Author: openjargon

Shares in shipbuilder Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB) have fallen significantly in early trade after the company announced it had overstated its potential earnings for the year.

Late on Thursday the company issued a brief statement to the ASX saying that in preparation for publishing its half year accounts it had identified some discrepancies.

As the company said:

Austal Limited advises that in preparation of its half year accounts, the company identified that some incentives related to its T-ATS program were recognised by its US subsidiary, Austal USA, in line with percentage of completion. These incentives had already been recognised in Austal USA’s forecast at full value for the remaining part of the program. The US$17.1m (approx.) overstatement had been included in the Company’s FY2026 EBIT guidance. As a result, Austal is updating its EBIT guidance for FY2026 to approximately A$110m.

Guidance well down on previous outlook

Austal had previously been guiding to earnings of $135 million with that figure announced in October.

The company’s shares plunged 22.9% on the news on Friday morning to be changing hands for $4.86.

The shares are trading near the lower end of their range over the past 12 months, with the stock trading between $8.82 and $3.50 over the period.

The company has had some good news in recent months, with the company saying in mid-December it had been awarded a contract extension to build another two Evolved Cape Class patrol boats for the Australian Border Force.

As Austal said at the time:

This latest award, valued at over $135 million brings the total number of Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats contracted to Austal to 14 vessels, reinforcing the long-standing partnership between Austal, the Australian Border Force and the Royal Australian Navy in delivering critical maritime capability for Australia’s national security.

Austal chief executive officer Paddy Gregg said the vessels would strengthen maritime borter command’s operational reach.

He went on to say:

Over the past five years, the Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats have proven themselves as highly capable, reliable assets for Australia’s border protection missions,” Mr Gregg said. “With nine Evolved Capes already delivered and performing exceptionally with the Royal Australian Navy, and two more already under construction for the Australian Border Force, this new order further enhances Australia’s maritime surveillance and response capability across Northern Australia and our vast maritime domain.

Austal was valued at $2.66 billion at the close of trade on Thursday.

The post Why are Austal shares plunging more than 20% today? 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 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.

Shares in GQG Partners Inc (ASX: GQG) climbed about 4% on Friday (at the time of writing) after the fund manager announced its full-year result, with investors appearing more focused on earnings resilience than on last year’s outflow concerns.

Why are shares edging higher?

The numbers themselves were solid. Revenue and net income both rose year on year, while operating margins expanded to 77%. Funds under management ended the year at US$163.9 billion, up 7.1%, despite US$3.9 billion in net outflows.

Net outflows are a result of when investors pull out more money out of the fund than the new money invested into the fund over a given period. For GQG, net outflows in 2025 were high at US$3.9 billion, but they were offset by strong investment performance.

GQG has spent much of the past year positioned away from the mega-cap technology and artificial intelligence rally that dominated global markets. Instead, its Global Equity strategy remains heavily tilted toward more traditional sectors. Its top holdings in that fund include Progressive, Coca-Cola, American Express, Cigna, Iberdrola, and Johnson & Johnson. These are all companies in traditional sectors which are better known for producing steady cash flows in.

That positioning hurt relative performance during the height of last year’s tech surge. However, it also leaves the portfolio looking markedly different from many benchmark-heavy global funds that are dominated by the big tech firms.

For investors, the question has been whether that stance represents stubborn underperformance or a disciplined approach of not chasing the hype of the moment and sticking to their investment style.

Perhaps the market is giving them some credit for the latter. The firm maintained a high operating margin and grew earnings even as performance fees fell and flows turned negative.

More than 98% of revenue remains asset-based, and the board declared a fourth-quarter dividend of 3.65 cents per share, reinforcing balance sheet strength and cash generation.

Despite today’s announcement, its been a difficult 12 months for GQG’s share price. GQG shares are down 29% over the last 12 months, and 43% below their all time high.

Whether today’s results mark the start of a broader re-rating however will depend less on last year’s numbers and more on whether GQG can stem the fund outflows and get investors excited about investing in their funds again.

The post GQG shares rise 4% as resilient earnings ease fund outflow concerns appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Kevin Gandiya has no positions 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 recommended Gqg Partners. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) uranium stock Bannerman Energy Ltd (ASX: BMN) is getting smashed today.

Bannerman Energy shares closed on Wednesday trading for $3.95. The stock entered a trading halt yesterday pending the release of an announcement regarding a strategic investment in its Etango Uranium Project, located in Namibia.

Following the release of that announcement this morning, Bannerman Energy shares are changing hands for $3.49 apiece, down 11.7%.

For some context, the ASX 300 is down 1.1% at this same time.

Here’s what’s happening.

ASX 300 uranium stock sinks on JV funding deal

Investors are favouring their sell buttons after the ASX 300 uranium stock reported executing a binding investment subscription and joint venture documentation with CNNC Overseas Limited (CNOL).

The agreement covers the funding, development and operation of Bannerman’s Etango Uranium Project. At completion CNOL will invest up to US$321.5 million in the project.

CNOL is a subsidiary of Chinese-listed China National Uranium Corporation and part of integrated global nuclear utility, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC).

Bannerman said the agreement is the preferred project funding solution for Etango, offering the highest forecast risk-weighted value outcome and enabling debt-free construction of the Etango mine. CNOL will also purchase 60% of the Etango uranium production at market-based pricing terms.

But the ASX 300 uranium stock could be facing pressure, with CNOL taking a 45% interest in Bannerman UK, a subsidiary, Bannerman Energy, which in turn owns 95% of the Etango Project.

Bannerman Energy will retain 52.25% underlying economic ownership of Etango, while CNOL will hold 42.75%, with Namibian social welfare organisation One Economy Foundation continuing to hold a 5% loan-carried shareholding.

Bannerman expects the transaction to complete in mid-2026.

What did management say?

Commenting on the JV Etango funding deal that’s pressuring the ASX 300 uranium stock today, Bannerman Energy executive chairman Brandon Munro said, “The execution of this documentation represents the culmination of the extensive Etango funding workstream we have undertaken over the past two years.”

He added:

We believe that this transaction delivers the optimised finance solution for the development of Etango and provides ideal support to our broader aspirations in the uranium business.

By enabling the debt-free construction of Etango, this solution maximises flexibility and dramatically derisks the construction and ramp-up phases of project execution. It also delivers us a Tier-1 cornerstone offtake partner on genuine and market terms, ensuring Bannerman remains strongly exposed to future uranium price upside potential.

As for the offtake agreement, Munro noted:

Importantly, the residual 40% of Etango offtake will be independently marketed by Bannerman, with strict confidentiality ring-fencing arrangements in place, and strengthened by the flexibility embedded in the cornerstone offtake with CNOL.

CNUC vice president Feng Li concluded:

We are confident that the synergy created between our technical capabilities, uranium demand profile, operational experience, and Bannerman’s expertise and insight in the industry will position Etango to evolve into the next successful uranium mine in Namibia.

With today’s intraday fall factored in, shares in the ASX 300 uranium stock remain up 19.9% over 12 months and up 98.8% since its April lows.

The post Why is this outperforming ASX 300 uranium stock crashing 12% on Friday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why are Austal shares plunging more than 20% today?
• GQG shares rise 4% as resilient earnings ease fund outflow concerns
• Westpac shares hit new record high on Q1 update
• 2 high yield ASX shares I’d buy after their results
• Webjet Group shares plunge as Helloworld takeover plans fall through

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.

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) shares are pushing higher on Friday morning.

At the time of writing, the banking giant’s shares are up 2.75% to a new record high of $42.13.

Westpac shares hit record high on quarterly update

Investors have been buying the bank’s shares after it delivered a solid first-quarter update that pointed to steady earnings growth, improved credit quality, and a strong capital position.

For the first quarter of FY 2026, revenue increased 1% over the quarterly average in the second half of FY 2025.

This reflects a 2% increase in net interest income, helped by balance sheet growth and a stronger Treasury performance, which offset a 4% decline in non-interest income due to lower markets revenue.

Customer activity remained solid. Lending grew by $22 billion during the quarter, including 7% growth in institutional lending and 3% growth in Australian housing (excluding RAMS) and business lending. Deposits increased by $12 billion, with household deposits up 3% and business transactional deposits up 4%.

Westpac’s net interest margin edged down just one basis point to 1.94%. Core margin declined slightly due to competitive pressure in home lending and the lower interest rate environment, but this was partly offset by a stronger Treasury and Markets contribution.

Operating expenses were stable compared to the second half average when excluding prior restructuring charges.

This ultimately led to Westpac reporting an unaudited statutory net profit of $1.9 billion, which is up 5% on the average quarterly profit in the second half of FY 2025. Net profit excluding notable items also came in at $1.9 billion and was up 6%.

The bank’s pre-provision profit rose 7%, which reflects a steady operating performance across the business.

Credit and capital

Westpac’s asset quality showed further signs of resilience. Impairment charges were low at six basis points of average loans, and stressed exposures declined to 1.17% of total committed exposure.

Westpac’s Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital ratio was 12.3%, comfortably above its target operating level of 11.25%. While the ratio fell slightly due to the payment of the FY 2025 dividend, the bank remains well capitalised.

Outlook

Westpac’s CEO, Anthony Miller, spoke positively about the bank’s outlook. He said:

We are optimistic on the outlook for the economy and expect demand for both business and household credit to remain resilient. Our strong financial foundations provide us with the stability and capacity to support our people, customers, shareholders and the broader economy.

The post Westpac shares hit new record high on Q1 update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Westpac posts $1.9bn profit in 1Q26 as digital push and lending gains continue
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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.

The stock market is a great place to find high-yield ASX shares that can provide a large dividend yield.

Investments like cash, term deposits, bonds and residential property typically do not offer as large of a dividend yield as the ASX shares I’m highlight in this article.

While high yields can sometimes be riskier, I believe both of the below names can continue paying a large yield for the foreseeable future.

Bailador Technology Investments Ltd (ASX: BTI)

Bailador is an ASX-listed company that invests in early-stage technology businesses that have global addressable markets and strong unit economics. Bailador also prefers to invest in companies that can generate recurring revenue.

The business likes to look in certain areas of the tech space such as software as a service (SaaS) and other subscription-based internet businesses, online marketplaces, e-commerce, high value data, online education and tech-enabled services.

Its investments are growing in size at a strong speed. In the FY26 first-half result, it revealed its portfolio businesses grew revenue by 42% year-over-year, with 85% of portfolio revenue in high-quality recurring revenue.

If its revenue continues growing at that speed, I’d expect the businesses to be worth substantially more in three to five years. It’s a good idea to think about investing for the long-term because sometimes there can be volatility along the way.

In terms of the dividend, the high-yield ASX share just declined an interim dividend of 3.9 cents per share. If it were to declare the same level of dividend in another six months, that would be an annualised grossed-up dividend yield of 9.3%, including franking credits.

At the time of writing, it’s trading at a 37% discount to its January 2026 pre-tax net tangible assets (NTA).

Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW)

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) can provide a great level of passive income investors because they usually have a stronger rental yield than residential properties.

Additionally, this business aims to pay out all of its rental profit each year as a distribution, maximising the yield investors can get.

State and federal tenants are the biggest contributor of rental income, meaning that investors have very stable rent. Other tenants include Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), BP, Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL), Metcash Ltd (ASX: MTS) and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC).

Not only are these blue-chip tenants, but they’re also signed on for long-term contracts. It had a weighted average lease expiry (WALE) of 9.2 years at 31 December 2025. Its portfolio occupancy is virtually at 100%, meaning it’s getting almost as much rental income as it can.

It’s expecting to pay a distribution of 25.5 cents per security in FY26, which would be a distribution yield of 6.8%, at the time of writing. That’s a great starting yield and I’m expecting further long-term growth as the high yield ASX share’s rental income organically grows with contracted increases.

The post 2 high yield ASX shares I’d buy after their results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Bailador Technology Investments. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Bailador Technology Investments. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended BP. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Bailador Technology Investments. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Webjet Group Ltd (ASX: WJL) shares have fallen sharply after the company announced that a potential takeover bid from fellow travel company Helloworld Travel Ltd (ASX: HLO) had fallen over.

Webjet shares jumped significantly when the potential takeover was first announced in mid-November, increasing from 76 cents to 88 cents in one session.

At the time Helloworld said that it had submitted a non-binding, indicative proposal to the board of Webjet, to acquire the company for 90 cents per share.

The company went on to say:

Helloworld believes the proposal represents a compelling offer for all Webjet’s shareholders, with the opportunity to realise a premium valuation and 100% cash consideration. Further we believe that Helloworld and Webjet are logical partners and that a combination provides a strong platform for both companies to achieve their long-term strategic objectives.

The proposal was conditional on the satisfactory completion of due diligence by Helloworld, required regulatory approvals, and a unanimous recommendation in favour by the Webjet board.

A competing takeover offer from BGH Capital at 91 cents per share was also pitched in November.

Talks called off

Webjet said on Friday morning in a statement to the ASX that neither party had put forward a proposal which they could take to shareholders.

The company said:

Over the last 12 weeks, Webjet has engaged constructively with Helloworld and BGH, providing both parties with due diligence access. The Webjet Board has not however received a proposal from either party that is consistent with the respective indicative proposals or capable of being put to shareholders. The Webjet Board does not believe there is sufficient certainty that a binding proposal that is capable of being recommended by the Webjet Board will be received from either party within an acceptable timeframe. As a result, the Webjet Board has determined that management’s time, focus and resources should return wholly to executing the Company’s existing strategy. Accordingly, discussions with both Helloworld and BGH have now ceased.

The company said its board remained open to engaging with parties on any change of ownership proposal in the future about a “proposal that represents compelling value for shareholders and offers sufficient certainty of execution within an acceptable timeframe”.

The company also updated the market as to trading conditions, saying it had been a challenging period, and underlying EBITDA for FY26 was expected to be in the range of $28-$29 million, excluding Webjet Business Travel, “which is delivering in line with plan and as foreshadowed is expected to reduce underlying EBITDA by circa $600-900 thousand in 2H26”.

Webjet also said it would restart its $25 million share buyback, which was put on hold while the takeover talks were on foot.

Webjet shares were changing hands for 60 cents on Friday morning, down 22.6%.

The post Webjet Group shares plunge as Helloworld takeover plans fall through 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 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.

Nick Scali Ltd (ASX: NCK) shares are taking a beating today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) furniture retailer closed yesterday trading for $23.79. In early morning trade on Friday, shares are changing hands for $21.30 apiece, down 10.5%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.7% at this same time.

This underperformance follows the release of Nick Scali’s half-year results for the six months to 31 December (H1 FY 2026).

Here’s what we know.

Nick Scali shares sink amid UK business losses

For the six-month period, Nick Scali reported a 7.2% year-on-year increase in revenue to $269.3 million.

And Nick Scali shares could catch some longer-term tailwinds, with the company achieving a 14.1% improvement in gross margin to 59.2%.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $96.6 million was up 18.8% from H1 FY 2025.

On the bottom line, the ASX 200 furniture retailer reported statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) of $41 million, up 36.4% year on year.

Breaking that down by regions, the company’s UK statutory net loss after tax of $5.6 million was in line with management forecasts but still looks to be pressuring the stock today.

Nick Scali noted the UK segment loss reflected “lengthy store closures during the half associated with the refurbishment and rebranding program”. UK half-year revenue of $17.6 million was down 39.5% from H1 FY 2025.

The ANZ business performed strongly, with a 36.7% year-on-year lift in statutory NPAT to $46.6 million. While H1 FY 2026 revenue was up 13.1% to $251.7 million.

In light of this performance, management declared a fully-franked interim dividend of 39 cents per share, up 30% from last year’s interim payout.

If you’re looking to bank the Nick Scali dividend, you’ll need to own the stock at market close on 27 February. Shares trade ex-dividend on 2 March.

What did management say?

Commenting on the results that have yet to lift Nick Scali shares today, CEO Anthony Scali said:

The first half delivered solid sales and profit growth in ANZ with good progress made in the UK as the completion of store refurbishments and rebranding contributed to improvement in written sales orders.

Statutory net profit after tax for the group was up 36% on the prior year, reflecting 13% growth in sales revenue in ANZ and the improvement in gross profit margin in both the UK and ANZ.

Looking ahead, Scali added, “We continue to grow our store network across ANZ with six new stores to be opened in FY26, and several new store opportunities currently under negotiation in the UK.”

Nick Scali share price snapshot

With today’s intraday fall factored in, Nick Scali shares remain up 24.3% over the past 12 months, not including dividends.

The post Nick Scali shares plunging 11% today despite big dividend boost 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 recommended Nick Scali. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

ASX small-cap shares can be some of the most exciting investments to own for the long-term because of how much they may grow over the next five or ten years.

A business growing from $2 billion to $3 billion is an increase of 50%. A business growing from $500 million to $2 billion is a quadrupling in size. The earlier we invest in a business, the more of its growth journey we can ride along for.

I’m going to talk about two investments that I think could deliver significant returns over the next five years.

Siteminder Ltd (ASX: SDR)

Siteminder provides software to hotel operators around the world, to help their operations and bookings. It generates A$85 billion in hotel revenue across 150 countries, with 130 million transactions for more than 50,000 hotel customers globally.

It is able to give its hotel subscribers an extensive view of data and trends, with some modules giving clients the ability for Siteminder to automatically change hotel room prices to maximise revenue and occupancy throughout the year.

The Siteminder share price has dropped around 50% since October 2025, so it’s significantly cheaper – I think it’s a great time to invest. The fall has happened despite the company generating more annualised recurring revenue (ARR) than ever – it’s targeting 30% organic annual revenue growth in the medium-term, which would be an excellent expansion rate.

The ASX small-cap share has recently reached positive profitability and cash flow, so additional revenue growth from here should be very helpful because of the operating leverage of a software business.

Broker UBS forecasts Siteminder’s revenue could grow from $284 million in FY26 and reach $589 million by FY30 – that’d be an increase of more than 100%.

VanEck MSCI International Small Cos Quality ETF (ASX: QSML)

This exchange-traded fund (ETF) is a leading option to invest in global small-cap shares. These are typically bigger businesses than ASX small-cap shares, but they have just as much potential.

I also like this option because of the diversification that comes with owning a portfolio of shares, not just a singular name.

It aims to invest in a portfolio of 150 names that come from a variety of countries. Markets with an allocation of at least 0.6% include the US, the UK, Japan, Switzerland, Sweden, Canada, Thailand, Israel, Denmark, France, Mexico and Finland.

This isn’t a tech fund though – tech is not even one of the two largest sectors! Industrials has a 40% weighting in the fund and financials is the next biggest at 18.3%. The IT sector is the third and last industry with a double-digit weighting, at 12.1%.

There are three factors that a business must have – a high return on equity (ROE), earnings stability and low financial leverage. Each of those elements are appealing on their own, but together they are a powerful combination when found in the same business.

The fund has delivered an average return of 14.9% per year over the last three years, showing its potential to perform over time, though the next three years may not be as strong.

The post 2 top small cap ASX shares to buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

If I had $50,000 ready to invest today and wanted broad exposure without overcomplicating things, I’d consider exchange-traded funds (ETFs). 

For me, that means combining structural growth themes, international diversification, and quality businesses.

Right now, three ASX ETFs stand out as a combination I’d feel comfortable allocating serious capital to.

Vanguard FTSE Asia Ex-Japan Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAE)

If you believe the next few decades won’t be dominated solely by Western economies, exposure to Asia makes sense.

The VAE ETF gives access to around 1,800 companies across major Asian markets, including China, Taiwan, India, and South Korea. That’s meaningful diversification away from Australia’s banks and miners, and even away from the US-heavy global indices.

What I like most about this ETF is its exposure to structural growth stories. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Tencent, Samsung Electronics, and Alibaba are not small, speculative names. They’re large, influential companies embedded in global supply chains and digital ecosystems.

India’s growing middle class, Taiwan’s semiconductor dominance, and South Korea’s advanced manufacturing capabilities all sit inside this one ETF. For a long-term investor, I think that’s a powerful mix.

Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK)

Cybersecurity is one of those areas where demand doesn’t disappear when the economy slows.

The HACK ETF gives exposure to global stocks focused on protecting data, networks, and digital infrastructure. As governments, corporations, and even households become more connected, the need for security only increases.

I see cybersecurity less as a trend and more as a necessity. It doesn’t matter whether we’re talking about cloud computing, artificial intelligence, or digital payments. All of it requires protection.

Allocating part of a $50,000 investment to the HACK ETF gives exposure to that long-term theme without trying to pick individual winners. For me, it’s a way to add growth potential with a clear structural tailwind.

VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL)

If the VAE ETF gives me regional diversification and the HACK ETF gives me thematic growth, this ETF gives me discipline.

The QUAL ETF screens global stocks based on quality metrics such as high return on equity, stable earnings, and low financial leverage. That means it tilts toward businesses with strong balance sheets and consistent profitability.

Its holdings include global leaders like Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, and Eli Lilly, but what matters to me isn’t just the names. It’s the process. The VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF is designed to emphasise companies with durable competitive advantages and financial strength.

Over time, I believe quality tends to outperform, particularly during periods of volatility. That makes the QUAL ETF, in my view, a strong core holding for long-term capital growth.

Foolish Takeaway

If I were investing $50,000 today, I’d want diversification, structural growth exposure, and high-quality businesses all working together.

For me, the Vanguard FTSE Asia Ex-Japan Shares Index ETF, the Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF, and the VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF tick those boxes. I’d be comfortable building a long-term portfolio around them.

The post Why I would buy these ASX ETFs with $50,000 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino 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 Apple, BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF, Microsoft, Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, and Tencent. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Alibaba Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The WAM Leaders Ltd (ASX: WLE) share price is in focus today following the company’s announcement of a fully franked interim dividend of 4.8 cents per share for the six months to 31 December 2025.

What did WAM Leaders report?

• Interim fully franked dividend of 4.8 cents per share
• Dividend relates to the period ending 31 December 2025
• Record date: 16 April 2026; Ex-dividend date: 15 April 2026
• Payment date: 30 April 2026
• Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) available with no discount

What else do investors need to know?

The declared dividend will be paid entirely in Australian dollars, with a franking credit of 30% attached. Shareholders who wish to participate in the company’s DRP must submit their election by 5pm on 20 April 2026. Those who do not elect to reinvest will receive their dividend as a cash payment.

The DRP price will be based on the volume weighted average market price (VWAP) of WAM Leaders shares traded on the ASX over the four trading days commencing on the ex-dividend date.

What’s next for WAM Leaders?

Shareholders can look forward to receiving their dividend at the end of April 2026. Eligible investors may choose between cash dividends or reinvesting via the DRP, depending on their individual investment strategies and goals.

WAM Leaders Limited’s continued commitment to fully franked dividends may appeal to income-focused investors, particularly those seeking reliable distributions in the listed investment company sector.

WAM Leaders share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, WAM Leaders shares have risen 6%, which is in line with the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

View Original Announcement

The post WAM Leaders announces fully franked interim dividend for 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has positions in Wam Leaders. 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.