VanEck has just announced the next round of distributions (dividends) for its ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

The ex-dividend date for the distributions listed below is next Wednesday, 1 July. The record date is 2 July.

The indicative payment date for most of these ETFs is 27 July.

There are some absolute whopper dividends available for investors who own or buy these ASX ETFs before their ex-dividend dates.

Let’s take a look.

How does a 14% to 16% dividend yield in a single payment sound?

The stand-out is VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat (AUD Hedged) ETF (ASX: MHOT), which will pay $20.54 per unit.

That’s not a typo.

Today, the MHOT ETF is $138.40 per unit, which means this next distribution, on its own, represents a 14.8% dividend yield.

Let’s just take a moment to let that soak in.

Also paying a massive dividend this time around is VanEck Gold Miners ETF (ASX: GDX).

GDX ETF will pay $17.99 per unit.

At the time of writing, ASX GDX is $111.09 per unit, which means the next dividend represents a 16.2% yield.

Why are these payments so big?

In the case of MHOT, this next dividend is the fruits of mainly US companies with major competitive advantages (moats), benefiting from a record-high market, turbocharged by the US dollar’s weakness against an ascendant Aussie dollar this year.

In the case of GDX, the dividend is the result of miners’ supercharged earnings from a skyrocketing gold price over the past two years.

Other dividends for VanEck ASX ETF investors

Here is a condensed list of estimated distributions that VanEck will pay ASX ETF investors on 27 July.

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT) will pay $11.61 per unit.

The VanEck MSCI International Value ETF (ASX: VLUE) will pay $6.65 per unit.

VanEck MSCI Multifactor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (ASX: EMKT) will pay $4.64 per unit. 

The VanEck Morningstar International Wide Moat ETF (ASX: GOAT) will pay $2.68 per unit.

VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL) will pay $2.16 per unit.

The VanEck Video Gaming and Esports ETF (ASX: ESPO) will pay $1.93 per unit.

VanEck Global Defence ETF (ASX: DFND) will pay $1.20 per unit. 

The VanEck FTSE China A50 ETF (ASX: CETF) will pay $1.19 per unit.

VanEck MSCI International Sustainable Equity ETF (ASX: ESGI) will pay $1.02 per unit.

But wait, there’s more!

VanEck Australian Property ETF (ASX: MVA) will pay 79 cents per unit.

The VanEck MSCI Australian Sustainable Equity ETF (ASX: GRNV) will pay 65 cents per unit.

The VanEck Australian Resources ETF (ASX: MVR) will pay 56 cents per unit.

VanEck Small Companies Masters ETF (ASX: MVS) will pay 27 cents per unit.

The VanEck Australian Banks ETF (ASX: MVB) will pay 15 cents per unit.

VanEck MSCI International Small Companies Quality ETF (ASX: QSML) will pay 13 cents per unit.

The VanEck 5-10 Year Australian Government Bond ETF (ASX: 5GOV) will pay 12 cents per unit.

VanEck Global Clean Energy ETF (ASX: CLNE) will pay 7 cents per unit.

The VanEck Global Healthcare Leaders ETF (ASX: HLTH) will pay 4 cents per unit.

The post Own GDX, MOAT, or ESPO? VanEck just announced ASX ETF dividends appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 excellent ASX ETFs for easy buy and hold investing
• Where to invest $5,000 in ASX ETFs in July
• How to build a winning ASX portfolio with just 3 investments
• Which ASX ETFs are good options for a $1,000 investment?
• 10 amazing ASX ETFs for the next decade

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in Vaneck Global Defence Etf. 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 recommended VanEck Morningstar International Wide Moat ETF and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

It has been another bruising week for investors in DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) shares.

The ASX defence stock was down another 5% to $2.29 in Friday afternoon trading, extending its weekly decline to roughly 15%.

The recent sell-off has been relentless. DroneShield shares have tumbled around 28% over the past month, erasing much of this year’s spectacular rally.

Even so, the ASX stock remains up approximately 4.6% over the past 12 months.

Why are DroneShield shares falling?

The biggest shift has been investor sentiment.

Earlier this year, DroneShield shares were one of the market’s hottest defence plays. Rising geopolitical tensions, growing military spending across Europe and elsewhere, and surging demand for counter-drone technology helped fuel a powerful rally in the company’s share price.

But markets don’t just price in growth — they price in expectations.

Following the stock’s rapid rise, investors appear to have started questioning whether DroneShield can grow quickly enough to justify its lofty valuation. That’s left the shares particularly vulnerable to any disappointment.

Perhaps most notably, a steady stream of contract announcements has done little to halt the selling. Normally, fresh customer wins would be expected to support a high-growth defence stock.

Instead, investors have largely shrugged them off, suggesting concerns now centre more on valuation than on the strength of the underlying business.

Adding to the pressure has been an easing in geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, reducing some of the urgency around defence-related investments after months of heightened enthusiasm.

ASIC investigation rattled investors

Governance concerns have also weighed on sentiment. A major turning point came in May when DroneShield revealed that the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) had requested the company provide reasonable assistance in connection with an investigation under the Corporations Act.

The investigation relates to market announcements and share trading during November 2025. Importantly, DroneShield has not been accused of wrongdoing. Nevertheless, regulatory investigations often create uncertainty, and uncertainty is something investors rarely reward.

Combined with the elevated valuation of DroneShield shares, the announcement was enough to trigger a sharp reversal in momentum.

So, are DroneShield shares a buy?

Broker opinion is anything but unanimous. According to TradingView data, just four analysts currently cover DroneShield, and they’re evenly split. Two have strong buy recommendations, while the other two rate the stock as either a sell or strong sell.

That wide divergence highlights just how polarising the investment case has become. Despite the split, analysts generally agree there is upside from current levels. The average 12-month price target sits at $3.41, implying potential upside of around 49%.

The most bullish analyst has a target price of $4.80, suggesting the shares could more than double from current prices. Among the optimists is Canaccord Genuity, which last week reaffirmed its buy rating on DroneShield shares. The broker has a 12-month price target of $3.75, implying upside of approximately 62%.

The post After a horror week: Are DroneShield shares a buy, hold or sell? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why DroneShield, WiseTech and Judo shares are leading the ASX 200 lower this week
• Is DroneShield the ASX growth share investors should be buying?
• Should I invest $5,000 in DroneShield shares before the end of June?
• Own DroneShield shares? Here’s some news you might have missed
• DroneShield shares lifting off on Monday amid big leadership news

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 DroneShield. 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 slipped into the red at lunchtime on Friday.

ASX 200 shares are currently down 0.003% to 8.748.4 points.

Meanwhile, brokers have indicated new confidence in several ASX shares this week.

Here are six stocks that have been upgraded.

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

The Flight Centre share price is $12.05, down 0.08% today.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 consumer discretionary share has ripped 22%.

Jarden upgraded Flight Centre shares to a buy rating with a $15.90 target price.

This suggests a potential 30% upside ahead.

Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR)

The Karoon Energy share price is $1.27, down 1.5% today.

Karoon Energy shares tumbled 11% last Tuesday when the company issued production downgrades.

Calendar year 2026 total production guidance was revised to a range of 7.2 MMboe to 8.2 MMboe.

That’s down from 8.1 MMboe to 9.2 MMboe previously.

Macquarie upgraded the ASX 200 energy share to a hold rating this week.

The broker’s 12-month target is $1.50, suggesting an 18% upside ahead.

Oil prices have slumped back to pre-war levels following the signing of the US-Iran interim peace deal.

Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU)

The Iluka Resources share price is $6.95, down 3.2% today.

This ASX 200 mining share has risen 18% in the calendar year to date (YTD).

Canaccord Genuity upgraded Iluka Resources shares to a buy rating on Wednesday.

The broker upped its 12-month price target from $8.10 to $8.45.

This implies a potential 20% upside ahead.

Baby Bunting Group Ltd (ASX: BBN)

The Baby Bunting share price is $1.41, up 0.7% today.

Over the past six months, this ASX consumer discretionary share has tumbled 43%.

Ord Minnett upgraded Baby Bunting shares on Thursday.

The broker has a 12-month price target of $2.30.

This implies a potential 60% upside ahead.

Collins Foods Ltd (ASX: CKF)

The Collins Food share price is $8.16, down 1.3% on Friday.

Over the past six months, the KFC fast food restaurant operator has lost 23% of its market valuation.

Citi upgraded Collins Foods shares to a buy rating on Tuesday.

The broker shaved its 12-month price target from $10.45 to $10.30.

This indicates capital gains of 26% over the next year. 

Sims Ltd (ASX: SGM)

The Sims share price is $28.13, up 0.3% today.

Over the past month, this ASX industrial share has ascended 15%.

Jefferies upgraded Sims shares to a hold rating this week.

The broker has a 12-month price target of $31.

This indicates a potential 10% upside over the next year. 

The post 6 ASX shares with upgraded ratings from experts this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 2 of the best ASX dividend shares to buy in July
• Morgans says these ASX shares could rise 5%, 20%, and 55%
• Buy, hold, sell: Karoon Energy, Brambles, REA shares
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy now

Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. 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 Jefferies Financial Group and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Collins Foods, Flight Centre Travel Group, and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.