It’s safe to say that Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) and Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) shares have had a year to forget.

As have their stockholders.

In late morning trade on Tuesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 0.1%, putting the benchmark Aussie stock market index down 2.1% in 12 months.

As for Life360, shares in the ASX 200 location-sharing software developer are down 1.9% today, trading at $18.95 each. This sees the Life360 share price down a sharp 64% since this time last year.

And Xero shares have had a similar bear run. At the time of writing, shares in the business and accounting software provider are up 1.5%, changing hands for $58.55 apiece. Despite the welcome intraday lift, shares remain down a painful 63% over the past 12 months.

What’s been pressuring the ASX 200 tech stocks?

Life360 and Xero shares have both faced similar headwinds.

First, there have been ongoing concerns that rapidly advancing AI systems might cheaply replace a lot of the services that Software as a Service (SaaS) stocks currently offer. Or the so-called ‘SaaSpocalypse’.

ASX tech stocks have also come under pressure as major economies across the globe, including the United States and Australia, ratchet up interest rates.

Growth-oriented shares like Xero and Life360 are generally priced with higher future earnings in mind. And as interest rates go up, so too does the present cost of investing in those future earnings.

And looking ahead, Fairmont Equities’ Michael Gable believes both these ASX 200 tech shares could face further headwinds in the months ahead (courtesy of The Bull).

Time to exit Xero shares?

“Xero is an accounting software provider,” Gable said. “In my view, potentially increasing bond yields and interest rates will continue to be a headwind for technology stocks, such as XRO.”

Summarising his sell recommendation on Xero shares, Gable said:

Fiscal year 2026 operating revenue increased 31 per cent on the prior corresponding period. However, net profit after tax fell 27 per cent. The gross margin declined from 89 per cent to 83.9 per cent.

From a charting perspective, selling pressure follows share price rallies, so the downtrend may not yet be over at this point.

Should I sell Life360 shares today?

Atop his bearish outlook on Xero shares, Gable also issued a sell recommendation on Life360 shares.

“This information technology company provides a mobile networking safety app for families,” he noted.

“The company posted a 38 per cent increase in revenue in the second quarter of 2026 when compared to the prior corresponding period. Total subscription revenue was up 31 per cent,” Gable added.

Explaining his sell recommendation on Life360 shares, Gable concluded:

However, the share price has fallen from $29.48 on August 10 to trade at $19.44 on September 24. We believe the business is vulnerable to increasing competition.

Any earnings disappointments moving forward may further pressure the share price. Investors may want to consider cashing in some gains.

The post Sell alert! Why this expert is calling time on Life360 and Xero shares 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 Life360 and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360 and Xero. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Passive income is one of the big attractions of investing in ASX dividend shares.

If I had $20,000 available and wanted to increase the income coming from my portfolio, I would be looking for businesses that can support their dividends with dependable earnings and cash flow.

These are three ASX dividend shares I would consider today.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Telstra would be high on my list. The telecommunications giant provides services that millions of Australians use every day, which gives the business a relatively defensive earnings base.

That is a good starting point for a passive income investment. I want to have some confidence that the underlying business can keep generating the cash required to support its dividend through different economic conditions.

Telstra lifted its dividend to 21 cents per share in FY26, and expectations point to another modest increase to 22 cents in FY27. This represents a 4.6% dividend yield at current prices.

Another thing I like is its growth outlook. Telstra’s longer-term strategy is targeting continued earnings growth through to FY30, which could give the company more capacity to lift dividends over time if it delivers on those ambitions.

For me, that combination makes Telstra one of the ASX dividend shares I would be most comfortable owning for the long term.

APA Group (ASX: APA)

APA would provide a different type of income exposure.

The company owns a large portfolio of energy infrastructure, including gas pipelines, electricity transmission assets, and power generation infrastructure.

I like the nature of those assets for an income investment because much of APA’s revenue comes from regulated arrangements or long-term contracts.

That can provide greater visibility over future cash flows, which in turn helps support distributions to shareholders.

APA is also continuing to invest in its infrastructure network as Australia’s energy system evolves.

For income investors, I think that creates a nice balance. There is an established portfolio generating cash today, while new projects could support growth in the years ahead.

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN)

Harvey Norman is my third pick.

The retailer operates across furniture, electronics, appliances, and other household categories, while its business also includes a substantial property portfolio.

I like the company for its strong financial position and the cash its operations can generate when trading conditions are supportive.

Harvey Norman has also demonstrated a willingness to return a meaningful portion of its profits to shareholders through dividends.

It is important to remember that retail earnings will naturally move with consumer spending, so I would expect more income variability here than I would from a telecommunications or infrastructure business.

But that cyclicality can also create opportunities to buy the shares at attractive prices when sentiment towards the consumer sector is weak.

I think that is the case now, with Harvey Norman shares trading close to their 52-week low and offering a forecast dividend yield of 7.1%.

Foolish takeaway

For me, passive income works best when the dividend is a result of a healthy business.

That is what I like about these three ASX dividend shares. Each has an established earnings base and a credible path to keep rewarding shareholders over time.

If I had $20,000 to put to work for income, I would be happy to start my search here.

The post Where to invest $20,000 in ASX dividend shares for passive income appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Oil prices are climbing again on Tuesday after another volatile start to the week.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude is currently up around 0.5% to US$93.05 per barrel.

Meanwhile, Brent crude has climbed 0.5% to US$105.83 per barrel.

Both have been on a strong run lately, with WTI up almost 50% over the past year and Brent gaining around 60%.

So, with tensions in the Middle East still pretty high, oil prices could have another big week ahead.

Let’s take a closer look.

US-Iran negotiations continue

There has been some movement in talks between the US and Iran.

Officials from both countries held separate discussions with mediators on Monday as efforts continue to bring the 7-month war to an end.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran is now waiting for a formal response from the US to its latest proposal.

The plan includes a halt to fighting, sanctions relief, and the unfreezing of Iranian assets.

In return, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and begin talks with the US over its nuclear program and uranium stockpile.

There has also been some improvement in oil flows from the Middle East.

Exports from major producers reached 12.8 million barrels per day in September, the highest level since February.

US oil reserves are getting low

Another thing to watch is how much oil the US has left in its Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

The US has been releasing millions of barrels from the reserve since the war began in an effort to keep more oil in the market.

That has pushed stockpiles down to around 285 million barrels, their lowest level in more than 40 years.

The reserve held almost 300 million barrels at the beginning of August, meaning around 15 million barrels have been released in less than two months.

The US has also been working with other countries to release emergency reserves during the conflict.

What happens next for oil prices?

I think oil prices could keep moving higher from here.

Brent crude has already moved above US$105 per barrel again, putting the US$110 level back within reach.

WTI is also holding above US$90 after briefly trading above US$96 on Monday.

Yes, a lot will depend on what happens with the latest US-Iran negotiations.

And while Middle East oil exports have improved this month, they remain below levels seen before the war.

For me, that leaves the oil market looking pretty tight.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Brent test US$110 per barrel again this week if tensions remain high.

The post Oil prices rise again as Middle East uncertainty keeps traders guessing appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.