Author: openjargon

Imagine having an extra $1,000 arriving in your bank account every week without having to work for it.

That could make a huge difference to your lifestyle, particularly if you are approaching retirement.

And while building a portfolio capable of producing this income will take time, it is something you can start working towards today.

Here’s how.

Start by buying yourself some future income

One way to approach this goal is to think about how much income each investment could eventually provide.

For example, every $20,000 invested in a portfolio yielding 5% would generate $1,000 in annual passive income.

Build that portfolio to $100,000 and you’re looking at $5,000 a year. Reach $200,000 and the potential income doubles to $10,000.

Ultimately, you would need approximately $1.04 million invested at a 5% yield to generate $52,000 a year.

But of course, starting from zero means there is plenty of work to do before those dividends start paying the bills.

Let growth do the heavy lifting

Rather than chasing dividends immediately, I would start by focusing on building the portfolio’s value.

This could mean investing in quality ASX growth shares such as Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) and ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD), alongside established companies such as Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES).

Exchange traded funds (ETFs) could also play a role, providing exposure to hundreds of Australian and international stocks.

The idea is to build a portfolio capable of growing over many years while reinvesting any dividends received.

Regular contributions would be equally important. Investing $1,000 a month and achieving an average annual return of 10% could potentially build a portfolio worth approximately $1.04 million in 23 years.

That return isn’t guaranteed, nothing is in the share market, but it demonstrates what consistent investing and compounding could achieve.

Increasing those monthly contributions as your income grows could also bring the target forward.

Turn your wealth into passive income

As the portfolio approaches its target, the investment strategy could gradually change.

Instead of focusing primarily on capital growth, investors could start directing more money towards companies offering attractive and sustainable dividends.

This could include infrastructure shares such as APA Group (ASX: APA) and Transurban Group (ASX: TCL), property investments such as HomeCo Daily Needs REIT (ASX: HDN), and dividend-focused ETFs.

The aim would be to achieve an average yield of approximately 5% without relying too heavily on any individual company.

Once the portfolio reaches $1.04 million, that yield would produce $52,000 annually before tax.

And if the underlying companies can grow their dividends over time, the income stream could increase as well, potentially helping it keep pace with rising living costs.

The post How to build a $52,000 passive income with ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX 200 shares brokers tip to rocket 25% to 77%
• In a tough retail environment, what’s the outlook for Wesfarmers shares?
• AGL Energy vs Wesfarmers: Which share delivers better passive income?
• How much could the Wesfarmers share price rise in the next year?
• Transurban Group share price: $4.5bn deal for bigger Sydney road stakes

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

How does your superannuation balance compare with other Australians approaching retirement?

It is a question worth asking, particularly as you get closer to finishing work and enjoying your retirement.

So, let’s look at the latest figures for Australians aged around 57 and 67.

What’s the average super balance at 57?

According to the latest Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) figures, Australians aged 55 to 59 have an average superannuation balance of $243,300. This gives us a reasonable guide for someone aged 57.

At this stage, retirement may be getting closer, but there could still be plenty of opportunities to increase your savings.

Someone planning to retire at 67, for example, would have another decade of potential investment returns and superannuation contributions ahead of them.

Those final working years could make a considerable difference, particularly if earnings are higher than earlier in their career.

Making additional contributions, where affordable and within contribution limits, could also help improve their retirement position.

How much super does the average 67-year-old have?

By age 67, things look a little different. APRA’s latest figures show that Australians aged 65 to 69 have an average superannuation balance of $290,600.

That is approximately $47,300 more than the average for Australians aged 55 to 59.

However, there is something important to remember when comparing these numbers. Many Australians in their late 60s have already retired and started accessing their superannuation.

Their balances may reflect a combination of investment returns and retirement withdrawals.

How much super is enough?

Of course, knowing the average balance is only part of the story.

The more important thing to know is whether those savings will provide enough income to enjoy retirement.

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) estimates that a single homeowner needs approximately $630,000 in retirement savings at age 67 to support a comfortable retirement.

For couples, ASFA estimates that a total combined balance of $730,000 is required for a comfortable retirement.

Both estimates assume they receive some Age Pension support over time.

These figures are considerably higher than the average super balance reported by APRA for Australians aged 65 to 69, although the couples’ target represents combined savings.

Someone who owns their home outright and qualifies for the Age Pension may need considerably less than someone who is renting or hoping to fund a more expensive lifestyle.

For Australians approaching 57, these figures could provide a good reason to review their superannuation strategy while there is still time to make changes.

And for those approaching 67, understanding their expected spending, other savings, and potential Age Pension entitlement could help determine how far their superannuation will go.

The post Here’s the average Australian superannuation balance at 57 and 67 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to build a $52,000 passive income with ASX shares
• How many Woodside shares do I need to buy for $1,000 per month of passive income?
• 3 ASX 200 shares I would buy and hold for 10 years
• Fortescue vs National Australia Bank: Which ASX blue chip is the better buy this month?
• Where to invest $10,000 in ASX ETFs in October

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

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares have been pushed into the spotlight in 2026 amid ongoing oil supply concerns and macroeconomic pressures.

Volatility surrounding continued conflict in the Middle East has been a strong tailwind for Woodside shares so far this year. 

The US-Iran war has shown renewed signs of cooling. But each time it looks like conflict is calming down, it ramps back up again. The region is highly volatile, and the movement of oil from the area will continue to be uncertain until a final resolution is reached. 

Oil shipping disruptions and production cuts pushed oil prices to a multi-year high of around US$111 per barrel in April. 

Trading Economics data crude oil is now trading around US$89 per barrel. That’s a 4% increase over the past month and 45% higher than last year.

It’s not just volatile oil prices driving the company’s shares higher, either. ASX energy companies have also enjoyed a rise in production and improved cash flow.

Woodside grabbed headlines late last month when it posted its first-half FY26 update. The company reported a 13% increase in operating revenue, a 27% increase in NPAT, a 7% increase in underlying NPAT, and a huge increase in free cash flow to US$352 million.

This strong performance is great news for investors, especially those looking to earn a good passive income from their investment in Woodside shares.

What’s the latest out of Woodside shares?

At the time of writing, Woodside shares are trading for $31.41 each. That’s a 33% increase for the year-to-date and 26% higher than this time last year.

What does Woodside’s dividend look like?

Woodside traditionally makes two fully franked dividend payments to shareholders every year, payable in March and September.

As part of the company’s latest financial update, its management declared a fully franked interim dividend of 57 US cents per share (the equivalent of 79.5 Australian cents). It paid this to investors last month. 

At the time of writing, that translates to a dividend yield of around 5.1%.

What is the oil and gas major forecasted to pay its shareholders in FY26 and FY27?

CommSec forecasts show Woodside is expected to pay a full-year FY26 dividend of AU$1.764 in FY26 and AU$2.149 in FY27.

So, how many Woodside shares do I need to generate $1,000 per month in passive income in FY27?

First, we’d need to calculate what $1,000 per month in passive income is over the year ($12,000). The oil and gas giant doesn’t pay monthly, so we can only calculate it annually.

In order to earn $12,000 per year in passive income from Woodside shares in FY26, at $1.764 per unit, investors would need to own around 6,802 shares.

To earn the same amount from the $2.149 projected dividend in FY27, investors would need to own roughly 5,583 Woodside shares.

What would that cost?

At a $31.41 share price, 6,802 shares would require an investment of approximately $213,650 for FY26. This would give an annual passive income of around $12,000 (equivalent to $1,000 per month).

To earn the same amount in FY27, the 5,583 shares would cost closer to $175,362.

The post How many Woodside shares do I need to buy for $1,000 per month of passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Expert names Woodside and CSL shares as top buys today
• Woodside Energy vs Ampol: Which ASX oil stock looks better this week?
• Buy, hold, sell: Woodside, Life360, Ramsay Health Care shares

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

10 years is a long time in the share market.

If I were buying S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares with that timeframe in mind, I would want businesses with opportunities that can keep expanding.

With that in mind, these three ASX 200 shares stand out to me.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)

I think Sigma Healthcare looks very different today following last year’s merger with Chemist Warehouse.

The combined business now brings together a major pharmacy retail network and Sigma’s pharmaceutical wholesale operations, creating scale across several parts of the healthcare supply chain.

FY26 gave investors an early look at that potential. Revenue reached $10.8 billion, while normalised EBIT increased by more than 20%. Sigma is also working towards $100 million of annual integration synergies by FY29.

But I think the 10-year opportunity goes far beyond extracting merger savings.

Chemist Warehouse still has room to expand its store network and international presence, while Sigma can use its scale across distribution, retail pharmacy, and own-brand products to keep growing alongside it.

If management executes well, I think this ASX 200 share could be significantly larger a decade from now.

Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG)

Breville is an ASX 200 share that I think has done an excellent job of turning a local brand into a global one.

Its premium coffee machines remain an important growth engine, but what interests me over 10 years is the model behind them.

Breville continually invests in new products, marketing, and new geographic markets, giving it several ways to keep growing without relying on consumers simply buying more of the same appliances.

FY26 revenue reached a record $1.81 billion, and remarkably, the company has now increased revenue, gross profit, and EBIT in every financial year since FY15.

Newer markets also provide another avenue for expansion. Breville has been building its presence in markets including China and the Middle East while continuing to develop its established businesses in the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

I think that global runway could keep the business growing well beyond the next few years.

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

Megaport is the higher-growth pick of the three ASX 200 shares.

It has traditionally helped businesses connect data centres and cloud providers through its global software-defined network. More recently, its acquisition of Latitude.sh has expanded that opportunity into AI infrastructure.

Latitude.sh provides GPU and CPU computing power, storage, and networking for AI workloads, and the early demand has been strong. 

Megaport has already announced a series of very large strategic contracts through the business, giving it a much bigger growth avenue than connectivity alone.

For me, that is what makes the 10-year story so compelling. 

If Megaport can keep building both sides of the business, it could become a much larger digital infrastructure company by 2036.

Foolish takeaway

I cannot know what the market will look like in 2036.

I would rather spend a 10-year holding period backing ASX 200 shares that still have ways to expand. Sigma, Breville, and Megaport all give me that potential, but through three completely different parts of the economy.

That is enough for me to be comfortable buying them and giving the businesses plenty of time to grow.

The post 3 ASX 200 shares I would buy and hold for 10 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Zip vs Megaport: Which ASX tech share is the better buy?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Bell Potter just put a buy rating on Megaport shares with 33% upside
• Which were the best-performing ASX 200 shares in September?

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 Megaport. 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.

Fortescue vs National Australia Bank shares: Which blue chip is the better buy?

When it comes to ASX blue chips, Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) and National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) are two household names that regularly appear on investor watchlists. Both deliver fully-franked dividends, boast huge market caps, and are pillars of the local stock market—yet they couldn’t be more different in what they do or how they’ve performed recently. With volatility hitting miners and banks alike, here’s my take on Fortescue vs National Australia Bank shares today.

The case for Fortescue

Fortescue is a mining powerhouse, best known for its iron ore operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The company operates major mining hubs and some of the most efficient rail and port infrastructure in the game. According to its most recent public description, Fortescue is now ranked as the world’s fourth largest iron ore producer, which gives it serious scale and bargaining power.

Three fundamentals really stand out to me for Fortescue shares right now:

• Dividend yield: It boasts a fat 6.64% yield (fully franked), one of the highest among ASX blue chips.
• P/E ratio: At 12.25, Fortescue trades on a much lower price-to-earnings multiple than most large ASX companies.
• YTD performance: Its year-to-date return is a disappointing -21.2%, showing it’s faced real headwinds in 2026 so far.

Fortescue’s dividends have been consistently fully franked, and the company has a history of paying out special dividends when iron ore prices have been strong. However, as a miner, its fortunes are closely tied to iron ore prices and China’s demand for steel.

The case for National Australia Bank

National Australia Bank is one of the “Big Four” banks, with a huge network across Australia and New Zealand. NAB delivers a broad suite of banking services, from retail and business banking to wealth management and institutional finance. Thanks to its established brand and extensive branch network, NAB is a pillar of the local financial system and a favourite with steady-income investors.

Here are the top points for NAB:

• Dividend reliability: Its current yield is 4.35% (fully franked), not as high as Fortescue but underpinned by a long track record of steady and uninterrupted payouts.
• P/E ratio: NAB trades on a P/E of 19.56, which is meaningfully higher than Fortescue’s but still reasonable for a major bank.
• Market cap: It dwarfs Fortescue with a $122.05 billion market cap, reflecting NAB’s position as one of the largest companies on the ASX.
• YTD performance: NAB shares are only down 5.6% so far in 2026, which is much steadier than what we’ve seen from Fortescue.

NAB’s dividends are fully franked, and the payout has been remarkably consistent over the past decade-plus, weathering economic turbulence and regulatory changes much better than most cyclical stocks.

Valuation comparison

Here’s how these giants stack up on the key numbers:

	Fortescue	National Australia Bank
Market Cap	$50.62 billion	$122.05 billion
P/E Ratio	12.25	19.56
Dividend Yield	6.64% (100% franked)	4.35% (100% franked)
Earnings Per Share (EPS)	0.931	2.000
Dividend Per Share	1.08	1.70
YTD Return	-21.2%	-5.6%

Note: National Australia Bank’s P/E ratio is quite a bit higher than Fortescue’s, but keep in mind that mining and banking are completely different sectors with different typical valuations. Also, Fortescue’s reported P/E and EPS figures suggest a lower implied share price than spot prices, possibly reflecting the difference between underlying or forward earnings and reported EPS.

Recent share price momentum

Comparing recent share price performance up to 30 September 2026:

• Fortescue: Closed at $16.44, up 1.04% on the day but still down 21.2% for the year to date.
• National Australia Bank: Closed at $39.15, up 0.10% on the day and down just 5.6% year to date.

Over the past few weeks, both stocks have seen short bursts of volatility, with Fortescue buffeted by commodity swings and NAB supported by steady, if unspectacular, trading.

Which is the better buy?

If I had to pick one blue chip from these two today, I’d lean toward National Australia Bank. Yes, Fortescue’s dividend yield is higher and its valuation appears cheaper on a P/E basis, but that hefty yield comes at the price of much greater volatility—and its share price shows it, down over 21% for the year so far. NAB, in contrast, offers a steadier ride with fully franked dividends, strong brand strength, and much less price downside over 2026.

Fortescue is attractive if you believe iron ore has further to run or want maximum yield while accepting serious swings along the way. But for my money—and especially for investors focused on stability, income reliability, and blue chip defensiveness—NAB looks the safer bet for the current market environment.

The post Fortescue vs National Australia Bank: Which ASX blue chip is the better buy this month? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Is the Fortescue share price a cheap buy?
• If I invest $10,000 in ANZ shares, what passive income could I receive in FY27?
• Regis Resources vs Fortescue: Which ASX miner is the better buy?
• Are ASX 200 bank stocks a buy in October?
• If I invest $10,000 in Fortescue shares, how much passive income could I earn in FY27?

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 draft. 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.

Looking to put $10,000 to work on the ASX this October but not sure where to invest?

Exchange traded funds (ETFs) could be worth considering. They offer an easy way to invest in a collection of stocks without having to pick individual shares.

Here are four ASX ETFs that could be worth a closer look this month.

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

The iShares S&P 500 ETF could be an excellent option for investors wanting exposure to the US share market.

This fund tracks the famous S&P 500 Index, giving investors access to 500 of America’s largest listed companies.

Its holdings include Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), and Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), alongside major businesses operating in healthcare, financial services, consumer goods, and other industries.

Many of these companies generate significant revenue internationally, which means investors are gaining exposure to businesses that operate across the global economy.

With a long investment horizon, this ASX ETF could be well worth considering.

Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY)

Another ASX ETF to consider buying in October is the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF.

This fund focuses on Australian stocks that are forecast to provide higher dividend yields than the broader share market.

Its portfolio includes businesses from sectors such as banking, resources, telecommunications, and consumer goods.

This could be particularly attractive for investors looking to generate passive income while retaining exposure to potential capital growth.

Another positive is the fund’s distributions also include some franking credits, which can provide additional benefits to eligible Australian investors.

Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAE)

The Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF invests in companies across major Asian markets, including China, Taiwan, South Korea, India, and Singapore.

This gives investors access to businesses operating in technology, manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, and consumer markets.

Asia is home to some of the world’s largest economies and most important technology companies. It also has growing consumer markets and a rising middle class that could support economic growth over the long term.

This makes the Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF an option to consider for investors seeking opportunities outside Australia and the United States.

Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: RBTZ)

A final ASX ETF worth considering in October is the Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF.

This fund invests in stocks involved in robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, and related technologies.

From manufacturing and logistics to healthcare and agriculture, robotics and intelligent machines have the potential to change how numerous industries operate.

As technology improves and adoption increases, the companies developing these solutions could enjoy significant growth.

This could make the Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF an attractive option for investors seeking exposure to a long-term technology theme.

The post Where to invest $10,000 in ASX ETFs in October appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• My top 3 Vanguard ETFs for October
• 5 excellent ASX ETFs to buy in October
• VGS vs IVV: Which ETF would I buy with $10,000?
• How much must I invest in IVV ETF shares to earn a $1,000 passive income in 2027?
• Own US ETFs like IVV or NDQ? Here’s why your dividends are so low

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

I’m backing ASX dividend stock WCM Global Growth Ltd (ASX: WQG) as one of the best picks for passive income on the ASX.

In my own portfolio, I’m building positions in businesses that pay strong dividends and have a track record of returns. I’m utilising dividend income to pay for certain discretionary expenses in life, and that’s helping boost my household’s finances.

Thankfully, WCM Global Growth is also delivering dividend growth and long-term capital growth, which means it’s giving me a trifecta of what I’m looking for financially – dividend yield, payout growth, and capital growth.

Let’s run through why the listed investment company (LIC) is a strong pick with a $3,000 investment for passive income.

Compelling investment strategy

WCM Global Growth is a California-based investment manager that specialises in global and emerging market shares. WCM specialises in global shares and emerging market shares.

The fund manager looks for two key criteria to be considered for inclusion in the WCM Global Growth portfolio.

First, it wants to see a rising competitive advantage (or expanding economic moat).

Second, WCM wants to see that the company has a corporate culture that supports the expansion of this moat.

The WCM investment team believe that the ‘direction’ of a company’s economic moat is of more importance than its absolute size. The research focuses on identifying companies with a positive moat trajectory, as measured by rising return on invested capital, rather than those with a large but static or declining economic moat.

Since its inception in June 2017, the LIC has delivered net returns of 15.6% per year, after fees, and is more than 2% per year stronger than the global share market benchmark return.

Those good returns allow the business to pay a rewarding dividend.

Large dividend yield

The ASX dividend stock has provided guidance that it will pay an annual dividend per share of 10.1 cents over the next 12 months.

At the time of writing, that means it’s going to deliver a dividend yield of 4.9% excluding franking credits and 7% including franking credits.

In my view, there are few businesses that are going to pay a dividend yield as good as that over the next 12 months and deliver growth.

Passive income growth

The LIC has a “progressive quarterly dividend policy”. In other words, it delivers a payout every quarter, and that dividend is growing every three months.  

Its latest quarterly dividend payment was 2.35 cents per share, paid on 30 September 2026. The LIC has shown how the dividend will progress over the next 12 months.

It plans to pay a quarterly dividend of 2.45 cents per share in December 2026 – that’s 4.25% higher than the September payment.

WCM Global Growth expects to pay a quarterly dividend of 2.5 cents per share in March 2027 – that’s 6.4% more than the September payment.

The LIC has guided that it will pay 2.55 cents per share in June 2027 – that’s an 8.5% increase compared to the September payout.

The ASX dividend stock plans to pay a quarterly dividend of 2.6 cents per share in September 2027 – that’s a year-over-year increase of 10.6%.

Its dividend has regularly grown over the last several years. I expect the business will be able to continue hiking its dividend at an inflation-beating rate in the coming years.

Capital growth

When LICs generate investment profits, they can decide to pay some of it as a dividend and smooth out the passive income returns for shareholders.

How much of the profit they pay will decide how much is retained to generate more returns. Retained profits help deliver capital growth as the LIC’s net tangible assets (NTA) grow.

The bigger the dividend yield LICs deliver, the less that’s retained for future growth. So, LICs need to strike the right balance between short-term dividends and retaining some profits for long-term performance.

Thankfully, WCM Global Growth’s investment returns have been sufficient to deliver a good dividend and add to its NTA over time. Over the past three years, the WCM Global Growth share price has risen by around 70%. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance, of course.

$3,000 investment

By investing $3,000 at the time of writing, an investor can buy 1,463 shares of this ASX dividend stock, which I think would be a smart choice for passive income investors.

But, it’s not the only business I’d be willing to put $3,000 (or more) into to generate returns.

The post $3,000 buys 1,463 shares in an impressively reliable ASX dividend stock appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much do I need to retire on $110,000 a year at 65?
• How much is needed in superannuation to target a $10,000 monthly passive income?
• I’d buy 99,010 shares of this ASX stock to aim for $10,000 of annual passive income
• How much do I need to retire on $75,000 a year at 45?
• 33 ASX shares going ex-dividend next week

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Wcm Global Growth. 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.

It’s been an important week for the Australian economy.

Usually, in this space, I pick one issue and try to do it justice.

But today, I’m going to do something different.

Because three things happened that are worth talking about: the Reserve Bank raised interest rates again; we got another uncomfortable inflation number; and Trade Minister Don Farrell made some interesting comments about the role of our Superannuation savings.

They’re different issues.

But there are some threads running through all three.

So, let’s take them in turn.

First, interest rates.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that on Tuesday, the RBA lifted the cash rate by another 0.25 percentage points, to 4.60%.

It was the fourth increase this year, taking the cumulative increase in 2026 to a full percentage point.

That hurts. 

For someone with a $500,000 mortgage, the four increases together mean roughly an extra $300 a month in repayments. On a $1 million mortgage, it’s more than $600.

Now, it’s tempting to blame the RBA.

But I think that risks missing the bigger issue.

The RBA has a job to do. Inflation is too high, and its mandate requires it to do something about that.

The problem is that we’ve effectively decided that the Reserve Bank should do almost all or just ‘all’?) of the heavy lifting.

And its primary tool – the official cash rate – is incredibly blunt.

It disproportionately hits people with mortgages. Renters can get caught in the crossfire. Savers can actually benefit.

Meanwhile, plenty of other Australians barely notice.

That’s why I keep coming back to fiscal policy.

A structurally-balanced Budget – where deficits in some years and offset by surpluses in other years – should act as what the boffins call an ‘automatic stabiliser’.

When the economy is weak, tax receipts fall and welfare spending rises, supporting demand.

When the economy is running hot, the reverse should happen: tax receipts rise, spending growth moderates and the Budget takes some heat out of the economy.

If that second half was working more effectively today, monetary policy wouldn’t have to do quite as much.

Which brings me to inflation.

On Wednesday we learned that annual headline inflation had risen from 3.5% to 4.0% in August. Trimmed-mean inflation – which removes some of the more volatile price movements – remained at 3.6%.

Some of that is coming from things largely outside Australia’s control.

Energy prices have risen sharply. The RBA itself pointed this week to global oil disruptions and the Middle East conflict.

But that’s not the whole story. The central bank also says there are still domestic capacity pressures, and businesses are reporting higher costs and raising prices.

There’s a temptation, whenever inflation comes from something we don’t particularly like or can’t easily control, to say: “Well, the RBA can’t fix that.”

And strictly speaking, that’s true.

Higher interest rates won’t produce another barrel of oil.

But that doesn’t mean we can simply ignore inflation.

Because higher rates can reduce demand, and hence price pressures.

Why does that matter?

Well, one of the nasty things about inflation is that the price rises tend to stick.

If inflation falls from 4% to 2%, prices don’t go back to where they were. They simply increase more slowly from the new, higher level.

That’s why getting inflation under control matters. The longer it remains too high, the more permanent damage it does.

But it also reinforces the earlier point: if inflation is important enough to fight – and it is! – surely we should be making sure we’re using all of the available tools rather than repeatedly reaching for the same, imperfect, inexact and blunt, one.

And that brings me, slightly unexpectedly, to superannuation.

Trade Minister Don Farrell reportedly suggested this week that Australian Super funds could invest in the US lamb industry as part of Australia’s efforts to head off additional American tariffs on our lamb exports.

In doing so, he said Australian superannuation funds had an obligation to the “national interest”.

There’s an important distinction worth making here.

Governments clearly have a responsibility to act in the national interest. That’s why they have powers over taxation, spending, regulation and trade policy.

Superannuation trustees operate under a different set of responsibilities. Among them is a legal obligation to act in members’ best financial interests. APRA has repeatedly reinforced the importance of that duty.

That doesn’t mean super funds shouldn’t invest in Australian infrastructure, housing, businesses – or, for that matter, American agriculture.

They should assess whatever opportunities are available.

And sometimes an investment that is attractive for members will also produce a desirable public-policy outcome.

Wonderful.

The important question is which way around the decision is made.

Does an investment stack up on its merits for members, with a national benefit as a welcome consequence?

Or does government first identify a national objective and then expect trustees to use members’ retirement savings to help achieve it?

Because that’s a very different thing.

And maybe that’s the thread running through all three issues this week.

Institutions have jobs.

The RBA has a job. Government fiscal policy has a job. Superannuation trustees have a job.

Those responsibilities sometimes overlap, and sensible policymakers should absolutely understand how they interact.

But accountability becomes harder when we blur them. Throw in a chunk of politics and self-interest and that blurring gets much worse.

We shouldn’t expect one mob to carry an unfair share of a problem simply because it has a convenient lever to pull.

Nor should we casually ask another group to take responsibility for an objective it wasn’t created to pursue.

Sometimes good economic policy isn’t about finding a clever new tool.

It’s about making sure the tools – and institutions – we already have are doing the jobs they are supposed to do. And not those they weren’t.

More bluntly?

I was pretty blunt in a TV interview this week. We can waste time trying to work out who is to ‘blame’ for inflation and higher interest rates. Or we can turn our minds to the best tools to use to get us out of the mess we find ourselves in.

Yes, the war in Iran has made inflation worse. But there are things that can be done, locally, to make it better.

Yes, interest rates are part of that. So is government taxation and spending policy. 

Yes, the national interest is important, but so are retirement savings. Government shouldn’t be leaning on private savings to replace their own responsibilities and actions.

(And that’s before we consider yet another smelter bailout, this time the Bell Bay smelter in Tasmania. Apparently it’s taxpayers’ money for smelters, but Super for trade disputes…)

And lest you think I’m being partisan, we’ve had leaders from both sides of politics throwing money at bailouts, calling for subsidies and, yes, trying to use Super for their own ends.

What we need, is respect for institutions, and commitment to use the tools at our disposal for the purposes they were intended – that includes interest rates, fiscal policy and Superannuation.

Have a great weekend!

Fool on!

The post A big week: Rates, Inflation and Super appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Zip vs Megaport Ltd shares: Which should you buy in October?

Are you tossing up between Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) and Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) shares this month? Both have made plenty of headlines, but they’re cut from very different cloths. With one riding the buy-now, pay-later wave, and the other connecting the digital world as a network heavyweight, I’m digging into the numbers and stories behind both to help decide which might be the smarter October buy.

The case for Zip

Zip is a homegrown fintech player best known for providing interest-free buy-now, pay-later (BNPL) services like Zip Pay and Zip Money. From its Aussie origins in 2013, Zip has spread its wings to 12 countries, aiming to shake up the credit card game with digital, flexible payment smarts for both shoppers and merchants. While its ambitions are big, Zip’s focus remains on providing simple alternative finance products at the point of sale.

What stands out from the current figures? First up, Zip’s market cap sits at $2.53 billion. It’s trading on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 22.30, which suggests the market’s factoring in some earnings growth but not getting carried away like with the more speculative tech darlings. The past year hasn’t been kind, with a hefty year-to-date (YTD) return of -38.6% — that’s a bruising ride for investors. Despite finally posting positive earnings per share (EPS) of $0.091, Zip doesn’t pay a dividend, so no direct income for holders here.

The case for Megaport

Megaport is all about helping businesses connect seamlessly to the global cloud. It operates a network-as-a-service (NaaS) platform, linking more than 1,100 data centres across 31 countries, and plugging customers in with major cloud providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. Megaport’s rapid, flexible connectivity model lets clients spin up virtual networks on the fly — no long-term contracts needed. Late in 2025, Megaport expanded into AI compute infrastructure with its acquisition of Latitude.sh, adding on-demand GPU cloud services into its growing toolbox. Its business spans the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and EMEA regions, plus an emerging Compute division.

On the numbers, Megaport’s market cap is a much chunkier $4.91 billion. Its P/E ratio is sky-high at 370.00, reflecting its negative EPS of -$0.218 (so the “E” here isn’t positive yet). This suggests the current P/E is calculated on some forecast or underlying basis — which may not line up exactly with the standard historical measure. Worth noting: Megaport’s YTD return is glowing at 75.5%, showing the market’s excitement about its recent momentum and expansion moves. Like Zip, there’s no dividend attached.

Valuation comparison

With both companies firmly in the tech camp but playing very different games, here’s how they stack up on key numbers:

Metric	Zip	Megaport
Market Cap	$2.53 billion	$4.91 billion
P/E Ratio	22.30	370.00
Earnings per Share	0.091	-0.218
Dividend Yield	0.00%	0.00%
YTD Return	-38.6%	75.5%

A couple of important notes: Megaport’s P/E ratio is 370.00, but with negative EPS of -0.218. This suggests the P/E is based on a different earnings measure (perhaps forecast or underlying), so the headline figure isn’t quite apples-to-apples with Zip’s standard P/E calculation.

Neither company is paying a dividend, so yields won’t swing your decision.

Recent share price performance

Comparing recent share price activity up to 30 September 2026:

• As of 30 September 2026, Zip closed at $2.03, nudging up just 0.5% for the day.
• Megaport finished at $20.65, rising 0.1% from the previous session.
• Looking at the bigger picture, Zip is down an eye-catching 38.6% year-to-date, while Megaport has surged 75.5% YTD.

So, in terms of share price movement over 2026 so far, Megaport has delivered a major rally, while Zip’s investors have endured a punishing decline.

Which is the better buy?

If I had to pick between the two for October, I’d lean toward Megaport. Megaport has a clear growth runway, building essential infrastructure for cloud and AI adoption worldwide. Yes, its P/E ratio looks steep, especially with reported negative EPS, but its 75.5% YTD share price gain and expansion into AI compute show serious momentum. Zip has finally turned an earnings profit but is still licking its wounds after a harsh share price fall. Neither name pays a dividend, so income isn’t a factor here.

For me, the stronger recent performance, global presence, and future-facing business model tip the scales in Megaport’s favour — even if its valuation looks a touch spicy. If you’re after growth exposure in tech, Megaport would be my pick for October.

The post Zip vs Megaport: Which ASX tech share is the better buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Bell Potter just put a buy rating on Megaport shares with 33% upside
• Which were the best-performing ASX 200 shares in September?
• How high does Macquarie think Megaport shares will go?

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 Alphabet, Amazon, Megaport, and Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, and Microsoft. 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 draft. 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 S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoyed a happy end to the trading week this Friday, recording a solid rise that erased some of the nasty falls that we saw yesterday.

It was clear from market open that investors were feeling a renewed sense of optimism, with the ASX 200 opening in green territory and staying there all day. By the time the markets closed, the index had lifted 0.79% to 8,682.1 points as we head into the weekend.

This pleasant end to the Australian trading week followed a tentatively positive night over on the American markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) managed to record a slight rise of 0.04%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared almost identically, gaining 0.039%.

Let’s return to the local markets now though, and take a closer look at how the different ASX sectors fared amid today’s trading.

Winners and losers

There were only a couple of sectors that weren’t lifted by the tide of optimism that we saw today.

The first, and worst, of those sectors were real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) was hit hard, slumping 1.63%.

Healthcare stocks were the other unlucky corner of the markets, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) sliding 1.1%.

It was all smiles everywhere else, though.

Leading the charge higher this Friday were tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) certainly had a day to remember, rocketing by 4.45%.

Energy stocks also ran hot, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)’s 1.48% surge.

Mining shares were in demand too. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) soared 1.14% today.

Next came consumer staples stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) shooting up 1.05%.

Financial shares were in that ballpark as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) galloped 1.03% higher.

Consumer discretionary stocks weren’t left out, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)’s 0.85% jump.

Nor were utilities shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) lifted 0.73% this session.

Communications stocks proved popular, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) adding 0.54% to its ledger.

Industrial shares put on a decent show. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) advanced 0.45% today.

Finally, gold stocks held their value, as you can see by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)’s 0.45% bump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

High-flying tech Stock Elsight Ltd (ASX: ELS) took out today’s top spot on the index charts. Elsight shares exploded 12.95% higher this session to finish the week at $5.32 each. That was despite no fresh news or announcements out from the company recently.

Here’s the rest of today’s best:

ASX-listed company	Share price	Price change
Elsight Ltd (ASX: ELS)	$5.32	12.95%
Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)	$22.34	10.32%
Data#3 Ltd (ASX: DTL)	$13.61	7.76%
Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)	$20.40	7.03%
WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)	$33.43	6.67%
DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO)	$1.83	6.41%
Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)	$57.85	4.59%
Technology One Ltd (ASX: TNE)	$30.52	4.45%
QBE Insurance Ltd (ASX: QBE)	$23.81	4.20%
IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX)	$2.40	3.90%

Enjoy the weekend!

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

• A big week: Rates, Inflation and Super
• Zip vs Megaport: Which ASX tech share is the better buy?
• 5 ASX 200 shares brokers tip to rocket 25% to 77%
• By October 2027, $5,000 invested in Xero shares could turn into…
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday

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 DroneShield, Life360, Megaport, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Data#3. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.