Author: openjargon

Are you looking forward to living a comfortable retirement lifestyle but aren’t sure whether your superannuation is on track to get you there?

Or perhaps you want to find out the superannuation balance you’d need to maintain a good standard of living, do some regular activities, meals out, and perhaps even an occasional overseas trip.

Here’s a rundown of what the average Aussie has in their super at 56 and 66 years old, and what you’d need at each age to have enough for retirement.

Find out how yours compares.

How much superannuation does the average Australian have at age 56?

There isn’t an exact figure for the average superannuation balance at age 55, but the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) has a good guideline.

ASFA’s data shows that at age 55 to 59, the average Australian male has around $319,743 in superannuation. The average female in the same age bracket has approximately $242,945.

How much superannuation does the average Australian have at age 66?

The average 65 to 69-year-old Australian male has an average superannuation balance of $448,518, and women have around $392,274.

Age 56 versus age 66: Why is the gap so wide?

The difference between super balances at age 56 versus age 66 is significant. 

Over the 10-year period, average balances increase by up to $150,000.

It could be that these individuals have had more time to add additional contributions to their superannuation balance. 

But it also shows the importance of compounding. It’s clear that accumulating wealth early on, investing in a well-performing fund, and at a risk profile that suits your own, can supercharge your balance down the line.

Are these average balances enough to retire on?

No. In fact, the average Australian is quite far behind.

ASFA estimates that it’ll cost single Australians around $55,923 per year. 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.

Ok, so how much do Aussies need in their superannuation by age 56 and 66 to be on track?

Using ASFA’s Super Balance Detective tool, I’ve calculated what you’d need at ages 56 and 66 to reach that sum.

At age 56, you need around $416,000 in your superannuation.

At age 66, this should be more like $618,500 in order to live comfortably when the time comes. 

As you’ll see. These sums are significantly higher than the average at each age milestone.

And this means you’ll need to bridge the gap another way.

It’s a good idea to start by making additional contributions. You can take advantage of additional concessional or non-concessional contributions, whether this is via salary sacrificing or by making after-tax payments (within your annual limits).

Government initiatives (if eligible) could also help bridge the gap between the superannuation balance you have and what you need.

The post Average superannuation balance for 56 vs 66-year-olds in 2026. How does yours compare? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Billionaire Andrew Forrest’s buy up sends ASX mining share soaring
• Up 42% since April, guess which $3.4 billion ASX 200 stock is charging higher again on Monday
• VAS vs VGS: Which Vanguard ETF is winning so far this year?
• South32 reveals FY26 operating results

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.

Shares in EQ Resources Ltd (ASX: EQR) have surged more than 20% after it was revealed iron ore magnate Andrew Forrest has bought a major stake in the company.

Cornerstone stake bought out

EQ Resources said in a statement to the ASX that Dr Forrest had bought Oaktree Capital Management’s 16.8% stake in the company.

The company added:

Oaktree has been a cornerstone investor in EQR since 2023, supporting the Company’s acquisition of the Barruecopardo tungsten mine in Spain and the ongoing expansion of the Mt Carbine tungsten mine in North Queensland, which together have positioned EQR as the largest western tungsten producer. This transaction is at the shareholder level and will not impact the strategy, day-to-day operations, management or employees of EQR.

EQ Resources Managing Director Craig Bradshaw thanked Oaktree for their support, saying they backed the company’s vision at a pivotal time.

He said regarding the transaction:

We warmly welcome Dr Forrest’s investment in the Company. It is a strong endorsement for EQ Resources to see the ownership baton passed from a financial investor to a stalwart of the Australian mining industry with a proven track record of developing and growing assets. This is a great vote of confidence in EQ Resources, our people, and the growth strategy we are executing across our operations in Australia and Spain.

Dr Forrest said he was glad to be backing an Australian critical minerals producer, “at the moment the world has woken up to how fragile critical mineral supply chains have become”.

He added:

Tungsten is essential to the machines that build our homes, hospitals, cities and modern-day energy systems, as well as the semiconductors in every phone and computer. Yet global supply is remarkably concentrated. We are proud to become a long-term shareholder in a company that is de-risking its operations, ramping up production and beginning to generate real cash flow. We look forward to seeing the business continue to grow.

Dr Forrest founded iron ore producer Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) and remains Executive Chair and a major shareholder with slightly more than a third of the group’s shares under his ownership.

Tungsten shares a multi-bagger

EQ Resources shares added 22.7% in early trade to 27 cents. The company’s shares are up 610.5% over a 12-month period.

In a recent investor presentation, the company made the point that China currently controls 85% of global tungsten supply.

EQ Resources produced 1,189 tonnes of tungsten trioxide in FY26 and said both of its mining operations had opportunities to scale up.

EQ Resources is valued at $1.13 billion.

The post Billionaire Andrew Forrest’s buy up sends ASX mining share soaring appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why South32 shares edge higher on strong results and landmark deal
• Average superannuation balance for 56 vs 66-year-olds in 2026. How does yours compare?
• Up 42% since April, guess which $3.4 billion ASX 200 stock is charging higher again on Monday
• VAS vs VGS: Which Vanguard ETF is winning so far this year?
• South32 reveals FY26 operating results

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.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) stock Fletcher Building Ltd (ASX: FBU) is charging higher today.

Shares in the New Zealand-based building and materials company closed on Friday trading for $3.16. In early-morning trade on Monday, shares are changing hands at $3.21 apiece, up 1.6%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.1% at this same time.

Fletcher Building shares have been on a tear since plumbing a one-year closing low of $2.26 on 28 April. Indeed, with today’s intraday lift factored in, the share price is up 42% since that low, giving the ASX 200 stock a market cap north of $3.4 billion.

Here’s what’s catching investor interest today.

ASX 200 stock jumps on New Zealand support

Flether Building shares are outperforming today after the company announced a milestone agreement between its Golden Bay Cement business and the New Zealand government.

The ASX 200 stock reported that the government has granted up to NZ$60 million (AU$50.4 million) to support Golden Bay Cement’s Northland operations.

The company noted that the one-time grant will provide certainty for Golden Bay Cement’s continued domestic manufacturing capability and planned decarbonisation pathway.

Golden Bay Cement operates New Zealand’s only domestic cement manufacturing facility, supplying around 60% of the country’s cement.

Fletcher Building said that the agreement recognises Golden Bay Cement’s role as the only domestic manufacturer of a critical building material.

As part of the agreement, Golden Bay Cement has committed to continue producing cement at its Northland plant until at least 2040. The business will also invest at least NZ$150 million through to 2040.

What did Fletcher Building management say?

Commenting on the government grant helping boost the ASX 200 stock today, Fletcher Building CEO Andrew Reding said, “Domestic cement production matters for New Zealand’s resilience as much as for its economics.”

Reding added:

An onshore source reduces exposure to shipping disruption, supply shocks and price volatility, an increasingly important consideration as global supply chains become more unpredictable.

Reding also addressed the higher carbon emissions costs the company faced in New Zealand compared to its international competitors.

He noted:

Without government support, increasing costs, including carbon emission costs that our competitors importing cement from overseas do not currently incur at the same level, would likely have required us to close the plant and move to an import-only model from 2030.

This agreement removes that risk, providing the certainty to keep investing in domestic manufacturing, operational resilience and lower-carbon production. It’s a strong example of business and government working together in the national interest.

The post Up 42% since April, guess which $3.4 billion ASX 200 stock is charging higher again on Monday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Vanguard ETFs remain among the most popular investment choices for Australians looking to build long-term wealth.

ASX ETFs have surged in popularity over the past decade, offering investors a low-cost, diversified way to invest without having to pick individual shares.

Few providers have benefited more from that trend than the Vanguard Group. Its focus on low fees, broad diversification, and a simple buy-and-hold investing philosophy has made its ETFs favourites among first-time investors and retirees alike.

Here’s how two of the fund manager’s biggest ASX-listed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) – the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) and the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) – are performing so far this year.

Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF

The Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF aims to track the performance of the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO), giving investors exposure to around 300 of Australia’s largest listed companies.

The ETF is heavily weighted towards Australia’s biggest sectors, with Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) each accounting for more than 10% of the portfolio. Other major holdings include Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS).

That concentration in banks and miners can be both a strength and a weakness. Investors benefit from exposure to some of Australia’s highest-quality companies and attractive dividend yields, but the portfolio is less diversified across sectors than many global funds.

VAS charges a low management fee of 0.07% per annum, helping investors keep more of their returns over the long term.

At the time of writing, the ETF has returned around 2% over the past year and is down approximately 1.6% over the past month, trading at $108.92. Over the past five years, it has delivered a total return of around 16%.

Income remains one of VAS’ biggest attractions. Investors recently received a distribution of 48.99 cents per unit, reinforcing its appeal for those seeking regular passive income.

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF

For investors wanting to diversify beyond Australia, the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF offers exposure to more than 1,300 large and mid-cap companies across developed markets outside Australia.

Its largest holdings include technology giants Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA), both of which have benefited from the rapid growth of artificial intelligence.

Unlike VAS, VGS has relatively little exposure to Australian banks and resources companies. Instead, it provides investors with access to many of the world’s leading technology, healthcare, consumer, and industrial businesses. The ETF also charges a competitive management fee of 0.18% per annum.

Performance has been particularly strong. VGS has gained around 11% over the past year and has significantly outperformed VAS over the past five years, delivering a return of approximately 62%.

Investors also recently received a distribution of 80.11 cents per unit.

For Australians seeking greater global diversification and exposure to many of the world’s highest-quality companies, VGS continues to be a compelling long-term core holding.

The post VAS vs VGS: Which Vanguard ETF is winning so far this year? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has positions in BHP Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, Macquarie Group, Microsoft, Nvidia, Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) share price is in focus today after the mining giant delivered FY26 operating results, exceeding several production guidance targets and announcing major progress in pivoting towards base metals.

What did South32 report?

• Announced sale of aluminium value chain (excluding Mozal) to Alcoa for up to US$5.6 billion, plus around US$1.2 billion in rehabilitation provisions
• Sierra Gorda (copper) exceeded FY26 production guidance by 2% and delivered record annual distributions of US$401 million
• Manganese production across Australia and South Africa both surpassed FY26 guidance by 1% and 4% respectively
• Group sales volumes increased by 15% in Q4 FY26, unlocking circa US$200 million in working capital
• Returned US$327 million to shareholders during FY26 through dividends and on-market buy-backs
• Major progress at Hermosa, investing about US$710 million in the zinc-lead-silver project

What else do investors need to know?

South32 completed a CEO transition, with Matt Daley taking the reins from Graham Kerr as of 1 July 2026. The recently announced sale to Alcoa, which excludes Mozal Aluminium, is expected to be finalised in the second half of FY27 pending shareholder approval. This transformational move accelerates South32’s strategic shift towards becoming a leading producer of base and precious metals.

The company highlighted robust production from Cannington, Sierra Gorda, and its manganese operations. Meanwhile, Hermosa’s development continues on schedule with crucial US permitting milestones achieved. South32 also reported effective cost control despite higher raw material and freight costs due to geopolitical impacts.

What’s next for South32?

With the pending sale of its aluminium value chain, South32 expects about 85% of pro-forma earnings to come from base and precious metals. The business is targeting 55% production growth from approved projects, with expanded copper capacity at Sierra Gorda and further construction at the Hermosa project.

South32 plans to continue optimising its core assets and progress open-pit development at Cannington, while closely managing water impacts at its Australian manganese operations. Revised guidance for Australia Manganese FY27 output will be provided with upcoming results.

South32 share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, South32 shares have risen 29%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post South32 reveals FY26 operating results 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.

The Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL) share price is in focus today after the company secured two major civil and concrete construction contracts for its Tumas Project in Namibia, valued at approximately A$34 million, further de-risking its flagship uranium development.

What did Deep Yellow report?

• Two major civil and concrete construction contracts awarded for the Tumas Project in Namibia.
• Estimated combined contract value of around A$34 million, following a competitive tender process.
• Contracts awarded to 100% Namibian-owned contractors, supporting local content.
• Work packages cover processing plant concrete, precast infrastructure, and Run-of-Mine retaining structures.
• Mobilisation scheduled for August 2026 with sequential handover to reduce execution risk.

What else do investors need to know?

Both contracts were awarded to Namibian Construction Pty Ltd and Nexus Building and Civils Contractors Pty Ltd, reinforcing Deep Yellow’s focus on in-country capability and local workforce participation. The company said the process followed industry-standard terms and competitive tendering.

Civil and concrete works will be delivered sequentially from August 2026. While they do not alter the planned 24-month construction schedule after the Final Investment Decision, the work is expected to create multiple work fronts and greater project flexibility.

What did Deep Yellow management say?

Managing Director and CEO Greg Field said:

These awards represent another important milestone in our disciplined approach to project development. Our objective has always been to systematically remove execution risk, secure high-quality contractors and ensure the Project is positioned for efficient delivery as we advance toward FID towards the end of this year. Civil and concrete works are fundamental to the successful delivery of any major processing facility. Securing these capabilities now creates multiple construction work fronts, increasing execution flexibility and strengthening confidence in execution once FID is reached.

We are equally pleased that both contracts have been awarded to highly capable Namibian companies. Developing Tumas in partnership with local industry is central to our strategy and reflects our commitment to delivering long-term value for Namibia alongside our shareholders.

What’s next for Deep Yellow?

Deep Yellow is progressing towards a Final Investment Decision for the Tumas Project, expected in the fourth quarter of 2026. The company continues to pursue its dual-pillar growth strategy, aiming to become a globally significant uranium producer.

Its development pipeline also includes the Mulga Rock Project in Western Australia, and exploration projects in the Northern Territory and Namibia. With a strong focus on partnership and project execution, Deep Yellow expects to deliver long-term value for communities, shareholders and the uranium supply chain.

Deep Yellow share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Deep Yellow shares have declined 33%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Deep Yellow announces major construction contracts for Tumas Project 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.

The Fletcher Building Ltd (ASX: FBU) share price is in focus today after the company announced a government-backed funding agreement to secure New Zealand’s only domestic cement manufacturing until at least 2040. Golden Bay Cement, part of Fletcher Building, will receive up to $60 million from the New Zealand Government to continue operations and invest in decarbonisation.

What did Fletcher Building report?

• Golden Bay Cement to get up to $60 million in government support for its Northland plant
• Commitment to continue cement production until at least 2040
• Planned investment of at least $150 million at the Northland facility through to 2040
• Supports domestic supply of around 60% of New Zealand’s cement
• Agreement aims to address the carbon cost gap versus imported cement

What else do investors need to know?

The arrangement is a one-off government response to ensure domestic cement supply and national infrastructure resilience. Without this support, rising costs—especially from carbon emissions—could have forced Golden Bay Cement to close and shift to imports by 2030.

The agreement also ensures Golden Bay Cement will keep investing in upgrades and alternative fuels, which have already reduced reliance on fossil fuels. The plant directly employs more than 150 people and underpins over 600 jobs across the Whangārei district.

What did Fletcher Building management say?

Andrew Reding, Fletcher Building Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, said:

Domestic cement production matters for New Zealand’s resilience as much as for its economics. An onshore source reduces exposure to shipping disruption, supply shocks and price volatility, an increasingly important consideration as global supply chains become more unpredictable. Golden Bay Cement directly employs more than 150 people and supports a further 450 jobs across the Whangārei district, underpinning our ability to build homes, hospitals, roads and infrastructure with locally sourced materials.

What’s next for Fletcher Building?

With this funding agreement, Fletcher Building will phase in at least $150 million of investment at Golden Bay Cement’s Northland plant up to 2040. The focus will be on operational resilience, modernisation, and decarbonisation, with all planned investments subject to Fletcher Building’s usual approval processes.

The company’s commitment secures local cement manufacturing, aiming for a lower-carbon operation compared to imports and supporting New Zealand’s building sector.

Fletcher Building share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Fletcher Building shares have risen 13%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Fletcher Building secures $60m for local cement production in NZ 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.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares finished last week 1% higher at $123.32, extending their recent rebound. The biotech giant’s shares have climbed 16% over the past month and are now up around 34% since their early June lows.

Even so, it’s important to keep that rally in perspective. CSL shares remain down about 29% in 2026 and have lost roughly half their value over the past 12 months.

So, after one of the biggest falls in the company’s history, could CSL shares double from here and reclaim their former highs?

Changed narrative

For decades, CSL built a reputation as one of the ASX’s highest-quality companies, delivering consistent earnings growth through its leadership in plasma-derived therapies and global healthcare operations.

That reputation took a major hit over the past year.

A string of earnings downgrades, leadership changes, and around US$5 billion in non-cash impairments, largely tied to the CSL Vifor acquisition, have weighed heavily on investor confidence.

Impairments, downward guidance

For almost two years, the ASX biotech stock has been locked in a persistent downtrend. This has been punctuated by sharp 10% to 15% rallies before another disappointing update pushed shares to fresh multi-year lows.

The latest setback came in May, when management guided to FY26 revenue of around US$15.2 billion, about 4% below consensus forecasts, and NPAT of roughly US$3.1 billion, around 7% below expectations. The company also flagged another US$5 billion of non-cash impairments across FY26 and FY27.

Since then, little has changed fundamentally. While Tavneos faces potential withdrawal in the US and Europe, analysts note the product contributes only around 1% of group revenue.

The team at Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) believes expectations have now been reset to a relatively low level. Analysts expect modest earnings growth through FY28 and argue that even small earnings beats could support the share price.

What do the experts think?

Broker sentiment has become more cautious than it was a year ago.

According to TradingView data, 10 of 18 analysts now rate CSL shares as a hold. The remaining eight have buy or strong buy recommendations. The average price target sits at $138.88, implying around 13% upside from current levels.

Some analysts remain far more optimistic. UBS retained its buy rating at the start of this month with a $158 price target. The broker argues that much of the bad news surrounding Vifor has already been priced into the shares.

Morgans is also positive, maintaining a buy recommendation and a $147.59 target price. However, it expects a recovery in investor confidence to take time as the market waits for clearer evidence that earnings have stabilised.

A handful of analysts reportedly see the shares reaching as high as $197.85 over the next year. That represents potential gains of about 60%.

That would be an impressive recovery, but still well short of doubling from current levels. Based on current broker forecasts, a return to CSL’s record highs appears more realistic over several years than within the next 12 months.

The post Could CSL shares double from here? Here’s what the experts think appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

I love buying ASX dividend stocks after they’ve fallen because we’re getting much better bang for our buck.

Not only do we get to buy a business at a lower price-earnings (P/E) ratio, but it also means the dividend yield is larger.

For example, if a business has a dividend yield of 4% and then the share price drops 10%, the yield becomes 4.4%. With the ASX dividend stock Propel Funeral Partners Ltd (ASX: PFP), we’re talking about a much larger fall.

As the chart below shows, the Propel share price has fallen by around 34% since the start of 2026. I think this is a good time to invest in the funeral provider because of a few different reasons.

Opportunistic time to buy

One of the most important things about investing is that the price we pay has a big impact on the size of the returns generated.

There are a number of headwinds facing the Propel share price right now, which is why it’s so much cheaper. Higher interest rates may have prompted investors to consider other safe assets, such as cash, term deposits, and interest rate-linked bonds, hurting the Propel share price – this effect could reverse if/when interest rates start to come down again, possibly next year.

Plus, the ASX dividend stock is expecting FY26 revenue growth to be between flat to 1.9%. This seems like a relatively low level of revenue growth for the year, and I’m expecting more in future financial years, so this could be an opportunistic time to buy as the ageing demographic tailwinds become stronger.

Long-term growth trend

According to Propel, the industry is expected to see volume growth in the coming years.

The number of deaths in Australia is expected to increase by an average of 2.9% per year between 2026 and 2035 and then 2.4% per year between 2036 and 2045. That compares to a growth rate of 1.1% between 1990 and 2025.

As the saying goes, there are only two things certain in life – death and taxes – and we can’t invest in the Australian Taxation Office.

There is a certain number of deaths each year, which means the business has a certain level of earnings each year, making it very defensive.

According to the forecast on CMC Invest, the business is now valued at 22 times FY26’s estimated earnings. I think this looks reasonable for the long-term growth potential.

Good dividend yield

The ASX dividend stock is delivering a solid level of dividends for investors, which could grow in the coming years.

Based on the forecast on CMC Invest, the potential grossed-up dividend yield for FY26 is 5.5% (including franking credits), and this yield could grow to 6.2% by FY28 (including franking credits).

That’s not the biggest yield on the ASX, but it is a good level of payouts, and it could deliver payout growth in the years ahead.

The post 1 ASX dividend stock down 34% I’d buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Propel Funeral Partners. 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.

Once a week, I like to look at ASIC’s short position report to find out which ASX shares are being targeted by short sellers.

That’s because I believe it is worth keeping a close eye on short interest levels as high levels can sometimes be a sign that something isn’t quite right with a company.

With that in mind, listed below are the 10 most shorted shares on the ASX this week according to ASIC.

The top ten most shorted ASX shares

• Lotus Resources Ltd (ASX: LOT) is still Australia’s most shorted share with short interest of 22.8%. This uranium developer was due to return from a lengthy suspension last week with an update on its Kayelekera Project. Instead, the company requested more time as it prepares a funding package.
• Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) has seen its short interest ease again to 13.8%. Short sellers appear to be doubting this pizza chain operator’s turnaround plans.
• DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) has short interest of 12.8%, which is up sharply since last week. This counter-drone technology company’s shares could have been targeted due to a recent ASIC investigation into an announcement and insider share sales.
• 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) has seen its short interest rise to 12%. This could be due to valuation concerns, with the medical technology company’s shares trading on sky-high multiples. 
• Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) has 11.8% of its shares held short, which is up week on week. There are concerns this travel agent giant could be negatively impacted by the Middle East conflict. 
• Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) has short interest of 11.7%, which is down slightly again week on week. Short sellers appear to believe the radiopharmaceuticals company could continue to struggle gaining US FDA approvals.
• Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) has short interest of 11.7%, which is down week on week again. This uranium miner’s production outlook beyond 2027 is uncertain. An update is  due by the end of August.
• CAR Group Limited (ASX: CAR) has short interest of 11.6%, which is up week on week. There may be fears that higher interest rates could slow the growth of the automotive market and listing volumes.
• Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) has 11.5% of its shares held short, which is up week on week. It is another uranium producer that short sellers have been targeting.
• Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD) has entered the top ten with short interest of 10.75%. This agribusiness company has underperformed the market’s expectations this year.

The post These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Domino’s Pizza Enterprises and Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, DroneShield, Telix Pharmaceuticals, and Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CAR Group Ltd, Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, Flight Centre Travel Group, and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.