• 6%: Bendigo Bank just unveiled its latest dividend

    View of a business man's hand passing a $100 note to another with a bank in the background.

    There aren’t too many blue-chip ASX 200 shares that still offer dividend yields of 5% today, let alone 6%. But Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN) is one of the rare few. Yes, Bendigo Bank shares are currently trading on a trailing dividend yield of 6.05%.

    As such, we can probably conclude that there were more than a few income investors watching with interest this morning as Bendigo and Adelaide Bank revealed the next shareholder payment that investors can expect.

    As we covered this morning, it was a solid, if uninspiring, report from Bendigo Bank. This ASX 200 bank stock told the market that its cash earnings for the 12 months ended 30 June were $30.2 million, up 3% over FY 2025. That helped the bank post statutory earnings after tax of $375.1 million, helped by a 1.5% growth in total lending and a 2.2% increase in customer deposits.

    The second half of the financial year was particularly strong for Bendigo Bank. Cash earnings rose 6.8% compared to the same half in 2025 to $273.8 million, while expenses dropped 2.1%.

    Is Bendigo Bank shares’ 6% yield holding firm?

    But let’s get to Bendogo Bank’s latest dividend. In some decent news for income investors, this bank’s dividend will not be changing. Yes, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank today revealed that its final dividend for 2026 will come in at 33 cents per share. That’s unchanged and flat on 2025’s final dividend. As such, that 6% yield that we currently see on Bedigo Bank shares will be holding for the time being.

    That 33-cent-per-share final dividend, coupled with March’s interim dividend of 30 cents per share, gives an annual total of 63 cents per share. That’s the same annual amount that Bendigo Bank has paid since 2024.

    This latest final dividend will arrive in investors’ bank accounts on 30 September next month. Like almost every payout from this bank, this dividend will come with full franking credits attached.

    For anyone who doesn’t yet own Bendigo Bank shares but wishes to receive this dividend, the shares are scheduled to trade ex-dividend on 1 September. Investors will need to own shares by the end of August to be eligible to receive this payout.

    There is also the option to receive additional Benido Bank shares in lieu of a cash payment with this company’s dividend reinvestment plan (DRP). The cut-off date for DRP participation is 3 September.

    The post 6%: Bendigo Bank just unveiled its latest dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Bendigo And Adelaide Bank right now?

    Before you buy Bendigo And Adelaide Bank shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Bendigo And Adelaide Bank wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Bendigo And Adelaide Bank. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • By August 2027, $5,000 invested in Ampol shares could turn into…

    Woman filling her car with fuel.

    Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) shares are storming higher in Monday lunchtime trade.

    At the time of writing, the petroleum company’s shares are up around 4% and trading at an all-time high of $41.42 a piece.

    Today’s hike means the shares are now up 29% for the year to date, and have rallied 40% higher over the past 12 months.

    The latest increase comes off the back of Ampol’s first-half FY26 results, which it posted to the ASX ahead of the market open this morning.

    Investors are clearly thrilled with the update, and many are rushing to snap up its shares while they’re still trading for cheap. 

    Ampol announced that its Group replacement cost operating profit (RCOP) came in 152% higher versus the first half of FY25, RCOP NPAT surged a huge 376% compared to the prior corresponding period, and statutory NPAT came to $1,363 million, compared to a loss of $25 million last year.

    The strong result also meant Ampol was able to raise its fully-franked interim dividend to 185 cents per share, more than four times the prior year.

    Ongoing concerns around global oil supply have also helped drive the shares higher over the past 12 months. 

    Ampol is Australia’s largest transport energy distributor and retailer, with more than 1,800 Ampol-branded service stations across the country. 

    The company has also posted a few updates that have gathered investor attention. In June, Ampol received the green light, with conditions, from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for a proposed acquisition of fuel and convenience store operator, EG Australia. 

    It also previously confirmed a 10% increase in refinery production, higher refiner margins, and increased production in its Q1 FY26 trading update.

    What do brokers tip next for Ampol shares?

    Brokers have a very positive stance on Ampol shares, but after today’s price increase, the average target price now implies a downside ahead.

    I expect to see the experts revise their forecast for Ampol shares in the coming days, but at the time of writing, Market Index data shows that the majority of brokers have a buy rating on the shares, and the $41.25 average target price implies a potential 0.5% downside.

    TradingView data shows something similar. Out of 10 analysts, five have a buy/strong buy rating on the stock. Four more rate Ampol shares as a hold and one as a sell.

    The average $41.78 target price implies a potential 1% upside over the next 12 months, at the time of writing. But the more bullish of the bunch think there is potential for the shares to climb another 19% to $49.25.

    So, if I invest $5,000 into Ampol shares today, what could they be worth in 12 months?

    These forecasts suggest that a $5,000 investment in Ampol shares today could rise slightly to somewhere around $5,050 within the next 12 months. 

    Or if the more bearish broker forecasts are correct, we could see the same investment climb as high as $5,950 by this time next year.

    The post By August 2027, $5,000 invested in Ampol shares could turn into… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Ampol right now?

    Before you buy Ampol shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Ampol wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies 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.

  • Up 52% from its low! Has the WiseTech share price finally bottomed out?

    Woman and man calculating a dividend yield.

    WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares are pushing higher again on Monday.

    At the time of writing, the WiseTech share price is up 3.12% to $43.65.

    The rally has gathered plenty of pace over the past month, with the logistics software stock now up almost 40% during that period.

    It is also around 52% above its 23 June low of $28.76. That’s a very different picture from late June, when the shares were trading at their lowest level in 5 years.

    However, shareholders are still sitting on a sizeable loss in 2026, with WiseTech shares down 36% since the beginning of the year.

    So, has the share price finally left its lows behind?

    A big rebound from June

    WiseTech shares have spent much of the past year heading in the wrong direction.

    The stock has fallen from a 52-week high of $115.75 and remains more than 60% below where it was this time last year.

    A mix of governance concerns, regulatory issues, and weaker investor sentiment towards tech stocks has weighed heavily on the shares.

    But the mood has changed since late June.

    There have been some positive developments as well. Major customer DSV remains committed under its existing contract until September 2028. Bell Potter has also pointed to the appointment of an independent chair as a positive step towards addressing governance concerns.

    WiseTech has continued to invest in its business as well, including the acquisition of US-based FRDM.ai in July.

    All eyes on Wednesday’s result

    The next major test comes on 26 August, when WiseTech is due to release its FY26 results.

    Management has reaffirmed revenue guidance of US$1.39 billion to US$1.44 billion, representing growth of 79% to 85%.

    EBITDA is expected to come in between US$550 million and US$585 million, up 44% to 53% from FY25.

    The company has also reached its US$50 million annualised cost synergy target from the e2open acquisition ahead of schedule.

    With the share price already rebounding strongly, investors will likely want to see WiseTech deliver within those ranges and provide a solid outlook for FY27.

    Is the bottom behind WiseTech shares?

    The recovery from $28.76 is definitely encouraging, but one month of strong gains doesn’t erase the risks that pushed the stock lower.

    WiseTech still faces regulatory and governance questions, while the shares remain well below their previous highs.

    At the same time, the underlying business continues to grow quickly.

    Wednesday’s result could give investors a better idea of whether this rebound can keep going.

    The post Up 52% from its low! Has the WiseTech share price finally bottomed out? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in WiseTech Global right now?

    Before you buy WiseTech Global shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and WiseTech Global wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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 positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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