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.

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• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
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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.

ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have gone from a niche investment to a mainstream way for Australians to build wealth.

Today, around two million Australians invest through ASX ETFs, drawn by their low costs, instant diversification, and simplicity. Rather than researching dozens of companies, investors can buy a single fund and gain exposure to hundreds – or even thousands – of investments.

The trend shows no sign of slowing. According to ASX data, ETF trading activity jumped 26% during the last financial year, comfortably outpacing the broader sharemarket, where trading volumes increased 22%.

So, what’s driving the boom?

A simpler way to invest

One of the biggest attractions of ASX ETFs is convenience. Instead of trying to identify tomorrow’s winning shares, investors can buy one ETF and instantly own a diversified portfolio.

Depending on the fund, that could mean exposure to Australian shares, global companies, bonds, property, or even specific sectors such as healthcare or technology.

Cost is another major advantage. Most ETFs simply track an index, allowing them to charge significantly lower management fees than traditional actively managed funds. Those savings can add up over decades, leaving more of an investor’s returns compounding over time.

Many ETFs also pay regular distributions, making them popular with investors seeking passive income. Better still, they’re just as easy to buy and sell as any other ASX-listed share.

The market keeps growing

The ETF industry isn’t just attracting more investors, it’s also offering more choice.

According to ASX data, the number of ETFs listed on the exchange has more than doubled over the past five years to 456 products. Another 72 ETFs launched during the last financial year alone.

Meanwhile, assets invested across Australia’s ETF industry have surpassed $350 billion.

Whether investors want exposure to Australian blue chips, global technology leaders, emerging markets, fixed income, or dividends, there’s now likely an ASX ETF that fits the bill.

More choice isn’t always better

The explosion in new products also means investors need to be more selective. As demand has grown, fund managers have rushed to launch ASX ETFs targeting the latest investment themes.

Artificial intelligence is the newest example. Funds such as the Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: RBTZ), and VanEck Global Defence ETF (ASX: DFND) all offer exposure to companies expected to benefit from AI.

While these thematic ETFs can be appealing, they often carry greater risk than broad-market index funds. Many own relatively concentrated portfolios, and some launch only after a sector has already enjoyed a strong rally.

Foolish takeaway

The rise of ASX ETFs reflects a growing preference for simple, diversified, and low-cost investing.

But investors shouldn’t assume every ETF is a good investment. Choosing a well-diversified, high-quality fund remains just as important as deciding to invest through ETFs in the first place.

The post Why millions of Aussies are switching to ASX ETFs appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther 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.