Category: Stock Market

  • REA Group is on the rise. Is a comeback underway?

    Increasing blue arrow with wooden property houses representing a rising share price.

    This high-quality ASX share has been moving higher, climbing 10% over the past month to $175.71 at the time of writing. Shares in REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) are also up around 28% from its 52-week low in late February.

    Even so, the broader picture is less convincing. REA shares remain down about 5% year to date and roughly 29% over the past 12 months. To put it in perspective, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) rose 6.4% over the same period.

    So, is this the start of a longer-term recovery or just a temporary bounce?

    Dominant property market position

    When it comes to dominant digital platforms, REA Group is hard to beat. The ASX share sits at the centre of Australia’s property market through realestate.com.au, giving it a powerful competitive position.

    Real estate agents need visibility to attract buyers, and REA controls much of that traffic. This dynamic has enabled the company to steadily increase prices through premium listings and depth products, even when property transaction volumes fluctuate.

    It’s a high-margin, scalable business model. Because the platform is digital, incremental revenue tends to flow through to profits at an attractive rate.

    Solid tailwind ahead

    That strength was evident in its recent half-year result. Core revenue rose 5% to $916 million, operating profit (EBITDA) increased 6% to $569 million, and net profit climbed 9% to $341 million.

    Looking ahead, management of the ASX share expects buy yield growth of between 12% and 14% in FY26, which should provide a solid tailwind for earnings.

    Beyond its domestic dominance, REA also has international growth opportunities. Its expansion into offshore markets adds another lever for long-term growth and reduces reliance on the Australian housing cycle alone.

    Impact interest rates and inflation

    However, risks remain.

    The performance of the company and the ASX share is still closely tied to property market conditions. Higher interest rates, persistent inflation, or weaker housing demand could weigh on listing volumes and advertising spend. A softer housing market could also see fewer transactions, limiting near-term revenue growth.

    At the same time, affordability pressures may influence how often Australians move or upgrade properties, which can impact activity levels across the platform.

    What next for the ASX share?

    Despite these concerns, broker sentiment remains broadly positive.

    According to data from TradingView, 12 out of 16 analysts rate the ASX share as a buy or strong buy. The average 12-month price target sits at $211.89, implying potential upside of around 20% from current levels.

    Citigroup has also reiterated its buy rating, with a price target of $199, suggesting a more modest but still meaningful upside of about 14%.

    Foolish Takeaway

    The bottom line is that REA Group remains a high-quality ASX business with strong competitive advantages and solid long-term growth drivers.

    While the recent share price lift is encouraging, the key question is whether property market conditions will support sustained growth.

    For now, the recovery of the ASX share appears to be gaining traction, but investors will be watching closely to see if the momentum can continue.

    The post REA Group is on the rise. Is a comeback underway? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in REA Group right now?

    Before you buy REA Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and REA Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    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 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.

  • Perpetual 1H26 earnings: strategy shift and Wealth Management sale

    A businessman looking at his digital tablet or strategy planning in hotel conference lobby. He is happy at achieving financial goals.

    The Perpetual Ltd (ASX: PPT) share price is in focus today after the company outlined its key financial and strategic highlights at the Macquarie Australia Conference. Perpetual reported $697.9 million in revenue for the first half of FY26, with $219.2 billion in Assets Under Management (AUM) as at 31 March 2026.

    What did Perpetual report?

    • Revenue of $697.9 million for 1H26 (up from $1,373.0 million FY25 full year)
    • Assets Under Management (AUM) of $219.2 billion
    • Market capitalisation of $2.1 billion as at 31 December 2025
    • Dividend of 97.1 cents per share (cps) for 1H26, with a payout ratio of 60%
    • Funds Under Administration of $1.3 trillion across key platforms
    • Diluted EPS on UPAT: 97.1cps for 1H26

    What else do investors need to know?

    Perpetual has announced the sale of its Wealth Management division to Bain Capital Private Equity for an upfront cash payment of $500 million, with potential for a further $100 million based on business performance. The transaction aims to simplify Perpetual’s business, strengthen its balance sheet, and reduce net debt to EBITDA to approximately 0.2 times after completion.

    Following the sale, Perpetual will focus on Asset Management and Corporate Trust. The business highlighted steady growth in UPBT (Underlying Profit Before Tax) in Corporate Trust, strong brand presence, and a robust distribution network. The company is also delivering on its Simplification Program, targeting cost savings of $70–$80 million per annum by the end of FY27.

    What did Perpetual management say?

    CEO and Managing Director Bernard Reilly said:

    Post-sale, Perpetual will be a simpler, stronger and more focused company. Our clear strategy is to simplify the business, deliver operational excellence and invest for growth.

    What’s next for Perpetual?

    Looking ahead, Perpetual is investing in its multi-boutique Asset Management model with a strong global footprint and an expanded product offering, including ETFs. The company also aims to maintain its leadership in Corporate Trust services through service excellence, digital transformation, and new partnerships.

    Key initiatives for the coming year include completing the Wealth Management sale, driving efficiency through cost reduction, and accelerating growth opportunities, especially in global asset management and digital solutions.

    Perpetual share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Perpetual shares have risen 1%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Perpetual 1H26 earnings: strategy shift and Wealth Management sale appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Perpetual right now?

    Before you buy Perpetual shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Perpetual wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. 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.

  • Emerald Resources gets the green light for Dingo Range Gold Project

    Miner standing in front of a vehicle at a mine site.

    The Emerald Resources (ASX: EMR) share price is in focus today as the company reported it has secured final works approval for the Dingo Range Gold Project and committed to major capital equipment purchases, marking significant steps toward expanding its gold operations.

    What did Emerald Resources report?

    • Received final works approval for the 100%-owned Dingo Range Gold Project in Western Australia
    • Committed to purchase two 8,000kW Metso SAG Mills and a crushing circuit, valued at approximately A$30 million
    • Dingo Range Project is now fully permitted and development-ready
    • Camp facilities completed and ready to accommodate construction and operational staff
    • Ongoing drilling programs to support resource updates, with work on a Maiden Ore Reserve advanced
    • Strong balance sheet: A$337.8 million cash, A$39.2 million bullion, and A$22.3 million in listed investments (as at March 2026)

    What else do investors need to know?

    The Dingo Range Gold Project’s approval means Emerald now has the green light to start construction, with all regulatory hurdles cleared. The company’s bold purchase of key processing equipment signals its confidence in both the Dingo Range and Memot Gold Projects, targeting future growth in Australia and Cambodia.

    Emerald continues to explore and develop its Australian and Cambodian gold projects, aiming to build on the strong reserve bases at Dingo Range and Memot. Long-term, management aims to position the business as a diversified gold producer, reducing risk across multiple jurisdictions.

    What did Emerald Resources management say?

    Managing Director Morgan Hart said:

    Emerald is pleased that the Works Approval has been granted for Dingo Range and we are now fully permitted for development and operations which is a significant milestone for the Company.

    The commitment to purchase long lead capital equipment is the second key construction and infrastructure milestone at Dingo Range following the completion of the camp.

    The Board and Management of Emerald have worked closely with the team at Metso on previous development projects, including the 100% Okvau Gold Mine and are very pleased to continue the relationship on the development of the Dingo Range and Memot Gold Projects. Securing this long lead capital equipment on a very competitive delivery schedule assists with de-risking the development timeline for both projects and is an important step in the Company’s growth trajectory to achieve its strategic objective of becoming a multi-mine 300K-400Kozs gold producer across two continents.

    What’s next for Emerald Resources?

    With all approvals granted, Emerald can now push ahead with developing the Dingo Range Gold Project and progress its Memot Project in Cambodia. The company expects delivery of its major processing equipment in about 12–13 months, aligning with its plan to become a multi-mine gold producer.

    Ongoing drilling and exploration will support updated resource estimates and future reserve growth, while Emerald maintains its focus on strong ESG compliance and regional community engagement.

    Emerald Resources share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Emerald Resources shares have risen 32%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Emerald Resources gets the green light for Dingo Range Gold Project appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Emerald Resources Nl right now?

    Before you buy Emerald Resources Nl shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Emerald Resources Nl wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. 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.

  • Why WiseTech shares could shoot 70% higher

    A businessman looking at his digital tablet or strategy planning in hotel conference lobby. He is happy at achieving financial goals.

    WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares have rallied strongly from their lows.

    So much so, the logistics solutions technology company’s shares are up 17% since this time last month.

    But if you thought you were too late to invest, you might be wrong.

    That’s because Bell Potter believes its shares could continue to rise strongly from where they currently trade.

    What is the broker saying?

    Bell Potter was pleased to see the company reaffirm its guidance on Tuesday. This means the company remains on track to achieve the broker’s estimates for the year. It said:

    WiseTech released a presentation for a broker conference and the key take-out was reaffirmation of the FY26 EBITDA and EBITDA margin guidance – US$550-585m (vs BPe US$564m) and 40-41% (vs BPe 40.1%). The key new piece of news was the company also provided guidance for underlying EBITDA and EBITDA margin of US$598.5-637.5m (vs BPe US$612m) and 41-46% (vs BPe 43.5%).

    This underlying guidance implies one-off costs b/w $48.5-$52.5m – comprising US$11-15m in M&A costs and US$37.5m in restructure costs – which was slightly more than the US$45- 50m flagged at the H1 result in February. Notably there was no mention of the redundancy costs related to the flagged 2,000 job reductions so we figure these will be disclosed in or around the FY26 result in August along with the spread of those costs between FY26 and FY27 (assuming it is spread across both years).

    Big potential returns

    In response to the guidance update, Bell Potter has reaffirmed its buy rating and $78.75 price target on WiseTech Global’s shares.

    Based on its current share price of $45.75, this implies potential upside of 72% for investors over the next 12 months.

    Bell Potter sees potential catalysts ahead, which could support a re-rating. This includes its guidance for FY 2027, which Bell Potter believes could be stronger than its current estimates. It concludes:

    There is no change in our $78.75 target price which we only recently updated. Our PE ratio and EV/EBITDA valuations are generated using our FY27 forecasts and with no change in these forecasts there is no change in the valuations. Our target price remains a significant premium to the share price so we retain our BUY recommendation.

    The next update and potential catalyst for the share price is the FY26 result in August where, assuming the guidance is met, key focus will be on the guidance for FY27. We note our FY27 revenue and EBITDA forecasts of US$1,567m and US$728m imply an EBITDA margin of 46.5% which in our view could be conservative given the underlying guidance for FY26 is b/w 41-46% and the exit margin is likely to be towards the top end of this range.

    The post Why WiseTech shares could shoot 70% higher appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in WiseTech Global right now?

    Before you buy WiseTech Global shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and WiseTech Global wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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

  • Atlas Arteria directors urge investors to reject IFM’s takeover offer

    Three guys in shirts and ties give the thumbs down.

    The Atlas Arteria Group (ASX: ALX) share price is in focus today after the company’s independent directors recommended investors reject IFM’s hostile takeover offer, stating the bid is too low and highly conditional.

    What did Atlas Arteria report?

    • IFM’s hostile takeover offer is set at A$4.75 per stapled security (potentially A$5.10 if IFM’s interest exceeds 45% before close).
    • Offer price is below Atlas Arteria’s previous closing price of A$4.79 (5 May 2026).
    • The offer premium is less than 10% compared to the pre-offer closing price and around 3% above the 12-month average price.
    • Atlas Arteria reaffirms distribution guidance of 40.0 cents per security for 2026.
    • Each independent director intends to reject IFM’s offer for their own ALX securities.

    What else do investors need to know?

    The board considers IFM’s offer opportunistic, given recent market volatility and the share price trading well above the offer in the past year. Independent directors say the offer undervalues the company’s global toll road portfolio and future growth opportunities. The company also notes IFM’s current offer comes with over 50 separate sub-conditions, some of which are already incapable of being satisfied.

    Atlas Arteria has issued a Right of First Offer in relation to its Chicago Skyway interest, a move unrelated to IFM’s bid but relevant to the bid’s conditions. The company continues to explore value-enhancing initiatives for securityholders, including asset recycling and potential strategic alternatives for its US assets.

    What did Atlas Arteria management say?

    Chair Debbie Goodin said:

    This hostile, highly conditional takeover offer from IFM is opportunistic and materially undervalues Atlas Arteria. The Offer is designed to accelerate IFM’s creep to effective control of Atlas Arteria without paying a fair premium to securityholders. The Independent Directors of Atlas Arteria recommend that securityholders reject the Offer. The Boards and management remain focused on continuing to deliver on the strategy to optimise company value and create value for all securityholders.

    What’s next for Atlas Arteria?

    Atlas Arteria is preparing a detailed Target’s Statement for securityholders, which will include an independent expert’s report and set out the board’s formal recommendation to reject IFM’s offer. The statement will be provided at least 14 days before the offer closes.

    The company says it will continue to update investors on material developments and remains focused on its strategy to optimise its asset portfolio and deliver distribution guidance.

    Atlas Arteria share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Atlas Arteria’s shares have declined 7%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Atlas Arteria directors urge investors to reject IFM’s takeover offer appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Atlas Arteria right now?

    Before you buy Atlas Arteria shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Atlas Arteria wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. 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.

  • Have beaten-down ASX gaming stocks finally hit a bottom?

    Casino players throwing chips in the air.

    ASX gaming stocks have struggled to find their footing in 2026.

    Shares in Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL) are down around 17% year to date, while Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW) has fallen about 27% over the same period. By comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is essentially flat, slipping just 0.4%.

    Despite the weakness, brokers remain broadly constructive on both names. The question for investors is whether sentiment has fallen too far and whether the gaming sector is quietly setting up for a rebound.

    Aristocrat: Continued US growth

    Aristocrat, a roughly $28 billion ASX gaming heavyweight, has long been considered one of the highest-quality operators in the sector. The company generates most of its earnings from gaming machines and digital content, with a strong presence in the lucrative US market.

    While sentiment around gaming stocks has softened, the underlying business performance has been far more resilient. Demand for gaming machines and casino content in North America remains steady, which is crucial given that this region drives the bulk of Aristocrat’s profits.

    Recent industry data has reinforced that stability. Analysts at Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) have pointed to continued year-on-year growth in US casino gaming activity, a positive indicator for Aristocrat’s core land-based operations.

    On top of that, the company’s digital division continues to expand, providing exposure to the fast-growing online gaming market. This diversification helps smooth earnings across cycles.

    Capital management is another support. Management of the ASX gaming stock has remained disciplined, with ongoing share buybacks and efforts to strengthen the balance sheet, which should support earnings quality over time.

    Broker sentiment remains positive. UBS Group has reiterated its buy rating on Aristocrat, even after trimming its price target slightly to $68.90. That still implies potential upside of close to 50% from current levels.

    Light & Wonder: Multiple growth drivers

    Light & Wonder presents a similar but more diversified investment case.

    The company operates across land-based gaming, iGaming, and social gaming through its SciPlay division. This multi-channel structure allows it to benefit from both traditional casino demand and the fast-growing digital gaming industry.

    That blend of physical and digital exposure gives Light & Wonder access to multiple growth drivers at once, which is a key reason analysts continue to monitor the stock closely. Macquarie has even named it its top pick in the gaming sector, citing its strong competitive position and “wide moat from disruption” in a highly competitive industry.

    The upside case is also significant. Jarden has a buy rating on the ASX gaming stock with a price target of $190, compared with its current level of around $112.81. That implies potential upside of roughly 68%.

    Foolish Takeaway

    The key takeaway is that while sentiment across ASX gaming stocks has been weak, the fundamentals have held up better than the share prices suggest.

    Whether this marks a true bottom remains uncertain, but with earnings resilience, digital growth, and strong broker support, both Aristocrat and Light & Wonder are starting to look more interesting than their share price charts alone would suggest.

    The post Have beaten-down ASX gaming stocks finally hit a bottom? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Light & Wonder Inc right now?

    Before you buy Light & Wonder Inc shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Light & Wonder Inc wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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

  • How much is needed in superannuation to target $10,000 of monthly passive income?

    A trendy woman wearing sunglasses splashes cash notes from her hands.

    Superannuation is one of the best ways to invest for passive income, in my opinion. For working people, it gives them a lower tax rate than their ‘normal’ earnings. For retirees, superannuation earnings could potentially be tax-free.

    If someone has significant money in superannuation, they could unlock $10,000 of monthly passive income (or even more).

    I’m sure most people reading this would love for their superannuation to pay them $120,000 per year of passive income.

    A key question is how much is needed in superannuation for that level of cash flow.

    How much is needed to generate $10,000 monthly passive income?

    It’ll take a sizeable sum to make that much money, but the exact amount will depend on the size of the dividend yield. The bigger the dividend yield, the less that needs to be invested, though higher yields may not be safer and it could also mean less capital growth.

    Nonetheless, there are plenty of appealing options for good dividend yields across the ASX share market, so I’d be very willing to invest in a business that has a dividend yield of 7% or more.

    Let’s look at three different scenarios. One where the portfolio dividend yield is 4%, one where it’s 5.5% and one where it’s 7%.  

    To make $120,000 of annual passive income from superannuation (or outside super) with a 4% dividend yield, it would require a portfolio value of $3 million.

    If the portfolio has a 5.5% dividend yield, then an investor would need a portfolio value of $2.18 million.

    Finally, with a dividend yield of 7%, investors would need a portfolio value of $1.71 million.

    Which ASX shares I’d buy for dividend

    I think there are a number of compelling options that offer different dividend yield levels.

    For example, businesses like Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL), Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) and Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) offer a lower but growing dividend yield.

    Businesses with a mid-range yield includes Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF), Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP), L1 Long Short Fund Ltd (ASX: LSF) and MFF Capital Investments Ltd (ASX: MFF).

    The higher-yield options I’d consider include WCM Global Growth Ltd (ASX: WQG), Hearts and Minds Investments Ltd (ASX: HM1), Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW), Future Generation Australia Ltd (ASX: FGX) and Future Generation Global Ltd (ASX: FGG).

    The post How much is needed in superannuation to target $10,000 of monthly passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Wesfarmers right now?

    Before you buy Wesfarmers shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Wesfarmers wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Future Generation Australia, Future Generation Global, Hearts And Minds Investments, L1 Long Short Fund, Mff Capital Investments, Rural Funds Group, Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited, and Wcm Global Growth. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Lovisa, Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Rural Funds Group and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Lovisa, Mff Capital Investments, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 2 strong Australian stocks to buy now with $10,000

    A female CSL investor looking happy holds a big fan of Australian cash notes in her hand representing strong dividends being paid to her

    There are some exceptionally attractive Australian stocks that I’m betting can deliver market-beating returns over the coming years.

    I’ve already invested in the names I’m going to talk about, and I’d happily invest another $10,000 across the two of them if I were given that amount to invest in ASX growth shares.

    Both businesses below are achieving strong revenue growth and expanding overseas. I’m also expecting good profit margin increases in the coming years.

    Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG)

    Breville is best known as a coffee machine maker under its own name. But, it also sells coffee machines under the Sage, Lelit, and Baratza brands. It also sells coffee beans through the Beanz business. Additionally, the company sells other small kitchen appliances, aside from just coffee machines.

    Pleasingly, the company has achieved a global presence, with operations in the Americas, Asia Pacific, and EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Asia). What could be more of an Australian stock than a business that makes coffee?

    The company continues to grow at a solid double-digit pace. In the first six months of FY26, the company reported revenue growth of 10.1% to $1.1 billion. Despite the headwinds of US tariffs, it was still able to deliver net profit growth of 0.7% to $98.2 million.

    Breville is working hard at shifting its manufacturing to other countries – away from China – where US tariffs are much lower, such as Mexico. This could make a significant difference to how much profit it generates from the key US market in the foreseeable future.

    I’m also excited to see how much profit growth the company can generate from relatively new markets such as China and South Korea.

    In the long term, I’m expecting Breville’s net profit to compound at a double-digit rate over the rest of the decade. It looks a lot cheaper after falling 16% since the high it reached in February 2026.  

    Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

    Temple & Webster is another Australian stock that I’m very optimistic about.

    It’s a significant online retailer of furniture and homewares, as well as a growing home improvement segment.

    The company is rapidly working towards $1 billion of annual sales, spread across both its two segments of home improvement and homewares and furniture. The company recently announced that its latest sales figures (in HY26) had grown by approximately 20% year over compared to the previous period. That’s an excellent rate of compounding.

    One of the biggest drivers of the business is that households are increasingly adopting online shopping.

    According to Temple & Webster, online shopping accounts for only around 20% of homewares and furniture in Australia, whereas in the UK it’s approximately 10% higher, and even higher in the US. I think Australia is likely to follow that growth trend towards 30% in the next few years.   

    Seeing as the company is a leading online retailer, I think the company can capitalise on that growth trend.

    As the business grows, I expect its margins to increase over time due to scale benefits.

    I believe the business is significantly undervalued given where it may be in three to five years, particularly if its home improvement division continues to grow at an incredibly fast rate.

    I think it’s a great time to buy this Australian stock, considering it’s down more than 70% in the past six months.

    The post 2 strong Australian stocks to buy now with $10,000 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

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    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Breville Group and Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • DigiCo Infrastructure REIT slashes debt after Chicago asset sale

    REIT written with images circling it and a man touching it.

    The DigiCo Infrastructure REIT Staples Securities (ASX: DGT) share price is in focus after the company announced the binding sale of its Chicago (CHI1) asset for US$750 million, representing a ~5% premium to its original purchase price, and detailed a significant reduction in gearing and debt levels.

    What did DigiCo Infrastructure REIT report?

    • Binding sale agreement for the Chicago (CHI1) facility at US$750 million (~A$1.06 billion), about 5% above purchase price
    • Pro forma net debt reduced from A$1.5 billion to around A$0.5 billion
    • Gearing reduced from 36% to 17%; available liquidity to rise to approximately A$0.9 billion
    • Funds From Operations (FFO) expected to materially increase from FY27 due to US asset sales
    • Reaffirmed FY26 underlying EBITDA guidance of $125 million
    • Intention to consider enhanced distributions and additional capital management initiatives

    What else do investors need to know?

    DigiCo Infrastructure REIT is executing a strategic capital recycling plan by selling US assets—most notably the CHI1 facility—to free up cash and further fund its core Australian data centre development, SYD1. The company also plans to monetise its LAX1 and LAX2 sites, with ongoing value management of other US data centres.

    Completion of the first 15MW upgrade at SYD1 is now achieved, and the final 5MW section remains on track for delivery by 30 June 2026. The company’s strong pipeline and upgraded capacity at SYD1 highlight its focus on supporting high customer demand for premium colocation services.

    What did DigiCo Infrastructure REIT management say?

    Interim CEO Chris Maher said:

    The release of capital from CHI1 provides additional financial flexibility and capacity to accelerate the delivery of the SYD1 development program. The 88MW project has progressed further, with design and tender documentation for the expansion continuing to advance, the 70% design milestone now achieved and a head contractor to be appointed in Q3 CY2026. The remaining capacity is planned to be delivered progressively over the next three years, with 10MW of capacity targeting delivery in Q2 CY2027. The demand pipeline for the remaining capacity is strong and expected to generate attractive returns.

    What’s next for DigiCo Infrastructure REIT?

    Looking ahead, DigiCo expects the US asset sales—and the resulting balance sheet strength—to support its major SYD1 data centre expansion and boost funds from operations from FY27 onwards. Management signalled a possible increase in distributions to shareholders in the short term, alongside a long-term strategy to pay out 90–100% of FFO.

    The firm plans to progressively deliver the remaining SYD1 capacity by 2029, backed by strong customer demand and a focus on sustainable, growing distributions for investors.

    DigiCo Infrastructure REIT share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, DigiCo shares have declined 17%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post DigiCo Infrastructure REIT slashes debt after Chicago asset sale appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and DigiCo Infrastructure REIT wasn’t one of them.

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    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

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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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. 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.

  • AGL Energy narrows FY26 guidance as project pipeline grows

    A woman holds her finger to the side of her lips in contemplation as she looks upwards to an array of graphic images of light bulbs above her head, one of which is on and glowing.

    The AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGL) share price is in focus as the company narrows its FY26 guidance, now expecting underlying EBITDA between $2,060 million and $2,180 million, and underlying NPAT between $610 million and $680 million.

    What did AGL Energy report?

    • FY26 underlying EBITDA guidance of $2,060m–$2,180m (previously $2,020m–$2,180m)
    • FY26 underlying NPAT guidance of $610m–$680m (previously $580m–$680m)
    • Continued strong operational performance with generation fleet availability at 83.2% for the nine months to 31 March 2026
    • Approximately $750 million in proceeds expected from the sale of Tilt Renewables stake
    • AGL intends to continue paying fully franked dividends in FY26, subject to Board approval

    What else do investors need to know?

    AGL is progressing several strategic growth projects, including commissioning the first 250MW of the Liddell Battery, with the full 500MW set for completion this financial year. Construction of the Tomago Battery is advancing, and AGL has made a final investment decision on the 220MW K2 gas peaker project in Western Australia, expanding its flexible generation portfolio.

    The company reports positive market dynamics, highlighting strong and rising electricity demand driven by data centre expansion, electrification, and increased EV load. AGL’s flexible asset strategy aims to capture these demand tailwinds and deliver more resilient earnings over time.

    What did AGL Energy management say?

    Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer Damien Nicks said:

    Our updated guidance ranges reflect the continued strong operational and financial performance of the business since the half year results, driven by improved plant availability and flexibility, improved Customer Markets performance and disciplined cost management.

    What’s next for AGL Energy?

    AGL plans to capitalise on the energy transition by investing in new batteries, renewable partnerships, and flexible gas generation. The company will provide formal FY27 earnings guidance at its full-year results in August, with a focus on cost optimisation and continued portfolio reshaping. AGL is targeting strong, risk-adjusted returns and high cash conversion as it shifts from thermal to lower carbon assets.

    The company’s Perth Energy business is a key growth driver, with expanded generation capacity and strong demand from large industrial customers expected to underpin future earnings diversification beyond the East Coast.

    AGL Energy share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, AGL shares have declined 14%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post AGL Energy narrows FY26 guidance as project pipeline grows appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

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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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. 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.