Author: openjargon

Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) shares are charging higher on Wednesday morning.

The Northern Star share price is currently up 8.12% to $25.18, after closing yesterday at $23.29.

At one stage, the gold miner climbed as high as $25.59, taking its gains over the past week to almost 15%.

There hasn’t been a new announcement from Northern Star today.

Instead, investors are reacting to reports that Gold Fields Ltd (NYSE: GFI) could sweeten its takeover proposal after being rejected.

Gold Fields may come back with more cash

The latest development comes after Northern Star revealed on Monday that it had rejected a $38.7 billion takeover proposal from Gold Fields.

The offer would have given Northern Star shareholders 0.3125 new Gold Fields shares and $7.25 cash for each share they owned.

That valued Northern Star at $27 per share when the proposal was made on 14 September, representing a 22% premium to its previous closing price.

However, around 73% of the consideration was made up of Gold Fields shares.

Northern Star wasn’t interested, arguing the proposal materially undervalued the company and would expose shareholders to greater jurisdictional and operational risks.

But Gold Fields doesn’t appear ready to walk away.

Bloomberg reports the South African miner is considering increasing the cash component of its proposal as it looks for a way to win over Northern Star’s board.

No decision has been made, and there’s no guarantee another proposal will arrive.

Still, today’s share price reaction suggests investors are betting that the first offer may not be the last.

Why does Gold Fields want Northern Star?

There is a pretty clear reason Gold Fields is interested.

The two miners have significant operations in Western Australia, creating plenty of opportunities to cut costs and make better use of existing infrastructure.

Gold Fields believes a combination could deliver between US$4 billion and US$5 billion in synergies.

The combined company would produce around 4.1 million ounces of gold annually.

That would make it the world’s second-largest gold producer behind Newmont Corp (ASX: NEM).

What happens next?

I think the next move from Gold Fields will be worth watching closely.

Northern Star has made it clear that $27 per share, with most of the consideration in Gold Fields shares, isn’t enough.

But with Northern Star shares now trading above $25, the gap between the market price and the rejected offer has narrowed considerably.

If Gold Fields wants to get Northern Star’s board to the negotiating table, it may need to put more cash and a higher price on the table.

And judging by today’s 8% jump, investors seem to think there’s a decent chance it will.

The post Why are Northern Star shares rocketing 8% on Wednesday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• Is the Northern Star share price a cheap buy?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Northern Star shares on watch after major takeover approach rejected
• Northern Star Resources rejects $38.7bn Gold Fields takeover offer

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia vs ANZ shares

Looking for a steady stream of passive income from ASX bank shares? Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) are two of Australia’s banking heavyweights, but they aren’t identical when it comes to dividend income, value, or recent momentum. Here’s my take on which could come out on top for investors chasing reliable returns and regular dividends.

The case for Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Commonwealth Bank of Australia, or CommBank, is a true giant in Australian banking. It’s not only the largest of the big four by market capitalisation, but also one of the most recognisable brands in the country. CBA’s operations stretch beyond Australia, with a presence in New Zealand, the UK, the US, as well as several Asian markets. The company’s product suite covers everything from day-to-day banking through to superannuation, insurance, and wealth management offerings.

A couple of numbers really stand out:

• As of the latest data, CBA’s market cap sits at a whopping $253.56 billion, making it one of the ASX’s biggest blue-chips.
• It boasts a fully franked dividend yield of 3.35%. Every dollar you receive from CBA’s $5.05 per share dividend can be boosted by franking credits, making it an appealing income stock, especially for those who can make use of the credits.
• The shares trade on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 23.14. By big bank standards, that’s at the higher end, but CBA does have a reputation for quality and steady profits.

The company’s long-term dividend history is a feature, with consistent, fully franked payouts stretching back decades.

The case for ANZ

ANZ is no minnow itself – it’s a banking powerhouse spanning Australia, New Zealand, and about 30 other markets. Like CBA, ANZ caters to a huge base of retail, business, and institutional customers, and its international focus means it’s well diversified for an Australian bank.

Here are the highlights I notice:

• ANZ currently offers a market capitalisation of $115.90 billion, making it a significant player, though not in CBA’s league on pure size.
• Its dividend yield is a healthy 4.39%, notably higher than CBA’s. However, recent dividends have only been 75% franked, so the after-tax benefits for certain investors may be less than a fully franked rival.
• ANZ shares change hands at a P/E ratio of 19.18, which is lower than CBA’s. This could appeal to bargain-hunters or income investors keen on getting more yield for each dollar invested.

While ANZ’s trailing dividend is lower than pre-pandemic years and its franking has varied, it remains a popular option for dividend-focused portfolios.

Valuation comparison

Given both sit within the big four banks, it makes sense to hold them up side-by-side. Here are the main numbers at a glance:

	Commonwealth Bank	ANZ
Market Cap	$253.56 billion	$115.90 billion
P/E Ratio	23.14	19.18
Dividend Yield	3.35% (100% franking)	4.39% (75% franking)
Earnings Per Share	6.517	1.973
Dividend Per Share	$5.05	$1.66

Note: Franking levels for ANZ have recently shifted between 56% and 100%, with the most recent payout at 75%.

Also, ANZ’s reported P/E ratio and EPS figure may reflect different earnings measures, so don’t expect those numbers to tally up precisely for valuation comparisons.

Recent share price performance

Comparing recent share price action up to 25 September 2026:

• Commonwealth Bank closed at $150.83 per share as of 25 September 2026, a modest rebound from its recent soft patch, though it’s down -2.92% year-to-date.
• ANZ closed at $37.84 per share on 25 September 2026, having logged a strong year-to-date gain of 6.41%.

Which is the better buy?

For passive income, my nod goes to ANZ. The headline dividend yield is higher at 4.39%, and it comes at a lower P/E compared to Commonwealth Bank. While CBA’s dividends are 100% franked (a huge plus for maximising after-tax returns, especially for retirees or those on lower tax rates), ANZ’s yield advantage is big enough to matter, even with only 75% franking on the latest payout.

ANZ has also shown better share price momentum this year, adding to its appeal for income-focused investors who care about capital preservation or mild growth on top of regular payments.

CBA still has a lot going for it – size, brand, consistency and the comfort of fully franked dividends. But given ANZ’s relatively strong yield and value stats, I’d lean toward ANZ as my pick right now for those seeking the best blend of dividend income and reasonable valuation in the banking sector.

The post Commonwealth Bank vs ANZ: Which is better for passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Sell alert! Expert calls time on Corporate Travel and CBA shares
• ASX 200 holds steady as investors brace for a big afternoon
• 3 ASX shares to sell now according to experts
• Should I buy CBA shares in October?
• Buy, hold, sell: CBA, BHP, CSL shares

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.

There’s a wide variety of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) out there that investors can choose. The Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) is the most popular ASX-listed ETF, and for good reason, in my opinion.

When I say it’s the most popular, I’m talking about how much money is currently invested in the ETF.

At the end of August 2026, $26.9 billion was invested in the VAS ETF, a significant sum that has grown substantially over the last few years as more investors allocate money to ETFs.

Easy way to invest in the ASX 300

ETF investing has made it very easy for everyday Australians to gain access to the stock market without needing an advanced understanding of shares to gain access to the market average return.

You don’t need to make gigantic returns to see pleasing financial results thanks to the power of compounding. If an investment delivers an 8% return per year, it will double in value in approximately nine years.

Investing in the VAS ETF gives investors exposure to the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO), an index of 300 of the largest and most impressive ASX shares.

The biggest businesses get the largest allocation in the portfolio. For the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF, the largest 10 holdings represent 47.5% of the total ETF. Those 10 holdings are:

• BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)
• Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)
• National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB)
• Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC)
• ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ)
• Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)
• Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)
• CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)
• Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO)
• Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

Another underrated aspect of investing in the VAS ETF (and others like it) is that the portfolio regularly updates. We don’t need to think about which stocks to buy and sell – the ETF does that for us and simply holds the names that correspond with where they fit in the index.

If a current holding suffers, it will drop down the holding list and play a smaller part in the ETF’s future returns. If there’s a newcomer that is soaring, it will play a bigger part in the ETF’s holdings as time goes on.

Passive income

One advantage the ASX share market offers, compared with many other share markets, is the scale of passive income it provides.

The ASX 300 has a pleasingly high dividend yield thanks to the fact that the largest businesses have a high dividend payout ratio and a relatively low price/earnings (P/E) ratio compared to other sectors like technology and healthcare.

According to Vanguard, at the end of August, the VAS ETF had a dividend yield of 3.1%, excluding franking credits. Compared to most share markets, that’s a solid level of dividend income.

It’s a good idea to re-invest dividends for long-term compounding, but investors can also enjoy the passive income payments for their life spending.

Low costs

One of the best reasons to invest in the VAS ETF is the very cheap management costs. The lower the fees, the more of the net returns stay in the hands of the investor.

According to Vanguard, the VAS ETF has an annual management fee of just 0.07%. That’s extremely low and means we can virtually match the ASX 300 return.

Of course, it’s important to note that the VAS ETF does provide a lot of exposure to the largest holdings, so it could be a good idea to balance with other investments.

For example, an investor could utilise the VanEck Australian Equal Weight ETF (ASX: MVW) or pick market-beating individual ASX stocks to boost their portfolio’s overall return.

The post 3 reasons why the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (VAS) is a solid buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Own US ETFs like IVV or NDQ? Here’s why your dividends are so low
• 10 top ASX ETFs to watch in 2027
• How many VAS ETF shares do I need to buy for $10,000 per year of passive income?
• Own VAS, VHY, VGS, or other Vanguard ETFs? Here’s your next dividend

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

The analysts at Barrenjoey are tipping significant upside for Navigator Global Investments Ltd (ASX: NGI) shares following the company’s sale of its stake in Invictus Capital.

Strong return on investment

Earlier this week, Navigator said New York Life Investment Management would acquire a 60% stake in Invictus Capital Partners from Navigator and other shareholders, with the remaining interest to be purchased in 2031.

Navigator said the deal delivered it material upfront proceeds of US$40 million to US$43 million, with a potential earn-out of up to US$32 million in 2030.

An additional consideration would be determined by Invictus’ future business growth, Navigator added.

The company said the transaction implied a materially higher valuation for Invictus compared to its initial investment in 2022.

Navigator added:

For NGI, the Transaction represents a partial realisation at an attractive valuation, while retaining meaningful exposure to Invictus’ ongoing growth and performance over the multi-year period to 2030 through retained interests, existing carried interest and fund investments, and potential future consideration. The Initial Closing is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2027, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. It is anticipated to deliver a significant return on NGI’s invested capital, with value realised through upfront proceeds at the Initial Closing, potential earn-out consideration and additional consideration at the Deferred Closing in 2031.

Navigator Chief Investment Officer Ross Zachary said the deal “serves as an example of how NGI’s partnership model can create value for all stakeholders of alternative investment management firms”.

Navigator added:

NGI first partnered with Invictus in August 2022, with total consideration of approximately US$115 million paid over three years. Since then, Invictus has more than tripled gross assets, generating strong outcomes for its investors and extending its leadership position in the U.S. residential mortgage credit market. The results of the partnership, including distributions received by NGI and the growth in the value of NGI’s interests before consideration of the Transaction, have exceeded NGI’s return targets and generated an attractive return for shareholders.

Analysts like the look of the deal

Barrenjoey analysts said in a note to clients that the deal highlights that the price for one of Navigator’s private market firms was well above the valuation it is trading on.

They added:

We estimate a PE for the sale in the high teens, perhaps into the 20s based on management fee-only profits.

Barrenjoey has a price target of $4.20 for Navigator shares, compared with the current $2.43.

Macquarie also issued a new research note on Navigator following the announcement, with a price target of $3.24.

Navigator is valued at $1.51 billion.

The post Barrenjoey tips this ASX financial stock to rise 73% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• This ASX biotech could rise almost 50%, Morgans says
• Why are Northern Star shares rocketing 8% on Wednesday?
• Commonwealth Bank vs ANZ: Which is better for passive income?
• 3 reasons why the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (VAS) is a solid buy
• Why is the DroneShield share price surging 9% on Wednesday?

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

DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) shares are taking off on Wednesday morning.

The DroneShield share price is currently up 8.98% to $1.76, after closing yesterday at $1.615.

At one stage, the counter-drone stock climbed as high as $1.82 as investors reacted to an update released before market open.

It’s a welcome move for shareholders after a difficult year, with DroneShield shares still down more than 60% over the past 12 months.

So, what has the company announced today?

DroneShield lands huge US opportunity

According to the release, DroneShield’s US subsidiary has secured a new contract with the US Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401).

The 3-year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract has a ceiling value of US$500 million.

It gives DroneShield the opportunity to compete for future orders as the US rolls out more counter-drone systems across the country.

These systems will be used to protect military bases, critical infrastructure, and other high-priority locations from drone threats.

However, there is one thing investors need to keep in mind before getting too excited.

The US$500 million isn’t guaranteed revenue, and DroneShield said the contract doesn’t lock in any orders at this stage.

Still, I think this is a pretty big development.

DroneShield now has a way to compete for some potentially large US defence orders over the next 3 years.

US relationship continues to grow

It’s important to note this isn’t DroneShield’s first piece of work with JIATF-401.

Earlier this year, the company secured a $24.9 million contract to supply mobile and fixed-site counter-drone systems.

DroneShield has since delivered its DroneSentry-X Mk2 systems, completing installation, testing, and operator training in around 80 days.

Another 3 systems are also planned under a modification to the original contract.

Could short sellers add fuel to the rally?

There could also be another factor helping DroneShield shares today.

The latest data shows short interest in the company was sitting at 14.76% as of 23 September.

That puts DroneShield at the top of the list as the most shorted stock on the ASX, with plenty of traders betting its share price will fall.

Keep in mind, though, today’s announcement could put some of those short sellers under pressure.

DroneShield shares are already up almost 9%, and if the buying continues, some short sellers could decide it’s time to close their positions.

To do that, they need to buy DroneShield shares back on the market.

That could add more buying pressure and give the share price another boost.

I’d keep a close eye on this stock before the year’s end.

The post Why is the DroneShield share price surging 9% on Wednesday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

It may be time to sell those Corporate Travel Management Ltd (ASX: CTD) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares.

That’s according to Red Leaf Securities’ John Athanasiou, who earlier this week issued a sell recommendation on both ASX travel stocks (courtesy of The Bull).

In morning trade today, CBA shares are changing hands for $149.07 each, down 0.8%. That sees shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) bank stock down 10.8% since this time last year, trailing the 1.6% 12-month losses posted by the benchmark index.

Now some of that underperformance will have been mitigated by the two fully franked CBA dividends, totalling $5.05 a share, that the big four bank paid out over the year. CBA shares trade on a 3.4% fully franked trailing dividend yield.

It’s a bit of a more complicated picture for Corporate Travel Management shares, which only resumed trading on the ASX on 3 September. As you may be aware, Corporate Travel shares were suspended back in August 2025 following some material accounting errors.

Prior to the suspension, Corporate Travel shares were trading for $16.07. On 3 September, shares crashed 85.6% to close the day at $2.32 as frustrated investors overheated their sell buttons.

In morning trade today, the Corporate Travel share price stands at $2.32.

With those pictures in mind…

Time to exit CBA shares?

“CBA is Australia’s highest quality major bank, but, in my view, quality doesn’t always represent value,” Red Leaf Securities’ Athanasiou said.

Explaining his sell recommendation on CBA shares, Athanasiou noted:

Its premium valuation leaves limited room for disappointment as rising interest rates potentially slow credit growth and increase borrower stress. Investors could use the opportunity to take profits and consider better-value alternatives elsewhere in the banking sector.

Should I sell Corporate Travel shares?

Atop his bearish outlook on CBA shares, Athanasiou also issued as sell recommendation on Corporate Travel shares.

“CTD reported improved underlying earnings in fiscal year 2026,” he said.

Indeed, the company reported a 4% year on year increase in revenue and other income to $670 million, with underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) up 36% to $114 million.

But that’s not enough to keep this ASX share off Athanasiou’s sell list.

“However, in my view, questions remain around historical customer remediation, governance, financial controls and funding requirements,” he said.

Summarising his sell recommendation on Corporate Travel shares, he concluded:

In a company update on April 22, 2026, a review had found that UK customers were charged in excess of their contractual entitlement. On September 1, 2026, the company noted about 78 per cent of customer refunds had been agreed or were nearing finalisation.

In my view, the near term risk-reward equation remains unattractive.

The post Sell alert! Expert calls time on Corporate Travel and CBA shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Commonwealth Bank vs ANZ: Which is better for passive income?
• Buy, hold, sell: Corporate Travel Management, JB Hi-Fi, BHP shares
• ASX 200 holds steady as investors brace for a big afternoon
• 3 ASX shares to sell now according to experts
• Should I buy CBA shares in October?

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben 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 Corporate Travel Management. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Corporate Travel Management. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

ASX blue-chip shares can be some of the most consistent and reliable investments on the ASX. There are some names with very pleasing dividend yields.

Businesses that lead in what they do can be excellent stocks to own because of their strong market positions, enviable profit margins, and ability to retain earnings.

Let’s run through two top ASX blue-chip share contenders for passive income.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Telstra is Australia’s leading telecommunications company that continues to cement its position in the country.

Its mobile infrastructure and mobile division are key for the company’s success. In FY26, it added 274,000 mobile handheld users (or 1.9% growth), including 39,000 retail users and 235,000 wholesale users.

Mobile average revenue per user (ARPU) grew by 3.7% year-over-year to $45.33. It saw ARPU growth of 3.8% for postpaid handheld, 7.2% growth for prepaid handheld and 8.8% growth for wholesale.

Telstra continues to invest in its network. In FY26 alone, it upgraded nearly 1,200 mobile sites and built more than 150 new mobile sites.

It’s also investing in its fibre network, with more than 8,500km of fibre deployed in its ‘aura network’. The expected strategic investment has been increased to around $1.8 billion between FY23 and FY28. It’s expected to deliver a mid-teens internal rate of return (IRR) with a nine-year cash payback.

Telstra reported in FY26 that cash earnings per share (EPS) grew by 13.8% to 25.5 cents, funding a 10.5% rise in the annual dividend per share to 21 cents.

The projection on Commsec suggests the business could pay an annual dividend per share of 22 cents in FY27, 4.75% more than FY26. That would be a FY27 grossed-up dividend yield of 6.4%, including franking credits, at the time of writing.

WAM Leaders Ltd (ASX: WLE)

Listed investment company (LIC) WAM Leaders is the other ASX blue-chip share I want to highlight. A LIC’s job is to invest in other shares on behalf of shareholders.

It aims to actively invest in large, high-quality Australian companies.

At the end of August, its five biggest holdings, compared to the overall ASX 200 index, were Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX: SGP), Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX), Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR) and South32 Ltd (ASX: S32). This shows the types of ASX shares the WAM Leaders team want to invest in.

By generating investment returns, WAM Leaders can use profits to pay large, growing dividends to shareholders. It can offer investors both diversification and attractive dividends.

WAM Leaders has increased its annual dividend per share each year since it started paying dividends in FY17, so it has essentially reached a decade of continuous dividend growth, which is a great record.

The investment team have produced an average return of 12.2% since inception in May 2026, before fees, expenses and taxes, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index (ASX: XJOA) by an average of almost 3% per year.

In FY26, the ASX blue-chip share paid an annual dividend of 9.6 cents per share. That translates into a grossed-up dividend yield of 10.7%, including franking credits, at the time of writing.

The post 2 ASX blue-chip shares offering big dividend yields appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• CBA vs Telstra: Which ASX blue-chip is better for passive income?

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

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) shares could be among the best options for dividends from an ASX blue-chip share.

One of the main reasons to like the company is its high-quality businesses, such as Bunnings, Kmart, Officeworks, WesCEF (chemicals, energy and fertilisers), and Priceline.

The company’s profitability metrics really show how effective it is at making money.

In FY26, Wesfarmers reported a return on equity (ROE) of 35.5%, representing a 1.2 percentage point increase compared to FY25. Excluding significant items, it was a 4.3 percentage point rise for the ROE.

The return on capital (ROC) for its two key businesses is truly impressive. In FY26, Bunnings Group delivered a ROC of 69.2%, while Kmart Group’s ROC was 68.3%.

Most businesses would love to achieve an ROC close to 70%, and that’s exactly what the company delivers.

FY26 was a solid year for the company, with underlying earnings per share (EPS) climbing 8.3% and the dividend per Wesfarmers share being hiked by 7.8% to $2.22.

Let’s take a look at what analysts think could happen with the company’s dividend.

FY27 dividend projection

Wesfarmers is forecast to deliver a higher dividend for investors, partly based on the view that earnings could climb in FY27.

According to the projection on CMC Invest, the company is estimated to grow its annual dividend per share by 7.9% to $2.395. I don’t think many ASX blue-chip shares will increase their payout by 8% or more in the 2027 financial year.

If Wesfarmers does pay a dividend of that level in FY27, it would mean a grossed-up dividend yield of 4.6%, including franking credits, at the time of writing. That’s not the biggest dividend yield in the world, but the company could continue to deliver impressive dividend growth in the years ahead.

The estimate on CMC Invest suggests the business could then hike its annual dividend per share by another 6.7% in FY28.

How many Wesfarmers shares would it take to generate $8,000 of passive income?

If the business does pay $2.395 of dividend cash per Wesfarmers share in FY27, an investor would require 3,341 Wesfarmers shares to make $8,000 of passive income in FY27.

However, the above figure doesn’t include franking credits. If we include franking credits, it would take only 2,339 Wesfarmers shares to generate that much passive income in the 2027 financial year.

The post How many Wesfarmers shares do I need to buy for $8,000 of passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• If I invest $15,000 in Wesfarmers shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2027?

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.

The Atlas Arteria Group (ASX: ALX) share price is in focus after the company flagged potential French tax increases impacting its APRR toll road interests, with TEILD rates possibly rising from 4.6% to as high as 12.2% and the TST extended but reduced.

What did Atlas Arteria report?

• The French government’s draft 2027 Budget Bill seeks to increase the Long-distance Transport Infrastructure Tax (TEILD), potentially up to 12.2%.
• The TEILD cost Atlas Arteria €126.7 million in FY25, with proceeds expected to more than double sector-wide.
• The Temporary Supplemental Tax (TST), previously expected to end in 2026, is now earmarked for extension but at a reduced take.
• Atlas Arteria’s APRR and AREA entities are subject to the TEILD, while ADELAC and A79 are not currently affected.
• Legal recourse avenues are being pursued by APRR regarding the TEILD changes.

What else do investors need to know?

The draft French Budget Bill will be debated over coming months, with the final tax rates or rules subject to change before passing into law. Investors should note that the higher TEILD could more than double the sector’s collective tax outlay from €600 million to €1.4 billion, directly affecting Atlas Arteria’s French assets.

Meanwhile, the Temporary Supplemental Tax (TST) – initially planned as a short-lived measure – will likely remain, but with a smaller government target, dropping total proceeds from €7.3 billion to €5 billion. Atlas Arteria will keep investors posted as legislation progresses.

What’s next for Atlas Arteria?

Atlas Arteria will closely monitor the French parliamentary debate and update the market when final legislation emerges. The company’s legal initiatives regarding the TEILD signal an intent to actively manage and defend its French revenue streams.

On a broader note, Atlas Arteria continues focusing on delivering value through sustainable road operations across its French, US, and German assets, aiming to balance regulatory changes with disciplined management.

Atlas Arteria share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Atlas Arteria shares have declined 24%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has declined 2% over the same period.

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The post Atlas Arteria flags French tax hikes may impact toll road revenues 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.

By leveraging the ASX share market and compounding, Aussie retirees can build significant cash flow in retirement.

Whether it’s $10,000 or $110,000, stocks can generate dividends to help cover certain expenses.

That cash flow doesn’t just appear out of nowhere, of course. Aussies need to invest money in assets that pay dividends.

By investing regularly, investors can build a strong portfolio.

I’m going to run through some examples of what happens when you regularly invest. For plenty of people, just the regular superannuation contributions could help reach particular portfolio value goals.

How to create $110,000 of passive income at 65 and retire

I think it’s essential for investors to think long-term. By investing regularly over many years, investors can build substantial wealth.

In retirement circles, many assume 4% is a sufficient withdrawal rate. Let’s assume someone is targeting $110,000 per year at a 4% yield, which means targeting a portfolio of $2.75 million.

That’s a big target, but I’ll show you how many Aussies can reach that goal if given long enough. In all of the below examples, I’m going to assume that the share market returns an average of 10% per year.

Imagine someone is 25, starting with $0. If they invest just $450 per month over 40 years, they would reach $2.85 million.

If someone is starting at 35 with $0, and they invest $1,250 per month over 30 years, it would become worth $2.825 million.

Starting at 45 with $0, someone could invest $3,700 per month over 20 years, it would be worth $2.81 million.

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Numerous investment opportunities for dividends

There are a number of ways investors can get to $2.75 million and retire.

We could invest in the best options for long-term growth, then switch to passive income ideas. Quality ASX growth shares and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) could be strong options for wealth creation.

I think investment ideas like Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL) are excellent long-term compounders.

After that I’d look at compelling ASX dividend share options.

Diversified listed investment companies (LICs) are compelling ideas such as Argo Investments Ltd (ASX: ARG), Australian United Investment Company Ltd (ASX: AUI), L1 Long Short Fund Ltd (ASX: LSF) and WCM Global Growth Ltd (ASX: WQG) are all compelling options for passive income.

I’d also be very willing to invest in cheap real estate investment trusts (REITs) offering large distribution yields, such as Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP), Dexus Industria REIT (ASX: DXI), Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW) and Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF).

I think diversification during retirement is an important factor to protect capital over the long-term.

The post How much do I need to retire on $110,000 a year at 65? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in L1 Long Short Fund, Rural Funds Group, Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited, and Wcm Global Growth. 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 Rural Funds Group and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.