Author: openjargon

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) shares have a lengthy track record of paying two fully franked dividends a year.

But is the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) supermarket giant a good buy for passive income today?

We’ll look at Catapult Wealth’s Dylan Evans recommendation below (courtesy of The Bull).

But first, a little background.

Atop the passive income on offer, Coles stock has outperformed in 2026.

On Monday, shares were changing hands for $23.07 each, up 8.1% year to date. That compares to the 0.1% loss posted by the ASX 200 this calendar year.

As for the latest round of passive income, when Coles released its FY 2026 results on 25 August, the company declared a fully franked final dividend of 37 cents per share. That’s an increase of 15.6% from the FY 2025 final Coles dividend.

If you held the stock at market close on 2 September, you can expect to see that income hit your bank account tomorrow, on 22 September.

Adding in the 41 cent per share interim dividend, paid on 30 March, and at the recent share price, Coles shares trade on a fully franked trailing dividend yield of 3.4%.

Which brings us back to…

Are Coles shares are good passive income buy?

“The supermarket industry structure remains favourable, with Coles and competitor Woolworths dominating market share,” Catapult Wealth’s Evans said.

Commenting on Coles FY 2026 results, he noted:

Coles posted group sales revenue of $45.580 billion in full year 2026, up 2.8 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Excluding significant items, group earnings before interest and tax of $2.322 billion was up 9.9 per cent. Supermarket eCommerce sales was a highlight, growing 26.4 per cent.

Summarising his buy recommendation on Coles shares, Evans concluded, “Coles offers a reliable dividend yield, backed by defensive earnings. Catalysts for growth include online expansion, population growth and supply chain automation.”

Bonus ASX 200 stock tip

Atop his buy recommendation on Coles shares, in part for the company’s reliable passive income payouts, Evans also issued a buy recommendation for Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL).

“Netwealth operates a leading investment management platform used by financial advisers in Australia,” he said.

As for his bullish outlook on the ASX 200 finance stock, Evans noted:

The company’s full year 2026 results continued to deliver strong growth, with the platform’s funds under administration increasing 20.3 per cent to $135.7 billion and earnings per share growing 16 per cent to 55.2 cents.

Despite these strong results, the share price has fallen significantly, most likely and partially in response to a compensation payout of about $101 million to members in the collapsed First Guardian Master Fund.

Share price weakness presents an opportunity, as Netwealth still holds a net cash position and is poised to generate strong revenue growth moving forward.

I’ll add that Netwealth also provides some passive income, with the ASX 200 stock trading on a 2.2% fully franked trailing dividend yield.

The post Should I buy Coles shares for passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: Coles, NAB, CSL shares
• 2 ASX 200 shares to buy and 1 to sell now
• Here’s the dividend forecast out to 2029 for Coles shares
• Netwealth Group vs HUB24: Which financial platform is better from an investor’s perspective?
• How much do I need in superannuation to receive $1,000 passive income per week?

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

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) investors have been strapped into quite the roller coaster. And the ride isn’t over yet.

After a brutal plunge over the past year, Treasury Wine shares have staged a sharp comeback. The ASX wine stock kicked off the new week around 4% higher at $5.36, pushing its six-month gain to roughly 50%.

Impressive stuff, until you zoom out. Over the past 12 months, Treasury Wine shares are still down about 28%.

So which is it: genuine turnaround, or a rebound that’s got ahead of itself?

A radical reset or a radical gamble?

The company’s June strategy reset is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. Treasury Wine is ripping up its old playbook, slashing its brand count from 76 down to fewer than 30 over five years and throwing its weight behind flagship label Penfolds.

The troubled Americas business is under review, and management is chasing roughly $100 million in annualised cost savings by FY29.

The stated goal: fatter margins, a simpler business, and capital funneled toward the brands that can actually move the needle. Treasury Wine is now targeting a long-term EBITS margin above 25%.

The market went wild for it, shares have jumped more than 25% since the day the reset strategy dropped. But strip away the enthusiasm, and there’s a much less comfortable story underneath.

Not so fast, this isn’t a turnaround yet

A share-price rally doesn’t magically erase the problems that caused the crash in the first place. Treasury Wine has already booked a further $558.4 million post-tax non-cash impairment on its US assets — a brutal reminder of just how badly the Americas business has gone off the rails.

FY27 is shaping up as a transition year for Treasury Wine shares, not a victory lap. The entire bull case hinges on management nailing a portfolio overhaul, fixing bloated inventory, actually banking those promised cost savings, and keeping Penfolds growing through it all.

That’s a lot of moving parts, and a lot can still go wrong. The uncomfortable read is that the recent rebound might just be the market getting ahead of itself, pricing in a turnaround before any of those benefits have actually shown up in the numbers.

What do the brokers think?

Analysts are warming up to Treasury Wine shares, but nobody’s fully sold. Morgans has a buy rating and a $7.30 target, recently lifted from $5.95. That suggests a 36% upside from current price levels.

Citi is bullish too, with a buy rating and $6.95 target. UBS sits more cautiously at hold with $6.50, and JPMorgan mirrors that with a $6.00 hold.

Across 16 analysts, the average target lands around $6.25, 17% above Treasury Wine’s current $5.36 price. On paper, that’s real upside if the transformation actually delivers.

Foolish takeaway

After one of the wildest years in Treasury Wine’s history, a 50% six-month rally isn’t proof of anything. It’s a promissory note. Brokers see potential for Treasury Wine shares, but potential and delivery are two very different things.

Until the wine company actually executes on cost cuts, inventory discipline and Penfolds growth, calling this a turnaround might be jumping the gun. Investors watching from the sidelines are right to want to see results before believing the story.

The post Treasury Wine shares: turnaround or trap? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares

JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. 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 JPMorgan Chase and Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

You have to go all the way back to June 2019 to find the last time Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) shares were trading below the $60 mark.

Xero finished Monday at $60.08 after dropping another 4.30%, having touched an intraday low of $59.65.

The last time Xero closed below $60 was 28 June 2019, when the shares finished at $59.94.

That’s pretty remarkable when you consider Xero was trading as high as $196.52 in late June last year.

The selling has been relentless recently as well.

Xero shares are now down almost 30% over the past month and around 47% since the start of 2026.

September has been brutal

What makes the latest slide a little harder to pin down is that Xero hasn’t released any bad news to the market.

There has been no profit warning, earnings downgrade or major operational update behind the recent selling.

Instead, a few things seem to be working against the stock at the same time.

ASX tech shares had another tough session on Monday as expectations for another RBA rate rise increased.

Australian 10-year bond yields were also sitting around 5.3%, which hasn’t helped high-growth tech stocks either.

Xero has also been caught in the software sell-off as investors question what AI could mean for the sector over the next few years.

And then there’s Melio.

The acquisition pushed Xero further into US payments, while bringing extra costs and lower-margin revenue into the business as well.

This isn’t the same Xero as 2019

That’s what makes the current share price hard to ignore.

Xero may be back around its 2019 share price, but the business is now much larger.

In FY26, operating revenue rose 31% to NZ$2.75 billion, while adjusted EBITDA increased 18% to NZ$757.4 million.

Free cash flow reached NZ$554 million, while Xero added another 506,000 customers to finish the year with 4.92 million.

The numbers weren’t all heading in the right direction though.

Net profit fell 27% to NZ$167.4 million, while gross margin dropped from 89% to 83.9% as Melio started contributing to the group.

Xero has also flagged up to NZ$55 million of additional US brand spending during FY27.

Analysts value Xero much higher

The other thing worth watching is just how far Xero has fallen below some analyst valuations.

Morningstar has a fair value estimate of $97.87, although it also gives the stock a high uncertainty rating.

TipRanks shows Citi with a $113.60 price target, while RBC Capital has a more conservative target of $85.

Even the lowest of those figures is still well above yesterday’s close of $60.08.

That doesn’t mean Xero shares can’t keep falling, particularly after the way they’ve traded through September.

But it shows just how quickly the market has changed its view of the stock.

The post Xero shares crash to a 7-year low after a brutal sell-off appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) shares got smashed on Monday, plunging 12% to $15.76 after a blockbuster merger announcement. Zoom out, though, and the nuclear healthcare stock is still up 40% year to date — though that gain has shrunk to just 12% over 12 months.

So did the market overreact, or is this the start of something worse?

The deal

Here’s the short version: Telix just agreed to buy Germany’s ITM, one of the biggest players in radioisotope production, for US$1.65 billion.

And Telix isn’t paying with cash. It’s paying with shares – 105.8 million of them, worth about US$1.25 billion. On top of that, it’s taking on US$302 million of ITM’s debt, plus another US$96 million in transaction costs and management payouts.

That’s not all. Telix could end up paying a further US$700 million down the track. That will depend on how ITM’s cancer drug ITM-11 performs — up to US$250 million if it clears FDA approval across three indications, and up to US$450 million if sales blow past US$150 million by 2030.

Once the dust settles, current Telix shareholders will own about 76% of the combined company. ITM’s shareholders will get the other 24%.

Why the market panicked

In plain terms: Telix just diluted itself, big time. Issuing 105.8 million new Telix shares is a serious jump in shares on issue, and that’s really what was crushing the price on Monday. Not doubts about the strategy itself.

The deal still needs shareholder approval at a meeting expected in November, which adds a layer of ‘wait and see’. And the combined company’s 2026 revenue guidance of just over US$1.3 billion isn’t exactly blowing anyone away relative to the price tag. So investors are left weighing genuine strategic upside against real, near-term dilution.

CEO Christian Behrenbruch made the case for why it’s worth it:

ITM is the leader in radioisotope production, with deep scientific expertise and a track record of value-adding innovation. By combining our complementary strengths, we will create a company with commercial scale, world-leading supply and the most exciting theranostic drug portfolio in the sector.

What do brokers think?

Brokers, for the most part, aren’t panicking. Five of the latest broker ratings are a buy — Canaccord Genuity, Citi, JPMorgan, UBS and Jarden, while RBC Capital is the lone hold.

Where they disagree is on price. Targets range from $19 all the way to $31, suggesting upsides between 21% and 97%. Canaccord just lifted its target to $30.25, Citi sits at $31 and JPMorgan is at $25.58. Jarden nudged up to $21, while UBS trimmed its target to $22 but kept its buy rating intact.

Foolish takeaway

Every one of those price targets sits well above where Telix shares trade today. Brokers clearly like the story, but they just can’t agree on the price tag.

The real test isn’t whether the ITM deal makes strategic sense. It probably does. It’s whether Telix can actually integrate a US$1.65 billion acquisition, hit ITM-11’s regulatory milestones, and prove the dilution was worth it.

Until then, this drop looks more like nerves than a verdict.

The post Telix shares just crashed 12% on merger news. Time to buy the dip? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. 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 JPMorgan Chase and 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.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares have handed investors some fantastic gains over the past 12 months.

On Monday, shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) mining giant were trading for $60.71 apiece. That sees the share price up an impressive 51.7% since this time last year, smashing the ASX 200’s 0.9% 12-month loss.

And that’s not including the two fully-franked interim dividends BHP paid out over this time.

Amid rising revenue and profits, BHP’s FY 2026 dividend payouts, totalling $2.419 a share, were up 41.6% from FY 2025. If you owned BHP shares at market close on 2 September, you can expect to see the final FY 2026 passive income payout hit your bank account this Wednesday, 23 September.

At Monday’s prices, BHP shares trade on a fully-franked trailing dividend yield of 4%.

So, after this stellar 12-month run, is the Aussie mining giant still a good buy today?

BHP shares: Buy, hold, or sell?

Catapult Wealth’s Dylan Evans recently analysed the outlook for the booming miner, which now counts as the biggest stock by market cap on the ASX (courtesy of The Bull).

“The global miner’s full year results were impressive, with the company increasing revenue and profit,” he said.

Evans noted:

Growth was driven by the copper division, which is now the primary revenue generator for BHP. As a result, future earnings will be influenced by the copper price, but the price should be underpinned by several long-term themes, including electrification and growing digital infrastructure.

But, following on the strong one-year run, Evans issued a hold recommendation on BHP shares for now.

“BHP is a core holding. However, the share price has risen substantially in the past 12 months to the point where it can appear expensive,” he concluded.

What’s the latest copper news from the ASX 200 mining stock?

As Evans mentioned above, FY 2026 marked the first year in which copper surpassed iron ore in driving BHP’s earnings and supporting BHP’s share price growth.

Commenting on its copper operations, the ASX 200 mining stock noted:

Spot copper prices on average were 26% higher in FY26, with H2 FY26 experiencing increases of nearly 40% as copper moved to >US$13,000/t (US$5.90/lb). The copper price continues to be supported by strong fundamentals on the demand and supply side, driven by a compelling narrative for copper-intensive sectors, particularly electrification and data centres and the risk of future supply deficits.

BHP reported a 48% year-on-year increase in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) from its copper division to US$18.2 billion. That saw copper production contribute 54% of BHP’s total underlying EBITDA in FY 2026.

The post Up 52% and paying dividends: Are BHP shares a buy, hold, or sell today? 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 recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Origin Energy vs AGL Energy shares: Which is better for income investors?

Choosing between Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) and AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGL) is a classic income investor’s dilemma. Both are household names powering millions of Australian homes and businesses, with long histories and significant roles in the nation’s energy mix. If you’re seeking reliable, fully franked dividends and are keen to understand which business stands out in the current market, here’s what I found as I weighed up the two.

The case for Origin Energy

Origin Energy is one of Australia’s largest integrated energy companies, spanning electricity generation, natural gas supply, renewables, and retailing energy to homes and businesses. Alongside a strong presence across Australia, it also has operations in the Pacific and PNG. Origin’s company profile points to a diverse energy mix and a focus on both traditional and renewable energy sources.

Looking at the numbers, a few strengths pop out for income investors:

• A market capitalisation of $20.23 billion signals a large, stable business.
• A healthy 5.07% dividend yield, with the all-important 100% franking, means eligible shareholders receive the full tax credit benefit.
• A recent dividend per share of $0.60 is supported by an earnings per share figure of $0.912 and a P/E ratio of 12.97, indicating solid earnings coverage for those dividends.

Origin has a history of consistent, fully franked dividends. In 2023, 100% franking returned after a period of lower or nil franking seen in previous years. Its year-to-date return is also up 8.2%, providing a hint of positive sentiment.

The case for AGL Energy

AGL Energy is one of Australia’s oldest and most well-known energy brands, with operations dating back to 1837. Today, it generates, trades, and retails electricity and gas, with assets ranging from coal and gas generation to wind farms and hydro. Its retail business is a major player in both residential and business power markets.

Some notable figures for AGL right now:

• Market cap is $5.64 billion; much smaller than Origin, but still within the ASX100.
• Dividend yield sits at 6.00% – even higher than Origin’s – and likewise is now 100% franked.
• Despite paying a slightly lower dividend per share than Origin ($0.52 vs $0.60), AGL’s earnings per share is a solid $1.122. Its P/E ratio is 7.42, which is lower than Origin’s.

AGL’s dividend history has been more volatile in terms of franking — recently, franking has flipped back to 100% for the 2026 payments after several years of unfranked dividends. Its share price, however, has struggled year-to-date, down 5.2%.

Valuation comparison

Here’s how two stack up on key valuation and dividend numbers:

Metric	Origin Energy	AGL Energy
Market Cap	$20.23 billion	$5.64 billion
P/E Ratio	12.97	7.42
Dividend Yield	5.07% (100% franked)	6.00% (100% franked)
Dividend per Share	$0.60	$0.52
Earnings per Share	0.912	1.122
YTD Return	8.2%	-5.2%

Both companies now offer fully franked dividends, but AGL nudges ahead on yield. Origin, though, commands a premium on size and has outperformed AGL sharply over the year. Also, note: While AGL’s EPS is higher, its P/E is much lower than Origin’s, suggesting the market is less optimistic about its future growth or is factoring in other risks.

Recent share price performance

For the fortnight ending 17 September 2026, both Origin and AGL saw modest day-to-day moves:

• Origin shares finished at $11.74 on 17 Sep 2026, climbing from $11.57 on 11 Sep (a 1.5% rise), with a YTD return of 8.2%.
• AGL shares ended at $8.39 on 17 Sep 2026, down from $8.40 on 11 Sep (virtually flat), and have fallen 5.2% year-to-date.
• Over this period, Origin showed steadier resilience and mild upward bias, while AGL shares have softened both short-term and YTD.

Which is the better buy?

Looking at the numbers, I’m leaning toward Origin Energy as the better bet for income-focused investors. The reasons? While AGL offers a slightly higher dividend yield (6.0% vs 5.1%), I’m encouraged by Origin’s combination of steadier share price gains, greater market heft, and a fully franked, consistently paid dividend that looks well-covered by earnings. AGL’s low P/E might tempt value hunters, but its negative year-to-date return and bounce-back to full franking only very recently leave me a bit cautious on dividend reliability.

Importantly, both companies now pay 100% franked dividends, and both earnings and dividend payout levels look sustainable at present. But if I had to pick one to tuck away for dividend income and sleep soundly, my choice today would be Origin Energy — a larger flagbearer showing better price momentum and a reliable, franked payout for income seekers.

The post Origin Energy vs AGL Energy: Which ASX dividend stock is better for income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Macquarie Group vs Commonwealth Bank shares: Which bank is best on the ASX?

Everyday Aussie investors often find themselves weighing up Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) against Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA). Both have a long pedigree, blue-chip status, and deliver reliable dividends, but their businesses and profiles are starkly different. With current market conditions in mind, let’s see how Macquarie and CommBank stack up and which could be the better buy.

The case for Macquarie Group

Macquarie Group is a global powerhouse headquartered in Australia, best known for its investment banking, asset management, and specialist expertise in areas like infrastructure, resources and commodities. While it’s sometimes referred to as Australia’s fifth-largest bank by market cap, retail banking is only a small piece of Macquarie’s business. According to its most recent public description, Macquarie operates in 34 markets worldwide, offering everything from banking to investment and advisory services, and ranks within the world’s top 50 asset managers.

A few standouts in the latest numbers:

• Market cap: $91.54 billion
• P/E ratio: 18.83, notably lower than CommBank’s
• Dividend yield: 2.93% (unfranked portion may matter for some investors)
• EPS: 12.669
• Partial franking: 35%
• Year to date return: 19.5%

Dividends have grown over time, with the most recent final and interim payouts at $4.20 and $2.80 per share, both franked at 35%. Macquarie’s more global and diversified earnings base could appeal if you want exposure beyond Aussie retail banking.

The case for Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Commonwealth Bank (or CommBank) is a household name and part of Australia’s “big four” banking club. Its business is all about integrated financial services, spanning retail and business banking, funds management, super, insurance, and more. CommBank operates mainly in Australia and New Zealand, but its reach extends to several international markets too.

Here’s what stands out from the data:

• Market cap: $255.09 billion, making it much larger than Macquarie
• P/E ratio: 23.39
• Dividend yield: 3.31%, slightly higher than Macquarie’s
• EPS: 6.517
• Franking: a full 100%
• Year to date return: -1.92%

CommBank’s dividend history is a thing of beauty for income lovers. Payouts are fully franked, and dividends have remained consistent, with the last final and interim payments coming in at $2.70 and $2.35 per share. For those who value steady, reliable yield with maximum franking credits, CommBank is hard to go past.

Valuation comparison

These two banks share the same broad sector but look quite different through a value lens. Here’s how some core numbers compare:

	Macquarie Group	Commonwealth Bank
Market Cap	$91.54b	$255.09b
P/E Ratio	18.83	23.39
Dividend Yield	2.93%	3.31%
Dividend Franking	35%	100%
EPS	12.669	6.517

Note: Macquarie Group’s reported P/E and EPS figures align, but when comparing across such different business models—even within the banking sector—it’s not always apples-to-apples. CommBank’s full franking on its higher yield may also make its dividends more attractive to some investors, especially those in higher tax brackets.

Recent share price performance

Comparing 21 August to 18 September 2026:

• Macquarie Group shares fell from $248.43 to $238.62, a drop of roughly 3.9% in that time.
• Commonwealth Bank shares slipped from $157.99 to $152.43, down around 3.5% over the same period.

On a year-to-date basis, the difference is sharper:

• Macquarie Group is up 19.5% YTD.
• Commonwealth Bank is down 1.9% YTD.

Which is the better buy?

If I’m weighing Macquarie Group against Commonwealth Bank today, my pick would be Macquarie Group. Its momentum stands out, with an impressive 19.5% year-to-date return, which easily trumps CommBank’s negative move for 2026 so far. Macquarie also looks meaningfully cheaper on a P/E basis (18.8 vs 23.4), giving you more earnings for every dollar invested.

While CommBank pays a higher headline yield (3.31% vs 2.93%) and offers the full benefit of 100% franking, which is unbeatable for franked income lovers, Macquarie’s growth-style profile and sector diversification appeal to me more in the current market. Its slightly lower dividend and franking rate may disappoint some, but that’s balanced by capital gains and global exposure.

For investors seeking a combination of growth potential and a decent, partly franked dividend, I think Macquarie looks like the more compelling opportunity right now. Of course, if fully franked, reliable income is your absolute priority, you might still lean towards CommBank.

The post Macquarie Group vs Commonwealth Bank: Which ASX bank is the better buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

It was a lukewarm, tentative, yet positive start to the trading week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Monday. After a wild week last week, investors didn’t seem to know what to do today. After opening sharply lower this morning, the ASX 200 ended up recovering by market close, posting a small rise of 0.008%. That leaves the index at 8,731.9 points.

This nervous start to the Australian week comes after a mixed end to the American trading week last Friday night (our time).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) couldn’t quite stick the landing, losing 0.18%.

However, things were brighter for the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC), which gained 0.39%.

But let’s return to this week and the local markets now for a look at how the various ASX sectors handled today’s trading conditions.

Winners and losers

As you might expect, there were generous helpings of both red and green sectors this Monday.

Leading the former were tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had a shocker today, crashing 1.6%.

Gold stocks had a tough one too, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) tanking 0.73%.

Broader mining shares weren’t much better. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) had sunk 0.66% by the closing bell.

Communications stocks came next, evident by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)’s 0.43% dive.

Consumer discretionary shares also had a lacklustre day. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) saw its value cut by 0.41%.

Its consumer staples counterpart was ahead of that, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) sinking 0.23%.

Our last losers today were utilities shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) was sent home 0.11% lighter this Monday.

Let’s turn to the green sectors now. Leading the charge were financial stocks, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)’s 0.63% surge.

Healthcare shares were in decent demand, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) jumped 0.51% today.

We could say the same for energy stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) advancing 0.45%.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) saw some mild buying pressure as well. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) added 0.09% this session.

Finally, industrial shares scraped over the line, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)’s 0.05% bump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Gold miner Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) was our best share on the index this Monday. Ramelius shares leapt 6.15% higher this session to close at $3.80 each.

This big surge seemed to be prompted by a favourable production update released this morning.

Here’s the rest of today’s best:

ASX-listed company	Share price	Price change
Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS)	$3.80	6.15%
Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)	$140.95	5.27%
Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO)	$1.00	4.17%
Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE)	$5.36	4.08%
Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX: PNR)	$ 2.87	3.61%
Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN)	$10.16	3.36%
Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV)	$23.32	3.09%
Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC)	$0.795	2.58%
Graincorp Ltd (ASX: GNC)	$6.72	2.44%
Tuas Ltd (ASX: TUA)	$2.31	2.21%

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ASX 200 claws back its early losses. What’s moving the market?
• Why is this ASX gold share rocketing 7% on Monday?
• 3 ASX 200 gold stocks turning heads on big news today
• Ramelius Resources boosts production outlook and sets new FY27 guidance
• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares

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 Cochlear, Lovisa, and Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear and Lovisa. 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 spent Monday struggling to pick a direction.

After falling as low as 8,681 points shortly after the open, the benchmark has clawed its way back to 8,731 points in early afternoon trade.

That leaves the ASX 200 basically flat for the day and around 50 points above its morning low.

It’s a pretty mixed session underneath as well, with 99 shares higher, 94 lower, and 7 unchanged.

The index is still down around 3.8% over the past month, despite recovering slightly over the past 3 sessions.

So, what’s moving the market today?

Wall Street offers little help

There wasn’t much of a lead from Wall Street heading into today’s session.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) slipped 0.18% on Friday, while the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) gained 0.17% and the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) rose 0.40%.

Bond yields remain elevated as well, with the US 10-year Treasury yield pushing back above 5% on Friday.

According to Reuters, investors are still weighing the prospect of further US interest rate hikes, while oil prices remain above US$100 per barrel.

Banks help turn things around

One of the bigger changes since the open has been the performance of the major banks.

ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) shares are up 1.29% to $38.17, while National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) has gained 1.17% to $38.92.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) is also 0.56% higher at $153.28, and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) has added 0.52% to $34.93.

That has helped offset some weakness among the miners.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are down 0.72% to $60.61, while Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) has fallen 1% to $165.82.

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) is also trading lower, down 0.54% to $16.64.

Some big individual moves

There are also some much bigger moves elsewhere on the market today.

Perpetual Ltd (ASX: PPT) shares have dropped around 13.5% to $16.95 after the company rejected EQT‘s revised $22.50-per-share takeover proposal.

The board said the offer undervalued the business and carried unacceptable execution risks.

Meanwhile, Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) shares are down around 6% to $16.77.

The healthcare company announced a deal to combine with Germany’s ITM, with upfront consideration of US$1.65 billion and another US$700 million potentially payable through milestones.

RBA back in focus

Interest rates are likely to remain a major focus over the next week.

RBA Governor Michele Bullock and Assistant Governor Sarah Hunter are both scheduled to speak tomorrow. Bullock will appear at a CEDA event, while Hunter will take part in a separate interview earlier in the day.

This comes ahead of the central bank’s next monetary policy decision on 29 September.

The post ASX 200 claws back its early losses. What’s moving the market? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• ASX 200 healthcare shares lead a weaker market amid 82% chance of a rate hike
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• ASX 200 slips into the red after a positive start. Here’s why
• Downgrade alert! 5 ASX 200 shares downgraded by experts this week

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

Sigma Healthcare vs Sonic Healthcare shares: Which healthcare giant is the better buy?

Healthcare is a core slice of almost every Aussie portfolio, but the sector comes in many flavours. If you’re weighing up Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) and Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL) shares, the decision boils down to more than just “pharma vs pathology.” Both are big names, both have national and global footprints, and each offers a very different blend of income, growth potential, and business risk. Here’s how they stack up.

The case for Sigma Healthcare

Sigma Healthcare is a stalwart of Australian pharmacy. Following its 2025 merger with Chemist Warehouse, Sigma now blends a massive wholesale pharmaceutical distribution network with the country’s biggest pharmacy retail footprint, operating well-known brands such as Chemist Warehouse, Amcal, and Discount Drug Stores. The company also backs up its retail network with services like dose administration aids and technology for pharmacy customers. According to its most recent company profile, Sigma was founded in 1912 and is based in Clayton, Victoria.

The numbers show Sigma as a sizable operation — its market cap clocks in at $28.86 billion, with 11.5 billion shares on issue. Current valuation looks lofty, trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 41.77. Dividends are there, but on the smaller end, with a yield of 1.54% and full 100% franking. Year to date, Sigma’s share price has slipped by 10.5%.

The case for Sonic Healthcare

Sonic Healthcare is a very different beast. Rather than retailing or wholesaling medication, Sonic is a diagnostics empire: the largest private pathology services operator in Australia, the UK, Germany, and Switzerland, plus big positions in the US, New Zealand, and Belgium. Pathology accounts for most of its revenue, but Sonic also boasts a leading role in diagnostic imaging and medical centre ownership in Australia.

Sonic has a market cap of $9.70 billion (much smaller than Sigma) and a P/E ratio of 15.89 — far lower than Sigma’s. For income-seekers, the dividend yield is a noticeable 5.53%, although franking is partial at 60%. It’s also seen a negative year-to-date return of 8.8%.

Valuation comparison

Here’s how the two stack up on key valuation and income metrics:

Metric	Sigma Healthcare	Sonic Healthcare
Market Cap	$28.86 billion	$9.70 billion
P/E Ratio	41.77	15.89
Dividend Yield	1.54% (100% franked)	5.53% (60% franked)
Earnings per Share (EPS)	0.062	1.106
Dividend per Share	0.04	1.08
Year to Date Return	-10.5%	-8.8%

Sigma’s larger market cap reflects its scale and sprawling retail network after merging with Chemist Warehouse. But it is Sonic that stands out on income, with a much higher dividend yield (and larger dividends per share), albeit with less franking. Sonic’s far lower P/E ratio suggests the market expects slower growth or sees less risk in Sigma, but sector differences make a like-for-like comparison tricky.

Recent share price performance

Both companies have faced a challenging run lately. Comparing 18 August – 17 September 2026:

• Sigma Healthcare shares fell from $2.93 to $2.50, including a steep single-day drop of 7.75% on 27 August 2026.
• Sonic Healthcare shares dropped from $23.02 to $19.62, also seeing some sharp daily declines — most notably a 9.25% fall on 20 August 2026.
• Year to date, Sigma is down 10.5%, while Sonic has slipped 8.8%.

So, both stocks have moved lower through 2026, with both hit by periods of strong selling.

Which is the better buy?

This is not a simple snap pick, but if I had to choose, I’d lean toward Sonic Healthcare as the more appealing buy right now.

Here’s why: Sonic’s dividend yield is meaningfully higher at 5.53%, and its payout is larger in absolute dollar terms. While the 60% franking won’t suit everyone seeking maximised after-tax income, it’s still a decent level. Sonic’s P/E ratio of 15.89 is far more attractive than Sigma’s 41.77, suggesting you’re paying much less per dollar of reported profit.

Sigma’s premium valuation might be justified given its dominant retail position after merging with Chemist Warehouse, opening up new earnings streams and scale — but that makes the stock look priced for strong ongoing growth, which isn’t fully backed up by its negative year-to-date returns.

Sonic’s business model is more defensive, with global operations and a central role in diagnostic healthcare. Its lower valuation, higher income, and solid EPS give me more confidence in its risk/reward, even after recent price weakness. Without meaningful trend data beyond this year’s snapshot, I can’t judge longer-term earnings or dividend growth for either company.

So, while Sigma is a genuine heavyweight with exciting exposure to Australian pharmacy retail, my pick for a buy today would be Sonic Healthcare for its income, global footprint, and lower relative valuation.

The post Sigma Healthcare vs Sonic Healthcare: Which ASX healthcare share wins? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Down more than 18% in a month with a 7% yield, are Sonic Healthcare shares too cheap to ignore?
• ASX 200 healthcare shares lead a weaker market amid 82% chance of a rate hike
• 3 ASX shares I’d buy for income and growth in retirement
• How to build a superannuation portfolio generating $50,000 a year
• 9 ASX 200 shares earning strengthened buy ratings this week

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 recommended Sonic Healthcare. 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.