Author: openjargon

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares have already enjoyed a strong run, which can make buying today feel less attractive.

But even at the current price, I think the mining giant still has plenty going for it.

Here are three reasons I would buy BHP shares today.

The valuation still looks good

BHP shares are trading around $59.76.

According to CommSec consensus estimates, the company is expected to generate earnings per share of $3.51 in FY26 and $3.63 in FY27.

That puts the shares on a price-to-earnings ratio of approximately 17 times FY26 earnings and 16.5 times FY27 earnings.

BHP is no longer the bargain it was when commodity sentiment was weaker and the shares were trading much lower. At current levels, I still think investors are paying a fair price for a business with high-quality assets and a positive long-term outlook.

The dividend adds another reason to consider the shares.

CommSec forecasts dividends per share of $2.18 in FY26 and $1.95 in FY27. Based on the current price, that represents forward dividend yields of around 3.6% and 3.3%.

Those dividends will move with commodity prices and earnings, so I would not treat them as guaranteed. Even so, they could provide a solid income contribution while investors wait for BHP’s growth investments to deliver.

The outlook is increasingly tied to copper

BHP’s earnings mix is changing.

Copper contributed more than half of the company’s underlying earnings during the first half of FY26, showing how important the commodity has already become to the group.

I think that exposure could become even more valuable over the next decade.

Copper is needed for electricity networks, renewable energy, data centres, transport, manufacturing, and the continued digitalisation of the global economy. Developing new mines can take many years, which gives established producers with large, low-cost operations a strong starting position.

BHP produced around 2 million tonnes of copper for the second consecutive year in FY26 and continues to progress growth options across Escondida, Spence, South Australia, and other regions.

Iron ore should remain a major source of cash flow, supported by BHP’s large Western Australian operations. That cash can help fund future copper developments and the company’s move into potash.

The Jansen project in Canada is expected to begin potash production in 2027. Costs and project execution will require close attention, although the commodity could eventually give BHP exposure to rising food demand and agricultural productivity.

BHP can improve portfolio diversification

I think owning some resources exposure can strengthen a long-term ASX portfolio.

Mining shares respond to commodity prices, global industrial activity, currency movements, and infrastructure investment. Those forces can produce returns that look very different from banks, supermarkets, healthcare companies, or technology shares.

That does not mean BHP will perform well during every market downturn. Commodity cycles can be brutal, and earnings can change quickly when prices fall.

However, a measured resources allocation can give a portfolio another source of growth and income.

If I were choosing one ASX mining share for that role, BHP would be my first choice. Its scale, asset quality, balance sheet, and growing copper exposure make it a stronger all-round option than relying on a smaller producer tied to one project or commodity.

Foolish takeaway

At $59.76, BHP shares are no longer priced like an overlooked bargain, although I still think the valuation provides room for attractive long-term returns.

The company’s earnings base is gradually shifting towards copper, while iron ore continues generating cash and potash could open another substantial source of growth.

For investors wanting resources exposure as part of a diversified portfolio, I think BHP shares are worth buying today and holding through the commodity cycle.

The post 3 key reasons to buy BHP shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How many BHP shares do I need to buy for $10,000 of passive income?
• BHP shares have tripled in the past 10 years. Could history repeat itself over the next decade?
• Is the BHP share price a buy for its 5% dividend yield?
• BHP shares soared 62% in FY26. Can they keep climbing?
• Why I think BHP is the best ASX mining share

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

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) and WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) sit behind parts of the global economy that are becoming increasingly complex.

Both companies have substantial room to grow if they can keep turning that complexity into demand for their technology.

But are their shares top buys today?

Megaport shares

Megaport helps businesses connect their data, cloud services, and digital infrastructure through a software-controlled global network.

That role could become increasingly valuable as companies spread their technology across multiple cloud providers, data centres, countries, and computing environments.

Setting up traditional network connections can be slow and inflexible. Megaport allows customers to establish and adjust connections through its platform, giving them greater control over where data moves and how quickly capacity can change.

The company had more than 4,000 customers and was enabled in over 1,100 data centres at the end of the first half of FY26. Annual recurring revenue had also grown to more than $338 million.

I think that existing network creates a strong platform for further expansion. Every new location, cloud partner, and customer can give other businesses another reason to use Megaport.

Artificial intelligence (AI) could open another stage of growth. AI workloads may need to move between data centres, cloud platforms, storage systems, and specialised computing capacity. Megaport is expanding beyond connectivity into areas such as compute and storage, which could allow it to capture more spending from customers building modern digital infrastructure.

That expansion will require careful execution. The company is reinvesting for growth and integrating acquisitions, so investors will need to watch costs, margins, and whether new products gain traction.

Even with those uncertainties, I think Megaport has a bright future. Its global reach and recurring revenue make the shares a buy for me.

WiseTech shares

WiseTech provides software that helps logistics companies manage the movement of goods around the world.

CargoWise brings customs, freight forwarding, warehousing, transport, compliance, and other logistics processes into a single platform. It is used by 46 of the world’s 50 largest third-party logistics providers and 23 of the 25 largest global freight forwarders.

That level of adoption tells me the software has become much more than a convenient tool for many customers. It can sit at the centre of daily operations across countries, teams, and supply chains.

Replacing a system with that reach could be expensive and disruptive, which can support long customer relationships and recurring revenue.

The e2open acquisition could widen the opportunity considerably. It brings technology and connections covering a broader part of the supply chain, giving WiseTech the chance to link logistics execution with manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and other participants in global trade.

Artificial intelligence could also improve the investment case. Logistics still involves a huge amount of paperwork, manual data entry, compliance work, and decision-making. Automating more of those tasks could help customers reduce costs while increasing the value they receive from WiseTech’s platforms.

Integration, leadership, and governance still need close attention. In addition, the company is attempting an ambitious transformation, and I would keep my position measured while management proves it can deliver.

However, I think the long-term potential remains substantial. WiseTech has built a deep position in global logistics software, and the shares are a buy for me.

Foolish takeaway

I think Megaport and WiseTech are both top buys for investors willing to accept the volatility that can come with ambitious technology companies.

The strongest part of each investment case is the chance to become more deeply embedded as customers deal with growing digital and operational complexity.

That should give both companies several ways to increase revenue over the next decade, provided management continues executing well.

I would buy the shares with a long holding period and give their growth strategies enough time to develop.

The post Are Megaport and WiseTech shares top buys? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here’s what brokers tip for WiseTech shares over the next 12 months
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• I’d listen to Warren Buffett and buy cheap ASX shares
• 4 ASX share tips from 4 brokers, for returns better than 40%
• When will WiseTech shares bottom out?

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

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) share price has been a solid performer for shareholders over the long term and short term, as the chart below shows.

CBA is a highly-followed business in Australia as it’s the largest bank and one of the largest companies in Australia. It plays an important part in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) too.

Let’s take a look at how CBA has performed in the past six months. Of course, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Good CBA share price performance

In the last six months, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia share price has risen by 14%. In the same time period, the ASX 200 dropped 0.3%, so CBA has outperformed significantly.

Of course, a return is decided by the ending price and the starting point. It started the six-month period at around $150, which was a relative low point of the past 12 months. While it’s up 14% in the last six months, it’s actually slightly down in the past year.

That means a $10,000 investment from six months ago is now worth $11,

What drove the ASX bank share?

In the short term, the CBA share price is affected by daily news events, such as developments in the Middle East. Changes in interest rates can also affect the share price, depending on investors’ views of its potential profitability.

But, in the longer-term it’s the ASX bank share’s profitability that will drive performance. The latest update from the bank was for the three months to 31 March 2026.

In that update, CBA reported cash net profit of around $2.7 billion, up 4% year over year. It also represented 1% growth compared to the quarterly average from the first half of FY26. For the period, CBA said operating income was flat, with benefits from lending and deposit volume growth.

Year over year, CBA’s business lending grew 12.5%, household deposits grew 9.1% and home lending increased 7.1%.

Excluding restructuring and notable items, the operating expenses grew by 1%, primarily due to higher cloud computing volumes, software licensing and investment in AI capabilities.

One of the key negatives for the business was the loan impairment expense of $316 million, with higher collective provisions, reflecting heightened geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty.  But it said the underlying portfolio credit remained solid.

Is the CBA share price a buy today?

Analysts certainly don’t seem to think this is a good time to invest. According to CMC Invest, there have been seven ratings on the business in the last three months, with all of those being a sell.

Sadly, the average price target is $120.51, suggesting a possible decline of around 30% from where it is today.

There could be plenty of better opportunities out there.

The post $10,000 invested in CBA shares 6 months ago is now worth… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 3 reasons CBA shares are a screaming buy right now
• CBA shares have risen 10% in a month, are they still a buy?
• How I would turn $200,000 into an ASX retirement income portfolio
• The FY26 tax return deadline is around the corner. How can I minimise my tax?

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

Siteminder Ltd (ASX: SDR) shares have gone through a tough run, falling more than 50% since October 2025, as the chart below shows. I think the ASX share is now heavily undervalued for its long-term future and is one of Australia’s top shares.  

Siteminder provides software to help hotels around the world run their operations, analyse demand and room rates, and advertise their rooms.

It’s understandable investors are uncertain about what could happen next with the possibility of AI competition. At this price, I think the business’ ongoing rapid growth will help spur strong shareholder returns.

Strong revenue growth

One of the biggest drivers in deciding the returns of a business is how much revenue growth they can produce.

Revenue growth is the start of a financial flowchart that ends with the net profit.

In the FY26 half-year result, Siteminder reported total revenue growth of 25.5% to $131.1 million.

Subscription revenue grew 17.7% to $78.1 million thanks to property growth and average revenue per user (ARPU) expansion. It added 2,900 properties during the FY26 first-half, taking its total properties to 53,000 – it continues to target larger hotel properties.

On the transaction revenue growth side of things – which includes its new initiative smart platform contributions – the company saw revenue reach $53 million, up 39.1%.

It’s good to see there are various elements helping the business grow, which I think is a key sign for it being one of Australia’s top shares.

Big ambitions

One of the main factors that ultimately decides how big the returns can be is how large the company can become compared to what it is today. How much can the company grow its revenue? What is its total addressable market? What growth rate can it maintain?

Siteminder thinks it could grow its ARPU by five times if its existing customer base fully adopts its smart platform. The ASX share believes that AI can increase “pricing dynamism and distribution complexity”. Siteminder thinks it can capture a greater share of the market over time.

As its smart platform scales, management believe it positions Siteminder to accelerate towards its annual 30% revenue growth in the medium-term. I think any business growing revenue at that speed is worthwhile considering.

Rising profit margins

One of the most appealing things about a software business is how much operating leverage they have. In other words, they can deliver rising profit margins as they grow larger, allowing their net profit to soar. That’s a great sign of it being one of Australia’s top shares.

Time will tell how high the company’s profit margins can go, but the signs looked positive in the FY26 first half. The adjusted group gross profit margin improved 98 basis points to 67.8%, while the adjusted operating profit (EBITDA) more than doubled to $12.3 million and the adjusted net loss more than halved to $3.9 million.

Pleasingly, the adjusted free cash flow was positive, reaching $2.7 million compared to a $0.6 million loss in the first half of FY25.

In the coming years, I expect Siteminder’s net profit and cash flow to soar, which should hopefully justify a higher Siteminder share price.

The post A rare buying opportunity in 1 of Australia’s top shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 growing ASX shares I’d buy and hold for 10 years
• 3 ASX 300 shares I would buy and hold for 10 years
• 2 ASX growth shares down 50%+ that I’d buy with $2,000 in July
• How should I invest my money in FY27?

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in SiteMinder. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended SiteMinder. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended SiteMinder. 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 in the red again on Wednesday afternoon. The shares ended the day down around 3% at $117.94 a piece.

The shares started rebounding in late-June and early-July but after peaking at $125.53 last week, the selloff resumed. 

The latest slide means the ASX biotech shares are now down around 31% over the year-to-date, and 55% lower than trading levels this time last year.

Why are investors selling off their CSL shares again?

There hasn’t been any price sensitive news out of CSL recently, but there has been a clear shift in sentiment towards a more cautious outlook.

It’s likely that the latest share price softening is the result of investors taking their gains off the table after the latest rally.

It looks like many investors are now looking forward to the company’s FY26 results announcement due next month. And are eager to see if there is any sign that management has improved operations since its latest disappointing update.

In May, CSL announced FY26 revenue guidance of around US$15.2 billion and NPAT of around US$3.1 billion. Both of these figures came in below market expectations.

The company also flagged expectations of another US$5 billion of non-cash impairments across FY26 and FY27.

My view on CSL‘s future

I think there is a lot of potential for CSL going forward. The business operates in a high-growth biotech market and its blood plasma division dominates the market for rare blood disorders and immunoglobulin products. 

Global demand for plasma therapies is expanding quickly, too. There is recurring demand for pharmaceutical therapies and limited competition, which means CSL can easily carve out a significant portion of the market.

I think that once CSL is able to turn around its financials, investor confidence will quickly follow. As for the immediate outlook, the share price increase over the remainder of 2026 will hinge on the company’s FY26 results, and whether the final figures meet or exceed expectations.

Do brokers still rate the biotech shares as a buy?

A few months ago, brokers were incredibly optimistic about the outlook for CSL shares, with the majority forecasting significant upside.

But now there has been a turnaround in expectations

Market Index data shows that the majority of brokers have now downgraded their rating on CSL to a hold. But the $131.15 average target price implies a potential 11% upside at the time of writing.

TradingView data also shows some analyst sentiment shifts. Out of 18 analysts, 10 now have a hold stance on the biotech company’s shares, and another eight have a hold or strong hold rating.

The average target price is a little higher at $138.88, which implies a potential 18% upside at the time of writing. 

The more bullish of the bunch think CSL shares could climb 68% to $197.85 over the next 12 months. Whereas more bearish brokers think there is potential for the shares to fall another 12% to $103.58 a piece, at the time of writing.

The post Down 55% in a year: Do brokers still rate CSL shares as a buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Top 3 ASX healthcare stocks to watch
• CSL vs Telstra shares, which should I buy?
• I’d listen to Warren Buffett and buy cheap ASX shares
• Down 50%+: Are these ASX healthcare shares finally worth buying?
• Could CSL shares double from here? Here’s what the experts think

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.

Passive income is one of the most rewarding things about investing. Getting money paid into my bank account year after year sounds great to me.

There are a wide range of investments available on the ASX such as ASX blue-chip shares. But, the biggest businesses aren’t necessarily the best names to buy with how large they already are and the limited earnings growth prospects.

Banking is becoming increasingly competitive, while resource prices are unpredictable at the best of times. In my view, the two passive income ideas below are better options than names like Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), and could be used to generate $200 per month (or more)

APA Group (ASX: APA)

If I’m investing for passive income, I’d want to choose names I’m confident will continue paying dividends, even in difficult times.

APA is one of the largest energy businesses in Australia. With its key asset being national gas pipelines that span the country for tens of thousands of kilometres. It transports approximately half of the nation’s gas usage, so APA is an essential business for Australia.

It also owns a number of other important assets including gas processing, gas storage, gas power stations, electricity transmission, solar farms and wind sales.

The business regularly expands its asset portfolio.

For example, last week it announced that the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) had approved APA’s $213 million expansion of the South West Pipeline in Victoria to help meet projected peak day gas shortfalls from 2029, which will allow for more Victorian gas from the Otway Basin and Lochard’s Iona underground gas storage facility.

The business has a $3 billion organic growth pipeline, which gives it significant optionality to increase earnings and cash flow in the coming years. Plus, most of its revenue is climbing because it’s linked to inflation.

Why is it such a good passive income idea? It has increased its distribution every year for the past 20 years, which is an incredibly consistent and reliable record.

I expect the business could pay a distribution of at least 59 cents per security in 2027, which translates into a distribution yield of 5.75%.

WCM Quality Global Growth Fund (ASX: WCMQ)

The other ASX share I want to highlight is this exchange-traded fund (ETF) which focuses on investing in a portfolio of between 20 to 40 high-quality global stocks.

The fund’s goal is to outperform the global share market, which (as of June 2026) it has done over the past three months, three years, five years and since the ETF’s start in August 2018.

It looks for stocks with improving economic moats and corporate cultures that strengthen their competitive advantages. In my view, it’s a very effective investment strategy, and it’s likely to continue delivering strong returns over time, with very little reliance on the ‘Magnificent Seven’ for those returns.

In terms of the passive income, it targets a minimum annualised cash yield of at least 5% per annum. Net returns that are stronger than 5% can help up push up the value of the fund and support larger payouts in the future.

$200 of monthly passive income

The average dividend yield of these two stocks is 5.4%. Therefore, to generate $2,400 of annual passive income ($200 per month), it would take $44,444 spread across these two ideas.

But, these aren’t the only ASX shares I’d choose for passive income because I’d want to have a diversified portfolio.

The post 2 passive income ideas I’d use to generate $200 a month in 2027 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much do I need in superannuation to receive $5000 per month in passive income?
• How I would turn $200,000 into an ASX retirement income portfolio
• How to build an ASX dividend portfolio that keeps paying you for decades
• How to make $50,000 of passive income from ASX shares like CBA
• How I would build an ASX portfolio with just 3 investments

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

Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) shares were on form on Wednesday.

The uranium producer’s shares rose almost 7% to finish the day at $9.13.

The good news is that Bell Potter believes there is a lot more to come from this ASX share.

What is the broker saying?

Bell Potter was pleased with the mining company’s performance during the fourth quarter, noting that it outperformed expectations. It said: 

PDN reported quarterly U3O8 production of 1.3Mlb (BPe 1.1Mlb; FY26 4.8Mlb), sales of 1.4Mlb (BPe 1.2Mlb; FY26 4.4Mlb) and closing U3O8 inventory of 1.7Mlb on completion of mining and processing ramp-up. PDN realised an average price of US$71/lb (up 3% QoQ; FY26 US$70/lb). Production costs were US$52/lb (FY26 US$43/lb), up 28% QoQ reflecting the transition to full mining activities and depletion of stockpiled MG3 ore.

PDN outperformed FY26 guidance across all metrics. At 30 June 2026, PDN had cash and investments of US$265m (31 March 2026 US$220m), net cash (excluding leases) of US$113m and available liquidity of US$335m.

Looking ahead, FY 2027 is set to be another solid year for the company, with production expected to grow to between 5.1Mlb and 5.6Mlb.

However, it will be weighted to the second half of the year. Bell Potter commented:

PDN’s FY27 guidance points to U3O8 production of 5.1-5.6Mlb and sales of 4.8- 5.3Mlb, weighted to 2H with ore feed grades to lift as mining progresses through J Pit and with maintenance shutdowns scheduled for 1H. Unit cost guidance is consistent with FY26 at US$44-48/lb and should trend lower throughout the year as production ramps. Capex (excluding capitalised stripping and building of low-grade stockpiles) of US$25-29m will target tailings storage construction, process optimisation studies and infill drilling.

Paladin Energy shares tipped to rocket

According to the note, in response to the update, Bell Potter has retained its buy rating on the company’s shares with a trimmed price target of $14.80 (from $15.30).

Based on its current share price of $9.13, this implies potential upside of 62% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its recommendation, Bell Potter said:

We retain our Buy recommendation. We have a positive medium- to long-term outlook for the uranium market, supported by barriers to new supply and demand growth linked to electrification, energy security and AI-related power requirements. PDN has around ~53% exposure to spot prices out to 2030. Production at LHM continues to improve with higher-grade mined ore feeding the processing plant and continued process optimisation.

The post Why Paladin Energy shares could rise 60% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why is everyone talking about Resolute Mining, Westgold and Paladin shares on Wednesday?
• Paladin Energy sets FY2027 Langer Heinrich uranium guidance
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday

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

It has been a bit of a topsy-turvy month for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares. Although the index is technically sitting pretty flat, having gone backwards by 0.04% since this time in June, we’ve seen it go from the low 8,700s to as high as 8,850 points. That’s a range worth more than 1.5%.

Of course, there have been several events on the global stage that easily explain this volatility. Most of all, the resumption of hostilities in the Middle East has exacerbated fears of a new energy crisis.

In this climate, it can be difficult to find the confidence to invest in new ASX shares. However, I still think there are buys out there. So here are two ASX shares that I’d buy this July.

2 ASX shares to buy this July

Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL)

First up, we have Washington H. Soul Pattinson, or Soul Patts for short. This company is a rather unique stock on the ASX. It functions more as an investment holding company than your traditional ASX share. Buying its shares represents buying an ownership stake in Soul Patts’ vast underlying investment portfolio. This portfolio is well diversified. It contains several large stakes in other ASX shares, a broad-based portfolio of large-cap ASX shares, property assets, private credit, venture capital and more.

Soul Patts has a track record that spans decades. This, in my view, displays its investing acumen in a very favourable light indeed. To illustrate, as of 31 January, Soul Patts investors have enjoyed an average return of 12.9% per annum (share price growth plus dividends). That’s well above what the ASX 200 has delivered over the same span.

Speaking of dividends, Soul Patts also has one of the best dividend track records on the ASX, having delivered an annual dividend rise every year since 1998. That’s 28 years and counting. All in all, this is an ASX stock I’d buy any day.

iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF (ASX: IXI)

Our next ASX share is not really an ASX share at all, but an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF houses a portfolio of underlying shares that are drawn from all over the world. These shares are all leaders in the consumer staples sector.

Consumer staples are goods that we tend to need to buy. They include food, drinks, household essentials, as well as alcohol and tobacco products. Because of the nature of these products, consumer staples companies tend to be highly resilient investments, capable of surviving and even thriving during economic shocks or downturns. After all, we all need to eat, drink and stock our households, regardless of the economic weather.

You’ll probably recognise many of the investments that can be found in IXI’s portfolio. They currently include Coca-Cola, Unilever, Costco, Colgate-Palmolive, and Philip Morris International. Our own Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) and Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) are also present.

If you’re nervous about the current geopolitical climate, this might be an investment worth considering today.

The post 2 ASX shares I’d buy this July appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX shares I’d buy and hold for my kids
• How much is needed in superannuation to target a $100,000 annual passive income?
• How much do I need in my superannuation to earn an annual $60,000 passive income?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 3 ASX dividend shares that look better after CGT reforms

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Coca-Cola, Costco Wholesale, Philip Morris International, Unilever, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Colgate-Palmolive, Costco Wholesale, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Philip Morris International and Unilever. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

If you took the plunge and bought $10,000 worth of Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares five years ago, you’d be sitting on some tidy gains today.

First, you would have seen the share price gains delivered by Woodside stock smash the gains delivered by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) over this time.

Second, you would have banked a significant cash pile from the regular passive income stream the oil and gas giant has paid out over the five years as well. (Assuming you cashed out your Woodside dividends, rather than reinvesting them in the company.)

As for those capital gains, five years ago you could have picked up Woodside stock for $22.34 a share. Meaning your $10,000 investment would have netted you 447 shares, with enough change left over for a burger.

Now, in late afternoon trading on Wednesday, the ASX 200 energy stock was trading for $31.58. So, the 447 shares you bought five years ago would now be worth (a rounded) $14,116.

That’s a gain of more than 41%, well ahead of the 19% five-year gains posted by the benchmark index.

So, how about that passive income?

Tapping into Woodside shares for passive income

If you bought shares in the ASX 200 oil and gas giant five years ago, you’d have received the past 10 fully franked dividend payments by now.

The most recent final dividend of 83.5 cents a share would have landed in your bank account on 27 March.

If we add that into the other nine dividend payments, then you would have received a total of $11.31 a share in passive income since your purchase,

That means the 447 Woodside shares you bought on 23 July 2021 would have returned a total of $5,056 in fully franked dividends by now. Or more than half of your initial investment.

Now remember, on Wednesday those 447 shares were worth $14,116. So if we add that passive income payout back in, then the accumulated value of the Woodside stock you bought five years ago for $10,000 would now be worth $19,172.

What’s the latest from the ASX 200 energy stock?

Woodside released its March quarterly update on 29 April.

Highlight for the three months included a 7% quarter-on-quarter increase in operating revenue to US$3.26 billion.

The revenue boost was fuelled by an 11% quarter-on-quarter increase in the average realised price Woodside received for its oil and gas, which rose to US$63 per barrel of oil equivalent (boe).

Woodside shares closed up 2.0% on the day of the results release.

The post Bought $10,000 of Woodside shares 5 years ago? Here’s how much passive income you’ve already earned appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The team at Bell Potter just released updated guidance on three ASX shares after some key announcements and results. 

The broker has listed two as a hold and tipped one to rise up to 72%. 

Here’s what the broker had to say. 

Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA)

Champion Iron is an iron ore miner, explorer, and developer.

In a new report from Bell Potter, the broker listed these ASX shares as a hold. 

The broker said iron ore prices were slightly higher in the June 2026 quarter but have since fallen.

Because prices are declining, freight costs remain high, and market expectations are weaker, Bell Potter expects Champion Iron to receive a lower average selling price. 

The broker has lowered its 12 month price target to $4.40 (previously $4.80), which indicates a 13% upside from current levels. 

While we expect iron content price premiums for this product, full value-in-use premiums are unlikely to be realised until longer-term offtake is secured. Free cash flow should improve from FY27 as capex rolls off, supporting debt servicing and ongoing dividends. On valuation, we retain our Hold recommendation.

Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT)

Yesterday, Beach Energy released its FY26 Fourth Quarter Activities Report. 

The company reported quarterly production of 4.9 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe) and total revenue of $400 million for the June quarter.

Following the results, Bell Potter lowered its price target on these ASX shares to $0.950 (previously $1.150). 

This indicates just over 8% upside for these ASX shares. 

The broker retained its hold recommendation, and said the company is in a production replacement cycle with respect to exploration and appraisal.

Production growth should return in FY27 and capex ease, enabling positive free cash flow to support balance sheet deleveraging and ongoing dividends. We are positive on BPT’s exposure to Australian east coast gas markets (around half of sales volumes) and cautious with respect to global oil markets.

Regal Partners Ltd (ASX: RPL)

Yesterday, Regal Partners released preliminary H1 2026 results.

The company engages in the provision of investment management services.

According to the release, normalised NPAT is expected to double to at least $90 million and record net FUM inflows of over $1.3 billion for the half.

Following the result, Bell Potter said this guidance is just a minimum rather than a cap, suggesting there is potential for further upside.

The company also reported record quarterly net inflows of $911 million, supported by strong fundraising, while underlying inflows exceeded Bell Potter’s expectations. 

Although funds under management were slightly below forecasts due to distributions, buy-backs and weaker market movements, investment performance and client demand – particularly for hedge funds – were better than expected, supporting continued earnings growth.

Based on this guidance, the broker has retained its buy recommendation and price target of $4.80, which indicates an upside of 72%. 

The post Broker tips up to 72% upside for one of these ASX shares  appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Regal Partners: Profit doubles and FUM hits record high
• Beach Energy posts steady Q4 production and a resilient outlook
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
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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 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.