Author: openjargon

  • This ASX gold stock could jump in value by 60%: Broker

    Stacked gold bricks.

    ASX gold stock Astral Resources Ltd (ASX: AAR) has had a big week for news at its Mandilla gold project in Western Australia, and according to the analysts at Shaw and Partners the company is one to watch.

    They have a buy recommendation on the stock, albeit with a high-risk warning, and a bullish share price target, which I’ll get to shortly.

    First let’s look at what the company has announced.

    Solid drilling results from WA gold prject

    Earlier this week, Astral released the latest drilling from the Theia deposit at the Mandilla project, saying further broad zones of mineralisation had been intersected.

    The best results included 52.7m at 4.67 grams per tonne of gold from a depth of 445m, and 21m at 1.61 grams per tonne from 321m.

    To date 13 holes of a total of 21 have been drilled.

    Commenting on the result, Astral Resources Managing Director Marc Ducler said:

    The Theia Deeps drill program, which has now been extended to 21 holes for 11,000m, continues to show tremendous potential for additional growth at Theia, with the program targeting further high-grade extensions to the Theia resource at depth and along strike. These latest assay results … have all demonstrated broad zones of high-grade gold mineralisation beyond the base of the current April 2026 Mineral Resource shell. These programs position Astral for a very active second half of 2026 as we continue to both de-risk and grow the Theia deposit, advance the Mandilla Project definitive feasibility study (DFS) and kick-off a series of very promising exploration programs to test for growth opportunities at Kamperman and across our highly prospective Spargoville tenure.

    In addition to the new exploration results, Astral announced it had struck a land-use agreement with the Marlinyu Ghoorlie Native Title Claimant Group for the project.

    The company said the agreement covers protocols for heritage surveys, activities to protect identified sites and clearance procedures to facilitate mining activities at the Mandilla project.

    This ASX gold company’s shares are looking cheap

    Shaw and Partners said the land use agreement was an important hurdle for the company.

    They also said they saw good prospects for a mineral resource upgrade from the company either accompanying or following the DFS.

    They added:

    We maintain Buy rating on Astral Resources and $0.30 price target. The combination of continued high-grade extensional drilling at Theia and the completion of native title agreements across the Mandilla DFS tenement package both support the de-risking thesis into DFS completion in MarQ’27. Next key catalysts include further Theia Deeps assays, the Spargoville and Kamperman follow-up drilling in SepQ, and delivery of the Mandilla DFS itself.

    Astral shares are currently changing hands for 18.5 cents. The company is valued at $297.2 million.

    The post This ASX gold stock could jump in value by 60%: Broker appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Astral Resources NL right now?

    Before you buy Astral Resources NL shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Astral Resources NL wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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.

  • Solvar earnings: NPAT up, commercial lending grows, dividend rises

    A group of business people in a board room hear the latest company report.

    The Solvar Ltd (ASX:SVR) share price is in focus today after the company reported a 7.5% lift in normalised NPAT to $36.1 million, as well as continued progress in scaling its commercial lending and an increased fully franked dividend for FY26.

    What did Solvar report?

    • Normalised Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) up 7.5% to $36.1 million
    • Statutory NPAT down 6.2% to $29.5 million
    • Normalised earnings per share rose 14.7% to 19.0 cents
    • Total FY26 fully franked dividend of 19.5 cents per share (including special dividend)
    • Loan book in continuing operations up 10.5% to $920.3 million
    • Commercial loan book now $109.8 million, with Bennji reaching $49.7 million

    What else do investors need to know?

    Solvar has been simplifying its operations and investing in scalable growth platforms, with commercial lending through Bennji now a key strategic pillar. The continued rise in the commercial loan book has helped diversify the group’s earnings and underpins a shift towards sustainable long-term growth.

    Funding remains robust, with the company securing a new $488 million warehouse facility for Money3 and expanding overall funding capacity to around $1.1 billion. These moves bring over $400 million in available capacity, positioning Solvar for further loan book growth and expected funding cost savings in FY27.

    Solvar also completed its exit from the New Zealand market, selling its written-off loan book and reducing future complexity. The group resolved historical ASIC proceedings this year and highlighted improvements made in credit assessment and compliance frameworks.

    What did Solvar management say?

    Mr Scott Baldwin, CEO and Managing Director of Solvar, said:

    FY26 was an important year for Solvar as we continued rebuilding the foundations of the business to create a platform delivering sustainable growth.

    What’s next for Solvar?

    Solvar expects to see continued growth in both its consumer and commercial lending portfolios heading into FY27. The group will focus on expanding its commercial offering through Bennji, driving productivity through technology, and keeping capital allocation disciplined.

    Management believes that Solvar’s strengthened funding platform, scalable operations, and focus on responsible lending leave it well placed to deliver sustainable growth and attractive returns for shareholders.

    Solvar share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Solvar shares have risen 6%, outperforming the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XJO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Solvar earnings: NPAT up, commercial lending grows, dividend rises appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Solvar right now?

    Before you buy Solvar shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Solvar wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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.

  • How many Brambles shares do I need to buy for $5,000 per year of passive income?

    Australian dollar notes in the pocket of a man's jeans, symbolising dividends.

    Brambles Ltd (ASX: BXB) shares are a popular choice for ASX investors looking for passive income.

    The ASX blue-chip company is the world’s largest supplier of reusable wooden pallets and crates used for storing and transporting goods. It has a huge global footprint and operates in more than 60 countries, primarily under the Chep brand. 

    The company has been operating for over 150 years and has a strong competitive position in the market.

    Brambles’ scale, strong cash generation, recurring revenue and long operating history mean it is a classic defensive stock. And these qualities also mean the Australian blue chip is able to pay a regular passive income to its shareholders.

    But what if you wanted to generate $5,000 of passive income from Brambles shares every single year? Is it even possible? And if so, what would it entail?

    Let’s investigate.

    What’s the latest out of Brambles shares?

    At the time of writing, Brambles shares are trading for $19.47 a piece. That’s about 15% lower year-to-date and a 16% decline from this time last year.

    Brambles shares jumped to an all-time high in September last year, and they stayed relatively consistent for around the next nine months. 

    But in mid-May, Brambles shares crashed roughly 26% within a couple of days after the company scaled back its guidance figures for FY26. 

    What dividend does Brambles pay its shareholders?

    Brambles historically pays its shareholders two partially franked dividends per year, in April and October.

    The company most recently paid shareholders a 32.74 cent interim dividend, with 14.05% franking, in April. Assuming Brambles will pay around the same amount for the second half of FY26, a 65 cent total dividend implies a forward dividend yield of around 3.4%.

    How many Brambles shares do I need to generate $5,000 per year in passive income?

    Assuming Brambles pays a total FY26 dividend of 65 cents per share, investors would need to buy around 7,692 shares in order to earn around $5,000 per year in passive income.

    How much would that cost me?

    Based on the current share price of $19.47, in order to buy the 7,692 shares needed for the $5,000 passive income in FY26, you would need to invest around $150,000.

    It’s not a small amount of money, but if a regular and reliable passive income is your goal, it could be a worthwhile investment over the long-term.

    And remember, you don’t have to invest the full $150,000 at once. You can slowly build your investment over time and let compounding do the rest.

    The post How many Brambles shares do I need to buy for $5,000 per year of passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Brambles right now?

    Before you buy Brambles shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Brambles wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Australian Strategic Materials confirms scheme effectiveness as takeover completes

    Two businessmen shake hands behind a window.

    Yesterday, Australian Strategic Materials Ltd (ASX: ASM) announced that its members’ and options schemes have now become effective, paving the way for the complete acquisition of ASM by Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE: UUUU). Key details include all ASM shareholders receiving either New Energy Fuels shares or CDIs and a cash component of 13 cents per share.

    What did Australian Strategic Materials report?

    • The schemes of arrangement to acquire 100% of ASM shares and options are now effective.
    • ASM shareholders will receive 0.053 New Energy Fuels CDIs (or shares) and $0.13 cash per ASM share held on record date.
    • ASM optionholders will receive $0.50 cash per option held on record date.
    • ASM securities will be suspended from ASX trading at the close of 19 August 2026.
    • Key implementation dates begin from 19 August, with payment expected on 28 August 2026.

    What else do investors need to know?

    The Federal Court of Australia has approved both the Share Scheme and Option Scheme, fulfilling the major remaining condition. The company has lodged the court order with ASIC, making the transaction legally binding.

    Holders of ASM shares and options on the relevant record dates will automatically receive their consideration. For ineligible foreign shareholders, the New Energy Fuels shares will be sold on their behalf, with proceeds distributed accordingly.

    ASM securities will be removed from official ASX quotation on 31 August 2026. From this point, former ASM investors will become shareholders or CDI holders in Energy Fuels Inc., a dual-listed company trading in both Australia and North America.

    What’s next for Australian Strategic Materials?

    ASM will progress with the implementation of the schemes, transitioning shareholders to New Energy Fuels ownership. Key trading and payment milestones are scheduled between 19 August and early September, finalising the delisting of ASM.

    Looking ahead, future value for ASM’s former shareholders will track alongside Energy Fuels, which is focused on scaling critical materials production with newly acquired Australian assets.

    Australian Strategic Materials share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, ASM shares have risen 109%, outperforming the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Australian Strategic Materials confirms scheme effectiveness as takeover completes appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Australian Strategic Materials right now?

    Before you buy Australian Strategic Materials shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Australian Strategic Materials wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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.

  • Ventia wins $160 million Victorian ITS contracts, boosting infrastructure services

    Happy construction worker at a building site with a group of workers in the background.

    Yesterday, Ventia Services Group Ltd (ASX: VNT) announced that it had secured two major Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) maintenance contracts across Victoria, worth a combined $160 million over five years. The new deals are set to strengthen Ventia’s footprint in essential transport infrastructure services.

    What did Ventia Services Group report?

    • Awarded two ITS maintenance contracts in Victoria’s Central and East regions
    • Combined estimated contract value of approximately $160 million over five years
    • Potential extension options for up to four additional years
    • Services cover traffic signals, street lighting, and ITS assets

    What else do investors need to know?

    Ventia’s success in securing these contracts showcases its established reputation managing complex infrastructure networks. This award highlights the increasing role Ventia is playing in maintaining Victoria’s road system, supporting a safe and efficient transport network.

    The contracts are scheduled to commence from 1 December 2026 and include options to extend up to four more years, offering a pathway for recurring revenue and business stability. These wins align with Ventia’s broader strategy to serve essential infrastructure clients across Australia and New Zealand.

    What did Ventia Services Group management say?

    Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer Dean Banks commented:

    The award reflects Ventiaʼs proven capability in managing complex, technology enabled infrastructure networks. These contracts align strongly with Ventiaʼs expertise in maintaining critical transport assets and supporting our customers through safe, responsive and data driven service delivery.

    What’s next for Ventia Services Group?

    Looking ahead, Ventia is positioned to roll out its proven maintenance services for Victoria’s ITS assets, further reinforcing its standing as a transport infrastructure leader. The addition of these contracts not only strengthens Ventia’s portfolio but also bolsters prospects for sustainable, long-term growth.

    Management’s ongoing focus remains on delivering safe, reliable, and technology-driven solutions for clients, as well as exploring further opportunities in the infrastructure services market.

    Ventia Services Group share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Ventia Services Group shares have risen 6%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has risen 2% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Ventia wins $160 million Victorian ITS contracts, boosting infrastructure services appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Ventia Services Group right now?

    Before you buy Ventia Services Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Ventia Services Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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.

  • Why this ASX 200 stock is a buy after posting record results

    Happy woman looking at her laptop.

    ASX 200 stock Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) made headlines yesterday after releasing its FY26 results.

    As reported by James Mickleboro, the gold miner reported record FY26 profit and increased its dividend, backed by strong gold and copper output.

    Other key results included: 

    • Statutory profit after tax rose 59% to $1,475 million
    • Underlying EBITDA increased 44% to $3,171 million with 57% margin
    • Group cash flow jumped 76% to $1,389 million
    • Final fully franked dividend of 21 cents per share, up 62%
    • Total FY26 dividend of 41 cps, returning ~$833 million to shareholders. 

    What did management say?

    Commenting on the results, Evolution Mining’s Managing Director and CEO, Lawrie Conway, said:

    Our record results reflect the quality of our assets and, above all, the efforts of the entire Evolution team. We are delivering on our commitment to shareholders. The record financial performance is on the back of safe, consistent and reliable operational delivery, complemented by our disciplined approach to cost and capital management. Our high-margin business is generating significant cash flow with a record Group cash flow of nearly $1.4 billion.

    It was a subdued response from investors, with the ASX 200 stock rising just over 0.2% on the back of the announcement. 

    However, Evolution Mining shares have risen 73% over the last 12 months. 

    In good news for prospective investors, Bell Potter sees more upside for this ASX 200 stock. 

    Here’s what the broker had to say. 

    FY26 financial results sets fresh records

    The team at Bell Potter said this ASX 200 stock delivered a record FY26 result, with revenue of A$5.56bn, underlying EBITDA of A$3.17bn and net profit of A$1.56bn, despite falling short of Bell Potter’s forecasts. 

    The strong operational performance, combined with largely unhedged gold exposure, drove record earnings and free cash flow, while net gearing improved to 0% as EVN moved to A$19m of net cash. 

    Management also increased its dividend payout target from ~50% to ~60% of group cash flow, supporting a total FY26 distribution of 41cps and signalling a greater focus on shareholder returns. 

    FY27 guidance of 660-730koz of gold and 63-70kt of copper at AISC of A$1,795-1,995/oz was broadly in line with expectations, with higher growth capital reflecting investment in projects Bell Potter views as high-return and highly competitive for capital.

    Buy recommendation in tact 

    Based on this guidance, the team at Bell Potter retained its buy recommendation on this ASX 200 stock. 

    It also increased its price target to $15.55 (previously $15.10). 

    From yesterday’s closing price, this indicates a further upside of almost 14%. 

    EVN offers fully unhedged gold and copper exposure via a portfolio of high quality, long-life assets in Tier 1 jurisdictions, overseen by a high-quality management team. EVN has demonstrated its intention to increase shareholder returns and gold price exposure. Our NPV-based valuation lifts 3%, to $15.55/sh. We retain our Buy recommendation.

    The post Why this ASX 200 stock is a buy after posting record results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Evolution Mining right now?

    Before you buy Evolution Mining shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Evolution Mining wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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.

  • The average superannuation balance at age 62 in Australia. How does yours stack up?

    two women having a coffee whilst working from their laptops

    At age 62, Australians are entering the period where their superannuation shifts from being a retirement savings tool, to a main source of income.

    By this age, you’ve passed the preservation age, which means you can access your superannuation if you’ve quit working. And you’re five years away from receiving the Age Pension (if you’re eligible for it).

    But do you know if you have enough in your super to retire?

    Or how your superannuation balance compares to other Australians the same age as you?

    Here’s a breakdown of what the average superannuation balance is at age 62 in Australia.

    Find out how yours compares.

    What is the average superannuation balance for men aged 62 in Australia?

    There aren’t exact figures, but brackets determined by the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) provide a good guide.

    The data shows that the average Australian male aged 60-64 has around $395,852 in their superannuation.

    Is your superannuation in line with the average Aussie the same age?

    What is the average superannuation balance for women the same age?

    Women the same age have quite a lot less. The average balance for Australian women aged 60-64 is around $313,360. That’s a gap of almost $83,000!

    Why? 

    Women typically take a career break to have children or care for family, and during this time they receive little to no compulsory employer superannuation. Women are also more likely to work part-time and work in lower-paid industries. The missing contributions in their 30s and 40s also mean they lose several years of compounding, which takes a huge toll on their end balance. 

    How does your super balance compare?

    Are these average super balances enough to retire on?

    If you’re happy to live a basic retirement on a tight budget, possibly. But for a comfortable retirement, no.

    In fact, the average Australian is quite far behind.

    ASFA estimates that it’ll cost single Australians around $55,923 per year to retire. It’ll cost couples living together closer to $78,566 per year in total.

    These figures also assume you’ll start your retirement at age 67. It also assumes that you’ll receive a part Age Pension around this time and that you own your home outright.

    In order to fund this type of comfortable retirement, ASFA calculates that single Australians will need around $630,000 in their superannuation at age 67. Meanwhile, couples will need around $730,000 combined at the same age.

    So, how much should I have in my super by age 62 to retire comfortably?

    Using ASFA’s Super Balance Detective tool, I’ve calculated what you’d need at ages 62 to reach that sum in the next five years.

    Assuming you’re aiming for the $630,000 superannuation balance needed for an individual. At age 62, you should have close to $539,000 to be considered ‘on track’.

    How does your superannuation balance compare now?

    The post The average superannuation balance at age 62 in Australia. How does yours stack up? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • How much are CSL shares worth? 4 brokers have their say

    A scientist in a white coat and glasses puts her arms in the air in a sign of strength and success.

    CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares have staged an impressive recovery over the past three months, aided by a sharp jump this week following the company’s full-year results announcement.

    The shares are still more than 25% down over a 12-month period however, begging the question, is there still more recovery to come?

    It’s fair to say brokers are split on the question, with those surveyed having a wide range of views on where the shares will go over the next 12 months.

    First let’s have a quick look at what CSL announced this week.

    Steady results in reset year

    The blood products company posted total revenue of US$15.8 billion, down 1%, and underlying net profit of US$3.1 billion, down 2%.

    After significant one off costs and write downs were included, the company made a net loss of US$2.6 billion.

    Interim Chief Executive Officer Gordon Naylor called FY26 a “reset” year for the company.

    On the outlook, the company said it expected underlying net profit to grow by about 5% in FY27.

    Wide range of views on CSL Shares

    Among the brokers, UBS has the most bullish share price target for CSL at $181, compared to $163.51 late on Wednesday.

    The broker said:

    CSL has endured a challenging period that required significant restructuring to reduce costs and address the underperforming Vifor division. While more work remains, improving trends in the core plasma business suggest the worst is behind the group and that CSL is on track to return to at least market level growth. The separation of Seqirus is now complete, providing the incoming CEO with additional strategic flexibility.

    Morgan Stanley also believes the price will appreciate, with a $172 price target.

    They said:

    On balance, we see the FY26 result and FY27 guidance as highlighting incremental improvement within CSL Behring, the key driver of group earnings growth over the medium to longer term. Our forecasts imply solid underlying NPATA/NPAT growth, supplemented by an ongoing buyback program.

    Meanwhile, Bell Potter has a hold recommendation on CSL, with a price target of $150.

    They said:

    While the result today suggests the worst (by way of earnings declines) is in the rear-view for CSL, we find it difficult to justify a greater premium than is now being attributed relative to global biopharma peers.

    And most bearish on CSL is Macquarie, which has a neutral rating and a price target of just $133.

    They said:

    Despite signs of stabilisation, we see ongoing uncertainty across core business segments (immunoglobulin, albumin) and medium-term competitive risks.

    The post How much are CSL shares worth? 4 brokers have their say appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in CSL right now?

    Before you buy CSL shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and CSL wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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

  • 3 ASX 200 shares I’d buy for the next decade

    Happy woman working on a laptop.

    The long-term buy and hold strategy in ASX shares has been a good one for investors for a long time.

    A soft quarter becomes less important, and what matters instead is whether a business will still be comfortably growing its earnings in 2036.

    Here are three ASX 200 companies I think comfortably pass that test.

    Why I hold ASX shares for a decade

    Time is one of the few advantages a retail investor has over a professional fund manager.

    Nobody is grading my portfolio every quarter.

    That freedom lets me own good businesses through the messy years when the market loses patience.

    The three companies below each have a structural growth driver that should still be running long after this reporting season is forgotten.

    Wesfarmers: the compounding machine

    Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) may be the closest thing the local market has to a true compounder.

    The company’s half-year result delivered revenue of $24.2 billion and net profit after tax of $1.6 billion, up 9.3%.

    The interim dividend rose 7.4% to 102 cents per share.

    Bunnings did the heavy lifting again, with higher sales across every product category, region and customer segment.

    Managing director Rob Scott said:

    The result reflects strong operational performance and disciplined execution of the Group’s strategies to create shareholder value.

    The real appeal is capital allocation. Wesfarmers has repeatedly recycled cash out of mature businesses and into newer ones, moving from coal into lithium and health.

    At today’s prices the stock is not cheap on a price-to-earnings ratio in the low 30s.

    But I would rather pay up for a management team that has proven it can redeploy capital sensibly across multiple cycles.

    The conglomerate reports its FY26 numbers on 27 August.

    Goodman Group: an industrial landlord turned power broker

    Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) has become one of the most important data centre developers in the world.

    The company’s first-half result delivered $1.2 billion in operating profit. The group’s power bank also expanded from 5GW to 6GW.

    By June 2026, more than $14 billion of its roughly $18 billion work in progress is expected to be in data centre projects.

    Founder and CEO Greg Goodman said of the strategy:

    Power, sites and capital are critical to being able to service demand and provide delivery certainty.

    Goodman owns scarce, powered land in exactly the cities where artificial intelligence infrastructure needs to be built.

    The units are down roughly 16% over the past year, which strikes me as an opportunity rather than a warning sign.

    Goodman reports its FY26 result today.

    CSL: a reset year with a long runway

    CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) just posted the ugliest headline number in its ASX history.

    FY26 revenue slipped 1% to US$15.8 billion, and impairments of US$7.1 billion pushed the company to a US$2.6 billion statutory loss. Underlying NPATA still landed at US$3.1 billion.

    Investors looked past the write-downs to FY27 guidance of roughly 5% underlying profit growth, comfortably ahead of the 2% consensus.

    The shares surged 17.9% on results day.

    Interim CEO Gordon Naylor framed the year as a clearing of the decks:

    CSL is positioned for a return to sustainable growth, supported by solid plasma market fundamentals.

    Plasma collection remains a true moat, because it takes years and enormous amounts of capital to build a competing network of donor centres.

    On top of that, a US$1 billion buyback and a flat US$2.92 dividend suggest management believes the worst is now behind it.

    The risks of buying these ASX shares today

    None of this is free money.

    Wesfarmers carries a premium valuation that leaves little room for a consumer downturn.

    Goodman is making enormous capital commitments into a data centre market that could eventually oversupply.

    Meanwhile, CSL still has to prove Vifor can stabilise after guiding to a roughly 25% revenue decline.

    Foolish takeaway

    I am not trying to pick the best performers of the next 12 months, but to own businesses that will be much larger in 2036 than they are today.

    Wesfarmers, Goodman Group and CSL each have a credible path to that outcome.

    For patient investors interested in long-term compounding, that is the bar these ASX shares need to clear.

    The post 3 ASX 200 shares I’d buy for the next decade appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in CSL right now?

    Before you buy CSL shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and CSL wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Mark Verhoeven 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, Goodman Group, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL, Goodman Group, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • How much is needed in superannuation to target a $40,000 annual passive income?

    Two elderly people smiling with their fists pumping and with a cape on.

    I’m sure most readers would love to have an annual passive income return of $40,000 in their superannuation.

    For people already getting $40,000 per year in passive income, I reckon receiving an additional $40,000 per year would also be very welcome.

    So, what would it take to unlock that river of dividends via superannuation? That’s what I’ll look at in this article.

    Superannuation could be the best place to invest for passive income these days following taxation changes to trusts, residential property and capital gains tax.

    Owning dividend-paying investments in superannuation means investors won’t lose as much of the return to tax as they would if the investment was in their own name. During the accumulation phase, superannuation has a lower tax rate for income than full-time working individuals, while in retirement the tax rate for income could be 0% for many retirees, depending on the size of their superannuation balance.

    With that in mind, I think superannuation is an excellent place to unlock $40,000 per year.

    Generating $40,000 of annual passive income

    It’ll take a sizeable sum to unlock tens of thousands of dollars of dividends each year.

    There’s no single dollar target required because it really depends on what sorts of investments Aussies choose and the dividend yield that comes with that.

    For example, if an investor had all of their money in iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV), you’d have a dividend yield of around 1%. With a dividend yield of 1%, someone would need a $4 million portfolio to make $40,000 per year in passive income.

    The IVV ETF is not the choice I’d make for passive income, though it does have other benefits.

    Instead, I’d focus on building a portfolio with a dividend yield of at least 4%, if not more.

    With a 4% dividend yield, an investor could generate the desired passive income from a $1 million portfolio.

    If an Australian’s portfolio had a 5% dividend yield, they would only need $800,000 for that income.

    With a 6.5% dividend yield, an Australian’s portfolio goal would be close to $615,000.

    As you can see, the higher the dividend yield, the smaller the portfolio needs to be to achieve the income target.

    But, higher dividend yields may be riskier and/or deliver less capital growth for investors.

    So, the choices investors make could greatly influence how reliable that passive income is. Not every investment with a high dividend yield may sustain its dividends over the longer term.

    ASX dividend shares I’d consider for superannuation

    If Australians are willing to accept a lower dividend yield, then it’s hard to look past Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL). That’s an investment conglomerate that owns a diversified portfolio of defensive assets, enabling it to pay a reliable and growing dividend. Its payout has grown every year since 1998, though the grossed-up dividend yield is only 3.3%, including franking credits, at the time of writing.

    But, there are plenty of businesses with higher dividend yields that I think are compelling.

    For example, Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP) and Dexus Industria REIT (ASX: DXI) are both real estate investment trusts (REITs) with dividend yields of between 5% and 7%. They provide exposure to industrial property, which is benefiting from compelling rental tailwinds.

    I also like portfolio investments that can provide diversification and good dividend yields for superannuation investors.

    Some of my favourite portfolio-based investments that come to mind include MFF Capital Investments Ltd (ASX: MFF), WCM Quality Global Growth Fund (ASX: WCMQ), WCM Global Growth Ltd (ASX: WQG), Future Generation Australia Ltd (ASX: FGX), Future Generation Global Ltd (ASX: FGG) and L1 Long Short Fund Ltd (ASX: LSF). All of these names have a track record of increasing payouts to shareholders, with dividend yields between 4% and 7%.

    There are a number of other attractive ASX shares to consider, in my view, for passive income.

    The post How much is needed in superannuation to target a $40,000 annual passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in iShares S&P 500 ETF right now?

    Before you buy iShares S&P 500 ETF shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and iShares S&P 500 ETF wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Future Generation Australia, Future Generation Global, L1 Long Short Fund, Mff Capital Investments, Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited, Wcm Global Growth, and Wcm Quality Global Growth Fund. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Mff Capital Investments and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.