Author: openjargon

Every year that goes by makes the ASX share Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL) more appealing to me.

The investment house regularly adds to its portfolio, which helps improve the quality of the business and increase its long-term prospects.

For example, it recently announced that it was selling its stake of a property investment trust worth $1.9 billion. Management said that this transaction will provide an opportunity for Soul Patts to reallocate capital toward opportunities it’s seeing across domestic and international markets.

This move could help the growth trajectory of the portfolio with the investments it makes with its new war chest. It’s looking at both local and international investments.

There are three areas that make me think this ASX share could be a good buy today.

Diversification

Plenty of investors just want to invest in quality options that provide good diversification and deliver solid returns. That’s partly why exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are so appealing to a lot of Aussies, allowing them to track the market.

Soul Patts has a diversified portfolio across a number of industries, including resources, telecommunications, financial services, building products, property, agriculture, water entitlements, swimming schools, electrification, credit and plenty more.

By owning this investment, investors can get access to a diversified portfolio through just one holding.

With its steadily adjusting portfolio over time, I think this company can future-proof itself and continue its excellent longevity. It’s already more than 120 years old.

Passive dividend income

In multiple ways, Soul Patts is the ultimate ASX dividend share, making it a great choice for passive income.

The company has paid a dividend every year in its listed existence, including through the world wars, global pandemics, economic recessions, various Prime Ministers and so on. Nothing has stopped that passive income flowing. It’s not guaranteed, though, of course.

Soul Patts also has the record for the longest continuous dividend growth streak on the ASX. It has hiked its regular payout every year since 1998, so it’s approaching 30 years of non-stop dividend growth.

It pays its dividend from the investment cash flow from its portfolio of shares, property, credit and private businesses. Soul Patts usually has a reasonably generous dividend payout ratio, but it still retains a material amount of its cash flow each year to invest in opportunities.

The cash flow growth can come from a combination of the organic growth of its own investments, as well as additional investments over time.

The only thing that doesn’t stand out as much is the dividend yield – at the time of writing it has a grossed-up dividend yield of 3.5%, including franking credits.

Capital growth

Some investors may be more focused on capital growth than dividends or diversification.

Soul Patts is not a high-flying AI company, but it’s the sort of business that has been able to provide steady compounding thanks to the growth in the value of the portfolio.

Over the last five years, the Soul Patts share price has risen 41%, at the time of writing. Past performance is not a guarantee of future returns of course, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it delivered a similar (or better) return over the next five years.

I’m seeing the business shift its portfolio towards a more growth-orientated focus, which I think will be a big positive for the longer-term returns.

As the years go by, I think it’s becoming more attractive as an investment for capital growth.

When combined in a portfolio with other attractive ASX shares, I think it’s a very good buy today.

The post I’d buy this ASX share because it offers almost everything an investor could want appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• These ASX dividend shares keep giving investors a pay rise

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended 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 has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Peace, it turns out, is easier said than done.

The market has turned jittery after Iran said it had re-closed the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend following Israeli strikes on Lebanon.

That news lands just days after the US and Iran signed an interim peace deal and oil began flowing through the Strait again, sending prices sharply lower.

US and Iranian officials are now in Switzerland for further discussions, but the renewed closure shows just how fragile the agreement remains.

For these ASX shares, that uncertainty has direct and immediate implications.

How oil prices have whipsawed on peace deal headlines

The speed of the reversal has been extraordinary.

Oil prices fell to US$76.64 a barrel for WTI and US$79.38 a barrel for Brent on Friday, as traders sold down prices following the peace deal signing and the resumption of shipping through Hormuz.

That fall came after months of extreme volatility.

Brent crude has previously bounced following fresh US attacks on Iranian targets, only to fall again days later on renewed peace optimism.

The market has now whipsawed in both directions multiple times since the conflict began on 28 February 2026. Today’s renewed Strait closure adds yet another reversal to that pattern.

What it means for Woodside, Santos, and Beach Energy shares

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of elevated oil prices in 2026, rising 21% year to date.

A renewed closure of the Strait would likely reverse that recent decline and push the share price higher again.

However, Woodside’s longer-term investment case is not solely dependent on the oil price, with Scarborough LNG now 94% complete. The project is on track for first cargo in Q4 2026, providing earnings support regardless of where oil settles.

Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) is up approximately 18% year to date and fell 8% in a single session when the original peace deal news broke. This illustrates just how sensitive the stock remains to Middle East headlines.

Santos’ Barossa LNG project is already producing at 75% of its planned 2026 rates, giving the business some insulation from oil price swings.

Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) remains the most leveraged of the three to oil price movements, given its smaller size. The company has continued to underperform even during periods of rising oil prices due to its own production guidance downgrade earlier in FY 2026.

Why the broker community remains divided on these ASX shares

Peak Asset Management holds a hold rating on Woodside. The asset manager has noted that the company continues to execute strongly operationally even as quarterly production fell 8% due to seasonal weather events, with the average realised oil price rising 11% in Q1 2026.

This nuanced view, constructive on operations but cautious on the unresolved geopolitical backdrop, reflects the difficulty brokers face in pricing these stocks while the Hormuz situation remains this unsettled.

The key lesson for investors

The most important thing for ASX investors to understand is that this situation remains unresolved.

The Strait of Hormuz has opened and closed multiple times since February. Each reversal has triggered a sharp and immediate share price reaction across Woodside, Santos, and Beach Energy.

Positioning a portfolio for a single, confident outcome carries real risk given how quickly this situation has shifted in both directions over the past four months.

Foolish Takeaway for these ASX shares

The US-Iran peace deal has wavered just days after being signed, with Iran re-closing the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend.

For Woodside, Santos, and Beach Energy shareholders, that means the volatility that has defined 2026 is unlikely to disappear soon.

Investors in all these ASX shares should expect continued share price swings as the situation in the Middle East continues to evolve in real time.

The post The US-Iran peace deal just wavered. Here is what this means for these ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Up 23% this year, should I buy Woodside shares today?
• Buy, hold, sell: JB Hi-Fi, Westpac, Santos shares
• Buy, hold, sell: Life360, Woodside, CSL shares
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday

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 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 Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX: SGP) share price is in focus as the company announces an estimated distribution of 16.2 cents per security for the second half of FY26, bringing the full year payout to 25.2 cents, matching previous guidance.

What did Stockland report?

• Estimated 2H26 distribution: 16.2 cents per Ordinary Stapled Security
• FY26 full year distribution: 25.2 cents per Ordinary Stapled Security
• Distribution Record Date: 30 June 2026
• Payment Date: 31 August 2026
• Distribution Reinvestment Plan (DRP) will not operate for this period

What else do investors need to know?

Stockland has confirmed that the full-year distribution is in line with its prior guidance, offering stability for investors. The Distribution Reinvestment Plan (DRP) won’t apply for the 2H26 distribution, so any previous DRP elections won’t be used this time. No action is needed unless securityholders want to change their nomination.

The company will release its full-year financial results and final distribution details on 19 August 2026. Securityholders can access DRP FAQs and rules at the Stockland Investor Centre for more information.

What’s next for Stockland?

Investors can look forward to the upcoming results announcement, which will provide more detail on Stockland’s financial performance for FY26. With the distribution matching guidance and the next update scheduled, Stockland continues to emphasise consistency in its investor communications and returns.

Decisions on the Distribution Reinvestment Plan for future periods will be communicated in due course, and investors are encouraged to review their nominations if necessary.

Stockland share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Stockland shares have declined 25%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 4% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Stockland announces FY26 distribution and DRP update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Reliance Worldwide closes Australian brass sites
• Transurban Group overhauls NSW toll enforcement, ditches paper notices
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• Up 1,700% and more, what’s next for these ASX 200 shares?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

The Transurban Group (ASX: TCL) share price is in focus today after the company announced a comprehensive overhaul to its NSW toll enforcement process, including switching off toll notice administration fees and moving to digital notifications for unpaid tolls.

What did Transurban Group report?

• Agreement with NSW Government to digitise unpaid toll reminders via email and SMS
• Phased switch-off of paper toll notices and elimination of related administration fees from July 2026*
• Enhanced support for motorists experiencing financial hardship
• Changes tied to broader Toll Reform outcomes between concessionaires and the NSW Government
• Ongoing protection of Transurban and partner investment in Sydney’s $36 billion road network

What else do investors need to know?

Transurban, alongside its investment partners, worked closely with the NSW Government to revamp the state’s toll notice process, aiming for earlier and more direct engagement with motorists. The reforms promise not only operational efficiency—like reduced paper usage—but also improvements to the customer experience, with timely digital alerts and clearer pathways for those in financial difficulty.

The reforms’ implementation will depend on the finalisation of administrative arrangements with Transport for NSW and the conclusion of broader toll reform discussions. If all goes to plan, the digital system is expected to roll out in July 2026.

What did Transurban Group management say?

CEO Michelle Jablko said:

Digitising toll notices will result in a better customer experience and reduced operating costs. These changes are consistent with the Government’s commitment to respecting the value of existing contracts and the revenue of concessionaires and are contingent on broader toll reform outcomes.

What’s next for Transurban Group?

With the new digital enforcement process nearing implementation, Transurban is positioning itself for smoother and more efficient toll collection in NSW. Investors can expect to hear more as the company and government finalise system upgrades and the broader Toll Reform package.

For now, the transition marks the final stages towards a significant shake-up in how Sydney’s toll roads are managed. Transurban says these changes should benefit motorists, the NSW Government, and shareholders by protecting core investments and supporting simpler road use.

Transurban Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Transurban Group shares have risen 5%, slightly outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 4% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Transurban Group overhauls NSW toll enforcement, ditches paper notices appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Transurban Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

ASX healthcare shares have tested investors’ patience in recent years.

Some former market favourites have fallen out of favour as growth expectations, margins, valuations, and sentiment have all been reassessed.

But healthcare is still one of the most attractive long-term sectors on the market.

Demand is supported by ageing populations, chronic disease, medical innovation, and the simple reality that people do not stop needing treatment when the economy slows.

Two ASX healthcare shares that could be worth buying with a long-term view are in this article.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

The first ASX healthcare share to look at is biotech giant CSL.

It has been through a difficult period, with investors becoming far more cautious on its earnings outlook and growth profile.

But it could be worth sticking with the company. CSL is a global leader in plasma therapies, with products used across areas such as immunology and haematology. It also has exposure to vaccines and iron deficiency through other parts of the group.

This gives the company a broad healthcare platform, rather than a single product or single treatment market.

The plasma business is particularly important. It requires collection centres, manufacturing expertise, regulatory approvals, scale, and deep relationships across healthcare systems. These are not easy advantages for competitors to replicate quickly.

That does not mean CSL will rebound immediately. Management still needs to restore confidence, improve execution, and prove that its earnings base can grow again. But for patient investors, this is where the opportunity may sit.

If CSL can stabilise its performance and return to sustainable earnings growth, the current period of weakness could eventually look like a major reset in a high-quality healthcare business.

ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD)

Another ASX healthcare share that could be a great long-term buy is ResMed.

It is a global leader in sleep apnoea treatment and connected respiratory care.

ResMed’s products help patients breathe better and manage sleep-related breathing disorders. This includes devices, masks, accessories, software, and digital tools that support ongoing treatment.

The long-term opportunity is significant. Sleep apnoea is significantly underdiagnosed in many markets, but awareness of sleep health continues to grow. As more people are tested and treated, demand for ResMed’s devices and consumables could continue expanding.

So, with its shares down heavily from their highs, now could be an opportune time to invest with a long term view.

Why patience is important

CSL and ResMed are very different companies, but they share some important qualities.

Both operate in global healthcare markets, both have built strong positions over many years, both provide products that address real medical needs, and both have the potential to benefit from long-term demand rather than short-term consumer trends.

The challenge is that healthcare investing often requires patience.

Earnings growth can be uneven, sentiment can change quickly, and operational setbacks can take time to fix. Investors who buy these shares need to be willing to look beyond the next result and focus on the quality of the businesses over a longer horizon.

For patient investors, that could make CSL and ResMed shares very interesting opportunities right now.

They may take time to recover, but their global market positions, healthcare exposure, and long-term demand drivers could make them great ASX shares to buy and hold for the years ahead.

The post Should I buy CSL and ResMed shares right now? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed. 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 Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU) share price is in focus after the company secured its first binding, multi-year offtake agreement for magnet rare earth oxides, promising minimum revenue of US$155 million over four years.

What did Iluka Resources report?

• Signed a binding, multi-year offtake agreement with a global automotive company
• Agreement covers supply of around 1,200 tonnes of magnet rare earth oxides (Nd, Pr, Dy, Tb) over four years
• Commences in 2028, in line with Eneabba refinery commissioning and ramp up
• Minimum revenue of US$155 million under the take-or-pay terms; potential for US$172 million if industry prices hold
• Volumes represent about 10% of Iluka’s planned rare earths output for the period

What else do investors need to know?

Iluka’s agreement sets pricing at the higher of minimum or market-linked prices for each product, boosting revenue security while keeping upside if prices rise. The contract signals early commercial confidence in Eneabba, which is now over 50% complete and scheduled for commissioning in 2027.

The deal covers both light and heavy magnet rare earth oxides and is with a ‘globally recognised automotive company’—though the customer’s name remains confidential. The company notes that talks with other potential buyers are ongoing, which could further underpin future sales.

What did Iluka Resources management say?

Managing Director Tom O’Leary said:

Iluka’s offtake agreement marks a particularly important milestone in the development of our rare earths business. Our first rare earths customer is a globally recognised automotive company and I am delighted that Iluka has been entrusted to deliver refined critical minerals as part of its supply chain. We look forward to a collaborative and successful partnership.

Beyond being Iluka’s first, the agreement is significant in that it encompasses the full suite of light and heavy magnet rare earth oxides and contains minimum prices agreed between commercial parties that are independent of those backed by governments.

One year out from commissioning, Iluka’s rare earth oxides have been procured by an end-use customer in a likeminded nation. This demonstrates increasing recognition of Iluka’s position as a credible, vertically integrated supplier, with diverse feedstock sources spanning internal operations and third-parties. Discussions with other prospective customers are ongoing.

What’s next for Iluka Resources?

With this offtake agreement in place, Iluka’s rare earths business edges closer to first production from the Eneabba refinery in 2027 and initial deliveries from 2028. Management continues to engage with more potential customers and aims to further diversify its rare earths sales.

The company is also progressing plans to ramp up production using additional feedstocks in future years, which would grow the Eneabba refinery’s capacity beyond current plans, strengthening its competitive position in critical minerals supply.

Iluka Resources share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Iluka Resources shares have risen 138%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 4% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Iluka Resources signs multi-year rare earths supply deal appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

Owning National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) shares has usually been a very useful choice for dividends over the years. Experts think the ASX bank share could continue to deliver pleasing passive income.

As an already-huge bank, the company does not have rapid growth prospects. The ASX bank share is able to send a lot of its profit each year to investors because there are not many places for the bank to invest for a good return. This results in a relatively low price/earnings (P/E) ratio.

Therefore, the business is able to support a generous dividend payout ratio for shareholders.

So, let’s look at projections on how generous the bank may be.

FY26

We’re more than halfway through the NAB 2026 financial year, which ends in September 2026, rather than June.

The ASX bank share has already told investors about its FY26 half-year result, which saw the bank report statutory net profit of $2.75 billion and underlying cash earnings of $3.6 billion. That represents 0.1% growth year-over-year and 2.3% growth half over half.

The bank reported that its growth was driven by its business and private banking segment, which delivered 9.9% cash earnings growth to $1.85 billion, thanks to lending volume growth, broadly stable margins and improved markets and fee income.

Within that result, NAB decided to maintain its dividend per share at 85 cents. That’s understandable considering underlying cash profit moved very little.

One of the biggest problems for the ASX bank share was its credit impairment charge of $706 million, partially as a result of potential stress related to the Middle East conflict.

In terms of the potential dividend for the 2026 financial year, the forecast on Commsec suggests the ASX bank share could pay an annual payout of $1.70 in FY26. That translates into a possible grossed-up dividend yield of 6.4%, including franking credits, at the time of writing.

That’s a solid level of passive income compared to many other passive income options, in my opinion.

FY27

The next financial year could be particularly interesting for investors, considering all of the global impacts on the economy and how interest rate changes could impact profitability.

According to the forecast on Commsec, the business could deliver a slightly higher annual dividend per share of $1.72. That translates into a potential grossed-up dividend yield of 6.5%, including franking credits, at the time of writing.

The projections also suggest the bank could deliver higher earnings per share (EPS) in both FY26 and FY27. The forecasts would put the NAB share price at under 15x FY27’s estimated earnings, at the time of writing, according to Commsec.

The collation of analyst opinions on NAB shares suggests there are currently two buy ratings, five sell ratings and nine hold ratings on the business.

Therefore, there could be better opportunities out there than NAB shares.

The post Here’s the dividend forecast out to 2027 for NAB shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Some ASX shares are forecast to deliver significant returns within the next year, so they could be great ones to look at.

Of course, an analyst’s projection is not a guarantee of returns. But, if an expert (or experts) believes the business is severely undervalued, then the company could be a market-beater.

Let’s look at two ASX shares that may materially outperform the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) in the year ahead.

Resmed CDI (ASX: RMD)

Resmed is one of the world leaders when it comes to sleep apnea and CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines.

According to CMC Invest, there have been nine ratings on the business within the last three months, with eight of them being a buy.

A price target is the analyst’s way of telling investors where they think the share price will trade in a year from the time of the investment call. The average price target of those nine ratings is $41.27, suggesting a possible rise of 55% over the next 12 months.

The Resmed share price has dropped 26% during 2026 to date, making it look much better value. That decline has led to the business looking much better value, despite ongoing strength of its financials.

In the FY26 third quarter, the ASX share reported revenue growth of 11% to $1.4 billion, with the gross profit margin improving 290 basis points (2.90%) to 62.2% and operating net profit growing 17% to $499.8 million.

IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL)

IDP Education describes itself as a global leader in international student placement and a co-owner of the world’s most popular “high-stakes” English language test, IELTS. It partners with universities and institutions across Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and the US.

According to CMC Invest, there have been five ratings on the business within the last three months, with four of those being a buy and one being a sell. The average price target is $4.12, which implies a possible rise of 61% over the next 12 months.

With how the IDP Education share price is down 55% this year, the business looks very attractive, according to analysts.

Despite the headwinds the global industry is facing, the ASX share recently announced a pleasing update.

It said it expects the FY26 adjusted operating profit (EBIT) to be approximately $122 million, with a strong yield performance and cost reduction mitigating the impact of market conditions.

IDP Education thinks its cost base can be reduced by a net $30 million in FY26, ahead of the $25 million target that was previously announced.

The ASX share also expected an on-market share buyback program of up to $50 million, which reflects its “robust balance sheet and strong cash generation”.

According to the forecast on CMC Invest, IDP Education shares are now valued at less than 12x FY26’s estimated earnings, with earnings growth forecast to rise 7% in FY27 and 27% in FY28.

The post 2 ASX shares tipped to grow 50% or more in the next 12 months appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended 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.

When an ASX share is rated as a buy, it’s interesting. When there are numerous buy ratings, that suggests there could be a compelling opportunity for investors.

While having the backing of multiple analysts does not automatically mean there will be strong returns, I think it certainly suggests to take a closer look.

Let’s consider two of the most-backed ASX shares Aussies can buy right now.

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

Flight Centre is one of Australia’s largest travel agency businesses. It also has a presence internationally, as well as a corporate travel segment.

According to CMC Invest, there have been 10 ratings on the business within the last three months. Of those 10 ratings, nine of them were buys and one was a hold.

A price target can be very informative of how undervalued analysts think a business is, it says where the expert believes the share price will be trading in 12 months from the time of the investment call.

Currently, of those 10 analyst ratings, the average price target is $14.37. At the time of writing, that implies a possible rise of more than 20% over the next year.

The company recently updated its FY26 guidance amid the conflict-driven headwinds for international leisure travel.

It now expects underlying profit before tax (PBT) to be between $275 million to $295 million, this is lower than the previous guidance of between $310 million to $345 million, though the mid-point of the guidance is approximately the same as FY25’s figure.

The ASX share also announced it was launching a $200 million share buyback, which increases the value of each remaining share, by increasing earnings per share (EPS) and other per-share statistics.

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

Another ASX share that is heavily rated by analysts is the ASX transport share Qantas, Australia’s leading airline.

The Middle East conflict has also been a headwind for the business, which impacted both long haul travel and increased fuel costs.

According to CMC Invest, within the last three months, there have been 11 ratings, with all of those being a buy.

The average price target on the airline is $10.94, which suggests a possible rise of 9% over the next year from where it is at the time of writing.

The latest update came from the business in mid-April where it said that fuel costs for the second half of FY26 are estimated to be between $3.1 billion to $3.3 billion.

It also noted that it continued to see strong demand for international travel to Europe as customers sought alternative routes. Qantas said it expected unit revenue growth in the second half of around 5%, with price rises helping offset the higher costs.

With fuel seemingly starting to flow out of the Strait of Hormuz again, this could help Qantas’ earnings in the medium-term and I think it bodes well for the ASX share.

The post 2 ASX shares highly recommended to buy: Experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy right now
• Brokers name 2 ASX dividend shares to buy

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

The Australian share market remains a great hunting ground for passive income.

While bank shares often receive plenty of attention from dividend investors, there are many other options offering attractive forecast dividend yields.

Some of these shares also provide exposure to very different parts of the economy, which can be useful for investors trying to build a more diversified income stream.

Here are three ASX dividend shares that are rated as buys by brokers and forecast to yield more than 5% in FY 2027.

APA Group (ASX: APA)

The first ASX dividend share to look at is APA Group.

APA owns energy infrastructure assets, including gas pipelines and related infrastructure that help keep energy moving across Australia.

That gives the company an important role in the economy. Its assets support households, industry, power generation, and energy security, which can make its cash flows attractive to income-focused investors.

Citi is bullish on the company. It has a buy rating and $11.10 price target on APA’s shares.

As for income, the broker expects APA to pay a dividend of 59 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on the current share price of $10.31, this represents a forward dividend yield of approximately 5.7%.

Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW)

Another ASX dividend share that could be attractive for income investors is the Charter Hall Long WALE REIT.

This property trust owns a portfolio of leased assets across Australia, with a focus on long weighted average lease expiry properties.

That long-lease structure is the key part of the income story. Rather than relying heavily on short-term leasing conditions, Charter Hall Long WALE REIT is built around contracted rental income from a portfolio of tenants across different sectors.

Citi also sees value here. It has a buy rating and $4.10 price target on its shares.

The broker expects Charter Hall Long WALE REIT to pay a dividend of 25.7 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on the current share price of $3.75, this equates to a forecast yield of approximately 6.9%.

Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI)

A third ASX dividend share to consider is Universal Store.

It is a youth-focused fashion retailer with a portfolio of brands and stores targeting younger shoppers.

Retail shares can be cyclical, but Universal Store has built a strong position in its niche. Its store network, brand mix, and understanding of youth fashion trends give it a point of difference in a competitive market.

Morgans is positive on the company. It has a buy rating and $9.50 price target on Universal Store’s shares.

With respect to income, the broker expects the company to pay a fully franked dividend of 46 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $7.34, this represents a forward dividend yield of approximately 6.3%.

The post 3 buy-rated ASX dividend shares forecast to yield 5%+ in FY 2027 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Universal Store. 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 Australia has recommended Universal Store. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.