End of financial year sneaks up every single year.

30 June 2026 is tomorrow, and for ASX investors it is the single most consequential date on the calendar.

Decisions made before that date are what move the needle on tax and superannuation outcomes for the year.

Here is what is worth checking before the window closes.

Superannuation: the concessional contributions cap

The concessional contributions cap for FY2026 sits at $30,000, including employer contributions.

Investors who have not yet reached that cap can still make additional voluntary contributions.

These are taxed at 15% inside super rather than at a marginal rate that could be more than double that.

As such, every dollar contributed at the concessional rate before 30 June is a permanent and compounding tax saving. But super funds need to actually receive the contribution by the deadline, not simply have it initiated.

For investors with room left under the cap, this is one of the most reliable ways to reduce a tax bill before the financial year closes.

New tax laws change the maths for larger balances

This end of financial year is different from previous years for one specific reason.

Division 296, which takes effect from 1 July 2026, introduces an additional 15% tax on the earnings attributable to superannuation balances above $3 million.

This brings the effective rate to 30% on that portion.

For balances above $10 million, there is an additional 25% tax rate, bringing the effective rate to 40%.

Both thresholds are indexed to CPI. Unlike the original 2023 proposal, the version that passed Parliament applies only to realised earnings, such as dividends, interest, rent, and capital gains actually realised on sale. Importantly, it does not apply to unrealised “paper” gains on assets still held.

The first assessment will be based on balances at 30 June 2027. However, SMSF trustees can elect to reset the cost base of fund assets to their value as at 30 June 2026. This can reduce the Division 296 tax payable when those assets are eventually sold.

That election needs to be made by the 2026-27 tax return lodgement date. As such, it’s worth raising the issue with an accountant or SMSF adviser now rather than waiting.

Capital gains and losses can be locked in

Before 30 June, it is worth reviewing the portfolio for both gains and losses.

Selling a loss-making position can help offset capital gains tax from profitable positions sold earlier in the year. This is a strategy worth discussing with an accountant given how complex the rules around using capital losses can be.

To be clear, investors should not be making last-minute trades purely for tax reasons.

But there is an opportunity for investors to reduce this year’s tax bill by locking in capital losses against gains already realised.

It’s also a natural moment to review what you actually hold

Beyond the tax mechanics, end of financial year is a sensible moment to step back and review the quality of what is sitting inside your portfolio or super fund.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) and CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) are two examples of quality, well-known ASX stocks that can compound over time.

For investors using the end of financial year as an opportunity to reassess their holdings, these stocks could be a good starting point.

Foolish takeaway

End of financial year is not just an accounting deadline.

It is the one moment each year when superannuation contributions, capital gains positioning, and portfolio quality all intersect with a hard cutoff date.

A few considered decisions before 30 June tend to matter far more than anything done in a rush on the day itself.

The post End of financial year is upon us. Here’s what you should do before the deadline appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Chasing early retirement at 55? These ASX shares and ETFs could help
• Why US stocks have hit record highs while ASX shares have barely risen in 2026
• 3 top ASX shares to buy for an SMSF
• Why this fundie is overweight CSL and underweight CBA shares
• 3 ASX blue chip shares to buy and hold for the next 20 years

Motley Fool contributor Mark Verhoeven 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 CSL and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares appear set to provide only mid-single-digit returns for FY26.

It’s been a volatile year due to the wars in Gaza and Iran, the global energy shock, and three interest rate rises.

The chart below shows how the ASX 200 fared throughout the financial year.

Meanwhile on The Bull this week, Michael Gable from Fairmont Equities reveals his ratings on three popular ASX 200 shares.

Let’s check them out. 

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

The Woodside share price has increased by more than 17% over FY26.

Gable has a buy rating on this ASX 200 energy share, and commented:

We were a buyer of this major energy company prior to the war in Iran. In our view, the recent share price fall presents another buying opportunity.

Moving forward, we’re expecting tighter crude oil supplies to lead to higher prices. Recent weaker crude oil prices is a response to governments releasing oil from strategic reserves, but they now need to be replenished.

As the biggest oil stock on the ASX, Woodside Energy will attract investors when they conclude crude oil prices will be higher for longer.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

The BHP share price has grown spectacularly over FY26, delivering more than 60% capital growth to date.

Gable has a hold rating on this ASX 200 mining share. 

He said: 

In our opinion, the commodities bull market is still in the early stages of the latest cycle. As the biggest miner in the world, BHP attracts investors aiming to increase exposure to the resources sector. 

BHP is diverse, so investors gain exposure to a range of commodities, including copper, iron ore, coking coal and potash.

Copper production guidance of between 1.9 million and 2 million tonnes in fiscal year 2026 remains unchanged and is expected to be in the upper half of the range.

We continue to see some solid buying on any dips. BHP offers appeal for long term investors.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

The Xero share price has fallen by more than 60% in FY26.

Gable rates the market’s largest ASX 200 tech share a sell.

He explained:

We have been negative about the Australian technology sector since 2025, and rotated into resource stocks.

Increasing interest rates so far in 2026 amid high sharemarket volatility and uncertainty leaves investors questioning the outlook of technology companies trading on relatively high multiples.

In our view, the share price of Xero, an accounting software provider, hasn’t sufficiently rallied on recent positive announcements.

Consequently, it indicates the stock remains under selling pressure.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Woodside, Xero, BHP shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• If I invest $8,000 in Woodside shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2027?
• Why US stocks have hit record highs while ASX shares have barely risen in 2026
• How to invest $500, $5,000, and $50,000 on the ASX
• Want a pay rise? These ASX dividend shares keep delivering

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in BHP Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

On Friday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) finished the week in positive territory. The benchmark index rose 0.2% to 8,764.2 points.

Will the market be able to build on this on Monday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to rise again

The Australian share market looks set for a positive start to the week despite weakness on Wall Street on Friday. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 16 points or 0.2% higher. In the United States, the Dow Jones was down 0.1%, the S&P 500 edged lower, and the Nasdaq fell 0.25%.

Oil prices fall

ASX 200 energy shares such as Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) could have a poor start to the week after oil prices tumbled on Friday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price was down 3.75% to US$69.23 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price was down 4.3% to US$71.99 a barrel. However, reports of an escalation in US-Iran tensions could give oil a boost on Monday.

Buy Neuren shares

The team at Bell Potter thinks investors should be buying Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) shares. This morning, the broker has retained its buy rating on the pharmaceuticals company’s shares with an improved price target of $23.50. The broker said: “At the latest closing price, we therefore see effectively zero implied value for NEU’s second asset, which in itself would be a multi-billion-dollar value asset should it succeed in the Phase 3 trial. The Phase 3 remains in the early stages of recruitment, with results not expected until the end of CY27 at the very earliest (pending recruitment pace). We maintain our BUY recommendation and increase PT to $23.50.”

Gold price rises

ASX 200 gold shares including Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a good start to the week after the gold price rose on Friday night. According to CNBC, the gold futures price was up 1.2% to US$4,096.3 an ounce. This gain was driven by a weaker US dollar but couldn’t stop gold from recording its fourth weekly loss in a row.

Shares going ex-dividend

A large group of shares are due to go ex-dividend on Monday and could trade lower. This includes APA Group (ASX: APA), Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP), Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC), Dexus (ASX: DXS), Goodman Group (ASX: GMG), Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR), and Transurban Group (ASX: TCL). The latter will be rewarding its shareholders with a 35 cents per share final dividend on 18 August.

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: Woodside, Xero, BHP shares
• If you want to use this strategy to top up your superannuation you have to act today
• Here is the average Australian superannuation balance at ages 45, 55, and 65
• ASX 200 retail shares outperform on growing hopes interest rates have peaked
• If I invest $8,000 in Woodside shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2027?

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Goodman Group and Woodside Energy Group Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goodman Group and Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group and Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.