A new report from Betashares has reinforced the continued push from Aussie investors into ASX ETFs. 

The Australian ETF industry set new records in August, attracting $7 billion in net inflows and taking total assets to $382 billion. 

International equities led the way, while fixed income remained in focus as yields rose and CGT changes reshaped the investment landscape.

August overview

According to the Betashares Australian ETF Review: August 2026, The Australian ETF industry received an unprecedented $7 billion in net inflows. 

This was amid an ongoing decline in property values and conversation about reforms to CGT arrangements. 

This was above July’s then record of $6.83 billion, marking back-to-back months above $6.5 billion for the first time in the industry’s history. 

The number of ASX ETFs also passed 500 for the first time.

International Equities broke another monthly record in August at $3.8 billion, surpassing July’s previous high of $3.56 billion. 

As a result of recent weakness in Australian equities, investors are rethinking their long-term investment plans with international equity ETFs emerging as a clear beneficiary. 

The category has now set a new all-time monthly record in consecutive months, while Emerging Market ETFs also saw record inflows this month.

Earnings season takeaways

August saw the majority of US and Australian listed companies report in the Q2 and H2 seasons, respectively. 

In the US 86% of companies exceeded EPS estimates, the highest % since Q2 2021, with the broader market achieving an astonishing 50% year-over-year earnings growth rate. 

This outsized growth was attributable in part to unrealised investment gains reported in earnings from big tech’s unlisted AI investments, such as in Anthropic and OpenAI. 

Even excluding these windfalls operating EPS grew at 26%. 

The brightest sign of AI driven profitability gains came through reported 17% profit margins, the highest in more than 15 years. 

These developments continue to support the growth of large cap US technology companies. 

Within Australia there was also reason to rejoice with the ASX 200 achieving its first year of earnings growth since FY22. 

According to Tom Wickenden, Investment Strategist at Betashares, a majority of this was driven by outsized materials sector earnings which reported 36% growth. 

Alarmingly the weight of recent budget changes, rate hikes, and related poor consumer confidence saw next years earnings expectations being cut even as companies met expectations this season.

August winners 

In the month of August, the best performing ASX ETFs were: 

• BetaShares Global Gold Miners ETF – Currency Hedged (ASX: MNRS) – rose 31%
• Betashares Ethereum ETF (ASX: QETH) – rose 30%
• Global X Silver Miners ETF (ASX: SLVM) – rose 30%. 

In terms of top inflows: 

• Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)
• BetaShares Australia 200 ETF (ASX: A200)
• Betashares Funds – Betashares Global Shares ETF (ASX: BGBL). 

Another interesting note from the report was that copper has now overtaken iron ore in Australian mining earnings.

Copper is one of the most important materials in building global AI infrastructure and for the green energy transition. 

Data centres, power distribution, wiring. All of it uses copper at an extraordinary scale. So, while Australian investors cannot buy AI companies directly through a local index, Australia’s mining sector is now one way to benefit from these buildouts.

The post ASX ETF market just surpassed $7 billion in net inflows – Here’s where the money is going appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 4 most popular ASX ETFs revealed: survey
• How to make $26,000 of passive income from ASX shares
• 3 reasons to buy the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares (VGS) ETF
• Vanguard ETFs vs. Betashares ETFs: Who’s coming out on top?
• Why I’d buy this ETF instead of picking 20 ASX shares

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has positions in Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. 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 Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) shares have been hotly covered over the past year. 

It is an online real estate advertising company that provides property and property-related services on websites and mobile apps across Australia, Asia, and North America.

Threats of AI, elevated property prices, and changing consumer behaviour have all raised questions about the company’s long-term growth prospects. 

In the last 12 months, REA Group shares have experienced volatility and ultimately remain down 30% in that span. 

Valuations from experts have fluctuated over this period, as the company’s strong market position and exposure to Australia’s property market continue to attract investor attention.

However, a new report from Bell Potter has suggested there may be better opportunities elsewhere for investors. 

Sell recommendation for REA Group shares

In Thursday’s report, the team at Bell Potter reiterated its sell recommendation. 

The broker said ongoing low clearance rates and lengthening days on market for properties suggest an ongoing mismatch in price expectations between buyers and sellers. 

Additionally, further declines in house prices are expected over the coming months. 

Days on market has increased by 8 days versus this time last year, while national auction data from SQM suggests that cumulative auctions are down -24% for the FY-to-date versus the comparable period last year; the cumulative number of houses sold via auction is significantly worse at -50% YoY.

Little to no upside over the next 12 months 

Along with the sell rating, Bell Potter has a price target of $148 on REA Group shares. 

From current levels, this indicates a downside of 7%. 

We retain our Sell recommendation. Despite REA’s ability to generate strong results in challenged operating environments, we continue to see significant downside risk to listings volumes/earnings vs. company guidance and consensus and await further data points via lending volumes and market listings before re-considering our thesis.

What are other experts saying?

Valuations appear mixed on REA Group shares. 

Last month, Tom Fairchild from Lazarus Capital Partners had a buy rating on this ASX 200 communications share. 

At the time, REA Group shares were trading at almost $180. 

15 analyst ratings via TradingView have an average 12-month price target of almost $200 on REA Group shares. 

This indicates a 40% upside from current levels. 

However, it is worth noting that individual targets range from highs of $253 per share to lows of $147, underscoring the wide gap in opinions on this ASX 200 stock. 

The post Why this expert believes it’s time to exit positions in REA Group shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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.

How much you can own in assets while remaining eligible for the age pension will increase tomorrow, 20 September.

The changes reflect indexation adjustments, which are made twice per year, to account for inflation.

Let’s find out what’s changing tomorrow.

How much can you own and still get the age pension?

If you were born on or after 1 January 1957, you can apply for the pension from age 67.

You do not have to be in retirement to qualify for the pension. It’s an entitlement based on age, but it’s subject to a few rules.

Among the most important are the assets and income tests.

The pension is means-tested because it is social security designed to support senior Australians who need it most.

Tomorrow, the rules for both tests change. In this article, we’re focusing on the assets test changes.

Assessable assets under the test include superannuation, ASX shares, bonds, investment properties, cash, and home contents.

Your primary place of residence is excluded from the assets test.

If you rent, the rules allow you to own more in assets while still qualifying for the pension.

Under this next round of indexation changes, the upper thresholds for the assets test are increasing.

Here are the details.

Do you own your home?

Single homeowners whose assets are worth less than $333,000 qualify for the full age pension.

Single homeowners whose assets are worth between $333,001 and $745,750 (up from $733,500) will be eligible for a part-payment.

Couple homeowners whose assets are worth less than $499,000 are eligible for the full age pension.

Couple homeowners who have between $499,001 and $1,121,000 (up from $1,102,500) in assets will be eligible for a part-payment.

Do you rent your home?

Single renters whose assets are worth less than $600,000 qualify for the full age pension.

Single renters who have between $600,001 and $1,012,750 (up from $1,000,500) in assets will be eligible for a part-payment.

Couple renters whose assets are worth less than $766,000 qualify for the full age pension.

Couple renters who have between $766,001 and $1,388,000 (up from $1,369,500) in assets will be eligible for a part-payment.

Age pension to increase by $37 per fortnight

Pension payments are also increasing from tomorrow.

Singles will get an extra $36.80 per fortnight, raising the total age pension payment to $1,237.70 per fortnight.

Couples will get an extra $27.80 per partner, per fortnight, increasing the total payment to $933 per partner, per fortnight.

If you’re curious about how much income you can earn while still getting the age pension under the new rules, read our article here.

The post How much in assets can you own and still get the age pension under new rules starting tomorrow? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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.