Author: openjargon

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) shares have fallen back into the red this week.

At the time of writing, the buy now, pay later (BNPL) provider’s shares are down around 8% for the year-to-date, but they’re still around 1% higher than 12 months ago.

Zip shares have been volatile ever since the stock was caught up in an ongoing sector-wide tech sell-off. 

Technology and growth shares have also come under renewed pressure recently as investors reassess valuations and risk appetite. 

The ASX 200 tech shares rebounded an impressive 40% in June, but since the first of July, they have resumed their downward trajectory. 

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is roughly flat for the year-to-date at the time of writing, but around 1.5% higher than 12 months ago.

It’s not all bad news for Zip shares though. Here are three reasons to add the tech stock to your portfolio this financial year, and three reasons to sell up.

3 reasons to buy Zip shares

1. The company is financially sound

Zip’s financial results have been strong through the past few quarters. Its latest third-quarter FY26 results announcement in mid-April showed that growth has started to accelerate. The fintech business also upgraded its FY26 group cash EBTDA guidance to at least $260 million, from previous guidance of around $248.6 million.

2. Zip is aggressively expanding

Zip is rapidly expanding its product range and aggressively expanding its global presence, especially in the US. Late last year, the company announced that its US segment was expanding its partnership with the programmable financial services business Stripe. In early February, the company confirmed it is expanding its US presence by launching a new Pay in 2 product. Zip is also pursuing a dual sharemarket listing on the Nasdaq in the US. This could help drive an even opportunity for business expansion in the area.

3. Brokers tip a huge upside ahead

TradingView data shows that analysts are very bullish on Zip’s outlook over the next 12 months.

Out of 12 analysts, 11 have a buy or strong buy consensus on the shares, and the average $3.87 target price implies a potential 25% upside.

Some are even more optimistic and tip the shares to increase up to 74% to $5.40 a piece, at the time of writing.

3 reasons to sell Zip shares

1. There is increasing competition

Zip competes with major players including Klarna, PayPal, Block (through Afterpay), traditional banks, and credit card providers. Increased competition can pressure the company’s margins and growth.

2. Zip doesn’t pay dividends

If passive income is your goal, Zip isn’t the stock for you. The company is still in the growth phase, which means it is focusing its funds on growing the business rather than distributing products to shareholders.

3. Zip is highly sensitive to volatility

Zip is a growth stock, which means its share price is subject to investor sentiment, changes in interest rates, slower consumer spending, and even employment rates. It’s not a defensive asset which means it isn’t as resilient as some other alternatives during times of sharemarket volatility.

The post Zip shares: 3 reasons to buy and 3 reasons to sell appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• What on earth is going on with Zip shares?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 5 ASX 200 shares I’d buy with $5,000 in July
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Zip shares are flying again. Is this ASX 200 stock finally back in favour?

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.

Ten years is long enough for the share market to embarrass short-term opinions.

Themes come and go, but some parts of the global economy look likely to become more important over time.

With that in mind, here are three ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) that could be worth buying and holding for the next decade.

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF could be one of the best ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years.

This fund is often described as a technology ETF, but that undersells it.

This ASX ETF is really a bet on the companies building the operating system of modern life. Search, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, digital advertising, streaming, online shopping, software, chips, smartphones, and payments all sit inside the broader ecosystem that the Nasdaq 100 captures.

The power of this ETF is that investors do not need to know exactly which part of the digital economy wins next.

Maybe artificial intelligence keeps driving spending. Or maybe cloud platforms become even more important, or software, chips, or digital media take the next turn.

The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF gives investors exposure to a collection of businesses with the scale, cash flow, and ambition to keep shaping those changes.

Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK)

The Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF could be a strong option for investors who think the digital world is becoming more vulnerable as it becomes more valuable.

Every new app, cloud platform, connected device, payment system, workplace tool, and artificial intelligence service creates another door that needs a lock.

That is the simple idea behind this ASX ETF. Cybersecurity used to sound like a specialist IT department issue. Today, it is closer to insurance, compliance, infrastructure, and reputation protection all rolled into one.

Companies can cut back on some technology spending when conditions get tougher, but leaving systems exposed is becoming harder to justify.

The Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF gives investors exposure to businesses trying to solve that problem across networks, identity, cloud security, endpoint protection, and threat detection.

The fund can move sharply because cybersecurity shares often trade on high expectations. But the long-term demand outlook is hard to dismiss.

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)

Finally, the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF brings something different to the table.

While the other two funds lean into big growth themes, this ASX ETF is built around business durability.

The fund looks for US companies believed to have sustainable competitive advantages and attractive valuations.

That can mean brands customers keep choosing, networks that are hard to copy, cost advantages, intellectual property, scale, or high switching costs.

The idea is simple enough. Great businesses can stay great for longer than expected when competitors struggle to attack their economics.

The VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF also adds a valuation filter, which can help stop investors from simply chasing quality at any price.

A decade is a long time in markets, and plenty will change along the way. But a portfolio of companies with strong competitive positions and valuation discipline could be well placed to keep doing its job.

The post The best ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• The currency-hedged ASX ETFs magnifying dividends by up to 10x this season
• 6 ASX ETFs offering 10%-plus dividend yields in a single payout
• Own NDQ, ARMR, HACK or other Betashares ASX ETFs? Dividends just announced
• 3 exciting ASX ETFs for exposure to the future of technology
• How to build a $100,000 ASX ETF portfolio

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF and BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. 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.

It’s been a rocky road for the Australian sharemarket throughout the first half of 2026. Now, as we navigate the second half of the year, many are turning to the Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffett, for advice on how to invest like a pro.

Thanks to his successful investor mindset, Warren Buffett has shared several pieces of investing wisdom over the years. But when it comes to investing specifically when markets are volatile, I think these are his five most valuable lessons.

Tip 1: Ignore the noise

Warren Buffett advises investors to treat volatility as an opportunity, rather than a time to panic. He often stresses the importance of leaving your emotions behind. The idea is that investors shouldn’t panic-sell strong businesses when their share price drops. If an investor has bought wisely in a company with strong fundamentals, then the business will remain solid, and a share price drop is background noise which should be ignored.

Tip 2: Buy when others are fearful

One of Warren Buffett’s most famous philosophies is to “be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful“. This means that investors should focus on the long term, rather than the latest news cycle. It’s an idea which ties in closely with his tip above about ignoring market noise. He often says that market downturns create fantastic deals for patient investors who have cash on hand. In an ideal world, investors should look to buy high-quality assets at a discount when other investors panic and sell. Then they’d pull back when market overconfidence drives share prices to unrealistic heights.

Tip 3: Think like a business owner

Warren Buffett sees share ownership as a way to make a meaningful investment in businesses that look to have long-lasting, favourable economic characteristics and are run by trustworthy managers. He often urges investors to evaluate stocks as if they are buying the entire underlying business. If investors are comfortable holding a company even if the market closes for ten years, temporary volatility shouldn’t be a concern.

Tip 4: Focus on intrinsic value

Warren Buffett was famously quoted as saying “Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.” His point is that, when it comes to the sharemarket, there is a distinct difference between price and value. A low share price doesn’t automatically mean a stock is a good deal, and vice versa. Warren Buffett always looks for high-quality companies with a competitive advantage and buys only when the market price is below their true worth.

Tip 5: Keep it simple

Warren Buffett isn’t a fan of complexity; instead, for the majority of investors, he advocates for buying broad, low-cost index funds rather than picking individual stocks. These funds give investors exposure to multiple companies at once. This diversity reduces the risk of significant losses from putting all your eggs into one basket.

The post 5 Warren Buffett tips for investing in volatile markets appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• The best ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years
• 9 ASX 200 shares with renewed buy ratings for FY27
• How Rio Tinto, Fortescue and BHP shares stacked up in June
• How much do I need in superannuation to receive $5,500 per month in passive income?
• 10 of the best ASX shares to buy in FY 2027

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 rose by 2.77% and delivered total returns, including dividends, of 7% in FY26.

As a new financial year begins, brokers have indicated continuing confidence in several ASX 200 shares.

This week, they renewed their buy calls on the following stocks, with updated 12-month price targets for FY27. 

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

Over FY26, the market’s largest ASX 200 mining share skyrocketed 62% to close out the year at $59.40. 

Morgan Stanley renewed its buy rating on BHP shares this week.

The broker has a 12-month price target of $67.50. 

This suggests more than 10% upside over FY27. 

Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST)

The market’s largest ASX 200 gold mining share rose just 2% to $18.95 over FY26.

UBS reiterated its buy rating on Northern Resources shares this week.

The broker reduced its price target from $24.35 to $23.75. 

This implies potential capital gains of 25% ahead.

ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ)

This ASX 200 bank share rose 21% to close out the financial year at $35.35. 

Citi reaffirmed its buy rating on ANZ shares with a price target of $39.25.

This implies potential capital gains of 11% in the new financial year. 

Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN)

The stock price of this diversified ASX 200 miner rebounded 188% to $62.07 in FY26. 

UBS reaffirmed its buy rating on Mineral Resources shares this week.

The broker lowered its price target from $83 to $79.

This implies potential capital gains of 27% ahead in FY27. 

JB Hi Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) 

Over FY26, this ASX 200 retail share tumbled 27% to $80.48.

Bell Potter reiterated its buy rating on JB Hi-Fi shares with a price target of $87.

This implies potential capital gains of 8% over FY27.

Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU)

This ASX 200 healthcare share rose 26% to $17.75 in FY26. 

Bell Potter reiterated its buy rating on Neuren Pharmaceuticals shares this week.

The broker boosted its 12-month share price target from $22 to $23.50. 

This implies potential capital gains of 32% ahead.

Resolute Mining Ltd (ASX: RSG)

Over FY26, this ASX 200 gold stock ripped 56% to 95 cents per share. 

Macquarie renewed its buy rating on Resolute Mining shares with a price target of $1.55.

This implies potential capital gains of 64% for FY27. 

BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL)

The BlueScope Steel share price rose 38% over FY26 to close at $31.87. 

RBC Capital renewed its buy rating on the ASX 200 materials share this week. 

The broker raised its 12-month price target from $35.25 to $38.25.

This suggests a potential 20% upside ahead.

South32 Ltd (ASX: S32)

Over FY26, this ASX 200 mining share rose 34% to finish the year at $3.90. 

UBS reaffirmed its buy rating on South32 shares with a reduced price target of $5.

This implies potential capital gains of 28% ahead.

The post 9 ASX 200 shares with renewed buy ratings for FY27 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How Rio Tinto, Fortescue and BHP shares stacked up in June
• How much do I need in superannuation to receive $5,500 per month in passive income?
• 5 best ASX 200 mining shares of FY26
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 6 ASX 200 large-cap shares that rose 60% to 275% in FY26

Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in BHP Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP 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.

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares all underperformed the benchmark index in June.

Over the month just past, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gained 0.5%.

But, after a strong run higher in May, all three of the ASX 200 mining giants lost ground in June.

BHP shares closed on 29 May trading for $62.31. When the closing bell sounded on 30 June, shares were changing hands for $59.40 apiece, down 4.7% over the month.

Fortescue shares fared just a bit better. The Fortescue share price ended May at $22.31 and closed out June at $19.15, putting the ASX 200 miner down 4.2% in June.

And Rio Tinto shares trailed the pack. Shares closed out May at $185.63 and finished June at $172.51 each. This saw the Rio Tinto share price down 7.1% in June.

Why did BHP shares and the other ASX 200 miners go backwards in June?

First, it’s important to note that shares in all three of the big Aussie miners remain well up over the past 12 months.

Despite June’s retrace, BHP shares were recently up around 60% over 12 months, while Fortescue shares have gained 19% and Rio Tinto shares have jumped 57%. And none of these figures include the two dividends these companies paid out to eligible stockholders over this time.

As for June’s pressure, a lot of that was driven by a retrace in the miners’ core revenue earning commodities.

On 29 May, for example, iron ore was trading for US$108 per tonne. By 30 June, the iron ore price had slipped to US$100 per tonne.

Copper prices also slid in June. On 1 June the red metal was fetching US$13,832. By 30 June the copper price had fallen to US$13,375 per tonne, according to data from Bloomberg.

What else happened with the ASX 200 mining giant in June?

There was little fresh news out from the Aussie mining giants in June.

The month did mark Mike Henry’s last one as BHP’s CEO, with Brandon Craig stepping into the top job on 1 July.

And BHP shares did tumble 5.6% on 19 June after the miner reported on higher-than-expected costs at its Jansen Stage 2 potash project, located in Canada.

Investors were favouring their sell buttons after BHP revealed that its full investment estimate for Stage 2 had increased to US$6.9 billion, up from the prior forecast of US$4.9 billion.

First potash production from Stage 2 was also pushed back two years to FY 2031.

The post How Rio Tinto, Fortescue and BHP shares stacked up in June appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much do I need in superannuation to receive $5,500 per month in passive income?
• 6 ASX 200 large-cap shares that rose 60% to 275% in FY26
• Is it smart to invest $5,000 into BHP shares?
• The ASX 200 sector that outperformed the benchmark 7 to 1 in FY26. Can it keep delivering?
• How to get started with a portfolio delivering $500 a week in passive income

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

Investing your superannuation to generate passive income in the future is a sensible strategy, especially if your goal is to build wealth for retirement.

By investing today, you can benefit from low tax rates, compounding, and eventually a tax-free passive income once you transition to the pension phase.

But how much do you actually need in your super to be able to get the passive income you want when the retirement years hit?

Let’s break it down, using $5,500 per month as an example.

How much do I need in superannuation to get $5,500 of monthly passive income?

If you want to earn $5,500 in passive income every month from your superannuation, that equates to $66,000 per year in dividend payments.

There is an easy way to work out the superannuation balance you’d need to get that level of income. Simply divide your annual passive income by the dividend yield.

But the tricky part is that the answer varies widely depending on your portfolio’s dividend yield.

For example, a portfolio with a dividend yield of around 6% only needs to be half the size of one with a dividend yield of around 3% to generate the same level of passive income. 

Let’s break it down further.

If your overall portfolio has a dividend yield of around 3%, you’ll need a balance of around $2.2 million to earn $66,000 per year in passive income.

A $2 million-plus portfolio isn’t achievable for many Australian investors, but the good news is that, as the dividend yield of your portfolio increases, the superannuation balance needed to earn the same passive income decreases.

For example, if the yield of your portfolio is around 5%, your balance would need to be closer to $1.3 million, to earn the same dividend income.

Increase that to a 6% or 7% dividend yield and you’re looking at closer to $1.1 million or $943,000. You’d still earn $66,000 per year in passive income of these portfolio sizes.

Can’t I just invest in shares with the highest yield to get the biggest returns?

It’s a tempting idea, but it doesn’t make good investment sense.

Generally, the higher the yield, the higher the risk associated with that ASX stock.

Rather than trying to get rich quickly, investors should concentrate on good-quality businesses with strong balance sheets and stable earnings. These stocks are most likely to stand the test of time and while also building wealth.

The key is diversity, consistency and lots of patience. 

And remember, you don’t need to invest the whole sum in one go. Start with a monthly investment and let compound growth do some of the hard work for you.

Ok, so what ASX shares can I buy with dividend yields around 3-7%?

There is a huge range of options, but here are a few of my favourite ASX dividend shares to get you started.

ASX dividend-paying shares such as large cap companies like Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) or mining giant BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) pay their shareholders a 3-4% dividend yield. As does CSL Ltd (ASX: CLS) and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) .

For a mid-range yielding ASX dividend option, I’d look at defensive stocks like Transurban Group (ASX: TCL), APA Group Ltd (ASX: APA), or ASX miner Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG), which pay a dividend of 4-6%.

For a higher 7% dividend yield, or even above, I’d look at dividend-payers like Shaver Shop Group Ltd (ASX: SSG), Charter Hall Long Wale REIT (ASX: CLW) or even IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH).

The post How much do I need in superannuation to receive $5,500 per month in passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How Rio Tinto, Fortescue and BHP shares stacked up in June
• 6 ASX 200 large-cap shares that rose 60% to 275% in FY26
• Is it smart to invest $5,000 into BHP shares?
• The ASX 200 sector that outperformed the benchmark 7 to 1 in FY26. Can it keep delivering?
• Should I buy, hold, or sell CBA shares in July?

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 and Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group, Telstra Group, and Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, CSL, IPH Ltd , and Shaver Shop Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

A new financial year is here, so what better time to consider making some new additions to your portfolio.

Listed below are ten ASX shares that I think could be worth buying in FY 2027.

Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG)

The first ASX share to consider is Breville, which sells premium kitchen appliances across global markets.

Its coffee machines, cooking products, and food preparation appliances have turned everyday household routines into a strong brand-led growth story. International expansion gives the company a long growth runway.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

Goodman owns and develops industrial property across key global markets.

Its assets are used for logistics, warehousing, ecommerce, and data infrastructure. Demand for well-located industrial space remains strong, and Goodman’s data centre development pipeline gives it room to keep creating value.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Macquarie gives investors exposure to global asset management, commodities, markets, banking, and infrastructure-related finance.

Its earnings can move around from year to year, but this ASX share has a strong record of finding opportunities across market cycles.

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

Megaport provides flexible digital infrastructure through cloud connectivity and its move into compute.

Its Latitude.sh acquisition has broadened the story beyond network-as-a-service. Contract wins in this newer area suggest the ASX share could be building a larger opportunity.

Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL)

Netwealth operates an investment platform used by financial advisers and wealth professionals.

It has benefited from demand for better technology, reporting, and administration in wealth management. Australia’s growing retirement savings pool gives the business a powerful long-term tailwind.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

Another ASX share to consider is Pro Medicus. It develops medical imaging software for hospitals and radiology groups.

Pro Medicus’ Visage platform helps clinicians handle large imaging files quickly across complex healthcare networks. Major contract wins in the United States show the strength of its product and long-term opportunity.

ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD)

ResMed is a global leader in sleep apnoea treatment and connected respiratory care.

Its devices, masks, software, and support services help patients manage long-term breathing conditions. With many sufferers still undiagnosed, the company has a large market opportunity ahead.

TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE)

TechnologyOne provides enterprise software for governments, universities, and large organisations.

Its software is used for finance, payroll, planning, and administration. The shift to software-as-a-service has strengthened its annual recurring revenue base and could support many more years of growth.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers owns a collection of high-quality businesses, including Bunnings, Kmart, Officeworks, and industrial operations.

The company has a long record of disciplined capital allocation. That mix of retail strength, portfolio flexibility, and management quality makes it a dependable blue-chip candidate.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

Finally, Xero could be an ASX share to buy in FY 2027. It provides cloud accounting software for small businesses and advisers.

The company’s platform helps with invoicing, payroll, bank feeds, reporting, and compliance. The company could keep growing as small businesses move more of their financial admin into digital systems.

The post 10 of the best ASX shares to buy in FY 2027 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why this ASX 200 share could deliver a 40% return
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• CSL shares are up 25%: is it time to buy, hold or sell?
• This is the ASX bank stock I would buy today for franked dividend income
• Up more than 550% in a year, why is this ASX biotech charging even higher?

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Goodman Group, Megaport, Pro Medicus, ResMed, Technology One, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goodman Group, Macquarie Group, Megaport, Netwealth Group, ResMed, Technology One, Wesfarmers, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Netwealth Group, ResMed, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group, Macquarie Group, Pro Medicus, Technology One, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

When it comes to picking stocks that might have some serious upside, it pays to ask the professionals.

I’ve had a look through the broker reports that came out this week and have selected three ASX 200 companies that the analyst team at Macquarie thinks will do well going forward. 

Let’s see what they’re saying.

Santos Ltd (ASX: STO)

This oil and gas major recently announced it had hit continuous production at its Pikka oil project in Alaska, which was a major milestone for the company. 

The project is now producing about 20,000 barrels of oil per day, which will ramp up to 80,000 during the third quarter of 2026.

Santos Managing Director Kevin Gallagher said regarding the project:

Pikka is a high-quality, low-cost oil development with strong economics and long reserves life benefiting not only Santos and its joint venture partner Repsol, but also key stakeholders, including the State of Alaska and Alaska Native Corporations. The project is set to generate robust cash flows and support strong shareholder returns over the coming years.

Macquarie said in this week’s note to clients that Santos had “solid sequential growth” in its second-quarter production. 

They added:

Currently, we view STO as tracking to the lower end of its CY26 guidance range, due to the longer asset commissioning/ramp times than expected when the guide was set.

They also added that due to relative share price weakness, Santos may yet again be in the sights of acquirers.

Macquarie has a price target of $9 on Santos shares compared to $7.07 at the time of writing.  

Pexa Ltd (ASX: PXA)

Shares in this property settlements technology company are down about 16% over a 12-month period, but the Macquarie team believes there is significant upside.

Macquarie said property settlements in New South Wales improved by 3.1% in June compared with the previous corresponding period, after a weak May.

Macquarie boosted its price target on the company to $19.30 from $19.05, compared with $10.87 at the time of writing.

The broker added, “formal commitment from additional Tier-1 lenders is likely to incentivise the other Tier-1 lenders to onboard with PXA quickly, driving rapid market share gains”.  

Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL)

A recent investor day from this company “illustrated Aristocrat’s dominant cross-channel position, and enterprise-wide approach to game development, which improves commercialisation of its market leading content”.

Macquarie said it saw market-share opportunities for Aristocrat in land-based gaming, but was more wary of the company’s Product Madness mobile gaming division. 

The broker said Aristocrat was well-placed to deliver 10% to 15% earnings per share growth.

They also said the company would benefit from AI, with the benefits including “creativity enhancements, improved velocity to market, and advancing data analytics”.

Macquarie has a price target of $65 on Aristocrat shares compared to $61.38 at the time of writing.  

The post Three ASX 200 companies Macquarie says are a buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• PEXA Group responds to IPART draft service fee review
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Why ASX 200 energy stocks like Woodside and Santos shares got smashed in June
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday

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 positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group and PEXA Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended PEXA Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Macquarie Group. 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) mining shares experienced an outstanding year in FY26.

The ASX 200 materials sector, which is dominated by miners, was the best-performing of the 11 market sectors, rising 47% and offering a 4.6% dividend yield.  

The S&P/ASX 300 Metals & Mining Index (ASX: XMM), which captures more of the mineral explorers than the ASX 200, did even better.  

ASX 300 mining shares rose 53.2%, and delivered total returns of 58.59%. Wow. 

This all happened because Australia is in the midst of a new mining boom that will be different to the last one in the early 2000s to 2013.  

That boom was characterised by insatiable Chinese demand for iron ore to create steel for new infrastructure and residential apartments in the cities. 

The new mining boom today is being driven by the green energy transition, the artificial intelligence (AI) build-out, and central bank purchasing of gold. 

The green energy transition and AI build-out are driving much higher demand for critical minerals, such as lithium, and base metals, such as copper. 

Lithium prices slumped in 2023-2025 due to global oversupply, but supply/demand finally rebalanced at the start of FY26.  

Lithium went on to top the charts of best-performing commodities in FY26 by a long way.

The lithium spodumene price rose about 280%, and carbonate soared 160%. 

So, it’s no surprise to see four lithium producers among the top five ASX 200 mining shares for capital growth last year. 

Let’s review. 

1. Minerals 260 Ltd (ASX: MI6)

ASX 200 gold share, Minerals 260, skyrocketed 508% to close out FY26 at 73 cents per share. 

The mineral explorer is building the Bullabulling Gold Project in Western Australia’s Eastern Goldfields region. 

Bullabulling is one of Australia’s largest near-term gold mines with a Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 130MT at 1.0g/t for 4.5Moz.  

Minerals 260 recently signed a $220 million funding deal with gold royalty company, Franco-Nevada Corporation, to advance and de-risk Bullabulling. 

2. Elevra Lithium Ltd (ASX: ELV)

This ASX 200 lithium share roared 327% higher to $9.60 apiece in FY26.

Elevra has a globally diversified portfolio of mines and development projects across Québec, North Carolina, Ghana, and Western Australia.

Formed through the merger of Piedmont Lithium and Sayona Mining, Elevra’s flagship mine is the North American Lithium Project. 

3. PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)

Formerly known as Pilbara Minerals, PLS Group shares rocketed 275% to close out FY26 at $5.02. 

PLS Group is the largest lithium miner on the ASX 200 by market capitalisation. 

The company’s flagship is the Pilgangoora Operation, the world’s largest independent hard-rock lithium mine. 

4. Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN)

Iron ore and lithium producer Mineral Resources experienced 188% share price growth in FY26. 

The Mineral Resources share price finished the year at $62.65.

Mineral Resources shares were in rebound mode in FY26 after serious corporate governance issues and financial concerns had plagued the company in FY25. 

Founder Chris Ellison faced board-imposed financial penalties of $8.8 million and loss of remuneration of up to $9.6 million for reputational damage to the company.

The need to strengthen the balance sheet contributed to the board’s call not to pay dividends in FY25. No dividends have been paid in FY26, either. 

The Mineral Resources share price hit a 5-year low of $14.05 in April 2025 before commencing its rebound into FY26. 

For 1H FY26, Mineral Resources reported its strongest half-year result ever. The miner reported record revenue of $3.1 billion and EBITDA of $1.2 billion.

Rebounding lithium prices and the successful ramp-up of the Onslow iron ore project contributed to the result. 

5. Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR)

The Liontown share price leapt 197% higher to finish the year at $1.58.

Liontown owns one of Australia’s newest lithium operations, the Kathleen Valley Project, which only began production in early FY25. 

The ASX 200 lithium share had the same commodity tailwinds as other providers last year, as the company sought to ramp up production. 

For 1H FY26, Liontown reported a doubling in revenue year over year to $207.5 million, after a 70% lift in spodumene production. 

In 3Q FY26, Liontown became cash flow positive and achieved its 1.5Mtpa annualised underground run-rate ahead of schedule.  

The post 5 best ASX 200 mining shares of FY26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ASX shares vs. property in FY26: Which investment outperformed?
• 6 ASX 200 large-cap shares that rose 60% to 275% in FY26
• The ASX 200 sector that outperformed the benchmark 7 to 1 in FY26. Can it keep delivering?
• Top ASX 200 share of each market sector in FY26
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has 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.

Between S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares vs. property, bricks and mortar delivered the superior returns in FY26.

ASX 200 shares rose 2.77% and delivered total returns, including dividends, of 7% in FY26.  

Meanwhile, the national median home value, which reflects all property types in a single data point, rose by 7.3%.

The total return, including rental income, was 11% over the 12 months, according to Cotality figures.

Let’s break down the numbers a bit more. 

Typical Australian houses now cost $1M!

The national median house price rose 7.8% to $1,025,085, and the median apartment price lifted 5.6% to $752,007 over FY26. 

Three interest rate rises in CY26 are having a significant impact on the property market. 

Cotality’s research director, Tim Lawless, said the June quarter marked “a significant shift in Australia’s housing dynamic”.  

Lawless commented:

Weaker conditions through the second quarter of the year are attributable to an array of downside factors.

Even before interest rates rose by seventy-five basis points, we were seeing affordability hurdles weighing on buyer demand.

Higher cost-of-living pressures, deeply pessimistic sentiment and a further dampening of demand via property taxation changes announced in the federal budget are all contributing to weaker housing conditions.

Typical landlords and first home buyers tend to operate in the same part of the market: at the lower end of the price spectrum.   

The expansion of the 5% Home Guarantee Scheme in October has created more demand for lower-end properties. 

An expected decline in investor purchasing due to proposed changes to capital gains tax (CGT) may reduce competition for young first-home buyers.

The CGT changes may also weigh on sentiment so much that home values fall, further enhancing affordability for young buyers.

That’s the upside of the proposed CGT changes.

The downside is that an exodus of property investors would reduce the number of homes available to the 30% of Australians who rent, leading to higher rents.  

On top of that, current homeowners may have to cope with their cornerstone financial asset declining in value. 

How will CGT changes influence landlords? 

Australian residential real estate has a long and impressive multi-decade history of delivering exceptional capital gains.

Most landlords will tell you they are in it for the capital growth, not the rental yield.

Although rents have increased significantly since COVID, rental yields on property investments are notoriously low.

The national median gross rental yield is 3.7%, but that does not take into account all the holding costs of property.

Once landlords pay their loan repayments, strata fees, council rates, insurance, management expenses, and repairs, there’s usually a deficit, which is why they’re negatively geared.  

Negative gearing will be scrapped on established properties under the proposed CGT changes from 1 July 2027.

Investors will still be able to negatively gear new builds, but long-term data shows landlords strongly prefer established properties. 

So, it’s arguable as to whether investors will move to the new-home market en masse. 

Here’s what landlords are thinking about…

If the government intends to take more of a landlord’s capital gain, will long-standing landlords decide property is just too much trouble? 

Cotality analysts raised this in a recent article, commenting that investors “may now look to other (non-property) assets instead”. 

Could the CGT changes prompt landlords who have owned investment property for decades to take their discounted gains now? 

Their options for the sale proceeds are pretty attractive.

They could pop the money into a savings account yielding 5.5%. 

They could contribute the money to superannuation and pay just 15% tax on future earnings, 10% on future capital gains, and no tax after retirement. 

Perhaps they might invest in fully-franked ASX dividend shares.

Or they could buy the market’s most popular dividend-focused exchange-traded fund (ETF), Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY), with its 7.2% average three-year yield and 8.8% growth rate. 

Research by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) shows that Australian landlords are predominantly high-income earners in their late 40s or early 50s, paying off a modest home mortgage. 

At their stage of life, running a property investment, with all its maintenance costs and tenant hassles, may start to look unappealing under the CGT changes, especially if home values fall. 

Treasury modelling suggests home values will keep growing, but at a 2% slower rate than otherwise under the CGT changes. Time will tell if that proves accurate.  

Shares vs. property in FY26: Houses

Here is the capital growth rate for houses in each market, ranked from highest to lowest.

Property market	Capital growth FY26	Median price
Perth	23.6%	$1,093,431
Regional Western Australia	22.1%	$751,927
Darwin	19.3%	$766,350
Brisbane	16.8%	$1,225,350
Regional Tasmania	12.8%	$646,512
AdelaideÂ	11.5%	$1,008,736
Hobart	9.7%	$803,094
Regional QueenslandÂ	14.3%	$864,094
Regional South Australia	11.6%	$569,830
Regional NSW	8%	$873,519
National	7.6%	$674,481
Regional Victoria	7.1%	$674,481
Canberra	3.5%	$1,035,828
Regional Northern Territory	0.8%	$445,087
Sydney	(0.1%)	$1,556,258
Melbourne	(-1.2%)	$948,482

Source: Cotality

Shares vs. property in FY26: Apartments

Here is the capital growth rate for apartments (and other strata properties like townhouses), ranked from highest to lowest.

Property market	Capital growth FY26	Median price
Perth	26.3%	$773,605
Darwin	20.9%	$472,572
Regional Western Australia	20.3%	$442,572
Brisbane	20.3%	$885,132
Regional Tasmania	14.7%	$487,510
Regional Queensland	12.1%	$833,791
Adelaide	11.7%	$695,151
Regional South Australia	9.2%	$394,057
Hobart	7.5%	$587,749
Regional Victoria	6.5%	$461,683
Regional NSW	6.4%	$687,320
National	5.6%	$752,007
Canberra	0.7%	$597,430
Sydney	1.1%	$898,623
Melbourne	(-0.2%)	$637,170
Regional Northern Territory	N/A	N/A

Source: Cotality

5 best-performing ASX 200 shares of FY26

The best-performing ASX 200 shares of FY26 outperformed real estate by a country mile.

Here is the capital growth rate of the five top ASX 200 shares of FY26.

ASX 200 shares	Capital growth FY26
4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX)Â	1,786%
Minerals 260 Ltd (ASX: MI6)	508%
Elevra Lithium Ltd (ASX: ELV)Â	327%
PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)Â	275%
Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS)Â	261%

The post ASX shares vs. property in FY26: Which investment outperformed? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 6 ASX 200 large-cap shares that rose 60% to 275% in FY26
• The ASX 200 sector that outperformed the benchmark 7 to 1 in FY26. Can it keep delivering?
• Top ASX 200 share of each market sector in FY26
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Up 275% in a year! Why this ASX defence stock refuses to cool down

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 Electro Optic Systems. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.