Once a week, I like to look at ASIC’s short position report to find out which ASX shares are being targeted by short sellers.

That’s because I believe it is 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, listed below are the 10 most shorted shares on the ASX this week according to ASIC.

The top ten most shorted ASX shares

• Lotus Resources Ltd (ASX: LOT) continues its run as Australia’s most shorted share with short interest of 22.8%. The ASX uranium developer suspended its shares last month while it prepares an update on its Kayelekera Project. Lotus shares are due to return to trade on 16 July.
• Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) has seen its short interest ease again to 13.9%. Short sellers are betting heavily against the pizza chain operator’s turnaround plans.
• DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) has short interest of 11.9%, which is down slightly since last week. Short sellers have been targeting the counter-drone technology company after it revealed an ASIC investigation into some announcements and insider share sales.
• Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) has short interest of 11.9%, which is down slightly since last week. This radiopharmaceuticals company has seen its short interest ease since announcing the successful outcome of a Type B meeting with the US FDA.
• Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) has short interest of 11.8%, which is down week on week again. There are concerns over this uranium miner’s production outlook. An update is due by the end of August.
• 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) has seen its short interest rebound to 11.5%. This medical technology company’s shares trade on sky-high multiples. It appears that short sellers believe this valuation is excessive.
• Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) has 11.4% of its shares held short, which is flat week on week. Short sellers may be expecting the travel agent giant’s near term performance to be negatively impacted by the Middle East conflict.
• Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) has 11.4% of its shares held short, which is down week on week. Short sellers appear to be betting against the uranium bull market.
• CAR Group Limited (ASX: CAR) has short interest of 11.3%, which is down since last week. This may be due to fears that higher interest rates could slow the growth of the automotive market and listing volumes.
• Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) has seen its short interest ease to 10.9%. The wine giant, which owns the Penfolds brand, is facing tough trading conditions because of the cost of living crisis.

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

More reading

• ASX 200 energy shares rebound after US-Iran peace deal falls apart
• 3 ASX shares I’d buy with $5,000 this week
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Up 1,636%, but can 4DMedical shares reclaim their record high?
• 9 ASX 200 shares with reiterated buy calls this week

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, Telix Pharmaceuticals, and Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CAR Group Ltd, Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, Flight Centre Travel Group, and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

On Friday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a strong session and charged higher. The benchmark index rose 0.5% to 8,806 points.

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

ASX 200 expected to rise

The Australian share market looks set for a positive start to the week following a solid session on Wall Street on Friday. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 43 points or 0.5% higher. In the United States, the Dow Jones rose 0.3%, the S&P 500 climbed 0.4%, and the Nasdaq pushed 0.3% higher.

Oil prices ease

ASX 200 energy shares including Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) could have a subdued start to the week after oil prices eased on Friday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price was down 0.95% to US$71.41 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price was down 0.4% to US$76.01 a barrel. This couldn’t stop oil prices from recording a decent weekly gain amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

Buy Mesoblast shares

Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB) shares could be in the buy zone according to Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has essentially upgraded the biotechnology company’s shares to a buy rating (from speculative buy) with a $4.45 price target. This is almost double its current share price. It said: “MSB is expected to commence submission of the various modules of the Biological Licence Application for Rexlemestrocel-L in heart failure and commence recruitment of the adult study in GvHD (for Ryoncil). We expect MSB will also engage in preliminary discussions with distributors for Rexlemestrocel-L in the chronic lower back pain indication, ahead of the phase 3 readout in mid CY27. Investment thesis: TP $4.45 (unchanged) There are no changes to earnings and we retain our $4.45 target price and Buy rating. As MSB is generating strong revenue growth the Speculative risk rating is no longer warranted.”

Gold price falls

It could be a soft start to the week for ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) after the gold price softened on Friday night. According to CNBC, the gold futures price was down 0.65% to US$4,113.7 an ounce. Increased interest rate hike bets have been weighing on the precious metal.

Buy Aroa shares

Bell Potter also sees major upside in Aroa Biosurgery Ltd (ASX: ARX) shares at current levels. This morning, the broker has retained its buy rating and $1.09 price target on the biotechnology company’s shares. It commented: “Beyond the clinical readouts, 2H CY26 should bring further clarity on the reimbursement environment. Key watchpoints should include the final PFS and OPPS rules following CMS’s proposal to retain the current flat-rate methodology for CY27, while any revised DFU/VLU LCDs could further raise the evidence threshold and narrow the reimbursable product set.”

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

More reading

• ASX 200 energy shares rebound after US-Iran peace deal falls apart
• How much do I need in my superannuation to get $50k per year in passive income?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• ASX 200 snaps its losing streak as miners and banks rally
• Mesoblast shares: Q4 earnings top projections

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woodside Energy Group Ltd. 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.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares finished last week on a disappointing note, falling 2% on Friday to close at $122.89.

The decline interrupted what had been an impressive recovery, with the ASX healthcare stock climbing 24% over the past month.

Even so, it’s important to keep that rally in perspective. CSL shares remain down around 29% year to date and have lost roughly half their value over the past 12 months.

So, is this just a short-lived bounce, or could the recovery have further to run?

Why are CSL shares recovering?

After one of the steepest sell-offs in the company’s history, investors appear to have concluded that much of the bad news is already reflected in the share price.

CSL spent decades earning a reputation as one of the ASX’s highest-quality businesses, consistently delivering earnings growth and rewarding long-term shareholders. Its leadership in plasma-derived therapies and strong global footprint made it a favourite among growth investors.

That narrative unravelled for CSL shares over the past year.

A series of earnings downgrades, leadership changes, and approximately US$5 billion in non-cash impairments related to the CSL Vifor acquisition severely damaged investor confidence and sent the shares tumbling.

However, bargain hunters have started returning as the valuation became increasingly difficult to ignore.

Competitive advantages remain

Importantly, the fundamentals of the business remain intact. CSL is still the world’s second-largest plasma-derived therapies company, operating in a highly regulated industry with significant barriers to entry.

Its global plasma collection network, manufacturing expertise, and long-standing customer relationships continue to provide competitive advantages that are difficult for rivals to replicate.

While earnings growth has slowed, the business is still expanding.

Management expects FY26 revenue of around US$15.2 billion and underlying net profit after tax and amortisation (NPATA) of approximately US$3.1 billion on a constant currency basis.

The biggest challenge for CSL shares remains its US immunoglobulin business within CSL Behring, where competitive pressures continue to weigh on margins and growth expectations.

What do the brokers think?

Broker sentiment has become more balanced as CSL shares recover, although opinions differ on just how much upside remains.

Morgans is among the more optimistic brokers. It has a buy recommendation and a price target of $147.59, implying meaningful upside from current levels.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) is more cautious. The broker has a neutral rating and a $114 price target, citing uncertainty surrounding CSL’s core plasma and albumin businesses, as well as ongoing competitive pressures.

According to TradingView data, analyst sentiment remains mixed. Of the 18 analysts covering CSL, 10 have a hold recommendation, while the remaining eight rate the healthcare giant as either a buy or strong buy.

The consensus price target sits at $140.15, suggesting around 14% upside over the next 12 months.

Forecasts vary widely, however. The most bearish analyst expects CSL shares to fall to around $104.55, while the most bullish believes they could climb as high as $199.68.

The post Where could CSL shares go next? Here’s what brokers are predicting appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• VAS vs. VHY: Which is the better ASX ETF for retirement?
• How to go from zero to $50,000 with ASX shares
• 3 ASX blue-chip shares that could be strong long-term value plays
• Up 36%: Can CSL shares keep rebounding?
• Which ASX 200 sectors paid the highest dividend yields in FY26?

Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther 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 CSL and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Leading blue-chip shares like Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) are a popular choice among passive income-seeking investors.

The retail conglomerate has a highly diversified portfolio with exposure to some of Australia’s strongest retail brands, including Kmart and Bunnings. The company also has operation office supplies, health and wellbeing, industrials, chemicals, energy, and even more.

As a retail company, Wesfarmers is a classic cyclical stock, but its highly diversified portfolio means it also has some strong defensive qualities.

This year is a great example of the peaks and troughs that a cyclical stock like Wesfarmers can travel through.

Wesfarmers shares have come off the boil in February as Australians tighten their purse strings and prepare for ongoing instability. But then signs of some recovery, forecasts of interest rate cuts and softer-than-expected inflation figures saw the shares swing the other way very quickly. 

In mid-May Wesfarmers shares started rebounding, and at the time of writing the shares are trading at one of the highest levels seen since October last year.

That’s one of the benefits of cyclical stocks. They tend to outperform during economic recoveries.

Another benefit of Wesfarmers shares is the company’s sheer size and market dominance. At the time of writing, the business is the 6th largest company listed on the ASX with a market cap of around $102 billion. 

The company is well-established and financially sound with a history of reliable growth and stability. 

All these factors combined mean the company can pay its shareholders reliable and consistent passive income.

But what exactly does that passive income look like?

How many Wesfarmers shares can I get for $3,000?

At the time of writing, Wesfarmers shares are trading at $89.91 each. That means a $3,000 investment will buy you around 33 shares.

What dividend does Wesfarmers pay its shareholders?

Wesfarmers pays its shareholders two fully-franked dividend payments per year, payable in March and October. 

In March, Wesfarmers paid its investors an interim dividend of $1.02 per share.

And as the company’s earnings climb, its payout is expected to rise too.

Analysts tip Wesfarmers to pay an annual $2.13 dividend per share for FY26, and then $2.31 in FY27.

Based on the current $89.91 share price, that translates to a forward dividend yield of around 2.4% for FY26 and roughly 2.6% in FY27.

So, what’s the estimated passive income for FY27?

Using the estimated payout figures above, we can calculate roughly how much income to expect from a $5,000 investment in Wesfarmers shares.

If the conglomerate pays the expected $2.13 per-share dividend in FY26, your 33 shares would generate $70.29 in passive income.

Assuming Wesfarmers then pays the forecasted $2.31 dividend in FY27, those 33 shares would generate another $76.23 in passive income for the year.

That’s some great passive income!

The post If I invest $3,000 in Wesfarmers shares, how much passive income will I earn in FY27? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• VAS vs. VHY: Which is the better ASX ETF for retirement?
• Which is the best buy, Coles shares or Wesfarmers shares?
• How to go from zero to $50,000 with ASX shares
• How much do I need in my superannuation to get $52,000 per year in passive income?
• Wesfarmers shares are closing in on record highs. Buy, hold or sell?

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies 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 Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

ASX 200 energy shares led the market with a 3.88% gain after the US-Iran interim peace deal fell apart last week.

The US hit Iran following its attacks on vessels in the key global oil and gas shipping channel, the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran launched retaliatory strikes on US bases across the region.

The new strikes created uncertainty in global markets, with the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) falling 0.43% to 8,806 points last week.

Energy shares followed oil and gas prices higher.

The Brent crude oil price increased 5.7% over the week to US$76.01 per barrel on Friday.

The US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil price lifted 4.6% to US$71.89 per barrel.

US heating oil rose 8.3% over the week.

UK gas prices rose 13%, German gas lifted 11.8%, and European gas increased 8.7%.

On Friday, Trading Economics analysts said:

Shipping traffic through Hormuz slowed sharply this week, with markets closely monitoring whether transit activity will normalize.

The strategic waterway continues to be a key sticking point in ongoing US-Iran negotiations.

Five of the 11 market sectors finished the week in the red.

Let’s review.

Energy shares rise as US-Iran attacks resume

The Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) share price rose 4.23% over the week to $29.05 on Friday.

The Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) share price lifted 7.32% to $7.62.

The Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) share price rose 4.13% to $35.28.

The Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA) share price ascended 5.14% to $2.25 at Friday’s close.

The Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) share price finished 1.07% higher at $1.42.

Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) shares lifted 4.17% to 88 cents apiece.

The ASX 200’s largest uranium share, Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN), rose 0.8% to $10.06 on Friday.

The Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) share price rose 6.3% to $1.35.

The Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL) share price fell 2.36% to $1.45.

The market’s largest ASX 200 coal share, Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) fell 2.16% to $5.44.

The Whitehaven Ltd (ASX: WHC) share price lost 2.24% to finish the week at $7.42.

ASX 200 market sector snapshot

Here’s how the 11 market sectors stacked up last week, according to CommSec data.

Over the five trading days:

S&P/ASX 200 market sector	Change last week
Energy (ASX: XEJ)	3.88%
Financials (ASX: XFJ)	1.97%
Information Technology (ASX: XIJ)	1.34%
Consumer Discretionary (ASX: XDJ)	0.95%
Consumer Staples (ASX: XSJ)	0.87%
Utilities (ASX: XUJ)	0.8%
Communication (ASX: XTJ)	(0.31%)
Healthcare (ASX: XHJ)	(0.79%)
A-REIT (ASX: XPJ)	(1.17%)
Industrials (ASX: XNJ)	(1.41%)
Materials (ASX: XMJ)	(4.41%)

The post ASX 200 energy shares rebound after US-Iran peace deal falls apart appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much do I need in my superannuation to get $50k per year in passive income?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• ASX 200 snaps its losing streak as miners and banks rally
• 9 ASX 200 shares with reiterated buy calls this week
• Mesoblast shares: Q4 earnings top projections

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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.

I think it’s quite rare to find ASX dividend stocks that offer a mixture of both reliability and a good dividend yield. WCM Global Growth Ltd (ASX: WQG) is one of the best businesses for that combination of passive income factors, in my opinion.

If I were picking a business for dividends, I’d pick WCM Global Growth over names like BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG), National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB), Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) or ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ).

Part of the reason for that preference is the fact that WCM Global Growth is a listed investment company (LIC). That means it invests in other assets on behalf of shareholders and the board of directors get to decide how big the payouts will be.

The LIC has a fairly different management team to many other LICs on the ASX – it’s managed by WCM, a fund manager that’s based in Laguna Beach, California. They chose that location so that its team are not “living in an echo chamber – surrounded by industry companies and peer analysts”.

Let’s look at the performance, reliability and dividend yield of this compelling ASX dividend stock.

Impressive passive income option

The LIC is invested in a portfolio of between 20 to 40 stocks that are quality global companies primarily in high-growth areas within consumer, technology and healthcare sectors.

There are a couple of key aspects that influence what the WCM team are looking for. They want to find businesses with an improving economic moat (competitive advantages). An economic moat is what keeps the business ahead of competitors or keeps customers coming back. Advantages could include intellectual property, brand power, network effects and ecosystems, cost advantages and so on.

When an economic moat is improving, it suggests the business is entrenching its position in the market further, giving it greater potential to grow profit.

The other main element of the investment strategy is that WCM look for businesses that have a corporate culture that enables an improvement in the economic moat. The investment team believe that corporate culture is the biggest influence on a company’s ability to grow its competitive advantage.

It looks across the world for opportunities, not just US businesses. At 31 May 2026, 56% of the portfolio was invested in the Americas, 21% was invested in Europe, 18% invested in Asia Pacific and 5% was invested in ‘other’.

As of 31 May 2026, the LIC’s portfolio has delivered a net return after fees of 15.8% per year since inception in June 2017 and 22% per year over the last three years. Past performance is not a guarantee of future returns, of course, but it shows the investment process can be very effective.

The strong performance by the ASX dividend stock’s portfolio has enabled it to grow its annual dividend per share every year since FY19. It started paying a quarterly dividend in FY23 and it has increased its quarterly payout every quarter since then.

Good dividend yield

The dividend has regularly increased and now the dividend yield is pleasingly high.

It has provided guidance that over the next 12 months, it expects to pay four quarterly dividends that total 9.59 cents per share.

The guidance translates into a grossed-up dividend yield of 7.1%, including franking credits, at the time of writing.

I think this seems like a good time to invest, partly because (at the time of writing) it’s trading at a high single-digit discount to its net tangible assets (NTA).

At the time of writing, investing $1,000 would buy 518 WCM Global Growth shares. I’d happily make that investment today.

The post $1,000 buys 518 shares in an incredibly reliable ASX dividend stock appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much is needed in superannuation to target a $70,000 annual passive income?
• These ASX shares could generate $5,000 per year in passive income
• Forget CBA shares! Buy these ASX dividend shares instead for passive income
• How much is needed in superannuation to target $60,000 in annual passive income?
• Where should I invest inside SMSFs instead of property?

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Wcm Global Growth. 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.

It was a busy week for Australia’s top brokers. This has led to a number of broker notes being released. 

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:

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

According to a note out of Morgan Stanley, its analysts have retained their overweight rating and $67.50 price target on this mining giant’s shares. The broker believes that recent weakness, which has been caused by profit-taking following a very strong run, has created a buying opportunity for investors. Morgan Stanley is particularly positive on copper, which it believes could underpin strong earnings. The BHP share price ended the week at $58.28.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

A note out of Citi reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating and $40.00 price target on this industrial property company’s shares. Citi believes there’s a chance that Goodman could upgrade its earnings guidance, which currently points to 9% growth, ahead of its FY 2026 results in August. Looking further ahead, the broker highlights that Goodman is negotiating a number of leases for key assets around the globe. It suspects that this could support a series of upgrades to its FY 2027 guidance as the year progresses. Outside this, Citi remains positive on the company largely due to its data centre pipeline and strong logistics portfolio. The Goodman share price was fetching $29.97 at Friday’s close.

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP)

Analysts at UBS have retained their buy rating on this buy now pay later provider’s shares with an improved price target of $4.10. According to the note, the broker has been pleased to see that US consumer spending has been resilient despite global uncertainty. In light of this, UBS believes that Zip could have a strong finish to FY 2026, with robust transaction growth in the key US market. Combined with recent facility refinancing, the broker believes Zip is well-positioned to continue its strong financial performance for the foreseeable future. The Zip share price ended the week at $3.13.

The post Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• VAS vs. VHY: Which is the better ASX ETF for retirement?
• How much must I invest in BHP shares to earn a $1,000 passive income in 2027?
• 10 fantastic ASX shares to buy for FY27
• 3 ASX mining shares to buy now: experts
• 9 ASX 200 shares with reiterated buy calls this week

Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Goodman Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goodman Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group and Goodman Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

At the age of 62, your superannuation should be a priority.

After all, by this point, you can retire whenever you’re ready.

At age 62, Australians have passed their preservation age (60 years old) so they can access their super whenever they like.

They’re also just three years from the average retirement age (65 years old), and five years from receiving the Age Pension if eligible (67 years old).

The most important thing to work out before you retire is whether your superannuation balance is enough to fund the retirement lifestyle you want to live.

So, you want to retire comfortably at age 62? First, let’s break down what that might look like, and how much money you’ll need.

What does a comfortable retirement look like?

In Australia, retirement is generally split into two categories: a modest retirement and a comfortable one. 

A modest retirement, according to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA), is defined as being able to cover expenses slightly above what the full Centrelink Age Pension would provide from age 67. 

Then, a comfortable retirement is defined as one that enables retirees to maintain a good standard of living well beyond the Age Pension. It budgets for expenses beyond a modest retirement, including top-tier private health insurance and regular leisure activities. It allocates funds for home repairs or renovations, and perhaps even an annual holiday. This is what the majority of Australians aim for.

How much does a comfortable retirement cost?

ASFA estimates that a comfortable retirement will cost roughly $55,923 per year for single Australians. For couples, the annual cost will be closer to $78,566. 

Note, however, that these figures assume you’ll receive a part of the Age Pension and that you own your home outright. It’s also expected that you have an emergency fund set aside.

Ok, so how much do I need in my superannuation by age 62 to be able to afford that?

In order to fund a modest comfortable retirement, ASFA calculates that single Australians will need around $630,000. Meanwhile, couples will need around $730,000 combined.

But there is a catch.

These figures are calculated on the assumption that you’ll access your superannuation from age 67.

They also assume you’ll need to fund around 10 years of a comfortable retirement.

So, if you’re planning to retire earlier, at age 62, you’ll need to factor in those five additional years.

I’ve done a quick calculation using ASFA’s figures to work out the sum you actually need to retire at age 62.

Singles will need to have closer to $840,000 in their superannuation. Meanwhile, couples will need a combined balance of around $1.2 million at age 62. This assumes you’ll need to fund around 15 years of retirement. 

But remember, if you don’t own your home outright, you’ll also need to consider how you’ll pay your mortgage or rent on top of your other bills and budget accordingly.

The post How much do I need in my superannuation to retire comfortably at age 62? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• How much superannuation should Australian couples have before retirement?
• Magnificent 8? Meet the US tech stock up 215% in 2026
• If I invest $10,000 in CBA shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2027?
• Here’s the dividend forecast out to 2027 for ANZ shares
• VIHY: Is Vanguard’s new ASX dividend ETF a buy for income?

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies 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.

Retirement planning can look a little less intimidating when two people are approaching it together.

Couples often have two super balances, two working histories, and the ability to share many of the largest household costs.

Even so, deciding whether there is enough money to retire comfortably is rarely as simple as adding the two balances together and hoping the result looks reassuring.

The better question is whether the combined super, other savings, and any future Age Pension payments can support the lifestyle both people expect after work.

What is the benchmark for couples?

According to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia, a homeowner couple needs around $730,000 in super at retirement to support a comfortable lifestyle.

That estimate assumes the couple owns their home outright and receives some Age Pension support as their savings decline over time.

A comfortable retirement is not intended to represent an extravagant lifestyle. It allows for private health insurance, a reliable car, regular leisure activities, household repairs, domestic holidays, and occasional overseas travel, while also leaving some room to deal with unexpected costs.

For couples expecting a simpler lifestyle, ASFA estimates that around $120,000 in combined super may support a modest retirement for homeowners. At that level, however, the Age Pension would be expected to provide most of the couple’s income, and there would be much less room for travel, larger purchases, or financial surprises.

Why couples do not need twice as much as singles

The comfortable retirement target for a couple is only moderately higher than the $630,000 benchmark for a single homeowner.

This may initially appear surprising, but couples can share many major expenses. They usually pay for one home, one electricity connection, one internet service, and many of the same household items that a single retiree must fund alone.

That creates an important advantage, although couples should not assume that every cost will be shared evenly. Healthcare, hobbies, travel preferences, and personal spending can still vary considerably between two people.

The shared-cost benefit also means that relationship status can have a major influence on how far a super balance stretches. A couple with $730,000 may be able to achieve a comfortable lifestyle, while a single retiree with half that amount could face a much tighter budget.

Is $730,000 enough for every couple?

The ASFA figure is a guide rather than a guarantee, and some couples will require substantially more.

Those who plan to retire early may need to fund several years before becoming eligible for the Age Pension. Couples who are still paying a mortgage, renting privately, travelling frequently, or supporting adult children may also need a larger balance.

Health can change the calculation as well. Private health insurance, dental treatment, home modifications, mobility assistance, and care costs can place additional pressure on retirement income.

Other couples may find that they need less than the benchmark because they own a low-maintenance home, have modest spending habits, or receive income from investments outside super.

Combined balances can make a major difference

One benefit of planning as a couple is that two moderate balances can create a strong combined position.

For example, two people retiring with $365,000 each would together meet the current comfortable benchmark. Neither balance looks especially large in isolation, but the household position is much stronger once they are combined.

This is why couples should review their retirement finances together rather than treating each superannuation account as a separate plan. Contribution strategies, investment risk, retirement dates, pension eligibility, and expected spending all affect the household outcome.

It may also make sense for one partner to contribute more heavily to super at certain times, particularly when there is a large difference between balances or taxable incomes. The appropriate strategy will depend on the couple’s circumstances and may be worth discussing with a qualified adviser.

The real retirement target

A couple’s retirement target should ultimately be based on expected spending rather than a single headline number.

Housing is likely to be the largest dividing line. A couple with a paid-off home and $600,000 in superannuation may feel more secure than renters with a substantially larger balance because ongoing housing costs can absorb a significant share of retirement income.

The timing of retirement matters as well. Working for an additional year or two can allow further contributions, provide more time for investment growth, and shorten the period that super needs to fund.

Foolish takeaway

A homeowner couple aiming for a comfortable retirement should currently target around $730,000 in combined superannuation, while a modest retirement may be possible with around $120,000 and substantial Age Pension support.

Those figures provide a reasonable starting point, but the right amount will depend on housing, retirement age, spending expectations, health, and other assets.

The strongest position is not necessarily having the largest possible balance. It is having enough combined income and flexibility to support the retirement that both partners have in mind.

The post How much superannuation should Australian couples have before retirement? 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 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.

Most ASX investors have heard of the Magnificent 7, I’d wager. That catchy label refers to seven of the largest tech stocks in the world that all call the United States of America home. These US tech stocks have been incredibly lucrative investments in recent years.

You probably don’t need reminding, but Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA), Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT), Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ: GOOGL) (NASDAQ: GOOG), Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN), Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ: META), and Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) are all dominant forces in the global economy. Each has carved out an enduring presence in the personal and professional lives of people all around the world.

And each has delivered eye-watering returns over varying lengths of time.

However, a recent look at the top echelons of the US markets has prompted me to ponder that perhaps the ‘Magnificent 7’ is becoming an outdated label. Thanks to the rise of another high-flying US tech stock, we might have to expand it to the ‘Magnificent 8’, or perhaps the ‘Electric 8’ for the innovators.

The US tech stock I’m referring to goes by the name of Micron Technology Inc (NASDAQ: MU).

A new titan of a US tech stock?

Micron is a semiconductor company that manufactures chips, memory, drives, and other data processing and storage products.

To put it simply, this company has gone parabolic in recent months, as have many semiconductor and chip stocks. One year ago, you could have picked up this US tech stock for US$122.24 a share. By the start of 2026, Micron shares were asking US$315.42. Today, one Micron share will set you back a whopping US$991.64.

That means Micron is up almost 215% year to date, and up a jaw-dropping 705.5% over the past 12 months.

These gains give the company a market capitalisation of US$1.11 trillion today. So we have another trillion-dollar tech stock at the top of the US markets. This puts Micron as the tenth-largest stock in the entire S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX), and thus in the popular iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) index fund. This US tech stock is also now the third-largest holding in the also popular BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ). 

Even if you don’t own Micron shares, or these ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs), directly, it’s likely that your superannuation fund now has a significant Micron investment. 

As such, we’d all better keep an eye on this US tech stock.

The post Magnificent 8? Meet the US tech stock up 215% in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, and Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Meta Platforms, Micron Technology, Microsoft, Nvidia, Tesla, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and 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.