Vanguard offers a number of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the ASX, and many of them are built around broad diversification.

But some investors may want something more targeted.

That is where the Vanguard Global Technology Index ETF (ASX: VTEK) could be worth a closer look.

This ETF gives investors exposure to some of the world’s most important technology companies. For anyone who believes technology will continue reshaping the global economy over the next decade, I think the VTEK ETF is one of the more interesting Vanguard ETFs on the ASX.

What does this Vanguard ETF own?

Its largest holdings include NVIDIA, Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Broadcom, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, Meta Platforms, ASML, and Tencent Holdings.

That is a powerful group of companies.

These businesses are exposed to some of the biggest long-term themes in the world, including artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, cloud computing, digital advertising, consumer technology, software, social media, and advanced manufacturing.

This essentially means the fund provides exposure to the companies building the tools, platforms, and infrastructure behind the modern digital economy.

Why I like this ETF

Technology is no longer a narrow part of the market.

It sits underneath almost everything. Businesses use cloud software to operate. Consumers use smartphones and apps every day. AI models need chips, data centres, and software. Digital advertising funds much of the internet. Semiconductor manufacturing supports everything from electric vehicles to defence systems.

This Vanguard ETF gives investors a simple way to access these trends without needing to choose a single winner.

That is important because technology investing can be difficult. Even great companies can have periods of weak performance. Valuations can rise too far. Competition can change quickly. Regulation can also become a bigger issue when companies become very large and powerful.

By owning a basket of global technology shares, investors can reduce the risk of relying too heavily on one company.

The AI angle

Artificial intelligence is probably the biggest reason many investors are looking at global technology ETFs right now.

The VTEK ETF has heavy exposure to companies that could benefit from AI adoption.

NVIDIA is central to AI chip demand. Microsoft is building AI into its software and cloud platform. Alphabet has deep AI expertise and a huge digital ecosystem. Broadcom and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing are exposed to semiconductor infrastructure. Meta is using AI across advertising, content, and product development.

I think that makes this Vanguard ETF a useful option for investors who want AI exposure but do not want to bet everything on one stock.

Of course, AI enthusiasm can also create valuation risk. If expectations become too high, even strong businesses can disappoint investors in the short term.

That is why I would only buy this fund with a long-term mindset.

The risks

The VTEK ETF is not a defensive ETF.

Its holdings are concentrated in technology, and the top positions make up a large part of the portfolio. That can be positive when tech shares are rising, but it can work against investors when the sector sells off.

Higher interest rates, slower earnings growth, regulation, or a pullback in AI spending could all weigh on returns.

So, I would not use this fund as my entire portfolio. I think it works better as a growth-focused satellite holding alongside broader ETFs or other investments.

Foolish takeaway

I think the VTEK ETF could be one of the best Vanguard ETFs for investors wanting targeted exposure to global technology.

It owns many of the companies shaping the future of AI, software, semiconductors, cloud computing, and digital platforms.

There are risks, especially after strong runs from many large technology shares. But for long-term investors who can handle volatility, I think the Vanguard Global Technology Index ETF could be a smart way to invest in the next decade of innovation.

The post Is this one of the best Vanguard ETFs to buy now? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 3 Vanguard ETFs I would recommend to friends

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 positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Apple, Broadcom, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, and Tencent. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares just closed out a week to forget.

On Friday, shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) bank stock closed the day trading for $159.40. That saw shares in Australia’s biggest bank down a painful 9.39% over the week.

This week’s sell-down also put CBA stock in the red over the full year, down 6.09% in 12 months.

Though those losses will have been partly mitigated by the $4.95 in fully-franked dividends CommBank paid eligible stockholders over this time. CBA shares trade on a 3.11% fully franked trailing dividend yield.

Why did the ASX 200 bank stock crash this week?

CBA shares closed down 10.4% on Wednesday following the release of the ASX 200 bank’s March quarter results (Q3 FY 2026).

CBA reported an unaudited quarterly cash net profit after tax (NPAT) of around $2.7 billion. While that’s a tidy figure, Q3 profits were down 1% on CBA’s first-half cash quarterly NPAT average.

Then there’s the growing uncertainty facing Australia’s economy.

“Conflict in the Middle East is disrupting critical supply chains and contributing to global uncertainty,” CBA CEO Matt Comyn said.

With the potential for increasing bad loans ahead, Comyn added, “Notwithstanding an already strong level of provisioning, we have chosen to further top up our collective provisions in the quarter to reflect heightened macroeconomic risks.”

Do CBA shares have further to fall?

Filip Tortevski, senior analyst at Wealth Within, noted that Wednesday’s biggest-ever single-day fall in CBA shares “was blamed on the latest news release, but underneath the surface, something far more serious may be unfolding”.

He said that COVID had changed everything as far as how CommBank’s shares trade.

According to Tortevski:

Since 2020, CBA’s price action has looked less like a traditional bank and more like a momentum-driven tech stock, with an aggressive surge higher that has become increasingly disconnected from the way the stock historically traded.

Tortevski pointed to similar historical patterns that saw CBA shares get walloped.

He said:

Before CBA’s two major historical corrections, the 60% collapse during the GFC and the 44% decline between 2015 and the COVID low, the stock experienced a very similar acceleration phase in the years leading up to the falls.

And he believes the current situation closely resembles these two prior topping periods.

Tortevski concluded:

That’s why this may not be just another temporary sell-off. It could be the first serious warning that CBA is entering its next major correction cycle. If history rhymes, a move back toward $95 cannot be ruled out, which would imply another potential 50% decline from the highs.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) analysts aren’t quite so bearish; however, the broker lowered its price target for CBA to $114 per share.

The post Down 9% this week, are CBA shares entering ‘a major correction cycle’? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Buy, hold, sell: CBA, CSL, and Life360 shares
• CGT tax changes may encourage investors into ASX dividend shares: Expert
• What are the pros and cons of buying CBA shares in May?
• How to build passive income with ASX shares in 3 easy steps
• Why CBA, Paladin Energy and CSL shares crashed  9% to 17% this week

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben 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 Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

A $20,000 investment can go a long way in the ASX tech sector if it is spread carefully.

I would want a mix of businesses rather than three companies trying to win in the same corner of the market. That can help reduce reliance on one growth driver and give the portfolio exposure to different types of technology demand.

With that in mind, I would split $20,000 evenly across these three ASX tech shares that I think have attractive long-term prospects.

Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT)

Catapult Sports is the smallest and most niche of the three.

The company provides performance technology for sporting teams, leagues, and athletes. Its products help customers track movement, workload, training intensity, injury risk, and tactical performance.

This is a very different kind of technology company from the usual software names on the ASX. Catapult is tied to the professionalisation of sport.

Elite teams are always looking for small advantages. They want players fitter, better prepared, and less likely to break down. They also want better data to support coaching decisions, recruitment, and match analysis.

That gives Catapult a useful role inside an industry where performance data is becoming more important.

What I like is that the business can grow with its customers. Once a team builds its training and analysis around a platform, it can become part of the daily rhythm of the club.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

Xero is a much larger and more established business, but I still think it has room to compound.

Its cloud accounting software is used by small businesses, accountants, and bookkeepers across multiple markets. That gives it exposure to a very large customer base and a service that many businesses need every month.

I think about Xero as a small business operating system.

Accounting is the starting point, but the broader opportunity is helping small businesses manage more of their financial lives in one place. Invoicing, payments, payroll, tax, reporting, cash flow tools, and advisory services can all sit around the core platform.

That can make Xero more useful over time.

Small businesses often do not have large finance teams. They need software that saves time, reduces errors, and helps them make better decisions. If Xero can keep improving the product while expanding in large overseas markets, I think the business could be materially larger in a decade.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

WiseTech Global is the third ASX tech share I would buy with the $20,000.

Its CargoWise platform has a significant opportunity due to the growing complexity of global trade.

Moving goods around the world has become more complex. Companies are dealing with changing tariffs, shipping disruptions, customs rules, compliance requirements, and pressure to make supply chains more efficient.

That complexity can create demand for better logistics software.

WiseTech sits in a valuable part of the market because its customers need systems that help them run important workflows across borders. For freight forwarders and logistics providers, software is not just an administrative tool. It can affect customer service, compliance, speed, and profitability.

I believe this leaves WiseTech well-placed for growth over the next 10 years.

Foolish takeaway

I think Catapult Sports, Xero, and WiseTech offer three different ways to invest in ASX technology.

Catapult brings sports performance technology. Xero offers cloud software for small businesses. WiseTech provides exposure to the growing complexity of global trade.

All three shares could be volatile, and none is guaranteed to outperform. But if I were investing $20,000 into ASX tech shares with a long-term view, these are three names I would be happy to consider.

The post 3 ASX tech shares I’d buy with $20,000 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Buy, hold, sell: GrainCorp, Treasury Wine, and Xero shares
• Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy right now

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 positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

While some ASX 200 shares are trading close to record highs, others have been left languishing.

The good news is that this means there’s potential for some big returns for investors over the next 12 months.

Let’s take a look at two ASX 200 shares that have been named as buys and are being tipped to rise around 20% or more from current levels. Here’s what brokers are recommending to clients:

Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL)

Bell Potter thinks that gaming technology company Aristocrat Leisure could be an ASX 200 share to buy now.

It was pleased with its strong performance in the first half of FY 2026, highlighting that its profits were a touch ahead of consensus expectations.

Looking ahead, the broker believes the company is well-placed for growth thanks to its investment in research and development (R&D). It said:

We retain Buy. We expect ALL’s leading R&D investment will drive market share gains. Top 2 game performance observed in both the core sales and premium gaming ops markets leaves us confident that ALL can grow the install base >4.0k per year and grow global shipments. Further, with leverage expected to reach 0.4x despite significant buybacks, ALL has substantial capacity to boost growth inorganically.

Bell Potter has put a buy rating and $61.00 price target on Aristocrat Leisure’s shares. Based on its current share price, this implies potential upside of almost 20% for investors over the next 12 months. A 1.9% dividend yield is also expected from its shares.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

The team at Morgans is bullish on this cloud accounting platform provider.

It was impressed with its performance in FY 2026 and is feeling optimistic on its outlook. It said:

XRO reported a better-than-expected FY26 result and FY27 outlook. Earnings momentum continues to improve relative to consensus expectations. Management were confident enough to announce a buy-back and hint at potential capital management in FY28. However, investors didn’t take comfort with commentary around AI disruption risk versus reward.

Management has a plan to maximise the opportunity set (TAM) ahead of a path to AI monetisation. It’s early days in AI and the path to AI driven value creation will become clearer, over time. We retain our BUY recommendation and $111 Target Price.

Morgans has put a buy rating and $111.00 price target on the ASX 200 share. Based on its current share price of $79.67, this implies potential upside of approximately 40% over the next 12 months.

The post These ASX 200 shares could rise 20% to 40% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• My simple investing strategy if I had to start over
• Buy, hold, sell: GrainCorp, Treasury Wine, and Xero shares
• Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy right now
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Xero shares rip 9% as investors buy the dip amid fifth day of outages

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Xero. 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.

Looking to drill into Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares for $10,000 a year in extra passive income?

You’re not alone!

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) mining giant has a lengthy track record of paying two fully franked dividends a year. And those franking credits should continue to offer investors potential tax benefits, even under the recently announced Federal budget measures.

Now, with Rio Tinto shares having rocketed more than 50% over the past year, the stock’s dividend yield has come down too.

But that doesn’t make it unattractive.

We’ll look at how many shares you’d need to buy for that welcome $10,000 annual passive income boost below.

But first a few important reminders.

Trailing yields and forecast yields

First, when you’re gauging a stock’s passive income potential you can look at trailing yields or forecast yields.

Forecast yields represent analysts’ best guesses at how much a company might pay out over the year or years ahead. But at the end of the day, these forecasts are just that. Guesses.

Trailing yields are based on the past 12 months of dividend payouts. Meaning future yields could be higher or lower depending on a range of company specific and macroeconomic factors.

For Rio Tinto shares, that includes the prevailing price of iron ore and copper, as well as weather conditions that could help or hinder mining operations.

Also bear in mind that, while we’ll look solely at Rio Tinto here, a properly diversified passive income portfolio will contain a lot more than just one dividend stock.

While there’s no magic number that fits everyone, 10 to 15 ASX dividend stocks is a good ballpark figure. Ideally these will operate in various sectors and locations. This will help reduce the risk of your income stream taking an outsized hit if any single stock or sector runs into a rough patch.

With that said…

Drilling into Rio Tinto shares for a $10,000 annual passive income

Rio Tinto paid a fully franked interim dividend of $2.22 a share on 25 September. The ASX 200 miner paid its final fully franked dividend of $3.671 a share on 16 April.

That works out to a full year dividend payout of $5.891 a share.

So, to aim for $10,000 a year in passive income (based on the trailing yield), you’d need to buy 1,698 Rio Tinto shares today.

How much would that cost?

Rio Tinto shares closed on Friday trading for $191.59 apiece, up more than 59% in 12 months.

To achieve your $10,000 annual passive income goal then, you’d need to invest $325,320 today.

Now, that’s a lot to invest in one go. But that’s okay. Investing is a long game. You can always invest smaller amounts on a regular basis, and you’ll reach your income goal in good time.

Rio Tinto shares trade on a 3.1% fully franked trailing dividend yield.

The post How many Rio Tinto shares do I need to buy for $10,000 a year in passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben 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.

Interest in artificial intelligence continues to surge globally, but genuine ASX AI shares remain surprisingly rare.

That scarcity could create opportunities for investors willing to look beyond the market’s obvious winners. A handful of lesser-known ASX AI shares still offer the kind of catalysts, operating leverage, and re-rating potential that could drive outsized returns.

Here are two names increasingly catching investor attention.

Macquarie Technology Group Ltd (ASX: MAQ)

First up is Macquarie Technology. This ASX AI share is rapidly emerging as one of the clearest “picks and shovels” plays on the AI boom.

As artificial intelligence adoption accelerates, demand is exploding for data centres, cloud infrastructure, cyber security, and sovereign hosting solutions. These are exactly the areas where Macquarie Technology is investing aggressively.

In March, the company secured a $200 million hybrid investment from the government-backed National Reconstruction Fund Corporation.

The funding will help accelerate development of sovereign cyber security and cloud services and AI infrastructure for government agencies and defence and critical industries. Management plans to draw down the first $100 million by June 2026 and the second tranche by March 2027.

Unlike many speculative AI stocks, Macquarie Technology already generates meaningful earnings and has very visible demand drivers. The ASX AI share has now delivered 20 consecutive half-years of operating income growth, an impressive track record in any market environment.

As more data centre capacity comes online and utilisation rates rise, earnings could expand rapidly.

If the market begins valuing the company more like established data centre operator NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT), investors could see significant upside from current levels.

Appen Ltd (ASX: APX)

Then there’s Appen. This is unquestionably the more speculative of the two ASX AI shares, but it may also carry the greatest upside potential.

Appen provides training data used by artificial intelligence models, placing it directly in the centre of the generative AI ecosystem.

After several difficult years, there are finally signs the business may be stabilising. For the March quarter, Appen reported revenue of $54.8 million, up 9% from the prior corresponding period. That marks an encouraging shift after a prolonged period of declining sales.

Profitability also improved. Underlying EBITDA came in at $1 million, compared to a $1.5 million loss a year earlier.

The strongest momentum is clearly coming from China. Revenue in the region surged 88% to $34.9 million, driven by growing demand tied to generative AI projects. The division exited the quarter with an annualised revenue run rate above $144 million.

Outside China, however, conditions remain challenging. The Appen Global segment saw revenue tumble 37% and posted an EBITDA loss of $3.1 million, reflecting the uneven nature of project-based work.

Even so, after the share price collapsed almost 90% over the past five years, expectations are now extremely low.

That creates an interesting setup. If demand for high-quality AI training data continues recovering or if Appen secures new strategic partnerships, even modest operational improvements could spark a sharp market re-rating.

The post These under-the-radar ASX AI shares are starting to turn heads appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 Appen. 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.

For beginners, I think one of the most useful investing lessons is also one of the simplest.

Compounding can do a huge amount of the work over time.

That does not mean every investment will succeed. Share prices will fall, sentiment will change, and even good companies will go through difficult periods. But owning high-quality businesses for long stretches can give investors a much better chance of building wealth steadily.

The three ASX 200 shares in this article all offer something I think beginners should look for: strong market positions, long growth runways, and business models that can become more valuable over time.

Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

Hub24 is a financial technology business that plays an important role in the wealth management industry.

Its investment platform is used by financial advisers and their clients to manage portfolios, reporting, administration, and investment access in one place.

I think this is a great example of a business benefiting from a long-term industry shift.

Financial advice is becoming more professional, more technology-driven, and more focused on efficiency. Advisers need platforms that help them serve clients well without being buried in administration. Clients also expect better visibility and smoother digital experiences.

Hub24 sits in the middle of that change.

What I like is that its growth is linked to funds flowing onto its platform. If it continues winning market share and attracting advisers, the business can keep expanding without needing to reinvent itself every few years.

There are risks. Market downturns can affect funds under administration, competition is strong, and valuation still needs to be considered. But I think Hub24 has the type of scalable model that can reward patient investors if it keeps executing.

For beginners, it offers exposure to the growing wealth management industry without needing to pick a bank or fund manager directly.

ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD)

ResMed is one of the strongest healthcare businesses on the ASX in my view.

The company develops devices, masks, software, and connected care solutions for people with sleep apnoea and other breathing-related conditions.

I think the investment case starts with the size of the problem.

Sleep apnoea remains underdiagnosed around the world. Many people who could benefit from treatment either do not know they have it or have not yet entered the healthcare system. That creates a long runway for ResMed as awareness improves, testing becomes easier, and more patients begin therapy.

I also like that ResMed is not just selling a one-off product. Devices, masks, software, data, and patient support can all work together to create a more complete healthcare ecosystem.

The share price has been volatile, especially with investor debate around weight-loss drugs and their possible impact on sleep apnoea demand. But I think the bigger picture is still attractive.

Healthcare demand tends to be more durable than many parts of the economy, and ResMed has a global position in a large market that still has significant room to grow.

That makes it a share I think beginners could buy with a long-term mindset.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

Goodman is another ASX 200 share I would consider for a beginner’s portfolio.

The company owns, develops, and manages high-quality industrial property. Its assets are used by customers involved in logistics, warehousing, ecommerce, and increasingly, data centres.

I think Goodman is interesting because it is tied to how the modern economy works behind the scenes.

Consumers expect faster deliveries. Businesses need efficient supply chains. Technology companies need more infrastructure to support cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Goodman provides the physical real estate that can support those trends.

The company has also built a strong reputation for capital discipline and development expertise. That is important because property investing can be risky when debt, interest rates, and development costs move against investors.

Goodman is not immune from those pressures. But I think its asset quality, global footprint, and exposure to structural demand give it a strong long-term position.

Foolish takeaway

Beginners do not need to look hard for shares to build wealth.

I think Hub24, ResMed, and Goodman are all high-quality ASX 200 businesses with clear growth drivers and strong positions in attractive markets.

They will not rise every year, and valuation still matters. But for investors who want to start with businesses that can compound over time, I think these three shares are well worth considering.

The post 3 high-quality ASX 200 shares for beginners to buy and hold appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Hub24. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goodman Group, Hub24, and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group and Hub24. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) are two of the biggest resources shares on the ASX.

Both are quality businesses. Both generate large amounts of cash when commodity prices are favourable. And both can play a useful role in an income-focused portfolio.

But if I had to choose one to buy today, I would pick BHP.

The main reason is copper.

Why I like Woodside

Woodside is still an ASX share I rate.

It gives investors exposure to global energy markets, has high-quality LNG assets, and can generate very strong cash flow when oil and gas prices are elevated.

That can also support attractive dividends.

In the current environment, the business has benefited from higher energy prices. The conflict in the Middle East has added risk to global oil supply, and that has helped keep energy prices strong.

However, this is also the main reason I would be a little cautious.

If the US and Iran sign a peace deal, and oil supplies are able to flow more freely through the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices could pull back meaningfully.

That would not make Woodside a bad business. But it could take some heat out of the investment case in the short term.

Energy markets can change quickly, and Woodside’s earnings remain highly exposed to oil and gas prices. For investors who already own the stock, I can see the case for holding. But if I were putting fresh money to work today, I would prefer BHP shares.

Why BHP shares win for me

BHP is also exposed to commodity cycles, so it is not immune from volatility.

Iron ore prices, China’s economy, project costs, and global growth all matter.

But I think BHP has a more compelling long-term demand story because of copper.

Copper is central to electrification, electricity networks, renewable energy infrastructure, data centres, industrial activity, and electric vehicles. The world is going to need a lot of it over the next decade.

At the same time, I am not convinced supply will keep up with demand.

New copper mines are difficult to develop. They can take many years to approve, fund, build, and ramp up. Grades are also declining at some older mines, and political or permitting risks can delay new projects.

That creates a very attractive setup for established producers.

BHP is already the world’s largest copper producer, which puts it in a strong position if copper prices remain elevated over the long term.

The valuation question

There is one important caveat.

BHP shares have performed strongly this year, and the valuation is no longer as compelling as it was.

That means I would not necessarily go all-in today.

Instead, I would consider buying gradually. That could mean starting with a partial position and adding more if the share price pulls back.

I think that approach makes sense because BHP is still a cyclical business. Even if the long-term copper story is attractive, commodity shares rarely move in a straight line.

There will almost certainly be periods when sentiment cools, prices fall, or investors worry about global growth. Those moments could provide better entry points.

Foolish takeaway

Woodside and BHP are both quality ASX resources shares.

But BHP looks more attractive to me because of its copper exposure.

So, while I still like Woodside, BHP would be my pick today. I would just be patient with the entry point after its strong run this year.

The post BHP shares vs Woodside shares: Which is the better buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• How to build passive income with ASX shares in 3 easy steps
• How high does Morgan Stanley think BHP shares will go?
• Buying BHP shares today? Here’s the dividend yield you’ll get
• This ASX mining stock tipped to rise 50% could make a profit of $250m in 2028

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.

If I had to rebuild my portfolio from scratch today, my investing strategy would be much simpler than when I first started.

Instead of chasing speculative trends or trying to pick every market winner, I would focus on a balanced mix of high-quality ASX shares and diversified ETFs designed to deliver long-term growth, passive income and global exposure.

The core of my investing strategy would start with diversification.

Rather than relying heavily on one sector or one country, I would spread investments across Australian blue chips, global markets and technology-focused growth opportunities.

Australian exposure

For Australian exposure, I would begin with the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS).

This ETF provides broad access to many of Australia’s largest companies, including banks, miners and industrial businesses. It also delivers solid dividend income, which can help compound returns over time through reinvestment.

Alongside that ETF, I would add selective ASX shares with reliable earnings and defensive characteristics. Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) would likely feature prominently. The company owns high-quality retail and industrial businesses including Bunnings and Kmart, while also generating steady cash flow and dividends.

For infrastructure exposure, I would include Transurban Group (ASX: TCL). Infrastructure assets can add stability to an investing strategy because they often produce recurring revenue linked to population growth and inflation. That can become particularly valuable during periods of economic uncertainty.

Global reach and tech growth

However, if I were starting again today, I would place much greater emphasis on global growth and technology exposure than I did originally.

Artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing and digital infrastructure are reshaping industries worldwide, and I would want meaningful exposure to those long-term trends.

That is where the iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) would play a major role. This ETF gives investors access to some of the world’s largest technology companies, including Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA). These businesses continue benefiting from AI investment, digital transformation and expanding global demand for computing power.

To further strengthen diversification, I would also include the Vanguard MSCI International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS). This ETF provides exposure to developed international markets beyond Australia and reduces reliance on the local economy alone.

For a direct ASX tech growth opportunity, I would consider Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO). Xero has built a strong global software platform and continues expanding internationally, offering long-term growth potential despite short-term volatility.

Foolish Takeaway

Importantly, my investing strategy today would focus less on short-term market movements and more on consistency.

I would invest regularly, reinvest dividends where possible and avoid reacting emotionally to market volatility.

Starting over has a hidden advantage: it forces simplicity. And over long periods, a simple investing strategy built around diversification, quality businesses and long-term patience can often outperform more complicated approaches.

The post My simple investing strategy if I had to start over appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 Apple, Nvidia, Transurban Group, Wesfarmers, Xero, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Transurban Group and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple, Nvidia, Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF, Wesfarmers, 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.

This month, a number of Australia’s most popular shares have released updates.

Brokers have had time to review these updates and give their verdict. So, have they named them as buys, holds, or sells? Let’s find out:

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

Morgans notes that Australia’s largest bank underperformed expectations in the third quarter.

Combined with a challenging outlook and the tightening of its balance sheet, the broker has reaffirmed its sell rating with a trimmed price target of $119.40. It said:

3Q26 earnings were below 1H26 growth expectations, both before and after the impact of topping up loan loss provisions. The balance sheet as per the CET1 capital ratio also looks a little tighter than we had previously budgeted. FY26-28 EPS forecasts downgraded c.3-5%. Target price reduced 4% to $119.40. SELL retained, with potential total return of c.-19% at current prices (including c.3.3% dividend yield). Even after today’s c.10% sell-off, CBA’s valuation metrics remain extended and don’t provide a sufficient margin of safety.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

Morgans was disappointed with CSL’s guidance downgrade last week.

However, it remains upbeat and believes the issues the company is facing are temporary and not structural.

As a result, with CSL shares down heavily, Morgans has named them as a buy with a $147.59 price target. Commenting on the biotech giant, the broker said:

FY26 guidance was downgraded on China Albumin price pressure, US Ig channel inventory normalisation and other impacts (paused Iran sales, lower Hemgenix and and Iron sales), combined with a further cUS$5bn in flagged impairments. Importantly, issues are framed as primarily executional rather than structural, with infrastructure overbuild, organisational complexity, and weak commercial execution cited, while underlying demand and industry structure remain healthy.

Encouragingly, Seqirus is performing better than expected, Ig demand remains mid-to-high single digit, and there are early signs of plasma share stabilisation. While forward earnings visibility remains limited, we believe the current valuation increasingly discounts a structurally impaired plasma franchise, which we do not believe the current industry dynamics support. We reduce FY26-28 forecasts and lower our blended DCF, PE and EV/EBITDA-based target price to A$147.59. Given CSL’s global leadership positions, structurally growing end markets and operational initiatives, we retain a BUY rating.

Life360 Inc. (ASX: 360)

Bell Potter was pleased with this family safety and location technology company’s first-quarter update.

It notes that Life360 outperformed expectations on everything but monthly active users (MAU), which missed due to a technical issue.

In response, the broker has put a buy rating and $32.50 price target on Life360’s shares. It said:

1Q2026 revenue and adjusted EBITDA of US$143.1m and US$17.1m were 4% and 18% ahead of our forecasts and 4% and 14% ahead of VA consensus. The key positive of the result was the strong paying circle growth of 201k q-o-q which was more than double our forecast of 99k and well ahead of VA consensus of 109k.

The post Buy, hold, sell: CBA, CSL, and Life360 shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• What are the pros and cons of buying CBA shares in May?
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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL and Life360. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL and Life360. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.