Author: openjargon

The Age Pension is an extra fortnightly payment from the government to help you fund your living expenses in retirement. 

It’s one of Australia’s most important safety nets which ensures Australians have a minimum income in retirement if their superannuation isn’t enough.

The problem is, with rising inflation and the cost of food, petrol and mortgage repayments climbing higher and higher, sometimes the Age Pension falls short of retiree’s needs. This means additional income is required to meet living costs.

However, there’s also a limit to how much income you can bring in retirement to quality for the pension.

Here’s everything you need to know.

What’s the retirement income test for the age pension

Age Pension rates vary wildly for singles and couples, and depend on your assets and any additional income. 

As of the 20th of March this year, the Age Pension is a maximum of $1,100.30 per fortnight for singles and up to $829.40 per person for couples. This doesn’t include any additional potential supplement rates.

But the Age Pension is subject to both an income test and an asset test. Unfortunately, Australians in retirement are paid under whatever test that produces the lowest rate of payment.

The income test assesses all of your income pooled from all sources. That includes anything from superannuation contributions, investment income, part-time wages, bonuses or commission payments. It’s applicable regardless of your age. 

So how much can I earn?

As of last month, in order to receive the full Age Pension, singles can’t earn more than $218 per fortnight, and couples can’t earn more than $380 per fortnight.

But it’s still possible to receive a part pension if you earn over those thresholds.

Singles can earn up to $2,619.80 per fortnight and couples (living together) can earn up to $4,000.80 per fortnight and still qualify for at least a part-pension. Couples living apart due to ill health can earn a little more, at up to $5,183.60.

But it’s important to note that earning up to these thresholds will reduce your Age Pension payment. For a single person, your Age Pension will reduce by 50 cents for each dollar over $218 and for couples it will reduce by 25 cents for each dollar over $380.

How much will retirement actually cost me?

According to ASFA, a comfortable retirement is expected to cost approximately $54,840 per year for individuals and $77,375 per year for couples.

That translates to approximately $2,109 per fortnight for singles and around $2,975 per fortnight for couples. 

The post How much can I earn in retirement and still qualify for the Age Pension? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 2 ASX 200 shares I rate as top buys for growth
• Where to invest $7,000 in ASX shares during April
• Is this battered ASX biotech stock ready to rocket higher?
• Why are CSL shares struggling to regain momentum?
• Are Zip shares still a buy after soaring 20%

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies 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 with a lot of growth potential could be some of the best investments to buy since they’re probably already market leaders in their respective industries, with potential to increase their earnings even further.

I’m bullish about the two businesses I’m about to talk about. I’ve bought shares for my own portfolio because of what they could achieve between now and 2030.

When it comes to investing in ASX growth shares, I think it’s a good idea to think at least three to five years ahead. This allows ample time for businesses to execute their plans and initiatives.

Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG)

Breville is one of the world’s leading coffee machine businesses – it has multiple brands including Breville, Sage, Lelit and Baratza, as well as a coffee bean business called Beanz.

There are few Australian businesses that have had as much global success as Breville, which continues to deliver excellent double-digit revenue growth.

In the FY26 half-year result, total global product revenue grew by 10.9% to $973.6 million, with Americas revenue growing 11.6% to $549.5 million, Asia Pacific revenue rising 5.9% to $190.3 million and EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Asia) revenue rising 13.7% to $233.8 million.

That growth was achieved despite a challenging operating environment, including US tariffs.

I think the ASX 200 share can continue growing its global presence, particularly in some of its newer markets like South Korea, China and the Middle East. I also think it will continue to invest in development to create new products to unlock more growth in its existing markets.

According to the projection on CMC Invest, the ASX share is valued at 26x FY27’s estimated earnings. If the business can grow its net profit by more than 10% per year after FY26, I think it will have a very promising future.

Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG)

GYG is one of the fastest-growing quick service restaurant (QSR) businesses in Australia.

I think it’s an excellent ASX 200 share to own because both the ongoing sales growth for its existing network, as well as its restaurant rollout plans.

Its recent FY26 third-quarter update included numerous positive figures, which I think bodes well for the foreseeable future.

In the three months to 31 March 2026, the business reported that its total network sales grew by 19.5% to $345.9 million, with Australian network sales increasing 19.7% to $320.4 million.

For me, the success of the Australian division is essential because it’s where a vast majority of the global network is located. Australia is also the market where the company expects its network to grow from 242 to 1,000 over the next 20 years. The 242 locations represented a rise of 14.7% year-over-year.

Asia is also an exciting market because it’s gaining traction across Singapore and Japan. The combined network of those two countries increased three locations year-over-year to 13 at 31 March 2026, while Asian network sales rose 15% to $21.5 million.

If the business can continue growing its Australia and Asian network sales by between 15% to 20% per year, I think the ASX 200 share could be a great long-term performer.

The post 2 ASX 200 shares I rate as top buys for growth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• GYG shares skyrocket 33% this week: Is this the recovery we’ve been waiting for?
• 5 ASX 200 shares I’d buy as the share market rebounds

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Breville Group and Guzman Y Gomez. 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.

The ASX share market has seen major volatility since the end of February 2026. There are opportunities worth sniffing out.

If I had $7,000 to invest in a couple of ideas today, there are a few I’d want to highlight.

But, the two below are particularly appealing, and I’m calling them buys today.

Tuas Ltd (ASX: TUA)

Tuas is a leading ASX telecommunications share that’s based in Singapore, and it’s rapidly expanding its market share in the country.

In the FY26 half-year result, Tuas reported that its active mobile services increased by 21.5% to 1.41 million, helping revenue grow by 25.5% to $73.2 million, and underlying operating profit (EBITDA) rose by 27.2% (excluding its cost related to the ongoing acquisition of Singapore competitor M1). The company is winning subscribers with its focus on providing great value.

Thanks to the telco’s operating leverage, the business is seeing its profit margins improve. The underlying EBITDA margin rose from 45% to 46%, meaning that additional revenue dollars are increasingly valuable and can help its bottom line grow at a faster pace, which is a key driver of the Tuas share price.

The Tuas share price has declined by around 20% since 23 January 2026, making it much better value.

While the business still has a very small broadband subscriber base, it’s starting to gain some traction there. In HY26, broadband subscribers jumped 220% to 46,133.

In the next few years, I’m expecting its market share and profit margins to continue to increase as its subscriber base grows, particularly once the M1 acquisition settles and if the ASX share expands into other countries.

I expect its profits will rise significantly in the coming years under the excellent stewardship of David Teoh.

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)

Another investment I want to highlight is this exchange-traded fund (ETF) that focuses on quality US businesses.

One of the main things that keeps a business ahead of others is its competitive advantage (an economic moat), which can take many forms. I’m thinking of things like intellectual property, cost advantages, network effects, brand power, and so on.

When a competitive advantage allows a business to make good profits year after year, it means they have a strong economic moat.

The MOAT ETF seeks businesses that Morningstar analysts believe will almost certainly have competitive advantages that last for at least 20 years, giving them excellent longevity to generate strong profits.

But it’s not just a portfolio of great businesses. Morningstar has judged these businesses to be trading at an attractive valuation, which I think makes them an appealing option for potentially outperforming the local and global share markets.

According to VanEck, the MOAT ETF has returned an average of 13.6% per year since it started in June 2015.

The post Where to invest $7,000 in ASX shares during April appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Where to invest $1,000 in ASX ETFs for beginners in April
• How long does it take to become a millionaire with ASX shares?
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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Tuas and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat 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 Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

ASX biotech stock Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) finally delivered some good news. Shares jumped 5.7% on Wednesday to $13.00, outpacing the 2.6% gain of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

This followed the biotech company announcing a new commercial milestone for its flagship Rett syndrome therapy.

For investors, it was a welcome reprieve. But the ASX biotech stock is still down more than 30% since the start of 2026, leaving some long-term holders wondering if now is the time to step back in.

A fresh commercial milestone

A new commercial milestone for Neuren’s lead Rett syndrome therapy DAYBUE drove Wednesday’s lift. Partnered with US biotech giant ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ACAD), Neuren confirmed its DAYBUE STIX powder formulation is now widely available across the US.

The therapy, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in December, first launched on a limited basis during the March quarter. The expanded rollout means more patients and caregivers now have access to the treatment.

The powder formulation gives families greater flexibility in dosing and taste as they can mix the powder with water-based liquids. This small change can make a meaningful difference in managing Rett syndrome day to day.

Increasing royalty income

Neuren receives royalties on all global net sales of trofinetide under its licensing agreement with ACADIA. Historically, commercial milestones like this one tend to have an immediate impact on the price of the ASX biotech stock.

At its FY25 results, Neuren reported $65 million in royalty income and expects further growth in 2026 as DAYBUE sales expand. ACADIA has guided for DAYBUE net sales of US$460–490 million this year, implying another strong year of royalty growth for Neuren.

Strengths and risks

Neuren’s strengths are clear. Its lead therapy addresses an underserved rare disease market, and the royalty model gives it high-margin, recurring income with minimal operational risk. The broader rollout also demonstrates increasing commercial traction, which can help restore investor confidence.

That said, risks remain. The fortunes of the ASX biotech stock are tightly linked to ACADIA’s commercial execution. Any delays, pricing pressures, or regulatory hurdles could weigh on revenue.

The company also operates in the volatile biotech sector, where investor sentiment can swing sharply on clinical or regulatory news.

Analyst snapshot

Bell Potter remains bullish. The broker recently reaffirmed its buy rating and $22.00 price target. At the current share price of $13.00, this implies potential upside of roughly 70% over the next 12 months.

TradingView data show that brokers are upbeat on the ASX biotech stock. The most bullish average 12-month price target is $29.00, which points to a 123% upside, while the most conservative forecast comes in at $18.40. That still suggests a potential gain of 41%.

Foolish Takeaway

For investors willing to tolerate biotech volatility, Neuren’s recent milestone, strong royalty pipeline, and underappreciated market potential could make this battered ASX biotech stock one to watch closely.

The post Is this battered ASX biotech stock ready to rocket higher? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Neuren shares are rebounding on Wednesday after a brutal 2026 sell-off
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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 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.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares climbed 1.33% on Wednesday, to end the day at $142.18 a piece. Over the past five days the Australian biotech stock has climbed nearly 1% higher.

The past few days might look like a step in the right direction, but the reality is that it doesn’t even make a pinprick in terms of recovering the huge losses made over the past couple of years. 

CSL shares spiked at a 18-month high back in July 2024, and since then it’s been a consistent string of declines. The share price is now 41% lower than 12 months ago, and down 17% for the year-to-date.

The most interesting thing is that analysts have widely considered the biotech company’s shares oversold and undervalued for some time now. 

TradingView data shows that 12 out of 18 analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on the shares, with a maximum upside of $268.67. That implies a 89% upside as of the close of the ASX on Wednesday afternoon.

The headwinds the company has faced over the past 18 months look to be easing, there is significant and recurring global demand for its biotherapy products, and limited competition in the space.

The company is also growing, with some periods of double‑digit profit growth, and forecasts which underpin a recovery over the long term.

So why is it that CSL shares are struggling to regain the momentum? 

It looks like the problem could mostly be two-fold.

1. Investors lost confidence

A key reason behind why CSL shares are struggling to come back, is that there has been a major shift in investor sentiment.

CSL was once widely viewed as one of the most dependable growth companies on the ASX. But over the past few years it has experienced a notable slowdown in earnings growth and a sharp share price reduction. There have also been operational challenges and other headwinds such as lower vaccine demand, a surprise restructure, and even shock CEO exit.

In short, the company lost its reputation as a reliable ASX stock. Investors are no longer willing to pay a premium without a strong pipeline of expansion or concrete proof that share price growth can return.

2. There has been a market rotation

At the same time as the company-specific headwinds, there has been a broad market rotation away from healthcare related stocks so far in 2026. 

ASX healthcare shares have lagged behind most other sectors on the index so far in 2026 as investors reposition themselves towards ASX energy stocks, resources, and defensive assets. 

This rotation has put further pressure on CSL shares, and has prevented a meaningful recovery in the company’s valuation.

What will it take for CSL shares to finally bounce back?

Ultimately, CSL might not gain positive traction from investors until it can prove that it has reignited short-term revenue and profit growth and overcome hurdles faced over the past 18 months.

Once investor sentiment shifts it could spark a sharp uptick in interest in its shares.

And of course, a market-wide rotation back towards healthcare stocks would also help.

The post Why are CSL shares struggling to regain momentum? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
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• I’m following Warren Buffett to snap up these cheap ASX stocks
• Why beaten down CSL shares now offer ‘long-term appeal’
• Could the CSL share price reach $200 in 2026?

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

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) share flew 20% higher on Wednesday, closing the day at $1.99 a piece.

The price hike marks a turnaround for the Australian financial technology company’s shares after they plunged 19% in March alone.

The latest trading price means Zip shares are now down 41% for the year-to-date, but a huge 57% higher than this time 12 months ago.

The fintech company delivered a record result in February but missed expectations. Zip’s revenue margin declined 7.9%, net bad debts increased slightly to 1.73% of TTV. Zip also said it expected its second-half cash EBITDA is expected to be broadly in line with the first half. 

Investors were spooked by concerns about rising competition, slowing growth and margin compression and it caused a sharp sell-off.

It’s just one of many headwinds which has faced the business over the past six months. The stock faced pressure from short sellers in late-2025, and investors taking their gains off the table after a huge mid-year price rally.

As a tech company, Zip has also been caught up in the recent sector-wide tech sell off. Rising concerns about the global impact of the war in the Middle East drove investors away from high-growth technology stocks and towards more stable assets.

What caused the mid-week Zip share price rally?

There hasn’t been any price sensitive news out of the fintech company recently to explain the sudden price surge. It’s likely that the price hike is due to a combination of factors.

I’d expect that a major theme driving the share price higher is investors buying back into the stock amid a shift in sentiment. Analysts widely consider the tech stock to be undervalued and oversold, and it looks like investor sentiment has finally caught up.

Meanwhile, news that US President Donald Trump has reached a ceasefire agreement with Iran has renewed hopes that the Middle East conflict could resolve. As a result, we saw large gains across many sectors on the ASX on Wednesday, technology included. 

There are great growth prospects for Zip this year which may also have boosted sentiment. In February, the company announced it is aggressively expanding its US presence by launching its new Pay in 2 product. Its US business now drives over 75% of its total translation volume. The new product allows consumers to split a purchase into two instalments paid over two weeks.

Zip is also pursuing a dual sharemarket listing on the Nasdaq in the US. This could potentially drive opportunity for business expansion.

How high can Zip shares go?

Last month I predicted that the buy-now-pay-later (BPNL) provider’s shares could explode higher this year. Even after Wednesday’s share price spike, Zip shares look like a bargain.

Analysts agree, and TradingView data shows all 11 analysts with a rating on the stock hold a consensus buy rating on Zip shares. 

The average target price is $4.04, which implies a potential 102% upside at the time of writing. Others still think the stock could soar even higher, up another 164% to $5.27 within the next 12 months!

The post Are Zip shares still a buy after soaring 20% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 2 ASX shares highly recommended to buy: Experts
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Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies 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 ASX gold stock is on fire.

Greatland Resources Ltd (ASX: GGP) shares finished 13% higher to $15.23 on Wednesday afternoon, after earlier hitting a fresh all-time high of $15.32 before some profit-taking kicked in.

Even with that pullback, the numbers are eye-catching. The ASX gold stock is up roughly 45% in 2026 and more than 125% since it was listed on the ASX in June last year.

So, what’s driving the latest surge and is there more to come?

Strong gold production and cash boost

Let’s start with production. In its March quarter update, Greatland delivered 82,723 ounces of gold and 4,128 tonnes of copper from Telfer. But sales were even stronger, hitting 97,800 ounces of gold and 4,620 tonnes of copper.

That translated into serious cash generation.

The company’s cash balance jumped to $1.208 billion at 31 March, up from $948 million just three months earlier. That’s a $260 million boost, even after capital spending and a $73 million tax bill tied to the Telfer acquisition.

And here’s the kicker: no debt. That leaves the ASX gold stock in a powerful position to fund growth across the Paterson region without financial strain.

No fuel disruptions

Another factor that’s boosting sentiment around the ASX gold stock? Operational stability.

Management highlighted that Telfer is largely insulated from Middle East fuel disruptions. Diesel is secured under long-term contracts via Port Hedland, while power comes from Pilbara gas infrastructure.

In a volatile global environment, that kind of reliability matters.

Then there’s the gold price. With gold trading near record levels, miners like Greatland are benefiting from strong margins and clear earnings visibility. That’s helping drive investor confidence.

What next for the ASX gold stock?

Looking ahead, the outlook remains strong.

Production is tracking slightly above the upper end of FY26 guidance, which sits between 260,000 and 310,000 ounces of gold. That suggests a strong finish to the year and helps explain why buyers are piling in for the ASX gold stock.

This follows a solid first-half result, where Greatland posted $977.3 million in revenue and $342.9 million in net profit.

But it’s not all smooth sailing. Gold miners are still exposed to commodity price swings. If gold prices pull back, earnings could come under pressure. There are also the usual risks around operations, costs, and project execution.

Still, analysts are turning more bullish.

Citi recently upgraded Greatland to a buy rating, lifting its price target to $16.00 following strong drilling results at Telfer.

And the bulls see even more upside. The most optimistic forecasts sit around $19.00, implying potential gains of roughly 25% from current levels.

Foolish Takeaway

The $9 billion ASX gold stock has momentum and the numbers to back it up.

With strong production, surging cash flow, and record gold prices, this ASX miner is firing on all cylinders.

The big question now: how much higher can it go?

The post Up 125% and at record high, can this ASX gold stock keep soaring? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Greatland shares just hit a record high after a $260 million cash jump
• Greatland Resources posts March quarter update
• Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy right now
• Why Greatland Resources, Newmont, Northern Star, and Qantas shares are rising today
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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 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.

Building a portfolio for retirement is about owning businesses that can grow steadily, handle economic cycles, and continue rewarding shareholders over long periods of time. It isn’t just about income.

With that in mind, here are three ASX shares that could be well suited to a long-term retirement portfolio.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

The first ASX share that could be a top retirement pick is Cochlear.

Rather than thinking of Cochlear purely as a healthcare company, it can also be viewed as a global installed-base story. Once a patient receives a cochlear implant, they typically remain within the ecosystem for life, purchasing upgrades, sound processors, and ongoing services.

This creates a level of revenue visibility that many companies simply do not have.

On top of this, Cochlear continues to expand access to hearing solutions across emerging markets, where penetration rates remain low. As healthcare systems develop and awareness improves, more patients are entering the treatment funnel.

For retirement investors, this combination of recurring revenue and long-term demand growth could make Cochlear a reliable compounder over time. The recent launch of a new best-in-class product also arguably brightens the near-term outlook.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Another ASX share that could be worth considering for a retirement portfolio is Macquarie Group.

While many investors think of Macquarie as an investment bank, its real strength lies in its ability to identify and scale opportunities in global infrastructure, energy, and asset management.

Macquarie has built a reputation for turning complex, capital-intensive projects into long-term earnings streams. Whether it is renewable energy platforms, infrastructure assets, or private markets funds, the group has consistently found ways to monetise global trends.

Importantly for retirement portfolios, Macquarie’s earnings are not tied to a single cycle. Its diversified operations mean that when one segment slows, another often steps up.

With the ongoing global push into energy transition, digital infrastructure, and private assets, Macquarie appears well placed to keep growing its earnings and dividends over the long run.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

A third ASX share that could be a strong addition to a retirement portfolio is supermarket giant Woolworths.

While supermarkets may not seem exciting, Woolworths’ strength lies in how it continues to evolve a very traditional business model.

Beyond its core grocery operations, the company has been investing in areas such as supply chain automation, data analytics, and retail media. These initiatives are helping it improve efficiency, deepen customer engagement, and unlock new revenue streams.

At the same time, Woolworths benefits from a structural advantage that few companies can match. Food and everyday essentials are non-discretionary purchases, which means demand remains relatively resilient even during economic downturns.

For retirement investors seeking a blend of stability, modest growth, and dependable income, Woolworths could offer a defensive backbone that can help balance a broader portfolio.

The post 3 of the best ASX retirement shares to buy now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 reasons to buy Woolworths shares in April
• How to invest $300 a month in Australian shares to target a $50,000 annual second income
• Why the recent ASX share market selloff is a wealth-building opportunity
• How high can Telstra shares really climb from here?
• The ASX dividend stocks I’d buy for a retirement portfolio

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

With interest rates rising, income investors may feel like they finally have alternatives again.

But even with term deposits offering improved returns, many ASX dividend shares still provide compelling income alongside the potential for capital growth.

For those looking to build a reliable income stream, here are three top ASX dividend shares to consider.

APA Group (ASX: APA)

The first ASX dividend share that income investors could consider is APA Group.

APA is one of Australia’s leading energy infrastructure businesses, operating a vast portfolio of gas pipelines, storage assets, and energy facilities. These assets are typically underpinned by long-term contracts, which provide steady and predictable cash flows.

This reliability has allowed APA to deliver consistent distributions over many years, making it a popular choice among income-focused investors.

Looking ahead, APA’s pipeline of growth projects and its exposure to Australia’s evolving energy landscape could support further earnings and distribution growth. While not the fastest-growing company on the market, its defensive characteristics and dependable income profile are key attractions.

Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF)

Another ASX dividend share that could be a top pick is Rural Funds Group.

Rural Funds Group is an agricultural real estate investment trust that owns a diversified portfolio of farming assets across Australia. These include almond orchards, cattle properties, vineyards, and macadamia plantations.

The key appeal of the company is its business model. It leases its assets to experienced agricultural operators on long-term agreements, which helps provide stable and predictable rental income.

This structure can make its distributions relatively resilient, even when underlying agricultural conditions fluctuate. In addition, exposure to agricultural land offers diversification benefits and potential long-term value appreciation.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

A final ASX dividend share that income investors might look at is Telstra Group Ltd.

Telstra is Australia’s largest telco and plays a key role in the country’s digital infrastructure. Its earnings are supported by a large and loyal customer base across mobile, broadband, and enterprise services.

The company has recently moved into its Connected Future 30 strategy, which aims to build on the success of its previous transformation program and drive further growth.

Telstra is also known for its attractive dividend yield, which has been supported by strong cash generation. Combined with its relatively defensive business model, this makes it a compelling option for investors seeking steady income.

The post 3 top ASX dividend shares for income investors to buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to invest $300 a month in Australian shares to target a $50,000 annual second income
• $1,000 buys 102 shares in this 6% yielding income stock
• How I’d invest $100,000 for retirement income on the ASX right now
• 2 ASX dividend stocks that could pay you a passive income for years
• Buy, hold, or sell? Treasury Wine, Domino’s Pizza, and Telstra shares

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 positions in and has recommended Apa Group, Rural Funds Group, and Telstra Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Building a portfolio for the next five years does not need to be complex.

For investors who want diversification, growth potential, and simplicity, ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) can offer a simple and effective way to gain exposure to different parts of the market.

With that in mind, here are five ASX ETFs that could be worth considering for a buy and hold strategy.

Betashares Australian Quality ETF (ASX: AQLT)

The first ASX ETF to look at is Betashares Australian Quality ETF.

This fund focuses on high-quality Australian companies with strong balance sheets, consistent earnings, and high returns on equity.

Its holdings include names such as CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES). These tend to be dominant businesses with strong competitive advantages and the ability to compound earnings over time.

By targeting quality, the Betashares Australian Quality ETF aims to build a portfolio that can perform well across different market environments. It was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

Another ASX ETF that could be a top pick is the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF.

This popular fund provides investors with exposure to a broad basket of global companies across developed markets.

Among its largest holdings are Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), and Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN).

Overall, this ETF offers a straightforward way to invest in global leaders across a wide range of industries without needing to select individual stocks.

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

A third ASX ETF that investors could consider is the equally popular iShares S&P 500 ETF.

This fund tracks the famous S&P 500 index and provides exposure to some of the most influential companies in the global economy.

Key holdings include Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA), and Google parent Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOGL).

These businesses sit at the centre of major long-term trends such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, electric vehicles, and digital advertising.

Betashares Global Defence ETF (ASX: ARMR)

The fourth ASX ETF to consider is the Betashares Global Defence ETF.

This ETF focuses on companies generating revenue from the development and manufacturing of military and defence equipment, as well as defence technology,

Its holdings include Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR), and BAE Systems plc (LSE: BA).

With geopolitical tensions remaining elevated, this sector could continue to see strong demand over the next five years.

This fund was recently recommended to investors by the team at Betashares.

VanEck Video Gaming and Esports ETF (ASX: ESPO)

A fifth and final ASX ETF that could be worth considering is the VanEck Video Gaming and Esports ETF.

This fund provides investors with exposure to the growing global gaming and esports industry.

Top holdings include Nintendo, Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD), and Tencent Holdings (SEHK: 700).

Gaming continues to expand globally, supported by digital distribution, mobile platforms, and evolving business models such as in-game purchases. This bodes well for the holdings in this fund.

It was recently recommended by analysts at VanEck.

The post 5 ASX ETFs to buy and hold for five years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to invest $1,000 per month in ASX shares and build long-term wealth
• New to investing? 3 ASX ETFs to set and forget for 10 years
• 3 cheap ASX ETFs to buy before it’s too late
• 3 simple ASX ETFs to start investing with $5,000
• 3 exciting ASX ETFs for growth investors

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Advanced Micro Devices, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, CSL, Microsoft, Nvidia, Palantir Technologies, Tencent, Tesla, Wesfarmers, and iShares S&P 500 ETF and is short shares of Apple. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Advanced Micro Devices, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, BHP Group, CSL, Microsoft, Nvidia, Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF, Wesfarmers, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.