Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) shares have long been popular with passive income investors for the miner’s lengthy track record of paying two fully-franked dividends a year.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) iron ore giant even declared two dividends in the pandemic addled year of 2020.

With that in mind, Fortescue is a solid option for investors looking for some welcome extra passive income.

We’ll dig into just how many Fortescue shares you’d need to buy for a $10,000 annual income boost below.

But first, two important reminders.

Planning your future passive income

When you’re trying to calculate your future passive income levels from ASX dividend stocks, you can use either forecast yields or trailing yields.

Forecast yields rely on analysts’ best guesses as to how a company and the global economy will evolve over the year ahead. These guesses may, or may not, be correct.

Trailing yields, which we’ll employ below, are backwards looking, based on the past 12 months of dividend payments. Future payouts may be higher or lower depending on a range of company specific and macroeconomic factors.

In Fortescue’s case, these include weather conditions suitable to mining operations and, crucially, the price of iron ore. The industrial metal continues to defy expectations of a sustained pullback, with iron ore trading around US$109 per tonne at the end of the week.

The second thing to bear in mind is that a properly diversified passive income portfolio isn’t based on a single stock. There’s no right number for everyone. But to reduce overall risk to your passive income stream, 10 to 20 ASX dividend stocks, ideally operating in various sectors and geographic locations, is a good ballpark figure.

With that said…

Digging into Fortescue shares for a $10,000 annual passive income

Fortescue paid a fully-franked final dividend of 60 cents per share on 26 September.

The ASX 200 miner will pay its 62 cent per share interim dividend on 30 March. It’s a little too late to grab this latest passive income payout, though. Fortescue shares traded ex-dividend on 2 March.

All up then, Fortescue paid out (or shortly will pay out) a total of $1.22 a share in fully-franked dividends over the past year.

Meaning that to secure $10,000 a year in passive income (based on the trailing yield), you’d need to buy 8,197 shares today, with potential tax benefits from those franking credits.

How much would that cost?

Fortescue shares closed on Friday trading for $20.48, up 29% in 12 months.

So, to achieve your $10,000 annual passive income goal, you’d need to invest $168,776 now.

Fortescue trades on a fully-franked trailing dividend yield of 5.96%.

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

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Here’s why the Fortescue share price may have a turbulent few months
• 5 high-yield ASX dividend shares paying 6% to 10%
• Australia’s next great ASX mining boom: Are we already in it?

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.

The value of assets you can own in retirement, while still qualifying for the age pension, will increase next week.

How much you can earn while still qualifying for the pension will also increase.

The changes reflect indexation adjustments, made twice per year, to keep up with inflation.

Pensioners will also receive a higher fortnightly payment under the inflation adjustments.

Are you eligible for the pension?

Australians born on or after 1 January 1957 are eligible for the pension at age 67.

You do not need to be retired, however, most people are at or close to retirement by this age.

The pension is subject to both an assets test and income test.

If you own or earn too much, you may only qualify for a part-pension, or no pension at all.

Let’s dig into the details.

How much can you own in retirement and still get the pension?

Australians in retirement will be able to own a higher value of assets from 20 March and still qualify for at least a part-pension.

Your home is excluded from the assets test.

If you do not own your home, you can own more assets and still qualify for at least a part-pension.

Assessable assets include your superannuation, ASX shares, international shares, bonds, managed funds, rental properties, and cash.

Under this next round of indexation changes, single homeowners will be able to own $722,000 in assets, up from $714,500, and still be eligible for a part-payment.

Single non-homeowners will be able to own $980,000 in assets, up from $972,500, and still be eligible for a part-pension.

Couple homeowners will be able to own $1,085,000 worth of assets, up from $1,074,000, and still be eligible for a part-pension.

Couple non-homeowners will be able to own $1,343,000 in assets, up from $1,332,000, and still be eligible for a part-payment.

How much can you earn in retirement and still get an age pension?

In order to be eligible for at least a part-pension, singles will be able earn up to $2,619.80 per fortnight, up from $2,575.40 per fortnight, under the next lot of indexation changes.

Couples will be able to earn up to $4,000.80 per fortnight, up from $3,934 per fortnight.

As we’ve reported, the Federal Government is also implementing a second increase to pensioner deeming rates.

Deeming is used to estimate a pensioner’s annual investment income.

Deeming applies to all assets except investment properties (pensioners must report their actual rental income each year).

The lower deeming rate will rise from 0.75% to 1.25% for assets worth less than $64,200 for singles and $106,200 for couples.

The upper deeming rate will lift from 2.75% to 3.25% for assets worth more than these amounts.

How much will the pension increase next week?

Singles on the full age pension will receive an extra $22.20 per fortnight from Friday.

Couples will receive an extra $16.70 per person, per fortnight.

This will raise the full pension, with both supplements included, to $1,200.90 per fortnight for singles.

Couples will receive $905.20 per partner, per fortnight.

The post How much can you own in retirement and still get a pension under new rules just announced? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 2 ASX small-cap shares with 100% potential upside
• Ord Minnett tips these ASX All Ords shares to rise 30% to 50%
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• These 3 ASX ETFs can protect your portfolio against inflation
• Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure successfully issues inaugural A$350m medium-term note

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.

The S&P/ASX Small Ords Index (ASX: XSO) is down 0.1% on Friday but up 16% over the past 12 months.

By comparison, the S&P/ASX All Ords Index (ASX: XAO) is up 0.07% today and has risen 11% over the past year.

The Small Ords index tracks ASX companies ranked 101-300 by market capitalisation. The ASX All Ords tracks the top 500.

ASX small-cap shares typically have market caps between a few hundred million dollars and $2 billion.

Here are two ASX small-cap shares that the experts rate as buys, with a potential upside of 100% each over the next 12 months.

Starpharma Holdings Ltd (ASX: SPL)

The Starpharma share price is steady at 41 cents, which reflects a more than 300% gain over the past 12 months.

Starpharma is an Australian biotech that develops drug delivery systems using proprietary polymers called dendrimers.

These nanoscale molecules help medicines work better in the body.

Starpharma licenses its drug delivery technology to large pharmaceutical companies. It also develops its own anti-infection products.

PAC Partners has a buy rating on this ASX small-cap healthcare share.

The broker forecasts higher growth in partnerships and over-the-counter revenue over the next four years.

PAC Partners says it has a “high risk” 12-month price target of between 80 cents and $1 on this ASX small-cap share.

This suggests a possible minimum capital gain of 100% over the next 12 months.

PAC Partners commented:

Starpharma Holdings Limited (ASX:SPL) will start human clinical trials of its novel radiotherapy drug for a solid cancer target by the end of 2026.

This in-house project opens up SPL dendrimer applications beyond the Genentech, medicxi and RAD.ASX partnered projects.

This additional radiotherapy application is well timed with just three FDA approved first generation radiotherapy cancer drugs (e.g.: 2024 Novartis’ Pluvicto for prostate cancer.)

SPL has a pipeline of 10 agents and six targets.

SPL only 100% funds this one radiotherapy trial, and has global partners funding the rest (with fees to SPL for service).

Verbrec Ltd (ASX: VBC)

This ASX small-cap share is trading for 21 cents, down 4.55% today and up 147% over the past 12 months.

Verbrec provides engineering, asset management, and infrastructure services and technology to a variety of industries.

These include energy, mining, manufacturing, and defence industries in Australia, New Zealand, PNG, and the Pacific Islands.

Earlier this month, Verbrec reported revenue growth of 18.5% to $46.1 million and EBITDA growth of 135.3% to $4 million for 1H FY26.

During the half, Verbrec sold its non-core competency training segment for $11.2 million and acquired Alliance Automation for $5.5 million.

RaaS Advisory, which specialises in small-cap research, gives this ASX industrials share a valuation of 44 cents apiece.

This implies that Verbrec shares could double over the period ahead.

RaaS Advisory said:

The combined Verbrec and Alliance Automation business strengthens the group engineering offering and as a result work-in-hand and the opportunity pipeline have both grown by more than 50%.

Management released FY26 guidance for the new-look business for revenue of $110m-$120m and EBITDA of $8m- $10m.

Management has delivered a strong turnaround of the existing engineering business over the past two to three years and, in our view, the AA acquisition may prove to be a pivotal point in value creation over the next couple of years.

The post 2 ASX small-cap shares with 100% potential upside appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Ord Minnett tips these ASX All Ords shares to rise 30% to 50%
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• These 3 ASX ETFs can protect your portfolio against inflation
• Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure successfully issues inaugural A$350m medium-term note
• Buy, hold, sell: DBI, GQG Partners, and Rio Tinto shares

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.

Looking for new investments? Well, the team at Ord Minnett recently picked out two ASX All Ords shares that it thinks could offer market-beating returns over the next 12 months.

Here’s what the broker is recommending to clients:

Energy One Ltd (ASX: EOL)

Ord Minnett thinks that Energy One could be an ASX All Ords share to buy.

It is a provider of software products, outsourced operations, and advisory services to wholesale energy, environmental, and carbon trading markets in Australia and Europe.

In addition, the company provides a power plant management system that manages daily market communication, intraday and day-ahead trading, and nominations for power plants.

The broker has put a buy rating and $21.58 price target on its shares. This implies potential upside of over 50% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its buy recommendation, the broker said:

A key pillar of our investment case has been margin expansion potential as Europe margins converge with the more mature Australian and the latest result confirmed this, but EBITDA margins in its Australian business also expanded by 200bp on a year. ‍ We incorporate a minor (~1%) downgrade to revenue in FY26 due to lower-than-anticipated installations in the first half but have upgraded our net profit estimates due to stronger margins in both regions.

Energy One remains a profitable, free-cashflow-generative, and highly defensible business growing its top line at more than 20% per annum. In addition, the stock offers defensive appeal in the face of threats to the software sector from AI. We reiterate our Buy recommendation.

Service Stream Ltd (ASX: SSM)

Another ASX All Ords share that Ord Minnett is positive on is Service Stream.

It is an infrastructure network specialist across the telecommunications, utilities, and transport sectors in Australia.

The broker recently put a buy rating and $2.50 price target on its shares. Based on its current share price of $1.94, this suggests that upside of almost 30% is possible between now and this time next year.

Ord Minnett believes the company is well-placed to increase in return on equity and generate significant free cash flow. It also feels that “Service Stream’s trading multiple of ~18x FY26 earnings represents compelling relative value.” Commenting on its buy recommendation, the broker said:

The long-term strategy to raise the revenue skew to O&M [operations and maintenance] style contracts is now largely complete. We see returns on equity rising to 15–16% in FY27, aided by a full-year contribution of the Defence Department contract. We see free cashflows of more than $80 million in FY27 and balance-sheet capacity to support a mix of M&A, a higher dividend payout ratio and organic growth initiatives. We reiterate our Buy recommendation.

The post Ord Minnett tips these ASX All Ords shares to rise 30% to 50% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 2 ASX small-cap shares with 100% potential upside
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• These 3 ASX ETFs can protect your portfolio against inflation
• Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure successfully issues inaugural A$350m medium-term note
• Buy, hold, sell: DBI, GQG Partners, and Rio Tinto shares

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 positions in and has recommended Energy One. 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.

It was a volatile, but ultimately negative session for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX 200 shares this Friday, capping off what has been an exceptionally negative week.

After suffering some nasty drops this week, investors couldn’t quite summon up the fortitude to end the week higher today. Although the ASX 200 did spend some time in green territory this session, it ended up closing 0.14% lower.

That leaves the index at 8,617.1 points as we head into the weekend.

This uninspiring end to the Australian trading week follows a far nastier morning on the American markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was a car crash-like scene, enduring a 1.56% drop.

Things were even worse for the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC), which lost 1.78% of its value.

But let’s get back to the local markets now and see how the various ASX sectors ended their trading weeks.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure successfully issues inaugural A$350m medium-term note
• Buy, hold, sell: DBI, GQG Partners, and Rio Tinto shares
• 3 ASX 200 stocks storming higher in this week’s slumping market
• Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• Recent share price weakness makes this ASX 200 infrastructure stock a buy, Morgans says

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen 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 DroneShield and is short shares of DroneShield. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended NIB Holdings. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Inflation was already rearing its ugly head as an economic issue in 2026, evidenced by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA)’s interest rate hike last month. However, things have the potential to get a lot worse from here, thanks to the consequences of the US-Iran war.

With crude oil leaping from around US$70 a barrel at the end of last month to over US$100 today, it looks as though inflation could surge even higher if that trend doesn’t reverse in the near future. Remember, crude oil and its derivatives, like petrol, jet fuel, and diesel, are inputs into almost every kind of economic activity in our economy. As such, oil price increases function as a giant tax on everything, raising prices across the economy and thus inflation.

This is obviously a frightening scenario for investors to contemplate. As such, I thought we could discuss three ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that can help any Australian stock portfolio resist the corrosive effects of higher oil-induced inflation.

3 ASX ETFs that can help shield your portfolio from high inflation

First up, we have the BetaShares Global Energy Companies ETF (ASX: FUEL). This ASX ETF invests in a portfolio of global energy stocks. These include major oil companies such as ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, ConocoPhillips, and BP.

Energy stocks are among the few companies that benefit from higher oil prices. As this ETF holds some of the largest, most stable and lowest-cost energy producers, it stands to benefit from a prolonged period of higher oil prices and increased inflation.

Next, let’s talk about the BetaShares Global Agriculture Companies ETF (ASX: FOOD). Like FUEL, this ASX ETF offers exposure to a thematic portfolio of global stocks. With this fund, though, those stocks all hail from the agricultural sector of the global economy and support food production. Some of this ETF’s holdings include Nutrien, Archer-Daniels-Midland, Deere & Co, Kubota Corp, and Tyson Foods Inc.

Food production is not immune to higher fuel costs. However, as we all need to constantly buy food, these companies can pass on higher costs to customers, knowing they will have to accept them. That makes this ETF a useful investment for a high-inflation era.

Finally, investors concerned about inflation might consider the iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF (ASX: IXI). Overlapping in scope with FOOD a little, this fund offers exposure to companies involved in the production and distribution of consumer staple goods such as food, drinks and household essentials.

Some of IXI’s holdings include Nestle, Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola Co, Walmart, and Colgate-Palmolive. Again, these companies provide goods that we tend to need, not want. As such, they can also pass on higher costs to consumers in an inflationary environment, protecting your capital as a shareholder.

The post These 3 ASX ETFs can protect your portfolio against inflation appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Up 30% in a month: Is it too late to buy the BetaShares Crude Oil ETF (OOO)?
• If you think global instability will persist, these ASX ETFs might be for you
• 3 ASX ETFs with a focus on global defensive shares
• 5 excellent ASX ETFs flying under the radar
• 5 simple ASX ETFs to build a long-term portfolio around

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Coca-Cola and Procter & Gamble. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Chevron, Colgate-Palmolive, and Deere & Company. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended BP, ConocoPhillips, Nestlé, and Nutrien. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended iShares International Equity ETFs – iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Today, Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Ltd (ASX: DBI) announced a successful pricing of its inaugural A$350 million Australian Medium-Term Note issuance, backed by strong investor demand and set to diversify its funding sources.

What did Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure report?

• Successfully priced A$350 million in 5-year fixed rate senior secured notes at 6.234% per annum
• Issue margin of 160 basis points over S/Q ASW
• Order book more than 2.5 times oversubscribed
• Expected BBB rating from Standard & Poor’s
• Settlement due 24 March 2026, subject to standard conditions

What else do investors need to know?

The new notes mark Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure’s first ever offering in the Australian Medium-Term Note market, reflecting a step forward in its capital management strategy. The issuance is described as leverage neutral, meaning it won’t change the company’s debt levels, but aims to provide additional liquidity for committed capital expenditure—not for expansion, but to keep existing assets in top shape.

Joint lead managers for the transaction included ANZ, Barclays/Barrenjoey, and Westpac. The strong investor appetite signals ongoing market confidence in Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure’s financial health and creditworthiness.

What did Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure management say?

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Michael Riches said:

We are delighted with the strong level of support from investors for our inaugural issuance in the Australian medium-term note market. Accessing a new debt capital market further diversifies DBI’s funding base at attractive rates.

What’s next for Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure?

The company says the proceeds will support its committed non-expansionary capital expenditure plan, helping maintain and enhance its world-class Dalrymple Bay Terminal. Management notes that tapping a new debt market fits the broader strategy to deliver value to security holders through stable cash flow and prudent funding.

Looking ahead, Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure aims to keep funding flexible, ensuring it can continue to provide reliable infrastructure for the global metallurgical coal export supply chain.

Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure shares have risen 39%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 11% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure successfully issues inaugural A$350m medium-term note appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: DBI, GQG Partners, and Rio Tinto shares
• Recent share price weakness makes this ASX 200 infrastructure stock a buy, Morgans says
• Northern Star trims FY26 guidance and updates on KCGM mill expansion
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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.

Are you searching for ASX shares to buy this month?

If you are, then it could be worth hearing what analysts at Morgans are saying about the popular shares named below.

Are they buys, holds, or sells? Let’s see how the broker rates them:

Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Ltd (ASX: DBI)

Morgans thinks that recent share price weakness makes this coal terminal operator an ASX share to buy now.

This week, the broker has upgraded its shares to a buy rating with a $5.35 price target. Morgans likes the company due to its defensive qualities and attractive dividend yield. It said:

DBI’s share price has declined c.14% since its high on its FY25 reporting day in February. We see no factor causing a material change to the fundamental value of the business. Our forecasts and valuation includes the higher interest rate environment and elevated short-term inflation. Hence no change to our $5.35 target price. Forecast changes are negligible.

At current prices we estimate potential TSR of c.21% (including a forecast 6.2% cash yield). We view this as an attractive return (with significant margin of safety) for a defensive but growing infrastructure asset. Hence we upgrade from HOLD to BUY.

GQG Partners Inc (ASX: GQG)

Another ASX share that Morgans has been looking at is GQG Partners. While the fund manager reported net fund outflows during February, the broker was pleased to see its investment performance improve markedly.

It feels this could represent a turning point for the company and has upgraded its shares to a buy rating with a $2.03 price target. The broker said:

GQG has provided a February FUM update.  Whilst monthly net flows remained negative (-US$3.2bn), strong February investment performance (+US$10.5bn), which drove +4.5% FUM growth, made this a positive update in our view. We lift our GQG FY26F/FY27F EPS by +1%-+2%, driven by increased FUM forecasts based on better investment performance than we expected.

Our PT rises to A$2.03 (previously A$1.89). We acknowledge it remains early, but the improved January and February investment performance for GQG might mark the start of a business turnaround. We continue to see the stock as undervalued trading on 8x FY1 PE and an ~11% dividend yield. With >20% TSR upside, we move to a BUY rating, previously Accumulate.

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO)

Lastly, Morgans highlights that Rio Tinto’s shares have pulled back recently.

While the broker believes that value is emerging, it isn’t quite enough for a buy recommendation. As a result, Morgans has upgraded the mining giant’s shares to a hold rating with a $147.00 price target. It commented:

We upgrade RIO from TRIM to HOLD with a revised target price of A$147 (prior A$146). The recent share price pullback closes the valuation stretch, while a lift in our medium-term iron ore assumption from US$80/t to US$85/t provides a firmer earnings floor. RIO remains a top-tier diversified miner.

Not cheap enough for a BUY, but the pullback removes the overshoot that justified TRIM. Iron ore earnings platform, copper and aluminium leverage, and lithium optionality, RIO represents an attractive mix with good execution in the Pilbara and Oyu Tolgoi.

The post Buy, hold, sell: DBI, GQG Partners, and Rio Tinto shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Rio Tinto share price rises despite incident at major US copper mine
• Recent share price weakness makes this ASX 200 infrastructure stock a buy, Morgans says
• Why Cobram Estate, EOS, Magellan, and Rio Tinto shares are storming higher today
• Why EOS, GQG, Liontown, and Temple & Webster shares are tumbling today
• Buy this ASX 200 stock for an 11% dividend yield in 2026 and 2027: Morgans

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Gqg Partners. 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 Gqg Partners. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Shares in Lifestyle Communities Ltd (ASX: LIC) are charging higher on Friday following news of a major investment in the company.

At the time of writing, the Lifestyle Communities share price is up 16.56% to $5.28.

Despite today’s sharp rally, the stock has still had a difficult year. Lifestyle Communities shares remain down 35% over the past 12 months after a period of heavy selling across the retirement housing sector.

So, what has sparked today’s sudden move higher?

Major US investor takes stake

The rally appears to follow news that a US-linked investor has taken a sizeable position in the company.

According to The Australian, Hometown America, a Chicago-based operator of land lease communities, has acquired a 9.8% stake in Lifestyle Communities.

The investment was reportedly completed through the purchase of approximately 11.9 million shares for around $58.5 million.

The shares were bought off market from entities linked to fund manager HMC Capital.

Hometown America already manages more than 60 retirement housing communities across New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia through its Australian operations.

In a statement, the company described itself as a long-term investor in the land lease community sector and said the investment would complement its existing portfolio.

It also confirmed that it is not currently considering a takeover offer for Lifestyle Communities.

Analysts see potential M&A interest

Even without an immediate takeover proposal, the arrival of a strategic investor has drawn attention from analysts.

Some market observers believe the stake could revive speculation around potential mergers and acquisitions in the sector.

Citi analysts reportedly said the investment could help ensure M&A discussions involving Lifestyle Communities remain active. The company is still working through operational and regulatory challenges.

The firm also noted that the stake acquisition could lead to renewed engagement with the company from industry participants.

A tough year for Lifestyle Communities

Today’s rally follows a difficult period for the company.

Lifestyle Communities has faced significant pressure over the past year after regulatory scrutiny and uncertainty around its business model weighed on investor sentiment.

In its recent half-year update, the company reported revenue of $106.4 million, down 8.2% compared with the prior corresponding period.

Net profit for the half fell 31% to $15.8 million, reflecting lower settlements and softer operating conditions.

The company also confirmed it would not pay an interim dividend, highlighting the cautious operating environment.

Where the company stands now

Even after today’s rally, Lifestyle Communities shares remain well below the levels they traded earlier in 2025.

At the current share price of around $5.28, the company carries a market capitalisation of roughly $644 million.

The post This beaten-down ASX stock just exploded 16%. Here’s why appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. 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 positions in and has recommended HMC Capital. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended HMC Capital. 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 is slipping in Friday trade, despite ongoing strength across commodity markets.

At the time of writing, the BHP share price is down 1.64% to $50.145.

Despite today’s modest pullback, the mining heavyweight has still delivered a solid run and is up 10% in 2026.

So, what is driving the latest move?

Iron ore remains the key driver

Iron ore continues to be the single most important earnings driver for BHP.

The company generates a large portion of its profits from its Pilbara operations in Western Australia, which supply steelmakers across Asia.

BHP ships more than 280 million tonnes of iron ore each year, making it one of the world’s largest exporters of the steelmaking commodity.

Recently, iron ore prices have been showing renewed strength. Futures in Singapore have pushed toward 14-month highs, supported by supply concerns and ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting global shipping routes.

However, there are also emerging risks from China, BHP’s largest export market.

China developments are drawing attention

According to The Australian, Chinese authorities may be considering tighter restrictions involving iron ore imports from certain suppliers.

Reports suggest the measures could affect how some shipments move through the Chinese market.

China is the largest buyer of Australian iron ore and remains BHP’s most important export market.

At this stage, any potential restrictions are expected to have limited direct impact on BHP due to the scale and diversification of its operations.

A diversified resources powerhouse

One reason BHP remains widely held by investors is the strength of its diversified portfolio.

The company is not just an iron ore producer. It also has major exposure to copper, coal, nickel, potash, and other key commodities.

This diversification helps balance volatility across commodity markets.

Copper is becoming an increasingly important part of BHP’s business as global demand for the metal grows. It is expected to play a critical role in electrification, renewable energy infrastructure, and global decarbonisation.

BHP has been steadily increasing its exposure to copper through major operations such as Escondida in Chile and Olympic Dam in South Australia.

What investors may be watching next

Commodity markets remain the biggest influence on the BHP share price.

Iron ore prices, Chinese demand trends, and global economic conditions all play a major role in shaping the company’s outlook.

Investors are also watching BHP’s progress in expanding its copper business and developing the large-scale Jansen potash project in Canada.

With broad exposure to key commodities, BHP remains one of the most closely watched mining stocks on the ASX.

The post Is this ASX mining giant quietly setting up its next big move? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.