Although not quite as popular as some blue chips, namely the ASX bank shares, ASX investors do tend to consider energy shares as a dividend income investment. Perhaps none more so than Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares.

Woodside is, by far, the largest energy stock on the ASX, boasting a market capitalisation (at least at the time of writing) of about $53.35 billion. It is an oil and gas heavyweight in the energy space, thanks in part to its acquisition of BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)’s petroleum assets a few years ago.

Oil stocks like Woodside do often have the potential of offering high levels of dividend income, at least over parts of the economic cycle. After all, oil prices are highly volatile (as we’ve all experienced over the past few months), and as such, energy stocks’ profits, and ability to fund dividends, tend to fluctuate accordingly.

But let’s get into what kind of yield investors can expect from Woodside shares in mid-2026.

Woodside shares: What kind of dividend yield is on offer today?

At the time of writing, Woodside shares are trading at $28.22 each, down a hefty 1.5% for the day thus far. At this price, the ASX 200 energy stock is trading on a trailing dividend yield of 5.87%.

5.87% is obviously a pretty fat yield. It stems from the last two dividend payments Woodside has doled out to its shareholders. The first of those was the interim payment of 81.82 cents per share (from 53 US cents) that was distributed in September last year. The second was this March’s final dividend, worth 83.49 cents per share (59 US cents).

Together, this 12-month total of $1.65 per share gives Woodise that trailing yield of 5.87% at the current share price.

Both of these dividends came with full franking credits attached as well. That means this 5.87% yield grosses up to an impressive 8.39% with the value of those credits included.

However, all dividend stocks are inherently unreliable income payers, and Woodside is particularly so for the reasons discussed above. To illustrate, the company’s $1.65 dividend total over the past 12 months pales in comparison to the $3.75 or so investors enjoyed for the 2022 financial year.

As such, I think Woodside is a worthy candidate for inclusion in any well-balanced and diversified portfolio that prioritises maximising dividend income. However, investors should never take this company’s dividend yield as an indication of what they might receive going forward. When the oil market stars align, Woodside has shown it can be a generous investment. But when times are tough, expect the taps to turn down.

The post Buying Woodside shares? Here’s the dividend yield you’ll get today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Woodside shares sink again as oil price pressure outweighs new gas deal
• The US-Iran peace deal just wavered. Here is what this means for these ASX shares
• Up 23% this year, should I buy Woodside shares today?
• Buy, hold, sell: Life360, Woodside, CSL shares
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday

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

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) shares are pushing higher today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) hearing solutions company closed yesterday trading for $112.78. In early afternoon trade on Wednesday, shares are changing hands for $114.44 apiece, up 1.5%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.3% at this same time.

Unfortunately for longer-term stockholders, today’s outperformance is not par for the course for Cochlear shares, which have plunged 61.5% over the last 12 months.

And while Cochlear did pay two partly franked dividends over this time, the stock’s 3.8% trailing dividend yield won’t do much to ease those capital losses.

But with the ASX 200 stock down more than 60% in a year, is now the time for brave investors to pounce on a potential long-term bargain?

The bearish case for Cochlear shares

Peak Asset Management’s Niv Dagan recently analysed the outlook for the ASX 200 hearings solutions company (courtesy of The Bull).

Commenting on the more recent selling pressure, he noted:

In April, the hearing implants maker materially reduced its fiscal year 2026 underlying net profit guidance to between $290 million and $330 million from between $435 million from $460 million in February.

The downgrade was a response to weaker than expected demand in developed markets amid Middle East uncertainty, lower margins and foreign exchange headwinds.

And Dagan expects Cochlear shares are likely to face ongoing headwinds over the medium term. Summarising his sell recommendation on the ASX 200 stock, he concluded:

Hospital capacity constraints amid softer consumer sentiment and reduced referral activity are weighing on implant volumes, while cost base restructuring is likely to impact earnings in the near term.

A more upbeat outlook for the ASX 200 stock

Bell Potter Securities’ Christopher Watt also recently ran his slide rule over the beleaguered hearing solutions company.

And he sounded a more optimistic note on Cochlear’s outlook.

“The long-term opportunity for this hearing implants maker remains compelling, supported by a large addressable market, strong brand position and an attractive product pipeline,” Watt said.

But Watt isn’t ready to pull the trigger just yet, issuing a hold recommendation on Cochlear shares.

According to Watt:

However, near term trading conditions have softened in response to weaker referral activity in the US, hospital capacity constraints in Europe and reimbursement changes in China. Until there’s clearer evidence that volumes are stabilising, a more balanced stance is appropriate.

The long-term growth story and product pipeline remain intact.

Cochlear shares have enjoyed a strong rebound over the past month, up 17.8% since 25 May.

The post Down 62%, should I buy Cochlear shares now? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• These ASX 200 shares are down 40% to 65% and could be bargain buys
• What on earth’s going on with Cochlear shares?
• Buy, hold, sell: Charter Hall, Northern Star, Cochlear shares
• 3 ASX healthcare shares to sell despite signs of sector rebound
• Healthcare shares led the ASX 200 last week. Is a sector comeback underway?

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben 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 Cochlear. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE) shares have climbed around another 1% higher in Wednesday lunchtime trade. At the time of writing, the shares are changing hands at $24.57 a piece. At one point, the share price reached as high as $24.60.

Today’s increase follows a strong share price rally so far in 2026, and marks the highest trading price in nearly 16 years.

The financial shares are now over 24% higher for the year to date, and around 5% higher than 12 months ago.

What has driven QBE shares higher?

QBE shares have been climbing higher on the back of support from a stronger insurance earnings backdrop and higher premiums.

Last month, the company posted its first-quarter FY26 update, revealing an 11% year-on-year increase in gross written premium (GWP), or 7% on a constant currency basis. 

The insurer reported total funds under management of $36.1 billion at the end of the quarter.

The company also maintained its FY26 outlook, pointing to mid-single-digit gross written premium growth and a group combined operating ratio of around 92.5%.

It looks like many investors were pleased with the update and are continuing to jump on board.

Do brokers rate the insurance stock as a buy, sell, or hold?

Experts are bullish on the outlook for QBE shares over the next 12 months. But it looks like, after the latest rally, a lot of the positive sentiment is already reflected in the share price. 

Market Index shows that the majority of brokers have a buy rating on QBE shares. But the $24.58 average target price implies just a tiny 0.1% upside at the time of writing.

TradingView data shows more diversity in analysts’ sentiment. Of 11 analysts, seven have a buy or strong buy rating, two have a hold rating, and two rate the shares as a sell.

The average $24.81 target price implies a slightly higher 1% upside at the time of writing. However, some think QBE shares could climb up to 10% higher to $26.91 over the next 12 months.

Investment firm Market Partners is positive about the outlook for QBE shares. It recently noted that QBE has been working hard to simplify its business over the past 5 to 10 years, including a number of acquisitions, and it’s now paying off. The experts said QBE is an emerging turnaround story. 

On the flip side, UBS raised concerns last month about the outlook for QBE shares. It said that there’s potential for a softer insurance pricing backdrop heading into 2027, particularly if premium rate growth loses pace more quickly than expected. 

Meanwhile, Macquarie has a hold rating on QBE shares with a $25.10 price target. 

The post QBE shares soar to fresh multi-year high: Here’s what brokers expect next appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Invested in ASX 200 bank shares for dividends? This fundie prefers other stocks
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why has the ASX 200 given up its early rebound today?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• QBE shares just hit a decade high. Is it too late to buy?

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies 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 Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.