Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) shares are pushing higher today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) energy stock closed yesterday trading for $7.30. As we eye the Tuesday lunch hour, shares are swapping hands for $7.33 apiece, up 0.4%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is just about flat at this same time.

Taking a step back, Santos shares have gained 19.4% in 2026, smashing the 1.1% year-to-date gains posted by the benchmark index.

And that’s not including the 14.5 cents per share in unfranked dividends Santos paid out to eligible stockholders on 25 March. If we add that back into the current share price, the stock’s cumulative value has risen 21.6% this year.

Santos trades on a 4.8% partly-franked trailing dividend yield.

One of the bigger tailwinds for the Aussie energy giant has been the surging oil price. Currently trading for US$78 per barrel, the Brent crude oil price is up 28% since 1 January

As you’re likely aware, global oil and gas prices have been spurred by the conflict in the Middle East and resultant closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane.

But with global oil prices coming off the boil – the Brent crude oil price is down more than 34% since 29 April – is Santos still a good buy today?

Santos shares: Buy, hold, or sell?

Peak Asset Management’s Niv Dagan recently analysed the outlook for Santos’ outperforming stock (courtesy of The Bull).

“Santos is a global energy company,” he said. “Much of the near-term upside depends on successful execution of major projects.”

Commenting on those projects, Dagan noted, “Barossa is online and ramping up, while the Pikka phase 1 in Alaska has started production, with both expected to materially increase free cash flow at plateau rates.”

Dagan added that the ASX 200 energy stock is also aiming to materially deleverage over the next three to four years.

“Management is also targeting at least 60% of free cash flow for shareholder returns and a $2.5 billion reduction in net debt by 2030,” he said.

Summarising his hold recommendation on Santos shares, Dagan concluded:

However, the investment case still relies on commodity prices, capital discipline and the delivery of a large multi-year development pipeline across Australia, Papua New Guinea and Alaska.

What’s the latest from the ASX 200 oil and gas stock?

Santos shares may be getting a lift today, with the company announcing this morning that it has commenced continuous production operations at the Pikka Phase 1 oil project in Alaska.

Commenting on the milestone, Santos CEO Kevin Gallagher said:

The first production wells are now online and delivering continuous production. We will commence pressure support through seawater injection and bring more wells online progressively, building production toward our plateau target of approximately 80,000 barrels per day in the third quarter of this year.

The post With oil prices falling, should I still buy Santos shares 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.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are barely in the green on Tuesday as investors wait for more news about US-Iran negotiations.

Trading Economics analysts say there are signs of progress from talks between American and Iranian officials in Switzerland.

The analysts said:

In a key development, Washington granted Iran a 60-day license to sell oil on international markets, raising expectations of a quicker recovery in global supply.

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has also picked up, with producers including Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates finding alternative routes to export energy, while Iran shipped more than 30 million barrels over the past week. 

Meanwhile, two experts give us their views on three ASX shares.

Let’s check them out. 

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

The Flight Centre share price is $11.85, down 0.75% today and down 21% in the calendar year to date (YTD). 

Belinda Moore from Morgans has a buy rating on this ASX 200 consumer discretionary share. 

Moore was not surprised after the company downgraded its guidance because of the Iran war.

Due to strong cash reserves and a depressed share price, Flight Centre also announced a new buyback of up to $200 million.

Moore said: 

Given recent downgrades from other travel industry peers due to the conflict in the Middle East, FLT’s downgrade wasn’t a surprise.

While a peace agreement and eased travel restrictions are positive, we think 1H27 will still be challenging.

We forecast a strong recovery in 2H27. If it wasn’t for this conflict, FLT would have had a great year given its results for the first nine months were strong.

We are buyers of FLT because when operating conditions ultimately improve, both its earnings and share price will be materially higher.

Lottery Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLC)

The Lottery Corporation share price is $5.55, down 0.2% today and up 7% YTD. 

Toby Grimm from Baker Young has a hold rating on Lottery Corporation shares.

On The Bull this week, Grimm explained:

Securing a 40-year extension as Victoria’s exclusive lottery operator adds certainty given the importance of the contract and its longer than expected duration.

However, operating performance has been subdued amid challenging consumer conditions and unfavourable jackpot outcomes.

The company continues to identify cost savings, which will help fund digital investment.

The stock is trading at fair value, but we believe the stock appeals in the longer term, supported by a fully franked dividend yield.

Supply Network Ltd (ASX: SNL)

The Supply Network share price is $32.74, down 0.6% today and up 2% YTD. 

Grimm has a sell rating on this ASX 300 consumer discretionary share. 

He said: 

The truck and bus parts supplier has built a leading position in an industry benefiting from an ageing fleet on our roads. Group sales revenue of $200.1 million in the first half of 2026 was up 16.9 per cent on the prior corresponding period.

However, in our view, the stock screens as expensive given it was recently trading on about 33 times estimated earnings in 2026.

Current fuel price uncertainties present another challenge and may impact freight demand in the near term.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Flight Centre, Supply Network, Lottery Corporation 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 positions in and has recommended Supply Network Ltd and The Lottery Corporation. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Flight Centre Travel Group, Supply Network Ltd, and The Lottery Corporation. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Buying stocks with a strong dividend yield is a good strategy for some investors, but you want to be confident that they’re going to be around for the long haul.

I’ve had a look through recent broker reports and selected three major Australian companies that are paying a dividend yield of at least 5% and are forecast to do so in the coming years.

Let’s have a look at the companies that made the grade.

Amcor Plc (ASX: AMC)

Broker Morgans has this week issued a new research report on Amcor, tipping the company’s shares will increase to $65.40 over the next 12 months, up from $57.99 currently.

The Morgans team said since Amcor’s merger with Berry in April 2025, it had identified a range of non-core businesses, which are expected to be sold off over time.

Morgans has estimated, conservatively, that these businesses are worth about US$1.8 billion, and to date, Amcor has sold off six businesses for about US$500 million.

On the business more broadly, Morgans said Amcor is a “highly defensive” business with a leading market position and an experienced management team.

They added:

We expect the combination with Berry, along with potential divestments of non-core, lower-quality assets, to enhance AMC’s growth outlook and strengthen its balance sheet over the medium term. While execution of synergy targets will be key, AMC has a strong track record of integrating large scale transactions.

Morgans has forecast Amcor will pay a dividend yield of 6.3% this year, rising to 6.6% by FY28.

Regal Partners Ltd (ASX: RPL)

As well as forecasting a strong dividend yield, Bell Potter has a bullish share price target of $4.70 for Regal Partners, compared to its current price of $2.92.

Regal Partners is an alternative investment manager with eight primary brands, the broker said.

Bell Potter said:

The Group controls $21bn in funds under management. We see further growth, driven by positive net inflows, investment performance, acquisitions and exposure to secular asset classes. This is supported by an aspirational blueprint to double offshore client capital. Successful execution, in our view, provides a pathway to teens growth over the medium term, enhanced through operating leverage.

As well as having the potential for strong capital returns, Bell Potter said Regal Partners was expected to pay a dividend yield of 6.2% this year, with that increasing to 7.6% by 2028.

Metcash Ltd (ASX: MTS)

This grocery company reported its FY26 results this week, which came in line with guidance.

The team at Macquarie said the update on the first seven weeks of the company’s current trading year was mixed, with food below consensus but hardware ahead.

Macquarie maintained its neutral rating on the stock, with a price target of $3.20 compared to $3.01 currently.

The Macquarie team said:

Management is executing well against its strategic priorities. However, broader conditions suggest a mixed outlook. In particular, supplier inflation implies difficulty in maintaining the “IGA Price Gap” and conditions likely to weaken in Hardware due to lower housing turnover.

The company’s dividend yield for 2026 was 5.8%, and this was expected to dip to 5.4% next year, then rise to 5.9% by FY 2029.  

The post 3 companies to own for a dividend yield above 5% 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 positions in and has recommended Amcor Plc. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.