Author: openjargon

Australian investors do not need to stay limited to the ASX.

Some of the world’s strongest businesses are listed offshore, and ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) can make them easy to access in a single trade.

That can be useful for investors wanting exposure to global technology, US market leaders, and high-quality companies with sustainable competitive advantages.

Here are three world-class ETFs that could be worth a closer look.

Global X Fang+ ETF (ASX: FANG)

The first ASX ETF to look at is the Global X Fang+ ETF.

This fund gives investors exposure to a concentrated group of global technology and innovation leaders. Its holdings include companies such as NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), and Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX).

NVIDIA is a particularly interesting example. The company has become one of the most important businesses in the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, with its graphics processing units powering data centres, AI models, cloud infrastructure, and high-performance computing.

It is concentrated and can be volatile when technology valuations come under pressure. But for investors wanting exposure to some of the world’s most influential digital companies, the Global X Fang+ ETF offers a simple way to own a basket of global names that are shaping how people work, shop, stream, communicate, and use AI.

iShares S&P 500 AUD ETF (ASX: IVV)

Another world-class ASX ETF to consider is the iShares S&P 500 ETF.

This fund tracks the S&P 500, giving Australian investors exposure to many of the largest listed companies in the United States. Its holdings include Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN), and Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.B).

Microsoft is a good example of the quality inside the index. The company has built a powerful position across enterprise software, cloud computing, productivity tools, gaming, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.

Its Azure cloud platform gives it exposure to growing demand for digital infrastructure, while products such as Office, Teams, and Dynamics remain deeply embedded in businesses around the world.

The iShares S&P 500 ETF is broader than a pure technology fund. It includes healthcare, financials, consumer companies, industrials, and communication services. That makes it a straightforward option for investors wanting diversified exposure to corporate America.

VanEck Morningstar International Wide Moat ETF (ASX: GOAT)

A third ASX ETF that could be worth a look is the VanEck Morningstar International Wide Moat ETF.

This fund focuses on international companies that have sustainable competitive advantages. Its holdings change periodically but currently include Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO), Etsy (NYSE: ETSY), and Dassault Systemes (FRA: DSY).

Novo Nordisk shows why that moat approach can be powerful. The Danish healthcare giant has built a leading position in diabetes and obesity treatments, with strong brands, deep scientific expertise, and significant global demand for its medicines.

Healthcare businesses with strong intellectual property, regulatory experience, and trusted products can be difficult to displace. That can support pricing power and long-term earnings resilience.

For investors wanting exposure to high-quality international companies with strong advantages, this fund could be a strong long-term option.

The post 3 world-class ETFs for Australian investors appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to use the iShares S&P 500 ETF (IVV) to become a millionaire
• 3 ASX stocks I’d buy during a sharemarket crash
• Could this ASX ETF be the best way to invest in the AI boom?
• 3 amazing ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years
• Can you turn $20,000 into $100,000 with ASX shares?

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 Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Dassault Systèmes Se, Etsy, Microsoft, Netflix, Nvidia, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Novo Nordisk. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Dassault Systèmes Se, Microsoft, Netflix, Nvidia, VanEck Morningstar International Wide Moat ETF, and 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.

The iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) is one of the best exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the ASX in terms of management costs and net returns. I think it’s a wonderful investment to help Australians build towards becoming a millionaire (and more).

The IVV ETF invests in 500 of the largest and most profitable businesses that are listed in the US.

Let’s run through its positives and then I’ll show how it can be used to help reach $1 million.

Low management costs

There are numerous ASX ETFs that Australians can buy. We don’t know what the returns of the funds will be, but costs are likely to play an important part in the net return. The lower the fees the better, as that leaves more of the money in the hands of the investor.

Of course, there isn’t much of an actual difference between 0.05% or 0.10% per year.

But, low-cost ETFs have significantly lower fees than active fund managers, who may charge 1% (or more), plus outperformance fees if they do outperform.

The IVV ETF has an incredibly low management cost of 0.04% per year. That’s one of the cheapest on the ASX, making it very appealing.

Great businesses lead to great returns

In my view, the 500 businesses in the ASX ETF’s portfolio are some of the highest quality that we can find in the global stock market. Many of the US-listed businesses are among the best at what they do. That allows them to capture significant market share, generate strong profit margins and still have good growth potential.

In the portfolio are names like Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon.com, Broadcom, Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Micron Technology and Tesla.

Some of the other names further down the list include Berkshire Hathaway, JPMorgan Chase, Visa, Walmart, Costco and Netflix.

Pleasingly, this portfolio has performed extremely well for investors. The IVV ETF has returned an average of 15.5% per year over the prior decade. Of course, past performance is not a guarantee of future performance.

Compelling diversification

While all of the businesses in the portfolio are listed in the US, their underlying earnings come from across the world. Think how many countries around the world have Apple smartphone users, use Google or utilise Microsoft software.

Many of the businesses in the portfolio are truly global businesses, they just happen to be listed in the US. So, I think the underlying earnings of this portfolio are very diversified.

The sectors are fairly diversified, though there is a rising allocation on technology as certain companies become increasingly large.

How to become a millionaire with the IVV ETF

I don’t know what the future returns of the IVV ETF will be, and I’d be surprised if it’s more than 15% per year over the next decade.

But, I think the companies involved could continue to perform well. So, let’s assume the average return per year in the coming years could be 10%.

If someone invested $1,000 per month and it returned an average of 10% per year, that’d turn into $1 million in less than 24 years. If it returned 15% per year, it’d reach $1 million in 19 years.

Each household will have a different financial picture. Perhaps someone can invest $2,000 per month. If the IVV ETF returned an average of 10% per year, an Australian could become a millionaire in less than 18 years. An average return of 15% per year would mean millionaire status in less than 15 years.

Of course, the IVV ETF isn’t the only investment I’d consider to become a millionaire.

The post How to use the iShares S&P 500 ETF (IVV) to become a millionaire appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 world-class ETFs for Australian investors
• 3 ASX stocks I’d buy during a sharemarket crash
• Can you turn $20,000 into $100,000 with ASX shares?
• 3 ASX ETFs I’d buy to build a portfolio from scratch
• This ASX bank ETF has a 5.2% dividend yield right now

JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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 Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Broadcom, Costco Wholesale, JPMorgan Chase, Meta Platforms, Micron Technology, Microsoft, Netflix, Nvidia, Tesla, Visa, Walmart, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Netflix, Nvidia, Visa, and 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.

REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) are a listed investment vehicle that owns, operates, or finances income-producing real estate.

Instead of buying a property directly, you buy units in a REIT, giving you exposure to a professionally managed portfolio of properties.

REIT typically owns assets such as:

• Office buildings
• Shopping centres
• Industrial warehouses
• Logistics facilities
• Data centres
• Healthcare properties
• Residential developments (less common)

The properties generate rental income, which the REIT collects and distributes to investors after expenses.

Why real estate stocks and REITs are down in 2026

In 2026, the S&P/ASX 200 Real Estate (ASX: XRE) index is down almost 10%. 

There have been several headwinds affecting the sector. 

Firstly, REITs are highly sensitive to rates because they typically use debt to finance property portfolios. 

The RBA has raised rates multiple times in 2026, increasing borrowing costs and reducing the present value of future rental income streams.

Additionally, more expensive and less available financing makes it harder for REITs to acquire assets, refinance debt, or fund developments, reducing expected growth. 

Finally, as bond yields and cash rates rise, investors can earn higher returns from lower-risk assets such as term deposits and government bonds, making REIT distributions relatively less attractive. 

Despite these headwinds, a new report from Bell Potter has identified REITs that have been oversold or offer long-term upside. 

Here is what the broker is tipping. 

REITs with upside

According to Bell Potter’s weekly report, several REITs are worth targeting. 

Firstly, the broker has a buy recommendation on Goodman Group (ASX: GMG). 

Its share price has been largely flat in 2026 and is currently trading at $31.20 per share. 

However, Bell Potter has a $35.50 price target, indicating a healthy 13% upside. 

The broker is also optimistic about Aspen Group Ltd (ASX: APZ). Its share price is down 14% year to date. 

Bell Potter has a 12-month price target of $6.50, which indicates roughly 40% upside. 

Finally, the broker has a buy rating on Cedar Woods Properties Ltd (ASX: CWP). 

Cedar Woods Properties shares have fallen almost 23% year to date, and now offer considerable value. 

The broker has a buy rating and $9.65 price target, indicating 46% upside from current levels. 

REITs to avoid 

While some REITs have fallen to a value, the broker has also highlighted that not every REIT is a buy-low candidate. 

The broker has a sell rating on HomeCo Daily Needs REIT (ASX: HDN), an Australian property group focused on the ownership, development, and management of Australian shopping centres. 

Bell Potter also changed its rating on Abacus Storage King (ASX: ASK) to a hold (previously buy) due to emerging pressure in the storage sub-sector.

The post Why there could be hidden value in REITs right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• 3 high-quality Australian shares I’d buy with $10,000
• Why these ASX blue-chip shares are strong buys right now
• Buy, hold, sell: Goodman, Arafura Rare Earths, Elders shares
• Why a top broker just downgraded this ASX 300 share

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 positions in and has recommended Goodman Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group and HomeCo Daily Needs REIT. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Passive income investors do not need to rely only on the big banks for dividends.

There are plenty of ASX dividend stocks across retail, property, infrastructure, consumer staples, and agriculture that could help generate income over time.

Here are five ASX dividend stocks that could be worth a closer look.

Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD)

Elders could be an ASX dividend stock to buy. It is one of Australia’s best-known agribusinesses, providing services across rural products, livestock, real estate, financial services, and agency operations.

Its earnings can move with seasonal conditions and farmer confidence, so it is not a defensive dividend stock in the traditional sense. But agriculture remains essential, and Elders has a long-established position in rural Australia.

For income investors willing to accept some cyclicality, it could offer exposure to a sector that is very different from banks, miners, and retailers.

HomeCo Daily Needs REIT (ASX: HDN)

Another ASX dividend stock that could be worth a look is HomeCo Daily Needs REIT.

This property trust owns assets focused on regular household spending and essential services. Its tenants include supermarkets, pharmacies, health services, childcare operators, and large-format retailers.

That tenant mix can make the trust more resilient than property assets tied heavily to discretionary shopping or office demand.

Interest rates and property valuations remain risks. But its focus on convenience and daily needs could support a steady distribution profile for passive income investors.

Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL)

A third ASX dividend stock to consider is retail conglomerate Super Retail.

It owns brands including Supercheap Auto, Rebel, BCF, and Macpac. This gives it exposure to auto parts, sporting goods, outdoor leisure, and adventure categories.

Retail conditions can be mixed when households are under pressure. But Super Retail has built strong brands in categories where customers can be loyal and repeat purchases matter.  In addition, its scale, store network, and membership programs help support the business.

If Super Retail continues managing costs and inventory well, it could be well-placed to continue rewarding shareholders with big dividends.

Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

A fourth ASX dividend stock for income investors to consider is Transurban.

It is a toll road operator with assets across major cities in Australia and North America. This includes CityLink in Melbourne, Cross City Tunnel in Sydney, and AirportlinkM7 in Brisbane.

That gives the company a strong position. In many cases, its roads are important parts of daily transport networks, helping people get to work, school, airports, and key business areas.

This can support steady cash flow over time. And that cash flow helps fund the distributions that passive income investors look for.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

A final ASX dividend stock to look at is Woolworths.

It is one of Australia’s most defensive consumer businesses, with its supermarkets serving millions of shoppers each week.

Groceries and household essentials remain important regardless of the economic backdrop. That gives the company a more stable earnings base than many discretionary retailers.

Together with Woolworths’ scale, brand, and supply chain strength, this makes it a dependable name for income-focused investors.

The post 5 ASX dividend stocks for passive income investors appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why there could be hidden value in REITs right now
• 4 reasons to buy Transurban shares today
• 5 tips to navigate ASX share market volatility
• Why Telstra and these defensive ASX dividend shares could be top buys
• Buy, hold, sell: Goodman, Arafura Rare Earths, Elders shares

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Super Retail Group and Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Super Retail Group, Transurban Group, and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Elders and HomeCo Daily Needs REIT. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) is a harder share market story than it used to be.

For years, investors treated the biotechnology giant as a reliable compounder. Today, the market wants evidence of better execution, stronger margins, cleaner guidance, and a clearer path back to earnings momentum.

I think that shift has created an opportunity.

The buy case today is about improvement from a much lower level of confidence. CSL no longer needs to be viewed as flawless for investors to make money. It needs to show that the business can stabilise, tighten execution, and rebuild momentum over the next few years.

That is why I would buy the shares while sentiment remains weak.

A more practical investment case

I think CSL now needs to be judged differently.

The old story was built around consistent growth, high investor trust, and a premium valuation. The current story is more grounded. It is about self-help, operational improvement, and whether management can get more from a very large healthcare platform.

That may sound less exciting, but it can still be a powerful setup.

A business of CSL’s size does not need everything to change at once. Better collection efficiency, sharper commercial execution, improved productivity, and more disciplined spending could all make a meaningful difference over time.

When expectations are low, even steady progress can matter. That is the part I find attractive. The market is already cautious. Investors are no longer assuming the company will deliver smooth, year-over-year growth. If CSL can start rebuilding credibility, the share price could respond well before the recovery looks complete.

Plasma remains central

The plasma business is still the beating heart of CSL. Demand for plasma-derived therapies is tied to serious medical conditions and ongoing healthcare needs. Products such as immunoglobulins are used by patients who rely on treatment, which gives the business a very different demand profile from many consumer-facing companies.

The challenge for CSL is turning that demand into stronger returns.

That means managing collection costs, improving network productivity, making good commercial decisions, and rebuilding confidence in the earnings path. None of that is easy, but the prize is significant because the plasma market still has long-term growth potential.

I also think investors sometimes underestimate the value of scale in this industry.

CSL has a collection, manufacturing, regulatory, distribution, and scientific capability that cannot be replicated quickly. Those strengths do not remove the execution challenge, but they do give the company a strong base from which to improve.

More than one lever

CSL also has other parts of the business that could help over time.

Seqirus gives the group exposure to vaccines, while CSL Vifor adds specialist medicine exposure in areas such as iron deficiency and nephrology.

These businesses have not removed the pressure on the group, and investors still need to watch execution closely. But they do add breadth to CSL’s earnings base and give management more than one area to improve.

That is important because recovery does not have to come from a single perfect outcome.

If plasma execution improves, Seqirus remains resilient, and CSL Vifor contributes more consistently, the overall group could look much healthier in a few years.

Patience is needed

I would not expect sentiment to change overnight. Once the market loses confidence in a former favourite, it usually takes time and evidence before investors return in a meaningful way. That could mean several results, clearer guidance, and signs that margins are moving in the right direction.

There are risks to think about. Its recovery could take longer than expected, margins may stay under pressure, and management still needs to prove it can deliver a cleaner earnings story.

But I think the starting point is far more attractive than it was when CSL shares traded on a much richer valuation and investor expectations were much higher.

Foolish takeaway

CSL shares now look like a different kind of opportunity.

The company is no longer just a simple quality compounder that the market is willing to back almost automatically. It is a global healthcare business that needs to rebuild trust, improve execution, and show that its best years are not behind it.

I think that is a worthwhile risk at today’s lower level of confidence.

Patient investors may need to wait for sentiment to turn, but that is often how better entry points appear. If CSL can make steady operational progress and restore earnings momentum, I think today’s weak sentiment could eventually look too pessimistic.

The post Why I’d buy CSL shares while sentiment is weak appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

ASX healthcare stock Vitrafy Life Sciences (ASX: VFY) continued its impressive run yesterday with a 16% jump. 

The company has now seen its share price rise almost 200% year to date. 

Company overview

Vitrafy is a biotechnology company focused on improving cryopreservation, which is the process of freezing and storing biological materials such as cells, tissues, reproductive material, and potentially other medical or veterinary products.

The company has developed its own Vitrafy Cryopreservation Technology (VCT), which combines:

• Smart freezing and thawing devices
• Quality management software
• Specialised packaging solutions

The goal of VCT is to better control temperature changes during freezing and thawing. This helps more cells survive and remain functional after they are thawed.

According to Vitrafy’s testing and independent validation studies, its technology has produced higher cell survival rates and better cell quality than many existing industry methods and standards.

Why is it hitting new highs?

There was no price-sensitive news out of this healthcare stock on Tuesday. 

However, last week, the company announced a partnership with Vitalant Innovation Center (“Vitalant”) to configure Vitrafy’s next-generation cryopreservation ecosystem to solve the looming crisis for red blood cell preservation. 

The partnership aims to address a pivotal industry transition: as existing frozen red blood cell (“RBC”) technologies reach the end of their operational life, with no replacement presently available.

Speaking on the partnership, Managing Director and CEO, Brent Owens, commented:

We are really excited to partner with Vitalant to actively address an issue of national significance with one of the leading blood market participants in the USA. 

The recognition of Vitrafy’s cryopreservation ecosystem as the next generation solution to this crisis reinforces our belief that we are securing meaningful market traction and creating a pathway to significant commercial scale. 

We see this partnership as the first of several potential civilian blood opportunities that have stemmed from the successful results in the U.S Army platelets study.

This new partnership, along with recent contract wins, has likely propelled the healthcare stock to new all-time highs. 

Can this healthcare stock keep rising?

This ASX healthcare stock is now at a new 52-week high following Tuesday’s gain. 

Holders of the stock may now be considering profit-taking, while prospective investors will be considering the future potential of this growth stock.

Earlier this year, Bell Potter placed a price target of $3.00 on this healthcare stock. 

Meanwhile, Morgans is optimistic about the company following recent contract wins. 

Despite the positive views, it is now trading above broker targets. 

However, it’s worth noting that growth stocks can remain attractive investments even when trading above broker price targets. 

Rapid earnings and revenue growth can cause a company’s intrinsic value and share price to increase faster than analysts can update their forecasts and rerate the stock.

The post Is this exciting healthcare stock a buy, hold or sell after rocketing 16% yesterday? 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.

Do you know how your superannuation balance compares to other Aussies the same age?

It’s important to keep on top of how much is in your superannuation at each life milestone. How else can you make sure you’re on track with your retirement goals?

The issue is that Australians aged 45 are at a very different stage of life from those aged 65.

At age 45, many Australians feel like they’re at a financial crossroads. They’re at the life stage between the superannuation they’ve built in their early careers and the stage when their superannuation begins to compound more rapidly.

At age 65, many Australians are in or very close to retirement. This age group should be closely examining what they need to retire and live the lifestyle of their dreams. 

Here’s a breakdown of the average superannuation balance for Australians aged 45 versus 65 in 2026.

What is the average superannuation balance of Australians aged 45 in 2026?

There isn’t an exact figure for Australians aged 45, but there is a bracket that can help provide a good starting point.

Data from the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) shows that at age 45-49, the average male has $193,501 in their superannuation. Meanwhile, the average female has $147,146.

What is the average superannuation balance of Australians aged 65 in 2026?

At age 65, the figures are again vastly different between men and women.

ASFA data shows that males aged 65-69 have an average superannuation balance of $448,518. Meanwhile, women have an average of $392,274.

How do these balances compare to what I actually need to retire?

ASFA data also shows how much Australians actually need in their superannuation in order to live a comfortable retirement.

That’s one where retirees can expect to maintain a good standard of living. It assumes you’d own the top level of private health insurance, own a reasonable car brand and do regular leisure activities. It also includes funds for potential home repairs or renovations, the occasional meal out, and perhaps even an annual holiday.

According to ASFA, a comfortable retirement is expected to cost around $54,840 per year for single Aussies. It is expected to cost roughly $77,375 per year for a couple. This also assumes that you’d be entitled to receive a part Age Pension payment at age 67.

These figures indicate that by age 67, single Australians need a superannuation balance of approximately $640,000. And couples should have closer to $730,000.

As you can see, what you actually need for a comfortable retirement is a lot more than the average superannuation balance of Australians, even at age 65.

How does your superannuation balance compare now?

ASFA has crunched the numbers, and it turns out that in order to reach the total balance needed at age 67, you’d need a superannuation balance of around 239,000 at age 45. This would need to increase to around $604,500 by age 65.

The post Average superannuation balance in Australia in 2026: 45 vs 65 year olds appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

Growth shares can be powerful wealth builders when they are held for the long term.

The key is finding companies with large markets, improving business models, and the potential to become much bigger over time.

Not every growth share will deliver the goods for investors, but the best ones can reward those that are willing to be patient.

With that in mind, here are three ASX growth shares that could be worth buying and holding.

Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT)

The first ASX growth share to look at is sports technology company Catapult.

It provides performance technology used by sporting teams and athletes around the world. Its products help clubs track movement, workload, injury risk, training output, and match performance.

Professional sport is becoming more data-driven, and teams are under pressure to find small advantages wherever they can. While it makes money from selling wearable devices, the real value is in the data, software, and insights that help coaches and performance staff make better decisions.

If data keeps becoming more important in elite sport, Catapult could have a much larger role to play and be positioned for strong growth over the long-term.

Morgans is a fan and recently put a buy rating and $5.40 price target on its shares.

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

Another ASX growth share that could be a top buy and hold option is online furniture and homewares retailer Temple & Webster.

The company has built a strong position in a category that has traditionally been dominated by physical stores.

Furniture shopping is not always easy. Products are bulky, ranges are fragmented, and customers want choice. Temple & Webster’s model gives shoppers access to a wide product range without the same store footprint required by traditional retailers.

This leaves it well-placed to benefit as online penetration continues to rise in the furniture and homewares market.

Bell Potter is positive on the company’s long-term outlook. It recently put a buy rating and $7.00 price target on its shares.

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP)

A third ASX growth share to consider as a buy and hold investment is Zip.

The buy now pay later company has been through a major reset in recent years. It has refocused its operations, improved its cost base, and concentrated on markets where it believes it can generate stronger returns.

Its US business remains an important part of the growth story, particularly if consumer demand and merchant adoption continue improving.

Importantly, Zip is no longer just a story about rapid user growth. If it can keep delivering profitable growth, the market may start viewing it very differently.

Ord Minnett already does. The broker is bullish and recently put a buy rating and $4.00 price target on its shares.

The post 3 amazing ASX growth shares to buy and hold forever appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports and Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Owning Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares over the last 12 months has been very rewarding, as the chart below shows. A recent rise in energy prices could lead to a significant dividend increase.

At the time of writing, the Woodside share price has climbed 36% over the last 12 months. Not many ASX blue-chip shares can point to a performance as strong as that over the last year.

It’s understandable why virtually all of the rise has happened this year. The business has benefited from the higher energy prices following the Middle East events, as well as (in my view) rising global energy demand (from areas like data centres).

Woodside’s dividend has been volatile over the years, but the next couple of years could be particularly attractive for investors.

FY26

Woodside’s financial year runs on the calendar year, so we’re close to halfway through it, rather than almost at the end of FY26 like many other Australian businesses.

The company has already revealed its production for the first quarter of 2026.

It reported that it produced US$3.26 billion of operating revenue, up 7% compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, with an average realised quarterly price of US$63 per barrel of oil equivalent (BOE) – that was 11% higher than the fourth quarter of 2025, reflecting the benefit from market prices.

While energy prices increased, production volumes decreased 8% to 45.2 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe). Sales volume also decreased by 1% to 51.7 MMboe.

The business is also making significant progress on its projects, with the Scarborough project reaching 96% completion. Scarborough remains on budget and on track for the first LNG cargo in the fourth quarter of 2026.

It noted that the Scarborough floating production unit completed hook-up and began topside commissioning upon arrival in Australia.

According to Commsec’s projection, the business could hike its annual dividend per Woodside share by almost 39% in FY26 and pay a grossed-up dividend yield of 10.75% at the time of writing, including franking credits.

FY27

The company’s performance in FY27 could largely depend on energy prices and the pace of resolution of the situation in the Middle East, including how long it takes for normal energy flows to resume through the Strait of Hormuz.

Based on Commsec forecasts, the business is projected to be even more profitable in the 2027 financial year than in FY26.

Woodside is forecast to deliver a 24% hike in its FY27 annual dividend, which would be very pleasing for owners of Woodside shares.

The projection implies that the payout could rise by 24% year over year. The grossed-up dividend yield, including franking credits, at the time of writing, could be 13.3% for FY27.

FY28

The last year of this series of projections suggests Woodside’s payout could return to a more normal level.

While the payout could be 23% lower than FY27’s dividend, it could still be 32% higher than the FY25 annual payment.

At the time of writing, the FY28 grossed-up dividend yield could be 10.25%, including franking credits.

Based on these projections, Woodside shares are expected to deliver double-digit passive income returns over the next few years.

However, it has already risen following the Middle East events, so it may not be the best opportunity out there. Other ASX share ideas could be more appealing.

The post Here’s the dividend forecast out to 2028 for Woodside shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Why Coles and Woodside shares are being tipped as buys
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
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• Why DroneShield, Pro Medicus, SRG Global, and Woodside shares are charging higher today

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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.

On Tuesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) fought back from a very poor start to end the day only slightly lower. The benchmark index dropped 0.25% to 8,604.2 points.

Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Wednesday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 to edge higher

The Australian share market looks set for a better day on Wednesday despite a mixed night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 9 points or 0.1% higher. In the United States, the Dow Jones rose 0.15%, but the S&P 500 fell 0.25% and the Nasdaq dropped 1%.

Oil prices tumble

ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a difficult session after oil prices tumbled overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 3.2% to US$88.31 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 2.85% to US$91.54 a barrel. This was driven by news that traffic is increasing in the Strait of Hormuz.

Wesfarmers update

All eyes will be on Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) shares on Wednesday when the conglomerate holds its strategy briefing day event in Sydney. Ahead of the event, Morgans recently upgraded the Bunnings owner’s shares to an accumulate rating. It said: “In our view, WES remains a high-quality business with a healthy balance sheet and a proven management team. Amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and cost-of-living pressures, its retail divisions (Bunnings, Kmart Group, Officeworks, Priceline) are well-placed to grow due to their strong value propositions. A sustained improvement in lithium prices should also support earnings over the medium term.”

Gold price drops

ASX 200 gold shares such as Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a poor session on Wednesday after the gold price dropped overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 1.8% to US$4,282.9 an ounce. Traders were selling gold ahead of the release of US inflation data and on increasing rate hike bets.

TechnologyOne shares downgraded

Bell Potter is calling time on the TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE) share price rally. This morning, the broker has downgraded the enterprise software provider’s shares to a hold rating (from buy) with an improved price target of $34.25 (from $32.25). It said: “Our updated TP of $34.25 is <15% premium to the share price so we downgrade our recommendation to HOLD. We now see the stock as reasonable value on FY26 and FY27 PE ratios of 66x and 55x respectively. We do see Technology One as one of if not the best quality large cap SaaS company on the ASX but we note it is already trading at almost double the FY26 and FY27 PE ratios of WiseTech (ASX: WTC) on 35x and 28x.”

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Here’s why the ASX 200 is falling despite a sea of green
• Why Aeris Resources, Northern Star, REA Group, and Weebit Nano shares are falling today
• Why are ASX 200 tech stocks like WiseTech, Life360 and Xero shares getting hammered on Tuesday?
• 3 ASX stocks I’d buy during a sharemarket crash

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Technology One and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Technology One, Wesfarmers, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Technology One and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.