S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) shares are down 3.6% over 12 months.

Here, three experts give us their views on three ASX 300 shares.

Rural Funds Group Ltd (ASX: RFF)

The Rural Funds share price is down 0.3% over 12 months.

Bell Potter reiterated its buy rating on this ASX 300 agricultural real estate investment trust (REIT) on Wednesday.

The broker has a 12-month price target of $2.55.

This implies potential capital gains of more than 120% ahead.

The broker commented:

Since providing disappointing FY27e AFFO guidance the share price of RFF has been under pressure, this is despite the favourable backdrop in agricultural land valuations and RFF having executed asset sales to create balance sheet capacity, with further sales planned.

During FY26 RFF contracted to dispose of $315m in assets at an 18% premium to BV. While this is a positive, there remains $356m worth
of assets under development or operated, where there is limited income being generated.

Execution of further asset sales, including mature and operated macadamia orchards and leasing of properties undergoing productivity enhancements would likely be catalysts for improved AFFO and the share price.

The 41% discount to Market-NAV and 34% discount to NAV are both all-time highs and material deviations from historical averages.

Imdex Ltd (ASX: IMD)

The Imdex share price is down 4.3% over 12 months.

Imdex provides cloud-connected devices and solutions that help mining companies uncover, define, and mine ore bodies.

Bell Potter has a hold rating and a $3.80 price target on this ASX 300 materials share. 

This implies a potential 13% upside ahead.

The broker said: 

We are becoming increasingly cautious of a deceleration in exploration activity growth from FY28, compounded by weakening Junior equity raisings, a resurgence of cost input inflation observed across the global mining industry, rising bond yields and a weakening gold price environment.

However, exploration activity appears supported in FY27 by a favourable trailing Junior equity raising trend and elevated CY26 budgeted spend by Majors and Intermediates.

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG)

The Fortescue share price is down 18% over 12 months. 

Morgans put a trim rating and a $15.40 price target on Fortescue after its 1Q FY27 update yesterday.

This suggests a potential 2.5% downside ahead for the ASX 300 mining giant.

The broker said:

We have long argued that investing material capital in near-term loss-making projects (magnetite and new energy) has not diversified Fortescue, and has instead left group earnings more exposed to the iron ore price.

Magnetite adds more iron ore exposure but at a higher cost, while new energy investment, and US$0.9-1.3bn of FY27 decarbonisation spend, are funded from hematite cash flow. This dynamic is starting to show in the numbers.

Fortescue flagged that net debt rose US$1.9bn in 1Q27, equal to the final dividend (US$1.0bn) plus quarterly capex (US$0.9bn), implying negative FCF for the quarter.

We attribute this mainly to weaker hematite cash flow after the central buying group China Mineral Resources Group (CMRG) reportedly halted purchases of two of Fortescue’s products during the quarter, leaving shipments 6% and actual sales 14% below Visible Alpha (VA) consensus in 1Q27.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Rural Funds Group, Imdex, Fortescue shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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 Rural Funds Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Wesfarmers vs Coles Group shares: Which ASX dividend stock is better for retirees?

Everyday investors looking for reliable, fully franked dividends often land on two household names: Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) and Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) Both are ASX giants with strong brands, defensive business models and long histories of shareholder payouts. But for retirees focused on dependable income and capital stability, which one comes out on top? Here’s my break down of Wesfarmers vs Coles Group shares.

The case for Wesfarmers

Wesfarmers is a true blue-chip conglomerate, operating across retail, hardware, office supplies, health and chemicals. With famous brands like Bunnings, Kmart, Officeworks and Priceline under its belt, plus a chemicals and fertilisers division, its earnings are spread across sectors that tend to do well in most economic environments.

Personally, I like Wesfarmers for its size, diversity and strategic flexibility. Its $86.08 billion market cap makes it one of Australia’s largest listed companies, which can help cushion the business during downturns.

Key fundamentals for Wesfarmers:

• Market cap: $86.08 billion
• Dividend yield: 2.94% (fully franked)
• P/E ratio: 29.78
• Recent dividend per share: $2.22, with a strong history of fully franked payments
• Year-to-date return: -4.2%

Wesfarmers has a solid record of paying dividends. It has delivered decades of fully franked payouts, often topping them up with occasional specials. For retirees, that 100% franking can make a big difference come tax time.

The case for Coles

Coles is one of Australia’s top supermarket and liquor retailers, with Coles Supermarkets and its bottle shop chains a staple in almost every suburb. While it used to be part of Wesfarmers, Coles was spun out in 2018 and is now very much its own beast.

For conservative, income-focused investors—particularly retirees—Coles’ appeal is simple: Food retailing is a defensive sector, and people have to eat whatever the economy is doing.

Notable fundamentals for Coles Group:

• Market cap: $30.75 billion
• Dividend yield: 3.39% (fully franked)
• P/E ratio: 28.33
• Recent dividend per share: $0.74, also fully franked with a stable payout pattern
• Year-to-date return: 10.9%

Coles has consistently paid out fully franked dividends since relisting, and the current yield is a touch higher than Wesfarmers. This direct income edge may appeal to retirees wanting to maximise after-tax income.

Valuation comparison

With both companies in the ASX’s top ranks and fully franked dividends on offer, it’s worth drilling into their key valuation measures to spot the differences most relevant to retirees:

	Wesfarmers	Coles
Market cap	$86.08bn	$30.75bn
P/E ratio	29.78	28.33
Dividend yield	2.94%	3.39%
Dividend per share	$2.22	$0.74
Franking	100%	100%

Wesfarmers trades at a slightly higher P/E than Coles, but both are in the same ballpark. The standout difference for retirees is Coles’ higher yield—3.39% versus Wesfarmers’ 2.94%—on current prices.

Recent share price momentum

Comparing recent share price momentum up to 6 October:

• As of 6 October 2026, Wesfarmers closed at $75.86, up 0.52% on the day, but its year-to-date return sits at -4.2%.
• As of the same date, Coles closed at $22.88, down 0.52% on the day, but boasts a year-to-date return of +10.9%.

That’s a steady outperformance from Coles in 2026 so far, while Wesfarmers has dropped back a touch.

Which is the better buy?

Weighing up Wesfarmers vs Coles, if I were a retiree focused on maximising regular, tax-effective income, I’d lean toward Coles right now. The dividend yield is modestly higher (3.39% vs 2.94%), both are fully franked, and Coles’ supermarket focus means cashflows tend to be steady and recession-resistant. Add to that its positive year-to-date share price momentum (despite a few wobbles in the broader market), and Coles looks to be delivering both income and capital stability.

Wesfarmers is more diversified—and in the long run, that can mean more growth potential—but for a retiree’s portfolio, I think the steadiness, relative simplicity, and strong current yield of Coles get it over the line for me today.

The post Wesfarmers vs Coles: Which dividend share is better for retirees? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• My favourite ASX passive income shares for retirees
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• How much passive income can I earn from a $950,000 superannuation balance?
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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 positions in and has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Wesfarmers. 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.

Not all companies are created equal. Some businesses consistently earn high returns, carry manageable debt, and produce dependable profits. 

Others can look attractive when conditions are favourable but struggle when the cycle turns.

For investors who want to focus their portfolio on stronger businesses, these three ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) could be worth considering.

VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL)

The VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF provides investors with a simple way to own a portfolio of high-quality stocks from developed markets around the world.

Rather than buying stocks simply because they are large, the fund looks for businesses with characteristics such as high returns on equity, relatively low financial leverage, and stable earnings growth.

I like that approach because it puts the emphasis on the financial strength of the business rather than short-term market popularity.

That can lead to exposure to established global stocks that have already demonstrated an ability to generate attractive returns through different market conditions.

For investors looking for a long-term international holding with a clear quality bias, this ETF could be well worth considering.

Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF (ASX: QLTY)

Another similar option is the Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF.

This fund also focuses on financially strong businesses, but it takes a more concentrated approach. It currently holds around 150 stocks, compared with roughly 300 for the VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF.

Its portfolio is built around companies with high profitability, healthy balance sheets, and stable earnings, resulting in a more selective portfolio of quality businesses.

Of course, even excellent companies can become expensive, so valuation still deserves attention.

But for investors who want their international exposure tilted towards a smaller group of high-quality businesses, the Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF could be an attractive option.

Betashares Australian Quality ETF (ASX: AQLT)

A final ASX ETF to consider is the Betashares Australian Quality ETF.

This one applies a similar philosophy closer to home. Instead of simply following the largest stocks on the ASX, the fund screens for Australian businesses with strong profitability, healthier balance sheets, and more reliable earnings.

That can result in a portfolio that looks quite different from a traditional Australian index fund, where banks and mining companies can have a very large influence.

I think that makes the Betashares Australian Quality ETF an interesting option for investors who want local exposure but would prefer to place greater emphasis on company fundamentals.

It won’t avoid every weak period, but over the long run, owning businesses with stronger financial characteristics could prove to be a sensible way to approach the Australian share market.

The post 3 strong ASX ETFs for investors who want quality appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 excellent ASX ETFs to buy in October
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• Here are the most popular ASX share superannuation investments in SMSFs
• 3 top Betashares ETFs for beginners to buy
• Where to invest $20,000 in ASX ETFs today

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro 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.