It has been a bit of a topsy-turvy month for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares. Although the index is technically sitting pretty flat, having gone backwards by 0.04% since this time in June, we’ve seen it go from the low 8,700s to as high as 8,850 points. That’s a range worth more than 1.5%.

Of course, there have been several events on the global stage that easily explain this volatility. Most of all, the resumption of hostilities in the Middle East has exacerbated fears of a new energy crisis.

In this climate, it can be difficult to find the confidence to invest in new ASX shares. However, I still think there are buys out there. So here are two ASX shares that I’d buy this July.

2 ASX shares to buy this July

Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL)

First up, we have Washington H. Soul Pattinson, or Soul Patts for short. This company is a rather unique stock on the ASX. It functions more as an investment holding company than your traditional ASX share. Buying its shares represents buying an ownership stake in Soul Patts’ vast underlying investment portfolio. This portfolio is well diversified. It contains several large stakes in other ASX shares, a broad-based portfolio of large-cap ASX shares, property assets, private credit, venture capital and more.

Soul Patts has a track record that spans decades. This, in my view, displays its investing acumen in a very favourable light indeed. To illustrate, as of 31 January, Soul Patts investors have enjoyed an average return of 12.9% per annum (share price growth plus dividends). That’s well above what the ASX 200 has delivered over the same span.

Speaking of dividends, Soul Patts also has one of the best dividend track records on the ASX, having delivered an annual dividend rise every year since 1998. That’s 28 years and counting. All in all, this is an ASX stock I’d buy any day.

iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF (ASX: IXI)

Our next ASX share is not really an ASX share at all, but an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF houses a portfolio of underlying shares that are drawn from all over the world. These shares are all leaders in the consumer staples sector.

Consumer staples are goods that we tend to need to buy. They include food, drinks, household essentials, as well as alcohol and tobacco products. Because of the nature of these products, consumer staples companies tend to be highly resilient investments, capable of surviving and even thriving during economic shocks or downturns. After all, we all need to eat, drink and stock our households, regardless of the economic weather.

You’ll probably recognise many of the investments that can be found in IXI’s portfolio. They currently include Coca-Cola, Unilever, Costco, Colgate-Palmolive, and Philip Morris International. Our own Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) and Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) are also present.

If you’re nervous about the current geopolitical climate, this might be an investment worth considering today.

The post 2 ASX shares I’d buy this July appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Coca-Cola, Costco Wholesale, Philip Morris International, Unilever, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Colgate-Palmolive, Costco Wholesale, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Philip Morris International and Unilever. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

If you took the plunge and bought $10,000 worth of Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares five years ago, you’d be sitting on some tidy gains today.

First, you would have seen the share price gains delivered by Woodside stock smash the gains delivered by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) over this time.

Second, you would have banked a significant cash pile from the regular passive income stream the oil and gas giant has paid out over the five years as well. (Assuming you cashed out your Woodside dividends, rather than reinvesting them in the company.)

As for those capital gains, five years ago you could have picked up Woodside stock for $22.34 a share. Meaning your $10,000 investment would have netted you 447 shares, with enough change left over for a burger.

Now, in late afternoon trading on Wednesday, the ASX 200 energy stock was trading for $31.58. So, the 447 shares you bought five years ago would now be worth (a rounded) $14,116.

That’s a gain of more than 41%, well ahead of the 19% five-year gains posted by the benchmark index.

So, how about that passive income?

Tapping into Woodside shares for passive income

If you bought shares in the ASX 200 oil and gas giant five years ago, you’d have received the past 10 fully franked dividend payments by now.

The most recent final dividend of 83.5 cents a share would have landed in your bank account on 27 March.

If we add that into the other nine dividend payments, then you would have received a total of $11.31 a share in passive income since your purchase,

That means the 447 Woodside shares you bought on 23 July 2021 would have returned a total of $5,056 in fully franked dividends by now. Or more than half of your initial investment.

Now remember, on Wednesday those 447 shares were worth $14,116. So if we add that passive income payout back in, then the accumulated value of the Woodside stock you bought five years ago for $10,000 would now be worth $19,172.

What’s the latest from the ASX 200 energy stock?

Woodside released its March quarterly update on 29 April.

Highlight for the three months included a 7% quarter-on-quarter increase in operating revenue to US$3.26 billion.

The revenue boost was fuelled by an 11% quarter-on-quarter increase in the average realised price Woodside received for its oil and gas, which rose to US$63 per barrel of oil equivalent (boe).

Woodside shares closed up 2.0% on the day of the results release.

The post Bought $10,000 of Woodside shares 5 years ago? Here’s how much passive income you’ve already earned 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 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 team at Bell Potter just released updated guidance on three ASX shares after some key announcements and results. 

The broker has listed two as a hold and tipped one to rise up to 72%. 

Here’s what the broker had to say. 

Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA)

Champion Iron is an iron ore miner, explorer, and developer.

In a new report from Bell Potter, the broker listed these ASX shares as a hold. 

The broker said iron ore prices were slightly higher in the June 2026 quarter but have since fallen.

Because prices are declining, freight costs remain high, and market expectations are weaker, Bell Potter expects Champion Iron to receive a lower average selling price. 

The broker has lowered its 12 month price target to $4.40 (previously $4.80), which indicates a 13% upside from current levels. 

While we expect iron content price premiums for this product, full value-in-use premiums are unlikely to be realised until longer-term offtake is secured. Free cash flow should improve from FY27 as capex rolls off, supporting debt servicing and ongoing dividends. On valuation, we retain our Hold recommendation.

Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT)

Yesterday, Beach Energy released its FY26 Fourth Quarter Activities Report. 

The company reported quarterly production of 4.9 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe) and total revenue of $400 million for the June quarter.

Following the results, Bell Potter lowered its price target on these ASX shares to $0.950 (previously $1.150). 

This indicates just over 8% upside for these ASX shares. 

The broker retained its hold recommendation, and said the company is in a production replacement cycle with respect to exploration and appraisal.

Production growth should return in FY27 and capex ease, enabling positive free cash flow to support balance sheet deleveraging and ongoing dividends. We are positive on BPT’s exposure to Australian east coast gas markets (around half of sales volumes) and cautious with respect to global oil markets.

Regal Partners Ltd (ASX: RPL)

Yesterday, Regal Partners released preliminary H1 2026 results.

The company engages in the provision of investment management services.

According to the release, normalised NPAT is expected to double to at least $90 million and record net FUM inflows of over $1.3 billion for the half.

Following the result, Bell Potter said this guidance is just a minimum rather than a cap, suggesting there is potential for further upside.

The company also reported record quarterly net inflows of $911 million, supported by strong fundraising, while underlying inflows exceeded Bell Potter’s expectations. 

Although funds under management were slightly below forecasts due to distributions, buy-backs and weaker market movements, investment performance and client demand – particularly for hedge funds – were better than expected, supporting continued earnings growth.

Based on this guidance, the broker has retained its buy recommendation and price target of $4.80, which indicates an upside of 72%. 

The post Broker tips up to 72% upside for one of these ASX shares  appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Regal Partners: Profit doubles and FUM hits record high
• Beach Energy posts steady Q4 production and a resilient outlook
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
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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.