If you’re looking for good ASX dividend stocks, it can pay to check out the various funds run by Wilson Asset Management.

They have a number of funds listed on the ASX, including WAM Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: WMX), which pays out monthly, WAM Microcap Ltd (ASX: WMI), which is currently paying a trailing dividend of 7.1%, and WAM Active Ltd (ASX: WAA).

Good news for this ASX dividend performer

Today, I’m going to focus on WAM Active because it recently reported strong investment returns, which have translated into a strong final dividend and a special dividend, both of which are still on the table, with record dates much later this year.

WAM said in its recent statement to the ASX that its investment portfolio increased by a record 75.5% in the year to the end of June, outperforming the Bloomberg AusBond Bank Bill Index (Cash) and the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Accumulation Index by 71.6% and 69.8%, respectively.

Chairman Geoff Wilson said regarding the result:

FY2026 is the strongest year in WAM Active’s history since the Company was established in January 2008. This record result reflects the strength of WAM Active’s disciplined and flexible investment strategy, outstanding stock selection and active portfolio management. We remained focused on delivering strong long term returns and a growing stream of fully franked dividends for shareholders.

The WAM board declared a fully-franked final dividend of 3.2 cents per share and a special dividend of 2 cents per share.

The ex-dividend dates for the fund’s ordinary dividend and special dividend are 17 November and 4 December, respectively, meaning there’s plenty of time to buy if you’re keen on those dividends.

So, let’s look at our $1,000 target. In order to reap this from the upcoming dividends, you’d need to hold 19,230 WAM Active shares.

It’s also useful to look at it from a full-year perspective.

WAM Active will pay a total of 9.4 cents per share, fully franked over the full year, including the recently declared dividends.

That would translate to $1807.62 in dividends, or as the company said in its recent statement, a fully-franked dividend yield of 8.6% and a grossed-up dividend yield of 12.3%.

While past performance is not a predictor of future performance where investing is concerned, that’s an impressive effort over the past year by any measure.

Fund invests into major macroeconomic themes

The fund’s lead portfolio manager, Oscar Oberg, explained that the fund’s outperformance was driven by exposure to four key themes: critical minerals, electrification and grid infrastructure, precious metals, and artificial intelligence (AI).

He added:

Equity markets over the 2026 financial year were characterised by elevated volatility, rapid shifts in macroeconomic expectations and pronounced rotation across sectors and themes. Changes to interest rate outlooks, geopolitical developments and the accelerating AI adoption contributed to periods where company fundamentals were often overshadowed by broader market positioning. These conditions created dislocations across parts of the market, particularly in smaller and less well-covered companies, providing opportunities for the investment team to identify mispriced securities using WAM Active’s market-driven approach.

The post This ASX dividend stock could pay me $1,000 this year. Here’s how many shares I’d need appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Cameron England 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.

The ASX is well known for its abundance of high-quality dividend shares.

Investors chasing reliable, fully franked income have plenty to choose from on the ASX right now.

Here are three shares worth a look for a passive income portfolio.

National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB)

National Australia Bank is one of the big four lenders and remains a core income holding for many Australian portfolios.

The bank pays a fully franked dividend of 4.3% (not including franking credits). What’s more, its valuation typically sits at a discount to sector leader Commonwealth Bank.

This gives income investors a comparatively attractive entry point among the majors.

NAB’s earnings are underpinned by home lending, business banking, and a large deposit base. All of these support a stable dividend through most parts of the economic cycle.

Bank dividends can come under pressure during a serious credit downturn, so investors should keep an eye on bad debt trends and net interest margins.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Telstra is the classic Australian dividend share, built on the country’s largest mobile and fixed line network.

The telco generates highly predictable, subscription-style revenue from millions of customers. This has historically supported a consistent, largely franked dividend.

Currently, Telstra’s dividend yield stands at 4.10% (not including franking credits).  

Telstra has also been investing in infrastructure monetisation, including its InfraCo assets.

Management has flagged as a way to unlock further shareholder value over time.

The main risks are intense mobile competition from Optus and TPG, and the capital intensity of maintaining and upgrading network infrastructure.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers owns a portfolio of well-known Australian retail and industrial brands, including Bunnings, Kmart, and Officeworks.

Bunnings in particular has proven remarkably resilient through multiple economic cycles, giving the group a defensive earnings base that supports steady dividend growth.

Wesfarmers has also been diversifying into lithium and healthcare, adding growth optionality alongside its retail core.

The shares typically trade at a premium multiple given the quality of the underlying businesses. Investors are therefore paying up for that consistency rather than buying deep value.

Foolish Takeaway for ASX dividend shares

NAB, Telstra, and Wesfarmers each offer a different flavour of passive income, from banking to telecommunications to retail.

Combining shares from different sectors can help smooth out portfolio income if one industry hits a rough patch. Meanwhile, franking credits add a further boost for local investors.

For ASX investors looking to generate substantial passive income through ASX dividend shares, they should look no further than these three Aussie companies.

The post 3 ASX dividend shares I’d buy for passive income right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Qantas Airways (ASX: QAN) shares have been in focus again as Project Sunrise edges closer to reality.

The airline recently unveiled its first purpose-built Airbus A350-1000ULR in Toulouse, France.

Non-stop flights from Sydney to London are now locked in for October 2027, with tickets going on sale from February 2027.

A Sydney to New York route will follow, though a launch date has not yet been confirmed.

What is the new aircraft?

The new aircraft will carry just 238 passengers, well down on the 410 seats found on a standard A350. This will make room for extra fuel tanks and a dedicated wellbeing zone.

Qantas has ordered 12 of the ultra-long-range jets in total.

Management says the intent to book a Project Sunrise flight has climbed sharply among premium leisure travellers since February 2026.

This is a promising signal for a product built around high-margin cabins.

So where does that leave Qantas shares?

Qantas shares are trading on a price to earnings ratio of around 10 times, below the global airline industry average of roughly 9 to 12 times depending on the peer set used.

The stock carries a dividend yield near 3.5%, with the payout covered by earnings.

Analyst sentiment remains firmly positive.

Multiple brokers rate Qantas a buy or outperform, with average 12-month price targets clustering between roughly $11 and $12.

That implies modest to solid upside from current levels, though estimates vary depending on each analyst’s fuel and demand assumptions.

The bull and bear case for Qantas shares

The bull case rests on Qantas converting its domestic duopoly position, its loyalty program, and Project Sunrise into durable earnings growth over the next several years.

The bear case is the one that has dogged all airlines recently.

Fuel costs have risen sharply on the back of the conflict involving Iran, and Qantas has flagged higher near-term jet fuel bills as a result.

Airlines are also inherently cyclical, and a downturn in travel demand can hit margins quickly.

Project Sunrise itself has already been delayed roughly six months from its original schedule, a reminder that execution risk on a genuinely novel aircraft program is real.

For investors comfortable with cyclical risk, Qantas offers a rare combination of a reasonable valuation, a growing loyalty and freight business, and a marquee growth catalyst in Project Sunrise that could open a new premium revenue stream from 2027.

For more conservative investors, the fuel cost backdrop and the airline’s history of guidance resets are worth weighing carefully before buying.

Foolish Takeaway

Project Sunrise gives Qantas a new growth catalyst heading into 2027.

The shares still trade at an undemanding multiple relative to the broader airline sector.

But investors should size any position with the industry’s fuel and demand cyclicality firmly in mind.

The post Project Sunrise incoming: Are Qantas shares a buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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.