Building a reliable passive income stream doesn’t have to mean chasing the ASX dividend shares with the highest yields.

In fact, some of the best income investments are businesses that combine attractive payouts with the ability to grow those payments over time. That’s especially important for retirees, who need their income to keep pace with inflation.

With that in mind, here are two ASX dividend shares I think deserve a closer look.

APA Group (ASX: APA)

APA Group has built one of the strongest income records on the ASX.

The ASX dividend share has increased its annual distribution every year since the mid-2000s, giving it one of the longest uninterrupted distribution growth streaks on the market. Only Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL) has a longer record among major ASX companies.

APA expects to pay an annual distribution of 58 cents per security for FY26. At today’s share price, that equates to a distribution yield of around 5.7%, making it highly competitive with even the best term deposit rates.

And the income story may not stop there. It’s expected that APA will increase its annual distribution again in FY27 to around 59 cents per security, lifting the forward yield to approximately 5.8%.

Importantly, APA isn’t funding those distributions by standing still.

The company continues investing heavily in projects that should support higher cash flows over time. It is expanding its East Coast gas grid, progressing early works in the Beetaloo Basin, growing remote power generation in the Pilbara, and building a new gas peaking power station in Queensland.

At its FY26 half-year result, APA reported an organic growth pipeline worth around $3 billion. Those investments should help grow earnings over the coming years and support further distribution increases.

AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGL)

AGL offers a different type of income opportunity.

The ASX dividend share has fallen around 11% so far in 2026 and remains roughly 20% below its February highs, leaving investors with an attractive dividend yield of approximately 5.7%.

Even better, AGL’s recent dividends have been fully franked, lifting the grossed-up yield to around 8% for eligible investors.

The business also benefits from operating in an essential industry. Regardless of economic conditions, households and businesses still need electricity and gas. That helps underpin demand for AGL’s services and provides a relatively defensive earnings base.

However, investors also need to understand the risks. Australia’s energy sector is undergoing one of the biggest transformations in its history. Coal-fired power stations are progressively being retired and replaced by renewable energy generation and large-scale battery storage.

AGL sits at the centre of that transition. The company must invest billions of dollars to modernise its generation fleet while navigating government regulation, wholesale electricity price volatility, and the complexities of the National Electricity Market.

Those challenges create uncertainty, but they also provide opportunities if management executes successfully.

The post Want passive income? These ASX dividend shares keep delivering 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 positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Atlas Arteria Ltd (ASX: ALX) share price is in focus today after the company announced the close of the IFM Takeover Offer, with IFM subsidiary holding 67.43% voting power. The company also revealed a new interim Chair and details about its ongoing board succession process.

What did Atlas Arteria report?

• The IFM Takeover Offer closed on 7 July 2026, with the bidder securing 67.43% of Atlas Arteria’s voting power.
• Debbie Goodin retired as Independent Non-executive Chair and Director after the offer closure.
• John Wigglesworth appointed Interim Chair of Atlas Arteria Limited and Non-executive Director of Atlas Arteria International Limited.
• Jean-Georges Malcor appointed Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.
• The board is accelerating its search for a new independent Chair, considering both internal and external candidates.

What else do investors need to know?

The board has reaffirmed its approach to related party transactions, emphasising that any potential conflicts of interest or material transactions involving IFM will continue to be overseen by independent directors. This is in line with Atlas Arteria’s established practices and existing agreements.

Atlas Arteria also operates an international portfolio, including toll road businesses in France, Germany and the United States. The company’s focus remains on disciplined management and delivering long-term value for investors.

What did Atlas Arteria management say?

Interim Chair John Wigglesworth said:

We are entering a crucial period for Atlas Arteria. As we look ahead after the closure of the takeover offer, the Boards recognise the importance of focusing on optimising value for our investors. We thank Debbie for her significant contribution to Atlas Arteria over many years. Her support for a smooth transition has underscored her relentless commitment to act in the best interests of all securityholders. While the process for determining a new independent Chair of ATLAX continues, I am committed to engaging constructively with IFM.

What’s next for Atlas Arteria?

The board recruitment process for a new permanent Chair is underway, with both internal and external candidates being considered. Until an appointment is made, John Wigglesworth will act as Interim Chair and work constructively with IFM and other stakeholders.

Reflecting its new ownership, Atlas Arteria will maintain strong governance practices around related party decisions and continue to focus on sustainable business practices across its international toll road assets.

Atlas Arteria share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Atlas Arteria shares have risen 1%, slightly trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has risen 2% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Atlas Arteria closes IFM takeover and begins board renewal appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 summary of the company announcement. 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.

ASX blue-chip shares can be one of the smartest ways to build long-term wealth without trying to predict tomorrow’s biggest winner

I’d focus on owning exceptional businesses with strong competitive advantages, proven management teams, and industries that should continue growing regardless of short-term market swings.

With that in mind, these are the three ASX blue-chip shares I’d be comfortable buying today and holding for the next decade.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

Every long-term portfolio deserves exposure to a world-class healthcare company, and CSL remains one of Australia’s best.

The ASX blue-chip share has endured a difficult period following earnings downgrades and acquisition-related concerns, but I see those as execution challenges rather than structural problems.

The biotechnology giant is the world’s second-largest producer of plasma-derived therapies, operating in an industry protected by enormous barriers to entry. Building a global plasma collection network takes decades, billions of dollars, and extensive regulatory approvals, making it incredibly difficult for competitors to catch up.

The long-term investment case remains compelling. Demand for plasma therapies continues to grow, supported by ageing populations, expanding healthcare access, and increasing diagnosis rates for immune disorders.

After its significant share price decline, CSL also trades at a far more reasonable valuation than investors have become accustomed to over the past decade.

For patient investors, this looks like a rare opportunity to buy one of the ASX’s highest-quality businesses at a meaningful discount to its former highs.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

REA Group has quietly become one of Australia’s greatest business success stories.

While many investors think of it as a property company, it’s really a technology platform with extraordinary pricing power and one of the strongest network effects on the ASX.

Real estate agents need to advertise where buyers are looking, while buyers naturally gravitate to the largest property marketplace. That creates a virtuous circle that’s incredibly difficult for competitors to break.

The $19 billion ASX blue-chip share also generates exceptional profit margins and strong free cash flow thanks to its asset-light business model.

Importantly, REA doesn’t need Australia’s property prices to rise forever. Whether people are buying, selling, renting, or simply researching homes, the platform continues attracting millions of users every month.

The company also has additional growth opportunities through mortgages, financial services, and property data, giving it multiple avenues to expand beyond traditional listings.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Macquarie is unlike any other financial institution on the ASX.

Often called the “millionaires’ factory”, the company has spent decades building a global investment banking and asset management business with operations spanning infrastructure, renewable energy, commodities, and specialist financial services.

One of Macquarie’s greatest strengths is its ability to adapt. Over the years, the ASX blue-chip share has successfully reinvented its business model several times as markets evolved, allowing it to continue generating attractive returns through very different economic environments.

The company’s global footprint also reduces its reliance on the Australian economy, while its growing infrastructure and renewable energy businesses position it to benefit from long-term structural trends.

Macquarie’s earnings will always fluctuate with market conditions, but its culture of disciplined risk management and capital allocation has consistently created long-term shareholder value.

The post The only 3 ASX blue-chip shares I’d buy and hold until 2036 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 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.