It was a bouncy and optimistic start to the trading week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Monday.

After a sour trading week last week, investors seem to have come back from the weekend with a little extra pep in the proverbial step, with the ASX 200 opening higher and staying in positive territory all day today. By the time the markets closed, the index had gained 0.49% to 9,103.1 points.

This happy start to the week’s trading for the ASX followed a similarly buzzy end to the American trading week on Friday night (our time).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in very fine form indeed, rising 0.98%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) wasn’t quite as bubbly, but still gained 0.43%.

But let’s return to this week and our local markets now for a closer look at what was happening amongst the various ASX sectors this session.

Winners and losers

Despite the market’s rise this Monday, there were still a few sectors that missed out on a gain.

Leading those losers were consumer staples shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) was left out in the cold today, shrinking 0.95%.

Financial stocks also had a rough one, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) sinking 0.72%.

Utilities shares were shunned too. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) slid 0.48% lower this session.

Our last losers were communications stocks, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)’s 0.44% slip.

Turning to the green sectors now, it was mining shares that fronted the winners. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) roared 2.43% higher this Monday.

Gold stocks ran hot as well, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) soaring up 1.71%.

Tech shares also had a day to remember. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) enjoyed a 0.96% surge.

Healthcare stocks were in demand as well, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)’s 0.62% lift.

Energy shares were next. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) jumped 0.47% today.

Then came real estate investment trusts (REITs), with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) adding 0.12% to its total.

Industrial stocks managed a win. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) put on another 0.1% this session.

Finally, consumer discretionary shares got over the line, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)’s 0.09% bump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Beating out some stiff competition to take out top spot on the index this Monday was tech stock Data#3 Ltd (ASX: DTL). Data#3 shares rocketed 17.85% higher today to finish at $11.09 each.

This huge gain followed the company releasing its latest earnings, which clearly had a lot going for them.

Here’s the rest of today’s best:

ASX-listed company	Share price	Price change
Data#3 Ltd (ASX: DTL)	$11.09	17.85%
Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL)	$1.69	11.55%
Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN)	$11.70	10.59%
IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX)	$3.18	10.03%
Ansell Ltd (ASX: ANN)	$38.24	9.57%
EVT Ltd (ASX: EVT)	$15.33	8.88%
PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)	$5.47	7.89%
Silex Systems Ltd (ASX: SLX)	$5.50	7.63%
NexGen Energy (Canada) Ltd (ASX: NXG)	$15.36	6.15%
Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC)	$0.89	5.95%

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

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

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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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Ansell and Data#3. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

For me, one of the most exciting aspects of the ASX’s earnings seasons, held twice a year, is the dividend season. Whenever an ASX dividend-paying share reports its latest numbers, it also tends to reveal what its next dividend (if there is one) will look like.

Given we are, right now, in the middle of 2026’s second ASX earnings season, it’s an exciting time to be watching the stock market. Today, let’s go through two ASX dividend shares that have just announced that their investors are set to enjoy a dividend pay rise in 2026.

2 ASX income shares that just hiked their dividends

Aussie Broadband Ltd (ASX: ABB)

First up, we have ASX telco Aussie Broadband. Telcos are well-known for their dividend potential, and Aussie Broadband seems to be trying to live up to that reputation.

Today, the company revealed a final dividend worth 3.6 cents per share. That’s a significant 50% increase over the final dividend of 2.4 cents per share that investors enjoyed last year. As well as an increase over 2026’s interim dividend, also worth 2.4 cents per share.

As with all of Aussie Broadband’s past payouts, this latest one will come with full franking credits attached.

Investors have not reacted well to this ASX share’s earnings today. At the time of writing, Aussie Broadband stock is down by 6.35% to $4.73. At this price, this S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) share is trading on a trailing dividend yield of 1.01%.

Argo Global Listed Infrastructure Ltd (ASX: ALI)

Next up, we have the listed investment company (LIC) Argo Global Listed Infrastructure. Argo Global Infrastructure is run by the same team behind Argo Investments Ltd (ASX: ARG), a veteran fund manager on the ASX.

It seems the infrastructure LIC shares its parents’ predilection for slow-but-steady dividend hikes. Its latest earnings were also released this morning. In these earnings, Argo Infrastructure announced that its final dividend for 2026 would be worth 5.5 cents per share. That’s fully franked. That matches 2025’s final dividend.

However, this ASX share’s interim dividend earlier this year was worth a fully franked 4.5 cents per share. This takes Argo’s full-year dividends to a record 10 cents per share. It also marks the fourth year in a row of annual dividend pay rises from the LIC.

Like Aussie Broadband, Argo Global Infrastructure shares have not reacted well to the latest earnings, and are currently down 1.5% at $2.61 each. At that price, this ASX share is trading on a trailing dividend yield of 3.83%.

The post These 2 ASX shares have given investors a 2026 dividend pay rise appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 Aussie Broadband. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Aussie Broadband. 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) shares are having another big day on Monday.

At the time of writing, the BHP share price is up 3.55% to $67.47 after reaching a new all-time high of $67.72 during midday trade.

The S&P/ASX 200 Resources Index (ASX: XJR) is also having a strong session, up more than 2.2%.

The mining giant has been on a strong run. BHP shares are up almost 10% over the past week, around 48% in 2026, and more than 60% over the past 12 months.

BHP has also comfortably outperformed the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) over the past year.

So, after hitting another record today, can BHP shares keep climbing?

Copper is doing the heavy lifting

BHP’s FY26 result last week gave investors plenty to like.

Revenue rose 15% to US$58.8 billion, while underlying EBITDA increased 27% to US$32.9 billion. Underlying attributable profit was also up 30% to US$13.2 billion, with net operating cash flow climbing 17% to US$21.8 billion.

Copper was a big part of that result.

It accounted for 54% of BHP’s underlying EBITDA during the year, surpassing iron ore as the company’s largest earnings contributor. Record copper production and higher metal prices helped drive the increase.

BHP also cut unit costs by 6% across its major assets, while net debt ended the year at US$8.7 billion.

Dividend gives shareholders more to celebrate

Shareholders also received a much bigger final dividend.

BHP declared a fully-franked final dividend of US 99 cents per share, up 65% from FY25. That took the full-year dividend to US$1.72 per share, with US$8.7 billion in dividends determined during the year.

At current exchange rates, the final dividend is worth around $1.39 per share. BHP shares are due to trade ex-dividend on 3 September, with the payment following on 23 September.

Looking further ahead, management is targeting annual copper-equivalent production growth of 3% to 4% through FY35.

Can the BHP share price keep rising?

There’s a lot working in BHP’s favour right now, particularly if copper prices remain strong.

The miner is producing record volumes, generating plenty of cash, and building its exposure to copper. Demand for the metal is expected to grow over the coming years as more copper is needed for power grids, renewable energy, electrification, and data centres.

But after such a strong run, the share price is starting to look expensive to some brokers.

Morgans recently downgraded BHP shares to a trim rating with a $55.30 price target. That sits around 18% below where the shares are trading today.

Red Leaf Securities has also placed a hold rating on BHP shares, suggesting investors looking to buy may be better off waiting for a cheaper entry point.

BHP’s earnings are heading in the right direction; however, after rising more than 60% in a year, a lot of good news is already being priced in.

The post BHP shares just hit a record high. Can the run continue? 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.