EchoIQ Ltd (ASX: EIQ) shares were on fire on Friday.

The ASX tech stock rocketed 30% to $1.62 after Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) announced a major investment in the company and a marketing agreement.

The market appears to see this investment as a stamp of approval from the medical imaging technology provider.

Pro Medicus’ CEO, Dr Sam Hupert, commented:

In addition to providing financial backing, we are looking to offer our Visage 7 Cardiology customers the option of Echo IQ’s technology. This is in line with our AI strategy of offering a curated suite of algorithms that will be a mixture of algorithms created by us, those created in conjunction with our clinical partners and 3rd party algorithms such as Echo-IQ.

Is it too late to buy this ASX tech stock?

The good news is that Bell Potter doesn’t believe it is too late to buy this high-flying share. However, the near-term upside from here could be limited.

According to a note, the broker has initiated coverage on the cardiology-focused medical technology company’s shares with a speculative buy rating and $1.65 price target. This is just a fraction higher than where its shares currently trade.

Bell Potter believes there is a major unmet need that the ASX tech stock could help with. It explains:

The major unmet need in this patient population are those currently asymptomatic (i.e. without obvious symptoms) with severe disease. The vast majority proceed to symptomatic disease within two years and become candidates for aortic value replacement. Recent clinical data has proven that early intervention drives a significant survival benefit.

The data suggest that the majority of these patients are not identified using current screening methods and fewer still receive treatment. Finally, this recent clinical data has been recognised by CMS which recently proposed an update to its National Coverage Determination to extend reimbursement for AS patients with asymptomatic disease.

Commenting on its speculative buy rating, Bell Potter adds:

We commence coverage with a Buy (Speculative) recommendation and valuation of $1.65. We expect EIQ expand rapidly over the short to medium term as healthcare operators and payers recognise the benefit of these diagnostic aides in helping to minimise the long term cost of heart failure to US healthcare.

Overall, this could make it one to watch in the near term.

The post Is this exciting ASX tech stock a buy after its massive news? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Investing can be a time-consuming activity. There are individual shares to research, broker notes to read, earnings results to follow, market moves to interpret, and endless opinions about what will happen next.

ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) can help cut through some of that noise.

They allow investors to spread money across a basket of companies in one trade, which can make portfolio building much simpler and removes the need to pick individual stocks.

But which ASX ETFs could make buy and hold investing easy? Here are three to look closer at:

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

The first ASX ETF to look at is the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF.

This fund gives investors broad exposure to developed share markets outside Australia.

That is important because the Australian market is relatively small and heavily tilted toward banks and miners.

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF opens the portfolio to companies listed in markets such as the United States, Europe, Japan, and other developed economies.

It can give investors exposure to global technology leaders, healthcare giants, consumer brands, industrial businesses, and financial companies that are simply not available in the same depth on the local market.

It gives investors a way to reduce home bias, access global growth, and avoid relying too heavily on the fortunes of the Australian economy alone.

Betashares Australian Quality ETF (ASX: AQLT)

But if you do want some exposure to the local market, then it could be worth looking at the Betashares Australian Quality ETF.

This fund gives investors exposure to Australian companies that pass a quality screen.

That makes it quite different from simply buying the largest companies on the ASX. Instead of letting size alone determine the portfolio, the fund looks for businesses with stronger financial characteristics.

This can include companies with more attractive profitability, healthier balance sheets, and better earnings quality. That type of filter can be useful in the Australian market.

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)

A third ASX ETF to consider is the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF.

This fund is built around the idea that some companies have stronger defences than others.

In investing terms, a moat is what helps a business protect its profits from competitors. It might come from a powerful brand, cost advantage, network effect, valuable intellectual property, customer loyalty, or a product that is difficult to replace.

The VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF applies that idea to US shares, looking for stock with lasting competitive advantages and fair valuations.

That second part is important because even great businesses can disappoint investors if they are bought at the wrong price.

For long-term investors, this ASX ETF can add a more selective style of US exposure. It is a way to own a portfolio of companies chosen for business strength rather than simply market size.

The post 3 excellent ASX ETFs for easy buy and hold investing appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Which ASX ETFs are good options for a $1,000 investment?
• How I’d invest $250 a week in ASX shares to aim for $700,000
• 10 amazing ASX ETFs for the next decade
• Invest like Warren Buffett with these top ASX ETFs
• 5 high-quality ASX ETFs to buy with $5,000

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. 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 VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF and Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) shares have fallen a long way from their highs.

The NAB share price is currently trading around $37.45, down from a 52-week high of $49.45 and hovering above its 52-week low of $35.48.

For investors focused on passive income, I think this means NAB is worth a close look.

The valuation looks reasonable

The first thing that stands out to me is the valuation.

According to CommSec, consensus estimates suggest NAB could generate earnings per share of $2.43 in FY26 and $2.53 in FY27.

Based on the current share price of around $37.45, that puts the bank on a price-to-earnings ratio of about 15.4 times FY26 earnings and 14.8 times FY27 earnings.

That does not make NAB unbelievably cheap. But I think it looks like good value for one of Australia’s major banks.

Banks are going through a tougher period. Higher interest rates have put pressure on borrowers, competition remains strong, and investors are watching the housing market closely. But NAB still has scale, a major deposit base, strong customer relationships, and a leading position in business banking.

For a passive income investor, I think those qualities are important. The dividend needs to be backed by a business that can keep producing profits across different economic conditions.

The yield is attractive

The second reason NAB stands out is of course passive income.

CommSec consensus estimates point to dividends per share of $1.70 in FY26 and $1.72 in FY27.

At the current share price, that implies forward dividend yields of around 4.5% and 4.6%, respectively.

That is a useful level of income, in my view. It is high enough to be meaningful, while still coming from one of the country’s largest banks.

To put the numbers another way, a $10,000 investment at around $37.45 per share would buy approximately 267 NAB shares.

Based on the forecast FY26 dividend of $1.70 per share, that holding could generate about $454 in annual dividend income. Based on the FY27 forecast dividend of $1.72 per share, the income would be around $459.

That is before considering tax and any franking credits.

Of course, dividends are never guaranteed. Bank dividends depend on earnings, capital requirements, regulation, credit quality, and the broader economy. But the forecast yield does show why NAB may appeal to investors looking for passive income.

Why I’d consider buying NAB shares

I think the income case is stronger because NAB is not only a yield story.

The bank has a large role in Australian business lending, which gives it a different flavour to a purely mortgage-focused bank. Small and medium-sized businesses need credit, transaction accounts, payment services, deposits, and relationship banking as they grow and manage daily operations.

That creates a valuable customer base if NAB can keep serving it well.

The bank also gives investors exposure to the Australian economy. That can create volatility, especially when confidence is weaker, but it also means NAB can benefit if conditions improve over time.

Foolish takeaway

I think NAB shares look attractive for passive income investors at current levels.

The share price has pulled back meaningfully, the valuation looks reasonable on consensus earnings forecasts, and the forward dividend yield is around the mid-4% range.

There are risks, particularly around the economy, housing, bad debts, and banking competition. But I think NAB’s business banking strength and scale make it a useful income share to consider.

For investors wanting ASX passive income with the possibility of capital gains over time, I think NAB shares are worth buying.

The post Should I buy NAB shares for passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Here’s the dividend forecast out to 2027 for NAB shares
• Is the NAB share price good value after crashing 24%?
• Invested in ASX 200 bank shares for dividends? This fundie prefers other stocks
• Where I’d invest $2,000 in ASX 200 shares

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has 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.