• If I invest $3,000 in Wesfarmers shares, how much passive income will I earn in FY27?

    Beautiful young couple enjoying in shopping, symbolising passive income.

    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.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Wesfarmers right now?

    Before you buy Wesfarmers shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Wesfarmers wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 16 June 2026

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    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 rebound after US-Iran peace deal falls apart

    A shocked and stressed man looking at his laptop and trying to absorb bad news about the Netwealth share price falling

    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.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

    * Returns as of 16 June 2026

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    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.

  • $1,000 buys 518 shares in an incredibly reliable ASX dividend stock

    Increasing white bar graph with a rising arrow on an orange background.

    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.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Wcm Global Growth right now?

    Before you buy Wcm Global Growth shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Wcm Global Growth wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 16 June 2026

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    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.

  • Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week

    Broker written in white with a man drawing a yellow underline.

    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.

    Should you invest $1,000 in BHP Group right now?

    Before you buy BHP Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and BHP Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 16 June 2026

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    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.

  • How much do I need in my superannuation to retire comfortably at age 62?

    an elderly couple site together on a sofa in their home with the old man leaning forward on his walking stick and the elderly woman beside him offering comfort by resting her hand on his shoulder.

    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.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

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    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.

  • How much superannuation should Australian couples have before retirement?

    A couple working on a laptop laugh as they discuss their ASX share portfolio.

    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.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

    * Returns as of 16 June 2026

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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.

  • Magnificent 8? Meet the US tech stock up 215% in 2026

    A player with tech goggles inside the metaverse.

    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.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Micron Technology right now?

    Before you buy Micron Technology shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Micron Technology wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 16 June 2026

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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.

  • If I invest $10,000 in CBA shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2027?

    A young bank customer wearing a yellow jumper smiles as she checks her bank balance on her phone.

    Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares are usually among the most popular dividend holdings because of their blue-chip status and satisfactory dividend yield.

    However, the ASX bank share‘s dividend yield isn’t exactly the biggest in the sector. It usually has the smallest dividend yield compared to names like National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) and ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ).

    But what CBA lacks in dividend yield, it makes up for in its dividend growth over the past 15 years and payout stability.

    Pleasingly, the bank has increased its annual dividend each year since FY20 following the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Commonwealth Bank’s latest result was another period of good performance by the ASX bank share. The CBA interim dividend per share increased by 4% to $2.35, funded by 6% growth in cash net profit after tax (NPAT).

    Let’s take a look at what analysts think the business could deliver in the 2027 financial year, which recently started.

    2027 dividend projection for owners of CBA shares

    According to the independent projection on Commsec, the ASX bank share is projected to pay an annual dividend per share of $5.15 in the 2027 financial year.

    At the time of writing, the forecast translates into a dividend yield of 3.1% excluding franking credits and a grossed-up dividend yield of 4.5% including franking credits.

    If someone were to invest $10,000 in Commonwealth Bank, they would be able to buy 60 CBA shares (with a little bit of money left over).

    With those 60 CBA shares, investors could receive $309 of cash and $441.43 overall, including the franking credits.

    Is this a good time to invest in Commonwealth Bank?

    According to CMC Invest, there have been eight analyst ratings on the business in the last three months.

    Of those eight, all of them have been a sell rating. So, the investment professionals are very negative on how appealing the company’s valuation is right now.

    The average price target of those eight ratings is $120.38, according to CMC Invest. That means, collectively, those analysts are predicting the CBA share price could drop by 27% within the next year, at the time of writing.

    After the Federal budget, the Commonwealth Bank share price dropped below $154, though it has somewhat recovered from that recent low point.

    It seems there are better ASX shares out there that we can buy.

    The post If I invest $10,000 in CBA shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2027? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Commonwealth Bank Of Australia right now?

    Before you buy Commonwealth Bank Of Australia shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Commonwealth Bank Of Australia wasn’t one of them.

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

  • Here’s the dividend forecast out to 2027 for ANZ shares

    Woman with money on the table and looking upwards.

    Owning ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) shares usually means getting a good dividend yield due to the bank’s typically rewarding payout.

    As an ASX bank share, ANZ typically has a relatively low price/earnings (P/E) ratio and a fairly generous dividend payout ratio. This combination leads to a solid yield.

    The bank is predicted to continue to deliver pleasing payouts for shareholders over the next couple of financial years.

    FY26

    We’re already more than three-quarters of the way through ANZ’s 2026 financial year, which ends on 30 September 2026.

    The company’s FY26 half-year result was promising for the ASX bank share.

    Compared to the second half of FY25 (and excluding FY25 second half significant items), HY26 cash profit saw operating expenses decline by 9%, cash net profit before provisions climbed 12%, and cash profit grew 14%.

    With that result, ANZ’s board of directors decided to maintain its interim dividend per share at 83 cents – the same as six months ago.

    The projection on Commsec suggests the ASX bank share could pay an annual dividend per ANZ share of $1.66 in FY26. That possible 2026 financial year payout would be the same as the FY25 payout.

    At the time of writing, ANZ’s dividend yield for FY26 could be 4.6% excluding franking credits and 6.1% including franking credits.

    FY27

    When the company announced its FY26 half-year result in May, ANZ CEO Nuno Matos gave some commentary on the evolving situation for the local economy and what it could mean for customers (and owners of ANZ shares):

    Our customers understand the world is more complex. Our corporate customers have been preparing for shocks, building capital and liquidity, maintaining flexibility and improving supply chain resilience. As such, there has been no material change in the overall borrowing behaviour of our customers.

    Likewise, in both Australia and New Zealand, households entered this period with generally strong balance sheets and high savings buffers. We have not seen any material increase in new customers entering hardship or receiving assistance. However, we recognise that some individuals and businesses are navigating these challenging circumstances.

    …Reflecting this raised risk in the external environment, we have increased our collective provisions, with our coverage ratio up 4 basis points. We continue to watch the situation closely.

    The result announced today confirms our actions to reset the bank are working, but we have more to do. As we look ahead, we continue to focus on executing our ANZ 2030 strategy as we progress our five-year journey to be the best bank for customers and shareholders in Australia and New Zealand         

    ANZ borrowers (and prospective borrowers) will also have to deal with the flow-on effects of the Australian Federal Budget, including potentially lower investor demand due to changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax (CGT).

    Overall, while ANZ is doing its best to reduce its cost base and become more profitable, it’s operating in a difficult environment.

    According to the projection on Commsec, ANZ is expected to maintain its dividend at $1.66 per ANZ share in FY27.

    That means it would offer the same dividend yield next financial year – 4.6% excluding franking credits and 6.1% including franking credits.

    In my view, there are other ASX shares that could be better buys for the long-term.

    The post Here’s the dividend forecast out to 2027 for ANZ shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Anz Group right now?

    Before you buy Anz Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Anz Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

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

  • VIHY: Is Vanguard’s new ASX dividend ETF a buy for income?

    A cool young man walking in a laneway holding a takeaway coffee in one hand and his phone in the other reacts with surprise as he reads the latest news on his mobile phone

    Veteran index fund and exchange-traded fund (ETF) provider Vanguard recently announced a new slate of ASX ETFs. Amongst them was the Vanguard International Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VIHY).

    ASX shares are well known for their income potential (not to mention those beloved franking credits). So this new ASX ETF has some stiff local competition. Additionally, the ASX is also home to a few ASX ETFs, both locally and internationally focused, that prioritise generating dividend income for their investors. Some popular examples include the BetaShares S&P Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: HYLD) and the State Street SPDR S&P Global Dividend ETF (ASX: WDIV).

    So today, let’s see how this new ASX ETF from Vanguard measures up.

    What’s in this new VIHY Vanguard ETF?

    To start off with, the Vanguard International Shares High Yield ETF tracks the FTSE All-World ex Australia High Dividend Yield Net Tax Index. This index represents more than 2,300 individual dividend stocks from all over the world. VIHY itself currently holds around 1,600, so already we can see that this is a relatively massive fund in terms of scope.

    Like many internationally-focused ETFs in Australia, VIHY is America-heavy. As of 31 May, 41% of its portfolio consisted of US stocks. Japan contributed the next-highest weighting at 9.9%, followed by the United Kingdom (7.1%), Canada (4.6%), Switzerland (4.5%), France (4.4%), and Taiwan (3.5%).

    But let’s get into what this ASX ETF actually holds in its portfolio.

    Many of its top holdings are well-known US dividend payers. These include JPMorgan Chase & Co, Exxon Mobil Corp, Johnson & Johnson, Cisco Systems, Chevron Corp, Coca-Cola, Philip Morris International, Toyota, and Procter & Gamble.

    Moving on to this ASX ETF’s dividend potential, VIHY pays out its dividend distributions quarterly. It has only declared one payment to investors so far, a dividend distribution worth 49.49 cents per unit. This will be paid out later this month on 16 July.

    If we annualise this payment (by assuming that its next three match its first), we get a potential 12-month dividend distribution total of $1.98 per unit. At the current (at the time of writing) price of $54.68, we get a potential yield of 3.62%.

    Now, that’s very arbitrary at this stage. We don’t yet know what VIHY’s next few dividend payments will look like. However, if investors are looking for an easy income investment that would diversify an ASX-heavy dividend portfolio, this ASX ETF might be worth considering.

     

     

     

     

     

    The post VIHY: Is Vanguard’s new ASX dividend ETF a buy for income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Coca-Cola, Philip Morris International, and Procter & Gamble. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Chevron, Cisco Systems, and JPMorgan Chase. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Johnson & Johnson and Philip Morris International. 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.