Author: openjargon

Retirement investing does not have to be all about chasing the highest dividend yield.

I would still want businesses that can grow over time, while also providing some income along the way.

These three ASX shares would be on my list.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers is one of the first ASX shares I would consider.

The group owns businesses including Bunnings, Kmart, Officeworks, and Priceline, giving it several sources of earnings across different parts of the Australian economy.

For retirement investors, I like the combination of established businesses and room for further growth.

Bunnings has built a powerful position in home improvement, while Kmart continues to benefit from its focus on affordable products. Wesfarmers also has the financial strength to invest in existing businesses or pursue new opportunities when management sees attractive returns.

The company has also paid dividends consistently over many years.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

CBA would give me a more traditional source of income.

The bank generates substantial profits from its large customer base across home lending, deposits, business banking, and other financial services.

That has allowed it to return significant amounts of cash to shareholders through fully franked dividends.

Australian banking is a mature industry, so I would not expect rapid earnings growth.

But for retirement, I would be comfortable owning a high-quality business capable of producing substantial cash flow while still gradually increasing earnings over time.

CBA is rarely the cheapest bank on the ASX, but I would be willing to pay a little more for what I think is the strongest banking business in Australia.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)

Sigma would be the more growth-focused choice of the three ASX shares.

Following its combination with Chemist Warehouse, the company now has exposure to one of Australia’s best-known pharmacy brands alongside a major pharmaceutical distribution operation.

I think there are several ways the business can become larger over the next decade.

Chemist Warehouse continues to expand its store network, while international markets such as New Zealand and the United Kingdom provide additional room for growth.

Sigma can also benefit from the wider pharmacy ecosystem, including distribution, retail sales, online channels, and relationships with suppliers.

While its dividend yield is not the largest, if the company can expand earnings over time, there should be greater scope for shareholder returns to increase.

Foolish takeaway

For me, retirement would not mean giving up on growth.

I would want some dependable income, but I would also want businesses capable of becoming more valuable over the years ahead.

Wesfarmers, CBA, and Sigma each offer a different balance between those two goals, which is why I would be comfortable considering any of them for a long-term retirement portfolio.

The post 3 ASX shares I’d buy for income and growth in retirement appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

•  If I invest $10,000 in CBA shares, how much passive income will I receive in FY27?
• Down 22%: Are Wesfarmers shares now a good buy for passive income?
• Wesfarmers vs Telstra: Which ASX dividend stock comes out on top?
• How much passive income could I earn from a $650,000 superannuation balance?
• How to make $26,000 of passive income from ASX shares

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Commonwealth Bank Of Australia and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Wesfarmers. 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.

James Hardie Industries Plc (ASX: JHX) shares are showing a little more life on Thursday.

The James Hardie share price is up 0.29% to $37.41 in late morning trade, but that barely dents its recent losses.

The stock has fallen almost 15% over the past month and more than 8% in a week, although it is still up around 21% in 2026.

Wednesday was particularly rough, with the shares dropping 5.23% after the company held its 2026 Investor Day.

Management reckons the company can keep growing strongly even if the US housing market stays weak.

But can it actually pull that off?

The US market remains difficult

The backdrop in the United States is still pretty tough.

US homebuilder sentiment fell to a 12-month low in September, while the average 30-year mortgage rate recently hit 6.76%.

Existing home sales also dropped 2% in August to an annualised rate of 3.98 million, the lowest level in 14 months.

That’s not exactly ideal when North America is still the biggest part of James Hardie’s business.

But management isn’t banking on cheaper mortgages or a housing rebound to drive growth.

At its Investor Day, James Hardie said it is targeting organic growth of 4% to 7% above the market over the longer term.

And the company reckons it can get there even if housing conditions stay weak.

Growth is still holding up

James Hardie’s first-quarter numbers suggest the plan is already starting to show through.

Q1 FY27 revenue rose 64% to US$1.48 billion, while pro-forma sales increased 12%.

North American fibre cement sales also grew 20% organically during the quarter, even with US housing still struggling.

That’s probably the number I’d be paying closest attention to from here.

If James Hardie can keep growing ahead of the housing market, it takes some of the pressure off waiting for a full recovery.

Can it keep this going?

The next few results should give investors a better idea of whether James Hardie can keep this up.

So far, the early signs are encouraging.

At $37.41, the shares are well below their August high of $44.12, despite the business still moving in the right direction.

If James Hardie can keep growing ahead of the wider housing market, I think investors could start looking at the stock a little differently.

And if US housing eventually improves as well, that would give the company another reason to keep growing.

The post James Hardie says it doesn’t need a US housing recovery. Can it prove it? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Down 6% today: What’s going on with the James Hardie share price?
• James Hardie lifts guidance and details long-term growth at 2026 Investor Day
• Buy, hold, sell: Echo IQ, James Hardie, Woolworths shares
• Experts reckon this high-flying ASX 200 blue-chip stock is a buy
• This ASX 200 stock is up 30% in 2026. Here’s why I’d still buy it

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 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.

CSL Ltd’s (ASX: CSL) board has admitted the financial performance of the business has been disappointing, but vowed to do better ahead of the company’s upcoming annual general meeting.

Aiming for improvement

In the notice of meeting lodged with the ASX, CSL chair Brian McNamee said the past year had been one of “significant change” for the blood products company, “and the board acknowledges that many shareholders are frustrated with the recent disappointing commercial and financial performance of the company”.

Mr McNamee added:

This includes reporting a multibillion-dollar statutory loss, driven by significant restructuring activity, leadership transition and the recognition of substantial non-cash balance sheet impairments. We built up substantial fixed costs, we were slow to adapt to competitive pressures, our research and development efforts didn’t deliver and some investments the Company made did not perform. We recognise this, and the management team is acting with urgency to earn back the confidence of shareholders through results.

Mr McNamee said the company’s core markets remained attractive, and the business was resilient and delivering strong cash flows.

He said the strategy was to invest in the core of the plasma business, “with selective investment beyond that”.

He added:

The industry fundamentals remain attractive. Plasma is a structurally stable therapeutic area, with durable demand and significant unmet patient need. CSL also maintains strength in influenza vaccines through the Seqirus business.

Mr McNamee said the board was encouraged by the early positive results of changes implemented by the management team.

He said the company needed to focus on stronger execution and adapt more rapidly as markets evolve.

Mr McNamee said the search for a new Chief Executive Officer was well-advanced, and in the meantime interim CEO Gordon Naylor was positioning the company for the next phase of growth.

CSL shares were 1 cent lower at $174.40 on Thursday. The shares have traded as low as $90 over the past year and as high as $222.47.

CSL shares looking like a good buy

Brokers are currently positive on the outlook for CSL following the company’s August results release.

RBC Capital Markets this week upgraded the company to an outperform rating with a $213 price target.

The broker said they now believed that “growth in the Behring business can offset the weak outlook in the Seqirus and Vifor business, and enable the company to deliver mid-single digit EPS growth for the next 3 years”.

The company is valued at $83.7 billion. The AGM will be held on Tuesday 27 October.

The post CSL acknowledges “disappointing” results but aims to do better appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• CSL, Resmed, and more. See which ASX health stocks RBC Capital Markets has upgraded
• Two broker upgrades put CSL shares back in focus
• Is the CSL share price heading to $200?
• CSL shares have surged over 25%. Do brokers see more upside?
• CSL shares just fell 5% after a strong rally. Is the recovery losing steam?

Motley Fool contributor Cameron England 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.

Retiring at 60 would sound pretty good to me.

But finishing work earlier means my superannuation may need to support me for a long time.

So, how large would I want my balance to be before calling it a day?

Start with the lifestyle I want

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) provides a helpful starting point.

Its latest Retirement Standard estimates that a single homeowner aged 65 to 84 needs around $56,166 a year for a comfortable retirement. For a couple, the figure is approximately $78,998 a year.

That comfortable lifestyle includes things such as private health insurance, regular leisure activities, meals out, maintaining a car, home repairs, and occasional travel.

Of course, my own spending could be higher or lower.

But I think those figures provide a sensible benchmark for thinking about how much income my super may need to provide.

Retiring at 60 changes the numbers

ASFA estimates that a single homeowner needs around $630,000 in super to fund a comfortable retirement from age 67. A couple needs around $730,000 combined.

The important part is the age.

Those figures assume retirement at 67, whereas I am looking at stopping work seven years earlier.

Age Pension eligibility also currently begins at 67, subject to the relevant income, asset, and residency rules.

That means someone retiring at 60 may need to fund several additional years before any potential Age Pension support begins.

For people born from 1 July 1964, 60 is also the current preservation age for superannuation, although a condition of release still needs to be met before the money can generally be accessed.

How much would I want?

If I were a single homeowner aiming for something close to ASFA’s comfortable lifestyle, I would personally want around $900,000 in super before retiring at 60.

That is not an official ASFA target.

It simply gives me more room to fund those extra seven years while leaving plenty of capital invested for later in retirement.

For a couple, I would be thinking closer to $1.1 million combined, depending on our expected spending and other assets.

I would not treat either figure as a magic number. Someone with inexpensive hobbies, a paid-off home, and modest travel plans may be comfortable with less. Someone planning regular overseas holidays or helping family financially may want considerably more.

I would keep investing after retirement

I would also want my superannuation to continue growing after I stopped working.

At 60, retirement could still last 30 years or more.

That is too long for me to become entirely focused on cash and defensive investments like bonds.

I would still want exposure to Australian and international shares, alongside enough defensive assets to cover spending without being forced to sell shares during a market downturn.

Investment returns could then help offset some withdrawals and give the balance a better chance of keeping up with inflation.

Foolish takeaway

If I planned to retire at 60, I would personally aim for around $900,000 in superannuation as a single homeowner, rather than relying on the age-67 benchmark of $630,000.

Retiring seven years earlier creates a larger job for the portfolio.

For me, having that extra buffer would provide more flexibility around spending, market downturns, and the possibility of a retirement lasting several decades.

The post How much superannuation would I want if I planned to retire at 60? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• CSL acknowledges “disappointing” results but aims to do better
• Hub24 shares have fallen 27% in 2026. Could they really rebound 38%?
• Guess which ASX stock is rocketing 14% today?
• Should I buy Rio Tinto shares for passive income?
• Netwealth Group vs HUB24: Which financial platform is better from an investor’s perspective?

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

Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB) shares are edging higher on Thursday, but investors probably won’t be celebrating just yet.

The Hub24 share price is up 0.26% to $70.38 at the time of writing, but that barely makes a dent in the recent losses.

The shares have fallen almost 20% in the past month and around 27% in 2026.

They are now trading only slightly above their 52-week low of $68.70 and more than 42% below the $122.03 high.

So, has the sell-off gone too far?

Why have Hub24 shares fallen so much?

The sell-off looks pretty harsh when you look at Hub24’s latest financial results.

FY26 revenue rose 23% to $501.1 million, while underlying EBITDA climbed 30% to $211.4 million. Underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) increased 40% to $137.3 million.

Platform funds under administration (FUA) reached $139.5 billion, up 24%, while total FUA grew to $164.3 billion.

Hub24’s platform market share increased from 8.6% to 9.9%, while active advisers rose 11% to 5,649.

While those were solid numbers, what seems to be worrying investors more is the slowdown in inflows heading into FY27.

The company said outflows from discretionary IDPS accounts were still high in August, although superannuation flows were holding up better.

If that weakness hangs around, Hub24 may find it harder to keep FUA growing at the same pace.

What are the brokers saying?

Brokers are still much more positive on Hub24 shares after the recent drop.

According to TipRanks, the average 12-month price target from 13 ranked analysts is $97.18. From the current price of $70.38, that points to potential upside of around 38%.

Most of the targets are sitting in the $90s. Citi has a target of $93.50, Jefferies is at $93.75, Morgans is at $92, RBC Capital has $91, and JPMorgan is at $98.

Jarden has the highest target shown at $101, while Bell Potter is a little more cautious with a $90 target and a hold rating.

Why $70 has my attention

After falling almost 20% in a month, Hub24 shares are starting to look a lot more interesting around these levels.

The stock is still trading on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of around 48, so I wouldn’t call it cheap. And if inflows stay weak, that could put more pressure on the valuation.

Nonetheless, Hub24 is still growing earnings, and winning market share.

Management is also targeting Platform FUA of $186 billion to $200 billion by FY28, excluding PARS.

At around $70, I think the risk-reward looks much better than it did above $120.

The next big update comes on 20 October, when Hub24 releases its first-quarter results.

The post Hub24 shares have fallen 27% in 2026. Could they really rebound 38%? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 4 high conviction ASX stock picks from Canaccord Genuity
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday

JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. 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 Hub24, JPMorgan Chase, and Jefferies Financial Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Hub24. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

One small-cap ASX stock is getting plenty of attention on Thursday.

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Ltd (ASX: NZK) shares are up 13.51% to 21 cents at the time of writing.

This comes after the salmon producer released an update before the market opened.

The move has pushed shares close to their 22-cent 52-week high while lifting the company’s market capitalisation to $113 million.

So, what did New Zealand King Salmon tell investors this morning?

Let’s take a closer look.

What’s behind today’s jump?

According to the release, New Zealand King Salmon has lifted its full-year earnings expectations.

The company now expects FY26 pro-forma EBITDA of between NZ$36 million and NZ$39 million.

This is ahead of its previous guidance range of NZ$30 million to NZ$34 million.

Pro-forma EBIT guidance has also moved higher to between NZ$27 million and NZ$30 million, up from NZ$21 million to NZ$25 million.

However, there was another part of the update that caught my attention.

Harvest guidance hasn’t changed, with New Zealand King Salmon still expecting between 5,950 and 6,050 metric tonnes in FY26.

Management said fish performance has been better than expected, while mortality has continued to come in below previous assumptions.

Carrington said better fish performance was flowing through to earnings, but there was still more work to do.

A much better year so far

The upgrade adds to a big turnaround that has already been underway in FY26.

In its half-year result, New Zealand King Salmon reported net profit of NZ$13.8 million, compared with a NZ$20.8 million loss in the previous corresponding period.

That represents a NZ$34.6 million swing from loss to profit.

Pro-forma EBITDA also improved to NZ$17.2 million from NZ$5.7 million.

Lately, the business has been showing better earnings, and management expects that improvement to continue through the rest of FY26.

What should investors watch next?

Today’s upgrade is good news, but investors will get a better look at next year in November.

New Zealand King Salmon is aiming to lift harvest volumes to between 7,200 and 7,600 tonnes in FY27, before targeting 8,500 to 9,100 tonnes in FY28.

The catch is that costs are moving higher as well.

Management said higher feed prices and wellboat expenses are starting to come through this year, with the full impact expected in FY27.

Management plans to provide FY27 guidance alongside its FY26 results in November.

If volumes keep growing while fish performance remains strong, the business could still have room to improve despite those extra costs.

The post Guess which ASX stock is rocketing 14% today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• CSL acknowledges “disappointing” results but aims to do better
• How much superannuation would I want if I planned to retire at 60?
• Hub24 shares have fallen 27% in 2026. Could they really rebound 38%?
• Should I buy Rio Tinto shares for passive income?
• Netwealth Group vs HUB24: Which financial platform is better from an investor’s perspective?

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 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.

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares have long been a popular choice with Australian income investors.

The mining giant has returned substantial amounts of cash to shareholders over the years.

At around $166.25 today, are Rio Tinto shares still worth considering for passive income?

Why miners can work for income investors

Rio Tinto and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) are regular fixtures in many income portfolios for good reason.

Both companies own large, long-life mining operations that can generate enormous amounts of cash when commodity markets are supportive.

For Rio Tinto, iron ore remains a key part of the business. Its Pilbara operations produce huge volumes and have historically generated substantial profits.

That cash can then be used to fund new projects, strengthen the balance sheet, and pay dividends to shareholders.

I also like that Rio Tinto is building out its exposure to copper. That gives the company another potential source of earnings as demand grows from areas such as electrification, power networks, and renewable energy infrastructure.

For income investors, I think that mix works well. Rio Tinto has major assets generating cash today while still investing for the future.

What could the dividend look like?

For passive income investors, Rio Tinto’s dividend is one of the main reasons to consider the shares.

According to consensus forecasts, the miner is expected to pay fully franked dividends of $6.34 per share in FY26 and $6.62 per share in FY27.

At the current Rio Tinto share price, that works out to be prospective dividend yields of around 3.8% and 4%, respectively.

Those yields may not jump off the page, but I think they are attractive when combined with the potential benefit of franking credits.

For me, the bigger point is that investors are getting a reasonable level of income from a company I would also be comfortable owning for the long term.

What does the valuation look like?

Consensus forecasts are for earnings per share of $12.07 in FY26 and $12.04 in FY27.

At the current share price, Rio Tinto is therefore trading on a PE ratio of around 14 times forecast earnings.

I think that is a reasonable valuation for a business of this scale, particularly when the dividend is also part of the return.

Of course, Rio Tinto’s earnings will always move with commodity prices.

Iron ore weakness could put pressure on profits and dividends, while stronger prices could have the opposite effect.

That variability is simply part of owning a large miner.

I would not rely on the dividend alone

Rio Tinto is not the type of income share where I would expect the dividend to rise neatly every year.

The payout can move significantly depending on profits and commodity markets.

For that reason, I would see Rio Tinto as one part of a broader passive income portfolio rather than relying on it to provide a fixed amount every year.

That would still leave plenty of room for the company to make a meaningful contribution when conditions are favourable.

Foolish takeaway

Yes, I would buy Rio Tinto shares for passive income.

The prospective yield is solid, the dividends are expected to be fully franked, and the valuation looks reasonable.

I also like that Rio Tinto can offer more than income alone, with its existing assets and growing copper exposure giving the business opportunities to create value over the years ahead.

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

More reading

• BHP vs Rio Tinto: What’s the better buy?
• ASX 200 drops again as selling continues
• $10,00 invested in Rio Tinto and Fortescue shares 3 years ago is now worth…
• Down almost 10%! Why are ASX copper shares tanking?
• Iron ore is back below US$100. Are BHP and Rio Tinto shares still buys?

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

Netwealth Group vs HUB24 shares: which wealth platform is the better buy?

If you’re eyeing the ASX financials sector, it’s hard to ignore Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL) and HUB24 Ltd (ASX: HUB). Both are leading ASX-listed investment platform providers shaking up how advisers and individuals manage wealth in Australia. With impressive growth in recent years, both have become favourites among investors keen on exposure to the financial tech sector. If you’re wondering whether Netwealth or HUB24 shares are a better buy today, let’s break down the details.

The case for Netwealth Group

Netwealth Group is a financial services and technology business offering cloud-based investment administration software, a retail super fund, and administration services. Its platform delivers powerful portfolio tools and investment solutions for advisers, private clients, and companies. Revenue is mainly SaaS-based, tied to funds under administration on its platform.

In terms of numbers, Netwealth stands out for its 100% fully franked dividends and a yield of 2.23%—meaning income investors get solid, tax-effective dividends. While its P/E ratio is elevated at 76.28 (suggesting a high valuation relative to earnings), the company has made a habit of increasing its dividends over the years. Its recent year-to-date return is negative at -24.97%, reflecting share price pressure, but it remains a formidable operator in its niche. Netwealth’s earnings per share sits at $0.247, while it pays out $0.42 per share as a dividend.

The case for HUB24

HUB24 is also a diversified financial services business with a strong focus on providing administration platforms and cloud-based technology for financial advisers, accountants, and brokers. HUB24’s holistic offering also stretches into advanced data solutions for a variety of client types, including individuals and SMSFs.

HUB24 eclipses Netwealth in terms of scale, boasting a $5.74 billion market cap—more than $1 billion bigger than Netwealth. It has a lower P/E ratio at 48.21, pointing to a more moderate valuation given current earnings. Its dividend yield is lower at 1.11%, but it has lifted dividends impressively, paying a hefty $0.84 per share in the past year. HUB24’s earnings per share are a healthy $1.460, much stronger than Netwealth. The company’s year-to-date return is also negative at -26.07%, almost mirroring Netwealth’s underperformance in 2026.

Valuation comparison

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

Metric	Netwealth Group	HUB24
Market Cap	$4.61 billion	$5.74 billion
P/E Ratio	76.28	48.21
Dividend Yield	2.23%	1.11%
Earnings per Share (EPS)	$0.247	$1.460
Dividend per Share	$0.42	$0.84
Franking	100%	100%
Year To Date Return	-24.97%	-26.07%

HUB24’s P/E ratio is notably lower, suggesting better value relative to current earnings, and it delivers much higher earnings per share than Netwealth. Netwealth, meanwhile, takes the crown for a higher dividend yield, despite paying less in absolute terms. Both offer fully franked dividends, which is a win for Aussie investors.

Recent share price performance

Neither stock has been a winner so far in 2026, based on the latest prices (as of 15 September 2026). Netwealth’s shares have fallen from $23.31 on 18 August to $18.77, dropping steadily over the past month. HUB24’s story is similar; its share price slipped from $79.94 on 18 August to $70.16 on 15 September. Both stocks have shed roughly a quarter of their value year to date, showing the market is cautious on the sector right now.

While both have experienced sizeable declines, the trends have been fairly consistent—no wild volatility, just a steady grind downward.

Which is the better buy?

If I had to pick between these two financial platform heavyweights based on the latest data, I’d lean toward HUB24. While its dividend yield is lower, HUB24 offers a more reasonable (though still rich) P/E ratio, stronger earnings per share, and a larger scale that could provide greater resilience and firepower for future growth. Its dividend growth has also been robust, and the business seems to generate superior profits relative to its share price. Netwealth may appeal more to those who want higher yield and franking credits, but for me, HUB24’s combination of value and earnings momentum gives it the edge—even though both face a tough market environment at present.

The post Netwealth Group vs HUB24: Which financial platform is better from an investor’s perspective? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Hub24 shares have fallen 27% in 2026. Could they really rebound 38%?
• Down 40%: Why I’d buy this ASX 200 share before sentiment improves
• 3 ASX shares I think could return 10%+
• Netwealth shares could be set to rise 60% in the next 12 months – Expert
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday

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 Hub24 and Netwealth Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Netwealth Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Hub24. 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.

Lovisa vs Temple & Webster shares: Which is the better growth stock?

Everyday investors are spoiled for choice on the ASX when it comes to high-growth retailers, but Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) and Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW) stand out. If you’re hunting a growth stock, you might find yourself weighing Lovisa’s sparkly global expansion against Temple & Webster’s home décor disruption. So, which one looks more promising as a buy right now? Here’s how I see the Lovisa vs Temple & Webster shares match-up.

The case for Lovisa Holdings

Lovisa is a fast-growing fashion jewellery retailer, founded in Sydney in 2010 and now boasting over 1,136 stores across more than 50 countries. Its vertically integrated model lets Lovisa design, source, and sell its own branded jewellery affordably through brick-and-mortar stores and seven online sites, capturing trend-focused consumers around the world.

Notably, Lovisa sits at a market cap of $2.51 billion and generated earnings per share (EPS) of $0.792. The company’s P/E ratio of 26.50 feels moderate for a growth-oriented retailer, and it currently offers a fully franked dividend yield of 3.5%. I also noticed a decent earnings yield of 3.77% and a history of paying increasing dividends, as recent years’ totals outpace the past.

The case for Temple & Webster Group

Temple & Webster is an online-only retailer, best known for its massive range of over 200,000 furniture and homewares products. It started in 2011 and now boasts more than a million Aussie subscribers, as well as the private label Milan Direct. That focus on e-commerce gives TPW a different growth path – fewer overheads, nimble operations, and a highly scalable reach across Australia.

Temple & Webster’s fundamentals, however, highlight its much smaller size: a market cap of $510.47 million. Its EPS is $0.064 – well below Lovisa’s – and although it’s profitable, its P/E ratio is a sky-high 128.82. TPW does not pay a dividend, preferring to invest every spare dollar into growth and market share.

Valuation comparison

Here’s how three key stats line up side-by-side:

Metric	Lovisa	Temple & Webster
Market Cap	$2.51 billion	$510.47 million
P/E Ratio	26.50	128.82
Dividend Yield	3.50%	0.00%
Earnings per Share	0.792	0.064

Lovisa is clearly the larger, more established company and is valued much lower on a P/E basis. Its dividend yield is attractive – and half-franked – while Temple & Webster is growth-oriented and reinvests instead of paying dividends. The glaring difference is the P/E ratio; TPW trades at nearly five times Lovisa’s multiple, which suggests either big future growth is anticipated or the shares are stretched.

Recent share price performance

Based on the most recent data (as at mid-September 2026), both stocks have been under the pump this year. Lovisa is down 20.16% year-to-date while Temple & Webster has plunged 67.32%. TPW’s 2026 share price history shows some big up and down swings – with sharp drops (like -17.82% in one day) and a lower base around the $4–5 mark.

Lovisa has also seen volatility in the past month but the daily moves have generally been in the -4% to +13% range, whereas Temple & Webster has seen several massive one-day falls and occasional bounces. Overall, recent momentum points to Lovisa holding value much better in tough conditions.

Which is the better buy?

If I’m making the call between Lovisa and Temple & Webster as a growth stock, my pick would be Lovisa.

Here’s why: Lovisa has a genuine global footprint, solid profitability, ongoing store rollouts, and a P/E that actually makes sense for a growth retailer. Plus, you get a fully-franked dividend of 3.5% as a sweetener. By contrast, Temple & Webster might have serious digital appeal, but its earnings are tiny, the P/E is sky-high, and the 67% share price drop makes me nervous about its near-term growth story. Unless Temple & Webster’s next era of growth comes through – which could reward risk-tolerant punters – the numbers simply stack up for Lovisa.

So, if you’re hungry for a top ASX growth stock right now, I’d lean toward Lovisa.

The post Lovisa vs Temple & Webster: Which ASX retailer is the better growth stock today? 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 Lovisa and Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Lovisa and Temple & Webster 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.

Australian shares are still under pressure overall this week from high oil prices, inflation concerns, and expectations of an impending interest rate hike.

Let’s find out how major S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares like AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGL), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), and Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) are tracking, and which ones brokers rate as a buy, sell, and a hold.

Buy Zip shares

It’s been a volatile ride for Zip shares over the past 12 months, with its shares swinging between a low of $1.38 in March and a high of $4.93 in January.

Most recently, the sell-off picked up pace after the company posted its FY26 results late last month. 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. 

The announcement was initially well received by investors, who rushed to snap up the BNPL provider’s shares. But gains were quickly reversed, and the shares are now down around 28% since the announcement.

While the result itself was positive, many investors were underwhelmed by the company’s outlook for future growth.

Zip said it is aiming to deliver a group cash EBTDA of $340 million in FY27, up 26% on FY26, and target an operating margin of 20% to 22%. That’s much lower than the 57.9% cash EBTDA growth the company experienced in FY26.

But it looks like brokers are confident that the shares can keep climbing higher over the next 12 months. Market Index data shows all brokers have a strong buy rating on the ASX tech shares. And the $3.95 average target price implies an upside of around 79% at the time of writing.

Sell AGL Energy shares

AGL shares rallied higher in mid-August after the ASX energy stock posted an impressive FY26 result. 

The energy supplier announced a 2% increase in both its underlying EBITDA and underlying NPAT for FY26. It also confirmed a 60% increase in its operating free cash flow. The company said that it has grown its customer base, invested $600 million in firming projects, achieved major milestones – including two long-term power purchase agreements – and completed divestment of its stake in Tilt Renewables.

For FY27, AGL is guiding underlying EBITDA between $1.9 to $2.2 billion and underlying NPAT between $470 to $670 million.

But quickly after the share price spike, many investors rushed to take their gains off the table. 

At the time of writing, the shares are down around 5% over the past month, to $8.33 a piece. AGL shares are now down around 11% for the year to date and 4% lower than a year ago.

There hasn’t been any price-sensitive news out of AGL since its results announcement, so it looks like the latest sell-off is led by lower investor sentiment.

It looks like there are concerns that the company’s earnings recovery is taking longer than expected. 

At the same time, softer power-price expectations, driven by a surge in renewable energy and lower wholesale costs, are expected to put electricity companies like AGL under pressure.

Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have a sell rating on AGL shares. However, after the latest share price decline, the $9.70 target price implies a potential 16% upside.

Hold Telstra shares

Telstra shares have rebounded around 7% from an annual low in late August. The ASX telco shares are now around 0.2% higher year to date but roughly 1% lower than 12 months ago.

The shares tumbled after the telco posted its FY26 results mid-month, with revenue down 0.8% and underlying earnings up 4.4%. However, not long after, investors swooped back in to snap them up at a lower valuation.

As a classic defensive business, Telstra shares are also likely benefiting from a recent flight to security amid renewed geopolitical volatility and inflation concerns.

Brokers aren’t convinced that there is much more room for growth going forward. Market Index data shows the majority have a hold rating on Telstra shares. But the $5.01 average target price implies an upside of around 3% at the time of writing.

The post Buy, hold, sell: AGL Energy, Telstra, Zip shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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