analysing the bigger picture. The longer answer involves understanding what oil is really telling us, identifying which sectors are setting up for a rebound, and having a clear plan for managing risk regardless of what happens next. This blog walks through the key sector setups, profiles 8 ASX stocks worth watching, and explains why the patient investor stands to benefit most from the current volatility.

Should You Sell Your ASX Stocks Right Now?

The biggest driver of investor decisions right now is the direction of the oil price. Filip overlaid the oil futures chart with the ASX information technology sector to highlight a powerful inverse correlation: when oil rallied from 2020 onward, the tech sector struggled, and when oil corrects, tech tends to rally. Right now, oil is sitting at crisis prices around $110–$120, which historically has marked peak levels rather than the start of a sustained run higher.

Even during the Russia-Ukraine crisis in 2022 and earlier geopolitical flashpoints from 2011 to 2014, oil consistently peaked around the $110–$120 zone before pulling back. Oil has actually been in a structural bear market for the better part of 10 to 15 years, and unless China directly escalates the current conflict, the market is signalling that further upside in oil is limited. Selling pressure continues to keep prices capped under $100, which is significant.

This creates a major opportunity for ASX investors who can look past the fear. With oil potentially at peak prices and many sectors deeply oversold, the conditions are aligning for a powerful reversal across multiple parts of the market. The key, as Janine emphasised, is to let the chart tell the story rather than the news. For investors wanting to build the foundational skills to read these signals correctly, Wealth Within’s share trading education provides the disciplined framework that separates patient profits from reactive losses.

Sector Analysis: Where the Real Opportunities Are

The ASX 200 Industrials index has pulled back approximately 13%, which Janine described as a healthy correction within an established uptrend. This is the type of pullback that has occurred multiple times throughout the post-COVID rally, and unless the index breaks the prior monthly low with strong selling, the broader trend remains intact. Trend lines, not moving averages, are the cleanest tool for tracking these movements.

The consumer discretionary sector has fallen close to 30% and is now testing the angle of its long-term trend. Historically this sector falls early ahead of broader market corrections, so the current pullback warrants attention. However, the trend has not yet been definitively broken, meaning there are likely selective opportunities within the sector for investors who know how to filter quality stocks from broken ones.

The tech sector is the most interesting of the lot, having fallen approximately 50% from its highs. This is huge opportunity territory, particularly for trading rather than long-term hold positions. The sector has bounced exactly off its long-term trend line, and if it holds and resumes higher, there is approximately 60% upside potential back toward previous highs. Combined with oil potentially peaking, the inverse correlation makes tech particularly compelling right now.

The communication services sector is the one Janine flagged as least clean technically, with patterns that don’t set up as cleanly as the others. Telstra has had a significant influence here, but with Telstra performing well, it suggests other names within the sector may be dragging the index down. This sector is best approached on a stock-by-stock basis rather than as a broad theme.

The Construction Industry Warning

Janine highlighted a serious concern brewing in the Australian construction industry, which employs around 10% of the workforce and underpins demand across materials, energy, and infrastructure. Insolvencies have been climbing, with more than 10,000 cases in the past five years according to ASIC data. The recent collapse of Decon Group with a $230 million debt is just the latest signal that rising fuel costs, higher interest rates, and labour pressures are squeezing the sector hard.

With diesel making up 75–80% of fuel costs in the civil sector, any sustained spike in oil flows directly into project margins. At some point, projects become non-viable. For investors and tradies alike, this is a reminder that having multiple income streams and a strong investment plan is critical. It also means the materials stocks that supply construction (concrete, steel, copper) deserve close attention as cycles turn.

Stock Spotlight #1: Monadelphous Group

Monadelphous is a diversified services company operating in the resources, energy, and infrastructure sectors with offices across Australia, China, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Despite its diversification, the stock has accelerated significantly away from its long-term trend line and is now coming back to test it.

This presents a potential second-chance setup for investors who missed the initial run, but timing is everything. Janine cautioned that the stock could touch the trend line again before confirming its next move higher, so this is one to watch with patience rather than chase.

Stock Spotlight #2: NRW Holdings

NRW Holdings has followed a similar trajectory to Monadelphous, breaking through prior all-time highs before pulling back. The stock has accelerated away from its trend line and the further it drifts from that line, the more likely the snapback. The current pullback is the market reassessing the trade, and if NRW takes out the recent low near $5.10, further downside is likely. Otherwise, this remains a watchlist candidate for a potential resumption of the uptrend.

Stock Spotlight #3: Orica

Orica supplies critical inputs to the materials sector, which is currently flying. After a long downtrend with a base around $13 spanning over 20 years, the stock has broken decisively above $20 and is now pulling back to retest that level on the flip side of its long-term momentum line.

This was Dale’s favourite pick of the night. If Orica can hold $20, the upside potential extends toward $26–$28 as the materials sector’s broader rally continues. This is a classic make-or-break technical setup that experienced traders look for: not a late chase, but a high-probability entry near a confirmed level. For beginners wanting to learn how to identify and act on these setups, Wealth Within’s Short Course in Share Trading provides the foundational strategies needed.

Stock Spotlight #4: Dicker Data

Dicker Data is the dominant Australian wholesaler of computer hardware and tech products, supplying everything from major brands like HP through to local computer retailers. Because of its position in the supply chain, the stock acts as a real-time gauge for broader consumer technology spending.

Technically, the stock has been compressing into an equilibrium point around $8 after multiple failed breakouts. Janine’s view was that this is a classic example of a stock testing patience and that it would qualify as a buy if it can break decisively above the prior high. Until then, it remains in the wait-and-watch category.

Stock Spotlight #5: Technology One

Technology One is Australia’s standout enterprise software story and one of the most reliable long-term uptrends on the ASX. The stock rose steadily from 2018 to 2024 along a clean momentum line before becoming overheated and snapping back. It has now returned to that sustainable rate of rise and is showing increasing volume.

This was Filip’s pick. With the tech sector potentially bottoming and oil potentially topping, Technology One sits at the intersection of two powerful macro reversals. If the tech sector heats up again, Technology One is unlikely to be left behind, making this an attractive entry point for investors prepared to act decisively.

Stock Spotlight #6: Chorus Limited

Chorus Limited has been struggling to break above resistance around $8–$8.40, but has maintained a beautiful angle of rise throughout. The stock has been forming a classic equilibrium pattern with consolidations followed by breakouts and further consolidations, which is a textbook pattern that experienced traders recognise immediately.

The stock is now reaching the pointy end of its current pattern. If Chorus trades back below recent lows, Janine recommended stepping aside. Otherwise, watch closely for the next breakout and let the market confirm the move before committing capital.

Stock Spotlight #7: AML3D

AML3D is a 3D printing company manufacturing parts for military operations, including recent contracts with the US Navy to print parts for ships and ongoing work in the UK market. Given the current geopolitical backdrop and the strategic importance of additive manufacturing for defence supply chains, the fundamental story is compelling.

Technically, the stock is holding above 14 cents with a key resistance band at 25–26 cents. Filip’s view is that AML3D needs to break through 25 cents with strength before confirming a move into the 40 cent region. Short-term, all the right boxes are being ticked, but confirmation is essential before entering. For advanced investors wanting to learn how to project upside targets and measure pattern unfolding with precision, the Advanced stock trading course covers the professional-level tools needed for this type of analysis.

Hot Stock Tip: Turaco Gold

Turaco Gold was the week’s hot stock tip, chosen as a smaller-cap gold play benefiting from the recent uptick in gold prices. The stock has broken decisively above the key 50 cent level after finding strong price agreement at that level, and is now in a beautiful expansion-type move with the longest and strongest bars happening on the most recent run higher.

The critical level to watch is 50 cents; if the stock holds above that level, Filip sees a real path to $1.00. Once smaller-cap gold stocks approach the $1.00 psychological barrier, they often attract significant institutional interest, which can spring the next major leg higher. A push through $1.00 would open the door to a longer-term target near $1.60.

Why the Patient Investor Wins Right Now

The recurring theme throughout the analysis was patience. Dale repeatedly emphasised that the hardest part of investing is sitting on your hands when every signal is telling you something good is coming, but the trigger has not yet fired. Most investors get into stocks at the end of a run during the FOMO phase, and most try to sell during the bottom of the panic. The disciplined investor does the opposite.

Each of the stocks profiled in this analysis is sitting at key levels, which is not the kind of opportunity that comes around every month, but the kind that may not come around again for several years. When you combine sector setups across industrials, consumer discretionary, and tech with individual stocks at make-or-break technical levels, the case for being prepared rather than panicking is overwhelming.

If you are new to investing and want to understand the foundations of building a profitable portfolio, start with our Stock Market for Beginners guide. For those ready to take their skills to the next level, the nationally accredited Diploma of Share Trading and Investment is the most comprehensive trading education available in Australia, covering everything from entry timing to selling rules and pattern projections.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Sell, Get Strategic

The answer to the million-dollar question: “Should you sell your ASX stocks right now?” is no, but with a critical caveat: you need a clear plan. Selling out of fear is one of the most expensive mistakes investors make, particularly when oil is potentially at peak prices, the tech sector is showing signs of a major reversal, and quality stocks across multiple sectors are sitting at high-conviction technical setups. Orica, Dicker Data, Technology One, AML3D, and Turaco Gold each offer their own version of opportunity for investors with the patience and discipline to wait for confirmation.

To explore more expert stock analysis and market insights, visit the Hot Stock Tips videos. With over two decades of experience guiding Australians toward financial independence, Wealth Within showcases the company’s mission and track record as Australia’s most trusted share trading educator, ready to help you trade with confidence in any market condition rather than reacting to fear.