NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) shares are on ice today after a strong run into the end of last week.

The stock closed up 1.58% to $14.12 on Friday and had climbed about 10% over the past 5 trading sessions.

That momentum has now paused, with the ASX confirming a trading halt before market open.

Here’s what investors are watching.

Trading halt tied to $1.5 billion raise

According to the release, NextDC requested the halt pending an announcement tied to a capital raising.

The company is launching a fully underwritten entitlement offer to raise about $1.5 billion.

New shares will be issued at $12.70 each, which sits below the last traded price.

The offer is structured as a 1 for 5.4 pro rata accelerated non-renounceable entitlement offer, with the institutional component already underway.

The halt is expected to remain in place until Wednesday while the raise is completed.

Contracted demand jumps higher

Alongside the raise, NextDC also provided an update on operating momentum.

Pro forma contracted utilisation has lifted to around 667MW as at 31 March, up from 367MW at the end of December.

That is a significant jump over a short period and points to strong customer demand.

The forward order book has also increased to 544MW. This represents future capacity that is expected to convert into revenue over time.

Management pointed to continued demand from hyperscale and AI-related customers as a key driver behind the step-up.

This is the part of the update the market will likely focus on once trading resumes.

Capex lifts to fund expansion

To support that pipeline, NextDC has increased its FY26 capital expenditure guidance.

Capex is now expected to land between $2.7 billion and $3 billion, up from the prior range of $2.4 billion to $2.7 billion. The increase reflects faster development across key projects, including the S4 Sydney site.

The company is also accelerating work across its broader footprint to bring new capacity online sooner. This lines up with the jump in contracted utilisation and the size of the forward order book.

Funding position expands

Following the raise and recent funding activity, NextDC expects pro forma liquidity of about $5.9 billion. This includes cash, undrawn debt facilities, and proceeds from both the entitlement offer and hybrid securities.

The company has also pointed to additional funding options, including wholesale debt and potential joint venture structures.

The way I see it, this is a clear push to scale faster while demand is there. The trade-off is dilution, and the size of the raise is not small.

After a solid run into last week, I would expect some pressure once trading resumes as the new shares are absorbed.

The post NextDC rally comes to a halt. Here’s what just dropped appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• NextDC reports 60% increase in contracted utilisation growth and higher capex guidance
• NextDC enters trading halt ahead of entitlement offer announcement
• ASX 200 tech shares rocket 13% as long-awaited sector rebound accelerates
• The tech rally is back: here are 5 ASX shares leading the charge
• Is the ASX 200 tech wreck over amid a 6% rise in shares today?

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

At the start of each week, I like to look at ASIC’s short position report to find out which shares are being targeted by short sellers.

This is because I believe it is well worth keeping a close eye on short interest levels as high levels can sometimes be a sign that something isn’t quite right with a company.

With that in mind, here are the 10 most shorted shares on the ASX this week according to ASIC:

• Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) remains the most shorted ASX share after its short interest rose to 15.4%. This pizza chain operator is undertaking a turnaround strategy and short sellers don’t appear confident it will succeed.
• Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) has short interest of 13.9%, which is down since last week. Short sellers may be betting against this radiopharmaceuticals company successfully getting its products approved by the US FDA.
• Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) has short interest of 13.8%, which is up week on week. Short sellers aren’t giving up on this quick service restaurant operator despite its shares rocketing this month after reporting a big improvement in its performance.
• Polynovo Ltd (ASX: PNV) has 13.7% of its shares held short, which is down since last week. Short sellers seem to think this medical device company’s shares are overvalued. However, both Bell Potter and Morgans believe they could rise approximately 80%.
• Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) has seen its short interest rise to 13%. This is likely to have been driven by concerns that the wine giant will continue to struggle with consumer spending pressures and distributor disruption.
• Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) has short interest of 12.9%, which is up week on week. Short sellers appear to believe that travel demand could be impacted by the Middle East conflict.
• DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) has 12.7% of its shares held short, which is up since last week. This counter drone technology company recently announced the sudden exit of its CEO and chair. This disruption and valuation concerns could be weighing on sentiment.
• Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) has short interest of 12.5%. Unfortunately for short sellers, this buy now pay later provider impressed the market with its quarterly update last week.
• Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) has short interest of 11.5%, which is down since last week. This uranium miner’s production outlook is uncertain beyond 2026. Short sellers appear to be betting on production falling more than the market is predicting.
• Lotus Resources Ltd (ASX: LOT) has entered the top ten with short interest of 11%. It is another uranium producer that short sellers are targeting.

The post These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Why Paladin Energy, Alcoa and Zip shares are making headlines on Friday
• Looking for another DroneShield? Check out this buy-rated ASX defence stock

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Domino’s Pizza Enterprises and Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, DroneShield, PolyNovo, Telix Pharmaceuticals, and Treasury Wine Estates and is short shares of DroneShield. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, Flight Centre Travel Group, PolyNovo, and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Last week many investors enjoyed a long awaited rebound for ASX technology shares. 

ASX 200 tech shares rose 12.96% while the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) dipped 0.15%.

Tech shares had been suffering from plenty of headwinds in 2026, including negative sentiment due to AI disruption fears.

The challenge facing investors now is identifying which companies are realistically in danger of having core products and services replaced, and which are set to benefit from AI integration.

However these fears appear to be disappearing as markets simply can’t ignore the discount on offer for technology shares. 

As The Motley Fool’s Bronwyn Allen reported last week, these fears drove a near halving in the value of the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) in just seven months.

Between 29 August and 30 March, the tech index experienced an extraordinary 48% sell-off. 

If we have reached rock bottom of this current cycle, much of the sector remains undervalued, even after last week’s rebound. 

Here are two ASX ETFs that could be worth targeting. 

Betashares S&P ASX Australian Technology ETF (ASX: ATEC)

This ASX ETF is the only pure-play Australian tech focussed fund. 

It provides exposure to leading ASX-listed companies in a range of tech-related market segments such as information technology, consumer electronics, online retail and medical technology.

In the last week it has risen almost 12%, however remains down 14% year to date. 

At the time of writing it includes 45 holdings, with its largest weighting being towards Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) and Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU) which combine for roughly 20% of the fund. 

BetaShares Australian Ex-20 Portfolio Diversifier ETF (ASX: EX20)

Australia’s benchmark index is heavily concentrated on big banks and miners. 

In fact, according to VanEck, the top 5 securities account for 33% of the S&P/ASX 200 Index. 

This means traditional, ASX 200 tracking ASX ETFs will be heavily skewed to these equities. 

That’s what makes the EX20 fund intriguing. 

It eliminates this over-saturation by excluding the largest 20 holdings listed on the ASX. 

What’s left is the 180 largest stocks listed on the ASX, after excluding the 20 largest, based on their market capitalisation.

No individual holding makes up more than 3.4% of the total fund. 

Subsequently, there is a higher exposure to tech shares than traditional ASX 200 funds. 

For the to date, the fund remains down just over 3%. 

However, it has begun to rally, rising 20% since late March. 

This fund may appeal to investors looking for tech exposure, while still spreading risk across a range of sectors.

The post 2 ASX ETFs that could be a perfect for a tech rally appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• ASX 200 tech shares rocket 13% as long-awaited sector rebound accelerates
• 5 excellent ASX ETFs to buy next week
• The tech rally is back: here are 5 ASX shares leading the charge
• Why I think these ASX tech stocks are strong buys

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) share price is in focus today after the bank moved to strengthen its balance sheet, revealing a $706 million credit impairment charge for the first half of 2026 and confirming an accelerated $1,347 million amortisation charge on software assets.

What did National Australia Bank report?

• Credit impairment charges of $706 million in 1H26
• $1,347 million pre-tax ($949 million after-tax) accelerated software amortisation charge
• Collective provisions to credit risk-weighted assets ratio expected to be 1.35% at March 2026 (up from 1.31%)
• 1.5% discount and partial underwrite planned for the 1H26 dividend reinvestment plan, aiming to raise up to $1.8 billion
• Pro forma Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio expected to remain above 12% at 31 March 2026 after these actions

What else do investors need to know?

The increase in credit provisions was driven by heightened economic uncertainty stemming from market volatility related to the Middle East conflict, particularly affecting sectors like agriculture, transport, and manufacturing. Changes to NAB’s software capitalisation policy will result in a higher portion of technology investment spend being expensed from the second half of 2026 onwards, reflecting efforts to keep pace with fast-changing technology environments.

Additionally, depreciation of the New Zealand dollar during the period led to an $81 million decline in net operating income, although this was partially offset by savings in operating expenses. NAB’s capital management actions—including the discounted and underwritten DRP—are aimed at boosting capital resilience amid ongoing uncertainty.

What’s next for National Australia Bank?

NAB reaffirmed its full-year 2026 cash operating expense growth guidance of less than 4.6%, excluding the impact of large notable items. The bank expects about half of its second-half investment spend to be expensed, up from previous years, but says operating expense impacts from policy changes should balance out.

Investors will hear more detail when NAB’s 2026 half-year results are released on Monday, 4 May 2026. The full impacts remain subject to board and auditor review.

National Australia Bank share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, NAB shares have risen 26%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 14% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post National Australia Bank strengthens balance sheet ahead of 1H26 results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• NextDC reports 60% increase in contracted utilisation growth and higher capex guidance
• NextDC enters trading halt ahead of entitlement offer announcement
• A 2026 market crash could be a once-in-a-decade chance to build a $1 million ASX portfolio
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• ASX 200 tech shares rocket 13% as long-awaited sector rebound accelerates

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

Fortunately for investors that are focused on income, the ASX offers a number of dividend shares with attractive yields.

While high dividend yields can sometimes signal risk, that’s not always the case.

There are companies out there with solid business models and cash flows that support reliable distributions. The key is identifying those that can sustain their payouts over time.

Here are three ASX dividend shares that currently offer dividend yields over 5%.

APA Group (ASX: APA)

The first ASX dividend share to consider is APA Group.

It owns and operates energy infrastructure assets, including gas pipelines that play a critical role in Australia’s energy network.

Its revenue is supported by long-term contracts, which provides a high level of visibility over future cash flows. This supports consistent distributions and makes it a popular option for income-focused investors.

APA is forecasting a dividend of 58 cents per share in FY 2026. This equates to a dividend yield of 5.8% based on its current share price.

With a yield comfortably above 5% and a long track record of increases, APA offers a blend of stability and income that could suit long-term portfolios.

HomeCo Daily Needs REIT (ASX: HDN)

Another ASX dividend share that could be worth considering is HomeCo Daily Needs REIT.

This property company focuses on retail assets that are tied to essential services, such as supermarkets, healthcare providers, and convenience-based shopping centres.

This positioning means demand for its properties tends to remain steady across economic cycles. In fact, at present it boasts an occupancy rate of 99%.

Rental income from these assets supports regular distributions, which have historically underpinned attractive dividend yields to investors.

This is expected to be the case again in FY 2026, with management guiding to an 8.6 cents per share dividend. Based on its current share price of $1.22, this would mean a 7% dividend yield.

For those seeking income with a defensive tilt, HomeCo Daily Needs REIT could be worth considering.

IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH)

A third ASX dividend share that could be worth a look is IPH.

It operates in the intellectual property services space, providing patent and trademark services across multiple jurisdictions through a large number of brands.

IPH has a long history of generating strong cash flow, which has supported consistent dividends over time.

The consensus estimate is for IPH to pay a fully franked 37.6 cents per share dividend in FY 2026. Based on its current share price of $3.49, this equates to a dividend yield over 10%.

Overall, as well as a big yield, IPH offers something a little different compared to traditional income sectors like infrastructure and property.

The post 3 ASX dividend shares to buy for 5.8%, 7%, and 10% yields appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended HomeCo Daily Needs REIT and IPH Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) share price is in focus after the company reported a 60% increase in contracted utilisation to 667MW as at 31 March 2026, alongside a significant boost in its Forward Order Book and revised capex guidance.

What did NextDC report?

• Contracted utilisation rose by 250MW (60%) to 667MW since 31 December 2025
• Forward Order Book climbed 247MW (83%) to 544MW as at 31 March 2026
• FY26 capital expenditure guidance increased to A$2.7–3.0 billion (was A$2.4–2.7 billion)
• Net revenue and underlying EBITDA guidance for FY26 remain unchanged
• Customer contract wins accelerated planned inventory and development at S4 data centre

What else do investors need to know?

NextDC’s recent customer contract wins are driving both increased utilisation and ambitious growth plans, especially at its S4 data centre. The company is investing in long-lead items to support rapid expansion, with higher capex guidance reflecting this acceleration.

Importantly, the pro forma Forward Order Book is expected to translate into billing, revenue, and EBITDA growth progressively from FY26 through FY30. NextDC remains focused on sustainability, operating Australia’s only network of Tier IV certified data centres and maintaining carbon-neutral operations.

What’s next for NextDC?

NextDC is set to continue its expansion strategy, supported by a robust order book and ongoing customer demand. Management’s capex increase aligns with a push to grow operational capacity, particularly at the new S4 facility.

Investors can look to future billing and earnings growth as the contracted pipeline converts over the coming years, while the company maintains its commitment to efficiency and sustainability across its national data centre network.

NextDC share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, NextDC shares have risen 35%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 14% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post NextDC reports 60% increase in contracted utilisation growth and higher capex guidance appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• NextDC rally comes to a halt. Here’s what just dropped
• National Australia Bank strengthens balance sheet ahead of 1H26 results
• NextDC enters trading halt ahead of entitlement offer announcement
• A 2026 market crash could be a once-in-a-decade chance to build a $1 million ASX portfolio
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

The NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) share price is in a trading halt today as the company prepares to announce the outcome of a key institutional equity raise. NextDC requested the halt ahead of details on a major pro-rata accelerated non-renounceable entitlement offer.

What did NextDC report?

• Trading halt requested ahead of new equity raising announcement
• Entitlement offer to issue new fully paid ordinary shares
• Institutional component of the offer currently underway
• Halt expected to end by Wednesday, 22 April 2026

What else do investors need to know?

NextDC’s trading halt is linked to a proposed material equity raising, designed to strengthen the company’s balance sheet and fund further business initiatives. The company has opted for a pro-rata accelerated non-renounceable entitlement offer, meaning eligible shareholders will be able to participate as new shares are issued on a set ratio.

The trading halt will remain in place until the outcome of the institutional component is announced, or until market open on Wednesday, whichever comes first. NextDC stated it is not aware of any other matters requiring market disclosure at this stage.

What’s next for NextDC?

NextDC is expected to release further details regarding the results of the institutional entitlement raise in coming days. Investors can anticipate more information on the size of the capital raising, its use of funds, and any impact on the company’s strategy or growth plans.

The company’s focus on raising new capital could provide further flexibility for expansion or investments in its data centre operations. Ongoing updates are likely as the entitlement offer progresses.

NextDC share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, NextDC shares have risen 35%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 14% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post NextDC enters trading halt ahead of entitlement offer announcement appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• NextDC rally comes to a halt. Here’s what just dropped
• National Australia Bank strengthens balance sheet ahead of 1H26 results
• NextDC reports 60% increase in contracted utilisation growth and higher capex guidance
• A 2026 market crash could be a once-in-a-decade chance to build a $1 million ASX portfolio
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

The ASX dividend stock Dexus Industria REIT (ASX: DXI) could be one of the most underrated businesses for passive income that Australians can buy, in my view.

As the name suggests, this business is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns a portfolio of industrial properties/warehouses across major Australian cities. It aims to provide sustainable income and longer-term capital growth.

Its portfolio includes 88 properties that were valued at $1.4 billion at 31 December 2025. Let’s get into what makes it an appealing option for passive income.

Compelling ASX dividend stock

The business regularly tells investors what passive income it expects to pay to investors.

For the 2026 financial year, it expects to deliver an annual distribution of 16.6 cents per security, representing a forecast distribution payout ratio of 95.4% of its net rental profit (funds from operations – FFO). This translates into a distribution yield of 6.9% at the time of writing.

The payout ratio being under 100% shows the business has a sustainable level of passive income and it’s maintaining a bit of profit that can be used to improve the business.

Why this is a good investment for the long-term

The business has evolved its portfolio into a focused Australian industrial REIT following the divestment of the Brisbane Technology Park. It has re-weighted its portfolio (including acquisitions) towards high-quality, well-located, growth-oriented industrial assets.

The REIT notes that vacancy rates remain low across core industrial markets, with high land and construction costs putting pressure on the supply pipeline. It suggested that the sector will be supported by a growing population and limited available supply of more properties.

Most (87%) of the ASX dividend stock’s property portfolio has fixed rental increases, which helps the business deliver rising overall rental income – a key input for growing rental profit and higher distributions.

Its portfolio is almost entirely leased, with an occupancy rate of 99.7%, assuring it’s maximising the rental income it can deliver. During the FY26 half-year period, it delivered an underlying like-for-like increase of 5.6%, supported by contracted rental escalations, strong re-leasing spreads (new rental contracts) and higher average occupancy throughout the period.

The business looks undervalued partly because it has seen its unit price fall by approximately 20% since September 2025.

It reported its net tangible assets (NTA) were $3.39 per unit as at 31 December 2025. That essentially tells investors what the property portfolio is worth, on a per-unit basis, minus the loans and including all other tangible assets and liabilities.

The latest Dexus Industria REIT unit price is valued at a 29% discount to its NTA. That’s a big and attractive discount!

The post 1 ASX dividend stock down 20% I’d buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) share price has delivered a strong run, rising more than 50% over the past 12 months.

Even after that move, I still think the mining behemoth is worth a closer look. Here’s why I’d still consider buying BHP shares.

A valuation that still looks reasonable

One of the more interesting aspects of BHP right now is its valuation.

Based on CommSec estimates, the company is trading on around 12 times FY27 earnings. That sits alongside expectations for earnings per share of $4.20 in FY26 and $4.43 in FY27.

That combination suggests a business that is still growing, while trading at a multiple that reflects a degree of caution.

For me, that creates an attractive setup. The market is recognising the strength of the business, while still leaving room for earnings growth to play out over time.

Copper exposure is becoming more important

BHP has always been known for iron ore, but its copper exposure is becoming an increasingly important part of the story.

Copper plays a central role in electrification, renewable energy, and infrastructure. As demand builds across these areas, high-quality copper assets can become more valuable.

BHP’s portfolio includes some of the largest copper operations in the world, and the company continues to invest in expanding that exposure.

I think this adds a structural growth driver alongside its existing operations.

Potash adds a new growth engine

Another part of the story that I think is underappreciated is potash.

The Jansen project is progressing and represents a new pillar of growth for BHP. Potash is used in fertilisers, which links demand to global food production and population growth.

That creates a different type of exposure compared to traditional mining commodities.

As Jansen comes online in 2027, it has the potential to contribute meaningfully to earnings and diversify the business further.

A portfolio of world-class assets

What I find most attractive about BHP is the quality of its asset base.

The company operates large-scale, low-cost assets across iron ore, copper, and other commodities. These operations are positioned to generate strong cash flow across different market conditions.

Scale plays an important role here.

It allows BHP to operate efficiently, invest in growth, and return capital to shareholders over time.

Strong cash flow and shareholder returns

BHP has a long history of generating cash and returning it to investors.

Its earnings profile supports dividends, and the company has consistently distributed a significant portion of its profits.

For investors seeking both growth and income, that combination can be attractive.

Foolish takeaway

I think BHP continues to stand out as a high-quality mining company with multiple growth drivers.

It combines exposure to copper, a developing potash business, and a portfolio of large-scale assets that can generate strong cash flow over time.

At around 12 times estimated FY27 earnings, I think BHP shares still offer good value, supported by a growing earnings base and long-term demand for its key commodities.

The post Are BHP shares a strong buy this month? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The market has been unsettling in 2026. For patient investors, it may also be the most important opportunity in years.

From its all-time high of 9,202 points in late February, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) fell over 900 points — a decline of more than 9% — to a low point of 8,262 in March. The trigger was a surge in global oil prices tied to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the uncertainty it injected into energy markets, household budgets, and central bank policy.

It was uncomfortable. It was also not unusual.

What history actually shows

Market corrections feel permanent when you are living through them. The data says otherwise.

UBS examined 15 geopolitical shocks over the past fifty years and found the ASX 200 returned an average of 4%, 5%, and 11% over the following three, six, and 12 months, respectively.

Longer term, the picture is even clearer. The S&P/ASX 200 Index has compounded at more than 9% per annum over the past 10 years, including dividends. When franking credits are factored in, the total return rises to an average compounding rate of 10.6%. 

That is not a straight line. It includes crashes, corrections, pandemics, and inflation shocks. The long-run average holds anyway.

The compounding maths of a downturn

Here is the part most investors miss.

When you continue investing during a correction, every dollar buys more shares than it would have at the peak. Those extra shares then compound through the recovery and every subsequent year of growth.

At a 9% average annual return, $1,000 invested per month over 20 years compounds to approximately $670,000. Increase that to $1,200 per month — or take advantage of lower prices during a downturn to deploy additional capital — and the path to $1 million becomes achievable within the same timeframe.

The number shifts meaningfully depending on when you start and whether you stay invested. What does not change is the underlying logic: time in the market, not timing the market, is the primary driver of long-term wealth.

What to actually buy

What you buy matters. What matters even more is choosing an approach you can stick with when markets get noisy.

For some investors, that will mean keeping it simple with broad-based ETFs. Funds like the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) and iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) offer instant diversification and let investors participate in the long-term growth of hundreds of businesses through a single ASX-listed investment. That simplicity can be a real advantage during volatile periods, because a portfolio you understand is often a portfolio you are more likely to hold.

For others, building wealth through individual shares may be more appealing. The recent correction has created more attractive entry points across a range of high-quality businesses, including major technology names, software companies, and healthcare leaders that had previously traded at richer valuations. For investors willing to do the work, buying individual shares can be a way to back a smaller group of businesses with stronger conviction.

The key is not to pretend there is only one right way to invest. Investing is personal. The best portfolio is often the one that matches your temperament, your available time, and your ability to stay consistent. Whether that means broad ETFs, carefully chosen individual stocks, or a mix of both, the real goal is to build a strategy you can stick with long enough for compounding to do its job.

The Foolish takeaway

Nobody rings a bell at the bottom of a market correction. That is precisely why waiting for certainty before investing is a strategy that tends to fail.

From an index point of view, the ASX 200 has quickly rebounded from March lows. As readers will now know, it is quite common for falls to happen again, and further rebounds to new all-time highs will follow suit. 

A $1 million portfolio is not built in a single decision. It is built through consistent investing, compounding over time, and the discipline not to flinch when the market does exactly what markets do.

The post A 2026 market crash could be a once-in-a-decade chance to build a $1 million ASX portfolio appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• Vanguard ETF dividends to be paid today
• How to build a $500,000 ASX share portfolio step by step
• ASX 200 tech shares rocket 13% as long-awaited sector rebound accelerates
• Stop ‘saving’, start investing! How to target a $1 million ASX share portfolio

Motley Fool contributor Leigh Gant has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.