Category: Stock Market

Fortunately for income investors, there are lots of ASX dividend shares to choose from on the local market.

To narrow things down, let’s take a look at two that Morgans is bullish on right now.

Here’s what the broker is recommending to clients:

CAR Group Limited (ASX: CAR)

This auto listings company has been named as a buy by analysts at Morgans.

It feels that its shares are trading at a level that has created an attractive entry point for investors. The broker said:

CAR’s 1H26 result was strong overall, in our view, and was largely in line with consensus (Visible Alpha) expectations. CAR reported double-digit percentage revenue and EBITDA growth in its key offshore markets (North America, Latam and Korea), whilst Australia revenue growth remained sound (~+8% vs the pcp). We make minor changes to our FY26 assumptions.

CAR is trading on ~22x FY27F PE, which we view as an attractive entry point given its double-digit EPS growth profile. We move to a BUY recommendation with a $35.20 PT.

Morgans expects fully franked dividends of 89.5 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 99 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on the current share price of $25.69, this would mean dividend yields of 3.5% and 3.9%, respectively.

Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI)

Another ASX dividend share that has been named as a buy is investment management company Pinnacle.

While its half-year results were softer than expected, the broker remains positive and sees lots of value in its shares at current levels. It said:

PNI’s 1H26 NPAT (~A$67m, -11% on the pcp) came in -4% below consensus, but it was more in line excluding one-offs (e.g. mark-to-market investment impacts). Overall, we saw the 1H26 result as compositionally stronger than the headline numbers suggested, and positively accompanied with a move-the-dial acquisition.

We reduce FY26F EPS by -7% on a softer-than-expected 1H26 “reported” result, and dilution from the PAM equity issue. Conversely, FY27F EPS rises +8% on PAM earnings benefits and a broader review of our assumptions. Our price target falls to A$23.21 (from A$26.30). We move to a BUY recommendation (previously Accumulate) with >20% upside existing to our PT.

Morgans is forecasting fully franked dividends of 63 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 80 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $15.10, this would mean dividend yields of 4.2% and 5.3%, respectively.

The post 2 buy-rated ASX dividend shares for income investors in March appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• The smartest ASX dividend stocks to buy with $10,000 right now
• 3 shares dumped from the ASX 200 index (and 3 new additions)
• How to invest $10,000 to aim for a 15% dividend yield
• 32 ASX shares about to go ex-dividend
• 2 ASX 200 shares I rate as top buys for growth

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

Some companies are built to benefit from short-term trends. Others are built to endure.

When I think about ASX 200 shares I could happily hold for decades, I usually look for businesses with strong competitive positions, long growth runways, and industries that should still look attractive many years from now.

With that in mind, here are three shares that I believe have the qualities needed to be outstanding long-term investments.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)

The healthcare sector has always appealed to me as a long-term investment theme. Demand for medicines and pharmacy services tends to grow steadily as populations expand and age.

That is why I find Sigma Healthcare such an interesting business today.

The company recently transformed itself through its merger with Chemist Warehouse, creating what is now one of the most powerful pharmacy platforms in Australia. By combining Sigma’s wholesale distribution network with Chemist Warehouse’s dominant retail brand, the business now has a much broader footprint across the healthcare supply chain.

This kind of vertical integration can be incredibly valuable. It gives the group scale advantages, stronger relationships with suppliers, and the ability to reach millions of customers through a well-established pharmacy network.

Healthcare demand isn’t going away anytime soon. And with Chemist Warehouse’s brand power now part of the business, Sigma looks positioned to benefit from that demand for many years to come.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

When I look at ASX 200 shares that have the potential to compound value over decades, I’m often drawn to businesses that become embedded in how people run their companies.

That is exactly what Xero has managed to achieve.

The company’s accounting platform has become a core operating system for 4.6 million small businesses around the world. Once a business adopts software like this, switching away becomes difficult. Financial records, payroll systems, tax reporting, and accounting workflows all become intertwined with the platform.

That kind of stickiness is incredibly valuable.

What excites me most about Xero is that its growth opportunity still looks large. Cloud accounting adoption continues to expand globally, and the company is steadily building out an ecosystem of services that can sit on top of its core platform.

In other words, it isn’t just accounting software anymore. It is becoming a broader operating platform for small businesses.

Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL)

Another type of business I like to own for the long term is one that benefits from structural changes in an industry.

For me, Netwealth fits that description perfectly.

Over the past decade, the Australian wealth management industry has been shifting away from legacy platforms and toward modern digital solutions. Financial advisers increasingly want platforms that are easier to use, more flexible, and better integrated with modern financial tools.

Netwealth has positioned itself right at the centre of that shift.

The ASX 200 share continues to attract strong inflows as advisers migrate client funds onto its platform. As those funds under administration grow, the business benefits from powerful operating leverage. The platform model means that once the infrastructure is built, additional funds can generate significant incremental revenue.

Australia’s retirement system also provides a long runway for growth. As superannuation balances rise and more Australians seek financial advice, platforms like Netwealth could continue expanding for many years.

Foolish takeaway

Finding companies that can be held for decades isn’t easy. Markets change, industries evolve, and even great businesses can stumble.

But when I look at Sigma, Xero, and Netwealth, I see three ASX 200 shares operating in industries with powerful long-term tailwinds. Each has a strong position in its market and a business model that could continue creating value for many years.

The post 3 of the best ASX 200 shares to buy and hold forever appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Forget Xero shares, this ASX tech stock is tipped to double in value
• These cheap ASX growth shares could rise 60% to 100%
• Down 50%, is it time to jump into Xero shares?
• 4 reasons to buy the redound in Xero shares today
• After the ASX 200’s latest slide, I spy bargain shares!

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

It may seem strange to be advocating for passive income investing in ASX shares at a time when market commentators are expecting RBA rate rises.

But, given how share prices have drifted lower this year, I’m seeing a great opportunity for investors to grab ASX shares while dividend yields are higher.

Don’t forget, we saw a few years ago how some businesses were able to accelerate their revenue growth amid the inflationary period – they were not just helpless bystanders in the situation.

Why do interest rates matter for ASX shares?

Interest rates play an important role in how much investors are willing to pay for an asset. It acts like gravity – when interest rates go lower, asset prices can jump higher. But, the opposite is typically true when interest rates go up – it’s a significant headwind for asset valuations.

But, share prices can still go up in a rising rate environment if the operating profit/net profit of the business or asset increases. The multiple of earnings that investors are willing to pay is just one part of the equation.

Warren Buffett, the legendary American investor from Omaha, once explained why interest rates are so important for valuations. Buffett said:

The value of every business, the value of a farm, the value of an apartment house, the value of any economic asset, is 100% sensitive to interest rates because all you are doing in investing is transferring some money to somebody now in exchange for what you expect the stream of money to be, to come in over a period of time, and the higher interest rates are the less that present value is going to be. So every business by its nature…its intrinsic valuation is 100% sensitive to interest rates.

Investor expectations of rate rises this year has led to lower share prices for some businesses, along with the oil price volatility.

How does it affect the passive income?

When the share price of an ASX dividend share falls, it can lead to a double whammy of a better valuation and a better dividend yield.

A dividend yield is determined by the size of the payout and the valuation of the business. When share prices go lower, the dividend yield increases.

For example, if a business had a dividend yield of 5% and the share price falls 10%, the dividend yield becomes 5.5%. If it fell 20%, the dividend yield would be 6%.

I like investing at times like these, as it really boosts the potential dividend yield.

Is it a once-in-a-decade opportunity to buy passive income shares? The 2020s have already seen COVID-19, the inflation and tariff related sell-offs, so the declines have been more than once-in-a-decade.

But, this is certainly a rare opportunity to buy ASX dividend shares with a good dividend yield.

What I’d invest in

There are a wide range of ASX dividend shares that are trading at attractive prices with a good dividend yield.

I’m thinking names like Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW), Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP), Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL), Australian Foundation Investment Co Ltd (ASX: AFI), WCM Global Growth Ltd (ASX: WQG), JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH), Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI), Nick Scali Ltd (ASX: NCK) and Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV).

I’m optimistic that the above names can provide investors with a diversified and growing source of passive income over time.

The post A once-in-a-decade chance to earn a supersized passive income from ASX shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 top ASX dividend share buys for passive income in March
• What I’d do as a beginner with $50,000 to invest in ASX shares
• The best ASX shares to invest $10,000 in right now
• An ASX dividend stock yielding 3.9% with consistent cash flow
• 5 ASX shares I’d buy with $5,000 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 Lovisa and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Lovisa, Nick Scali, Universal Store, and Wesfarmers. 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 been going through a rough period.

The mining giant’s shares last traded at $51.96, which is about 12.5% below the record high of $59.39 reached at the start of March.

After a pullback like that, many investors are likely to be wondering if this is an opportunity to buy, or a signal to stay away?

In my view, investing $5,000 in BHP shares today could make a lot of sense as part of a diversified portfolio.

Copper is becoming the centrepiece

For many years BHP was best known as an iron ore powerhouse. That is still an important part of the business, but the company’s strategic focus is increasingly shifting toward copper.

That shift matters because copper demand is expected to rise significantly over the coming decades. The metal plays a critical role in electrification, renewable energy infrastructure, electric vehicles, and power grids.

In other words, copper sits right in the middle of many of the biggest structural trends shaping the global economy.

BHP already owns some of the world’s most significant copper assets, including operations in Chile and its stake in the Antamina mine in Peru. That mine alone produced over 124,000 tonnes of copper on a BHP-attributable basis in 2025.

With supply expected to tighten in the years ahead, companies with large, long-life copper resources could be well positioned to benefit.

A mining giant with scale and diversification

Another reason BHP appeals to me as a long-term investment is the scale and diversification of its portfolio.

The company has major operations across iron ore, copper, coal, and potash. While commodity prices inevitably move in cycles, that diversification can help smooth earnings over time.

BHP also has a reputation for disciplined capital allocation. A recent example is its decision to unlock value from the Antamina mine through a silver streaming agreement with Wheaton Precious Metals (NYSE: WPM).

Under the deal, BHP will receive an upfront payment of US$4.3 billion in exchange for a share of future silver production from the mine.

Because silver is a by-product at Antamina, this transaction effectively allows BHP to monetise a non-core commodity while retaining exposure to the mine’s copper, zinc, and lead output.

Moves like this highlight how management continues to optimise the company’s portfolio.

A reliable dividend payer

Income investors also tend to be drawn to BHP.

Mining dividends can fluctuate depending on commodity prices, but BHP has historically been one of the strongest dividend payers on the Australian share market.

That combination of large-scale assets, strong cash flow generation, and disciplined capital management has allowed the company to return substantial amounts of capital to shareholders over time.

For investors building a portfolio designed to generate both income and long-term growth, I think BHP can play an important role.

Foolish takeaway

Commodity companies will always experience ups and downs. Share prices can move with swings in iron ore prices, copper demand, or broader market sentiment.

But when I look at BHP today, I see a diversified global miner with world-class assets and increasing exposure to copper, one of the most important commodities for the energy transition.

With the share price sitting well below recent highs, I think investing $5,000 in BHP shares today could be a sensible move for investors thinking about the long term.

The post Should I invest $5,000 in BHP shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much do I need to invest in Woodside and BHP shares for $10,000 a year in passive income?
• BHP and Woodside linked in CEO race as top executive emerges as contender
• 3 Australian shares to buy if the ASX pulls back 10%
• How much could the BHP share price rise in the next year?
• 5 key drivers of the new commodities ‘supercycle’: experts

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

On Wednesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was on form again and pushed higher. The benchmark index rose 0.6% to 8,743.5 points.

Will the market be able to build on this on Thursday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 set to fall

The Australian share market looks set to fall on Thursday following a mixed night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 49 points or 0.55% lower this morning. In late trade in the United States, the Dow Jones is down 0.6%, the S&P 500 is down 0.1% and the Nasdaq is up 0.1%.

Collins Foods shares on watch

Collins Foods Ltd (ASX: CKF) shares will be on watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday. After the market close on Wednesday, the quick service restaurant operator announced an acceleration of its expansion in Germany. This has seen the company acquire eight KFC restaurants in Bavaria, centred around Munich, increasing its presence and scale in the country. The company also revealed that Australian same store sales are up 3.2% so far in the second half and 2.7% year to date.

Oil prices jump

ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) will be on watch on Thursday after oil prices jumped overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 5.1% to US$87.74 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 5% to US$92.23 a barrel. Traders were buying oil despite news that the IEA is releasing 400 million barrels of stockpiled oil.

Lynas shares upgraded

Bell Potter is no longer bearish on Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC). This morning, the broker has finally taken its sell rating off the rare earths producer’s shares and upgraded them to a hold rating with a vastly improved price target of $19.00 (from $11.60). It said: “We continue to see risks around the valuation premium and multiple, which in our opinion are pricing in perfection in an imperfect world. However, we note that the announcement safeguards a substantial portion of revenue and earnings, reducing the impact of adverse price swings should additional supply enter the market over the coming years and somewhat justifying that premium.”

Gold price falls

ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a poor session on Thursday after the gold price dropped overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 1.1% to US$5,187.4 an ounce. A stronger US dollar and inflation concerns weighed on the precious metal.

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Collins Foods. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Collins Foods. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

ASX dividend shares look even more compelling to me now than they did last year.

Inflation and interest rates seem to be on the rise in 2026, meaning that the market has sent the share prices of some businesses down quite noticeably.

Being able to buy an investment at a lower price means getting a higher dividend yield and increasing the potential long-term capital gains.

With the lower share prices in mind, I’m calling out the following names as attractive buys.

Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW)

This is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns a wide range of properties including government properties (such as Geoscience Australia), pubs, grocery and distribution, data centres and telecommunications, service stations, food manufacturing, waste and recycling, and plenty more.

The ASX dividend share has seen its share price decline by around 20% in the past year, despite ongoing rental income growth. Around half of the property portfolio has CPI-linked rental increases with the rest having fixed annual increases.

It reported having net tangible assets (NTA) of $4.68 at 31 December 2025, suggesting there’s a significant valuation discount for investors, which is partly why the ASX dividend share’s yield is so high.

The business is expecting to pay an annual distribution per unit of 25.5 cents in FY26, which translates into a distribution yield of approximately 7%, at the time of writing.

Propel Funeral Partners Ltd (ASX: PFP)

Propel is the second largest funeral provider in Australia. It also has 41 cremation facilities and nine cemeteries.

The business is a beneficiary of Australia’s ageing and growing population, giving the business ultra-long-term morbid tailwinds. Unfortunately, the number of deaths in Australia is expected to increase by an average of 2.9% per year from 2026 to 2035 and then increase 2.4% per year from 2026 to 2045.

It’s steadily making acquisitions over the years to boost its scale and geographic presence, while also benefiting from organic growth of the average revenue per funeral. I’m expecting these tailwinds to boost its bottom line in the coming years, allowing the ASX dividend share to hike its dividend.

Its last two declared payments come to a grossed-up dividend yield of 4.9%, including franking credits, at the time of writing. The Propel share price has dropped 14% in the past month at the time of writing.

JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH)

JB Hi-Fi is Australia’s leading electronics retailer and it also has a growing position in appliance and other house-related items. It has three other businesses – JB Hi-Fi New Zealand, The Good Guys and E&S.

The ASX dividend share has increased its payout almost every year over the last 15 years, which is an impressive record for an ASX retail share. I’d describe the business as one of the best retailers on the ASX and I expect this performance to continue.

However, the JB Hi-Fi share price has fallen around 30% in the past six months, despite a good FY26 half-year result and ongoing sales growth in the second half of FY26. The HY26 dividend was hiked by 23.5%.

The last two declared dividends from the business come to a grossed-up dividend yield of 7.4%, including franking credits, at the time of writing.

The post 3 top ASX dividend share buys for passive income in March appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 2 ASX REITs I’d buy today for passive income
• 35 ASX All Ords shares with ex-dividend dates next week
• JB Hi-Fi vs. Wesfarmers: Which retail stock deserves a place in your portfolio?
• Buy, hold, sell: Charter Hall Long WALE, ASX, Aussie Broadband shares
• Experts name 3 ASX dividend shares to buy

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Propel Funeral Partners. 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.

It wasn’t long ago that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) decided to increase the cash rate by 25 basis points (0.25%). Now experts are expecting the RBA interest rate to go up again this month because inflation is stronger and the outlook has changed.

Experts at investment bank UBS have looked at the situation and think that another interest rate increase looks very likely this year. In-fact, UBS has brought forward when it thinks that hike is going to happen, changing its rate hike prediction to this month (rather than May).

For starters, UBS pointed to RBA Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser’s interview with The Conversation’s Politics with Michelle Grattan podcast.

RBA Deputy Governor’s hawkish comments

UBS said Hauser’s comments to the podcast came just before the ‘blackout period’ for the March 2026 meeting and the commentary was “hawkish”.

The experts suggested that these comments can be viewed as a “signal”, along with analysis that inflation is coming in stronger than expected. UBS highlighted the following words from the commentary:

Our projection in February before the Iran attacks was for inflation only to return to the midpoint of the target on the assumption, the technical assumption, that the cash rate did pick up a little bit further from where it is now… We’ve had some data that seem to have confirmed even more decisively than we had before, that our economy currently has limited spare capacity.

Unemployment came in a bit below expectations. Job adverts and other measures of demand for labour were a little higher. GDP growth came in at 2.6 per cent … but it’s rather bigger than our 2 per cent estimate of the capacity of the sustainable rate of growth in the economy. Inflation was in line in January with our expectations … [but] that’s well above our target range. So against that backdrop … further increases of prices from Iran, if that is what we end up seeing, and that is a big if, is not a helpful development from the perspective of our policy discussion.

Inflation, GDP and unemployment remain strong

UBS has pointed out in recent commentary that data flow showed CPI inflation, GDP and unemployment was stronger than expected and “warranted further (and earlier) increases in the cash rate”.

But, weak consumer data made UBS think the RBA would wait until May.

Hauser’s comments seemed to downplay the ‘miss’ of expectations about consumer spending, while UBS had expected the RBA to place a substantial weight on that aspect.

The rise in the oil/petrol price has led to UBS increasing its CPI inflation forecasts. The broker is now forecasting that the inflation for the first quarter of 2026 will be 1.3% quarter-over-quarter and 4.1% year-over-year. There’s potential for the inflation to be even stronger if the oil price shock is prolonged.

UBS said this is worrying for consumer inflation expectations that had already been trending higher for months.

The broker thinks the RBA will look to act early by hiking in March 2026 to “shore against this risk”.

Could more RBA interest rate hikes happen?

UBS said it had already been expecting a further 50 basis points of rate hikes by the RBA by August 2026.

The broker said it doesn’t think there will be unanimous vote to hike in March, and looking ahead, it will review its RBA profile of the timing, and terminal rate forecasts, after the RBA’s March meeting.

Time will tell what happens with interest rates, but UBS and one of the RBA’s officials are not liking what they see with regards to inflation. It will be interesting to see how this impacts the net interest margin (NIM) of big banks like Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) and National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB)

The post Here’s what experts think will happen with the RBA interest rate this month appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• What I’d do as a beginner with $50,000 to invest in ASX shares
• What’s next for ANZ shares after expectations-busting results?
• 3 Australian shares to buy if the ASX pulls back 10%
• Why is everyone talking about the CBA share price this week?
• 3 Australian bank stocks that could outperform global peers again in 2026 and 2027

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 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.

Investing $50,000 in the share market is a meaningful step. It is large enough to build a proper portfolio, but still small enough that every decision matters.

If I had that amount to invest in ASX shares today, I would focus on building a balanced portfolio rather than trying to find a single winner. The goal would be to combine growth, income, and diversification so the portfolio can perform across different market conditions.

Here is how I would approach it.

Start with a strong foundation

The first thing I would do is anchor the portfolio with broad market exposure.

An exchange-traded fund (ETF) like the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) would likely take a meaningful allocation. It provides exposure to hundreds of Australian shares across multiple sectors, including banks, resources, healthcare, and consumer businesses.

This helps reduce the risk of relying too heavily on a handful of individual shares. It also ensures the portfolio participates in the overall growth of the Australian market.

Add high-quality blue chips

Next, I would include a few established blue-chip companies with long operating histories and durable earnings.

For example, Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) offers exposure to some of Australia’s most recognisable retail businesses, including Bunnings and Kmart. Its disciplined management and diversified operations have supported steady long-term growth.

Similarly, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) could add stability and dividend income. While bank shares can fluctuate with economic conditions, CBA has consistently delivered strong profitability and fully franked dividends.

These kinds of companies help provide balance and reliability within the portfolio.

Include a few growth names

With the core of the portfolio established, I would allocate a portion to higher-growth businesses.

One example could be Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME). The company’s medical imaging software platform has been gaining traction globally and operates with a highly scalable, capital-light business model.

Growth stocks tend to be more volatile, but they can also deliver strong long-term returns if the underlying business continues to expand.

Holding a small number of high-quality growth names can help boost overall portfolio performance over time.

Think about income as well

Even if income is not the primary goal today, including a reliable dividend payer can still be beneficial.

Companies like Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) generate steady cash flows from essential services such as mobile connectivity and broadband. That stability can provide a regular stream of dividends and help smooth returns during more volatile periods.

Why diversification matters

With $50,000, diversification becomes possible without spreading the portfolio too thin.

A mix of ETFs, blue chips, growth companies, and dividend payers helps balance risk. If one sector struggles, the others may still perform well.

The aim is not to predict exactly which stock will outperform. It is to build a portfolio that can grow steadily over many years.

Foolish takeaway

If I had $50,000 to invest in ASX shares, I would build a diversified portfolio combining broad market exposure, high-quality blue chips, and a few carefully selected growth companies.

That balanced approach may not always produce the biggest short-term gains, but it gives investors a solid foundation for long-term wealth creation.

The post What I’d do as a beginner with $50,000 to invest in ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here’s what experts think will happen with the RBA interest rate this month
• An ASX dividend stock yielding 3.9% with consistent cash flow
• 2 ASX blue-chip shares offering big dividend yields
• With half year profits up 9% to $1.6 billion, are Wesfarmers shares a buy?
• 3 Australian shares to buy if the ASX pulls back 10%

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Commonwealth Bank Of Australia, Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Pro Medicus and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Australia’s ageing population is one of the most predictable long-term trends in our economic landscape. The Australian Bureau of Statistics predicts that older people will make up 21% to 23% of the population by 2066. This creates a powerful structural tailwind for these ASX healthcare stocks, if they can execute on the opportunity.

Here are two stocks that will give you exposure as Australia’s median age rises.  

Regis Healthcare Ltd (ASX: REG)

Regis offers perhaps the most straightforward exposure to this demographic shift. One of Australia’s largest healthcare providers, Regis delivers residential aged care, home care, day therapy, respite services, and retirement living to over 10,000 Australians.

Its share price hasn’t seen massive growth of late, up around 2% over the last twelve months, but if you zoom out, there’s more to the story. It is up over 200% in the last five years, reflecting sector recovery and improved operating conditions.

Its 1H26 reporting showcases its continued growth trajectory, with an 18% increase in service revenue, a 96% occupancy rate across its facilities, and a national expansion of 1,000 beds.

This growth is underpinned by a strong balance sheet and solid cash flows. And it seems to be positioning itself to realise the opportunity ahead, with ambitious plans for the coming years. It is targeting 10,000 quality beds by 2028, delivered through a mix of greenfield projects and acquisitions.

Of course, the aged care sector has seen its share of headwinds in recent times, and the regulatory environment will always present a risk.

The New Aged Care Act, which came into effect in July 2025, could change things for some incumbent residential care players. It’s designed to keep more Australians living independently for longer with support at home, and it will take time to see whether it has achieved this aim. But because Regis plays in both home care and residential facilities, I think it’s well placed to navigate any notable change in aged care trends. 

Is Regis Healthcare a buy right now?

For me, it’s an attractive option right now with a share price that doesn’t necessarily reflect its growth potential. If you’re looking for stocks that give you exposure to this significant demographic shift, Regis is hard to go past.

Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC)

Ramsay is more of a generalist healthcare provider, operating more than 70 private hospitals across the country. Of course, demand for hospital services grows with an ageing population. But the areas that interest me most in this demographic shift are Ramsay’s rehabilitation, allied care, and home-based care operations.

Its rehab at home program offers in-home support following hospitalisation for many common age-related conditions, including cardiac, joint replacements, and mobility/falls. Support includes allied health care, like physio and nursing, as well as at-home services such as meals and domestic help.

Currently, these programs only account for a small percentage of Ramsay’s revenue, but I think this is an area that could have real growth momentum as the population ages.  

A condition requiring hospitalisation is a common trigger point for families considering aged care options for a loved one. And Ramsay’s rehab, allied care, and at-home care services are well-positioned to help Australians stay independent at home for longer. By providing the hospital stay through to the rehab at home, Ramsay can service the market end-to-end.

Looking at its share price, Ramsay has seen a circa 22% uplift over the last 12 months. But the story is less positive if you zoom out, with a 33% decline over a 5-year period. This decline was likely driven by a number of factors, including squeezed margins, declining earnings per share, rising costs, and a slower-than-expected return to elective surgeries in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ramsay’s current share price reflects a challenging period for the healthcare provider, but I think it is on the pathway to a full recovery. It’s showing positive signs, with 1H26 reporting highlighting revenue growth of 9.3%, underlying EBITDA up 6.4%, and a 6.3% increase in the interim dividend to 42.5 cents per share.

Is Ramsay Healthcare a buy right now?

In my opinion, Ramsay is undervalued right now. As with Regis, regulatory risks remain. In addition, it is still working towards a full turnaround, but at the current share price, I believe there is attractive upside for investors if it can execute.

The post These ASX healthcare stocks are set to thrive as the population ages appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here’s why Ramsay Health Care shares have been demolishing the stock market
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• 32 ASX shares about to go ex-dividend
• Buy, hold, sell: HMC Capital, Ramsay Health Care, and Sigma shares
• 5 of the best ASX 200 stocks to buy and hold in February revealed

Motley Fool contributor Melissa Maddison 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.

Banking an extra $10,000 a year in passive income by buying top S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) dividend shares like Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) might not be life-changing.

But if you’re like me, that extra income certainly would be welcome!

So, just how much would you have to invest today to earn $10,000 a year in passive income from BHP and Woodside shares?

We’ll dig into the numbers in just a tick.

But first…

Important reminders on passive income planning

When it comes to making plans for that pending passive income, remember that the dividend yields you generally see quoted are trailing yields. The future payouts from BHP, Woodside, or any ASX dividend stocks may be higher or lower depending on a range of macroeconomic and company-specific factors.

Also, note that while we’ll look at BHP and Woodside below, a properly diversified income portfolio will contain more than just two ASX dividend stocks.

There’s no magic number. But somewhere in the range of 10 to 20 stocks is a good ballpark, ideally operating in various sectors and different geographic locations. This will reduce the chances of your income stream taking a big hit if any particular company or sector runs into a rough patch.

With that said…

Tapping into Woodside and BHP shares for a $10,000 annual passive income

I think Woodside and BHP shares are both appealing passive income investments because of their lengthy track records of paying two fully franked dividends a year, as well as the market-beating, fully-franked yields they offer.

I also believe that demand for their core revenue-earning products – oil and gas in Woodside’s case, and iron ore and copper for BHP – will remain strong for years to come.

As for those dividends, BHP paid a fully franked final dividend of 91.9 cents a share on 25 September. The ASX 200 mining giant will pay its interim dividend of $1.039 a share on 26 March. (BHP traded ex-dividend last week, so it’s a bit too late to snap up the interim payout.)

That works out to a full-year payout of $1.958 a share. At Wednesday’s closing price, that sees BHP shares trading on a fully-franked trailing dividend yield of 3.8%.

Turning to Woodside, the ASX 200 energy stock paid a fully-franked interim dividend of 81.8 cents a share on 24 September. Woodside will pay its final dividend of 83.4 cents a share on 27 March. (Woodside also traded ex-dividend last week.)

That equates to a full-year payout of $1.652 a share. At Wednesday’s closing price, Woodside shares trade on a fully-franked trailing dividend yield of 5.5%.

If I were to invest an equal amount in both stocks, I could then expect to earn a 4.7% yield.

Meaning I’d need to invest $212,766 in Woodside and BHP shares today to bank $10,000 a year in passive income.

Now that’s a big investment to make in one go. But that’s okay.

Investing is a long game.

You can also reach that goal by investing a smaller amount each month or every other month. You’ll reach your income goals in good time.

How have BHP and Woodside shares been tracking?

Of course, atop that $10,000 a year in passive income, we’ll also be hoping to see our investments deliver share price gains.

On that front, the BHP share price is up 31.05% over the past 12 months.

And Woodside shares have gained 31.18% over this same period.

The post How much do I need to invest in Woodside and BHP shares for $10,000 a year in passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• BHP and Woodside linked in CEO race as top executive emerges as contender
• 3 Australian shares to buy if the ASX pulls back 10%
• Are these ASX energy shares still a buy after jumping 20% (or more)?
• How much could the BHP share price rise in the next year?
• 5 key drivers of the new commodities ‘supercycle’: experts

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.