Author: openjargon

ASX share markets have swung wildly throughout the first half of 2026 as geopolitical tensions, stubbornly high inflation and uncertainty about interest rate hikes weighed on investor sentiment.

Despite extensive volatility, both the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) and S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) are relatively flat for the year to date.

What’s important for investors to understand is that, while market volatility is uncomfortable, it is normal.

In fact, investors who manage to stay disciplined during periods of uncertainty often see some of their best long-term returns.

The trick is knowing how to manage volatile market conditions when they arise.

Here are five tips to help weather the storm.

1. Focus on the business, not the share price

Navigating a volatile ASX share market requires focusing on resilient, fundamentally strong companies

Oracle of Omaha Warren Buffett once famously said that “Charlie and I are not stock-pickers; we are business-pickers”. 

The idea is, investors make smarter investing decisions when they focus on the business, not the share price. That means looking for ASX shares that can handle volatility, rather than looking for the next cheap stock.

These would be defensive assets and blue-chip stocks with strong balance sheets and stable earnings. 

For example, Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) is a classic defensive asset. Regardless of how severe inflation or the cost of living gets, connectivity and telecommunications will remain a high priority for most Australians. That means the business can perform steadily, regardless of what stage of the economic cycle we’re in. 

Transurban Group (ASX: TCL) is another high-grade defensive ASX stock means the toll road operator is able to generate a resilient cash flow regardless of the economic conditions. 

2. Avoid emotional decisions

Surviving volatile ASX shares markets couldn’t be possible if investors react with a knee-jerk decision to every market swing.

This includes panic selling after a sharp fall, or buying into a low-quality stock just because it looks cheap. 

Waiting too long to buy back in is another emotional error that investors make. That’s because by the time things feel safe again, markets may have recovered.

3. Think about the long-term

Many investors forget that short-term volatility doesn’t necessarily affect long-term growth.

For these investors, it would be helpful to focus on the long-term goals of your investments during uncertain periods and block out the short-term market noise.

Resilient investors which can ride short-term fluctuations could be rewarded with positive returns further down the road, especially if they’ve picked a good-quality business.

When markets become choppy, it can be tempting to sell up to avoid further losses. But this could also mean locking losses unnecessarily. 

A better approach is usually to stay calm and stick to the plan. 

4. Focus on diversity

Diversifying ASX share market investments across and within a range of different sectors and businesses is the simplest way to spread risk.

That’s because returns from different assets are rarely affected by (and react to) the same headwinds at the same time.

Australian investors should avoid relying solely on Australian large-cap stocks. Instead, spread capital across different sectors and consider global exposures to dilute domestic risks even further.

5. Keep an eye out for opportunities

Volatile ASX share markets often present once-in-a-blue-moon investment opportunities. 

Rather than keeping a low profile when sentiment is low, and buying back in when markets are rebounding, investors should look for the perfect opportunity.

Ideally, investors should look to buy high-quality assets at a discount when other investors panic and sell, and pull back or sell when market overconfidence drives share prices to unrealistic heights.

The post 5 tips to navigate ASX share market volatility appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 6 ASX 200 shares downgraded by analysts this week
• Why Telstra and these defensive ASX dividend shares could be top buys
• Buy, hold, sell: Transurban, Sonic Healthcare, A2 Milk shares
• Buying Transurban shares? Here’s the dividend yield you’ll get today
• 3 ASX defensive stocks to buy while sharemarkets are volatile

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

There is a big difference between checking your super at 50 and checking it again at 60.

At 50, retirement is close enough to take seriously, but still far enough away that many people feel they have time to make changes. At 60, the conversation changes. Work may still continue for several years, but retirement is no longer some distant future event. It is approaching quickly, and the size of your superannuation balance starts to matter a lot more.

That makes comparing the two ages useful. It shows not only how much Australians typically have in super, but also how much can change during the decade when retirement planning often becomes far more focused.

What does the average 50-year-old have?

Using the surrounding age brackets as a guide, according to data from the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA), the average 50-year-old woman is likely to have approximately $170,000 in superannuation, while the average 50-year-old man is likely to have around $225,000.

These balances are meaningful, but they are also a reminder that most people at 50 are still some distance from where they may want to be at retirement.

That is not necessarily a problem. Age 50 can be a powerful reset point. Many Australians are entering their higher earning years, children may be becoming more financially independent, and mortgage pressure may be starting to ease. This can create room to pay more attention to super after years of competing priorities.

The key point is that at 50, the story is not finished. In fact, for many people, the most important chapter is just beginning.

What does the average 60-year-old have?

By age 60, the picture looks noticeably different.

Once again, based on the nearby age brackets, the average 60-year-old Australian woman is likely to have roughly $280,000 in superannuation, while the average 60-year-old man is likely to have about $360,000.

That is a significant increase from age 50 and shows how powerful the final decade before retirement can be. Continued employer contributions, compounding investment returns, and additional voluntary contributions can all combine to lift balances meaningfully.

It also reflects the reality that super often grows faster later in life. Once the balance is larger, investment returns can have a bigger dollar impact, even if the percentage return is the same.

Is that enough for retirement?

This is where context matters. According to the ASFA, a comfortable retirement requires around $630,000 in super for a single person and $730,000 for a couple, assuming home ownership and some Age Pension support.

A modest retirement requires much less, at around $110,000 for a single person and $120,000 for a couple. This level is designed to sit slightly above the Age Pension and covers the basics, but with limited room for extras.

Compared with those benchmarks, the average superannuation balance at 50 is unlikely to be enough to retire on immediately. That is not surprising. A 50-year-old could need to fund several decades of living expenses, with a long wait before Age Pension eligibility.

At 60, the average balance is stronger, but the answer still depends heavily on circumstances. A single person aiming for a comfortable retirement may still fall short of the ASFA benchmark. A couple combining two average balances may be in a much better position, particularly if they own their home and are willing to keep working a little longer.

Foolish takeaway

The average Australian superannuation balance at 50 is likely to be around $170,000 for women and $225,000 for men. By age 60, that rises to roughly $280,000 and $360,000, respectively.

Those numbers show meaningful progress, but they also highlight why retirement planning cannot be left until the last minute.

At 50, there is still time to influence the outcome. At 60, the focus becomes sharper. Either way, knowing where you stand is the first step toward making better decisions with the years still ahead.

The post The average Australian superannuation balance: 50 vs 60 years old appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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.

Well, June is here, and so too is winter, and possible moons and Ferris wheels. Musical imagery aside, I always think the turning of a new month and season is a great chance to scour the markets for a fresh look at potential ASX shares to buy.

It has been a rollercoaster of a year for the markets so far in 2026, with the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) going as high as 9,200 points and as low as 8,282 points over the past five months or so. That’s a difference worth almost 10%. And we’ve still got nearly 7 months of 2026 left.

This volatility might be prompting some investors to hope for a steadier market. I can’t promise that, but I can tell you which ASX shares I think are looking compelling for long-term investors this June amid these uncertain times.

2 ASX shares to buy this June

Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL)

First up, Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co, or Soul Patts, as it is more easily known, is an investing house with more than a century of ASX history. Over its long life, this company has managed a diversified portfolio of underlying investments on behalf of its shareholders. This portfolio contains a range of assets, including private equity, stakes in ASX-listed shares, property, and private credit investments, among others.

Soul Patts has the runs on the board to prove it knows what it is doing here. As I’ve covered previously, this company has comfortably delivered market-crushing returns over the past 25 years. Further, it has the best dividend streak on the ASX (no exaggeration), having given its shareholders an annual pay rise every year since 1998, with no interruptions.

You could do far worse than buying this quality ASX share in June.

MFF Capital Investments Ltd (ASX: MFF)

Next up, we have MFF Capital Investments. MFF is a listed investment company (LIC), meaning, similarly to Soul Patts, it manages an underlying portfolio on behalf of its shareholders. In MFF’s case, this portfolio consists almost entirely of US stocks. These stocks are selected through a value-investing lens, with MFF only looking for the highest-quality compounders trading at prices that make sense. Some of its largest and longest-held positions include Alphabet, Amazon, Visa, American Express, and Mastercard.

MFF also has a formidable dividend policy. It has been growing its annual dividends with a vengeance in recent years. To illustrate, MFF shareholders received an annual dividend of 2 cents per share in 2017, but 17 cents per share in 2025. The company is on track to increase that to 21 cents per share in 2026. These dividends typically come fully franked, too.

MFF shares recently traded on a yield of just under 3.8%. That, together with its quality holdings and long-term outlook, makes MFF another top pick for a June ASX share buy. At least in my view.

The post 2 ASX shares I’d buy in June appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to invest $7,500 for passive income in superannuation?
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• 2 great ASX dividend shares I plan to buy in June
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• Screaming buys: My top 5 favourite stocks in the world

American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, American Express, Mastercard, Mff Capital Investments, Visa, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Mastercard, Mff Capital Investments, and Visa. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

I always have my eye open for ASX dividend-paying shares which pay a good passive income to their shareholders.

Most ASX stocks pay their investors twice-yearly dividends, some hand out quarterly payments, and then there are a select few which distribute passive income every single month.

And their dividend yield ranges wildly too. The average dividend yield on the Australian share market currently sits around 3.5%. These are usually blue chip companies and major heavyweights which are considered stable and low-risk. 

These are the companies with a stronger cash flow, which operate in more cyclical industries, but which comes with additional risk. These could yield around 5% or 6%.

Then there’s high-yielding companies, which come with even greater risk, and are usually highly cyclical, which can yield over 10%.

But what if I told you that it’s possible to get the best of both worlds. A stable ASX stock at a good yield, and which pays monthly dividends.

Here’s my passive income pick

The Metrics Income Opportunities Trust (ASX: MOT) is a listed investment trust (LIT) with a diversified portfolio of private credit and other related opportunities. 

It means that investors can get direct exposure to private credit investments. This is becoming an increasingly popular asset class for income-focused investors.

What passive income does it pay its shareholders?

The Metrics Income Opportunities Trust targets a cash yield of 7% per year, paid monthly. It has a total target return of 8% to 10% per year net of fees and expenses.

It also has a distribution reinvestment plan (DRP), which allows unitholders to reinvest monthly income distributions. 

The ASX dividend stock’s most recent payout was 1.16 cents per security, paid in late-May.

The latest payout followed 1.22 cents per unit paid to shareholders in late April. The Fund also paid out 1.09 cents per unit in March, 0.92 cents in February, and 1.22 cents in January. 

Over the past 12 months, the Metrics Income Opportunities Trust has paid out 12 dividends that total 15.4 cents per share (unfranked). Using the $1.70 share price at the time of writing, this means the LIT currently has a dividend yield of around 9%.

How is its share price tracking?

The Metrics Income Opportunities Trust share price is down around 9% for the year-to-date and 14% lower than 12 months ago, at the time of writing.

The annual decline means it has underperformed the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO). Over the same 12-month period, the All Ords Index has risen around 4%, at the time of writing.

The post Passive income investors take note: This monthly-paying ASX stock yields 9% 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.

The Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement has been gaining in popularity in recent years, as increasingly investment-savvy people look to start early on the investing journey.

Break the shackles

The goal is to build a sufficient nest egg to support an early retirement, taking advantage of the significant benefits of compound interest, often coupled with a frugal approach to spending.

A commonly cited savings target is to accrue a portfolio worth 25 times your annual expenses which can then be drawn down over time – this is known as the 4% rule.

One of the main tenets of the FIRE movement is also that rather than picking individual stocks, investors should buy index-tracking exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which remove the volatility of single stocks and if they track the right indices, tend to perform relatively predictably over time.

Once bought, investors are encouraged to regularly invest into the same portfolio of ETFs, and ignore market volatility in favour of a long-term view.

Two of the indices favoured by many in the Australian FIRE community are the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS), and the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS).

Local focus

With regards to VAS, Vanguard says it is Australia’s largest ETF, which gives investors exposure to the top 300 companies listed on the ASX.

Vanguard says on its website:

The ETF provides low-cost, broadly diversified exposure to Australian companies and property trusts listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. It also offers potential long-term capital growth along with dividend income and franking credits.

Not surprisingly, the fund’s largest holdings are in the big four banks, as well as BHP Ltd (ASX: BHP).

According to the Vanguard website, $10,000 invested five years ago would now be worth $14,793.

VAS has a management fee of 0.07%.

Looking further afield

The VGS ETF has a much wider remit than VAS, with exposure to about 1300 companies from developed countries, notably excluding Australia so it doesn’t double up with VAS.

Vanguard says on its website:

Investing internationally offers greater access to sectors such as technology and health care that aren’t as well represented in the Australian share market. The ETF provides exposure to many of the world’s largest companies listed in major developed countries. It offers low-cost access to a broadly diversified range of securities that allows investors to participate in the long-term growth potential of international economies outside Australia.

The ETF’s largest holdings are in US tech companies including Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft.

Vanguard said $10,000 invested five years ago would now be worth $18,450.

The management fee for VGS is 0.18%.

The post Looking to FIRE? Here are 2 ASX ETFs to get your portfolio started appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 positions in and has recommended Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple, BHP Group, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Australian Government pays an Age Pension payment to eligible Australians aged 67 years and over to help fund basic living costs in retirement.

The payment is paid on a fortnightly basis up to a maximum amount.

As of March this year, the Age Pension is a maximum total payment of $1,200.90 per fortnight for singles and $1,810.40 for couples combined. These sums include the maximum basic rate, the maximum pension supplement, and the energy supplement.

The maximum payment isn’t available to everyone, however. It depends heavily on your income and what assets you own.

The problem is that many Australians look at the income test and miss vital information about the asset test. Overlooking asset limits could reduce your Age Pension significantly. Or you could lose it altogether. 

To help, here are the top five most important things to know about the Age Pension asset test before you reach retirement age.

1. It includes everything, except your home

The asset test literally includes everything you own in full, in part, or have an interest in. 

This includes S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares, other financial investments, home contents, personal effects and vehicles, real estate, annuities, income streams, superannuation, SMSFs, partnerships, private trusts, and private companies. 

It also includes any assets held outside of Australia, and any debts owed to you.

And yes, even your superannuation balance counts.

It does exclude, however, the home that you reside in.

2. Limits and rules vary

In order to receive the full Age Pension, single homeowners can own assets (including superannuation) up to a value of $321,500, and non-homeowners can own assets up to $579,500 in retirement.

But a couple has a different threshold, and it’s not double the amount of one person. A couple combined can own up to $481,500 in total if they own a property, or $739,500 if they don’t.

3. Centrelink has strict rules about gifting money

If you’re aged 60, and you think you’ll be over the threshold for the asset test, it can be tempting to gift a chunk of money to a friend or family member to influence your Age Pension eligibility.

But Centrelink has strict rules around this.

An individual can give away up to $30,000 over a five-year period before it will affect their assets test. Any amount over $30,000 will be counted, for five years, as an asset and included in the asset test.

The good news is, at age 55, Australians can gift any amount of money without immediate penalties from Services Australia, as long as they are at least five years away from Age Pension age (age 65). 

So if you think you’ll be over, act now, at age 55, to make sure you meet asset test requirements. 

4. Downsizing is a bad idea

The property you reside in is not included as part of the Age Pension asset test. But if you decide to downsize to something smaller and free up some cash, it could quickly put you over the limit.

If you sell your $1 million primary residence, for example, and downsize to a $500,000 property, that $500,000 difference then becomes an assessable asset.

5. Age Pension deeming rules apply

Deeming is a calculation centrelink uses to determine how much income you make from your assets. Instead of looking at how much your assets actually earn, deeming rules are used under the assumption that the asset earns a set amount of income.

The financial assets of single Australians have a deeming rate of 1.25% for the first $64,320. Anything over this amount is deemed to earn 3.25%.

Couples have a 1.25% deeming rate on their first $106,200 of combined financial assets (this includes superannuation). Anything over $106,200 is deemed to earn 3.25%.

What happens if I go over the Age Pension asset limits?

It’s not all bad news. 

At age 55, you still have a 10 year window before being eligible for the Age Pension. That’s plenty of time to work out how to ensure you can pass the asset test.

But if you’re over those limits, there is still hope. 

Your assets can total up to $722,000 if you’re a single homeowner, and $980,000 if you’re a non-homeowner. You can’t get the full Age Pension, but you’re still entitled to a part-payment depending on where you fall between the two brackets. 

Couples are also entitled to a part-payment so long as their combined assets aren’t more than $1,085,000 for homeowners. Non-homeowners can own assets totalling up to $1,343,000.

The post Top 5 things Aussies at 55 must know about the Age Pension asset before they retire appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much do I need to invest in ASX shares to earn $100 per week in passive income?
• BHP and these ASX 200 shares are up 30%+ in 2026
• Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy right now
• ASX 200 iron ore shares down 5%: Should you buy the dip?
• BHP shares hit a record high this week. Is the rally about to crack?

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.

Passive income is every ASX investor’s dream. By investing the right Aussie shares, savvy investors can supplement their income with a regular dividend payment.

Not only does passive income give you some more financial freedom, it can also help create a buffer against share market volatility, which is particularly valuable right now while markets are choppy.  

But the question is, how much do you need to invest in ASX shares to earn the passive income you want?

Here’s a calculation breakdown to help you understand.

The calculation

Let’s say you want to earn $100 per week in passive income by investing in ASX shares.

The easy calculation is to work out your annual dividend income, and then divide it by the dividend yield of the ASX stock you’re looking to invest in.

For example, $100 per week totals $5,200 per year in dividend payments.

You’d then need to divide that $5,200 sum by the dividend yield of your desired ASX shares to find out how much you’d need to invest.

Note that the majority of ASX dividend paying shares pay their shareholders quarterly or twice per year. Occasionally some ASX stocks pay a monthly dividend. This means a $100 per week dividend payment would be paid in monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual chunks.

Break it down for me

The problem is that the figure will vary wildly depending on the dividend yield of the ASX shares you’d be buying. Overall, as the dividend yield increases, your upfront investment decreases. 

Let’s say you’re looking at buying an ASX blue-chip stock like BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP). The mining giant is forecast to pay fully-franked dividends of $1.91 per share in FY26. Using the $64.88 share price at the time of writing, that translates to a yield around 4%.

Therefore, $5,200 divided by BHP’s 4% dividend yield, equals $130,000.

That $130,000 figure is what you’d need to invest in a 4% yielding stock in order to earn your $100 per week dividend payout.

However, if you’re looking at investing in an ASX share which pays a 5% dividend yield, such as Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG), then you’d need to invest $104,000 to earn the same amount of passive income.

Then for ASX shares yielding 6%, 7%, or even 8%, you’d need to invest around $86,666, $74,285, or $65,000, respectively.

ASX shares which fall into the 6% to 8% yielding bracket are companies like packaging giant Amcor Plc (ASX: AMC), media giant Nine Entertainment Co. Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC), or even an ASX-listed exchange-traded fund (ETF) such as the BetaShares Australian Top 20 Equity Yield Maximiser Fund (ASX: YMAX).

Avoid temptation

It is tempting for investors to concentrate their investments on ASX shares which pay the highest dividend yield. After all, this means you would need to have a lower initial investment amount.

But choosing the right ASX dividend paying shares depends on your current portfolio, your risk profile, and your investment timeline.

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

If you’re more risk tolerant, then diversity is key. By investing across a range of different ASX sectors and businesses, you can help hedge against risk.

The post How much do I need to invest in ASX shares to earn $100 per week in passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Top 5 things Aussies at 55 must know about the Age Pension asset before they retire
• BHP and these ASX 200 shares are up 30%+ in 2026
• Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy right now
• ASX 200 iron ore shares down 5%: Should you buy the dip?
• BHP shares hit a record high this week. Is the rally about to crack?

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 positions in and has recommended Amcor Plc. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group and Nine Entertainment. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) may be having a subdued year so far, but that hasn’t stopped some ASX 200 shares from delivering very impressive gains.

For example, the three ASX 200 shares in this article are up over 30% since the start of the year. Here’s why:

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

The BHP share price is up approximately 34% so far in 2026. The main driver of this has been the mining giant’s growing exposure to copper. While iron ore remains important, copper became its largest contributor to earnings during the first half of FY 2026. And with BHP continuing to focus on expanding its production output and copper prices hitting record highs this year, this bodes well for its earnings and ultimately its dividends.

Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA)

The Codan share price is up almost 50% since the start of the year. This technology company’s shares have been on fire in 2026 thanks to a very impressive performance. In April, management revealed that its performance in the second half had been stronger than expected. As a result, it now expects FY 2026 EBIT to hit $235 million and net profit to reach $170 million. This represents an increase of over 60% from last year. It said: “In DTC, strong demand from defence customers for unmanned systems, supported by ongoing geopolitical tensions, continues to drive growth in our software-defined radios (SDRs). As a result, the Communications business is expected to achieve revenue growth at the top end of the 15% to 20% range for the full year FY26.”

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)

The PLS share price has raced almost 40% higher so far this year. Investors have been fighting to get hold of the lithium giant’s shares after the price of the battery-making ingredient increased materially. This has led to PLS generating huge profit growth so far in FY 2026. For example, its third-quarter update revealed a 12% quarter-on-quarter increase in spodumene concentrate production to 232.4kt for the three months. And with its realised price increasing 61% to US$1,867 per tonne, the company reported a 52% jump in revenue to A$567 million. But it gets better. As its costs reduced to A$520 per tonne, this led to a cash margin from operations of A$461 million. This represents a 178% increase quarter-on-quarter. This is quite a turnaround. It wasn’t long ago that lithium prices were in the doldrums and the company was close to operating at a loss.

The post BHP and these ASX 200 shares are up 30%+ in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• 3 ASX 200 mining shares to buy: experts
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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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

It has been a busy week for many of Australia’s top brokers. This has led to a number of broker notes hitting the wires.

Three broker buy ratings that you might want to know more about are summarised below. Here’s why brokers think these ASX shares are in the buy zone right now:

IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX)

According to a note out of Bell Potter, its analysts have retained their speculative buy rating and $8.25 price target on this titanium production technologies company’s shares. This follows the announcement of a definitive feasibility study for its 100%-owned Titan Critical Minerals project located in Tennessee, USA. Bell Potter was pleased with the study and highlights that it is permitted, shovel-ready, and strategically important to the US as a domestic source of critical minerals supply. Outside this, the broker likes IperionX due to its belief that it has the potential to disrupt the incumbent titanium supply chain through materially lowering production costs and manufacturing waste. It also expects the company to benefit from increased defence sector spending. The IperionX share price is trading at $5.44 this afternoon.

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

A note out of UBS reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating on this network solutions company’s shares with an improved price target of $24.20. The broker has been impressed with Megaport’s acquisition of Latitude.sh. It points out that it has materially strengthened the company’s earnings outlook. In fact, it notes that contracts secured since November have annual recurring revenue 6 times larger than the acquired business. And with accelerating AI and cloud demand, cross-selling opportunities, and balance sheet capacity, UBS believes it is well-positioned to win further contracts. It also believes there is upside potential if AI adoption continues to drive demand. The Megaport share price is fetching $18.20 at the time of writing.

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE)

Analysts at Citi have upgraded this wine giant’s shares to a buy rating with an improved price target of $5.50. According to the note, the broker was pleased with the Penfolds owner’s investor day update. It believes Treasury Wine’s medium term outlook is more positive now after management laid out plans to simplify its portfolio. Citi notes that this plan is expected to result in earnings margins comfortably ahead of prior expectations. The Treasury Wine share price is trading at $4.70 on Friday afternoon.

The post Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Chalice Mining, CSL, Megaport, and Pro Medicus shares are racing higher
• 7 ASX 200 shares with strengthened buy ratings this week
• Brokers name 3 ASX shares poised for 52% to 78% gains
• 3 ASX 200 stocks racing higher in this week’s slumping market
• Up 183% since April, why the Megaport share price is tipped to keep charging higher

Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Megaport and Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Megaport and Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Treasury Wine Estates. 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) iron ore shares have fallen heavily over two days on news that production is rapidly rising at the massive Simandou project.

Over the past two days, BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares have fallen 5.25% to $61.56.

The Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) share price has declined 6.41% to $20.59.

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares are down 5.03% to $185.19.

ASX 200 iron ore small-cap share, Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA), has decreased 5.21% to $4.28 apiece.

More about Simandou

Simandou, located in the Republic of Guinea, Africa, is the largest undeveloped high-grade iron ore deposit in the world.

It is majority-owned by Chinese interests, but Rio Tinto also owns a substantial stake.

Simandou is divided into four blocks. Blocks 1 and 2 are operated by a consortium backed by Chinese companies.

Blocks 3 and 4 are operated by Rio Tinto and its partners, the Government of Guinea, and Chalco Iron Ore Holdings, which is a Chinese state-owned consortium.

China is keen to diversify its iron ore supply away from Australia to reduce costs, and developing its own mine is one answer.

Operations began in November, and 0.6 million tonnes of iron ore were shipped in each of the first three months of 2026.

Then came a big jump to 1.3 million tonnes in April, followed by another leap to 2.2 million tonnes in May, according to Bloomberg.

While higher production bodes well for Rio Tinto, it also increases global supply, which can negatively impact the iron ore price.

Iron ore price tumbles to 7-week low

The iron ore price is at a 7-week low of US$102 per tonne on Friday.

The commodity’s value has fallen 6.5% over the week and is down 4.8% in the calendar year to date.

Trading Economics analysts said “abundant global supplies” and “weakening demand” are weighing on the iron ore price.

The analysts explained:

Industry data showed that shipments from Australia and Brazil remained near a two-year high, while iron ore inventories at Chinese ports stayed elevated, reinforcing concerns about oversupply.

On the demand side, recent figures indicated that blast furnace utilization rates in China were steady, while steel mill profitability have declined, pointing to softer industry conditions.

Adding to the pressure, the steel market entered its traditional seasonal slowdown earlier than usual this year, as persistent rainfall and an early onset of summer heat curtailed outdoor construction activity, weakening demand for steel products.

Should you buy the dip on ASX 200 iron ore shares?

The long-term outlook for Australian mining remains strong. Experts say a new commodities super cycle is now underway.

However, iron ore will not be a key feature of the next mining boom like it was in the early 2000s to 2013.

That boom was driven by China’s rapid industrialisation, and in particular, property development.

Today, China’s property market is hopelessly oversupplied and home prices are falling.

However, China still needs our iron ore for many industrial uses, including the production of steel, which it is increasingly exporting.

In terms of whether you should buy this week’s dip on ASX 200 iron ore shares, here is some information to help you.

Buy, hold, sell?

According to the TradingView platform, the consensus rating among 18 analysts on BHP shares is neutral (or hold).

The analysts have a 12-month target share price range of $39.37 to $68.51 for BHP stock.

The consensus rating among 16 analysts on Rio Tinto shares is neutral.

They have a target price range of $140.52 to $207.46.

The consensus rating among 17 analysts on Fortescue shares is sell.

They have a 12-month target price range of $15.91 to $23.83.

The consensus rating among 8 analysts on Champion Iron shares is buy.

They have a target price range of $4.60 to $7.70.

The post ASX 200 iron ore shares down 5%: Should you buy the dip? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• BHP shares hit a record high this week. Is the rally about to crack?
• 3 ASX 200 mining shares to buy: experts
• 7 ASX 200 shares with strengthened buy ratings this week
• Buy, hold, sell: IPD, Kogan, Rio Tinto shares
• 3 ASX shares Warren Buffett would probably love right now

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