If you are searching for some new investment options, then it could pay to listen to what the team at Morgans is saying about the three in this article.

Does it rate them as buys, holds, or sells? Let’s find out:

Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT)

Morgans hasn’t been impressed with this energy producer’s operational performance. And, unfortunately, it believes the trend will continue and suspects that it could fall short of guidance in FY 2027.

As a result, it recently downgraded Beach Energy shares to a sell rating with a reduced price target of 81 cents. This compares to its current share price of 85 cents. It said:

We mark-to-market our second half estimates for weaker spot gas prices, while also trimming our Waitsia output forecasts for FY26-28 on continuing struggles. After downgrading our Q4 estimates for daily production rates, we see potential for BPT to fall just short of its FY27 group production guidance.

While BPT’s share price has already been under pressure, its earnings outlook has declined at a faster rate, with its forward EV/EBITDA actually rising. We downgrade our recommendation to Sell (from Hold) with a revised target price of A$0.81 (was A$1.10).

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

While this travel agent recently downgraded its earnings guidance, Morgans has been far more forgiving.

It appears to believe that the worst is now behind the company and that a sharp rebound in earnings and its valuation could be on the cards soon.

This has seen Morgans put a buy rating and $14.80 price target on its shares. This is meaningfully higher than the current Flight Centre share price of $11.99. It commented:

Given recent downgrades from other travel industry peers due to the conflict in the Middle East, FLT’s downgrade wasn’t a surprise. Given its balance sheet strength and depressed share price, a new up to A$200m share buyback was announced. We have made only minor changes to our forecasts given FLT’s guidance was broadly in line with our previous forecast.

While a peace agreement and eased travel restrictions are positive, we think 1H27 will still be challenging. We forecast a strong recovery in 2H27. If it wasn’t for this conflict, FLT would have had a great year given its results for the first nine months were strong. We are buyers of FLT because when operating conditions ultimately improve, both its earnings and share price will be materially higher.

Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO)

Another ASX share the broker is sticking with after an earnings guidance downgrade is small business lender Judo Capital.

It thinks the selling has been overdone and has retained its buy rating with a reduced price target of $1.47. This compares to the current Judo Capital share price of 88 cents. It said:

JDO downgraded its FY26 PBT guidance by c.8% at the mid-point. Even more disappointing was first-time FY27 PBT guidance which was c.16% below expectations at the mid-point. The share price drawdown was vicious (particularly considering the decline that had already occurred since February).

While the earnings growth outlook has moderated, we still forecast c.30% EPS growth across both FY26 and FY27 with the stock now trading on a c.6.8x PER (FY27F) and 0.6x P:BV (end-FY26). A significant risk premium or probability of failure has been priced into the stock. BUY.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Beach Energy, Flight Centre, and Judo Capital shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Why 4DMedical, Centuria Capital, Judo Capital, and Worley shares are dropping today
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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 recommended Flight Centre Travel Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The amount of money you have to invest can change the best way to approach the ASX.

A $500 investment needs simplicity. A $5,000 investment gives more room for choice. A $50,000 investment allows investors to think more carefully about diversification, income, growth, and risk.

Here is how investors could think about putting each amount to work.

How to invest $500 in ASX shares

With $500, the most important thing is getting started sensibly.

A smaller investment does not leave much room to build a portfolio of individual shares. Brokerage costs can also impact you more when the investment amount is modest.

That is why an ASX exchange traded fund (ETF) could be a useful starting point.

A fund such as the iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) gives investors exposure to 500 of the largest listed companies in the United States through one trade.

That includes businesses across technology, healthcare, financial services, consumer goods, communication services, and industrials.

This can be a simple way to gain instant diversification and global exposure. It also removes the pressure of trying to choose the perfect first share.

The first $500 may not transform a portfolio overnight, but it can create momentum. Once the first investment is made, investors can add more over time and allow compounding to do more of the work.

How to invest $5,000

With $5,000, investors have more flexibility.

One option would be to split the money between a broad ETF and one or two high-quality ASX shares.

For example, an investor could use part of the money for the IVV ETF or the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS), then put the remainder into a quality ASX blue chip.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) could be one option. The company owns Bunnings, Kmart, Officeworks, and industrial businesses, giving investors exposure to a collection of strong brands and cash-generating assets.

Another possibility is Goodman Group (ASX: GMG), which has exposure to logistics property, industrial assets, and data centres across key global markets.

The advantage of this approach is balance. The ETF provides diversification, while the individual shares allow investors to start building positions in companies they believe can compound over time.

At this level, investors should still avoid spreading the money too thinly. Owning too many small positions can make the portfolio harder to follow and may reduce the impact of the best ideas.

How to invest $50,000

A $50,000 investment opens up more choices. At this size, investors can build a more complete ASX portfolio with a mix of ETFs, growth shares, dividend shares, and defensive holdings.

A possible structure could include a core allocation to broad ETFs such as the IVV, VGS, or the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS). These funds can provide exposure to large baskets of local and international companies.

From there, investors could add selected ASX shares.

For growth, companies such as Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO), Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME), and Goodman could be worth considering. These businesses give exposure to cloud software, medical imaging technology, and global property infrastructure.

For income, investors may look at shares such as Transurban Group (ASX: TCL), APA Group (ASX: APA), or Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF). These offer exposure to toll roads, energy infrastructure, and agricultural property assets.

With $50,000, risk management becomes more important. Investors can spread money across different sectors, avoid relying too heavily on one company, and keep some cash available for future opportunities.

Build the habit

The best approach will depend on an investor’s goals, time horizon, risk tolerance, and need for income.

But the broad idea is quite simple. Start with diversification when the investment amount is small, add quality shares as the portfolio grows, and build a stronger mix of growth, income, and defensive exposure once the capital base becomes larger.

The post How to invest $500, $5,000, and $50,000 on the ASX appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Goodman Group, Pro Medicus, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goodman Group, Transurban Group, Wesfarmers, Xero, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group, Rural Funds Group, Transurban Group, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group, Pro Medicus, 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.

Many companies pay dividends. Far fewer ASX dividend shares manage to increase them year after year, through economic booms, recessions, market crashes, and everything in between.

That’s what makes these three ASX dividend shares stand out. Each has built a reputation for rewarding shareholders with growing income streams over long periods of time. For income-focused investors, they could be worth a closer look.

APA Group (ASX: APA)

APA Group owns and operates critical energy infrastructure across Australia, including gas pipelines, electricity transmission assets, and renewable energy connections.

Its biggest strength is the essential nature of its assets. Much of APA’s revenue comes from long-term contracts, providing relatively stable cash flows regardless of economic conditions. That predictability has helped support one of the most impressive distribution growth records on the ASX.

The ASX dividend share has increased its annual distribution every year since 2004, delivering more than two decades of uninterrupted growth for investors.

The company has lifted its FY26 annual distribution to 58 cents per security. Based on the current share price, that equates to a distribution yield of around 5.6%.

There are risks to consider. APA carries significant debt and remains exposed to regulatory changes and the long-term transition away from fossil fuels. However, its growing exposure to electricity and renewable energy infrastructure could help offset some of those challenges.

Bell Potter expects APA to pay a distribution of 59 cents per security in FY27. Based on the current share price of $10.36, that would represent a forward yield of approximately 5.7%.

Argo Investments (ASX: ARG)

Argo Investments is one of Australia’s oldest listed investment companies.

Rather than operating a business directly, this ASX dividend share owns a diversified portfolio of high-quality ASX shares. Some of its largest holdings include BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), and Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO).

Its strength lies in that diversification. Investors gain exposure to dozens of leading Australian companies through a single investment, helping reduce company-specific risk.

Argo has paid dividends every year since its inception in 1946. Even more impressively, those dividends have been fully franked since 1995.

While payouts do not rise every single year, the long-term trend remains strongly positive. Since 2010, shareholders have enjoyed dividend increases in most financial years.

The company recently announced an 8.8% increase in its interim dividend to 18.5 cents per share.

Combined with its previous dividend, Argo’s latest two payouts total 38.5 cents per share. At current prices, that translates to a grossed-up dividend yield of approximately 4.3%, including franking credits.

Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL)

Washington H. Soul Pattinson has become something of a dividend-growth machine.

The investment company has increased its annual dividend every year since 1998, putting it on the verge of three decades of consecutive dividend growth.

A key reason for that success is diversification. Soul Patts owns investments across energy, resources, telecommunications, industrial property, building products, agriculture, financial services, electrification, swimming schools, and more.

That broad portfolio helps the ASX dividend share generate cash flow from multiple sources and reduces reliance on any single sector.

Importantly, management doesn’t distribute all available cash to shareholders. It retains capital and reinvests it into new opportunities, helping grow future earnings and dividends.

This combination of diversification, disciplined capital allocation, and long-term investment growth has enabled Soul Patts to steadily increase shareholder payouts across a wide range of market environments.

Its two most recent dividends currently equate to a grossed-up dividend yield of approximately 3.5%, including franking credits. For investors seeking a growing income stream, that consistency may be just as valuable as the yield itself.

The post Want a pay rise? These ASX dividend shares keep delivering appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why US stocks have hit record highs while ASX shares have barely risen in 2026
• How to invest $500, $5,000, and $50,000 on the ASX
• How much passive income can I make from ASX shares?
• 3 ASX dividend favourites are hitting 52-week highs today. Are investors getting defensive?
• 8 ASX 200 shares with reaffirmed buy recommendations this week

Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has positions in BHP Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. 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.