Author: openjargon

Amidst recent sell-offs, many investors may now be increasing their positions in global defensive shares. 

Defensive stocks are typically in specific sectors that are resilient amid economic downturn. 

With the recent conflict in the Middle East, many sectors have been heavily impacted such as materials and financials. 

As these situations develop quickly, it can be difficult to identify which companies will be directly impacted, and which are suffering from a more general “risk-off” sentiment. 

In times of global conflict, investors may decide to push towards defensive shares. 

These three ASX ETFs aim to hold companies or assets that tend to remain stable during economic downturns.

iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF (ASX: IXI)

One sector often considered a defensive one is consumer staples. 

Put simply, consumer staples are items people need rather than want. People will continue to buy these items regardless of their financial situation.

These are typically companies that produce everyday household goods such as food, beverages, and personal care products. 

Demand for these items remains relatively stable even when the economy weakens.

The iShares Global Consumer Staples fund aims to provide investors with the performance of the S&P Global 1200 Consumer Staples Sector Index. 

The index is designed to measure the performance of global consumer staples companies and may include large-, mid- or small-capitalisation stocks.

It includes blue-chip companies like Walmart (NYSE: WMT), Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) and Nestle S.A. (XSWX: NESN). 

The fund has a strong track record, with a five year annual return of roughly 10%. 

iShares Global Healthcare ETF (ASX: IXJ)

Much like consumer staples, healthcare is considered a defensive sector as access to medicine, hospital services etc are essential regardless of economic downturns. 

This ASX ETF from iShares is designed to measure the performance of global biotechnology, healthcare, medical equipment and pharmaceuticals companies and may include large-, mid- or small-capitalisation stocks.

It includes exposure to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies. 

BetaShares Australian Quality ETF (ASX: AQLT)

Rather than targeting a particular defensive sector, this fund from Betashares includes 40 companies. 

These companies are chosen based on ‘quality’ metrics of high return on equity, low leverage and relative earnings stability.

High-quality companies often perform more defensively because they tend to have stronger balance sheets and resilient earnings. 

According to Betashares,it has tended to have different sector weightings to benchmark Australian equities indices, with higher exposure to sectors such as consumer discretionary and lower exposure to the materials (mining) sector. 

It’s important to note this focuses on Australian companies rather than global stocks. 

So far, the strategy of this fund has paid off, as it has risen almost 12% in the last year. 

The post 3 ASX ETFs with a focus on global defensive shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 excellent ASX ETFs flying under the radar
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• 5 simple ASX ETFs to build a long-term portfolio around
• The $10,000 ASX share portfolio I’d build for a 25-year-old today
• 3 ASX ETFs for beginner investors to buy in March

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 positions in and has recommended iShares International Equity ETFs – iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) share price is in focus the company’s board approved a $145 million plan to expand the Higginsville Processing Hub, aiming to boost gold output and lower processing costs.

What did Westgold Resources report?

• Board approval for $145 million investment in Higginsville Expansion Plan (HXP), lifting plant capacity from 1.6Mtpa to 2.6Mtpa (up 62.5%)
• Gold production from the Southern Goldfields expected to increase by around 60,000 ounces per year to reach 160,000oz per annum
• Processing costs to fall 24% from ~$45/t to $34/t
• Pre-tax NPV of $1.4 billion at US$4,905/oz gold price, or $2.7 billion at current spot prices
• Pre-tax IRR of 43% at $4,905/oz, rising to 140% at spot
• Payback period between 12 and 21 months depending on gold price

What else do investors need to know?

The expansion follows a thorough Definitive Feasibility Study confirming both the technical and financial case for increasing Higginsville’s capacity. The project’s design includes new crushing, milling, and leaching infrastructure, with some equipment future-proofed for a potential further scale-up to 4Mtpa if needed.

Construction is set to begin in FY27, with commissioning and expanded gold production expected from mid-FY28. Westgold’s project team is now focused on procuring long-lead items and finalising engineering, procurement, and construction contracts.

What did Westgold Resources management say?

Westgold Managing Director and CEO Wayne Bramwell said:

The Higginsville Expansion Plan (HXP) is the next step to drive down unit costs and increase Group free cash flow from the Southern Goldfields. By expanding the Higginsville mill capacity to a nominal 2.6Mtpa we are creating a more productive, lower-cost processing hub to match the growing outputs from our Beta Hunt mine. This will see us deliver higher Group gold production at a lower cost, in line with our 3-Year Outlook.

What’s next for Westgold Resources?

With the investment decision now locked in, Westgold’s short-term focus will be on securing equipment and progressing tenders to prepare for construction. The company also continues to invest in exploration at the nearby Fletcher Zone, which could support future expansions.

The new infrastructure is designed to handle even greater throughput if recent regional discoveries and resource upgrades justify further growth. Westgold remains committed to delivering improved margins and free cash flow by scaling up its best-performing assets.

Westgold Resources share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Westgold Resources shares have risen 145%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 8% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Westgold Resources gives green light to $145m Higginsville expansion appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Telix Pharmaceuticals reports positive TLX591-Tx Phase 3 results
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• Why almost every ASX sector is falling in today’s market sell-off

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 Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) share price is in focus today after the company released encouraging Part 1 results from its global Phase 3 ProstACT study of TLX591-Tx, its novel prostate cancer therapy. Key results showed the therapy demonstrated an acceptable and manageable safety profile, with no new safety signals and sustained tumour uptake across patients.

What did Telix Pharmaceuticals report?

• ProstACT Global Phase 3 (Part 1) met key objectives for safety, pharmacokinetics, and dosimetry.
• No new safety signals or adverse drug–drug interactions were observed in the study.
• Low radiation exposure to salivary glands and kidneys, supporting tolerability.
• Most prevalent side effects were fatigue (53%), nausea (28%), and dry mouth (25%), with nearly all cases being mild or moderate.
• Platelet counts recovered to safe levels on average 15 days after treatment nadir.

What else do investors need to know?

The ProstACT Global study enrolled 36 patients with advanced prostate cancer, all of whom received two doses of TLX591-Tx in combination with standard therapies. Thirty-two patients remain alive, and 26 are continuing in the trial.

Telix emphasised that TLX591-Tx offers a patient-friendly, two-dose regimen, aiding treatment compliance and integration with existing standards of care. The therapy’s pharmacokinetic profile showed sustained tumour retention and consistent results across different patient cohorts.

What’s next for Telix Pharmaceuticals?

With Part 1 complete, Telix is seeking regulatory clearance to begin Part 2 of the Phase 3 trial in the US. Enrolment is already under way in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, with further approvals obtained in Asia and Europe.

The company plans to continue expanding the study globally, with the ultimate goal of demonstrating long-term clinical benefit and securing approval for TLX591-Tx as a new treatment option for patients with metastatic prostate cancer.

Telix Pharmaceuticals share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Telix Pharmaceuticals shares have declined 63%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 8% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Telix Pharmaceuticals reports positive TLX591-Tx Phase 3 results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Westgold Resources gives green light to $145m Higginsville expansion
• Air New Zealand suspends earnings guidance as jet fuel prices soar
• Thinking of selling your ASX shares today? Here’s why it would be a big mistake
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why almost every ASX sector is falling in today’s market sell-off

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

There are a lot of ASX dividend shares out there for income investors to choose from.

To narrow things down, let’s take a look at two that Bell Potter thinks could be among the best to buy in March.

Here’s what it is recommending to clients:

Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD)

Bell Potter thinks this agribusiness company could be a top pick for income investors.

The broker continues to believe that the market is undervaluing its Delta acquisition and thinks the ASX dividend share looks cheap at 12x forward earnings. It explains:

Elders is a leading Australian agribusiness and rural services company. It has an expansive network across Australia, providing a diverse range of services to rural and regional Australia, including livestock and wool agency and marketing, real estate services, agricultural supplies, financial services, and insurance. Elders supports primary producers across various sectors like livestock, cropping, and wool, and also operates a feed-lotting business.

We see value in ELD, particularly with the market appearing to undervalue the pending Delta acquisition. The base business is performing well with multiple growth drivers including recovery from drought conditions, system modernisations, and backward integration benefits. We are attracted to ELD’s valuation, which is relatively cheap at 12x 12MF P/E, along with these potential upside catalysts and a strong dividend yield.

As for income, forecasting fully franked dividends of 39 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 45 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $6.99, this equates to dividend yields of 5.6% and 6.4%, respectively.

Nick Scali Limited (ASX: NCK)

Another ASX dividend share that could be a buy according to Bell Potter is furniture retailer Nick Scali.

The broker likes the company due to its expansion in the UK, which it sees as a key growth driver in the coming years. It said:

Nick Scali is an Australian retailer specialising in household furniture and related accessories, operating under the core Nick Scali brand as well as the Plush banner. >90% of sales are completed in-store, with the company maintaining a substantial physical presence with over 100 showrooms across Australia and New Zealand, and has recently expanded into the UK, which now contributes around 8% of total revenue.

Looking ahead, the key growth drivers include the continued roll-out of Nick Scali stores in the UK, supported by the refurbishment of acquired Fabb locations, and the ability to leverage the group’s established supply base to drive scale efficiencies and margin expansion.

With respect to income, the broker is forecasting fully franked dividends of 61.9 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 75.1 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on the current Nick Scali share price of $16.97, this would mean dividend yields of 3.65% and 4.4%, respectively.

The post Bell Potter names the best ASX dividend shares to buy in March 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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Elders and Nick Scali. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

With markets facing strong volatility over the last couple of weeks, investors might now be shifting focus to defensive shares. 

Defensive stocks are typically shares in established, dividend-paying companies that generate relatively stable profits regardless of broader economic conditions. 

They are commonly found in sectors such as consumer staples, healthcare, utilities, and parts of the food and beverage industry. 

The argument for these companies is simple. 

Everyday consumers still need these essential goods and services regardless of broader economic factors. 

As a result, demand for their offerings tends to remain relatively steady during downturns.

If you are focussed on gaining exposure to these kinds of companies, here are three to consider. 

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

As of 2025, Woolworths was the leading supermarket choice for 34% of Australians. 

This market share puts the company in a strong position amidst broader economic headwinds. 

Woolworths shares are often referred to as defensive shares, as the share price can act as a potential buffer against economic downturn given the nature of its primary business activities. 

Even in an economic downturn, there is still demand for food, toiletries, and other essentials.

Furthermore, the company has just come off a robust earnings season, posting strong results leading to increased investor confidence. 

The share price is subsequently up nearly 19% thanks to these results. 

It also recently increased its dividend.

Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

Transurban is one of the world’s largest toll-road operators, managing and developing urban toll-road networks in Australia and North America.

These toll roads are a key part of daily transport networks in cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, as well as parts of North America. 

Because commuters, freight vehicles, and businesses rely on these roads for everyday travel and logistics, traffic volumes tend to remain relatively stable even during periods of economic weakness.

Another reason Transurban is seen as defensive is its predictable and long-term revenue structure.

The company typically holds long-duration concessions to operate toll roads, often lasting several decades. These agreements provide visibility over future earnings, and many include mechanisms that allow toll prices to increase annually, sometimes linked to inflation.

It also posted strong results in February, reinforcing its market strength and reliable earnings. 

This ASX defensive stock is up a healthy 9% over the last 12 months. 

Cobram Estate Olives Ltd (ASX: CBO)

Another consumer staples stock worth considering is Cobram Estate. 

It is a producer and marketer of premium quality extra virgin olive oil. It owns two Australian brands, Cobram Estate and Red Island, which account for about half of the olive oil market share in Australian supermarkets by value.

While it’s less of an essential item compared to the previous two defensive stocks above, it has a positive outlook from analysts. 

Additionally, it operates with a vertically integrated business model. Cobram Estate manages much of the production process itself—from growing olives in large-scale groves to processing and packaging olive oil.

This can help manage costs more effectively than companies relying on third-party growers or external suppliers for raw materials and production

After surging 100% higher in 2025, it has since lost ground. 

Analysts are projecting a 9% increase over the next 12 months. 

The post Rotating into defensive stocks? 3 ASX companies to consider appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

One of the emerging stories of 2026 has been the negative investor sentiment towards ASX technology shares. 

The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) index fell another 4.7% yesterday.

It is now down 18.59% year to date (YTD) and nearly 30% in the past 12 months. 

Notable ASX technology shares that have been heavily sold off include: 

• WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) down almost 26% YTD
• Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) down 37% YTD
• Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) down nearly 36% YTD. 

Is the AI replacement fear real?

Much of this Australian tech sell-off has been driven by a growing fear that companies could have their core services replaced by AI. 

Many Software as a Service (SAAS) companies earn a profit through subscriptions, paid services etc. 

Should consumers be able to access similar, or even better services with more efficient AI tools, it would likely impact the earnings of these companies. 

The challenge investors face in the short-term is identifying which companies are realistically going to be impacted, and which are going to adapt. 

An important consideration is that some companies could be set to benefit exponentially from AI integration.

A new report from Vanguard provided an in-depth analysis of how this could play out in the long-term. 

So while some AI technology shares might be seriously challenged, others are at an all-time value due to misplaced fear.

Aussie tech vs US tech

A key distinction that investors need to understand is the difference between ASX technology industry and global tech. 

Largely, the ASX is underweight towards technology shares. 

Instead, it is dominated by traditional sectors such as mining, energy, and financials. Together, these make up the bulk of its market capitalisation. 

Additionally, the tech sector here in Australia is heavily skewed toward software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies. 

Many of these firms are cloud software providers, focusing on recurring subscription-based business models rather than hardware or consumer electronics. 

This contrasts sharply with the tech composition of the S&P 500, which is dominated by large-cap, diversified technology giants such as Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA). 

How to target these companies

If you are bullish on an Australian tech revival, you can scoop up companies trading at relative lows like WiseTech, Life360 or Megaport. 

Price targets via TradingView indicate these stocks are now oversold. 12 month price targets suggest upsides between 70% and 97%.

However another option is to invest in an ASX ETF like Betashares S&P ASX Australian Technology ETF (ASX: ATEC). 

It provides exposure to just under 50 ASX shares in the sector. 

The fund is down 18% year to date, providing a relative value for those expecting Australian tech stocks to recover. 

Alternatively, if investors are looking to avoid ASX technology stocks, and buy the dip on global tech shares, two funds to consider are: 

• Global X Morningstar Global Technology ETF (ASX: TECH) – invests in companies positioned to benefit from the increased adoption of technology, including Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), and/or cloud and edge computing infrastructure and hardware.
• Global X FANG+ ETF (ASX: FANG) – Includes just 10 companies at the leading edge of next-generation technology targeted for global tech/growth potential.

The post Have ASX technology shares finally hit rock bottom? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 10 ASX 200 shares to buy after the market selloff
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• How to position your portfolio for the AI impact? Expert
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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 Apple, Life360, Megaport, Nvidia, and WiseTech Global and is short shares of Apple. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360 and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Warren Buffett has built one of the greatest investing track records in history by focusing on a relatively simple idea. 

That is buying high-quality businesses with lasting competitive advantages and holding them for the long term.

Of course, we can’t know exactly which ASX shares Buffett would buy if he were investing in Australia. 

But we can look at the characteristics he tends to favour. Strong brands, dominant market positions, reliable earnings, and businesses that are easy to understand often feature heavily in Berkshire Hathaway’s (NYSE: BRK.A) portfolio.

With that in mind, here are three ASX 200 shares that I think could fit comfortably within a Buffett-style investment approach.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

Cochlear is the kind of business that ticks many of the boxes Buffett often looks for.

The company is a global leader in implantable hearing solutions, with a dominant position in a specialised medical technology market. Its products help restore hearing for people around the world, which gives the business both strong demand and a meaningful purpose.

One of Cochlear’s biggest strengths is the ecosystem it has built around its technology. Once a patient receives a Cochlear implant, they typically remain connected to the company’s processors, upgrades, and services for many years. That creates recurring revenue opportunities and a very loyal customer base.

Buffett has often said he likes companies with strong competitive advantages that are difficult for rivals to replicate. Cochlear’s decades of research, intellectual property, and global reputation make it difficult for rivals to challenge.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

REA Group also feels like a business that could appeal to Warren Buffett’s investing style.

The ASX 200 share operates Australia’s leading online property listings platform through realestate.com.au. Its position in the market gives it a powerful network effect. Sellers and agents want to list properties where the most buyers are looking, and buyers naturally gravitate to the platform with the most listings.

That self-reinforcing advantage has allowed REA to build a dominant position in online property advertising.

Buffett often talks about businesses that effectively become the default choice in their industry. In Australia’s property market, REA’s platform has that kind of status.

As long as Australians continue buying and selling property, REA should remain an important gateway for that activity.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers is another ASX 200 share with several characteristics commonly found in Warren Buffett investments.

The conglomerate owns a portfolio of businesses across retail, chemicals, and industrial operations, but its most valuable asset is Bunnings.

Bunnings has become the dominant home improvement retailer in Australia and New Zealand, with strong brand recognition and a reputation for competitive pricing. That leadership position has helped the business deliver consistent earnings and strong returns on capital over many years.

Buffett has often spoken about the value of companies that combine strong brands with disciplined management teams. I think Wesfarmers’ long history of careful capital allocation and steady business expansion fits that description well.

Foolish takeaway

It’s impossible to know exactly which Australian shares Warren Buffett would buy if he were investing on the ASX.

But by looking at the types of businesses he typically favours, it’s possible to identify companies that share similar qualities. Cochlear, REA Group, and Wesfarmers all have strong market positions, lasting competitive advantages, and business models that have proven themselves over many years.

Those are exactly the kinds of traits Buffett has long looked for when building a portfolio designed to compound wealth over time.

The post 3 high-quality ASX 200 shares I think Warren Buffett would probably love appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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

ASX small-cap stock Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC) is in focus today after a new report from Bell Potter has provided updated guidance on the company. 

The broker has responded to potential supply constraints emerging due to the conflict in the Middle East. 

Nickel Industries overview

The company is a vertically integrated nickel producer. It has production assets spanning nickel ore mining, Nickel Pig Iron (NPI) production and nickel Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate (MHP) production. 

This is via several Rotary Kiln Electric Furnace (RKEF) processing lines across two Industrial Parks in Indonesia. 

Most of the global NPI consumption goes into stainless steel manufacturing, which is the largest end-market for nickel. 

This ASX materials stock has had a solid 12 months. 

Its share price has risen 15.8% in that period. 

However, like many ASX materials companies, it has dipped significantly in March. 

It is down almost 13% since 2 March. 

This is largely in line with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) which is down 14.6% over the same period.

Bell Potter’s updated outlook

Yesterday, Bell Potter released an updated report on the ASX small-cap.

The broker acknowledged reports of increased sulphur pricing and potential supply constraints emerging due to the conflict in the Middle East. 

Bell Potter said primarily produced as a by-product of petroleum and natural gas refining, approximately 25% of global production is sourced from the region.

Production disruptions and shipping restrictions (much of exported supply is shipped through the Strait of Hormuz) have led to supply concerns and price spikes from ~US$250/t to US$500/t.

Sulphuric acid (produced from sulphur) is a substantial input into the High Pressure Acid Leach (HPAL) nickel production process, requiring ~8-10t of sulphur per tonne of nickel produced.

What does this all mean?

Essentially, the conflict in the Middle East is causing higher sulphur prices and possible supply shortages.

About 25% of global sulphur production comes from the Middle East, mostly as a by-product of oil and gas refining.

Shipping risks through the Strait of Hormuz and potential production disruptions have pushed sulphur prices from around US$250/t to about US$500/t.

Sulphur is used to produce sulphuric acid, a key input in the HPAL nickel production process, which requires roughly 8–10 tonnes of sulphur to produce one tonne of nickel.

Nickel Industries produces its own acid on site using elemental sulphur, with sulphur accounting for about 40% of HPAL production costs.

The company currently holds around 2–3 months of sulphur inventory at its HPAL operations.

Target price unchanged 

Based on this guidance, Bell Potter has retained its buy recommendation on the ASX small-cap stock. 

While the conflict in the Middle East is resulting in an immediate market impact to key input costs and the duration is uncertain, we form the view that while margins may be impacted, NIC is insulated due to its diversified nickel product suite. There is also a potential offset from higher nickel prices to which NIC has strong leverage.

The broker also retained its price target of $1.45. 

From yesterday’s closing price of $0.88, that indicates an upside of 64.8%. 

The post Bell Potter is tipping this ASX small-cap to rise 65% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• Guess which ASX mining stock is ‘ready to rip’ 40% higher
• Nickel Industries lifts 2026 quota, driving stronger outlook and margins
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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.

With $5,000 to invest, three ASX dividend shares worth considering today are beaten-down Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL), Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL), and Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN).

But for long-term investors, pullbacks can also create opportunities to lock in attractive dividend yields.

These ASX dividend shares offer a combination of income potential and established businesses.

Sonic Healthcare

This ASX dividend share is one of the world’s largest medical diagnostics providers, operating laboratories and pathology services across Australia, Europe, and North America. The company’s scale and global footprint are major strengths.  

Another positive is the long-term demand outlook. Healthcare testing and diagnostics are essential services, and aging populations across developed markets should support steady demand for Sonic’s services over time.

However, there are risks investors should keep in mind. Healthcare shares are exposed to government funding changes and regulatory shifts, which can affect margins. Rising wages in the healthcare sector are also a challenge for pathology operators.

Macquarie has recently assigned the ASX dividend share an outperform rating with a $27.50 price target. This points to a 25% upside over 12 months.

For income investors, the broker expects the company to pay partially franked dividends of 104 cents per share in FY2026 and 100 cents per share in FY2027.

At the current share price of $21.97, this equates to dividend yields of approximately 4.7% for FY2026 and 4.55% for FY2027.

Super Retail Group

The ASX dividend share is the retailer behind well-known brands including Supercheap Auto, Rebel, BCF, and Macpac.

A key strength of the business is its brand diversification. By operating across multiple retail categories, Super Retail reduces reliance on any single segment of consumer spending. The group also generates strong operating cash flow, which supports dividends and store expansion.

The main risk for the ASX dividend share is its exposure to consumer spending cycles. If economic conditions weaken or household budgets tighten, sales across discretionary retail categories can fall. Retail competition and promotional activity can also weigh on margins.

Even so, this ASX dividend share is known for generous shareholder returns. The company currently pays about 96 cents per share annually in dividends, offering a yield of roughly 6.5%, with payments typically made twice a year.

Most analysts rate the dividend stock a buy. They have set the average 12-month price target at $16.66, implying a 13% upside. This could bring the year’s total earnings to 19.5%.

Harvey Norman Holdings

Harvey Norman is one of Australia’s most recognisable retailers, selling electronics, furniture, bedding, and appliances through a large franchise network. One of the company’s biggest strengths is its property portfolio, as many stores sit on land owned by the group.

This property ownership helps underpin the balance sheet and can provide an additional source of value beyond the retail operations. Harvey Norman also generates strong cash flow from its franchise model, which supports shareholder distributions.

However, the ASX dividend share is still exposed to the consumer cycle. Sales of big-ticket household goods can slow when interest rates are high or when housing markets weaken. Competition from online retailers is another ongoing challenge.

Macquarie remains positive on the ASX dividend share. It believes the company is positioned to pay fully-franked dividends per share of 27.8 cents in FY 2026 and 31.2 cents in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $5.46, this represents dividend yields of 5.1% and 5.7%, respectively.

The broker has a buy rating and $6.60 price target on the retail stock. This points to a 23% upside at current price levels.

The post 3 ASX dividend shares to buy today with $5,000 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Super Retail Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Harvey Norman and Super Retail Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Sonic Healthcare. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

In just over a week of trading during March, many investors have endured heavy losses to their portfolio. 

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 6.5% since 2 March.

Meanwhile the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) is down more than 2%. 

Markets are coming under heavy pressure due to conflict in Iran. 

Investors are now seemingly in a complete “risk-off” mode, as most sectors are being heavily sold-off, even those not directly impacted by the conflict. 

With the timeline and future of the situation extremely unclear, its likely defensive assets like gold could continue to benefit. 

When markets endure pressure like we have seen to start the month, it can be a good time for investors to switch focus to generating passive income through consistent dividends. 

This can provide some relief when individual shares are falling. 

Here are three ASX ETFs that have a history of paying consistent dividends.

Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY)

This is a popular dividend focussed ASX ETF. It seeks to track the return of the FTSE Australia High Dividend Yield Index.

According to Vanguard, it provides exposure to companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) that have higher forecasted dividends relative to other ASX-listed companies. 

It has consistently paid a yield hovering around 4% and includes a combination of roughly 80 blue-chip and mid-sized companies. 

This includes well-known dividend payers like the big-four banks, and mining giants like BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO).

It has a management fee of 0.25% per annum.

SPDR MSCI Australia Select High Dividend Yield Fund (ASX: SYI)

This ASX ETF seeks to track the returns of the MSCI Australia Select High Dividend Yield Index. 

At the time of writing, it is made up of 57 underlying holdings in companies with relatively high dividend income and quality characteristics with the potential for franked dividend income.

It currently offers a dividend yield of 3.92%, with distributions paid quarterly and a management fee of 0.20% per annum.

BetaShares Australian Top 20 Equity Yield Maximiser Fund (ASX: YMAX)

YMAX ETF aims to generate attractive monthly income and reduce the volatility of portfolio returns by implementing an equity income investment strategy over a portfolio of the 20 largest blue-chip shares listed on the ASX. 

Unlike many other ASX ETFs, YMAX ETF does not aim to track an index.

It currently has a 12 month gross distribution yield of 8.8%. 

Another positive of this ASX ETF is that distributions are now paid monthly, however due to the ongoing management, it has an annual fee of 0.64% per annum.

The post Shift your focus to passive income with these dividend ASX ETFs appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy these top ASX ETFs for passive income
• 3 ASX dividend ETFs that could help you retire at 57
• The easiest way to earn $1,000 a month in ASX dividends
• How to retire early using ASX dividend shares
• For monthly income, an 8.8% ASX dividend share to consider

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 recommended Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.