Author: openjargon

If passive income is what you’re after, then ASX dividend shares are for you. 

These are essentially shares in ASX-listed companies that pay a portion of their profits to shareholders on an annual, twice yearly, or even a monthly basis. And sometimes these are even enhanced by tax-saving partially or fully-franked credits.

The good news is that there is a huge range of options available.

The hard part is finding the ASX shares with the dividend yield that you want.

Here are four ASX shares that pay a dividend yield of 8% or more.

Atlas Arteria Group (ASX: ALX)

Atlas Arteria owns, operates, and develops five toll roads in France, Germany, and the United States. The company’s main asset is an estimated 31% stake in Autoroutes Paris-Rhin-Rhone, or APRR, which owns concessions to toll more than 2,300 kilometres of motorways in eastern France. The company also wholly owns the Dulles Greenway toll road in the US state of Virginia.

Toll road operators are a classically defensive asset and a great choice for passive income investors. The nature of their business, the fact that they operate essential infrastructure, often under long-term contracts, means they can usually generate a strong and stable income. 

Atlas Arteria consistently pays its shareholders 40 cents per unit, unfranked every year – one 20-cent payment in April, and another in October. At the time of writing, this translates to a dividend yield of around 9%.

Metrics Master Income Trust (ASX: MXT)

The Metrics Master Income Trust is a listed investment trust (LIT). Rather than investing into one stock, the trust has a portfolio of corporate loans and private credit investments, which is an increasingly popular asset class for income-focused investors. 

The trust said it targets a return of the Reserve Bank cash rate plus 3.25% per annum through the economic cycle. This is net of around 7.60% per annum fees. 

What’s more, its distributions are paid monthly, and there is also a distribution reinvestment plan (DRP) to allow its investors to reinvest their monthly income distributions if they want.

The trust most recently paid a 1.46-cent dividend to shareholders earlier this month, unfranked. The latest dividend means that the fund has paid 12 dividends to investors over the past 12 months, totalling 15.8 cents per share. At the time of writing, this gives the trust a dividend yield of approximately 9%.

IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH)

IPH is an intellectual property (IP) services provider that owns a group of patented and trademarked firms. It’s a great option for passive income investors because IP protection is a legal necessity. This means the company can generate consistent revenue, all without requiring any physical capital.

The company has a long history of paying two partially-franked dividends per year to its shareholders since 2016. And these have increased every year since 2017.

IPH’s most recent dividend of 19.5 cents was paid to shareholders today (22nd of September), with 30% franking. That totals a 39-cent total dividend for FY26. This translates to an 11.5% dividend yield at the time of writing.

WAM Capital Ltd (ASX: WAM)

WAM is another LIC, but one that focuses on giving its shareholders exposure to an actively managed diversified portfolio of undervalued ASX-listed growth companies, specifically small-to-medium-sized businesses.

The LIC aims to give its investors a stream of fully-franked dividends, while also providing capital growth and preserving capital.

This company has paid out a 7.75-cent dividend twice a year, dating back to 2020. The next 7.75-cent payment, with 60% franking, will be paid to investors next month. Giving the ASX dividend shares around a 12.6% yield at the time of writing.

But you’ll need to get in quick. As part of WAM’s FY26 results announcement, the company reported a 10.5% decline in its investment portfolio. As a result, WAM announced it will be cutting its dividend to 8 cents per share in total in FY27 to “preserve capital”.

The post 4 ASX shares that pay a dividend yield of 8% (or more) appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Starting with $20,000, how to build a portfolio generating $5,000 a year in passive income
• Atlas Arteria declares 20c H1 2026 distribution
• 3 ASX dividend stocks to provide passive income through retirement 
• How much superannuation do I need to earn $70,000 per year in passive income?
• How much superannuation is needed to target $5,500 per month in passive income?

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

Most economic indicators aren’t too well known by the vast majority of Australians. Even those who invest in ASX blue chip shares. The reality is that GDP, the unemployment rate, the rate of productivity growth, or the price of iron ore just don’t infiltrate the daily lives of most Australians. We most certainly cannot say the same for the price of oil, though.

Most of us get a daily reminder of the oil price when we fill up our cars, trucks, bikes and utes. Or simply by passing by a service station. However, oil flows through to far more than just petrol and diesel prices. It is the single greatest input cost in transporting goods from farm or factory to warehouse, and then to our local supermarket. Given that oil also affects electricity and gas prices, it can be classed as a fundamental driver of cost-of-living pressures across the economy. The current state of the global oil market, with oil above US$100 a barrel, is also the primary driver of the higher inflation we have seen across the global economy in 2026 to date.

That includes here in Australia, where we have seen the consequences through higher interest rates.

How does US$100 oil affect ASX shares?

So we know that high oil prices are bad news for the Australian public. They are also bad news for most ASX shares. As we’ve already touched on, oil and its derivatives are major inputs for many forms of economic production. Companies that use petroleum products for manufacturing or transportation either have to bear higher energy prices. Or pass them on to consumers. It’s a verifiable no-win situation.

This dynamic hits some companies harder than others, though. Some of the biggest losers from higher oil price sincude Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN), Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) and even Transurban Group (ASX: TCL). After all, higher oil may mean fewer people driving.

There are few companies, outside oil stocks themselves, of course, that aren’t hurt by higher oil prices. But there are some that will be impacted less than most. Let’s talk about two potential candidates.

ASX blue chip shares that will ride out high oil

First up, we have one of the ASX’s most popular investments, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA). As a big four bank, CBA is fortunate not to rely on oil as a major input cost. CBA has no goods to manufacture, and no products to physically move around the country. Relying on digital services for almost all of its revenue is certainly a boon in this era of high oil prices. As such, I would expect that CBA, along with its peers in the banking space, will be one of the best stocks to ride out this era of elevated energy costs.

Of course, CBA is not completely immune. It still has energy bills to pay, and it arguably suffers indirectly from a cost-of-living squeeze. When there’s less money sloshing around the economy, fewer people will be taking out loans. Even that isn’t completely negative for this bank, though. High interest rates do encourage Australians to leave more money in their CBA savings accounts.

A telco?

Next, let’s talk Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS).

Telstra is another blue chip ASX share that isn’t at the front of the firing line when it comes to high energy prices. Like CBA, Telstra’s business model mostly rests on providing digital services, not manufacturing or transporting physical goods. Its mobile infrastructure is already in place, and only requires periodic maintenance. Its fixed-line business is largely underpinned by the NBN, with Telstra only retailing the final product in most cases.

This all adds up to an oil-resistant earnings base. Like CBA, Telstra isn’t completely insulated from oil, though. It still has technicians that need to drive around to maintain Telstra’s network infrastructure, for example. But if you’re looking for a stock that will hold up in the face of US$100 oil better than most, I think this is a great option.

The post 2 ASX blue chip shares that won’t be hit by $100 oil appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Can Transurban shares rebound from a 52-week low?
• How much passive income can I earn off an $800,000 superannuation balance?
• Are the BHP and CBA share price headed for parity?
• Which big 4 bank stock will rise the most before the end of 2026?
• If I buy $6,000 of Telstra shares, how much dividend income will I receive?

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

Lovisa vs Universal Store shares: Which retail growth stock stands out?

For Aussie investors interested in retail growth shares, Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) and Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI) are both eye-catching. Each is a big name in its space, with global ambitions and strong domestic roots. But if you’re looking for the better buy between Lovisa and Universal Store shares, it’s worth digging into how they compare on business focus, dividends, valuation, and recent returns.

The case for Lovisa

Lovisa is a specialist in fast-fashion jewellery and accessories, founded in Sydney in 2010. According to its most recent public description, Lovisa has rapidly expanded to more than 1,136 stores across more than 50 countries, with an online presence in several markets. The brand is known for its affordable, on-trend products and a highly scalable, vertically integrated retail model that lets it design and source all its own stock.

Three fundamentals stand out for me:

• Market cap: At $2.5 billion, Lovisa is the larger business here, reflecting its much broader global footprint.
• Dividend yield: The current yield is 3.8%, with dividends being partially franked (recently 50%). Lovisa pays regular dividends, but the franking level varies, which can affect after-tax returns for Aussie shareholders.
• P/E ratio: With a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.21, investors are paying up for Lovisa’s proven global growth and scale. EPS sits at $0.792 according to the latest snapshot provided.

Lovisa’s growth mindset, agile product cycles, and far-reaching network have allowed it to punch well above its weight in fashion jewellery. Dividends have been consistently paid and generally trending upward, though payout franking levels do fluctuate.

The case for Universal Store

Universal Store Holdings is a leading Australian specialty fashion retailer, mainly targeting younger customers with casual apparel, footwear, and accessories. The business, which started in 1998, operates both brick-and-mortar outlets and e-commerce, but has a much smaller network than Lovisa, with 123 stores.

Notable points for Universal Store:

• Dividend yield: At 6.06%, the yield is considerably higher than Lovisa’s, and importantly, fully franked – giving Aussie investors the advantage of maximum tax credit.
• P/E ratio: The price-to-earnings ratio is a bit higher at 30.04, implying growth expectations are also being priced in. Reported EPS is $0.236.
• Market cap: Universal Store is valued at $544 million – much smaller than Lovisa, reflecting its more concentrated operations and different stage of growth.

Dividend history shows steadily rising, fully franked payouts, suggesting a focus on rewarding shareholders from current profits. Universal Store may lack Lovisa’s scale, but its combination of niche focus and strong dividend credentials is appealing.

Valuation comparison

Here’s a clear side-by-side of the key numbers that matter:

Metric	Lovisa	Universal Store
Market cap	$2.50 billion	$543.95 million
P/E ratio	26.21	30.04
Dividend yield	3.8% (partially franked, 50%)	6.06% (fully franked)
Dividend per share	$0.86	$0.43
Earnings per share	$0.792	$0.236
Year to date (YTD) return	-19.9%	-6.0%

Note: Universal Store’s P/E ratio is based on a lower absolute EPS, which may reflect its stage in the growth cycle; Lovisa delivers more earnings per share for each dollar you pay at current prices. Also, Lovisa’s reported P/E ratio and EPS are mathematically consistent, and the same holds for Universal Store.

Recent share price performance

Comparing the period from 24 August to 18 September 2026:

• Lovisa saw a negative trend, dropping from $23.30 on 24 August to $22.62 on 18 September. Its YTD return stands at -19.9%, signalling the stock has struggled in 2026 so far.
• Universal Store also faced a dip, from $8.56 on 24 August to $7.09 on 18 September, but its YTD return is -6.0% – a softer fall compared to Lovisa over the same period.

It’s clear both stocks have had a tough year to date, with Universal Store holding up better overall.

Which is the better buy?

If I had to pick between Lovisa Holdings and Universal Store shares right now, my vote goes to Universal Store. The deciding factors are the much stronger, fully franked dividend yield (6.06% vs 3.8%), and the more modest share price slide so far in 2026. While Lovisa is the bigger and more global growth play, its yield is lower and only partly franked. Universal Store’s P/E is slightly higher, but not by a massive margin given growth expectations in specialty retail.

While neither stock has set the market on fire this year, Universal Store’s high, well-franked yield looks like a solid reward for riding out what could be a transitional year. If seeking both income and a steady hand amid volatility, I think Universal Store edges out Lovisa right now. Of course, long-term growth investors wanting global scale may still prefer Lovisa, but for me, the balance tips in favour of Universal Store today.

The post Lovisa vs Universal Store shares: Which ASX retail stock is the better buy today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week
• Starting with $20,000, how to build a portfolio generating $5,000 a year in passive income
• Lovisa vs Temple & Webster: Which ASX retailer is the better growth stock today?
• 3 excellent ASX dividend shares with 5.5% to 7.7% yields

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 Lovisa. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Lovisa and Universal Store. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial draft. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

ASX shares have trended higher on Tuesday afternoon as falling oil prices help ease some inflation concerns.

Here are four ASX shares that brokers are forecasting could help drive the index higher over the next 12 months.

And one of them is tipped to soar up to 125%.

Silex Systems Ltd (ASX: SLX)

Silex Systems develops and commercialises laser technology to sort and separate different types of isotopes to prepare uranium for nuclear power plants.

At the time of writing on Tuesday afternoon, the ASX uranium company’s shares are up around 4% to $4.61 a piece. The increase is great news for investors after the beaten-down stock tumbled 16% over the past month, and is down 48% for the year-to-date.

The latest increase follows a recent announcement that Global Laser Enrichment (GLE), which is 51%-owned by Silex, has signed an exclusive Offtake Agreement with major partner Cameco Corporation. Under the agreement Cameco will buy all of the future production of GLE’s planned Paducah Laser Enrichment Facility (PLEF), in Kentucky.

A recent uptick in uranium prices has also likely supported Silex shares. Trading Economics data shows that the metal is trading around US$90 per pound, close to a six-month high.

Market Index data shows brokers are very bullish on the outlook for the stock. All brokers have a strong buy rating and the $10.33 average target price implies an upside of around 125% at the time of writing.

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP)

Zip shares are also climbing around 1% higher on Tuesday, to $2.26 at the time of writing. It’s been a volatile ride for the buy now, pay later provider after the shares reached a mutli-year high in October last year, then tumbled to an annual low in March. The ASX shares started rebounding again but the sell off accelerated again after it posted its FY26 results last month. They’re now down around 52% compared to a year ago.

Zip posted a record result, including a huge 57.9% increase in its cash EBTDA, a 24.7% increase in total revenue, and a 45.7% hike in its NPAT for FY26. For FY27 Zip is targeting a cash EBTDA of $340 million, up another 26%.

While the results were positive on the surface, many were underwhelmed by the company’s growth outlook. 

But the news hasn’t deterred brokers who still hold a unanimous strong buy rating, according to Market Index data. The $3.95 average target price also implies an upside of around 74% at the time of writing.

Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL)

Deep Yellow is an ASX uranium development company with a portfolio of Australian and global projects. Like Selix, its shares are also climbing much higher on Tuesday afternoon off the back of a stronger uranium price and renewed investor confidence in uranium stocks.

At the time of writing, Deep Yellow shares are up around 4% and are changing hands at $1.39. The current share price represents a 29% decline for the year-to-date and a 31% drop from 12 months ago.

Late last month, the company announced the completion of two major milestones at its flagship Tumas Project in Namibia. These included a long-term water supply agreement and finalisation of local ownership arrangements. The company is now focused on successfully progressing its Tumas Project towards a Final Investment Decision in Q4 2026.

Brokers are also bullish that the ASX shares can climb even higher over the next 12 months. Market Index data shows the majority have a strong buy rating, and the $2.28 average target price implies an upside of around 64% at the time of writing.

Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC)

Media giant Nine Entertainment posted its FY26 results late last month, including a 3% increase in revenue, a 17% increase in EBITDA, and a 7% increase in NPAT.

The result comes after the company underwent a strategic reshape of its business during the first half of FY26. Nine Entertainment sold its stake in Nine Radio and property platform Domain, restructured its NBN and Darwin TV operations, and acquired QMS Media. The strategy shifts the company’s focus toward growth areas like streaming, outdoor and digital publishing.

But it looks like investors weren’t happy with the result. On the day of the announcement, the Nine Entertainment share price spiked around 7%. But then it was soon followed by a selloff. 

The shares have now fallen around 29% to just 75 cents at the time of writing. The latest crash means the ASX shares are now 36% lower than 12 months ago.

But it looks like brokers are still bullish that the company can recover this year. Market Index data shows the majority have a strong buy stance on the ASX shares. The $1.21 average target price implies a potential 63% upside ahead.

The post 4 ASX shares tipped by brokers to return 63% to 125% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 7 ASX 200 shares with reaffirmed buy ratings this week
• Buy, hold, sell: AGL Energy, Telstra, Zip shares
• $10,000 invested in Zip and New Hope shares 3 years ago is now worth…
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares

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

Transurban Group Ltd (ASX: TCL) shares have fallen around 0.5% in Tuesday lunchtime trade to a 52-week low of just $13.21.

At one point this morning, the shares were trading as low as $13.18.

Today’s decline means the shares have also now shed around 13% of their value since reaching a 16-year high of $15.61 in mid-June.

What caused Transurban shares to fall to an annual low?

The toll road operator’s share price decline accelerated after the company posted its FY26 results and distribution guidance in mid-August. 

Transurban reported a 7.5% increase in its proportional operating EBITDA and a 6.7% increase in its proportional toll revenue growth. The company’s EBITDA margin also increased to 75.7%, up from 74.9% in FY25.

Management declared a FY26 dividend of 69 cents per share, up 6.2% from FY25.

Management also gave guidance for a higher distribution of 72 cents per share in FY27, but warned that free cash coverage is expected to fall slightly below their targeted 95% to 105% range.

But investors seem concerned about Transurban’s rising debt-servicing costs, prompting questions about whether it is trading at a stretched valuation.

News in late-August that Transurban has been selected to deliver Tennessee’s I-24 Choice Lanes project, in partnership with Ferrovial and Tikehau Star Infra, hasn’t helped boost confidence either.

The 26-mile project has an estimated construction value of US$9.2 billion and a total concession value of around US$24.8 billion.

Again, Transurban’s August traffic growth report didn’t bring more investors back into the stock. The company reported groupwide average daily traffic (ADT) growth of 3.4% in August year-on-year. It noted particularly strong results in North America and continued momentum in Sydney and Melbourne.

Can the share price rebound?

It looks like brokers are also reserved about the company’s outlook.

TradingView data shows that the majority (11 out of 14) have a hold rating on Transurban shares. But after the latest share price decline, there could still be some upside ahead. The $13.87 average target price implies around a 5% upside ahead, at the time of writing.

Morgans confirmed its trim rating on Transurban shares after the company posted its FY26 results last month. The broker now has a $12.53 target price on the shares, implying some more downside ahead.

It noted that the company’s free cash flow guidance suggests Transurban is a slower-growth stock than its trading yield implies.

“If TCL were repriced to APA Group’s yield the share price would trade down towards our $12.53 target price,” Morgans said.

The post Can Transurban shares rebound from a 52-week low? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much passive income can I earn off an $800,000 superannuation balance?
• 3 top ASX dividend shares to target this week for lifelong income
• Which ASX dividend shares are buys for passive income?
• Transurban posts 3.4% August traffic growth
• How much do I need in superannuation to receive $1,000 passive income per week?

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

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has climbed slightly higher on Tuesday off the back of easing oil prices and an increase in interest in tech or AI shares. 

Let’s find out how major stocks South32 Ltd (ASX: S32), Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH), and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) are tracking this week, and what brokers are forecasting to happen next.

Brokers rate South32 shares a buy

South32 shares are trading at $4.88 each at the time of writing. The current trading price represents an 8% decline from the company’s multi-year high of $5.30 in early September. In fact, South32 shares have rallied strongly over the past year and are now around 86% higher than they were 12 months ago.

In August, the miner posted a couple of good-news announcements that had investors jumping for joy.

It announced a substantial jump in its ore reserve estimate at its Sierra Gorda mine, which extends the mine’s reserve life by another five years, to 2045. The Sierra Gorda copper mine, in which South32 holds a 45% stake, is a large, open-pit operation in northern Chile. 

The announcement was followed soon after by South32’s impressive FY26 earnings result. The miner posted a 1% increase in revenue from continuing operations, a 28% increase in EBITDA, and a 55% increase in underlying earnings.

The company also declared a final fully-franked dividend of 5.4 US cents per share for FY26, which is almost double the miner’s final dividend for FY25.

And it looks like brokers are bullish that the shares can now rebound close to the multi-year highs we saw a couple of weeks ago.

According to Market Index data, the majority of brokers have a buy rating on South32 shares. And the $5.13 average target price implies an upside of around 5% at the time of writing.

Brokers rate Westpac shares a sell

Westpac shares have come under pressure over the past six weeks amid renewed inflation concerns, interest rate fears, and a weakening Australian property market.

Westpac shares are trading at $34.94 at the time of writing, representing a 10% year-to-date decline and roughly 9% lower than 12 months ago.

The ASX bank stock posted its third-quarter FY26 update in early August. And while the result was good on the surface, including a 1% increase in operating income and a steady net interest margin of 1.89%, Westpac also raised some red flags around weaker mortgage demand.

Westpac’s mortgage application volumes declined through the period as competition intensified and borrowers continued to navigate interest-rate uncertainty. The bank said that mortgage growth is likely to continue to be challenging.

Market Index data shows that brokers have now lost confidence in the ASX bank stock. The majority of experts have a sell rating in Westpac shares and the $34.18 average target price implies a downside of around 2% over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

Brokers rate Cochlear shares a hold

Cochlear shares have staged an impressive rebound since hitting a 10-year low of just $90 each in late-April. At the time of writing, the shares have now recovered around 57% and are changing hands at $140.82 a piece. For the year-to-date the shares are still down around 46%, and they’re 52% lower than 12 months ago.

It’s clear that investor sentiment has been consistently recovering, boosted by renewed investor interest in ASX healthcare shares overall.

The company has also posted a couple of good-news announcements which have helped boost investors confidence further. 

In July, Cochlear announced that its hearing implant systems will continue to be imported into the US duty-free after the US Government released its findings from a series of Section 301 investigations. 

The following month, management posted an impressive FY26 result, including underlying net profit of $322 million, down 22% but right at the top end of guidance.  

And looking ahead to FY27, Cochlear expects low-single-digit constant currency revenue growth and an underlying net profit between $330 million and $350 million. 

According to Market Index data  the majority of brokers have a hold rating on Cochlear shares. But after the latest share price rally, the $126.07 average target price implies a downside of around 10% at the time of writing.

The post South32, Cochlear, Westpac shares: Buy, hold or sell? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Which big 4 bank stock will rise the most before the end of 2026?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• ASX 200 healthcare shares lead a weaker market amid 82% chance of a rate hike
• I’m planning to retire with $1 million in superannuation. How much passive income can I earn? 
• Down 15% and paying record dividends: Are CBA shares now a good buy for passive income?

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

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares have jumped higher on Tuesday.

At the time of writing, ASX tech shares are up around 5% and trading at $33.31 apiece.

The increase is a welcome reprieve for investors after the stock fell 23% over the past month, off the back of its FY26 results. The company posted earnings that were in line with analyst expectations, but its EBITDA figures came in short of market forecasts. Investors weren’t thrilled.

Despite today’s increase, WiseTech shares are still down around 51% for the year-to-date. They’re also 66% lower than just 12 months ago.

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up slightly, around 0.2% for the year-to-date, but around 1% lower than 12 months ago.

It’s not all bad news for WiseTech shares. Here are three reasons to add the tech stock to your portfolio this year, and three reasons to sell up.

3 reasons to buy WiseTech shares

1. WiseTech has a strong competitive edge

WiseTech’s CargoWise platform is deeply embedded in the global logistics industry. The platform is difficult to replace, and this gives the company both security and a strong competitive advantage amongst its peers. If global trade volumes keep expanding and supply chains become more digital, WiseTech could become a dominant software provider in the logistics industry.

2. The business is performing well

WiseTech reported that it has raised its annual earnings and flagged growth for FY27 in line with analysts’ expectations. Last month, the company reported a significant 46% increase in EBITDA to US$558.4 million for the 12 months through to the 30th of June. The result was in line with the company’s $550 million to $585 million guidance figures. It may have come short of market expectations but this level of EBITDA increase inside a 12-month period shows that the business is performing well.

3. Brokers tip a strong upside ahead

According to Market Index data, all brokers have a strong buy rating on WiseTech shares. The $58.88 average target price implies a potential upside of around 77%, at the time of writing.

3 reasons to sell WiseTech shares

1. AI anxiety

WiseTech shares have been caught up in a tech-sector-wide sell-off over the past 18 months as investors increasingly sold their tech shares amid growing fears that companies’ core services could be replaced by AI. The AI anxiety has been driven further by news of WiseTech’s AI-driven restructure and job cut plan. 

2. Governance concerns and regulatory issues

It’s no secret that the company’s shares have also come under pressure this year following a series of updates and media reports around governance concerns and regulatory issues. These included investigations into founder Richard White by the Australian Federal Police and recent news that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) executed a search warrant on the company. ASIC and the AFP also searched WiseTech Global’s headquarters in late October 2025.

3. WiseTech’s dividend yield is low

If passive income is your goal, WiseTech isn’t the stock for you. The company is still in the transitional growth phase, and while it does pay its shareholders two full-franked dividends per year, they come with a very low dividend yield. For FY26, the company paid shareholders 22 cents per share, which equates to a dividend yield of around 0.7% at the time of writing, which is well below the market average.

The post WiseTech shares: 3 reasons to buy and 3 reasons to sell appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Could the WiseTech share price reach $50 in 2027?
• Do these ASX technology shares have too much upside to ignore?
• Downgrade alert! 5 ASX 200 shares downgraded by experts this week
• WiseTech Global vs Xero: Which fallen ASX tech share is the better buy today?
• WiseTech shares have been smashed in 2026. Here’s why I wouldn’t bet against them

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 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.

Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) could be producing uranium from three deposits by early in the 2030s Macquarie says, and remains very leveraged to rising uranium prices.

ASX uranium producer looking cheap

Macquarie has released a new research note looking at Boss Energy, which forecasts some healthy share price upside for the company.

The broker said the company had recently provided more clarity around unlocking two satellite deposits – Jason’s and Gould’s Dam – with one to be connected to the processing facility via a trunkline and the other to truck loaded resin in.

Macquarie said the indication was that Jason’s could be in production by early CY30 while Gould’s Dam was looking like early CY31.  

Boss Energy released a new feasibility study for the central Honeymoon uranium mine in August, which envisaged production until at least 2034 based around a new in-situ well design.

The company is expecting to produce about 13.8 million pounds of uranium over a nine year period.

Boss Energy said regarding the new study:

New feasibility study is underpinned by an updated mineral resource estimate incorporating substantially increased drilling density, revised geological interpretations, estimation methodology, incorporated operating permeability data, and experience gained since production recommenced. This enables a materially enhanced understanding of the mineralisation grade and distribution, geology and permeability.  

The study also identified opportunities to further optimise wellfield spacing, “which could reduce infrastructure requirements and improve capital efficiency, recovery and unit costs”.

Share price target increased

Macquarie increased its 12-month price target on Boss Energy shares by 11% to $2 per share following the inclusion of the Jason’s and Gould’s Dam projects.

The broker said that only a small fraction of Honeymoon’s production was contracted, giving the company good leverage to rising uranium prices.

They said:

Boss Energy intends to remain materially under-contracted, noting 73% of inventory and forecast Honeymoon new feasibility study production is currently uncommitted. Additionally, existing inventory largely covers the contract book, largely eliminating its exposure to “deliver or pay” risk (e.g. that others in the sector have suffered from). BOE explained it intends to continue selling production on a slightly forward basis (providing flexibility over timing and preserving leverage to rising prices)

On the valuation of the company Macquarie said:

BOE can develop 3 mineralised systems into Honeymoon, expand scale & lower unit costs (by) early 2030s – despite lower grade & more challenging resource than promised by past management. At current uranium prices this is attractive and not yet priced in.

Macquarie’s $2 price target compares to $1.72 currently.

Boss Energy is valued at $668.4 million.

The post Macquarie says this ASX uranium producer has more than 15% upside appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: Temple & Webster, Kelsian, Boss Energy shares
• Sell alert! Why this expert is calling time on Boss Energy and Fortescue shares
• Energy shares rose while the ASX 200 slumped last week. Here’s why
• Uranium is back. Three ASX shares that give you exposure
• These 2 ASX energy shares have 18-31% upside according to Bell Potter

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

Index funds are becoming increasingly popular on the ASX. According to fund provider BetaShares, August saw a record $7 billion flow into ASX index funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in Australia, pipping what was a previous record of $6.83 billion in July. Are you one of those investors who put additional cash into an ASX ETF or index fund last month? If you weren’t, let’s talk about why you might want to change that in September.

The ASX is full of ETFs and index funds. More seem to pop up every month, with more than 500 different ETF products now available on the ASX.

Before we get too much further, let’s make an important distinction. One can buy an ETF for almost every investing goal one can think of. Want to invest in oil futures? There’s an ETF for that. Just as there is for buying Korean shares, Japanese stocks, global mining companies, global healthcare companies, banks, defence companies… You name it. ASX investors have never been more spoiled for choice when it comes to ETFs.

Index funds and ETFs on the ASX

What I am talking about today are simple, plain-Jane index funds. These are ETFs that invest in a straightforward, market-wide index that covers every meaningful company in a particular market.

The most obvious examples are, of course, ASX index funds. There are a plethora of such funds available right now for the Australian share market. Most track the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which is an index that covers the largest 200 public Australian companies, weighted by market capitalisation (size). A few outsiders opt for the larger S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) instead.

To put it simply, when you buy an index fund that tracks the ASX 200 or the ASX 300, you are buying a small piece of each of those 200 or 300 companies. That market-cap weighting means that the larger companies get a larger allocation in the ETF than the smaller ones. To illustrate, an ASX 200 ETF will (right now anyway) usually allocate about 11.6% of its portfolio to BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), but less than 0.5% to smaller stocks like JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH).

These allocations are readjusted every few months to reflect the companies’ share prices (thus valuations). This means that, over time, the index fund adds to the shares that perform well, and sells down the stocks that fare poorly. This is all done passively, without any input required from the fund’s investors or managers.

In this way, an index fund is guaranteed to match the performance of its ‘market’. After fees, of course. Most investors in Australia who choose to buy and invest in individual ASX shares do so to try and beat the market, that is, get a better return than an ASX index fund. Some succeed, but not many. As we discussed last week, statistics show that the vast majority of investors, even those whose job it is to invest, don’t beat the market over long periods. Those who do are exceptionally skilled, or (more often) are just plain lucky.

Heads you win, tails you don’t lose

That’s why I think almost every ASX investor should be allocating at least some portion of their overall portfolio to index funds. If you enjoy stock picking, and think you have what it takes to beat the market, perhaps an allocation of 30%, 40% or even 50% to index funds is still prudent. That way, up to half of your portfolio will always match the market’s return. If your stock picking is successful, you still get to beat the market overall. If it falls short, your index funds can help ease the burden of that underperformance.

Of course, this won’t suit everyone, and you should always consider your own circumstances and goals before implementing an investing strategy. But at the end of the day, I think most Australians who invest in the share market will be financially better off if they allocate at least some portion of their portfolios to simple, cheap index funds.

The post Every ASX investor should own an index fund. Here’s why appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• WiseTech shares: 3 reasons to buy and 3 reasons to sell
• Macquarie says this ASX uranium producer has more than 15% upside
• 3 ASX shares down 40% to 80% I’d buy on the cheap
• 2 ASX ETFs to buy: expert
• How much passive income can I earn off an $800,000 superannuation balance?

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

A difficult year can sometimes create an opportunity for long-term investors.

Several ASX shares I like have been hit hard over the past 12 months despite having plenty of growth ahead.

Here’s why I think this has created a buying opportunity.

Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL)

Netwealth shares have had a particularly difficult year and are down almost 40%.

I remain positive on the wealth management platform provider. The company continues to attract money onto its platform as financial advisers and their clients look for better technology to manage investments, superannuation, and reporting.

I think there is still a long runway here. Australia’s pool of superannuation and investment assets should continue growing over time, while Netwealth has been steadily increasing its share of the platform market.

The company is also investing in technology that could make advisers more efficient. Its proposed acquisition of Paradino adds AI-enabled workflow and automation capabilities, which I think could strengthen the platform rather than weaken its position as technology changes the industry.

So, after the share price weakness, I think investors are getting a much more attractive entry point into a business that is still growing.

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

Online retailer Temple & Webster has also been punished by the market. Its shares are down over 80% on a 12-month basis.

I still like the long-term opportunity because online furniture and homewares remain a relatively small part of the broader Australian market.

Temple & Webster does not need to dominate the entire industry to become a much larger business. It simply needs online penetration to keep increasing while the company continues taking share.

Its online model also allows it to offer a large product range without needing the same physical store network as traditional retailers.

The business is targeting significant revenue growth over the next few years, and I think the current share price gives investors the chance to buy before that opportunity is fully reflected again.

There are risks if consumer spending remains weak, but I would be willing to look through shorter-term conditions and focus on where the business could be several years from now.

SiteMinder Ltd (ASX: SDR)

SiteMinder is another ASX share I think has become interesting after a difficult period. Its shares are down over 60% since this time last year.

The company provides technology that helps hotels manage room distribution, bookings, pricing, and their connections with online travel platforms.

I like that SiteMinder sits behind an important part of how hotels operate.

As more accommodation providers move away from manual processes, the company has an opportunity to sell them more software and automate more of the work involved in managing rooms across different sales channels.

Products such as Channels Plus and Dynamic Revenue Plus could also help SiteMinder earn more from existing hotel customers over time.

The share price may remain volatile, but I think the underlying opportunity in hotel technology is still substantial.

Foolish takeaway

A bad 12 months does not necessarily change how I feel about an ASX share.

Netwealth, Temple & Webster, and SiteMinder have all had their challenges, but I can still see clear ways for each company to be much larger in the years ahead.

At lower share prices, I think all three are worth a closer look.

The post 3 ASX shares down 40% to 80% I’d buy on the cheap appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: Netwealth, Tabcorp, Healius shares
• Should I buy Coles shares for passive income?
• 2 ASX 200 shares to buy and 1 to sell now
• Buy, hold, sell: Temple & Webster, Kelsian, Boss Energy shares
• Lovisa vs Temple & Webster: Which ASX retailer is the better growth stock today?

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