Author: openjargon

ASX Small-cap investing often comes with ambitious promises.

Companies may be chasing international markets, rolling out new technology, or pursuing rapid expansion. The potential can be exciting, but growth requires capital, and many smaller businesses run out of cash before that potential becomes reality.

That is what makes Smart Parking Ltd (ASX: SPZ) an interesting ASX small cap to examine.

The parking technology company has delivered record FY26 revenue, earnings, and free cash flow. Its international growth story is now being supported by tangible financial results.

Record earnings and cash flow

Smart Parking helps property owners manage car parks using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, software, and payment technology.

It may not be glamorous, but the latest numbers are becoming difficult to ignore.

FY26 revenue increased 63% to $126 million, while adjusted operating earnings (EBITDA) rose 50% to $30.8 million. Adjusted free cash flow also climbed 56% to a record $20 million.

That cash generation separates Smart Parking from the more speculative end of the small-cap market. Rather than relying entirely on new capital or distant forecasts, the existing business is helping fund new sites, technology investment, and international expansion.

Smart Parking finished June with $17.4 million in cash, excluding funds held on behalf of customers. Since then, it has acquired US-based American Parking and announced an on-market share buyback of up to $5 million.

How much growth was organic?

Acquisitions have contributed to Smart Parking’s expansion.

Its February 2025 acquisition of US parking operator Peak Parking provided a full-year contribution in FY26, compared with only four months in the previous year. Headline growth should therefore be considered in that context.

Even so, the result contained encouraging evidence of organic progress. Management said 72% of the revenue uplift came from organic growth, including expanding its ANPR network and improving debt resolution processes.

Smart Parking added more than 500 new ANPR locations during the year, lifting its network to 2,083 sites. That represented a 16% increase from FY25.

The company also generated an additional $7 million of earnings through improved debt resolution in the United Kingdom. Management expects this contribution to moderate to approximately $5 million in FY27, suggesting investors should not simply extrapolate the entire FY26 benefit.

Smart Parking’s site economics remain an important part of the growth story. Management estimates that a new ANPR site requires between $17,000 and $19,000 of upfront investment and can generate between $45,000 and $50,000 in annual revenue. The expected payback period is between six and 12 months.

That creates the potential for a self-funded growth cycle, with cash from established sites helping finance the next round of expansion.

A growing international footprint

Smart Parking is targeting between 450 and 600 net new ANPR sites in FY27. Its longer-term goal is to reach 3,000 sites by December 2028, almost 50% above the FY26 closing total.

The United States could become a major part of that runway.

Peak Parking has performed ahead of the original acquisition case, according to management. Smart Parking then acquired American Parking for US$12 million in July, adding 54 locations across Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas.

What are the risks?

Regulation remains one of the clearest risks. Smart Parking relies partly on access to vehicle registration data, while parking breach notices contribute significantly to revenue. Changes to parking or debt collection rules could affect the economics of its largest market, the United Kingdom.

Execution is another consideration. The company must integrate its US acquisitions, roll out its technology, and maintain capital discipline while expanding across several countries.

Foolish takeaway

Smart Parking is developing into something relatively uncommon among ASX small caps: a business pursuing rapid international growth while already producing meaningful earnings and cash flow.

The valuation, regulatory exposure, and demands of overseas expansion should not be overlooked. However, record results, attractive site economics, and a growing international network suggest this unglamorous parking operator has become a more substantial business than its share price performance might imply.

The post This profitable ASX small-cap just posted record results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Smart Parking reports record FY26 earnings and global growth

Motley Fool contributor Leigh Gant 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 Smart Parking. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Your superannuation is a great way to collect a pot of money to fund your retirement. 

But did you know it can also become a regular source of passive income once you stop working? It can help cover day-to-day expenses and enable you to enjoy the lifestyle you’ve worked hard for.

The idea is pretty simple. Instead of sitting as idle cash, your money stays invested and generates dividends and capital growth. You can then use your super to pay a regular income through retirement.

The ultimate goal for many Australians is a $1 million superannuation balance. But exactly how much passive income could a portfolio this size actually generate each month?

Let’s investigate.

What passive income can I earn from my $1 million superannuation balance?

To calculate your potential passive income, you need to multiply your total superannuation balance by the overall dividend yield of your portfolio.

But the problem is, the answer varies widely depending on what dividend yield you pick.

For example, $1 million x 3% = $30,000 per year in dividend payments.

But if your portfolio has a slightly higher dividend yield of around 4%, your passive income will be higher. That’s because $1 million x 4% = $40,000 per year in dividend payments. 

If your superannuation portfolio yields closer to 5%, you could earn $50,000 every year in dividend payments off the same superannuation balance ($1 million x 5% = $50,000).

At a 6% yield, you could earn an annual passive income of around $60,000, and at 7%, it could be even higher, at around $70,000.

And so on… 

As your dividend yield increases, the passive income you can earn from your $1 million superannuation balance also increases.

Note that these figures are based on cash dividends before tax or franking credits. 

Also note that most ASX shares pay dividends to shareholders every six months, which means you’ll receive the passive income in chunks rather than on a monthly or annual basis.

Can’t I just invest in the highest-yielding ASX shares to earn the highest passive income?

Technically yes, but it doesn’t make good investment sense.

When it comes to investing your superannuation into ASX dividend shares, generally the higher the yield, the higher the risk associated with that stock.

Diversification is key

Rather than trying to get rich quick, it’s better to focus on a diverse range of high-quality businesses with strong balance sheets and stable earnings. Ideally, you want to focus on stocks that are most likely to stand the test of time.

Also remember, if you want a 5% yielding portfolio, for example, that doesn’t mean that every investment has to yield 5%. It can be a variation which equates to a combined overall 5% yield.

And remember, you don’t need to invest the whole sum in one go. Start with regular monthly investments and let compounding do some of the hard work for you.

Ok, give me some options of ASX shares I can invest my superannuation in

There are a huge range of ASX dividend shares available at a wide range of yields, but here are some of my top picks right now.

Defensive shares like Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), Transurban Group (ASX: TCL), or APA Group (ASX: APA) are a solid choice for income-seeking investors. These all yield between 4% and 5.5%, at the time of writing.

Non-discretionary ASX consumer staples stocks are also naturally defensive. Supermarket giants like Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) and Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) can generate stable cash flow across all phases of the economic cycle. This translates to consistent dividends for shareholders. These shares pay a slightly lower dividend, between 2.5% and 3%, at the time of writing.

Elsewhere, ASX bank stocks remain a popular choice. The four major banks dominate the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) by market capitalisation, and their defensive qualities mean their shares often bounce back during economic recovery. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) yields around 3%, while National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), and ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) all yield a little higher, at around 4.5%.

The post How much passive income can I earn off a $1 million superannuation balance? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much could $10,000 in Woolworths shares be worth in a year?
• 37 ASX shares going ex-dividend next week
• How much is needed in superannuation for $2,500 in weekly passive income?
• Do leading brokers rate Woolworths shares as a buy following its results?
• Buy, hold, sell: Coles, Paladin Energy, and Woodside 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 positions in and has recommended Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group, Telstra Group, and Transurban Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

As ASX blue-chip stocks release highly anticipated earnings results, brokers and investors are adjusting their outlooks accordingly. 

Earlier this week, Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) released full-year results.

Key results included: 

• Group sales rose 3.6% to $71.54 billion.
• EBITDA before significant items lifted 6.7% to $6.09 billion.
• EBIT before significant items increased 12.7% to $3.11 billion.
• NPAT before significant items jumped 15.4% to $1.60 billion.
• Final fully franked dividend of 52 cents per share, up 15.6% from last year.

Speaking on the results, Woolworths Group CEO Amanda Bardwell said:

The action we have taken in F26 to deliver more value for customers, greater convenience and better execution has improved customer advocacy and sales momentum in our key Australian Food business, particularly in H2. Sales momentum together with strong productivity and cost discipline has delivered solid EBIT growth with an increased contribution from all trading segments.

This prompted a positive reaction from the market, as Woolworths shares have climbed since the announcement. 

However for prospective investors, it is worth noting that Woolworths shares have already climbed over 34% year to date, making it difficult to project big upside. 

What are experts saying?

Yesterday, Woolworths shares closed at $39.55 per share. 

The team at Bell Potter was impressed by the recent results and raised its price target to $42.35. 

This indicates 7% upside. 

Elsewhere, Morgans has a price target of $43.50, indicating a 10% upside. 

However, let’s not forget the recently updated forward dividend yield of 2.38%. 

Taking all of this into consideration, if Woolworths shares were to reach the target set by Bell Potter in the next 12 months, the shares would be worth about $10,707.98, while the estimated dividends would add approximately $238, giving a total value of around $10,945.98, or a 9.46% total return.

If Woolworths shares reached the target set by Morgans, the investment would be worth approximately $10,998.74 plus the estimated $238 dividend, for a total of about $11,236.74, representing a 12.37% total return. 

These calculations assume the 2.38% forward yield remains unchanged and dividends are taken as cash rather than reinvested; actual returns will vary with the share price and dividends paid

Why there might be more upside somewhere else 

While these projections would be a healthy return, there is another ASX consumer staples stock worth considering over the next 12 months. 

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) are trading at around $5.55 per share, but could be set to rise significantly over the next 12 months. 

A recent target from Morgans suggests this could hit $7.30 in the next year. 

From current levels, this indicates over 31% upside. 

This means a $10,000 investment could grow to approximately $13,153 if it met this target. 

The post How much could $10,000 in Woolworths shares be worth in a year? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Do leading brokers rate Woolworths shares as a buy following its results?
• 3 ASX 200 dividend shares that just hiked their payouts
• South32, Woolworths, BHP shares reach 52-week high: Buy, sell or hold?
• Everything you need to know about the Woolworths dividend
• Why Woolworths, Domino’s and DroneShield shares are turning heads on Wednesday

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

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares have staged an extraordinary comeback, jumping 49% in just one month. But after a bruising year, investors face a crucial question: has the turnaround finally arrived, or has the rebound run too far?

Following last week’s FY26 result, brokers have reassessed their forecasts, revealing a striking divide over where CSL shares could head next.

Where do brokers see CSL shares going?

CSL has spent the past few years battling higher costs, operational problems and fading investor confidence. And not every broker believes the recovery is firmly established.

TradingView data shows 10 of 18 analysts rate CSL a hold, while eight have a buy or strong-buy rating. The average 12-month price target is $164.69, below the current share price of around $173.88.

However, the forecasts vary dramatically. The most bullish target sits at $205.22, implying another 18% upside, while the lowest is just $132.25, pointing to more than 23% downside.

Macquarie is the most bearish among the major brokers, with a neutral rating and target of just over $133. UBS is considerably more optimistic at $181, while Morgan Stanley has a $172 target.

Bell Potter recently retained its hold rating on CSL shares but increased its price target from $120 to $150.

Why has the biotech stock surged?

The catalyst was CSL’s FY26 result, released last week. On the surface, it looked ugly: the company reported a US$2.6 billion net loss after tax.

But there was much more to the number. The loss included US$7.1 billion of pre-tax impairments and US$799 million of restructuring costs, much of which was non-cash. Most impairments related to CSL Vifor intangibles and under-utilised property, plant and equipment.

Investors had already received a warning in May, when CSL flagged around US$5 billion of impairments and cut its FY26 guidance. Excluding these exceptional items, underlying NPATA was US$3.1 billion, down just 2%. Revenue fell 1% to US$15.8 billion but still beat analyst expectations.

For investors, the result therefore represented something potentially more valuable than headline profit: a reset year, cleaner balance sheet and better-than-feared outlook.

CSL Behring remains the standout. Its plasma division generated US$11.4 billion of revenue, with immunoglobulin revenue steady at US$6.2 billion.

CSL Vifor grew revenue 3% to US$2.4 billion, while Seqirus remained under pressure, with revenue down 8% to US$2 billion.

Could the forecast send CSL shares higher?

The bull case centres on FY27. CSL expects underlying NPAT to grow approximately 5%, ahead of consensus expectations of around 2%.

Behring is forecast to deliver mid-single-digit growth, with immunoglobulins growing at a mid-to-high single-digit rate.

The major challenge remains Vifor, where revenue is expected to plunge about 25% as iron generics enter the market.

For CSL shares, the recovery story is clearly gaining momentum. But with the stock already up sharply, investors must decide whether improving fundamentals can justify the renewed optimism.

The post CSL shares have surged 49%: Are brokers finally turning bullish? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Should I buy CSL shares before the end of August?
• Buy, hold, sell: CSL, BHP, Westpac shares
• Could CSL shares really hit $200? Experts reveal their 12-month targets
• ASX 200 healthcare shares soar 9% amid notable FY26 reports from CSL, Pro Medicus
• 3 ASX 200 stocks, including CSL, leaping 15% to 23% in this week’s sliding market

Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther 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 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 August earnings season is now coming to a close, with just one day left on Monday to go.

Hundreds of S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) companies have announced their next dividends this month.

We’re helping you keep track of ex-dividend dates with an article every Friday.

Here are the ASX shares going ex-dividend next week.

We’ve listed the dividend amounts investors will receive and when they’ll receive them.

In order to receive a dividend, you must own the ASX share before its ex-dividend date.

ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week

ASX Share	Ex-Div Date	Dividend	Payday
Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI)	31 August	31 cents	25 September
Aurizon Holdings Ltd (ASX: AZJ)	31 August	10.5 cents	23 September
Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU)	31 August	3 cents	24 September
Ansell Ltd (ASX: ANN)	31 August	58.1 cents	17 September
Australian Finance Group Ltd (ASX: AFG)	31 August	4.8 cents	1 October
Carlton Investments Ltd (ASX: CIN)	31 August	73 cents	21 September
Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG)	1 September	46 cents	29 September
Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA)	1 September	29 cents	16 September
Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV)	1 September	1.2 cents	1 October
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN)	1 September	33 cents	30 September
Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK)	2 September	25 cents	1 October
Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG)	2 September	30 cents	2 October
Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC)	2 September	6 cents	15 September
Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL)	2 September	7 cents	18 September
Mercury NZ Ltd (ASX: MCY)	2 September	14.1 cents	30 September
Universal Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI)	2 September	17 cents	24 September
Downer EDI Ltd (ASX: DOW)	2 September	17 cents	1 October
Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL)	2 september	63 cents	17 September
Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL)	2 September	10.9 cents	8 October
PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)	2 September	5 cents	24 September
Monadelphous td (ASX: MND)	2 September	59 cents	24 September
Liberty Financial Group Ltd (ASX: LFG)	2 September	23 cents	21 September
Newmont Corporation CDI (ASX: NEM)	2 September	26 cents	28 September
Amcor Ltd (ASX: AMC)	3 September	92 cents	24 September
BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)	3 September	$1.39	23 September
Qualitas Ltd (ASX: QAL)	3 September	7.7 cents	18 September
NIB Holdings Ltd (ASX: NHF)	3 September	21 cents	7 October
Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)	3 September	79.5 cents	25 September
Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)	3 September	37 cents	22 September
Korvest Ltd (ASX: KOR)	3 September	40 cents	25 September
Schaffer Corporation Ltd (ASX: SFC)	3 September	45 cents	18 September
Symal Group Ltd (ASX: SYL)	3 September	4.9 cents	2 October
Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD)	4 September	$1.85	30 September
Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA)	4 September	7.7 cents	30 September
Aussie Broadband Ltd (ASX: ABB)	4 September	3.6 cents	21 September
Big River Industries Ltd (ASX: BRI)	4 September	2 cents	6 October
Hitech Group Australia Ltd (ASX: HIT)	4 September	4 cents	22 September

The post 37 ASX shares going ex-dividend next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much is needed in superannuation for $2,500 in weekly passive income?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Buy, hold, sell: Whitehaven, Endeavour, Neuren Pharmaceuticals shares
• Why is the ASX 200 falling to a 4-day low today?
• 7 ASX 200 shares downgraded by brokers this week

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 positions in and has recommended Aussie Broadband and Pinnacle Investment Management Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Amcor Plc, Bendigo And Adelaide Bank, NIB Holdings, and Pinnacle Investment Management Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Ansell, Aussie Broadband, BHP Group, Qualitas, Sonic Healthcare, and Universal Store. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Brazilian Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: BRE) was one of the companies that attracted a lot of attention last year when there was a bit of a minor frenzy about diversifying rare earths supply away from China.

The company’s share price has appreciated by more than 90% over the past 12 months as it has worked away at bringing its Brazilian project closer to production, and the analysts at Canaccord Genuity believe the shares have a way to run yet.

I’ll let you in on what their share price target on the company is shortly, but first, let’s look at what the company has announced recently.

High-grade drilling results reported

Brazilian Rare Earths has just announced the results from 10,000m of drilling at its Monte Alto deposit, describing the results as “ultra-high grade”.

The results included 25.6m at a grade of 17.4% total rare earth oxides (TREO) in the southern part of the deposit, while there was a 9.4m intercept at 21.8% TREO in the eastern part of the deposit.

The company added:

The new drilling has expanded Monte Alto’s mineralised envelope and remains open to the north, south and east, with new down-dip potential. Northern strike-extension confirmed. BRE is advancing the planned +5,000 m drilling campaign across the northern, southern and eastern growth fronts to continue expanding the mineralised envelope.

The company said the new drilling would be incorporated into an updated mineral resource estimate to be published by the end of 2026.

Brazilian Rare Earths Managing Director Bernardo da Veiga said:

Monte Alto continues to deliver the two outcomes that matter most for future resource growth: exceptional high grade mineralisation beyond the margins of the existing model and stronger geological continuity within the deposit. The compelling step-out drill results delivered repeatable high grades across several growth fronts, and the infill program has returned both ultra-high-grade assays and broad mineralised envelopes. The strategic significance is clear. The current Monte Alto production case is based only on drilling available to 22 February 2026. Since then, our team has successfully expanded the interpreted mineralised envelope volume to the south and east/down dip, while continuing to deliver ultra-high grades and advancing the open northern corridor. The additional scale immediately strengthens the Project’s value proposition and, subject to conversion into Mineral Resources, could create substantial value through mine-life extension or increased annual production.

Shares looking cheap

Canaccord Genuity said the drilling results provided strong support for further resource growth at Monte Alto.

They added:

This has positive implications for project development plans through mine life extensions/increased production rates.

The broker has a price target on Brazilian Rare Earths shares of $8.70 compared to $4.14 at the time of writing.

The company is valued at $1.18 billion.

The post Looking for a 100% gain? One broker has a miner to watch appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Brazilian Rare Earths unlocks new growth at Monte Alto with ultra-high-grade drilling
• Brazilian Rare Earths unveils Rocha da Rocha scoping study

Motley Fool contributor Cameron England has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has 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.

Planning well ahead of time is a great strategy for superannuation, and having a goal to work towards can make it even more rewarding.

Aiming for a $2,500 per week passive income stream from your superannuation savings would give a comfortable retirement – at least as measured by the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia, which estimates singles will need $55,923 per year to fund a comfortable retirement.

The amount you deem a comfortable retirement will depend on the sort of lifestyle you are after, but the ASFA standard, which assumes you own your own home, envisages the ability to pay for top-level health cover, to own and maintain a reasonable car, and to travel occasionally.

Superannuation by the numbers

So how much superannuation would you need to generate $2,500 per week, or $130,000 per year, in passive income?

For simplicity’s sake, I will assume that a retiree is living off of dividends and not drawing down any capital.

If this were the case, if it was possible to earn a 10% dividend yield – a lofty ambition – you would need $1.3 million in superannuation.

If you were earning 5%, that figure would double to $2.6 million.

I’d argue that, taking into account franking credits, a return of about 7.5% is a realistic proposition.

In this case, you’d need a superannuation balance of $1.73 million.

Stocks in focus

So, what sort of companies might pay dividends that would help hit the $2,500-per-week target?

Personally, I’m a fan of the funds in the Wilson Asset Management stable, including WAM Strategic Value Ltd (ASX: WAR), which pays a fully franked dividend yield of 5.6%, and WAM Active Ltd (ASX: WAA), which pays 6.98%.

Dividend-focused ETFs can be a good choice also, with Betashares Australian Dividend Harvester (ASX: HVST) paying 5.48% and the Global X S&P/ASX200 High Dividend ETF (ASX: ZYAU) paying 4.25%.

Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI) has also traditionally paid high dividends with a current yield of 4.97%, while among the miners Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) is paying 6.09%.

And among the banks, Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) is paying 4.52% fully franked, while Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ) is paying 6.25% also fully franked.

How to boost your superannuation balance

If you’re a bit low on your superannuation at the moment, consider either salary sacrificing into your super, or making a concessional contribution.

This year, the concessional contributions cap has increased to $32,500, meaning you can contribute up to this amount and pay only 15% tax. However, keep in mind that the $32,500 level includes any contributions made by your employer and any salary sacrifice amounts.

The post How much is needed in superannuation for $2,500 in weekly passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Another RBA interest rate hike could be just weeks away. Here’s what the big banks think
• CBA vs Westpac shares: Which is the best buy?
• 3 ASX dividend shares that pay their investors every single month
• How much passive income can I earn off my $800,000 superannuation balance?

Motley Fool contributor Cameron England has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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.

The NEXTDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) share price will be on watch on Friday after the company reported FY26 net revenue of $405 million, up 16%, and statutory NPAT swinging to a $82.1 million profit.

What did NEXTDC report?

• Total revenue rose 16% to $496.5 million
• Net revenue grew 16% to $405.0 million (above guidance)
• Underlying EBITDA lifted 15% to $248.8 million (above guidance)
• Statutory NPAT turned positive at $82.1 million, up from a $60.5 million loss
• Contracted utilisation surged 202% to 740.1MW
• Record capital expenditure of $3,397 million
• Pro forma liquidity increased 58% to $8.7 billion

What else do investors need to know?

NEXTDC delivered record contracted utilisation and Forward Order Book, with 565.1MW at year end — over three times billing utilisation. Development ran ahead of schedule, with 80MW of new capacity added in FY26 and progress continuing at key sites in Sydney, Melbourne, and Kuala Lumpur.

The company’s $3.4 billion capex for the year was $397 million above the top end of its guidance, reflecting land acquisitions and accelerated construction to meet customer delivery dates. Pro forma liquidity is now $8.7 billion after $9.75 billion in new capital was raised since August 2025, positioning NEXTDC to execute its extensive development pipeline.

NEXTDC’s data centre portfolio and Forward Order Book are unaffected by proposed state and national reforms in energy regulation. The company remains actively engaged in industry discussions and is well capitalised to manage any regulatory changes.

What did NEXTDC management say?

NEXTDC’s CEO, Craig Scroggie, commented:

FY26 was the largest contracting year in NEXTDC’s history. Contracted utilisation tripled to 740.1MW on a pro forma basis, and we exceeded guidance on both net revenue and Underlying EBITDA. Our Forward Order Book of 565MW is now more than 3.2 times our billing utilisation, and our focus is on delivering that capacity and converting it into revenue and cash inflow.

Since August 2025 we have also raised A$9.75 billion8 of new capital, taking pro forma liquidity from A$5.5 billion to A$8.7 billion and providing significant capital to deliver the contracted capacity and grow our development pipeline.

What’s next for NEXTDC?

For FY27, NEXTDC has guided for net revenue between $615 million and $640 million and underlying EBITDA of $385 million to $410 million, representing expected growth of over 50%. Capital expenditure is forecast at a record $5.25 to $5.75 billion, supporting the build-out of 197MW of contracted capacity converting to billing within the year.

Billing is expected to ramp up significantly, with a further 221MW scheduled to convert in FY28. NEXTDC’s national footprint, rapidly growing customer pipeline, and significant liquidity underpin its confidence in continued expansion across metro, edge, and international markets.

NEXTDC share price snapshot

The NextDC share price has underperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the past 12 months with a decline of almost 2%.

View Original Announcement

The post NEXTDC share price in focus after record FY26 earnings and strong outlook appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Nextdc. 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 S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured a particularly rough Thursday session today, erasing much of the gains that we saw earlier in the week. Investors began the day depressed and only got more pessimistic as trading wore on.

By the time the markets closed, the ASX 200 had dropped a nasty 0.98%. That leaves the index at 9,038.2 points.

This tough Thursday for Australian investors came after a milder night on the US markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) couldn’t hold water, falling 0.21%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared better, only losing 0.081% of its value.

But let us return to the local markets now for a closer look at how the different ASX sectors traversed this Thursday’s tough trading conditions.

Winners and losers

It was a bleak landscape out on the boards today, with only two sectors managing to escape intact.

Firstly, though, it was consumer discretionary stocks that copped the worst of it today. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) was slammed, crashing 3.18% lower.

Tech shares suffered too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) plunging 2.38%.

Gold stocks didn’t hold their value either. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) tanked 1.54% this session.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were in a similar boat, as you can tell by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)’s 1.45% dive.

Consumer staples shares were no safe haven. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) cratered 1.43% today.

Nor were mining stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) copping a 1.18% beating.

Communications shares had a day to forget, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) saw its value erode 1.06%.

Utilities stocks also suffered, evident by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)’s 0.99% tumble.

Financial shares weren’t popular either. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) slid 0.68% lower this Thursday.

Our last losers were energy shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) slipping down 0.19%.

Turning to the two green sectors now, the best place to hide out today was in healthcare stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) was spared, lifting a comfortable 0.23%.

Finally, our other winners were industrial shares, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)’s 0.03% bounce.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Our chart-topper this Thursday was healthcare stock Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC). Ramsay shares surged 13.72% higher this session to hit $50.06 by close. This came after the company reported its latest earnings this morning.

Here’s how the other top stocks landed their planes:

ASX-listed company	Share price	Price change
Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC)	$50.06	13.72%
Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP)	$20.30	7.98%
Tabcorp Holdings Ltd (ASX: TAH)	$0.96	5.49%
Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)	$9.66	4.77%
Graincorp Ltd (ASX: GNC)	$6.06	4.48%
Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU)	$21.02	4.32%
DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO)	$1.80	3.46%
Perpetual Ltd (ASX: PPT)	$20.23	3.32%
Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC)	$16.40	2.89%
Worley Ltd (ASX: WOR)	$10.12	2.22%

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.

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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 Domino’s Pizza Enterprises and DroneShield. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) dividend has just been announced with the FY26 report. It was another pleasing payout for investors.

Wesfarmers’ profit is generated by a number of businesses, including Bunnings, Kmart, Officeworks, WesCEF (chemicals, energy and fertilisers), healthcare, and more.

Wesfarmers is one of the largest businesses in Australia, and its dividends have been steadily rising this decade. Let’s take a look at what upcoming payout shareholders can look forward to.

Wesfarmers dividend

The board of directors of Wesfarmers decided to declare an FY26 final dividend of $1.20 per share. This represented an 8.1% year-over-year increase over the FY25 final dividend.

The Wesfarmers annual dividend for the 2026 financial year is $2.22, representing a 7.8% year-over-year increase.

In December 2025, the business also paid $1.50 per share, comprising a capital return of $1.10 per share and a fully-franked special dividend of 40 cents per share.

The company said that the announced payout is consistent with the group’s focus on providing a satisfactory return to shareholders and commitment to efficient capital management.

Wesfarmers noted that the dividends are decided based on the franking credit availability, current earnings, cash flows, future cash flow requirements, and targeted credit metrics.

Based on the earnings per share (EPS) generated by the business, its FY26 annual dividend payout ratio is 87.6% of net profit.

At the time of writing, the final dividend of $1.20 per share translates into a dividend yield of 1.5% excluding franking credits and 2.1% including franking credits.

With the annual dividend per share, that translates into a dividend yield of 2.8% excluding franking credits and 4% including franking credits.

Payment date

Before we get to the Wesfarmers dividend payment date, we need to look at the ex-dividend date.

The ex-dividend date is the cut-off date for entitlement to the upcoming payout. Investors need to own Wesfarmers shares before the ex-dividend date to be entitled to the payment.

For the FY26 final dividend, the ex-dividend date is next Tuesday, 1 September 2026. That means investors have until the end of trading on 31 August 2026 to secure shares and be eligible for the upcoming payout.

Following that, the payment date for this dividend is 7 October 2026. That’s less than a month and a half away, at the time of writing.

Investors can also elect to take part in the dividend reinvestment plan (DRP). That’s where shareholders choose to receive new Wesfarmers shares rather than receiving the dividend as cash.

If investors want to take part in the DRP, they must make that election by 7pm on 3 September 2026. That’s a week away, at the time of writing.

The post Everything you need to know about the Wesfarmers dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Why Wesfarmers, Mineral Resources and Qantas shares are turning heads on Thursday
• Here’s what brokers tip for Wesfarmers shares over the next 12 months
• Wesfarmers posts higher earnings, lifts dividend in FY26 results
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

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 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.