Author: openjargon

In times of uncertainty, S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) blue-chip shares could be a strong choice for reliability.

I’d want to look at businesses that offer products and services customers consider essential. Additionally, it seems inflation may pick up in the near term, so it may be useful to look at businesses that protect profitability during this period.

I’m going to highlight Australia’s leading telecommunications business and a major retailer because of the defensive earnings they can provide. Let’s get into it.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Telstra offers the largest network coverage, has the most subscribers and the most valuable spectrum assets.

These advantages have enabled the business to invest more in its network compared to its competitors, thereby maintaining its economic moat.

The ASX 200 blue-chip shares’ market position has given it confidence to regularly increase prices over the last few years, which is a strong tailwind for average revenue per user (ARPU) and profit margins.

If elevated inflation does persist, I expect the ASX 200 blue-chip share will continue to raise prices. Its perception of having a superior network is likely to help it retain most of its customer base and benefit from the higher mobile prices.

I’m expecting Telstra’s bottom line to continue improving for the foreseeable future, due to how essential an internet connection is to households and businesses.

As a bonus, the business is regularly increasing its dividend for investors. According to the Commsec projection, the Telstra share price is valued at 27x FY26’s estimated earnings, with a possible grossed-up dividend yield of 5.6%, including franking credits, at the time of writing.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers is the other high-quality ASX 200 blue-chip share I strongly believe has a compelling future in the years ahead.

As the owner of Bunnings and Kmart, Wesfarmers looks like it’s well-positioned to be one of the most important businesses in helping households access good-value products.

I’m regularly impressed by the financial metrics the business achieves. In the FY26 half-year result, Bunnings Group reported a return on capital (ROC) of 70.8%, and Kmart Group achieved a ROC of 69.8%.

Those ROC figures show how profitably Wesfarmers’ money has been put to work in these two businesses. I think it bodes well for future profit growth if they can continue to earn returns of that sort.

I also want to point out that the business achieved a return on equity (ROE) of 32.7% in the first half of FY26, which I think is very impressive for a business like Wesfarmers.

I like the ASX 200 blue chip shares’ initiative to expand into new areas to unlock further earnings growth. Ideas such as lithium mining, healthcare, and Anko’s expansion in the Philippines each have a large growth runway and offer something quite different to Wesfarmers’ earnings base.

In my view, earnings diversification and adjusting its business portfolio over time are among the best things that have helped future-proof the business. I also include WesCEF and Officeworks as useful profit contributors in the overall picture.

In 10 years, Wesfarmers’ business could change noticeably, but I think that will help strengthen the business through management’s long-term focus.

According to Commsec’s projections, the Wesfarmers share price is valued at 29x FY26’s estimated earnings, with a potential grossed-up dividend yield of 4.1% (including franking credits) at the time of writing.

The post 2 great ASX 200 blue-chip shares I’d buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• The Warren Buffett rule I keep coming back to with ASX shares
• 3 ASX dividend shares I’d hold through anything
• Almost ready to retire? I’d buy cheap ASX dividend shares for passive income
• Where I’d invest my first $500 into ASX shares
• 1 ASX dividend stock up 20% that I’d hold through any market

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

Warren Buffett has shared a lot of investing advice over the years, but one quote always sticks with me:

It’s far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price.

I think this captures something simple but powerful.

It shifts the focus away from trying to find the cheapest ASX share and toward finding the right business.

Quality comes first

It is easy to get drawn to shares that have fallen a long way or trade on ultra-low PE ratios.

Sometimes that works out. Other times, there is a reason the share price has dropped and it never really recovers.

Warren Buffett’s approach is a reminder to start with the business itself.

I try to focus on ASX shares that have strong positions, consistent demand, and the ability to keep performing over time. If those pieces are in place, I am much more comfortable investing, even if the price is not at its lowest point.

Price still matters, just not in the same way

That quote does not ignore valuation. It just puts it in the right place.

I still want to buy at a reasonable price. A pullback can make a high-quality ASX share more attractive, and that is often where opportunities come from.

For example, when a company like CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) trades well below its previous highs, I think about whether the underlying business has changed or whether the price has simply moved.

That is where this rule becomes useful.

The businesses I keep coming back to

On the ASX, I find myself drawn to companies that can keep delivering over time.

Businesses like Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) have shown they can grow across different cycles, while others like Transurban Group (ASX: TCL) benefit from steady demand and long-term assets.

They are very different, but they share one thing. They are built to last.

Why I keep using this rule

This way of thinking helps filter out a lot of noise.

Instead of asking which share is cheapest or which one has fallen the most, I focus on which businesses I would be comfortable holding for years.

That tends to lead me toward the same types of ASX shares again and again.

Foolish takeaway

The Warren Buffett rule I keep coming back to is focusing on quality first, then price.

Finding a strong business and buying it at a reasonable level is not complicated, but it works.

It keeps the process clear and helps me stay focused on what actually matters when investing in ASX shares.

The post The Warren Buffett rule I keep coming back to with ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 2 great ASX 200 blue-chip shares I’d buy right now
• Down 50%, why I’d invest $20,000 into CSL shares
• 3 ASX dividend shares I’d hold through anything
• Almost ready to retire? I’d buy cheap ASX dividend shares for passive income
• 3 ASX shares I’d buy if the market dropped again

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

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) has been one of the most heavily sold-off blue-chip shares on the ASX over the past year.

At current levels, the share price is down significantly from its 52-week high of $275.79.

While sentiment has clearly weakened, I see a biotech business that still has the same long-term drivers in place.

Here is why I’d be comfortable putting $20,000 into CSL shares.

The underlying demand is not going away

CSL operates in areas of healthcare that are not discretionary.

Its core plasma therapies are used to treat chronic and rare conditions. These are ongoing treatments, not one-off purchases, which creates a recurring demand base.

What is important to me is that this demand is tied to patient need rather than economic cycles.

Even though recent results were disappointing, the company continues to expect future growth to be driven by immunoglobulin, albumin, and newer product launches.

With its first-half results, Ken Lim, CSL’s CFO, said: “In the second half, we have an ambitious growth plan, driven by immunoglobulin (Ig), albumin and our newly launched products.”

That tells me the underlying drivers are still there.

It is still investing for the next phase of growth

One thing I look for in a long-term investment is whether the company is still building.

CSL is continuing to invest heavily in its future, including expanding its plasma manufacturing capacity and progressing its pipeline.

It is also working through a broader transformation program aimed at simplifying operations and improving efficiency.

These are not the actions of a business standing still.

They are the kinds of investments that can support growth over the next decade, even if they weigh on sentiment in the short term.

The competitive position remains strong

CSL has spent decades building its position in global healthcare.

It operates at scale, has deep expertise in plasma collection and manufacturing, and continues to invest in research and development.

These are not easy advantages to replicate.

What matters here, I think, is durability. Even when performance is uneven, businesses with strong positions tend to recover and continue growing over time.

That is one of the key reasons I would be willing to look through the recent poor performance and share price weakness.

The reset changes the starting point for CSL shares

The CSL share price is now in a very different place compared to where it was a year ago.

At higher levels, it was easy to question the valuation. After a 50% decline, that starting point has shifted materially.

I am not suggesting the share price cannot fall further. But I do think the risk-reward looks more favourable now than it did previously.

If the company delivers on its growth plans over time, today’s price could look cheap in hindsight.

Foolish takeaway

CSL has gone through a difficult period, and the share price reflects that.

But the underlying demand, long-term growth drivers, and competitive position still appear to be in place.

With the share price down heavily, I would be comfortable investing $20,000 with a long-term mindset, expecting that the business can rebuild momentum over time.

The post Down 50%, why I’d invest $20,000 into CSL shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 3 ASX shares I’d buy if the market dropped again
• Can the beaten-down CSL share price ever reach $300 again?
• CSL’s collapse deepens. Why this ASX giant can’t find a floor
• Prediction: CSL shares could surpass $265 in 2026
• Are ASX healthcare shares the next to rally?

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

There is a retirement decision many Australians make in their 50s and early 60s that feels sensible, cautious, and responsible.

It can also be one of the most expensive mistakes in long-term wealth building.

The idea sounds reasonable enough: as retirement gets closer, shift your super into cash or a conservative option so you can protect what you have built. After all, if markets fall, you have less time to recover.

That is the part that makes the decision feel smart.

The problem is that safety and lower returns often travel together. And over the final stretch before retirement, that trade-off can become far more costly than people expect.

What actually hurts returns

The biggest damage usually does not come from a market fall on its own.

It comes from what happens next.

When investors switch to cash after markets have already fallen, they often lock in the decline. Then, because confidence usually returns slowly, many stay defensive while markets recover. That means they can miss part of the rebound, which is often where a large share of long-term returns is earned.

That is the trap.

Market downturns feel dangerous in the moment. Yet for long-term investors, the bigger risk is often responding emotionally and giving up years of future compounding.

Why the final decade matters so much

One of the most misunderstood parts of retirement planning is how powerful the last 10 years before retirement can be.

By that stage, many people have built meaningful super balances. Even modest percentage returns on a larger base can add up quickly. That means the final decade is not just about preservation. It is still a major growth phase.

For example, a $400,000 super balance growing at 9% a year for 10 years would become roughly $947,000, even without extra contributions.

If that same balance grew at 4% a year instead, it would reach about $592,000.

That is a gap of more than $350,000.

This is why moving to low-growth settings too early can have such a lasting impact. It is not simply about avoiding losses. It is about what you give up in return.

The market downturn can make this decision more dangerous

A falling market often creates the strongest urge to “play it safe”.

That is understandable. Watching your super balance decline can be uncomfortable, especially when retirement no longer feels far away.

Yet this is exactly when a rushed switch can do the most harm.

If markets are already down, moving to cash may protect you from further short-term falls, but it can also leave you stranded if prices recover sooner than expected. And recoveries rarely wait until investors feel calm again.

In other words, the danger is not just volatility. The danger is making a permanent portfolio decision based on a temporary emotional state.

A downturn does not automatically mean your super strategy is wrong. It may simply mean markets are doing what markets have always done from time to time.

What to focus on instead

That does not mean everyone should stay aggressively invested forever.

Your investment mix should reflect your age, expected retirement date, need for income, other assets, and ability to tolerate fluctuations. There is no one-size-fits-all answer.

However, a change this important should be based on your full financial position, not a scary patch in the headlines.

For many Australians, better questions to ask are:

How much growth do I still need?

How long until I start drawing heavily on my super?

Will I retire all at once, or transition gradually?

Do I have cash or other assets outside super that reduce the need to panic?

Those questions are far more useful than simply asking whether cash feels safer today.

Foolish Takeaway

The myth is not that cash is always bad. It is that conservative automatically means safer.

In reality, switching your super to cash or a low-growth option too early can reduce your long-term retirement outcome by far more than many people realise. Not because you made a reckless decision, but because the decision felt prudent at exactly the wrong time.

Super is still a long-term investment vehicle, even as retirement gets closer.

If you are thinking about changing your investment option, make sure the move fits your timeline and broader plan, not just your nerves on a volatile day.

The post The superannuation myth that could cost you $100,000 before you retire appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Down 50%, why I’d invest $20,000 into CSL shares
• Why it’s time to look past the “SaaSpocolypse” and target Aussie tech
• 3 ASX dividend shares I’d hold through anything
• Bell Potter names the best ASX dividend shares to buy
• 2 wonderful ASX All Ords stocks I’d buy today

Motley Fool contributor Leigh Gant 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

Australian tech was heavily sold off to start the year. This was led by investors dumping shares in software as a service (SaaS) companies. 

From January until late March, the S&P/ASX 200 Info Tech Index (ASX: XIJ) fell 30%. 

This was driven by AI replacement fears.

AI can now perform functions like coding, data analysis, customer service, and content generation more cheaply and effectively. 

This directly overlaps with what many SaaS companies charge subscriptions for, and pushed many investors into fear-driven selling. 

But since late March, Aussie tech shares have been rebounding. 

A new report from Betashares has reinforced why the initial sell-off may have been overblown and how investors can profit. 

Small and mighty 

Tom Wickenden, Investment Strategist at Betashares, said with just a 4% weight in the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: 300), Australia’s technology companies punch above their weight in terms of investor interest.

A small but dynamic part of Australia’s equity market, technology companies have delivered periods of significant outperformance against the broader Australian market and global technology peers, alongside sharp drawdowns.

He reinforced that the sector is no stranger to volatility, and that current investor uncertainty is not misplaced. 

Disruption risk is a permanent feature of technology investing. But disruption also presents opportunity, for incumbents to integrate and adapt and new entrants to grow. In a sector as dynamic and small as Australian technology, this points to the benefits of an indexed ETF approach.

Investors flock to Aussie Tech 

According to the report, despite the current drawdown – and what some have dubbed a global ‘SaaSpocalypse’ in software – Australian investors are pouring into the sector. 

The Betashares S&P ASX Australian Technology ETF (ASX: ATEC) has attracted $193.7 million in net inflows so far this year to 15 April 2026, already exceeding the $156.5 million gathered in 2025.

These flows suggest that, rather than stepping away during volatility, many investors continue to view Australian technology as a long-term structural growth opportunity.

This influx of investment into the ASX ETF has also helped its recent recovery. 

After falling roughly 30% across the first three months of the year, it has now rebounded 16% in just the last 3 weeks. 

Fund overview 

For those seeking Aussie tech exposure, the ATEC ASX ETF aims to track the S&P/ASX All Technology Index (before fees and expenses). 

The Index provides exposure to leading ASX-listed companies in a range of tech-related market segments such as information technology, consumer electronics, online retail, and medical technology.

At the time of writing, it includes 45 underlying holdings, with its largest exposure being to: 

• Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU) 10.1%
• Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) 9.8% 
• Nextdc Ltd (ASX: NXT) 9.2%

The post Why it’s time to look past the “SaaSpocolypse” and target Aussie tech appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Is this ASX ETF the perfect companion to Vanguard’s VAS?
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• Best and worst case scenarios this week for global equities: 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 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.

When markets turn volatile, income investors often ask a simple question: which ASX dividend shares can I rely on no matter what?

It’s not about chasing the highest yield. It’s about owning businesses with durable cash flow, strong market positions, and the ability to keep paying dividends through cycles.

Here are three ASX dividend shares that fit that bill.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Telstra is often the first name that comes to mind for reliability. As Australia’s dominant telecommunications provider, it benefits from scale, infrastructure, and a sticky customer base. Mobile and internet services are essential, which gives Telstra defensive earnings even when the economy slows.

The company has also been using its pricing power, with recent increases expected to support margins. For income investors, Telstra offers consistent dividends backed by steady cash flow.

The telco is expected to pay a total dividend of 20 cents for FY26, representing a 5.25% year-on-year increase. At the time of writing that implies a dividend yield around 3.7% For FY27 the dividend payout is expected to increase again to 21 cents per share. 

APA Group (ASX: APA)

APA is another cornerstone income stock. Its network of gas pipelines operates under long-term contracts, delivering predictable and recurring revenue. The energy infrastructure company has increased its annual distribution every year for the past 20 years, making it one of the most reliable ASX dividend shares around.

It’s expecting to hike its FY26 annual distribution to 58 cents per security, translating into a distribution yield of 5.8%, at the time of writing.

While infrastructure stocks can be sensitive to interest rates, APA’s underlying business remains highly resilient. It plays a crucial role in energy supply, making it a dependable option for long-term portfolios.

Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

Then there’s Transurban, an ASX dividend share that offers a blend of income and growth. The company owns and operates major toll roads across Australia and North America, assets that are difficult to replicate.

Many of its tolls are linked to inflation, providing a natural hedge against rising costs. As populations grow and urban congestion increases, demand for its roads tends to follow. That creates a long runway for earnings and distribution growth over time.

For FY26, the company has guided to a distribution of 69 cents per security, implying a forward yield of around 5.0%. It recently paid an interim distribution of 34 cents per security, unfranked, reinforcing its steady payout rhythm.

The connection

What ties these ASX dividend shares together is the nature of their assets.

Telstra provides essential connectivity. APA underpins energy infrastructure. Transurban keeps cities moving. These are services people rely on every day, regardless of economic conditions.

That doesn’t mean they’re risk-free. Telstra faces ongoing competition and needs to manage pricing carefully. APA carries debt and can be affected by higher interest rates. Transurban also has significant leverage and is exposed to traffic volumes during economic slowdowns.

But importantly, these risks are well understood and built into business models designed for the long term.

Foolish Takeaway

For investors focused on income, long term is what matters most. Not perfect performance every year, but the ability to deliver steady, reliable returns over time.

If you’re building a dividend portfolio to hold through thick and thin, these three ASX dividend shares have the scale, resilience, and cash flow to stay the course.

The post 3 ASX dividend shares I’d hold through anything appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 1 ASX dividend stock up 20% that I’d hold through any market
• 3 reasons I’d buy Telstra shares today
• Where I’d invest $5,000 in ASX blue-chip shares
• Stagflation: How to position an ASX stock portfolio
• Why I don’t own Telstra shares (yet)

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 Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group, 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.

There are plenty of ASX dividend shares to choose from on the local market.

But which ones could be best buys?

To narrow things down, let’s look at two that Bell Potter has on its Australian equities panel.

These are equities that the broker believes offer attractive returns over the long term.

Here are two ASX dividend shares it is tipping as buys:

Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD)

Bell Potter thinks this agribusiness company’s shares are undervalued at current levels.

In addition, it highlights Elders’ strong dividend yield as a reason to buy. It said:

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.

The broker is 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 $7.35, this would mean dividend yields of 5.3% and 6.1%, respectively.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $9.00 price target on Elders’ shares.

Nick Scali Limited (ASX: NCK)

Another ASX dividend share that Bell Potter is bullish on is furniture retailer Nick Scali.

It believes the company is well-placed for growth given its UK rollout. 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.

As for 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 its current share price of $14.93, this would mean dividend yields of 4.15% and 5%, respectively.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $25.00 price target on Nick Scali’s shares.

The post Bell Potter names the best ASX dividend shares to buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Forget Westpac shares, I’d buy these ASX dividend stocks
• Would Warren Buffett buy this ASX 200 share?
• 3 ASX shares Bell Potter rates as top buys
• A rare buying opportunity to buy 1 of Australia’s top shares?
• Got $7,500? Here are 2 strong ASX retail stocks to buy now

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.

ASX All Ords stocks are a great hunting ground for opportunities because they can deliver much more growth than an ASX blue-chip share. The All Ordinaries (ASX: XAO) is full of interesting names.

Smaller businesses are much earlier in their growth journey, but are typically undervalued by the market for their potential earnings growth. When we pick the right names, it can lead to strong, market-beating returns.

If I were looking to beat the market, the two names below are ones I’d consider.

Aeris Resources Ltd (ASX: AIS)

Aeris describes itself as an Australian mid-tier copper and gold producer. It has two copper projects, expected to deliver between 40kt and 49kt in FY26.

On top of that, the business has multiple development projects, and it’s also investing in exploration. This gives it a strong platform for growth over the longer-term.

I’m expecting copper prices to rise over the longer term due to rising demand, driven by global electricity grid expansion, electric vehicles, data centres, renewable energy, batteries, and so on.

The FY26 half-year result showed how the business can deliver improving profitability amid higher commodity prices – revenue grew by 4.6%, gross profit increased 57% to $93.5 million, net profit after tax (NPAT) rose 62% to $47.9 million, and operating cash flow surged 67% to $97.3 million.

The Aeris Resources share price is down by 46% since January 2026, making it a much cheaper buy.

According to the forecast on CMC Invest, the ASX All Ords stock is now valued at just 2x FY26’s estimated earnings.

Australian Ethical Investment Ltd (ASX: AEF)

Australian Ethical is a fund manager that aims to provide investors with investment options that align with their ethical beliefs about what they would and wouldn’t want to invest in.

For example, it avoids certain industries, such as fossil fuels, nuclear, and tobacco, while actively supporting positive ones, such as renewable energy, healthcare, IT, and others.

One of the most appealing aspects of Australian Ethical as an investment is its superannuation offering. This offers both long-term funds under management (FUM) and growth from regular superannuation contributions.

For example, in the FY26 third quarter, the business reported net inflows of $0.1 billion, with the vast majority coming from the superannuation channel. Short-term market volatility can affect FUM and the earnings trajectory, but a sell-off can be an opportunity for a rebound.

At the end of March, Australian Ethical expanded its private markets offering with the launch of the Australian Ethical Growth Opportunities Fund. This provides wholesale investors with access to long-term, ethically aligned private-market investments. The new fund has received a cornerstone institutional commitment of up to $125 million from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC).

According to the forecast on CMC Invest, the ASX All Ords stock is valued at 20x FY26’s estimated earnings.

The post 2 wonderful ASX All Ords stocks I’d buy today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Bell Potter names the best ASX dividend shares to buy
• Lest We Forget
• Almost ready to retire? I’d buy cheap ASX dividend shares for passive income
• 3 ASX ETFs with market-beating potential over the next 10 years
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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

Duty.

The word might seem old-fashioned these days, in what can often feel like a me-first world.

It invokes a responsibility not just to ourselves, but to others. To do the right thing.

And it elicits the idea of sacrifice. After all, we don’t need to promise to do the things we want to do – but to do the things we ought to do, even when we might prefer not to, or prefer to do something else.

Today is ANZAC Day.

It is the day, 111 years ago, that soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed on a beach in Suvla Bay in the Dardanelles Strait. It was a strategic sea transport lane that the Allies were determined to keep open, and hopefully use as a prelude to capturing Istanbul, then known as Constantinople, the capital of the Ottoman Empire.

A day that would become immortalised in Australian and New Zealand history, and serve as our pre-eminent day of remembrance for all Australian and New Zealand soldiers, sailors and aviators, and those of our allies, who served, suffered and died in the service of our countries in wars and warlike conflicts.

Those who were doing their duty.

From the cities and the bush. Old and young. Black and white. Rich and poor. Volunteer and conscript.

They put on our nation’s uniform and served their country faithfully.

Some did not return, and are buried in war graves, mostly overseas. We remember them today.

We also remember those who came home, but who returned with physical, mental and emotional injuries. Who left the war, but whom the war never left.

We remember those whose emotional injuries were so severe that ending their own lives was preferable to living with the pain.

They all did their duty, in our name.

We remember, because it is our duty.

Remembrance isn’t about glorifying war. It’s not about the conflicts themselves at all.

It is about those Australians, New Zealanders and those of our wartime allies who put themselves in harm’s way because their country asked them to.

It is our responsibility – our duty – to pause and reflect. To remember.

Not just the gallant acts of incredible bravery. Though we remember them.

Not just the battles won against fierce odds. Though we remember them, too.

We remember the ordinary serviceman and woman who donned their uniform and followed orders, because that’s what they were asked to do.

Who felt fear. Who knew horror. Who served with distinction and honour, even though at times they would have felt, with every fibre of their being, that they would rather have been anywhere else.

Who did their duty, simply because it was their duty, and they believed it was the right thing to do.

And that’s why it’s our duty to remember.

After the Ode of Remembrance is recited across the country at ANZAC services, today, attendees will observe a period of silence.

In the stillness, we will contemplate the sacrifices made by our service personnel. Our fellow Australians, who, in years past, did their duty. Often at great personal cost, some making the supreme sacrifice.

We will remember those who, often in the youthful prime of their lives, did their duty, regardless of that personal cost.

And so, we will do our duty. We will remember them.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,

Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted:

They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Lest We Forget

The post Lest We Forget appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Scott Phillips 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.

Getting close to retirement changes how I think about investing.

Income starts to matter more, and I want that income to be as reliable as possible. At the same time, I still want the portfolio to hold up over the long term.

Here is how I would approach buying ASX dividend shares for passive income at this stage.

Focus on the starting yield

The price you pay matters more when you are investing for income.

Buying ASX shares after a pullback can lift the dividend yield and improve the income from day one. That is why I pay close attention to companies trading below their usual levels.

For example, when a business like Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN) falls well below its highs, the potential yield on offer with its shares can become very generous.

In fact, according to CommSec consensus estimates, Harvey Norman shares are expected to offer a dividend yield of around 8% in FY27.

Look for businesses that can keep paying

A high dividend yield is only useful if it can be sustained.

I focus on companies that generate consistent cash flow and have a track record of paying dividends through different conditions. That often leads me toward businesses with strong positions in their markets.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) is a good example of this. The Bunnings and Kmart owners’ earnings are supported by demand that tends to hold up well in most economic environments, which helps underpin regular and growing dividends.

Diversify

I think a balanced income portfolio is important.

An easy way to achieve this is with an exchange-traded fund (ETF) like the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY) or the Betashares S&P Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: HYLD).

They allow you to buy a large group of ASX dividend shares through a single investment. This provides almost instant diversification to a passive income portfolio.

Keep it manageable

As retirement approaches, simplicity becomes more important.

I would rather own a handful of income-producing ASX shares that I understand than a large number of positions that are harder to follow. That makes it easier to track performance and stay confident in the portfolio.

Foolish Takeaway

I think building a passive income portfolio comes down to buying the right shares at the right price and holding them over time.

A mix of reliable dividend payers and opportunities created by share price weakness can help build a steady income stream, which is what I would focus on as I get close to retirement.

The post Almost ready to retire? I’d buy cheap ASX dividend shares for passive income appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to generate monthly income using ASX ETFs
• Where I’d invest my first $500 into ASX shares
• Down 40%: These high-yield ASX dividend shares are rated as buys
• 5 ASX dividend shares I’d buy for a second income
• 1 ASX dividend stock down 18% — I’d buy right now

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