National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) are both major ASX bank shares with large customer bases, strong brands, and attractive dividend profiles. 

They are also both trading well below their 52-week highs. 

Both shares definitely have appeal, but I think one stands out as the better buy.

The numbers

NAB shares are currently trading around $38.57. 

According to CommSec, consensus estimates suggest NAB could generate earnings per share of $2.43 in FY26 and $2.53 in FY27. 

That puts NAB on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of around 15.9 times FY26 earnings and 15.2 times FY27 earnings.

On the dividend side, CommSec estimates dividends per share of $1.70 in FY26 and $1.72 in FY27. That implies forward dividend yields of around 4.4% and 4.5%. 

Westpac shares are trading around $35.69.

CommSec shows the consensus forecasting earnings per share of $2.12 in FY26 and $2.14 in FY27. That puts Westpac on a P/E ratio of around 16.8 times FY26 earnings and 16.7 times FY27 earnings.

Forecast dividends of $1.54 in FY26 and $1.55 in FY27 imply forward yields of around 4.3% in both years.

On these numbers, NAB actually looks slightly more attractive to me. It has the lower forward earnings multiple and a slightly higher forecast dividend yield. 

Why I prefer NAB shares

The numbers are useful, but they are not the only reason I would pick NAB.

The bigger reason is the shape of the business. Australian retail banking is a challenging market. Mortgage competition remains intense, deposit pricing matters, and households are still dealing with cost-of-living pressure and higher interest rates than they enjoyed a few years ago. 

Westpac has a large retail banking franchise, and that gives it scale. But in this environment, I prefer NAB’s stronger exposure to business banking. 

Businesses need credit, transaction accounts, deposits, payments, working capital support, and advice through different parts of the economic cycle. That does not remove risk, especially if the economy slows, but it gives NAB a valuable point of difference. 

I also think business banking relationships can be sticky. A company may rely on its bank for multiple services, which can make the relationship deeper than a simple home loan. That is why NAB looks better positioned to me.

What about Westpac shares?

Westpac is not a bad bank share.

It offers a solid dividend yield, a large customer base, and potential upside if sentiment toward the banking sector improves. Investors who already own Westpac may be happy to keep holding it for income.

But if I were choosing between the two today, I would rather buy NAB.

Its share price has weakened from its 52-week high of $49.45, and I think that pullback has created a more attractive entry point. The valuation is reasonable, the forecast income is attractive, and the business banking skew gives it a stronger case in the current environment.

Foolish Takeaway

I think NAB shares are the better buy.

Westpac still has appeal as a major bank with a solid dividend profile, but NAB gives me a more attractive mix of valuation, income, and business banking exposure.

In a tough retail banking market, that difference is important to me. For investors looking at the big banks today, I would buy NAB shares ahead of Westpac.

The post Better buy? NAB vs Westpac shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• A leading analyst is forecasting growing headwinds for NAB shares. Should investors be worried?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• This is the ASX bank stock I would buy today for franked dividend income
• How to get started with a portfolio delivering $500 a week in passive income
• How much passive income can I earn off a $100,000 portfolio?

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino 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.

ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD) shares are pushing higher today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) sleep disorder treatment company closed on Friday trading for $30.50. In afternoon trade on Monday, shares are changing hands for $30.58 apiece, up 0.3%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.1% at this same time. 

Despite today’s bump, though, ResMed shares remain down 22.1% over the past 12 months, compared to the 3% one-year gains posted by the benchmark index. 

Though we shouldn’t dismiss the passive income on offer, especially with ResMed paying quarterly dividends. Over the last 12 months, the stock paid out a total of 24.6 cents a share in unfranked dividends. That sees ResMed trading on a 0.8% unfranked trailing dividend yield.  

But, after a disappointing year of returns – with the stock hit over concerns that GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic could impact demand for its core sleep apnoea products – is the ASX 200 healthcare stock back in the buy zone?

Should I buy ResMed shares today?

Catapult Wealth’s Blake Halligan recently ran his slide rule over the ASX 200 healthcare share (courtesy of The Bull).

“ResMed is a global leader in sleep apnoea devices and digital health platforms, benefiting from strong structural demand and resilient clinical positioning,” he noted. 

And Halligan isn’t overly concerned over the impact of GLP-1 drugs.

“Despite the progression in GLP-1 therapies for treating sleep apnoea, ResMed’s CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) treatments remain superior at this point in time,” he said.

Summarising three reasons you might want to buy ResMed shares today, Halligan concluded, “RMD continues to offer appealing growth, income and defensive healthcare exposure.”

A more bearish take on the ASX 200 healthcare share

Sanlam Private Wealth’s Remo Greco also recently analysed the outlook for ResMed.

“The company makes medical devices to treat sleep apnoea,” he said.

And revenue has been on the upswing.

“The company lifted revenue by 11% in the third quarter of financial year 2026 when compared to the prior corresponding period,” Greco noted.

But Greco is concerned over the potential for GLP-1 to impact future growth.

He noted:

In my view, GLP-1 weight loss drugs may reduce the incidence of sleep apnoea. ResMed’s share price has been volatile in the past 12 months as investors weighed up the company’s outlook in light of popular GLP-1 drugs.

With that in mind, he recommended selling ResMed shares following the stock’s recent rebound from its recent 3 June one-year lows.

“The shares have risen from $25.84 on June 3 to trade at $29.37 on July 2. It may be prudent to sell some shares prior to RMD’s full year result,” Greco concluded.

The post Down 22%! 3 reasons to buy the big dip in ResMed shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) shares are pushing higher on Monday after the gold miner reported a strong June quarter and was pulled deeper into a takeover fight. 

At the time of writing, the Regis share price is up 3.62% to $6.87. 

That continues a decent recent run for the ASX gold stock. Regis shares are now up around 15% over the past month and 54% since this time last year. 

Here’s what investors are looking at today. 

Gold production hits the top end

According to the release, Regis produced 101,500 ounces of gold in the June quarter, up 12% on the previous quarter.

This took group gold production for FY26 to 379,000 ounces, which was at the top end of the company’s 350,000 to 380,000 ounce guidance range. 

Duketon produced 236,000 ounces for the year, landing within its 220,000 to 240,000 ounce guidance range. Tropicana produced 143,100 ounces, beating its 130,000 to 140,000 ounce guidance range. 

The company also said it generated $284 million of underlying cash and bullion during the quarter before a $114 million dividend payment, $64 million in tax payments, and a $25 million diesel fuel duty bill. 

By 30 June, Regis had $1.21 billion of cash and bullion on hand, up $692 million across the financial year.

While that’s a solid result, investors will still be closely watching costs in the full June quarter report.

Regis said all material guidance items, including all-in sustaining costs (AISC), would be within its previously guided ranges. 

But AISC is expected to come in towards the top end of guidance.

The full result, including more detail on costs and margins, is due sometime later this month.

Takeover battle takes another turn

The second update today was about Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU).

Regis said it is considering its position and rights after Vault received a rival proposal from Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD).

Regis had already agreed to acquire Vault through a scheme of arrangement. However, Vault has now received an unsolicited offer from Genesis, which the Vault board has determined is a superior proposal. 

Under the Genesis offer, Vault shareholders would receive 0.7629 new Genesis shares plus 47.5 cents cash for every Vault share.

Vault said the offer valued the company at around $5.5 billion.

Regis now has matching rights under its existing agreement with Vault. That gives the company until the end of 10 July to match or beat the Genesis proposal. 

Can the rally continue?

The production update was a good one, and the increase in cash and bullion was hard to fault.

However, the Vault situation has now become the biggest talking point. 

If Regis walks away, some investors may see that as a sensible move. If it lifts its offer, the market will need to decide whether the extra price is worth paying. 

Either way, the next few days could be very busy for Regis shareholders. 

The post Gold, cash, and a takeover twist: Why this ASX 200 gold stock is climbing today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Move over Regis Resources! Vault Minerals shares leaping 11% as Genesis Minerals’ lobs $5.6 billion takeover bid
• Genesis Minerals proposes Vault merger to create gold powerhouse
• Vault Minerals receives superior $5.6bn merger proposal from Genesis Minerals
• Regis Resources hits top end of FY26 guidance
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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.