After posting strong returns so far in August, the median growth-oriented superannuation fund is up an impressive 1.3% already this financial year, according to research company Chant West.

A weak start bolstered by a strong August

Returns in July for the median growth fund, with 61% to 80% growth assets, were a modest 0.3%, however with share markets performing well in August so far, Chant West estimates the median growth fund is up 1.3% over the first seven weeks of the new financial year.

Chant West Head of Superannuation Investment Research, Mano Mohankumar, said that share markets were mixed during July with significant variation in returns across regions.

He said:

Over the month, developed market international shares returned 0.2% in hedged terms, largely due to a flat month from US shares, as the technology sector came under pressure amid concerns about the scale of AI investment and uncertainty surrounding future revenue growth. Due to the appreciation of the Australian dollar over the month, the return in unhedged terms was in the red at -0.9%. On average, super funds have about 70% of international shares unhedged. Emerging markets declined 4.4% where the previously strong performance from the tech sector in South Korea and Taiwan reversed sharply. Australian shares, on the other hand, were up a healthy 2.1% over the month supported by the financials and resources sectors, as well as the markets’ relatively low tech and AI-related exposure. Bonds weakened with Australian and international bonds falling 0.4% and 0.9%, respectively, as bond yields rose on renewed inflation concerns.

For July, all growth funds led returns among all superannuation products with 0.5%, while conservative funds were steady at 0% gains.

Superannuation a good long-term bet

Mr Mohankumar said over the longer term, superannuation funds had outperformed their objectives.

He said:

Since the introduction of compulsory super in July 1992, the median growth fund has returned 8% p.a. The annual CPI increase over the same period is 2.7%, giving a real return of 5.3% p.a. – well above the typical 3.5% target. Even looking at the past 20 years, which includes three major share market downturns – the GFC in 2007-2009, COVID-19 in 2020, and the high inflation and rising interest rates in 2022 – super funds have returned 6.9% p.a., which is still ahead of the typical objective.

Over the past 10 years, all growth superannuation products have outperformed all other funds, returning a compound 9.3%.

This compares to growth funds with 7.6% and conservative funds with 4.5%.

Chant West said all risk categories have generally met their typical long-term return objectives, which generally range from inflation plus 1.5% for conservative funds to inflation plus 4.25% for all growth.

The post Superannuation funds have started the financial year well. See how much they’re up appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Cameron England 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.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares have been on a tear this year.

In morning trade today, shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) energy stock are up 0.5%, changing hands for $33.33 apiece. That sees the share price up an impressive 40.2% in 2026.

For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.4% today and up 3.5% year to date.

Atop the strong Woodside share price gains this year, the company also paid out a fully-franked 83.5 cent per share final dividend on 27 March.

But with the share price having surged more than 40% already this year, is the ASX 200 energy stock still a good buy for passive income?

Should I buy Woodside shares for passive income?

It goes without saying that investors who bought Woodside shares at the 2 January close of $23.66 will be enjoying a higher dividend yield than investors who buy the stock today.

Taking a look at the trailing yield, atop the 83.5 cent per share dividend the company paid in March, Woodside also paid out a fully-franked 81.8 cent per share dividend on 24 September.

That works out to a full-year passive income payout of $1.653 per share.

So, if you’d bought the stock at the beginning of the year, you’d be earning a fully-franked 7% trailing dividend yield on that investment. Or a 10% grossed-up yield, taking those franking credits into account.

At today’s $33.33, the dividend yield from Woodside shares is a more modest, but still attractive, 5%. Or 7.1% grossed up.

Based on the trailing yield, then, if you invested $10,000 in Woodside shares today, you could expect to earn $496 a year in passive income. And, of course, we’ll be hoping for more capital gains as well.

Could the ASX 200 energy stock’s passive income payouts increase?

2022 and 2023 saw Woodside shares delivering record dividend payments, and attracting strong interest from passive income investors, amid soaring global oil and gas prices.

While oil prices haven’t quite matched those levels yet in 2026, they’ve come close amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane. Brent crude oil is currently trading just north of US$91 per barrel, according to data from Bloomberg.

Indeed, at Woodside’s June quarter report, the company reported that despite a 9% quarter-on-quarter production slip (primarily related to planned maintenance and inclement weather), operating revenue for the quarter surged 28% to US$4.19 billion.

That revenue boost was largely thanks to the 35% increase in the average realised price to US$85 per barrel of oil equivalent the company received over the three months.

While there are no guarantees, I suspect that higher oil prices, and forecast full-year production in the range of 174 MMboe to 185 MMboe, will result in a higher interim dividend being declared when Woodside reports on its half-year results next week, 25 August.

The post Up 40%! Are Woodside shares still a good buy for passive income now? 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.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are climbing higher again in Wednesday morning trade.

At the time of writing, the shares are up around 0.5% and changing hands at $33.30 a piece. Today’s increase means the shares are now up around 41% for the year-to-date. They’re also roughly 27% higher than this time last year.

What drove Woodside shares higher this year?

So far in 2026, the oil and gas giant has benefited from major oil supply concerns and volatility around conflict in the Middle East.

The US-Iran war shows renewed signs of cooling. But each time it looks like conflict is calming down, it quickly returns. The region is highly volatile, and the movement of oil from the area will continue to be uncertain until a resolution is reached. 

Shipping disruptions and production cuts pushed crude oil prices to a multi-year high of around US$111 per barrel in April, according to Trading Economics data. While the price of oil softened in June and early July, it is now trading back up at around US$85 per barrel.

And it’s not just volatile oil prices and market demand driving the company’s shares higher.

Woodside grabbed headlines in late April after it posted its first-quarter FY26 update. The oil and gas producer reported a 7% quarter-on-quarter increase in operating revenue and an 8% hike in revenue. The company’s production figures were lower thanks to weather events, but this was offset by an 11% increase in the average realised price of oil. 

Late last month the company made waves again after it posted its second-quarter update. Woodside announced a 28% increase in quarterly operating revenue and confirmed that its major growth projects are on track. The Scarborough Energy Project is now 98% complete and remains on budget, targeting first LNG cargo in the December quarter of 2026.

Woodside is expected to release its first-half results for 2026 next week on the 25th of August. Its full FY26 results will be announced in February next year.

Can Woodside shares keep climbing higher?

It looks like brokers now think the oil major’s shares are now trading around fair value. In fact, some are tipping a downside over the next 12 months.

Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have a hold rating on Woodside shares. The $28.52 average target price implies a potential 14% downside ahead.

Experts on TradingView are a little more positive. Sentiment is split between a hold rating and a buy/strong buy rating. Although the average $32.31 now implies a potential 3% downside, at the time of writing. 

The team at Morgans have a hold rating and $32.50 target price on the energy shares. The broker said it was pleased with the company’s latest quarterly update, with the figures coming in ahead of expectations.

Michael Gable from Fairmont Equities recently reduced his rating on Woodside shares to a hold. He said that the US strategic petroleum reserve was recently at a 43-year low, and he is concerned it will be difficult to keep a lid on crude oil prices.

The post Up 41%: How much higher can Woodside shares go? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much passive income could I earn from a $630,000 superannuation balance?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• How many Woodside shares do I need to buy for $10,000 of passive income?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

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.