Author: openjargon

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) was once the ASX healthcare share many investors wished they had bought years earlier.

For a long time, it seemed almost unstoppable.

But the past few years have changed the story completely.

So, how have CSL shares actually performed over the last decade?

The 10-year return

CSL shares are trading around $121.75.

Ten years ago, they were changing hands at around $119.00.

That means the share price has risen by approximately 2% over the decade.

That is a positive return, but it is much weaker than many investors would expect from a company that was once viewed as one of the highest-quality growth shares on the ASX.

Dividends have helped. CSL has paid 20 dividends over that period, totalling approximately $30.57 per share.

If those dividends are added to the share price gain, the total return becomes better. A shareholder who bought at $119 would have collected around $33.32 per share in combined capital gains and dividends, before tax and ignoring reinvestment.

That works out to a total return of roughly 28%.

What went wrong?

The frustrating part is that CSL shares were once much higher.

The stock traded around $315 in 2021, and was still around that level as recently as 2024.

At that point, long-term shareholders were sitting on a much stronger return. Since then, the decline has been painful.

I think the market has lost confidence in CSL’s growth story.

The plasma business was disrupted by the pandemic, and higher collection and manufacturing costs made the recovery harder. The Vifor acquisition has also disappointed many investors, with questions about whether CSL paid too much and whether the asset can deliver the returns once hoped for.

The vaccine business has added another problem. Lower flu vaccination demand, particularly in the US, has placed pressure on CSL Seqirus and made earnings feel less predictable.

When a company trades on a premium valuation, investors expect reliable growth. CSL has not delivered enough of that in recent years, so the share price has been heavily punished.

Should you buy CSL shares for the next 10 years?

I would still say yes. CSL has clearly lost some of its shine, and investors should not assume the next decade will look like the company’s best years.

But I think the sell-off has created a more attractive starting point.

The company still has global healthcare assets, deep scientific expertise, major plasma infrastructure, and exposure to medical needs that should remain important for many years.

I also think management has a chance to rebuild trust if earnings stabilise, costs improve, and the company proves that Vifor and Seqirus can become stronger contributors.

Foolish takeaway

CSL shares have delivered a modestly positive 10-year return, but the journey has been far from smooth.

The share price is only a fraction higher than it was a decade ago, although dividends lift the total return meaningfully.

The big lesson is that even outstanding companies can disappoint when expectations are too high.

For the next 10 years, I think CSL shares are worth buying on the belief that the business can recover, rebuild confidence, and deliver better growth than investors have seen recently.

The post How have CSL shares performed over 10 years? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• What did the market look like 10 years ago? Here’s what’s changed for the ASX 200
• Would Warren Buffett buy CSL shares?
• CSL shares are up 35% since early June. Is the recovery here to stay?
• Where could CSL shares go next? Here’s what brokers are predicting
• How to go from zero to $50,000 with ASX shares

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.

The first $100,000 in retirement savings is a major milestone.

It shows the habit is already there. The money is invested, the balance has substance, and compounding has something to work with.

The next challenge is turning that foundation into something much larger.

I think there are three practical ways to help close the gap to $500,000.

Make future income do more of the work

The first way is to stop thinking only about the money already saved.

A $100,000 starting balance is a strong foundation, but there is still work to be done, and your salary will be key.

That could mean salary sacrifice into superannuation, making extra personal contributions where appropriate, or increasing contributions each time your income rises.

I like this approach because it avoids relying entirely on market returns. The portfolio still needs to grow, but regular contributions give compounding more capital to work with.

Even modest extra contributions can build momentum over time.

For example, someone who adds money every month is doing more than increasing the balance. They are buying more assets, collecting more future dividends or distributions, and giving themselves a larger base for long-term growth.

The mistake I would try to avoid is waiting until there is a large amount left over at the end of the year. Retirement savings often grow best when contributions become automatic and boring.

That may not sound exciting, but it can be key.

Own enough growth

The second way is to make sure the money is invested with enough long-term growth potential.

A portfolio that is too conservative may feel comfortable, but it can make the journey from $100,000 to $500,000 much harder.

For investors with enough time before retirement, I think growth assets need to do a lot of the work.

That could include ASX shares, international shares, and diversified funds or ETFs inside a super fund or personal portfolio. This could include ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD), Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT), or the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS).

The key is not just owning shares for the sake of it. I would want exposure to businesses that can grow earnings, reinvest, raise dividends, and benefit from long-term trends.

Broad ETFs can help here because they spread money across many companies and industries. Quality ASX shares can also play a role, especially businesses with strong market positions and the ability to compound over time.

The difference over long periods can be significant.

At 8% per year, $100,000 would grow to around $466,000 over 20 years before fees and tax, even without adding anything else.

That is close to the $500,000 target. Add regular contributions along the way, and the target becomes much more achievable.

Stop small leaks from becoming big problems

The third way is less exciting, but I think it is underrated.

Investors should watch the small leaks that quietly slow retirement savings down.

That can include high fees, duplicate accounts, unnecessary insurance inside super, poor cash holdings, weak investment options, or switching strategies too often.

None of these may look material in one year. But over 10, 20, or 30 years, they can make a meaningful difference.

I would also pay attention to behaviour. Selling during downturns, chasing last year’s strongest performer, or constantly changing funds can break the compounding process. Sometimes the best decision is to choose a sensible strategy and give it enough time to work.

This is where retirement savings can become a bit like a business. Revenue comes from contributions, growth comes from investment returns, and costs come from fees, tax, and mistakes.

The aim is to widen the gap between what is being added and what is being lost.

Foolish takeaway

Getting from $100,000 to $500,000 in retirement savings comes from combining three things: steady contributions, enough growth exposure, and fewer leaks along the way.

The journey may take time, and markets will not move smoothly. But a $100,000 starting point already gives investors something meaningful to build on. With the right habits and a long-term mindset, that balance can become a much larger retirement nest egg.

The post 3 ways to get from $100,000 to $500,000 in retirement savings appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• How to invest $20,000 in ASX ETFs in July
• How I’d invest $10,000 in ASX shares for the next decade
• Analysts are still bullish on SpaceX shares after Nasdaq inclusion. Here is what that means for ASX investors
• The best Vanguard ETFs to buy and hold

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino 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 Microsoft and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Microsoft 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.

On Wednesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was back on form and ended the day higher. The benchmark index rose 0.35% to 8,841.1 points.

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

ASX 200 expected to rise

It looks set to be a positive session for Australian investors on Thursday after a solid night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 13 points or 0.15% higher this morning. In late trade in the United States, the Dow Jones is up 0.3%, the S&P 500 is 0.35% higher, and the Nasdaq is up 0.55%.

Buy Evolution Mining shares

Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) shares could be cheap according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has responded to the gold miner’s quarterly update by retaining its buy rating with a trimmed price target of $15.10. It commented: “We have trimmed our production forecasts and increased our AISC forecasts in line with initial guidance for FY27. We have also lifted our capital expenditure assumptions in line with the outlook. As a result, we also trim our dividend forecasts on the lower free cash flow. EVN offers fully unhedged gold and copper exposure via a portfolio of high quality, long-life assets in Tier 1 jurisdictions, overseen by a high-quality management team. EVN has stated its intention to pass growing free cash flows on to shareholders.”

Oil prices ease

ASX 200 energy shares Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a subdued day after oil prices eased overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 0.5% to US$78.93 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 0.5% to US$84.31 a barrel. This was despite reports that the US is continuing to launch missile strikes on Iran.

Buy ResMed shares

ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD) shares are a buy according to the team at Morgans with a new price target of $40.97. This follows the announcement of the sale of its MatrixCare business for US$490 million. While this is “crystallising a disappointing financial outcome”, the broker remains positive. It said: “Strategically, however, we believe the transaction makes sense, as it simplifies the portfolio and retains Brightree and MEDIFOX DAN, while exiting a lower-growth, non-core software business.”

Gold price edges higher

It could be a positive session for ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) on Thursday after the gold price edged higher overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 0.1% to US$4,071.8 an ounce. Easing interest rate hike concerns gave gold a boost.

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

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why is everyone talking about Santos shares this week?
• Evolution Mining posts record FY26 cash flow
• Rio Tinto: 3% production growth and strong lithium output in H1 2026
• Which ASX copper and gold stock could rocket 200%?

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

Global X will pay its finalised distributions (or dividends) for its ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) today.

The biggest dollar-value dividend on its schedule is $16.34 per unit for Global X Battery Tech & Lithium ETF (ASX: ACDC).

The gigantic ACDC ETF dividend is primarily due to the massive rebound in lithium commodity prices over FY26.

Australia is in the midst of a new mining boom driven by the green energy transition and the artificial intelligence (AI) build-out.

This is creating much higher demand for critical minerals, such as lithium, and base metals, such as copper. 

Lithium prices crashed in 2023-2025 due to global oversupply, but supply/demand finally rebalanced at the start of FY26.  

Lithium topped the list of Australia’s best-performing commodities for growth in FY26 by a long shot.

The lithium spodumene price soared 280%, and carbonate increased 160%. 

So, it’s no surprise to see an ASX ETF full of lithium producers and battery manufacturers paying out big this dividend season.

Global X ASX ETF dividends

Here is an abridged list of finalised distributions that investors will receive today.

ASX ETF name	Finalised distribution
Global X Australia 300 ETF (ASX: A300)	56 cents per unit with 61% franking
Global X Uranium ETF (ASX: ATOM)	172 cents per unit
Global X Semiconductor ETF (ASX: SEMI)	285 cents per unit
Global X Robo Global Robotics & Automation ETF (ASX: ROBO)	958 cents per unit
Global X Copper Miners ETF (ASX: WIRE)	66 cents per unit
Global X Defence Tech ETF (ASX: DTEC)	47 cents per unit
Global X Fang+ ETF (ASX: FANG)	336 cents per unit
Global X Fang+ (Currency Hedged ) ETF (ASX: FHNG)	125 cents per unit
Global X Rare Earth and Critical Minerals ETF (ASX: GMTL)	112 cents per unit
Global X S&P/ASX 200 Covered Call Complex ETF (ASX: AYLD)	24 cents per unit
Global X Australian Bank Credit ETF (ASX: BANK)	17 cents per unit with 38% franking
Global X Global X Battery Tech & Lithium ETF (ASX: ACDC)	1634 cents per unit
Global X EURO STOXX 50 ETF (ASX: ESTX)	747 cents per unit
Global X S&P World ex Australia GARP ETF (ASX: GARP)	71 cents per unit
Global X S&P World ex Australia GARP (Currency Hedged) ETF (ASX: GHRP)	270 cents per unit
Global X Australia ex Financial & Resources ETF (ASX: OZXX)	30 cents per unit with 15% franking
Global X Morningstar Global Technology ETF (ASX: TECH)	383 cents per unit
Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF (ASX: PAVE)	40 cents per unit
Global X Nasdaq 100 Covered Call Complex ETF (ASX: QYLD)	37 cents per unit
Global X US 100 ETF (ASX: U100)	191 cents per unit
Global X USD High Yield Bond (Currency Hedged) ETF (ASX: USHY)	71 cents per unit
Global X USD Corporate Bond (Currency Hedged) ETF (ASX: USIG)	33 cents per unit
Global X US Treasury Bond (Currency Hedged) ETF (ASX: USTB)	40 cents per unit
Global X S&P 500 Covered Call Complex ETF (ASX: UYLD)	30 cents per unit
Global X S&P/ASX 200 High Dividend ETF (ASX: ZYAU)	12 cents per unit with 129% franking
Global X S&P 500 High Yield Low Volatility ETF (ASX: ZYUS)	23 cents per unit

View a complete list of finalised Global X ETF dividends here.

Own other ETFs?

Here are the finalised distributions from other ETF providers this season. 

If you own Vanguard ETFs, view this season’s final distributions here.

Interested in VanEck ETFs? View final distributions here.

If you’re invested in iShares ETFs, see final distributions here.

If you own Betashares ETFs, see final distributions here.

The post Own ACDC, FANG, or SEMI ETF? Global X is paying your dividend today! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX ETFs that have returned better than 80% over the past year
• SK Hynix IPOs in the US. Here’s what that means for ASX investors
• Where I’d invest $20,000 into ASX growth shares right now
• 3 of the best ASX ETFs to own right now
• The currency-hedged ASX ETFs magnifying dividends by up to 10x this season

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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.

There are lots of exchange traded funds (ETFs) for investors to choose from on the local market.

But which ASX ETFs could be worth considering right now?

Here are three amazing funds that I would buy in July:

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF is the fund I would consider if I wanted my portfolio to have more exposure to the companies rewriting the rules of modern business.

This fund owns 100 of the largest non-financial companies on the Nasdaq.

That means investors get access to businesses sitting behind artificial intelligence, cloud computing, digital advertising, chips, streaming, ecommerce, software, and consumer technology.

Examples of holdings include NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) and Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL).

The appeal is not just that these companies are large. It is that many of them have enormous customer bases, powerful balance sheets, and the ability to keep investing through different market cycles.

This ASX ETF may not be low volatility, but it gives investors a simple way to back some of the world’s most influential growth companies.

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)

The VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF takes a very different approach.

This fund is not trying to own every famous company in the market. It is looking for US businesses with sustainable competitive advantages that are trading at attractive prices.

That could mean strong brands, hard-to-copy networks, valuable intellectual property, cost advantages, or customer relationships that are difficult to break.

Holdings currently include Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT) and NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ: NXPI).

Great businesses can still be poor investments if investors pay too much. But by combining quality with valuation, this ASX ETF gives investors a more selective way to invest in the US market.

It could suit investors who want global growth exposure, but with a filter that looks beyond size and popularity.

Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS)

The Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF is the most familiar option on this list.

It gives investors broad exposure to Australian shares by tracking the S&P/ASX 300 Index.

That means owning a slice of the banks, miners, healthcare companies, retailers, property groups, infrastructure businesses, and industrials that drive the local market.

Examples of holdings include BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA).

The fund’s role in a portfolio is straightforward. It gives investors low-cost local diversification, exposure to Australian dividends, and a way to participate in the performance of the broader share market.

This ASX ETF could work well beside international funds, giving a portfolio both home-market exposure and a connection to the Australian economy.

The post 3 amazing ASX ETFs I’d buy this month appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why are BHP shares surging 4% today despite a flat copper price?
• How many CBA shares do I need to buy for $10,000 of passive income?
• What are experts tipping for the big four bank shares in the back half of 2026?
• Which ASX copper and gold stock could rocket 200%?
• Up almost 50%, is it too late to buy BHP shares?

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Apple, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Fortinet, NXP Semiconductors, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple, BHP Group, Nvidia, and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

It’s not often that we see an ASX share jump almost 30% over just two months. But an S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) blue-chip stock? That’s a rare occasion indeed.

By definition, a blue-chip share is supposed to offer slow-but-steady returns to investors. Blue chips sacrifice high growth potential for dependability and reliability, offering investors tried-and-true business models that have stood the test of time.

That’s why it’s so surprising to see what has happened to Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) shares over the past two months.

Wesfarmers is your typical blue-chip ASX 200 stock. It has been around in some form or another for more than a century and has been listed on the ASX for decades. Today, it owns a stable of some of Australia’s most beloved and well-known businesses. These include Kmart, OfficeWorks, Target, and Bunnings.

In addition to these retailing icons, Wesfarmers also owns a bevvy of other, separate businesses under its roof. These range from clothing and energy to chemical manufacturing and lithium processing.

To make a long story short, this diversification and history arguably make Wesfarmers one of the bluest ASX 200 blue-chip stocks on our market.

But let’s get down to what’s been happening with the Wesfarmers share price.

This company has had quite a volatile year. It started 2026 at $81.72 a share before climbing up to almost $90 by mid-February. However, the stock was hit hard by the global sell-off in March. It had dropped down to a 52-week low of $70.80 a share by mid-May. That was just under two months ago.

Since then, investors have reversed course once again. Today, the company can be bought for $91.03 a share (at the time of writing). That’s a good 28.6% or so above where the company was just two months ago.

Why has this ASX 200 blue chip bounced 30% higher in just two months?

What’s interesting about this case is that there hasn’t been any major news or announcements from Wesfarmers over the past two months, aside from the company’s 10 June Strategy Briefing. And that occurred smack-bang in the middle of the company’s share price recovery.

So it seems that this extraordinary revaluation of Wesfarmers is entirely the result of sentiment. As a huge importer of goods, Wesfarmers is arguably highly exposed to global trade disruptions. So it seems that investors may have sold the company off following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in March. And then piled back in on a belief that those fears were overblown.

This ASX 200 blue chip doesn’t seem to have been knocked off course once again after the geopolitical events of the past week, which may result in another closure. Let’s see how the next few weeks treat Wesfarmers shares.

The post This blue-chip ASX 200 stock is up 30% in 2 months appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much superannuation is needed to target a $100,000 annual passive income?
• How to build a successful ASX dividend portfolio
• How I’d invest $10,000 in ASX shares for the next decade
• 3 of the best ASX dividend stocks to supplement your superannuation
• Buy, hold, sell: L1 Long Short Fund, REA, Wesfarmers shares

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

It was a pleasant hump day for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Wednesday.

After yesterday’s lethargic showing, investors came back to the ASX boards with a little more pep in their steps, sending the ASX 200 0.37% higher. After staying in green territory all day, the index ended up closing at 8,841.1 points.

This confident mid-week session for the Australian markets follows a sunny session on Wall Street.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a lukewarm day, rising by just 0.018%.

However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was far more bullish, gaining 0.9%.

Let’s get back to the local markets now and dive a little deeper into what the various ASX sectors were up to today.

Winners and losers

We had more green sectors than red ones this session.

Leading the red sectors were communications shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) was shunned, tumbling 1.2%.

Gold stocks had a similar experience, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) diving 0.95%.

Energy shares found themselves on the nose, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) retreated 0.57% this hump day.

We could say the same for consumer staples stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) dipping 0.56%.

Healthcare stocks couldn’t hold their own either, evident by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)’s 0.38% slide.

Our last losers were consumer discretionary shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) slipped 0.22% lower by the close of trading.

Let’s turn to the winners now. Leading the push higher were mining stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) surging 1.7%.

Utilities shares were far tamer, though. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) lifted 0.17% today.

Financial stocks were also in that ballpark, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)’s 0.15% advance.

Tech shares followed financials. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) jumped 0.13%.

Then we had real estate investment trusts (REITs), with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) also bouncing 0.13% higher.

Finally, industrial stocks rounded out the winners this Wednesday, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)’s 0.07% bump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Our best performer this hump day was miner Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd (ASX: KCN). Kingsgate shares shot up 15.89% this session to finish at $4.23 each.

This came after the company reported some guidance and production updates, which clearly went down well with the market.

Here’s how the other top stocks tied up at the dock: 

ASX-listed company	Share price	Price change
Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd (ASX: KCN)	$4.23	15.89%
Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB)	$2.59	8.82%
Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP)	$3.20	8.47%
NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT)	$13.81	5.66%
FireFly Metals Ltd (ASX: FFM)	$1.84	5.44%
Block Inc (ASX: XYZ)	$118.15	5.18%
Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU)	$17.54	5.09%
James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX)	$37.15	4.41%
Elevra Lithium Ltd (ASX: ELV)	$9.25	4.05%
IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO)	$7.00	3.86%

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Evolution Mining posts record FY26 cash flow
• Which ASX tech companies does Macquarie like in the surging cloud computing sector?
• Rio Tinto: 3% production growth and strong lithium output in H1 2026
• 2 ASX shares highly recommended to buy: Experts
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday

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 Block. 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.

It’s been a fairly pleasant day for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX 200 shares this Wednesday. At the time of writing, the ASX 200 has advanced 0.33% to just under 8,840 points. But let’s talk about what’s happening with the Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) share price.

Macquarie shares are also enjoying some time in the sun this hump day. The diversified financial stock closed at $253.04 yesterday evening but opened at $255.22 this morning. Just after midday, Macquarie went even higher, blowing past $257 to top out at $257.29. That’s a new all-time record high for the Macquarie share price.

At present, the financial stock has cooled off a little, but is still trading at $255.80 a share, up a comfortable 1.12% for the session thus far.

This gain puts Macquarie shares up a sizeable 25.6% year to date in 2026, and up 14% over the past 12 months. Investors who held back in March when the company fell below $200 a share during the initial sell-off following the onset of the US-Iran War have certainly been rewarded.

Why is the Macquarie share price hitting new record highs today?

There’s no smoking gun for today’s new record high for the Macquarie share price. The company hasn’t made any significant announcements for a while.

What we can say is that sentiment on Macquarie shares has been improving since the company’s latest earnings were released back in May. As we covered at the time, these earnings were impressive, with Macquarie reporting higher return on equity, a 30% rise in net profits after tax to $4.85 billion, and a 30% boost to earnings per share (EPS) to $12.77. The company also raised its final dividend by a healthy 7.7% to $4.20 per share.

Macquarie has a large and immensely profitable investment banking division. Perhaps investors are betting that the company will continue to prosper amid the heightened volatility this year has brought.

It’s also worth noting that Macquarie shares are being looked upon favourably by brokers. As my Fool colleague Samantha Menzies looked at the end of last month, a “majority of brokers have a strong buy rating on Macquarie Group shares”.

Let’s see if this ASX 200 financial stock can keep breaking its records.

At the current Macquarie share price, the company trades on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 20.2 and a dividend yield of 2.73%.

The post The Macquarie share price just hit a new record high appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How I’d invest $10,000 in ASX shares for the next decade
• How much superannuation do you need to earn $5,000 a month in passive income?
• Where could CSL shares go next? Here’s what brokers are predicting
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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 Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia 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.

Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) shares have dipped into the red in Wednesday afternoon trade.

The oil and gas producer’s shares are down around 0.2% and changing hands at $7.70 at the time of writing.

But today’s small dip has barely dented gains made over the past week.

Santos shares tumbled 9% through June and into the first week of July. But have now rebounded around 8% over the past week and are back to levels seen during a rally in mid-March when escalating conflict in the Middle East raised concerns about global oil supply.

The shares are now up around 25% year to date, but are still roughly 1% below the trading levels seen this time last year.

Why are Santos shares in the spotlight this week?

The oil and gas major’s shares are the talk of the town after the US-Iran ceasefire broke down last week, and war escalated again between the two nations.

Santos shares gradually cooled through June and into July, off the back of expectations that the conflict was winding down. When the original peace deal broke in June, Santos fell 8% in a single session. 

But a stark reversal over the past week has reinvigorated the war risk tailwinds that saw the company’s shares fly higher earlier this year. 

Escalating conflict has quickly caused a spike in oil prices, which in turn acts as a strong tailwind for Santos shares.

Trading Economics data shows that the price of WTI crude oil has now spiked over US$80 per barrel.

“Oil prices have rallied this week as renewed tensions between Washington and Tehran heightened supply concerns, adding fresh uncertainty after Persian Gulf producers increased exports following the signing of the interim peace agreement,” Trading Economics said.

The good news for Santos is that the business can continue to perform well regardless of whether geopolitical uncertainty is high or low.

A few company-specific price drivers, including a rise in production and improved cash flow, have also helped Santos shares climb higher.

In late April, Santos posted its March quarter update, where it revealed a 1% increase in production and a 3% rise in sales revenue versus the prior quarter. 

Its free cash flow from operations of US$383 million was in line with Q4 2025, and management reaffirmed its full-year 2026 production and cost guidance.

The company also recently confirmed it has now hit continuous production at its Pikka oil project in Alaska. The project is now producing about 20,000 barrels of oil per day, which will ramp up to 80,000 during the third quarter of 2026.

Are Santos shares a buy, sell, or hold now?

The experts are very bullish about the outlook for Santos this year.

Market Index data shows that all brokers agree on a buy rating on Santos shares. The average $8.70 target price implies a potential 13% upside at the time of writing. 

Macquarie is one broker that has an optimistic outlook on Santos. It said that the company has had solid sequential growth in its second-quarter production and that it currently sees the producer tracking to the lower end of its CY26 guidance range. The team has a buy rating and a $9 target price on the shares. 

The post Why is everyone talking about Santos shares this week? 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 positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia 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.

BHP Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are enjoying a strong session on Wednesday.

In early afternoon trade, BHP shares are up 4% to $61.12. They’re comfortably outperforming the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which is up 0.4%.

The gains continue a recent rebound for the mining heavyweight. BHP shares have climbed around 6% over the past five trading days, though they remain down roughly 6% over the past month.

Zooming out, however, the picture looks much brighter. BHP shares have rallied about 34% since the start of the year and are up approximately 54% over the past 12 months. By comparison, the ASX 200 has gained around 3% over the same period.

So, what’s driving BHP’s sharp share price jump today?

A sector-wide rally lifts BHP

Unlike some large moves in the past, Wednesday’s rally doesn’t appear to be linked to a major company announcement.

Instead, BHP is benefiting from renewed investor appetite for mining stocks as sentiment towards the resources sector improves. The S&P/ASX 200 Resources Index (ASX: XJR) was up 1.6% around midday.

After a period of weakness driven by concerns over global growth, commodity demand, and geopolitical uncertainty, investors have rotated back into diversified miners. BHP shares have emerged as one of the biggest beneficiaries.

Copper remains the key long-term story

While iron ore remains BHP’s largest earnings driver, investors are increasingly valuing the company as a global copper producer.

The miner has spent several years repositioning its portfolio towards commodities expected to benefit from long-term electrification trends, including copper through assets such as Escondida, Olympic Dam, and the recently acquired OZ Minerals business.

That shift means BHP is often viewed as one of the ASX’s premier large-cap copper exposures.

Interestingly, however, today’s rally wasn’t sparked by a surge in copper prices. Benchmark copper prices were little changed overnight, slipping around 0.2%, and remain modestly lower than they were a month ago.

Even so, prices are still well above year-ago levels. This reflects a constructive long-term outlook supported by growing demand from artificial intelligence infrastructure, renewable energy projects, and electric vehicles.

Looking ahead

With no major company news driving Wednesday’s gains, the rally appears to reflect improving sentiment towards the mining sector rather than a fundamental change in BHP’s outlook.

Investors will now turn their attention to BHP’s upcoming quarterly operational update next month. This should provide fresh insight into production across its iron ore and copper operations.

In the meantime, movements in copper and iron ore prices, as well as any signs of further economic stimulus from China, are likely to remain the biggest drivers of BHP shares.

For long-term investors, today’s rally also highlights an important shift in the investment case.

BHP remains the world’s largest-listed iron ore miner. But its growing exposure to copper means the company’s fortunes are becoming increasingly tied to a metal many analysts expect will play a central role in the global energy transition.

The post Why are BHP shares surging 4% today despite a flat copper price? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has positions in BHP Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has 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.