The ASX dividend stock Universe Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI) has fallen 19% from its 2026 high in February 2026, as the chart below shows. I think it’s a great time to invest in the ASX retail share.

Universal Store says it owns a portfolio of premium youth fashion brands. Its principal businesses are Universal Store (trading as Universal Store and Perfect Stranger) and CTC (trading as the THRILLS and Worship brands),

At the last count, it had 123 physical stores across Australia. Its strategy is to grow and develop its premium fashion apparel brands and retail formats, targeting fashion-focused customers.

Higher dividend yield

When a share price changes, it means investors can get a higher dividend yield.

For example, if a business has a dividend yield of 6% and then the share price drops 10%, then the dividend yield becomes 6.6%, which is a big difference for investors wanting dividend income.

As I’ve mentioned, Universal Store’s share price has fallen 19%, significantly boosting the dividend yield.

In FY26, the ASX dividend stock hiked its annual dividend per share by 11.7% to 43 cents per share. That’s currently a grossed-up dividend yield of 8.1%, including franking credits, at the time of writing.

The projection on Commsec suggests the business could hike its annual dividend per share by 4.7% to 45 cents per share. That implies a forward grossed-up dividend yield of 8.4%, including franking credits, at the time of writing.

In terms of passive income, the company is clearly expected to deliver huge payouts.

Ongoing growth

The ASX dividend stock is showing it can deliver growth, even in weak economic conditions. Not many ASX retailers can say that right now.

In FY26, the company generated group sales growth of 12.9% to $376.1 million, with particularly impressive performance by Perfect Stranger which grew sales by 40.8% to $35.9 million.

It also reported that the gross profit margin improved by 140 basis points to 62.5%, and underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) rose by 16.3% to $40.5 million. As you can see, its profit margins rose despite inflation in costs.

FY27 has started strongly and I think this bodes very well for future growth.

In the first seven weeks of FY27, group direct-to-customer sales were up 9.1%, including Perfect Stranger sales growth of 45.8% (partly powered by like-for-like sales growth of 17.6%). Universal Store sales growth was 5.5%, with LFL sales growth of 2.9%.

Management intends to open between 16 and 20 stores in FY27, including nine to ten new Universal Store locations, six to eight new Perfect Stranger stores and one or two new THRILLS stores.

According to the projection on Commsec, the Universal Store share price is valued at 13x FY27’s estimated earnings. I think this is a great time to invest in the ASX dividend stock, though it’s not the only opportunity out there right now.

The post 1 ASX dividend stock down 19% I’d buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 recommended Universal Store. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

One of Australia’s leading funds, Australian Foundation Investment Co Ltd (ASX: AFI) (AFIC), recently made some S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) share investments in its portfolio.

AFIC is the largest and one of the oldest listed investment companies (LICs), meaning it invests in other shares on behalf of shareholders.

The LIC structure is beneficial because it provides permanent capital for long-term investment. LICs can also provide investors with a good source of dividends. AFIC recently announced it would move to pay quarterly dividends, giving investors more regular cash flow.

What are the types of investments that AFIC targets?

It has outlined that it focuses on quality companies and it has built a well-diversified portfolio with the right mix of income and growth. By making those investments, Aussies can benefit from compounding over the long-term.

There were six ASX 200 shares amid three growth trends that AFIC decided to invest in.

Rising dividends per share

Two of the ASX 200 shares that AFIC recently invested in were ASX blue-chips: Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS).

Both of these companies have achieved a turnaround from a growth halt in recent history.

AFIC highlighted that the supermarket business is delivering dividend growth amid rising profits.

In FY26, Woolworths grew its annual dividend by 15% to 97 cents per share. AFIC highlighted that analysts estimate the annual dividend is projected to increase by another 10% in FY27.

For Telstra, the ASX telco share hiked its annual dividend per share by 10.5% to 21 cents per share. Analyst forecasts suggest the company could hike its dividend again in FY27 by another 4.75% to 22 cents per share.

Growing earnings per share

Some of the best ASX 200 shares have delivered earnings growth for many years in a row, and they can continue to deliver impressive profit growth. Earnings projections suggest profit could compound.

Pro Medicus provides a full range of medical imaging software and services to hospitals, imaging centres and healthcare groups worldwide. Earnings per share (EPS) rose 26.4% in FY26, and it’s predicted to increase another 30.9% in FY27, according to AFIC.

Meanwhile, TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE) is a provider of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software for businesses, local councils, governments, universities and so on. It’s benefiting from rising demand for digitalisation and efficiencies.

The TechnologyOne EPS rose by 16.7% to 42 cents in FY25, and EPS is forecast to increase 19% to 50 cents, according to AFIC.

Compelling gold outlook

The final duo of ASX 200 shares that AFIC revealed it had bought were ASX gold shares.

They are two of the ASX’s largest players and there are various tailwinds for the sector such as inflation, investors seeking safety away from the uncertainty of government bonds (and currency).

A higher gold price over the last few years has led to significant improvements in operating cash flow.

For Newmont Corporation CDI (ASX: NEM), operating cash flow grew 60% to US$10.3 billion in FY25 and is projected to rise another 28% to US$13.2 billion in FY26, according to AFIC.

With Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN), operating cash flow grew 30% in FY26 to A$2.6 billion, it’s forecast to rise another 3.8% in FY27.

Of course, these aren’t the only ASX shares that could be compelling long-term buys.

The post A leading fund just bought these top ASX 200 shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Technology One. 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 positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

MFF Capital Investments vs PM Capital Global Opportunities Fund shares

If you’re weighing up MFF Capital Investments (ASX: MFF) and PM Capital Global Opportunities Fund (ASX: PGF), you’re looking at two of the most prominent ASX-listed listed investment companies (LICs) specialising in international equities. These vehicles let Aussies invest globally without having to do all the heavy lifting themselves. But which is the better buy right now? Let’s size up what makes each stand out — and dive into the current numbers.

The case for MFF Capital Investments

MFF Capital Investments is a well-established LIC focused on providing investors with exposure to a diversified portfolio of international listed securities. MFF has traditionally been known for its disciplined, long-term approach to global blue-chip investing, often with a tilt to quality growth companies around the world.

Looking at the numbers, MFF currently sports a market cap of $3.17 billion, making it the larger of these two funds. Its reported dividend yield is 4.01%, which is fully franked — a nice draw for income-seeking investors. The dividend records show a consistent upward track, with the most recent interim and final payouts at $0.10 and $0.09 per share (both 100% franked) in 2026. That means plenty of tax-effective income is going back to shareholders.

What stands out is MFF’s strong franking credits, plus its reliability: over the past decade, dividends have risen steadily (with a one-off special dividend in 2020). However, 2026 has been negative for performance so far, with a year-to-date return of -5.09%.

The case for PM Capital Global Opportunities Fund

PM Capital Global Opportunities Fund is another major international LIC. PM Capital aims to build investor wealth by investing in a portfolio of global listed securities. The company is managed by PM Capital and has a track record dating back to 2013. PM Capital’s investment approach is long-term and focused on identifying opportunities abroad, from quality stalwarts to special situations.

PGF’s current market cap comes in at $1.95 billion, making it smaller than MFF, but still substantial in the LIC world. The headline yield is a little higher at 4.64%, with 100% franking as well. The most recent dividend was a $0.075 per share final (ex-date in September 2026), also fully franked. Like MFF, PGF has lifted its dividends regularly over the years, with a fairly steady growth curve since 2016.

What really leaps out, though, is performance: year-to-date, PGF is in the green at 3.92%, a sharp contrast to MFF’s negative result.

Valuation comparison

Here’s a side-by-side look at the most meaningful financial metrics available right now:

Metric	MFF Capital Investments	Pm Capital Global Opportunities Fund
Market Cap	$3.17 billion	$1.95 billion
Dividend Yield	4.01% (100% franked)	4.64% (100% franked)
Year To Date Return	-5.1%	3.9%

Recent share price momentum

Comparing share price performance up to is 30 September 2026:

• As of 30 September 2026, Mff Capital Investments closed at $5.48 (having climbed 1.86% on the day).
• As of the same date, Pm Capital Global Opportunities Fund closed at $3.20 (down 0.93% for the day).
• Year to date, MFF shares are down 5.1%, while PGF shares are up 3.9%.

So PGF has clearly enjoyed more positive momentum in 2026 so far. Of course, LICs can trade at a premium or discount to their portfolio’s value, but that data wasn’t supplied here.

Which is the better buy?

With both funds offering global diversification, strong franking, and a rising dividend record, it really comes down to performance and yield, based on these numbers.

I’d lean toward PM Capital Global Opportunities Fund as the better buy in this matchup. Here’s why: PM Capital is offering a higher dividend yield (4.64% vs 4.01%), fully franked, and has managed a positive year-to-date return (+3.9%) while MFF has lost ground (-5.1%). Both have a robust history of dividend increases, but PM Capital’s shares are simply showing stronger recent momentum.

MFF’s larger market cap points to more scale, but for income and growth, the data slightly favours PM Capital right now. I haven’t considered underlying valuation (like P/E or discount to NTA) for this exercise, but based on performance and yield, my pick would be PM Capital Global Opportunities Fund at these levels.

The post MFF Capital vs PM Capital Global Opportunities: Which LIC is the better investment today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• How much is needed in superannuation to target a $95,000 annual passive income?
• 3 for income: I’d buy these ASX shares for dividends today

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 positions in and has recommended Mff Capital Investments. 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 draft. 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.