• Sell alert! Why this expert is calling time on Tabcorp and NAB shares

    Sell written several times on board.

    Tabcorp Holdings Ltd (ASX: TAH) and National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) shares are both outpacing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) in morning trade on Monday.

    At time of writing the ASX 200 is down 0.2%.

    Trading for 92 cents apiece, Tabcorp shares are up 1.1% at this same time, while NAB shares are just in the green, up 0.1% at $38.51 each.

    Taking a step back, however, both stocks have underperformed the 0.1% losses posted by benchmark index in 2026.

    Year to date, NAB shares have slipped 9.2% while the Tabcorp share price is down 8.1% this calendar year.

    Although that’s not including the dividends both companies pay. Tabcorp trades on a 3.2% unfranked trailing dividend yield, while NAB trades on a fully franked 4.4% trailing dividend yield.

    But, dividends or not, Catapult Wealth’s Dylan Evans expects that growing headwinds leading into 2027 put both of these popular ASX 200 stocks on the sell list (courtesy of The Bull).

    Here’s why.

    Time to exit NAB shares?

    Evans noted NAB’s relatively strong Q3 performance.

    “Revenue grew by 2 per cent in the third quarter of fiscal year 2026 when compared to the first half quarterly average. Cash earnings also increased by 2 per cent,” he said.

    But the growth may not be sustainable in the coming quarters.

    “In our view, the broader banking sector is facing several headwinds,” Evans added.

    Summarising his sell recommendation on NAB shares, he said:

    The Federal government announced changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing in the May Budget. Investment loan applications have slowed amid a cost of living crisis. While the NAB business is well managed and the balance sheet is solid, it’s difficult to identify any significant growth on the horizon.

    Investors may want to consider taking some profits and explore superior earnings growth opportunities elsewhere.

    Should you sell Tabcorp shares today?

    Atop his bearish assessment for the outlook of NAB shares, Evans also issued a sell recommendation on Tabcorp shares.

    “Tabcorp is the largest multi-channel wagering brand in Australia,” he said.

    Looking at Tabcorp’s FY 2026 results, Evans said:

    The company generated group revenue of $2.636 billion in full year 2026, up 0.8 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Group EBITDA [earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation] of $431.7 million was up 10.3 per cent.

    But, as with NAB, Tabcorp could be facing some mounting headwinds.

    Commenting on his sell recommendation, Evans said:

    In our view, a major challenge for Tabcorp is the highly competitive gambling industry and the underlying trend towards digital wagering amid the risk of potentially tighter regulations. The company expects domestic wagering turnover growth in fiscal year 2027 to be broadly consistent with fiscal year 2026, excluding the FIFA World Cup.

    The shares have fallen from $1.17 on May 1 to trade at 90 cents on September 17. Other stocks appeal more at this stage of the cycle.

    The post Sell alert! Why this expert is calling time on Tabcorp and NAB shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in National Australia Bank right now?

    Before you buy National Australia Bank 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 National Australia Bank 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 Bernd Struben 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.

  • 6 things Aussies at age 60 need to know about the Age Pension asset test before they retire

    Elder woman typing on her laptop.

    In Australia, 60 years old is the first retirement milestone. At this point, you can start drawing down on your superannuation (if you’ve quit working), and you’re just seven years away from potentially receiving the Age Pension payment.

    But not everyone is eligible. And if you are, the amount you can get depends heavily on your income and assets.

    The asset test includes absolutely everything that you own, except the home you live in.

    It applies to any home contents, personal items, vehicles, real estate or property investments, your superannuation, S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares, annuities, private trusts, and any other financial investments or assets.

    You’ll also need to declare any assets held outside Australia and any debts owed to you.

    And that means age 60 is a crucial time to get all your ducks in a row.

    The tricky thing is that the Age Pension rules, thresholds, and maximum payments are constantly changing.

    And misunderstanding your limits means you could earn less, or nothing at all, when you reach age 67.

    Here are six things every Australian at age 60 needs to know about the Age Pension asset test before they retire.

    1. Eligibility requirements are more than just your age

    To be eligible for the Age Pension, you need to meet basic requirements ahead of the income or asset test. 

    That is, you need to be 67 years old (or older). You also need to be an Australian resident who has lived in Australia for at least 10 years, with at least 5 of those years in a continuous period.

    2. The maximum potential Age Pension payment just increased

    As of the 20th of September, the maximum fortnightly Age Pension payment increased to $1,237.70 for individuals. Couples now get a boosted $933 per person per fortnight, or $1,866 combined.

    These figures include the maximum basic rate, the maximum pension supplement, and the energy supplement.

    3. Asset limits for the full Age Pension differ depending on whether you’re a homeowner or not, and these also just increased

    As of the 20th of September, in order to receive the full Age Pension, single homeowners can own assets (including superannuation) up to a value of $333,000 (previously $321,500), and non-homeowners can own assets up to $600,000 (previously $579,500) in retirement.

    But a couple has a different threshold, and it’s not double the amount of one person. A couple combined can now own up to $499,000 (previously $481,500) in total if they own a property, or $766,000 (previously $739,500) if they don’t.

    4. You can get a part payment, and these limits just increased too

    You can earn over the limits above and still earn a part Age Pension.

    The cut-off point for a part-payment for single homeowners is now $745,000 (previously $733,500), and $1,012,750 (previously $1,000,500) if you’re a single non-homeowner. 

    Couples are also entitled to a part-payment, so long as their combined assets don’t exceed $1,121,000 (previously $1,102,500) for homeowners. 

    Non-homeowning couples can own assets totalling up to a limit of $1,388,000 (up from $1,369,500 previously). 

    For assets above the full pension limit, the Age Pension payment for singles or couples, regardless of whether they’re homeowners or not, reduces by $3 per fortnight for every $1,000 of assets.

    5. Deeming rules apply, and they’ve also just changed

    To calculate how much income you receive from your assets, Centrelink uses what it calls a “deeming rule”. Under deeming rules, instead of looking at how much your assets actually earn, it’s assumed they earn a set amount of income.

    As of the 20th of September, the first $66,800 of assets of single Australians have a deeming rate of 1.75%. Anything over this amount is deemed to earn 3.75%.

    Couples have a 1.75% deeming rate on their first $110,600 of combined assets (this includes superannuation). Anything over this amount is deemed to earn 3.75%.

    6. Gifts aren’t exempt

    Centrelink has strict rules around gifting money or assets to someone else to meet Age Pension eligibility.

    Any gifts you make over a five-year period are counted towards your assets test for five years. 

    You can gift assets worth up to $10,000 in any one financial year and $30,000 over any five-year period without these assets being included in the Age Pension asset test.

    The post 6 things Aussies at age 60 need to know about the Age Pension asset test before they retire appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    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 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.

  • Neuren Pharmaceuticals vs Telix Pharmaceuticals: Which healthcare stock is best?

    a biomedical researcher sits at his desk with his hand on his chin, thinking and giving a small smile with a microscope next to him and an array of test tubes and beackers behind him on shelves in a well-lit bright office.

    Neuren Pharmaceuticals vs Telix Pharmaceuticals shares

    If you’re an Aussie investor with an eye on the booming healthcare sector, chances are you’ve heard the buzz around Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) and Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX). Both companies have delivered innovative breakthroughs—one in neurological disorders, the other in targeted cancer diagnostics and therapy—and have captured strong market interest in recent years. But with some striking differences in their fundamentals, income appeal, and share price momentum, which healthcare stock is the better buy right now?

    The case for Neuren Pharmaceuticals

    Neuren Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company specialising in developing novel treatments for rare neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly those that affect children. Its flagship drug, DAYBUE (trofinetide), was approved by the US FDA in March 2023 as the first ever treatment for Rett syndrome, and is licensed in the US through Acadia Pharmaceuticals. According to its recent company profile, DAYBUE remains the only approved therapy for this indication. Neuren is also progressing trials of new candidates targeting additional syndromes, signalling a vibrant pipeline.

    A few key fundamentals stand out:

    • Neuren’s market cap sits at $2.60 billion, making it a sizeable but nimble biotech.
    • It has begun generating earnings (EPS 0.154), but its P/E ratio is a lofty 131.95—which is very high even for biotechs, reflecting both growth optimism and risk.
    • Uniquely among many peers, Neuren actually pays a dividend: its current yield is 0.74%, with full (100%) franking reported on its latest interim payout of $0.15 per share.

    That rare combination of cutting-edge drug development, early earnings, and a dividend (albeit modest) gives Neuren a distinctive profile for income-hunting investors interested in the healthcare sector.

    The case for Telix Pharmaceuticals

    Telix Pharmaceuticals is another home-grown biotech success story, but with a different therapeutic focus. Telix develops and commercialises theranostic (diagnostic and therapeutic) products using targeted radiation, with emphasis on treating and imaging cancers such as prostate, kidney, and brain tumours. The company’s prostate cancer imaging agent, Illuccix, already has approvals in Australia, the US, and Canada, with the UK and Europe also on its radar. Telix boasts a substantial pipeline, with over 20 clinical trials underway across multiple countries and therapeutic areas.

    Key Telix fundamentals from the dataset:

    • Telix’s market cap is $5.93 billion—more than double Neuren’s—marking it as one of the sector’s heavyweights on the ASX.
    • It’s also generating positive earnings (EPS 0.099), and its P/E ratio is 121.97 – Like Neuren, this figure is very high compared to the broader market.
    • However, Telix does not offer a dividend at present—its yield is 0%—which is fairly standard for a rapidly reinvesting biotech but removes any immediate income appeal.

    Telix’s size and global reach, plus its diverse late-stage pipeline, make it an intriguing candidate for growth investors focused on healthcare innovation.

    Valuation comparison

    Since both companies are ASX-listed healthcare innovators of comparable maturity, the core valuation metrics stack up as follows:

    Metric Neuren Pharmaceuticals Telix Pharmaceuticals
    Market Cap $2.60 billion $5.93 billion
    P/E Ratio 131.95 121.97
    EPS 0.154 0.099
    Dividend Yield 0.74% (100% franked) 0.00%
    Year To Date Return 10.2% 50.6%

    Note: Both companies’ P/E ratios are extremely high relative to the general market, which is typical for biotech stocks where earnings are newly positive and future growth is heavily priced in. Also, while both have positive EPS, the relationship between reported EPS and the stated P/E may be based on different earnings definitions (trailing, underlying, or forecast), so the exact calculation might not match.

    Recent share price performance

    Looking at the past month: 19 August to 17 September 2026.

    • Neuren Pharmaceuticals shares rose from $22.85 to $20.54 over this period—so, a decline, with notable volatility (including a single-day drop of 10.6%).
    • Telix Pharmaceuticals, in contrast, jumped from $16.84 to $17.45, including several days of strong upward moves (up as much as 8.6% in a day).
    • Year to date, Neuren is up 10.2%, while Telix leads with a 50.6% return.
    • Only Neuren has paid a recent dividend (ex-date 15 Sep 2026, $0.15 per share, fully franked).

    Which is the better buy?

    While both Neuren Pharmaceuticals and Telix Pharmaceuticals are stellar examples of Aussie healthcare innovation, I’d lean toward Telix Pharmaceuticals as the better buy right now. The verdict comes down to sheer momentum and growth potential—Telix’s YTD return of 50.6% absolutely crushes Neuren’s 10.2%, and the recent price charts show Telix enjoying much stronger investor confidence. Both sport very high P/E ratios, but Telix’s rapid expansion into global cancer markets and its larger scale tip the balance for me, even without a dividend.

    Neuren deserves credit for delivering both earnings and a small (but fully franked) dividend at such an early growth stage, which will appeal to income collectors who value some extra yield from their healthcare allocations. But if I had to pick between the two for exposure to biotech upside, Telix’s global opportunity, ongoing clinical advancements, and share price trajectory look more compelling.

    Of course, biotech investing always carries risk, and these companies’ high valuations reflect market excitement about a promising—but not guaranteed—future. But based on the available data, my pick would be Telix Pharmaceuticals for investors seeking strong recent growth and commercial momentum in healthcare.

    The post Neuren Pharmaceuticals vs Telix Pharmaceuticals: Which healthcare stock is best? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Telix Pharmaceuticals right now?

    Before you buy Telix Pharmaceuticals 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 Telix Pharmaceuticals 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 positions in and has recommended Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Telix Pharmaceuticals. 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.