Author: openjargon

The average dividend yield on the Australian share market is traditionally around 4%.

But income investors don’t need to settle for that. Not when there are high-yield options out there.

For example, three shares that brokers are bullish on and expect to provide above-average yields in the near term are listed below. Here’s what they are recommending:

Charter Hall Retail REIT (ASX: CQR)

The first ASX dividend share that could be a buy in March is the Charter Hall Retail REIT.

It owns a diversified portfolio of convenience-based retail centres anchored by supermarkets, service stations, and essential services. These tend to be highly defensive, as shoppers continue to spend on groceries and everyday necessities regardless of economic conditions.

Together with long lease terms and high-quality tenants, Charter Hall Retail has good visibility over rental income. This is supportive of consistent distributions to unitholders.

The team at Citi is positive on the company and is expecting some big dividend yields in the near term.

The broker has pencilled in dividends per share of 25.5 cents in FY 2026 and then 26 cents in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $3.99, this would mean dividend yields of 6.4% and 6.5%, respectively.

Citi has a buy rating and $4.50 price target on its shares.

Dexus Convenience Retail REIT (ASX: DXC)

Another ASX dividend share that could be a buy this month according to analysts is Dexus Convenience Retail REIT.

It owns a nationwide portfolio of service stations and convenience retail sites that are leased to high-quality tenants under long-term, inflation-linked agreements. These leases provide predictable cash flows, which is exactly what income-focused investors typically look for.

Bell Potter is bullish on the REIT. It has a buy rating and $3.25 price target on its shares.

As for income, it expects dividends of 20.9 cents per share in FY 2026 and 21.6 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $2.74, that equates to dividend yields of 7.6% and 7.9%, respectively.

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN)

A third ASX dividend share to buy in March could be Harvey Norman.

In addition to its core electronics and furniture operations, this retail giant owns a substantial property portfolio. This adds another layer of income stability and has supported generous dividend payments over time.

Macquarie remains positive on the retailer. It believes the company is positioned to pay fully franked dividends per share of 27.8 cents in FY 2026 and 31.2 cents in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $5.51, this represents dividend yields of 5% and 5.65%, respectively.

The broker has a buy rating and $6.60 price target on its shares.

The post These ASX dividend shares offer 5% to 7% yields appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• These ASX 200 shares have sunk to 6-month lows. Time to buy?
• Can this $7 billion ASX retail stock stage a comeback?
• Why Bapcor, Brainchip, Coles, and Harvey Norman shares are dropping today
• Harvey Norman posts 1H26 result
• 3 ASX dividend shares I would buy with $3,000

Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. 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 positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Charter Hall Retail REIT, Harvey Norman, and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

I’m always interested in considering share prices when I see a decline. Certain S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) income shares are offering investors a huge dividend yield.

High dividend yields can be a trap, particularly if they mean the dividend will be cut sooner rather than later.

However, some dividend yields may not be illusions but be coming from incredibly undervalued names.

Keep in mind, a dividend yield increases when a share price decreases. For example, if a business has a 7% dividend yield and then the share price drops 10%, the dividend yield reaches 7.7%.

Share prices do sometimes go through large declines when there is some sort of widespread issue, such as the GFC, COVID-19 or the strong inflation period. Dividend yield-focused investors can see higher yields at times like that. But, I wouldn’t call the current period as once-in-a-decade. Rather, the market seems to regularly go through sizeable declines.

I think income investors should always be on the lookout for ASX 200 income shares with large yields.

The business doesn’t necessarily need to have a dividend yield of 10% (or more) for it to be a good ASX dividend share. For example, I’ve highlighted names like Future Generation Australia Ltd (ASX: FGX) and Hearts and Minds Investments Ltd (ASX: HM1) as compelling ideas for dividend income (though they aren’t ASX 200 income shares).

I’ll briefly point out three names that are expected to have extremely high dividend yields in FY26. But, there’s no guarantee those yields will be that strong forever.

IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH)

IPH is a legal business that provides clients with intellectual property (IP) services such as patent filing, trademarks and enforcement. It has a position in a number of markets including Australia, New Zealand, Asia and North America. It claims to be the largest player in the Asia Pacific region.

The FY26 half-year result showed good financial progress by the business. It grew revenue by 6.5% to $363.9 million, increased operating profit (EBITDA) by 6.6% to $107.1 million and the statutory net profit (NPAT) rose by 10.5% to $41.2 million. The business decided to hike its interim dividend by 11.8% to 19 cents.

The forecast on Commsec suggests the ASX 200 income share’s annual dividend could rise to 37.6 cents per share in FY26. That translates into a dividend yield of 11% excluding any franking credits, at the time of writing.

Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG)

Magellan is a funds management business that provides portfolios across Australian shares, international shares and infrastructure equities. It also holds stakes in a few other businesses including investment bank Barrenjoey and fund manager Vinva.

The business recently announced it’s going to merge with Barrenjoey, giving Magellan much more earnings growth potential in the coming years, in my opinion.

According to the forecast on Commsec, it’s predicted to pay a grossed-up dividend yield of 11.1% in FY26, including franking credits at the time of writing.  

Centuria Office REIT (ASX: COF)

This is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns office properties across metropolitan Australian locations.

The ASX 200 income share’s weighted average lease expiry (WALE) is around four years, which provides some rental income and visibility, but there are recent developing headwinds of higher interest rates, rising inflation and questions of how AI developments could impact office demand.

Even so, the land that the offices sit on is valuable, and the REIT is working out leasing some floors to data centres, protecting its underlying value.

The business has guided that it’s going to pay a distribution per unit of 10.1 cents in FY26, translating into a distribution yield of 10.1%, at the time of writing.

The post A once-in-a-decade chance to get a 10%+ yield from ASX 200 income shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Superloop surges past 250,000 Origin connections, triggers next milestone
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
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• Endeavour Group earnings: NPAT drops as sales rise; interim dividend declared

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Future Generation Australia and Hearts And Minds Investments. 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 IPH Ltd. 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 ASX telco stocks, Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) is often the cautious investor’s pick. It’s large, familiar and pays a reliable dividend. But size and stability don’t always deliver the best value.

Aussie Broadband Ltd (ASX: ABB) is a smaller and more speculative investment, but I think what it lacks in size, it makes up for in potential.

So, which is the better investment?

Telstra: A reliable investment with limited room for growth 

Let me couch what I am about to say ­­– Telstra is, by almost all metrics, a high-quality business and a relatively safe bet. It dominates the Australian telecommunications market, owns critical infrastructure, generates strong cash flows, and offers an attractive, fully franked dividend. All of this stability makes it a highly dependable investment.

But where it lacks appeal for me is growth potential. Telstra’s core markets are mature. And while its management has shown a disciplined approach to cost control, revenue growth from ordinary activities remains on the modest side – 0.9% uplift in FY25 on the prior corresponding period. That’s not necessarily a deal breaker in and of itself, but it does limit the potential upside for investors.

At current prices, you’re paying for stability and income certainty rather than earnings growth. If you’re a defensive investor, it’s going to win hands down. For growth investors, I think there’s more value to be had elsewhere in the sector.

Aussie Broadband: Strong fundamentals and well positioned to grow  

Aussie Broadband plays in the same markets as Telstra. But unlike Telstra, which is defending an established base, Aussie Broadband is carving new pathways for itself, particularly in government and corporate contracts. These contracts tend to offer good margins and customer stickiness, positioning Aussie Broadband for accelerated growth. In FY25, it saw an 18.7% revenue uplift to $1.19 billion.

And as it scales its customer base, its operating leverage has room to grow. Fixed networks and systems will spread across a growing revenue base, allowing margins to expand. Telstra, on the other hand, may have already exhausted much of this margin expansion potential.

But it is important to note that risks can be heightened for a smaller player like Aussie Broadband. Across the telco sector, competition is fierce, and pricing pressure can be intense. Of course, these risks still apply to Telstra. However, as a well-established player with significant brand equity and scale, they are less likely to bother investors in any meaningful way.

That said, Aussie Broadband doesn’t carry the legacy cost base of its much bigger competitor. And its disciplined approach to growth, prioritising return on invested capital rather than expansion at all costs, adds to its appeal for me.

The bottom line

Both are solid telco stocks, so you probably can’t go wrong. If your strategy is defensive, then Telstra remains the safest bet. But if you are looking for exposure to earnings growth and are comfortable with some share price volatility, Aussie Broadband is my pick. At current prices, I think it’s an opportunity to get in on a quality business that has the hallmarks of further impressive growth to come.  

The post Aussie Broadband vs Telstra: Which telco stock deserves your dollar? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Here’s the latest earnings forecast out to 2030 for Telstra shares
• Experts rate these 2 ASX growth shares as buys this month!
• Buy, hold, sell: Bannerman, CBA, and Telstra shares
• 3 must-own ASX blue-chip dividend stocks for Aussie investors
• 3 reasons to buy Telstra shares right now

Motley Fool contributor Melissa Maddison 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 Aussie Broadband. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Aussie Broadband. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

After a fairly steady first two months of the calendar year, ASX 200 stocks have already faced volatility in March.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) fell almost 2% yesterday.

Markets have been all over the place as the conflict in Iran has escalated quickly. 

It has already had a big impact on energy, materials and commodities markets.

Trusting the long game

As much as we can preach the long game, there’s no doubt that watching your portfolio swing significantly in just two days can induce panic. 

Much of the momentum my own portfolio had gained across 2026 was wiped out in just a couple of days. 

But it’s times like these we need to zoom out a little and focus on the fundamentals.

Here at The Motley Fool, we’re long term focussed. 

As Warren Buffett once said, “we continue to make more money when snoring than when active.”

That means trusting the reason we invested in certain stocks in the first place, and not try to beat the market by buying and selling as stocks crash and soar on a daily basis.

Unless something in the company has fundamentally changed, you’ll probably be happy you held it in a year, five years or even twenty. 

ASX 200 stocks to hold 

With that long term focus in mind, there are some ASX 200 stocks that might have dropped over the last couple days, that investors should hold for the long term. 

The first is Nextdc Ltd (ASX: NXT). 

Yesterday it fell 3.7%, and is down almost 10% over the last week. 

The company operates data centres in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. It focuses on co-location services to local and international organisations as well as interconnectivity between enterprises, global cloud, ICT providers, and telecommunication networks.

In the long-term, this ASX 200 company is likely going to play an important role in Australia’s growing data centre and cloud infrastructure market as the rise of AI requires more and more storage and processing.

This positions it to benefit from accelerating demand driven by AI, cloud adoption and digital transformation, with strong contracted revenue visibility and expansion potential.

Right now, Macquarie has a price target of $22.30 on this ASX 200 stock, which is an upside of 71% from yesterday’s close. 

Stick with the flying kangaroo

Another ASX 200 stock worth holding for the long run is Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN). 

The airline has seen its share price tumble more than 15% over the past couple of weeks. 

That includes 4.46% this week. 

UBS recently said the negativity surrounding the company has been overblown, and I tend to agree. 

The next months could be bumpy due to headwinds from a higher oil/fuel price amid the events happening in the Middle East.

But the fundamentals are still strong, as is its market position in Australia. 

The current share price target from UBS of $11.60 is 29% higher than yesterday’s closing price. 

The post 2 ASX 200 shares you’ll be glad you held for 10 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most powerful investment themes of this decade.

Most investors immediately think of technology companies such as chipmakers, cloud providers, or software developers as ways to gain exposure to the theme.

But the AI boom is much bigger than just tech stocks.

Behind the scenes, artificial intelligence requires enormous physical infrastructure. Data centres, logistics hubs, power connections, and specialised electrical systems all play a critical role in enabling AI computing.

That means some ASX shares benefiting from the AI revolution are not traditional technology stocks at all.

Here are two examples.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

One of the most important pieces of infrastructure for the AI economy is the data centre.

These facilities house the servers and computing power required to run artificial intelligence models, cloud platforms, and digital services. As AI adoption accelerates, demand for data centre capacity is expected to surge globally.

This is where Goodman Group comes in. The industrial property giant has increasingly positioned itself as a developer and owner of infrastructure that supports the digital economy. Its global portfolio now includes logistics facilities and rapidly expanding data centre projects.

The company’s latest results highlight just how significant this opportunity is becoming. Data centres now represent 73% of Goodman’s development work in progress, reflecting the scale of investment being directed into digital infrastructure.

Demand for this infrastructure appears extremely strong. Goodman has been expanding its pipeline of powered development sites and currently has a global “power bank” of 6.0 gigawatts across major cities, which is critical for supporting future hyperscale data centres.

In other words, while Goodman is technically a property company, it is increasingly acting as a landlord and developer for the AI economy.

SKS Technologies Group Ltd (ASX: SKS)

Another ASX share benefiting from the rise of AI infrastructure is SKS Technologies.

SKS specialises in the design and installation of electrical systems and digital infrastructure used in large-scale projects such as data centres, communications networks, and specialised facilities.

The company has quickly established itself in Australia’s fast-growing data centre construction market. In fact, it recently secured its largest contract ever, a $130 million project to design and construct electrical infrastructure for a hyperscale data centre in Melbourne.

Demand in this sector appears extremely strong. According to management, the data centre market is “growing exponentially and poised to remain in such a state for many years.”

This demand has helped drive strong financial momentum for SKS. In its latest half-year results, the company reported a 52.5% increase in net profit and a record $325 million order book, reflecting the pipeline of infrastructure projects underway.

Rather than building AI software, SKS is helping build the physical backbone that allows those systems to operate.

The post How to invest in AI without buying tech stocks appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Yesterday, Superloop Ltd (ASX: SLC) announced it has surpassed 250,000 Origin broadband subscribers on its network, reaching Milestone 4 of its long-term agreement with Origin Energy Ltd (ASX ORG).

What did Superloop report?

• Over 250,000 Origin broadband subscribers now on the Superloop network (Milestone 4 achieved)
• Triggers share issue obligation based on customer milestones
• Milestone shares priced at the 30-day VWAP at milestone date
• Shares subject to 12-month voluntary lock-up

What else do investors need to know?

Superloop’s Origin contract is an exclusive six-year deal to provide wholesale internet services to Origin Energy Retail and its subsidiaries. The deal, secured in March 2024, has enabled Superloop to substantially grow its retail broadband subscriber base.

Each milestone achieved under the Origin contract triggers the issue of Superloop shares, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals. The shares issued for Milestone 4 are locked up for one year, aligning management’s interests with long-term performance.

What’s next for Superloop?

Looking ahead, Superloop will continue executing on its Origin partnership and remains focused on growing its position as a leading challenger in the Australian broadband market. Reaching Milestone 4 demonstrates progress in scaling its wholesale and retail internet offerings.

The company will seek required approvals to issue the new milestone shares and uphold its obligations under the Origin agreement. Superloop’s strategy centres on innovation and customer growth as it leverages its infrastructure and software platforms.

Superloop share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Superloop shares have risen 34%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 9% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Superloop surges past 250,000 Origin connections, triggers next milestone appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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 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.

Investing for the next five years doesn’t require predicting every twist in the market.

What matters more, in my view, is owning businesses with durable advantages, solid growth prospects, and management teams that know how to allocate capital well. If those ingredients are in place, time tends to do the rest.

Here are five Australian stocks I’d feel comfortable buying and holding for the next five years.

ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD)

ResMed remains one of the highest-quality healthcare stocks listed on the ASX, in my opinion.

The company develops devices and digital health platforms for sleep apnoea and respiratory conditions. Demand is supported by powerful long-term trends such as rising obesity rates and the growing awareness of sleep disorders.

What I particularly like is that ResMed combines hardware, software, and data into a single ecosystem. That creates switching costs and recurring revenue opportunities.

Over the next five years, I believe expanding device adoption and digital health services could continue to drive consistent earnings growth.

Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

Hub24 has quietly become one of the standout Australian stocks in financial services.

Its platform allows financial advisers to manage client portfolios efficiently, and it continues to attract strong inflows as advisers migrate away from legacy systems.

The broader trend towards professional financial advice and sophisticated wealth platforms is still playing out, and Hub24 has been consistently gaining market share.

If that momentum continues, I think the business could be materially larger in five years’ time.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)

Sigma Healthcare is now in a very different position than it was a few years ago.

The Australian stock’s merger with Chemist Warehouse has transformed it into a major force in Australian pharmacy retail and distribution. Chemist Warehouse is one of the country’s strongest healthcare brands, with significant scale and customer loyalty.

That combination of retail presence, pharmaceutical distribution, and network expansion creates a powerful platform for long-term growth.

For me, this makes Sigma one of the more interesting healthcare plays on the ASX over the next several years.

Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG)

Breville is a great example of an Australian stock building a global brand.

Its premium kitchen appliances, particularly espresso machines, have developed strong reputations in key markets such as the United States, Europe, and Asia.

The company continues to expand geographically while also launching new product categories. I believe that combination of innovation and international expansion gives it a long runway for growth.

If management continues executing well, I think Breville could keep compounding earnings over the medium term.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

No long-term Australian portfolio feels complete to me without exposure to resources.

BHP remains the country’s mining heavyweight and offers diversified exposure to commodities such as iron ore and copper. In particular, copper demand is expected to grow as electrification, renewable energy, and data infrastructure expand globally.

The company also generates strong free cash flow during favourable commodity cycles, which supports attractive dividends.

While mining earnings can be cyclical, I think BHP’s scale and asset quality make it a compelling long-term holding.

Foolish takeaway

Five-year investing isn’t about finding the perfect entry point. It’s about owning businesses that can grow, adapt, and compound value over time.

For me, ResMed, Hub24, Sigma Healthcare, Breville Group, and BHP each bring something different to the table. Together they offer exposure to healthcare, financial technology, consumer brands, and global resources, which is a mix I’d feel comfortable holding for years.

The post 5 Australian stocks to buy and hold for the next 5 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• What’s next for the BHP share price?
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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Hub24. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Hub24 and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group and Hub24. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Income investors have plenty of options on the ASX.

From infrastructure and banks to retailers and asset managers, there are many companies that return a meaningful portion of their profits to shareholders through dividends. For investors building a portfolio designed to generate reliable income, that creates plenty of choice.

Here are five ASX dividend shares that I think are worth considering.

Dicker Data Ltd (ASX: DDR)

Dicker Data is one of Australia’s leading technology distributors, supplying hardware, software, and cloud services to resellers across Australia and New Zealand.

The business has built a strong reputation with vendors and partners, which has allowed it to grow consistently over many years. What I like about Dicker Data from an income perspective is its approach to shareholder returns.

The company has a long track record of paying regular dividends and typically distributes a large portion of its profits. While earnings can fluctuate with technology spending cycles, the underlying business model has proven resilient.

For investors seeking income exposure to the technology sector, Dicker Data is an interesting option.

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

Flight Centre’s shares have been under pressure over the past year, but the company remains confident in its long-term outlook.

The company has rebuilt its earnings following the pandemic and remains one of the world’s largest travel retailers. Its global footprint across leisure and corporate travel gives it scale and diversification that can support profits over time.

As I wrote here this week, consensus forecasts suggest Flight Centre’s dividend could continue growing in the years ahead.

And if travel demand remains healthy and recent acquisitions deliver on their promise, Flight Centre’s dividend potential could improve meaningfully over time.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Macquarie Group is widely regarded as one of Australia’s highest-quality financial institutions.

Its diversified business spans asset management, infrastructure investing, commodities trading, and banking services. That diversification helps smooth earnings across different market cycles.

Macquarie also has a solid record of returning capital to shareholders through dividends. While payouts can vary depending on profitability, the bank’s global platform and strong capital position give it flexibility to keep rewarding investors over the long term.

For income investors looking for exposure beyond the traditional big four banks, Macquarie stands out as a compelling alternative.

Lottery Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLC)

Lottery Corporation operates some of Australia’s best-known lottery brands, including Powerball and Oz Lotto.

Lottery businesses tend to be highly cash generative and relatively defensive. Ticket sales can hold up well even during softer economic conditions, and operating costs are relatively predictable.

That combination allows Lottery Corporation to pay attractive dividends to shareholders. The company has positioned itself as a reliable income play since its demerger, supported by steady cash flow from lottery products.

For investors seeking income with a defensive tilt, it is an ASX dividend share worth keeping on the radar.

GQG Partners Inc (ASX: GQG)

GQG Partners is a global asset manager that has grown quickly in recent years thanks to strong investment performance and significant inflows.

Asset management businesses can be highly profitable when funds under management are expanding, and GQG has been returning a substantial portion of its earnings to shareholders.

Because its dividends are linked to profitability, payouts can fluctuate with markets and flows. However, when conditions are favourable, the income generated for shareholders can be very attractive.

For investors comfortable with some variability in dividends, GQG Partners offers exposure to the growth of global funds management alongside appealing income potential.

Foolish takeaway

Building an income portfolio on the ASX doesn’t have to mean sticking to the same handful of companies.

Dicker Data, Flight Centre, Macquarie Group, Lottery Corporation, and GQG Partners all offer different sources of dividend income across technology distribution, travel, financial services, gaming, and asset management.

For investors focused on generating income from shares, I think these five ASX dividend shares are worth considering.

The post 5 ASX dividend shares to buy for income in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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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 Macquarie Group and The Lottery Corporation. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Dicker Data and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Flight Centre Travel Group, Gqg Partners, and The Lottery Corporation. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Markets have swung sharply over the last two days as military conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran has intensified. 

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has fallen 3.2% so far this week while the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) has fallen 1%. 

Yesterday was somewhat of a bloodbath for the ASX 200 which dropped 1.94%, marking for one of the worst single day drops in months. 

A new report from Global X has shed light on the sectors and subsequent ASX ETFs that investors have been flocking to amidst this heavy volatility.

Investors push further into safe-haven assets 

Gold shares have continued to be a top pick for investors, following on from last year’s momentum.

Gold climbed 2% higher on Wednesday and now sits almost 78% higher than 12 months ago. 

Safe-haven assets typically maintain value even during economic uncertainty, so investors often flock to them when financial markets become volatile.

According to Global X, despite a two year rally for gold, the pace is not unprecedented. 

In 2024-26, we have observed a very constructive environment for gold, with significant geopolitical volatility, falling interest rates, a poorer economic outlook and an increasing narrative around de-dollarisation. 

The recent market volatility triggered by AI disruption in software, combined with the fresh risk of an energy shock and inflationary pressures stemming from US and Israel’s attack on Iran, have added on top of that bullish environment new developments which look strikingly similar to the late 70s rally and may be the final tipping point that potentially triggers a gold supercycle in which there is sustained, strong outperformance.

Global X said in the short term, it believes markets are underpricing the risk of a dragged-out, sustained conflict in Iran, which could translate to persistently high energy prices that lead to stickier and hotter inflation and, in turn, complicate the rate path for the Federal Reserve and risk an economic downturn.

Defence and Energy also worth monitoring

Global X also reinforced that the world is increasingly operating in a Cold War framework, with sustained military modernisation across the US, Europe and parts of Asia. 

Spending is also shifting toward defence technology, including missile systems, drones, cyber and AI-enabled capability. That creates a multi-year tailwind that is less cyclical and more policy-driven than traditional industrial demand.

Additionally, energy sits at the centre of this escalation because the Middle East remains critical to global supply and Asia remains structurally dependent on Gulf flows.

It said structurally this reinforces the case for energy security, LNG infrastructure and diversified supply.

How do investors access these themes?

For investors looking for exposure to gold, some ASX ETFs to consider include: 

• Global X Physical Gold Structured (ASX:GOLD) – Mirrors the growth in the Australian dollar gold price. 
• BetaShares Global Gold Miners ETF – Currency Hedged (ASX: MNRS) – Targets largest global gold mining companies (ex-Australia).

Energy focussed ASX ETFs to consider include: 

• The Global X Bloomberg Commodity Complex ETF (ASX: BCOM)
• BetaShares Global Energy Companies ETF – Currency Hedged (ASX: FUEL)

For defence focussed ASX ETFs: 

• The Global X Defence Tech ETF (ASX: DTEC)
• Betashares Global Defence ETF – Beta Global Defence ETF (ASX: ARMR)
• Vaneck Global Defence Etf (ASX: DFND). 

Foolish takeaway 

It’s important to point out that despite investors pushing into these themes, there is no guarantee these sectors will rise as a direct result of current conflicts. 

Predicting how markets respond to global conflict is inherently uncertain, and short-term sector moves are often driven by sentiment as much as fundamentals. 

While capital may rotate into perceived “beneficiaries,” there is no guarantee those trends will persist once conditions stabilise or new information emerges.

The post Which ASX ETFs are investors flocking to amidst volatility? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• What is the best global defence ASX ETF?
• 5 fantastic ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years
• 3 top ASX ETFs that avoid the tech wreck
• I think these 2 exotic ASX ETFs are a buy in 2026

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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.

Commodity markets can turn quickly.

Twelve months ago, lithium was firmly out of favour. Prices had been falling, sentiment toward lithium miners was weak, and many analysts were warning that supply could outpace demand in the medium term.

That backdrop weighed heavily on shares of PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS). Around this time last year, investors could buy the lithium miner’s shares for about $1.89 each.

But the story didn’t end there.

Lithium sentiment turned around

Over the past year, lithium prices have rebounded strongly as expectations around electric vehicle demand, battery storage, and energy transition projects improved.

That shift in commodity prices has had a major impact on lithium producers.

Higher realised lithium prices flow directly into revenue and margins for producers such as PLS. In its latest results, the company reported an average realised price of US$965 per tonne, which was 40% higher than the prior corresponding period.

The improvement in pricing, combined with solid production and operational discipline, helped drive a sharp turnaround in earnings.

Revenue for the half rose 47% to $624 million, while underlying EBITDA jumped 241% to $253 million, with margins expanding significantly.

Those kinds of improvements tend to get the market’s attention.

Scale and low costs matter

Other reasons the market has warmed to PLS shares again are its scale, asset quality, and low costs.

The company owns the Pilgangoora operation in Western Australia, which is the world’s largest independent hard-rock lithium project. Large, low-cost assets like this can remain profitable even during weaker commodity cycles.

Operationally, PLS also lifted production during the period. The company produced 432.8 thousand tonnes of spodumene concentrate in the first half, up about 6% on the prior period.

At the same time, unit operating costs declined thanks to improved efficiencies and higher sales volumes.

In other words, the business was performing better just as lithium prices were recovering. That combination helped drive renewed confidence among investors.

So, would 1,000 PLS shares have made money?

Now for the answer.

If I had bought 1,000 PLS shares at $1.89 a year ago, the initial investment would have been $1,890.

Today, with PLS shares trading at $4.74, those same 1,000 shares would be worth $4,740.

That’s a gain of $2,850, or roughly 151% over the past year.

Foolish takeaway

Lithium shares can be incredibly volatile. When sentiment turns negative, prices can fall sharply. But the reverse is also true.

Over the past year, improving lithium prices, strong operational execution, and renewed optimism around battery demand have helped PLS shares rebound strongly.

For investors who bought when lithium was deeply out of favour, the rewards have been significant.

The post If I’d bought 1,000 PLS shares a year ago, would I have made money? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• $5,000 to invest? Here’s how I’d split it across the ASX
• 5 of the best ASX 200 stocks to buy and hold in February revealed
• The PLS Group share price has soared 150% in a year. Is it still a buy in March?
• ASX 200 materials sector leads as earnings season ends with a record high
• These ASX 200 shares jumped 15% or more in February

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 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.