Insurance Australia Group vs QBE Insurance Group shares

When it comes to hunting for passive income from the ASX, investors often weigh up Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG) and QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE). Both are heavyweight insurers, but their investment case, size, and income prospects do show some key differences. If you’re deciding between IAG and QBE shares, especially with income in mind, here’s how I see the strengths and weaknesses stack up.

The case for Insurance Australia Group

IAG is the largest general insurer in Australia and New Zealand, with a long history rooted in NRMA Insurance and an impressive portfolio focused on home and motor cover. In FY26, IAG underwrote over $18.4 billion in premiums across well-known brands.

Some highlights that stand out for me:

• Dividend Yield: The latest reported yield is 4.00%.
• Dividend History: IAG has reliably paid dividends for decades, although franking levels have fluctuated dramatically over time. In recent years, franking has become partial, with 25% franking for the most recent payout.
• Market Cap and Stability: Backed by a substantial $18.73 billion market cap, IAG offers size and proven market leadership.

However, I have noticed IAG’s dividend per share (0.32) trails QBE’s, and the relatively modest franking may reduce its tax effectiveness for some Australian income seekers.

The case for QBE Insurance Group

QBE Insurance Group is a genuinely global insurer and re-insurer, with a much broader international footprint than IAG. Established in the late 19th century, QBE now serves institutions, corporates, and individuals in over two dozen countries.

Here’s what jumps out from QBE’s numbers:

• Dividend Yield: QBE’s current yield is 4.75% – a solid edge over IAG.
• Dividend Per Share: QBE’s annual dividend per share (1.11) is well above IAG’s (0.32).
• Recent Momentum: A standout 23.2% year-to-date return signals strong recent market support.
• P/E Ratio: At 11.66, QBE’s P/E sits comfortably lower than IAG’s, which may hint at relative value – both operate in the same sector so this is a fair, like-for-like comparison.
• Franking: Recent QBE dividends have seen only partial franking, generally in the 10%–30% range, which remains low compared to historical fully-franked periods.

QBE’s ability to generate much higher earnings per share (1.422) also underpins its more generous payouts.

Valuation comparison

Since both companies sit squarely in the insurance sector, their fundamentals can be sensibly compared. Here’s how a few critical numbers stack up:

Metric	IAG	QBE
Market Cap	$18.73bn	$34.95bn
P/E Ratio	18.71	11.66
Dividend Yield	4.00%	4.75%
Dividend per Share	0.32	1.11
Franking % (recent dividend)	25%	30%
Earnings per Share	0.428	1.422

Note: Both companies’ P/E ratios and EPS appear mathematically consistent in the data provided.

The gap in P/E is particularly interesting: QBE looks relatively lower-valued, while offering a higher income payout. Both are only partially franked, which is worth considering if tax efficiency is a priority.

Recent share price performance

Comparing 21 August 2026 to 18 September 2026:

• IAG: Over this span, IAG dropped from $7.87 on 21 August to $8.01 on 18 September, with some volatility, including a notable one-day 5.46% jump on 2 September. The year to date return is a modest 4.4%.
• QBE: QBE climbed from $22.40 on 21 August to $23.39 on 18 September. Over this short window, the share price mostly edged higher, echoing QBE’s strong 23.2% year-to-date return.

In short, QBE’s shares have outperformed IAG not only year to date, but also over the most recent one-month stretch in the data.

Which is the better buy?

Chasing passive income, my pick would be QBE Insurance Group. QBE edges out IAG on yield (4.75% vs 4.00%), has a noticeably higher dividend per share, and sports a lower P/E ratio paired with much higher earnings per share – all positive signs for income-oriented investors. While both offer only partial franking, QBE’s slightly higher franking on the last declared dividends doesn’t close the gap, but the sheer scale of QBE’s distribution makes it more attractive to me.

Add to this QBE’s far stronger share price performance both in the short term and year to date, and I think it tips the balance for those focused on total returns as well as cash flow. IAG remains a quality, defensive blue-chip, but for pure passive income, QBE looks a step ahead in the current climate.

The post Insurance Australia Group vs QBE Insurance: Which is best for income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Down 6%: What is going on with the IAG share price?
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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial draft. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoyed a pleasant Tuesday session today, lifting the value of many ASX shares. After yesterday’s volatile start to the trading week, investors were still a little nervous today, but still pushed the markets higher. By the time the markets shut up shop, the ASX 200 had banked a 0.3% rise. That leaves the index at 8,757.8 points.

This happy Tuesday for ASX investors follows a very rosy start indeed for the American trading week overnight.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in fine form, jumping 0.71%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did even better, gaining 2.26%.

But let’s get back to the local markets now and take stock of how the different ASX sectors fared amid this session’s pleasant trading conditions.

Winners and losers

There were far more green sectors than red ones this Tuesday. But red ones there still were.

Leading the losses were utilities stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) had a rough one, tanking by 2.03%.

Energy shares were left out in the cold as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) sinking 1.16%.

Consumer staples stocks fared a lot better by comparison. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) drifted 0.17% lower today.

Financial shares were in the same boat, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)’s 0.13% slide.

That’s it for the red sectors, so let’s turn to the green ones now.

At the front of the winners were tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) was on fire today, shooting 2.67% higher.

Consumer discretionary shares also ran hot, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) surging 1.29%.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were in demand as well. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) lifted 0.79% this session.

Healthcare stocks were close behind REITs, evident by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)’s 0.76% leap.

Next came mining shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) put on 0.58% this Tuesday.

Industrial stocks were a dead heat with miners, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) also getting bumped 0.58% higher.

Communications shares didn’t miss out. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) added 0.32% to its total today.

Finally, gold stocks scraped home unscathed, illustrated by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)’s 0.11% edge higher.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Resource and services stock Sunrise Energy Metals Ltd (ASX: SRL) was our best performer this session. Sunrise shares roared 12.71% higher over today’s session to close at $20.48 each.

This big jump came despite no news or announcements out from the company itself.

Here’s how the other top stocks tied up at the dock:

ASX-listed company	Share price	Price change
Sunrise Energy Metals Ltd (ASX: SRL)	$20.48	12.71%
Ingenia Communities Group (ASX: INA)	$4.60	5.75%
FireFly Metals Ltd (ASX: FFM)	$1.78	5.65%
Silex Systems Ltd (ASX: SLX)	$4.66	5.43%
Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS)	$11.32	5.27%
Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL)	$1.63	4.84%
Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS)	$3.98	4.74%
GQG Partners Inc (ASX: GQG)	$1.14	4.61%
Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV)	$24.37	4.50%
Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX)	$16.79	4.17%

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen 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 Electro Optic Systems, Lovisa, and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Gqg Partners, Lovisa, and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Treasury Wine Estates vs Temple & Webster shares

When the market hands out a bruising, sometimes opportunity follows. Lately, both Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) and Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW) have seen their share prices knocked around, leaving many investors pondering which battered name represents better value. Treasury is a global wine powerhouse with decades of history, while Temple & Webster is a pure-play online retailer in Australia’s booming e-commerce sector. Let’s dive into the numbers and their stories to see which offers the more attractive bounce-back potential.

The case for Treasury Wine Estates

Treasury Wine Estates is one of Australia’s most recognisable names in wine, boasting a long heritage and a portfolio of over 70 brands such as Penfolds, Wolf Blass, and 19 Crimes. Since demerging from Foster’s Group in 2011, Treasury has built a reputation as one of the world’s largest wine companies, exporting premium wines globally. According to its most recent public profile, the business manages a broad spread of vineyards and employs thousands across production, sales, and distribution, making it a true global operator.

The fundamentals show a company with a market cap of $4.17 billion and a relatively low P/E ratio of 9.23. The dividend yield stands at a healthy 3.88%, with recent dividends franked at 70%. Notably, Treasury’s reported earnings per share (EPS) is negative at -1.334, suggesting a recent period in the red—something that aligns with challenging trade conditions, including the impact of Chinese tariffs on Australian wine exports. However, the company has a long history of paying regular dividends, and a significant 70% franking on its most recent payouts.

The case for Temple & Webster Group

Temple & Webster Group is one of Australia’s leading e-commerce retailers, specialising in furniture and homewares entirely online. Founded in 2011, it’s grown fast, curating a whopping selection of more than 200,000 products and bringing new brands and private labels under its umbrella. Its low overhead digital model has helped it crack into living rooms nationwide, especially during e-commerce booms.

In the numbers, Temple & Webster is far smaller than Treasury, with a market cap of $492.99 million. Its P/E ratio is sky-high at 121.90, signalling investors are paying up for potential future growth. Reported EPS sits at 0.064—positive, but modest. Importantly for income seekers, Temple & Webster does not currently pay a dividend, so there’s no yield or franking to sweeten the returns. With a heavy online focus, the company is positioned for the structural shift to digital retail, although its high valuation places a lot of faith in future growth.

Valuation comparison

Where these two diverge sharply is in valuation and yield:

Metric	Treasury Wine Estates	Temple & Webster Group
Market Cap	$4.17 billion	$492.99 million
P/E Ratio	9.23	121.90
Dividend Yield	3.88%	0.00%
Franking on Recent Dividend	70%	N/A
Earnings per Share	-1.334	0.064

Note: Treasury Wine Estates’ reported P/E ratio may be based on a different earnings measure (e.g. underlying or forward earnings) than the EPS figure shown, which is why they may appear inconsistent.

Temple & Webster is trading on an extremely high multiple, reflecting expectations for long-term growth. By contrast, Treasury looks much more attractively priced on earnings (at least using these P/E numbers), and offers a solid dividend—albeit with that red-inked EPS warning flag.

Recent share price performance

Comparing the period from 21 August 2026 to 18 September 2026:

• Treasury Wine Estates’ share price fell from $5.65 to $5.15, a drop of 8.8% over the period. Treasury is down 1.7% year-to-date.
• Temple & Webster’s share price slid from $4.30 to $4.23, a narrow fall of 1.6% in the same timeframe. Its year-to-date return is substantially worse, sitting at -69.1%—illustrating a huge sell-off in 2026.

Which is the better buy?

Both shares have been thumped recently, but if I’m reaching for value in a beaten down name, my pick would be Treasury Wine Estates. Its P/E ratio is dramatically lower, and there’s a fully franked yield on offer for patience—a welcome cushion in uncertain times. Temple & Webster has promise and some growth appeal, but its razor-thin profits and sky-high valuation leave a lot riding on future success. The drop in Treasury’s share price looks less severe than Temple & Webster’s 69% YTD plunge, and while Treasury’s negative EPS tempers my enthusiasm, I think its longstanding brands, global scale, and ongoing dividend give it the edge as a value rebound play. Here’s hoping the next vintage is rosier.

The post Treasury Wine Estates vs Temple & Webster: Which beaten down ASX stock is better value? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Treasury Wine shares: turnaround or trap?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
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• Buy, hold, sell: Temple & Webster, Kelsian, Boss Energy shares

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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 Temple & Webster Group and Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial draft. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.