Author: openjargon

The BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) share price has been an excellent performer for shareholders, rising by around 50% in the last 12 months.

The ASX mining share has seen its fair share of ups and downs, as the above chart shows.

When it comes to a commodity/cyclical business like BHP, I think it’s important to remain wary of overpaying. The higher the valuation goes, the smaller margin of safety that gives an investor.

I’m not suggesting BHP shares are a clear, deep-value buy. But, there are a few positives that could help the BHP share price outperform the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO). Let’s get into those that could help it beat the market in the longer-term.

Copper growth

Copper is a very important commodity globally, with it used across various applications like electricity grids, renewable energy generation, computers, lights, TVs, smartphones, electric vehicles, pipes, brass and plenty more.

BHP has been purposefully building its copper exposure through acquisitions, giving it both a good operational base now and future projects that could mean the business is able to grow its production in the coming years.

I believe the copper price could rise in the coming years because of steadily rising demand as well as the supposed increasing difficulty in finding new, high-quality, easy-to-mine copper deposits.

BHP’s quarterly update for the three months to 31 March 2016 revealed a big 31% jump in the copper price to US$5.47 per pound. If the copper price continues rising, its copper earnings are likely to rise at an impressive rate.

In the FY26 half-year result, BHP’s copper underlying operating profit (EBITDA) jumped 59% to US$8 billion after a 32% rise in the average realised price to US$5.28 per pound.

Resilient iron ore price

BHP is best known as an iron ore miner and this division has historically made a significant portion of BHP’s earnings, funding the large dividends.

A strong iron ore price can still have a major impact on the ASX mining share’s earnings.

The market had expected the iron ore price to drift towards the low US$90s per tonne in 2026, with increasing iron ore supply (including out of Africa) expected to have an impact.

But, despite that negativity, the iron ore price has actually been very resilient and has risen over the last several months to US$110 per tonne.

At that level, I think BHP’s iron ore earnings can continue to be pleasing, perhaps stronger than the market is expecting, which could allow the BHP dividend to be particularly rewarding.

Potash diversification

Many ASX mining shares give exposure to commodities like iron ore, copper, lithium and gold.

BHP is working on a potash project in Canada called Jansen. At the end of the FY26 first half- period, Jansen stage one was 75% complete with a production target date of mid-2027, while Jansen stage 2 was 14% complete with a production target date of FY31.

I think the Jansen potash project could help diversify and grow BHP’s earnings.

Overall, I wouldn’t describe BHP shares as the best opportunity on the ASX. But, there are a few reasons why it could still be a compelling holding.

The post 3 reasons why the BHP share price could be a buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why this top fundie is overweight BHP shares
• Why copper could make BHP shareholders very happy over the next five years
• How to invest during market chaos and volatility
• BHP shares vs Woodside shares: Which is the better buy?
• How to build passive income with ASX shares in 3 easy steps

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 recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

One of the biggest potential developments in the investing world might be taking shape this week. I am referring to the initial public offering (IPO) of SpaceX.

If you haven’t heard of SpaceX, it is the (for now) private space technology and exploration company helmed by Elon Musk.

Musk is most widely known for his leadership of electric vehicle, battery and robotics company Tesla Inc. However, SpaceX is also a Musk enterprise. And we could be getting some details about its public markets debut as soon as this week.

According to reporting from Forbes, SpaceX “will likely make public its paperwork” this week as it aims for a 12 June IPO on the American NASDAQ exchange.

It could be the largest IPO in history, with Musk reportedly looking to raise as much as US$75 billion and valuing SpaceX at a gargantuan US$1.75 trillion. This could, in turn, make Musk the world’s first trillionaire. He is already worth more than US$800 billion, so he’s really just a hop, skip, and jump away from ‘the big T’ already.

SpaceX is home to some of the world’s most exciting technology, including xAI, Starlink, and SpaceX’s cutting-edge rocketry. As such, there will be plenty of investors who would relish the thought of owning SpaceX stock if it does IPO. That potentially includes many Australians. However, Australian investors will need to cross the proverbial pond and purchase shares directly on the US stock market is they wish to get a piece of the action directly.

Saying that, there will probably be another way for Australians to invest in the SpaceX IPO without owning US stock if they so wish.

Using ASX ETFs to buy SpaceX after IPO

It’s by investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), of course.

ETFs are one of the simplest ways that Australian investors can buy US stocks without leaving the comfort of our local market. As it happens, a space-themed ASX ETF launched on the ASX just last week. It is none other than the BetaShares Space Industry ETF (ASX: RCKT).

As it sname implies, this ASX ETF offers Australian investors a portfolio of global stocks that are all leaders in the space industry. At present, RCKT’s portfolio includes Rocket Lab USA Inc, Firefly Aerospace Inc, and Planet Labs PBC.

Of course, it does not contain SpaceX, at least yet, as the company has still not IPO-ed. However, I would be shocked if SpaceX doesn’t make this ETF’s cut as soon as it is eventually listed. So once we do know when the SpaceX IPO will occur, keep an eye on this ETF’s holdings to see if it pops up. If it does, RCKT will probably be the easiest way ASX investors can buy shares of SpaceX.

The post Is this the easiest way to invest in the SpaceX IPO on the ASX? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX ETFs with market-beating potential over the next 10 years
• Global X says it’s time to target this electric vehicle ASX ETF that has doubled in a year

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen 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 Planet Labs PBC, Rocket Lab, and Tesla. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Rocket Lab. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

ASX dividend shares are an easy way for passive-income-seeking Australian investors to earn a straightforward passive income. 

When it comes to picking the right ASX dividend stocks in your portfolio, you don’t want to simply invest in the companies which offer the highest yield. Savvy investors also consider a company’s dividend history and its strength and growth projections.

Here are three ASX dividend shares I’d have on my list right now, and they all yield around 5%, or even higher. 

APA Group (ASX: APA)

APA is Australia’s largest energy infrastructure company, owning and operating an extensive portfolio of gas, electricity, solar, and wind assets. It’s a long-standing ASX dividend-paying stock which stands apart from the rest

The company is the major owner and operator of Australia’s gas distribution network, including pipelines, gas-fired power stations, and storage facilities which transports more than half the natural gas used in Australia. 

Since listing on the ASX in 2000, APA Group has substantially grown its energy assets. In more recent times, it has added solar farms to its portfolio. 

The company is highly regarded for paying strong, consistent dividends, with revenue derived from long-term contracted infrastructure assets. 

APA paid an interim dividend of 27.5 cents in the first half of FY26 and is guiding a full-year dividend of 58 cents per security. That translates to a forward dividend yield of around 5.6%, partially franked, at the time of writing.

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG)

The ASX iron ore miner’s shares are relatively volatile because it closely tracks iron ore price changes. 

But the commodity is trading at a multi-year high in May, and it is expected to be relatively stable through 2026 before gradually declining through to 2030 as supply increases. 

The good news for investors is that Fortescue is a low-cost producer, which means it can remain profitable even when prices fall, though its dividends may fluctuate. 

The ASX dividend stock paid investors 62 cents per share for the first half of FY26. Brokers at Commsec expect Fortescue to pay an annual dividend per share of $1.22. That translates to a forward dividend yield of around 5.6%, including franking credits, at the time of writing.

Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG)

Origin is another leading energy company which provides Australian homes and businesses with electricity, natural gas, solar and LPG. 

The ASX dividend shares are a great option for passive income because they generate substantial cash flows, especially when energy prices are elevated. This means the company can then pay high yields to shareholders. 

Origin’s assets operate under long-term contracts, often with rising income, which means it can also be considered a defensive stock. 

In the first half of FY26, Origin Energy paid its investors 30 cents per share, fully franked. 

Brokers predict the business to increase its annual payout to 61 cents in FY26, which translates to a forward yield of around 5.3%, including franking credits, at the time of writing.

The post Passive income investors: These 3 ASX dividend shares yield 5% (or more) appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Fortescue shares slump 6% from a multi-year high: Buy, sell or hold?
• These ASX dividend shares could power your retirement income
• CGT tax changes may encourage investors into ASX dividend shares: Expert
• 3 ASX mining stocks positioned to benefit from the green transition
• Can these ASX shares hitting record highs keep climbing?

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 Apa Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Yesterday the ASX roared back to life after a rough few weeks. This included a big gain for three exciting ASX healthcare shares: 

• Tetratherix Ltd (ASX: TTX) rose 10% 
• SDI Ltd (ASX: SDI) gained 7% 
• Saluda Medical Inc (ASX: SLD) climbed 7%. 

These smaller healthcare companies fall within the high risk category of the stock market. 

These kinds of shares can deliver outsized returns when clinical trials succeed, regulatory approvals are secured, or breakthrough technologies gain commercial traction. 

However, these companies also carry significant risk due to limited revenue, funding dependence, and the potential for sharp share price declines if research outcomes or market expectations disappoint.

Let’s see what was prompting the big gains yesterday and if experts are tipping further upside. 

Tetratherix continues to climb 

Tetratherix develops a biostealth fluid matrix for regenerative medicine. The firm offers Tetramatrix as its primary product.

It has been one of the hottest ASX healthcare stocks in 2026, rising 68% since the start of the year. 

The company’s recent quarterly report highlighted progress toward commercialising its Tegenix product via a global agreement with Henry Schein and expanding into precision medicine with its STEPP drug-delivery platform, including a lucrative R&D deal.

This prompted a speculative buy rating from Morgans along with an updated price target of $6.84. 

From yesterday’s closing price of $5.55, this indicates a further 23% upside. 

SDI scheme approved by ASIC

Yesterday, SDI rose over 7% after a key company announcement. 

According to the release, it is being acquired by a Chinese-backed buyer group for A$1.40 cash per share through a court-supervised process called a scheme of arrangement. 

The Supreme Court of New South Wales has approved SDI holding a shareholder vote and sending shareholders the official Scheme Booklet explaining the deal and including an independent expert’s report. 

Shareholders will now review the documents and vote on whether to approve the takeover, which still requires final shareholder and court approval before completion.

At the time of writing, this ASX healthcare stock is trading for roughly $1.34 per share, meaning the offering is 4.5% higher than the current price. 

Saluda Medical shows signs of life 

Saluda Medical shares also jumped 7% yesterday. 

This was positive news for investors, especially given the stock has fallen more than 65% in 2026. 

Saluda Medical is a commercial-stage medical device company commercialising spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapy. Saluda is currently a single product company, centred around its differentiated SCS product called the ‘Evoke System’. 

It looks like this rise could be a sign of what’s to come. 

Bell Potter recently placed a speculative buy recommendation and $2.00 price target on this ASX healthcare stock. 

This implies 300% upside from current levels. 

The broker is optimistic thanks to its considerable commercial traction. 

The post Are these rocketing ASX healthcare shares a must buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Meet the ASX small-cap healthcare company which could triple this year
• Two ASX healthcare shares that could triple in the next year
• Already up 42% this year, Morgans says this ASX healthcare stock can continue to rocket
• This ASX biotech stock could deliver 40%-plus returns Morgans says

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.

On Tuesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a strong session and raced higher. The benchmark index rose 1.15% to 8,604.7 points.

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

ASX 200 to fall

The Australian share market looks set to fall on Wednesday following a poor night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 32 points or 0.35% lower. In the United States, the Dow Jones fell 0.65%, the S&P 500 dropped 0.65%, and the Nasdaq tumbled 0.85%.

Oil prices fall

ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a subdued session after oil prices softened overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 0.05% to US$108.59 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 0.6% to US$111.45 a barrel. Traders were selling oil after US-Iran tensions eased slightly.

Catapult results

Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT) shares will be on watch on Wednesday when the sports technology company releases its full-year results. Bell Potter is expecting a strong result from Catapult this morning. It said: “The one figure where we see some upside risk is management EBITDA where the guidance is growth of approximately 50% which implies a figure of c.US$22.9m and we forecast US$23.0m whereas consensus appears to be only around US$22.4m. The other key metrics we expect to be consistent with the guidance of ACV b/w US133-134m (vs BPe US$133.6m), free cash flow excluding transaction costs b/w US$5-6m (vs BPe US$5.6m) and Rule of 40 >33% (vs BPe 44%/34% including/excluding IMPECT on a constant currency basis).”

Gold price falls

ASX 200 gold shares including 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 1.5% to US$4,488.6 an ounce. Rising bond yields have weighed heavily on the precious metal.

Buy TechnologyOne shares

Bell Potter has named TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE) shares as a buy with a $32.25 price target following the enterprise software provider’s half-year results. It commented: “With little change in our forecasts there is no change in our TP of $32.25 and we maintain our BUY recommendation. There is perhaps a lack of short term catalysts for the stock but we believe the stock should continue to perform well given it is in our view the best positioned tech stock on the ASX to benefit from rather than be disrupted by AI. We also see very little if any downside risk to the guidance given the high level of SaaS and recurring revenue (c.93% of total revenue in H1), good visibility and strong pipeline.”

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
• ASX 200 charges higher as buyers return after Monday’s sell-off
• Why are Technology One shares crashing 4% today?
• ASX 200 rebounds as Trump calls off Iran strikes amid potential deal
• How did Australian super funds fare in April after steep falls in March?

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

Picking individual winners in the artificial intelligence revolution is a difficult thing to do.

However, there have been success stories.

Nvidia has already surged more than 1,000% in two years.

What’s more, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms have each delivered extraordinary returns as AI spending accelerates.

But Australian investors may be feeling slightly left on the sidelines.

The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ) offers a different approach: instead of betting on a single company, it gives Australian investors exposure to 100 of the world’s most powerful technology businesses in a single ASX trade.

What NDQ actually holds

NDQ tracks the Nasdaq 100 Index, which comprises 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq exchange.

Its top holdings read like a who’s who of the global technology landscape, including Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon, Alphabet, Micron, and Broadcom.

These companies are among the most profitable companies ever created.

Each has dominant market positions, enormous cash flows, and the financial firepower to lead the AI buildout for years to come.

Together, the top seven holdings account for the vast majority of AI-related capital expenditure globally.

A Goldman Sachs report projects that Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta would spend nearly US$500 billion on AI infrastructure in 2026

Furthermore, because the index rebalances on an annual basis, NDQ ETF automatically adjusts to reflect the market’s view of which companies deserve the largest weightings.

The performance track record

NDQ’s unit price has more than doubled over the past five years, reflecting the extraordinary earnings growth delivered by its underlying holdings.

Today NDQ trades near all-time highs, up approximately 25% from its 52-week low of $48.11 reached in May 2025.

In addition, the fund pays distributions twice a year, in January and July, providing a modest but growing income stream on top of the capital growth.

All of this comes at a relatively low management fee of 0.48% per annum.

This represents one of the most cost-effective ways for Australian investors to access a globally diversified technology portfolio.

The AI angle is only getting stronger

The case for NDQ is increasingly inseparable from the case for artificial intelligence.

Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform, Amazon’s AWS, and Alphabet’s Google Cloud are the three dominant providers of AI infrastructure globally.

All three sit inside NDQ’s top ten holdings.

Nvidia, the semiconductor company whose GPUs power the vast majority of AI model training and inference workloads worldwide, has become the world’s most valuable company by market capitalisation and remains a core NDQ holding.

Meanwhile, Meta’s AI-powered advertising platform continues to grow revenues at a double-digit pace.

Apple, too, is embedding AI across its entire product ecosystem through Apple Intelligence.

The risks worth knowing

NDQ is not without risks and investors should understand them clearly before buying.

The fund carries meaningful currency risk, as its underlying holdings are priced in US dollars.

This means that a strengthening Australian dollar will reduce investor returns in AUD terms.

Concentration risk is also real, with the top ten holdings accounting for almost 50% of the index weight.

Moreover, the fund has no exposure to financial companies, which means it misses significant parts of the broader US economy.

Finally, at current valuations, the Nasdaq 100 trades at a premium to its long-run historical average, which limits the margin of safety for investors buying today.

Foolish takeaway

For Australian investors who believe artificial intelligence will reshape the global economy over the next decade but do not want the risk of picking individual winners, NDQ offers an ideal solution.

The ETF is diversified, low cost, liquid, and loaded with the companies best positioned to benefit from the AI megatrend.

The post Why the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF could be the best way to capture the AI boom appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why invest in Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (NDQ) at an all-time high?
• 5 of the best ASX ETFs to buy and hold in 2026
• How I’d build a simple ASX portfolio with just 3 ETFs
• I love the BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (NDQ). Here’s why I sold it.
• The best way to invest in AI on the ASX

Motley Fool contributor Mark Verhoeven has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Broadcom, Goldman Sachs Group, Meta Platforms, Micron Technology, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Nvidia. 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 rough 2026 for ASX consumer discretionary stock Temple & Webster Group (ASX: TPW). 

The company is an online-only retailer of furniture and homewares. Some of its products include office furniture, lighting, rugs, wall art, and home décor.

Since January, its share price has fallen 64%. 

This includes 30% in the last month alone. 

Why are consumer discretionary shares struggling?

Rising interest rates, inflation and cost of living pressures have weighed heavily on ASX consumer discretionary shares. 

The sector relies on consumers having enough disposable income to spend on non-essential items like furniture and homewares. 

As borrowing costs climbed and household budgets tightened, demand weakened, putting pressure on sales growth and investor sentiment toward companies like

However a new report from Bell Potter suggests this struggling consumer discretionary stock could rebound. 

The broker sees 40% upside for the company following its recent trading update.

What did the company report?

Temple & Webster provided FY26 guidance of $665-675m in revenue (up 11% to 12%) and EBITDA of $20-22m (up 6% to 17%) at their recent trading update.

The revenue was a 6% miss to Bell Potter estimates.

The EBITDA at the mid-point was a 5% miss to its forecast. 

According to Bell Potter, the company has recalibrated growth levers and implemented some new pricing/marketing initiatives in Mar-May.

In FY27, the company expect a clear path to achieving ~$40m EBITDA post these initiatives independent of the revenue growth.

Upside remains 

Bell Potter has reduced its price target on this ASX consumer discretionary stock to $7 (previously $13). 

Despite the reduction, the updated price target from Bell Potter still indicates an upside potential of 41% from yesterday’s closing price. 

While our estimates continue to factor in some downside risk to current company expectations/consensus, we see long term valuation support in a high-quality e-commerce retailer with range, pricing/scale advantages, AI/data capability backed by a strong balance sheet (~$160m cash, BPe) to take up inorganic growth opportunities.

It’s worth noting that Bell Potter isn’t the only broker seeing this ASX consumer discretionary as a buy-low candidate. 

Macquarie renewed its buy rating on Temple & Webster shares recently with a $13.70 target. 

This implies a potential 173% upside.

On the bear side, DP Wealth Advisory named this online furniture retailer’s shares as a sell earlier this week.

It thinks that the higher oil prices and interest rates are likely to weigh on discretionary spending.

The post Bell Potter is tipping a 40% rebound for this ASX consumer discretionary stock appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 3 ASX shares down 70% that could be cheap buys
• Why experts are selling these 3 ASX shares this week
• Meet the ASX small-cap healthcare company which could triple this year
• 3 ASX shares down over 60% that could be bargain buys

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 Temple & Webster Group. 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.

For income investors tracking the ASX banking calendar, this month is a big one.

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) declared its 2026 interim ordinary dividend on 5 May and the ex-dividend date fell earlier this month.

Here is the full picture of what Westpac is paying and what shareholders can expect for the rest of the year.

What Westpac is paying

Westpac declared a fully franked interim dividend of 77 cents per share, payable on 26 June 2026.

That payment is 100% franked with Australian franking credits at the company tax rate of 30%, and also carries New Zealand imputation credits of NZD 6 cents per share.

Consequently, for Australian taxpayers in higher tax brackets, the effective after-tax yield rises materially above the headline figure once franking credits are grossed up.

Based on Westpac’s current share price of approximately $36.40, the interim dividend implies an annualised yield of around 4.2% on a fully franked basis.

The grossed-up yield, including the value of franking credits at the 30% tax rate, brings the grossed-up yield to around 6.0%.

That compares favourably with term deposit rates currently on offer from the major banks, making Westpac a competitive option for income-focused investors who also want exposure to potential capital growth over time.

What about the full year?

Looking further ahead, consensus analyst estimates on CommSec point to a full-year FY2026 dividend of 155 cents per share for Westpac, up from 153 cents in FY2025.

That implies a final dividend of approximately 78 cents per share, payable in December 2026, following the release of Westpac’s full-year results in early November.

For retirees in the zero tax bracket, those franking credits translate into additional cash refunds.

What the result showed

The interim dividend reflects a solid first-half result for Westpac.

The bank posted statutory net profit of $3.4 billion for the first half of FY2026, up 3% on the prior corresponding period, alongside total lending and deposit growth of 7% year-on-year.

Management’s long-running cost reduction program continues to gain traction.

The bank’s capital position also remains well above regulatory minimums.

However, it is worth noting that several major brokers including Macquarie and Morgan Stanley carry underperform or sell ratings on Westpac shares, citing valuation concerns and competitive pressure in the mortgage market.

Foolish takeaway

Westpac offers income investors a reliable, fully franked dividend stream backed by one of the most systemically important banks in the country.

For investors focused on tax-effective passive income rather than capital growth, the upcoming June payment and the promise of a similar final dividend in December would be encouraging.

The post Here is what Westpac is paying shareholders in June 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to build a $150,000 ASX share portfolio from scratch
• Which big four ASX bank stock is the best buy right now?
• Buying Westpac shares? Here’s the yield you’ll get today
• Why is the Macquarie share price falling today?
• What Macquarie’s latest result tells investors about the year ahead

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

DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) shares closed in the red on Tuesday afternoon.

The shares tumbled 6.07% to close at $2.94 each.

The drone operator’s latest share price tumble means DroneShield shares have now crashed 19% over the past month alone. They’re also 12% lower for the year-to-date but 139% higher than this time 12 months ago.

If I invested $5,000 in DroneShield shares 6 months ago, what are they worth today?

Six months ago, the defence technology company’s shares were trading at $1.97 each. It was around this time that the share price bottomed out after crashing 73% in a six-week time period.

Since then, the shares have climbed 49% to the current trading price.

That means, if you bought $5,000 of DroneShield shares six months ago, on the 19th November, it would be worth around $7,450 today.

Meanwhile, a 139% annual increase means that if you invested the same amount in Droneshield shares 12 months ago, you’d have around $11,950 today.

What has happened to Droneshield shares?

Droneshield shares have fluctuated wildly in the first few months of 2026. Over the year-to-date, DroneShield shares have wavered anywhere between the current trading price and a 2026-high of $4.74 back in January. 

You could argue that, as an Australian defence technology company specialising in counter-drone systems and electronic warfare solutions, Droneshield is one of very few ASX shares which have actually benefitted from rising geopolitical volatility.

In a conflict situation, drones are used for everything from surveillance to direct strikes. This creates a huge demand for counter-drone systems like the ones DroneShield specialises in. This is why governments are hiking their spend on defence, with a focus on anti-drone defence systems. 

And demand continued even after the US and Iran conflict cooled. Meanwhile, Droneshield has also announced several new military contracts and orders recently.

But the reality is, the company operates in a fast-moving industry, expectations are high, timing can be uncertain, sentiment can change direction quickly, and therefore its share price can swing wildly.

Has the drone operator finally come off the boil?

The experts are divided, but it looks like sentiment has cooled.

Last month, three analysts had a strong buy rating on the defence stock, according to TradingView data.

But fast forward to today and there is a very different picture. There are now only two broker ratings; one is a strong buy and the other is a hold.

The average target price for DroneShield shares over the next 12 months has been lowered to $4.10, from $4.50. 

But, at the time of writing, that still implies an impressive 40% upside ahead for investors. 

The post $5,000 invested in DroneShield shares 6 months ago is now worth… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why DroneShield, Lynas, PLS, and TechnologyOne shares are falling today
• Time to get greedy with DroneShield stock?
• Why I think DroneShield and these ASX growth shares could beat the market over 10 years
• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares
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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 positions in and has recommended DroneShield. 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.

Australia’s compulsory superannuation system is one of the most powerful wealth creation engines in the world.

With total assets now exceeding $4 trillion and set to grow further as the population ages, the businesses that manage and administer that capital are sitting in an enviable position.

Two ASX-listed companies in particular deserve closer attention.

Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

There is a revolution underway in Australian wealth management, and Hub24 sits at the centre of it.

The company operates one of Australia’s fastest growing investment and superannuation platforms, providing financial advisers, stockbrokers, and their clients with an integrated portfolio administration and technology ecosystem.

In Q3 FY2026, Hub24 delivered $4.0 billion in platform net inflows despite challenging market conditions.

This brought total funds under administration to $151.7 billion, up 22% year-on-year.

Moreover, Hub24 has ranked first for quarterly and annual net inflows for nine consecutive quarters, consistently capturing the largest market share gains of all platform providers.

The company expanded its adviser network by 272 practitioners during the quarter to reach 5,549 total advisers, up 11% year-on-year, a metric that directly underpins future asset growth.

In the first half of FY2026, underlying NPAT surged 60% to $68.3 million, reflecting the powerful operating leverage that emerges as a platform business scales.

Hub24 has upgraded its FY2027 platform FUA target to $160 billion to $170 billion and is rolling out its myhub AI ecosystem, which integrates advice tools, technology, and the core platform into a single seamless experience for advisers.

Perpetual Ltd (ASX: PPT)

Perpetual takes a different approach to capturing superannuation capital.

Perpetual is one of Australia’s oldest and most respected investment management firms, overseeing $219.2 billion in assets under management as at 31 March 2026 across a range of global equity and fixed income strategies.

The company is currently in the middle of a significant strategic transformation.

Perpetual announced the sale of its Wealth Management division to Bain Capital Private Equity for $500 million upfront, with a potential further $100 million based on business performance.

The transaction aims to simplify the business, substantially reduce net debt, and sharpen the company’s focus on its core asset management operations.

Following the sale, net debt to EBITDA is expected to fall to approximately 0.2 times, leaving Perpetual with a clean balance sheet and significant capacity to return capital to shareholders or reinvest in growth.

Revenue for the first half of FY2026 came in at $697.9 million, and management continues to invest in its global distribution capability as the primary growth lever for the simplified business.

Foolish takeaway

Hub24 and Perpetual both benefit from Australia’s compulsory superannuation tailwind, but in very different ways.

Hub24 captures the shift of advisers from legacy platforms to modern, technology-first alternatives, and rewards patient investors with consistent earnings growth.

Perpetual, meanwhile, is reshaping itself into a leaner, more focused asset manager with a strengthened balance sheet and renewed strategic clarity.

For long-term investors, both deserve serious consideration.

The post Why these 2 ASX superannuation stocks could quietly build serious wealth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Mark Verhoeven has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Hub24. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Hub24. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.