• This ASX dividend share just blew me away

    A man happily kisses a $50 note scrunched up in his hands representing the best ASX dividend stocks in Australia today

    There have been many ASX shares that have delivered their latest numbers to investors so far this earnings season. Some have been impressive, others middling. But one report turned my head faster than any other. That would be the earnings from ASX tech stock and dividend share Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME).

    The medical imaging software company posted its earnings for the full 20206 financial year on Tuesday of this week.

    As we covered at the time, there wasn’t much to turn one’s nose up at. Pro Medicus announced that its revenue for the 12 months to 30 June 2026 came in at $261.7 million, up a whopping 22.9% year on year.

    Meanwhile, underlying earnings before interest and tax rose 24.4% to $$16.1 million. That helped to increase the company’s underlying net profits after tax (NPAT) by 24.1% to $144.7 million.

    On the bottom line, Pro Medicus reported a statutory NPAT of $265.3 million, up 130.3%.

    Those metrics are all well and good, pointing to a company whose growth engine is firing on all cylinders. But it was the dividend that Pro Medicus revealed that really drew my eye.

    A massive pay rise from a stellar ASX dividend share

    Pro Medicus unveiled a final dividend of 37 cents per share for FY2026. That alone represents a 23.33% hike over the final dividend of 30 cents per share from 2025.

    Together with the interim dividend of 32 cents per share from March, it takes Pro Medicus’ 2026 payouts to 69 cents per share. That’s a 25.45% increase over 2025’s total of 55 cents per share.

    As is this ASX dividend’s habit, all of those dividends came with full franking credits attached.

    If this ascension from 55 to 69 cents per share for Pro Medicus’ payouts was a one-off, that would be one thing. However, this latest increase is just the latest in a long line of dramatic payout rises from this ASX dividend share.

    Pro Medicus delivered a dividend hike almost every year of the past 15 years. The last time investors saw a cut was back in 2011. Since 2018, this stock has gone from paying out 6 cents a share to 2026’s 69 cents. That’s a compounded annual growth rate of 35.7%. Wealth-making stuff.

    This incredible trajectory exemplifies why I’ve always wanted to own this ASX dividend share. Hopefully, I’ll get my chance before the next dramatic dividend hike.

    The post This ASX dividend share just blew me away appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Pro Medicus right now?

    Before you buy Pro Medicus 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 Pro Medicus 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 1 August 2026

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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 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.

  • ASM share price suspended as EFR Critical Minerals completes takeover

    A man analyses stockmarket graph on his computer.

    The Australian Strategic Materials Ltd (ASX: ASM) share price will be suspended from quotation after today’s close, following news that all ASM shares will be acquired by EFR Critical Minerals Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Fuels Inc (NYSE: UUUU) This move comes after the Federal Court approved the scheme of arrangement.

    What did Australian Strategic Materials report?

    • ASM shares will be suspended from quotation as of the close of trading on 19 August 2026
    • The Federal Court of Australia approved the scheme by which EFR Critical Minerals will acquire ASM
    • Energy Fuels Inc. becomes the new indirect owner of ASM
    • All outstanding ASM securities will transfer under the scheme

    What else do investors need to know?

    Trading in ASM’s securities will halt at the close today. This follows the official lodgement of the Court’s orders with ASIC. The suspension wraps up a process that began when ASM and EFR Critical Minerals proposed the acquisition deal to shareholders.

    ASM shareholders will receive consideration according to the scheme’s terms as Energy Fuels Inc. takes ownership. The delisting of ASM means that existing shareholders will soon see their holdings converted as specified by the scheme documentation.

    What’s next for Australian Strategic Materials?

    With the scheme now approved and ASM securities suspended, EFR Critical Minerals will complete the acquisition process. Energy Fuels Inc. is expected to integrate ASM’s critical minerals operations into its global business.

    Shareholders can expect final communication regarding payment and transfer details soon. The company is poised for a fresh chapter under new ownership with a focus on continued resource development.

    Australian Strategic Materials share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, ASM shares have risen 109%, outperforming the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post ASM share price suspended as EFR Critical Minerals completes takeover appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Australian Strategic Materials right now?

    Before you buy Australian Strategic Materials 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 Australian Strategic Materials 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 1 August 2026

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    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.

  • 3 ASX growth shares brokers say could beat the market

    A beautiful ocean vista is shown with a woman whose back is to the camera holding her arms up in triumph as she stands at the top of a rock feeling thrilled that ASX 200 shares are reaching multi-year high prices today

    ASX growth shares have spent much of 2026 out of favour, but a few brokers are starting to change their tune.

    The ASX 200 has been dragged higher by miners, banks and healthcare, while technology has largely been left behind.

    However, things may change going forward.

    Here are three names worth watching into the back half of reporting season.

    Why brokers are warming to ASX growth shares again

    Two things have shifted this year.

    Earnings downgrades across the technology sector appear to have bottomed, and several companies have reset their guidance to levels they can realistically beat.

    Valuations have also come a long way down from their 2024 peaks.

    When a quality business trades at half its old multiple, the risk and reward equation starts to look very different.

    WiseTech Global: the comeback candidate

    WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) has been the most heavily punished technology stock on the ASX.

    The shares fell roughly 80% from their November 2024 peak of $141.61 to a low of $28.76 in late June.

    They have since rebounded into the mid-$40s.

    Macquarie has upgraded the logistics software group to an outperform rating ahead of results, which land on 26 August.

    Management has guided to revenue of US$1.39 billion to US$1.44 billion and EBITDA of US$550 million to US$585 million.

    The company also hit its US$50 million annualised cost synergy target from the e2open acquisition ahead of schedule.

    Delivering inside those ranges would go a long way towards rebuilding credibility with the market.

    Megaport: recurring revenue is compounding

    Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) has had a quieter but more consistent run.

    Group annual recurring revenue reached $338 million in the first half of FY26, a 49% increase.

    Revenue rose 26% to $134.9 million and EBITDA came in at $35.3 million.

    The company added 167 net new customer logos, double the prior corresponding period.

    Chief executive Michael Reid highlighted where that growth is coming from.

    Our global business continues to scale, with the United States delivering exceptional momentum, pushing the Americas to 24% YoY ARR growth.

    Megaport upgraded its outlook after securing $254 million in new contracts and now guides to FY26 revenue of $302 million to $317 million.

    The shares recently pushed through the $5 billion market capitalisation mark.

    DroneShield: a backlog the market is ignoring

    DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) is the most speculative of the three.

    First-half revenue jumped 74% to $125.8 million, whilst the counter-drone specialist has also locked in contracts that lifted its backlog to $206 million by late July.

    Full-year guidance sits at $250 million to $270 million. Yet the share price has fallen roughly 13% over the past month.

    Heavy short interest explains part of that disconnect.

    The other part is that defence spending is lumpy, and a signed backlog is not the same thing as revenue recognised.

    DroneShield reports on 26 August, and its margins in particular will be in focus.

    What could derail these ASX growth shares

    Each of these businesses is priced for flawless execution.

    WiseTech needs to show its artificial intelligence restructuring has not disrupted customers.

    Megaport is spending heavily, with FY26 capital expenditure guided at $90 million to $100 million.

    DroneShield has to convert its pipeline while protecting its margins.

    Any stumble over the coming fortnight is likely to be punished hard.

    Foolish takeaway

    Reporting season will settle a lot of arguments over the next two weeks.

    Brokers see upside in all three of these ASX growth shares, though none of them is a low-risk proposition.

    Personally, I would want to see the numbers before adding to any of them.

    For investors with a high tolerance for volatility, these ASX growth shares still deserve a place on the watchlist.

    The post 3 ASX growth shares brokers say could beat the market appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy WiseTech Global 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 WiseTech Global 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 1 August 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Mark Verhoeven 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, Megaport, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.