Author: openjargon

The Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) share price is in focus today after the company reported December quarter gold production of 45,610 ounces and confirmed it remains on track to meet its FY26 guidance.

What did Ramelius Resources report?

• Gold production of 45,610 ounces for the December 2025 quarter (down from 55,013 ounces last quarter)
• Year-to-date gold production reached 100,623 ounces, in line with guidance of 185,000–205,000 ounces for FY26
• Underlying free cash flow of A$67 million before tax and dividends
• Cash and gold balance stood at A$694.3 million as at 31 December 2025
• Shareholders received A$60.3 million in dividends during the half

What else do investors need to know?

The company continued progressing key projects, including releasing a Five Year Gold Production Outlook targeting 500,000 ounces by FY30. The Dalgaranga mine remains on schedule and budget, with the first Never Never ore set to be processed at the Mt Magnet hub in the March quarter.

Development at Mt Magnet included plant engineering works and the appointment of a new General Manager for Major Projects. Ramelius also signed a Native Title Mining Agreement at the Rebecca-Roe project, representing an important step in project development.

What did Ramelius Resources management say?

Chief Operating Officer Tim Hewitt said:

We continue to build on the strong momentum from our first quarter and remain on track to deliver our FY26 guidance with production year-to-date of 100,623 ounces. Mt Magnet produced 45,610 ounces in the quarter, in line with our plan with strong contribution from Penny and Cue mines.

Importantly, the development of the Dalgaranga mine is on time and on budget with first ore from Never Never to be delivered to the Mt Magnet processing plant in the March 2026 quarter. We look forward to sharing an update from the recently accelerated drilling program at priority targets within our exploration portfolio in coming weeks demonstrating the significant potential upside at the Mt Magnet production hub.

What’s next for Ramelius Resources?

Looking ahead, Ramelius is maintaining its FY26 gold production guidance and expects to deliver ore from the Dalgaranga mine’s Never Never deposit to Mt Magnet in the next quarter. The company is accelerating exploration activities, particularly around Penny, Cue and Galaxy, while initiating a $250 million share buyback and lifting its minimum dividend to two cents per year.

Management says the fully funded project pipeline and major project development should support growth towards the company’s five-year production target.

Ramelius Resources share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Ramelius Resources shares have risen 97%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 4% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Ramelius Resources reports steady gold output; FY26 guidance reaffirmed appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Monadelphous lands $110m in new contracts across sectors
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Magellan Financial Group dips as AUM slips in December quarter
• Capricorn Metals hits key Q2 production targets and advances expansion projects
• Regis Resources reports record cash and bullion build in latest earnings update

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

The Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND) share price is in focus today after the company announced a slew of new construction and maintenance contracts worth approximately $110 million, spanning resources, energy, and renewables, with projects secured in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

What did Monadelphous report?

• New contracts in resources, energy, and renewable sectors valued at ~$110 million
• Four-year multidisciplinary maintenance contract with BW Offshore Australia Management at BW Opal FPSO near Darwin
• Contract with Rio Tinto for process plant modifications at Hope Downs 2 project, Pilbara, WA
• Contract with Santos for demolition and disposal of Hegigio Pipeline Bridge, Southern Highlands, PNG
• Zenviron JV awarded Bennetts Creek Battery Energy Storage System project with Flow Power in Victoria

What else do investors need to know?

Monadelphous continues to build on its strong order book, with these new contracts adding to its presence across Australia and the Asia Pacific. The BW Offshore contract provides the company with steady, recurring maintenance revenue over four years.

The inclusion of Zenviron’s renewable battery contract highlights the group’s ongoing efforts to diversify into clean energy infrastructure. The company’s projects span from oil and gas facilities to emerging battery storage systems, reflecting an expanding customer and sector base.

What’s next for Monadelphous?

Investors can expect Monadelphous to continue pursuing both traditional and renewable projects. The recently awarded contracts are anticipated to contribute to revenue from the first quarter of 2026 through to late 2027. Management’s focus remains on sustaining growth by leveraging its expertise in construction and maintenance services while further developing its renewable energy capabilities.

Monadelphous share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Monadelphous Group shares have risen 85%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 4% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Monadelphous lands $110m in new contracts across sectors appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Ramelius Resources reports steady gold output; FY26 guidance reaffirmed
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Magellan Financial Group dips as AUM slips in December quarter
• Capricorn Metals hits key Q2 production targets and advances expansion projects
• Regis Resources reports record cash and bullion build in latest earnings update

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.

When you have a lump sum to invest, the hardest part is often deciding where to start.

Markets are rarely calm, headlines are rarely helpful, and waiting for the perfect moment usually means waiting forever.

That is why many investors choose a different approach. Instead of trying to predict what will happen next, they spread their money across high-quality exchange traded funds (ETFs) that are built to perform across a range of market conditions.

If you have $20,000 to invest in ASX ETFs this month, here is how you could think about putting it to work using two very different, but complementary, funds.

Betashares Video Games And Esports ETF (ASX: GAME)

The Betashares Video Games And Esports ETF offers investors easy exposure to the global video gaming and esports industry. This is a sector that continues to grow well beyond its early roots.

The ASX ETF holds a diversified mix of gaming publishers, hardware makers, and platform businesses. Some of its key holdings include Nintendo, Unity Software (NYSE: U), and Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ: TTWO). These companies sit at the heart of entertainment, technology, and digital engagement.

What makes this ASX ETF particularly interesting is how deeply gaming is embedded in consumer behaviour. Video games are no longer a niche hobby. They are a mainstream form of entertainment with recurring revenue through subscriptions, in-game purchases, and digital content.

Take Nintendo as an example. Its ecosystem approach, built around iconic franchises and dedicated hardware, has allowed it to generate highly durable earnings across cycles. By owning this fund, investors gain exposure to this type of long-term consumer engagement without needing to pick individual winners.

This fund was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF (ASX: QLTY)

Another ASX ETF to look at for the $20,000 is the Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF. It is designed for investors who want exposure to the world’s highest quality stocks.

The fund focuses on businesses with strong balance sheets, high returns on equity, and consistent earnings growth. Its holdings include global leaders such as Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Visa (NYSE: V), and Lam Research (NASDAQ: LRCX).

What sets the Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF apart is its emphasis on quality rather than size or hype. These are companies with sustainable competitive advantages, pricing power, and business models that have proven themselves over time.

Microsoft is a good example. Its combination of enterprise software, cloud computing, and recurring revenue makes it one of the most resilient growth businesses in the world.

This fund was also recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

The post Where to invest $20,000 in ASX ETFs this month appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 Lam Research, Microsoft, Take-Two Interactive Software, Unity Software, and Visa. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Nintendo and has recommended the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Lam Research, Microsoft, Unity Software, and Visa. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

One of the largest ASX ETF providers is iShares. 

iShares is a family of ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) created and managed by BlackRock, one of the world’s largest asset managers.

Here are some of iShares’ best performing ASX ETFs over the past 12 months.

iShares Msci South Korea ETF (ASX: IKO)

This ASX ETF tracks the performance of the MSCI Korea 25/50 Index, before fees and expenses. 

The index is designed to measure the performance of Korean large-cap and  mid-cap companies.

The Korean economy saw modest growth in 2025, however this fund was able to capture some of the record breaking exports from last year. 

Electronics, and technology companies in particular rose sharply in 2025. 

These companies make up roughly half of the fund. 

By sector, its largest exposure is to: 

• Information Technology (48.95%)
• Industrials (19.29%)
• Financials (10.35%)

In fact, the country’s annual exports exceeded $700 billion for the first time. This was largely on the back of semiconductor demand.

Semiconductors play an important role in the AI landscape.

This all contributed to a fantastic year for this ASX ETF which is now up more than 80% in the last 12 months. 

iShares International Equity ETFs – iShares Asia 50 ETF (ASX: IAA)

This more broad – Asia tracking ASX ETF enjoyed strong returns for many of the same reasons. 

This fund from iShares aims to track the performance of the S&P Asia 50 Index, before fees and expenses. 

The index is designed to measure the performance of 50 of the largest Asian companies domiciled in China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan. 

It has a strong exposure to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM) company which rose more than 50% in the last year. 

This one holding makes up more than a quarter of the fund by weighting. 

There are currently 52 holdings in total. 

In the last 12 months, this ASX ETF has risen by an impressive 41%. 

iShares International Equity ETFs – iShares Europe ETF (ASX: IEU)

Changing continents, this ASX ETF aims to track the performance of the S&P Europe 350 Index, before fees and expenses. 

The index is designed to measure the performance of large capitalisation equities and covers 16 major developed European markets.

Geographically, this funds’ largest exposure is to:

• United Kingdom (23.51%)
• France (15.94%)
• Switzerland (14.42%)
• Germany (14.32%)

It is up more than 21% since this time last year. 

The post The best performing iShares ASX ETFs last year appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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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 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. 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 interesting when an analyst thinks an ASX share is a buy. However, when multiple analysts place a buy rating on a particular business, it could be a signal to take a closer look.

The two companies that I’m about to highlight are some of the most highly rated opportunities on the ASX right now. That doesn’t guarantee great returns, or even positive returns, but experts are clearly bullish on their potential.

Let’s dive into two appealing ideas.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

According to a collation of analyst ratings on this ASX share, there are currently 13 buy recommendations.

As the chart below shows, the WiseTech share price has dropped by close to 50% over the past year. Experts think this could be a good time to invest for a potential rebound.

Broker UBS describes WiseTech as a global technology company that develops, sells and implements software for logistics service providers in more than 165 countries. Its core platform is called CargoWise, which helps customers execute “highly complex logistics transactions” and manages operations on one global database. Its customers include most of the leading global freight forwarders and third-party logistic providers.

UBS currently has a price target of $115 on the business, suggesting it can rise 72% within a year (at the time of writing).

The broker thinks WiseTech is attractively priced compared to other US high-growth peers that operate on a software-as-a-service business model.

In FY26, UBS projects that WiseTech could generate US$1.4 billion of revenue and US$223 million of net profit.

Fast forward to FY30, and UBS sees revenue reaching US$2.6 billion and net profit reaching US$771 million. In other words, in four financial years time, revenue could grow 84% and net profit could surge 245%.

Collins Foods Ltd (ASX: CKF)

Collins Foods is another ASX share that’s highly rated by analysts. According to the Commsec recommendation collation, there are currently eight buy ratings on the business.

One of the brokers that rates Collins Foods as a buy is UBS. This business is one of the largest KFC franchisee operators in Australia. It also has a growing presence in Germany and the Netherlands.

Unlike WiseTech, the Collins Foods share price has had a strong 12 months – it’s up more than 40%, as the below chart shows. UBS thinks the fast food operator has more room for growth.

UBS currently has a price target of $13.10 on the business, suggesting the ASX share could rise 24% within the next year.

The broker believes that Collins Foods’ value proposition is resonating with customers, with its KFC Australia network showing an improvement of like-for-like sales in the second half of the 2025 calendar year. Many other consumer-facing businesses did not see an improvement in comparable sales.

While conditions are challenging in Europe, UBS suggested that lower chicken costs (with a reversal of the avian flu impacts) and changes to VAT could help its European division deliver operating profit (EBITDA) growth. UBS said:

We continue to like the ongoing strength within the Australian KFC business, combined with the penetration opportunity within Germany.

The broker is forecasting that the ASX share could generate a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for earnings per share (EPS) of 19%.

Despite that, the Collins Foods share price is trading at less than 21x FY26’s estimated earnings.

UBS predicts that business could deliver an operating profit margin of 16% by FY31, with the “annualisation of strong value offerings giving some fixed cost operating leverage”, the benefit of cost tailwinds (for chicken, potatoes and oil), ongoing improvement within outlets and “ongoing fractionalisation of head office costs from ongoing store roll-out.”

Overall, things are looking very positive for this ASX share, though it’s not only stock worth keeping an eye on.

The post Experts rate these 2 ASX shares as buys this month! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Could these ASX 200 losers be among the best shares to buy in 2026?
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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Collins Foods. 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 closed 1.02% higher on Wednesday afternoon, at $170.00 a piece. For 2026 so far, the shares have fallen 2.09% and it is trading a whopping 40.5% lower than this time last year.

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) closed 0.15% higher on Wednesday, is down 0.06% for 2026 so far, and 4.95% higher than this time last year.

What happened to CSL shares in 2025?

It’s no secret that CSL shares have been through the ringer this year. The Australian biotech company’s shares suffered a brutal sell-off in mid-August after its FY25 result and surprise restructure announcement.

Two and a half months later, the company’s share price dropped another 19.2% to a seven-year low of $170.77 in late-October when it downgraded its FY26 revenue and profit growth guidance. 

CSL management originally forecast revenue growth of 4-5% and net profit after tax before amortisation (NPATA) growth of 7-10% for FY26. But in October revenue guidance was downgraded to 2-3% and NPATA growth guidance to 4-7%. 

By the end of 2025 it had plummeted nearly 100% from its mid-August peak.

What’s ahead for CSL in 2026?

As an Australian-based global biotechnology company focused on developing and delivering biotherapies and vaccines to protect public health, CSL has great growth potential.

CSL’s core business is strong and demand for its products has continued to grow globally. 

The company is also entering a key investment phase which could help boost its financials and I’d expect investor confidence to follow suit.

Analysts think CSL shares could soar past $270

According to TradingView data, 13 out of 18 analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on CSL shares. The average target price is $232.03, which implies a potential 36.49% upside at the time of writing.

But some analysts think the shares could soar to $271.37 in 2026, which suggests a potential 59.63% upside from the share price at the close of the ASX on Wednesday afternoon.

Morgan Stanley recently confirmed its overweight rating and $256.00 price target on this biotechnology company’s shares. Despite all the doom and gloom around CSL at present, Morgan Stanley is very positive on its outlook and expects a recovery this year.

The team at UBS think that CSL shares are materially undervalued at current levels. The broker recently put a buy rating and a $275.00 price target on them. 

The post Prediction: CSL shares could soar past $270 in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

As 2026 gets underway, I’m looking for ASX stocks that I believe can continue to grow, adapt, and compound value over time.

With that in mind, these are five stocks I’m particularly eager to buy for my portfolio in 2026.

DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO)

DroneShield operates in a niche that is becoming increasingly important. Counter-drone technology is now a critical requirement for defence, government, and the protection of key infrastructure.

While the company’s revenue can be lumpy due to contract timing, the underlying demand drivers are structural rather than cyclical. As drone technology becomes more accessible and sophisticated, the need for effective countermeasures will only intensify.

DroneShield is not a low-risk investment, but for investors willing to tolerate volatility, I think it offers exposure to a long-term defence technology theme that is still in its early stages.

Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV)

Lovisa has built one of the most scalable retail models on the ASX.

Rather than relying on heavy discounting or aggressive marketing, the company focuses on rapid product turnover and disciplined store expansion. That approach has allowed Lovisa to grow its footprint across dozens of international markets while maintaining strong returns on capital.

What appeals to me is that growth is still being driven primarily by new store openings, not by stretching assumptions around consumer spending. If execution remains consistent, there is plenty of scope for Lovisa to continue expanding in 2026 and beyond.

Wesfarmers (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers earns its place on this list through consistency rather than speed.

The group owns a collection of well-established businesses, but its real strength lies in how it allocates capital across them. Over time, management has demonstrated a willingness to invest, divest, and reshape the portfolio as needed, rather than standing still.

Strong cash generation gives Wesfarmers flexibility. It enables the company to continue investing under various conditions while maintaining its balance sheet strength. In 2026, I see Wesfarmers as a strong holding that reduces overall portfolio risk without sacrificing long-term returns.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)

Sigma Healthcare looks very different today than it did a year ago.

Following its merger with Chemist Warehouse, the business now operates at a much larger scale across wholesale distribution, franchising, and retail pharmacy. That places Sigma at the centre of Australia’s community pharmacy ecosystem.

Demand for medicines and pharmacy services is not discretionary, which gives the business a defensive foundation. As integration progresses and efficiencies are realised, Sigma has the potential to deliver steady earnings growth over time.

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

Temple and Webster rounds out the list.

The ASX stock has established a strong position in online furniture retail, supported by a broad product range and a data-driven approach to merchandising. While housing activity and consumer confidence can move in cycles, Temple and Webster has shown it can adjust its cost base and inventory as conditions change.

I also like the company due to its relatively small market share and potential to increase it significantly as more spending shifts online.

Foolish Takeaway

Overall, I believe these ASX stocks offer long-term relevance, a clear strategic direction, and the ability to continue executing effectively under various conditions. For me, those qualities matter.

That is why DroneShield, Lovisa, Wesfarmers, Sigma, and Temple and Webster are five stocks I’m eager to buy in 2026.

The post 5 unbeatable ASX stocks I’m eager to buy in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in DroneShield, Lovisa, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield, Lovisa, Temple & Webster Group, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Lovisa, Temple & Webster Group, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Thankfully for income investors, there are plenty of ASX dividend shares to choose from on the local share market.

But which ones could be top buys right now? Let’s take a look at three that analysts are recommending to clients right now. They are as follows:

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

The first ASX dividend share that analysts are tipping as a buy is Coles Group.

It is of course one of Australia’s largest supermarket chains, benefitting from the kind of steady, recession-resistant demand that makes for dependable cashflow.

The team at Morgan Stanley is very positive on the company’s outlook and believes it is well-placed to continue growing its dividend. The broker is forecasting fully franked dividends of 83 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 90 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $20.77, this would mean dividend yields of 4% and 4.3%, respectively.

Morgan Stanley currently has an overweight rating and $26.50 price target on its shares.

GQG Partners Inc. (ASX: GQG)

Another ASX dividend share that has been given the thumbs up by analysts is GQG Partners. It is a US-based fund manager with approximately US$166 billion under management.

The team at Macquarie remains positive on the company despite the poor performance of its funds. It thinks investors should be buying the dip in its share price, especially given the big dividend yields on offer with its shares.

Speaking of which, the broker is forecasting the equivalent of dividends per share of 22.6 cents per share in FY 2025 and then 22.9 cents per share in FY 2026. Based on its current share price of $1.80, this represents dividend yields greater than 12% for both years.

Macquarie currently has an outperform rating and $2.50 price target on its shares.

HomeCo Daily Needs REIT (ASX: HDN)

A third ASX dividend share that could be a buy for income investors is the HomeCo Daily Needs REIT.

It is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that focuses on convenience-based retail centres. This includes supermarkets, pharmacies, medical clinics, and pet stores. Essentially, its focus is on assets that deal with daily needs and have stable tenants and long leases.

UBS is positive on this one. It expects the company to pay dividends of 8.6 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 8.7 cents per share FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $1.37, this would mean dividend yields of 6.3% and 6.4%, respectively.

The broker currently has a buy rating and $1.53 price target on its shares.

The post Analysts are urging investors to buy these ASX dividend shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Gqg Partners. 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 Gqg Partners and HomeCo Daily Needs REIT. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

I’ve got a long way to go before becoming a millionaire, but there’s an ASX-listed exchange-traded fund (ETF) I think that can help get me there faster.

I believe the best investments are ones that can deliver fairly consistent returns over time, which enable us to own them for the long-term.

There are a number of great businesses on the ASX, but there are even stronger businesses overseas with stronger competitive advantages than their peers, more impressive balance sheets and highly attractive returns on equity (ROE).

I’m not trying to invest in all of those businesses individually myself. Instead, I’m using the VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL) as my way to access incredible companies. I’ll run through what makes it so appealing.

High-quality businesses

The QUAL ETF is not just invested in a random group of international businesses. It is a curated portfolio of companies that have been selected for their quality credentials.

What makes ‘quality’ can be measured in many different ways.

The QUAL ETF strategy has decided on three aspects that decide on whether global stocks are worthy of being a holding.

The business must have a high return on equity. That means they make a lot of profit compared to how much shareholder money is retained within the business.

Second, the business must have earnings stability. If profits aren’t going backwards, that suggests they’re regularly increasing, which is very supportive for a rising share price over time.

Third, the business should have low financial leverage. That means their financials are in a healthy state and the high ROE has not been artificially boosted by the company using debt rather than shareholder money to fund the operations.

By putting those three elements together, investors are left with an ASX ETF portfolio of very high-quality names with growing earnings. It’s these attributes that could help deliver strong returns to help me become a millionaire sooner.

Strong diversification

The QUAL ETF portfolio is not just a few large US tech names – it’s invested in around 300 companies from a range of countries and sectors.

For example, at least 1% of the portfolio is invested in companies from Switzerland, the UK, Japan, the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark.

Software is 29% of the portfolio, it’s a great sector to be invested in, but diversification is achieved with more than 9% of the portfolio is invested in the following sectors: healthcare, industrials, communication services, financials and consumer staples.

I like that I’m not heavily betting on one sector for success with this fund.

How the ASX ETF can help me become a millionaire faster

Past performance is certainly not a guarantee of future performance, but the QUAL ETF has returned an average of 14.7% per year over the last decade, outperforming the global share market by an average of more than 1.5% per year.

If I invested $1,000 per month and it returned 14.7% per year, that would grow into $1 million in roughly 19 years. That sounds good to me! I plan to utilise the QUAL ETF alongside a portfolio of quality ASX shares to help me achieve my goal.

The post Why I’m betting on this ASX ETF to help me become a millionaire appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 steps to replace your wage with dividends from ASX shares
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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in VanEck Msci International Quality ETF. 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.

From real estate to medical and even tech, if I had a spare $30,000, these are the ASX shares I’d add to my portfolio this week.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

REA shares closed 0.17% lower on Wednesday afternoon, at $180.04 a piece. The shares have dropped 2.75% so far in 2026 and are currently 25.94% below where they were this time last year.

The real estate advertising company’s share price suffered a gradual but consistent decline after it appointed a new CEO in late-August. At the time, some brokers also said they think the stock was overpriced. In late August, Toby Grimm from Baker Young said he sees challenges ahead for REA and suggested selling while the stock trades above his valuation.

By the end of the year, REA shares had lost over 30% of their value.

But analysts are still pretty bullish on the shares. And I agree that there could be a decent upside ahead for REA in 2026. 

REA’s latest results show the business continues to grow with first quarter FY26 revenue up 4% and profit up 5%. 

Most analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on the ASX 200 stock, with a maximum 12-month target price of $290. That implies a massive 61.08% upside for investors in 2026, at the time of writing. 

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

Pro Medicus shares rose 0.58% at the close of the ASX on Wednesday, at $215 each. The shares are 2.58% lower for 2026 so far and 17.15% below where they were this time last year.

The medical imaging technology provider’s shares peaked at around $330 per share in mid-July. They then tumbled over 33% by the close of 2025. 

But the company’s visage imaging platform appears to be becoming the system of choice for large hospital networks in the US. This is thanks to its speed, scalability, and cloud-based architecture. The company is gaining traction with long-term contracts, it has a strong earnings visibility, a growing pipeline of major contract wins, all against a backdrop of radiologist shortages. The stock is very much on my radar this week.

Analysts seem to be divided about the potential outlook for the stock. Data shows that 4 out of 7 analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on the ASX shares. The maximum 12-month target price is $350 per share, which implies a 62.79% upside ahead for investors in 2026, at the time of writing.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

Xero shares closed 1.36% higher on Wednesday afternoon, at $108.60 a piece. The ASX 200 stock is 2.36% lower for the year so far and 37.58% below where it was last year.

From US-acquisition news to lower-than-expected results, the company has faced a couple of headwinds this year. But I think the reaction was way overdone and the level of sell-off unfounded.

I actually think Xero shares could double this year.

According to TradingView data, most analysts (11 out of 14) are bullish on Xero shares for 2026. 

The maximum 12-month target price is $228.85 a piece, which implies a huge 110.83% upside for investors at the time of writing.

UBS says that it is positive on the medium term growth outlook for Xero and believes the current share price is an “attractive buying opportunity”. The broker has a $194 price target on the shares.

Meanwhile, Macquarie is more bullish on the stock. The broker has an outperform rating and $228.90 price target on the shares, saying the company is well-positioned for growth in the US.

The post 3 ASX shares I’d buy with $30,000 this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Down 36% in a year, is it time to consider buying shares in this dominant ASX tech company?

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