Category: Stock Market

Life360 Inc. (ASX: 360) and Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) have been growing strongly for many years.

But I think the bigger opportunity is still ahead. Life360 is building a family safety and connection platform with a huge user base, while Zip is becoming a more profitable digital payments business with a particularly exciting opportunity in the United States.

Because of this, I think both ASX shares are strong buys for investors willing to accept some volatility.

Life360 shares

Life360 has become one of the more interesting consumer technology shares on the ASX.

The company’s app helps families stay connected through location sharing, driving safety features, alerts, and related services. I think that gives Life360 a useful emotional layer that many apps do not have. It is not just entertainment or convenience. For many families, the product is about reassurance.

That can be powerful if the company keeps building around that relationship.

Life360’s recent quarterly update showed how quickly the business is still growing. In the first quarter of 2026, total revenue grew 38% year over year to US$143.1 million. Monthly active users reached approximately 97.8 million, up 17% year-over-year, while total Paying Circles rose 27% to 3.0 million.

The advertising opportunity is also becoming more meaningful. Advertising revenue reached US$19.7 million in the quarter, up 329% year-over-year.

That is partly what makes Life360 exciting to me. The company has a large free user base, a growing paid subscriber base, and a developing advertising business. If it can keep improving the product without damaging user trust, there could be several ways to grow revenue over time.

There are risks. Consumer apps can be competitive, privacy is crucial, and valuation can move around quickly. But I think Life360 has the ingredients of a much larger business.

Zip shares

Zip is another ASX growth share I think is worth buying.

The buy-now-pay-later company has been through a major reset in recent years, and I think that makes the investment opportunity more attractive. It is not just chasing growth. It is showing better profitability, tighter execution, and momentum in the right markets.

The US business is what I value most. Zip recently said its US operations had 4.6 million active customers and annual transaction volume of around A$12 billion as at 31 March 2026. The company also pointed to a high-growth US business executing strongly in what it sees as an attractive early-stage market.

That is a big opportunity if Zip can keep underwriting customers profitably. The company says it serves Americans who are often overlooked by traditional financial services providers. I think that is an important point. Many customers still want flexible, transparent payment options, particularly when managing everyday expenses.

Zip’s update also showed group momentum. For the third quarter of FY26, total transaction volume rose 22.4% year over year, total income increased 20.2%, and cash EBTDA jumped 41.5%.

That combination of growth and improving profitability is what I want to see.

Foolish takeaway

Life360 and Zip are not low-risk blue-chip ASX shares, but I think both have attractive long-term upside.

Life360 is building a large consumer platform around family safety and connection, with subscriptions and advertising both contributing to growth. Zip is showing that a digital payments business can grow while becoming more profitable, with the US market offering a large runway.

Both companies still need to execute well. But based on their recent momentum, I think Life360 and Zip shares are strong buys today.

The post Why I think Life360 and Zip shares are strong buys appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why this analyst rates Life360 shares a buy right now
• Why I’d buy CSL and Zip shares before they recover
• 5 ASX growth shares I want in my portfolio in FY27
• 3 reasons to buy the dip on Life360 shares today
• If I’d invested $7,000 in Zip shares 3 months ago, guess what I’d have now!

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 Life360. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

It’s been a spectacular year for investors in Australia’s biggest ASX lithium stocks.

Over the past 12 months, shares in Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) have surged around 213%, while PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) has done even better, rocketing approximately 301%.

The rally has been driven by a powerful recovery in the lithium sector after several difficult years.

Momentum has cooled in recent weeks, however. Both stocks have retreated over the past month as lithium prices eased.

That’s hardly surprising. Lithium carbonate prices climbed roughly 155% over the past year, providing a major tailwind for producers. But after falling around 14% over the past month, investors are once again questioning how much upside remains.

Even so, anyone who invested $5,000 in either stock a year ago would still be sitting on an eye-catching gain.

Here’s what that investment would be worth today.

$5,000 invested in Mineral Resources

A $5,000 investment in Mineral Resources 12 months ago would now be worth approximately $15,650.

While the company has benefited from the rebound in lithium, it’s not a pure-play producer.

Unlike many ASX lithium stocks, Mineral Resources also has sizeable mining services and iron ore operations, giving investors broader commodity exposure.

That diversification has proven to be valuable. The company recently delivered its strongest half-year result on record, reporting revenue of $3.1 billion and EBITDA of $1.2 billion.

A standout contributor was the rapidly expanding Onslow Iron project, which has emerged as a major earnings driver alongside improving lithium market conditions. The growing iron ore business helps reduce Mineral Resources’ dependence on lithium alone, making earnings less sensitive to swings in a single commodity.

That doesn’t eliminate risk, however. Both iron ore and lithium prices remain important profit drivers, and weakness in either market could weigh on earnings and investor sentiment.

$5,000 invested in PLS Group

The returns have been even more remarkable for PLS Group shareholders.

A $5,000 investment made 12 months ago would now be worth approximately $20,050, effectively quadrupling an investor’s original capital.

Unlike some of its peers, PLS’ rally hasn’t been driven solely by rising lithium prices. The $18 billion mining giant has also delivered impressive operational growth.

In its latest half-year result, the ASX lithium stock reported revenue of $624 million, up 47% from the previous corresponding period as both realised lithium prices and sales volumes increased.

Underlying EBITDA surged 241% to $253 million, while EBITDA margins expanded dramatically to 41%, compared with just 17% a year earlier.

Its flagship Pilgangoora operation remains one of the world’s largest hard-rock lithium mines, providing significant scale and cost advantages as global demand for battery materials continues to grow.

Like every lithium producer, though, PLS remains exposed to commodity prices. If lithium continues to weaken, profitability could come under pressure despite strong production growth.

Foolish takeaway

The recent pullback is a timely reminder that ASX lithium stocks remain highly leveraged to commodity prices. That said, the underlying businesses continue to strengthen. Production is rising, earnings have rebounded sharply, and major growth projects are progressing.

If lithium prices stabilise – or resume their upward trend – both Mineral Resources and PLS Group could find fresh momentum.

The post $5,000 invested in these ASX lithium stocks a year ago is now worth… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why is everyone talking about Mineral Resources, A2 Milk and Pro Medicus shares on Thursday?
• Up 218% in a year, Mineral Resources shares sinking today amid mine closure news
• Forget PLS shares, this US-focused ASX lithium share could rise 100%+
• These ASX mining stocks soared 185%+, then tumbled. What now?
• PLS shares drop 5%: What’s driving the move?

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.

National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) shares have pulled back from their highs, and I think the lower price has made the bank a more attractive investment.

The NAB share price is currently around $37.51. At that level, I think investors are getting a reasonable valuation, a good dividend yield, and exposure to one of Australia’s strongest banking franchises.

Here are three reasons I would buy NAB shares now.

The valuation looks reasonable

The first reason is valuation. According to CommSec, consensus estimates suggest NAB could generate earnings per share of $2.43 in FY26 and $2.53 in FY27.

Based on the current share price, that puts the bank on a price-to-earnings ratio of around 15.4 times FY26 earnings and 14.8 times FY27 earnings.

I would not call that incredibly cheap, but it does look like reasonable value for one of Australia’s major banks.

Bank shares have faced pressure as investors weigh higher interest rates, housing market uncertainty, credit quality, and competition. Those risks are worth taking seriously. But NAB remains a large, profitable business with a major role in Australian banking.

At this price, I think the valuation is much easier to justify than it was when the share price was closer to its highs.

The dividend yield is attractive

The second reason is income. CommSec consensus estimates point to dividends per share of $1.70 in FY26 and $1.72 in FY27.

At the current share price, that implies forward dividend yields of roughly 4.5% and 4.6%.

That is a solid starting yield, in my view, particularly for investors looking for passive income from ASX shares.

A $10,000 investment at around $37.51 per share would buy about 267 shares. Based on the forecast FY26 dividend of $1.70 per share, that investment could generate roughly $453 in annual dividends. Based on the FY27 forecast dividend of $1.72 per share, the income would be around $459.

That is before tax and any franking credits.

Dividends are never guaranteed, and banks can adjust payouts if conditions change. But I think NAB’s forecast income looks attractive, especially when combined with the possibility of capital growth over time.

The business banking exposure is useful

The third reason is NAB’s position in business banking.

Australia’s major banks all have large mortgage books, but NAB has long had a strong reputation in business banking. I think that gives it a key point of difference.

Businesses need loans, deposits, transaction accounts, payment services, working capital support, and relationships with bankers who understand their operations. That creates a large pool of customers that can be valuable over many years.

This does not make NAB immune from an economic slowdown. If business confidence weakens or bad debts rise, earnings could come under pressure.

But over the long term, I like banks that are deeply connected to the real economy. NAB has scale, brand strength, customer relationships, and a large deposit base. Those qualities can help it keep generating profits and supporting dividends through different parts of the cycle.

Foolish takeaway

I think NAB shares look attractive at current levels.

The valuation appears reasonable on consensus earnings forecasts, the forward dividend yield is in the mid-4% range, and the bank has a strong position in Australian business banking.

There are still risks from the economy, competition, bad debts, and regulation. But at around $37.51, I think the balance of income, value, and long-term business quality makes NAB shares worth buying now.

The post 3 reasons to buy NAB shares now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Should I buy NAB shares for passive income?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Here’s the dividend forecast out to 2027 for NAB shares
• Is the NAB share price good value after crashing 24%?
• Invested in ASX 200 bank shares for dividends? This fundie prefers other stocks

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.

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) shares are not exactly flying under the radar.

The supermarket giant closed Friday’s session at a record high of $24.41, which means investors are not being offered a bargain-basement price.

Even so, I think Coles shares could be worth buying with $10,000.

In an uncertain economic environment, I like the idea of owning businesses that sell products people keep buying. Coles has that defensive quality, and I think that can be valuable even when the valuation is not obviously cheap.

Why Coles appeals to me

Coles is one of the most important retailers in Australia.

Its supermarkets sell food, household essentials, fresh produce, pantry staples, and everyday items that customers need in good times and bad. That does not make the business immune from pressure, but it does give Coles a more reliable demand profile than many discretionary retailers.

The company’s recent third-quarter update showed that momentum is still solid. Supermarket sales revenue increased 4% to $9.8 billion, while comparable sales growth was 3.6%. Excluding tobacco, supermarket sales growth was 5.7%.

I think that is a useful sign. Customers are still shopping at Coles, and the company continues to focus on value, availability, loyalty, and online convenience.

The ecommerce side also looks encouraging, with sales increasing 24.8% and penetration rising to 13.6%. Grocery shopping is still a store-led category, but online ordering and delivery can add another driver of growth if Coles keeps improving the customer experience.

What about the valuation?

The challenge is price. According to CommSec, consensus estimates suggest Coles could generate earnings per share of 90 cents in FY26, 96.6 cents in FY27, and $1.12 in FY28.

At $24.41, that puts the shares on a price-to-earnings ratio of around 27 times FY26 earnings, 25 times FY27 earnings, and 22 times FY28 earnings.

That is not cheap. But I do not think every good investment needs to start with a low multiple. A defensive business with reliable demand, a strong brand, scale, and the ability to keep growing earnings can deserve a higher rating.

The important point is being realistic. Coles may not offer the same upside as a beaten-down growth share. But it can add stability, income, and exposure to essential household spending.

The passive income angle

Coles also offers a useful dividend profile. CommSec consensus estimates point to dividends per share of 75.5 cents in FY26, 82 cents in FY27, and 95.3 cents in FY28.

At the current share price, that implies forward dividend yields of around 3.1%, 3.4%, and 3.9%.

A $10,000 investment at $24.41 would buy about 410 shares. Based on those dividend forecasts, that holding could generate roughly $310 in FY26, $336 in FY27, and $391 in FY28, before tax and any franking credits.

That is not the highest yield on the ASX, but I think it is attractive when paired with Coles’ defensive qualities.

Foolish takeaway

I think Coles shares are worth buying with $10,000, even at a record high.

The valuation means I would not expect explosive returns, and investors need to accept that they are paying up for quality. But I like the defensive nature of the business, the steady demand for groceries, the improving online channel, and the forecast dividend growth.

In a market where the economic outlook still feels uncertain, Coles is the type of ASX share I would be happy to own for the long term.

The post Should I invest $10,000 in Coles shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Where should I invest inside SMSFs instead of property?
• 3 ASX dividend favourites are hitting 52-week highs today. Are investors getting defensive?
• Why Coles shares are a retiree’s dream for FY27
• How to invest in ASX shares when you can’t find stocks to buy
• Woolworths shares vs Coles: Buy, hold, or sell these ASX giants?

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.

Today is ex-dividend day for a large number of ASX 200 shares.

When this happens, it means the rights to the dividend are locked in and new buyers won’t be eligible to receive this payout when it is made.

This means that even if you bought shares today, the rights would stay with the seller and they would receive the dividend on pay day.

So, if you are a shareholder of any of the seven ASX 200 shares named below, you can look forward to a pay check coming your way in the not-so-distant future.

Here’s what you need to know:

APA Group (ASX: APA)

This energy infrastructure company’s shares are going ex-dividend this morning for its 30.5 cents per share final dividend. Eligible shareholders can look forward to receiving this dividend on 16 September. Based on its last close price, this single payout equates to a 2.8% dividend yield.

Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP)

Industrial property company Centuria Industrial REIT recently declared a 4.2 cents per share quarterly dividend. It will be paying this to its shareholders on 14 August.

Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC)

Property giant Charter Hall’s shares will be going ex-dividend today for its partially franked 25.8 cents per share dividend. Shareholders can expect to receive this payout at the very end of August.

Dexus (ASX: DXS)

Property developer Dexus recently declared a 17.7 cents per share dividend. This will be paid to eligible shareholders in around two months on 28 August.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

Another ASX 200 share going ex-dividend today is industrial property giant Goodman. It recently declared a 15 cents per share final dividend. This will be paid to eligible shareholders on 26 August. Goodman has now paid out 15 cents per share in dividends every half since 2019.

Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR)

Another property developer that is going ex-dividend this morning is Mirvac. It recently declared a 4.8 cents per share quarterly dividend. Shareholders can look forward to receiving this on 31 August.

Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

Finally, this toll road giant will be rewarding its shareholders with a 35 cents per share final dividend. They can expect to receive their pay check on 18 August. Based on where this ASX 200 share ended last week, this dividend represents a 2.3% dividend yield.

The post 7 ASX 200 shares going ex-dividend today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to build passive income for life from the ASX share market
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• Where should I invest inside SMSFs instead of property?
• How to invest $500, $5,000, and $50,000 on the ASX
• Want a pay rise? These ASX dividend shares keep delivering

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

It’s been a tough run for S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gold stocks since the price of the yellow metal hit record highs at the end of January.

As you may recall, on 28 January, the gold price created a stir by setting a new all-time high just north of US$5,420 per ounce. At the time, that saw the gold price up around 93% over the previous 12 months.

But since that high water mark, the gold price and ASX 200 gold stocks have come under heavy pressure.

On Friday, gold was fetching US$3,994 per ounce. That’s down more than 26% since the end of January.

As for the Aussie gold miners, since market close on 29 January, the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) has tumbled 29%, materially underperforming the 1.8% losses posted by the ASX 200 over this same period.

Why is the gold price in free fall?

After its meteoric rise in 2025, the gold price has tumbled back to earth, in part due to expectations of higher interest rates in many major economies.

That’s particularly relevant for the United States, with the US Federal Reserve now increasingly expected to lift interest rates rather than cut them to combat resurgent inflation in the world’s top economy.

Gold, which pays no yield itself, tends to perform better in low or falling rate environments.

Commenting on the outlook for the gold price, and by connection ASX 200 gold stocks, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) head of commodities Vivek Dhar said (quoted by the Australian Financial Review):

A rebound in gold prices is now likely contingent on US inflation and labour market data weakening further. Our view that the Fed needs to raise the Fed Funds rate by 75 basis points from December, which the market is under-pricing, [and] suggests further headwinds to gold futures.

Five ASX 200 gold stocks to weather the storm

A number of leading fund managers said they’ve reduced their holdings in smaller ASX gold explorers in favour of the larger gold producers.

“The gold price has taken an absolute beating. Now is not the time to be going for more speculative gold names, or those that are relatively high cost,” Argonaut’s David Franklyn said (quoted by the AFR).

Franklyn named ASX 200 gold stocks Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD), Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS), Greatland Resources Ltd (ASX: GGP), and Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) as miners that he’s still optimistic on.

And while his fund has reduced its overall exposure to the gold sector, Acorn Capital portfolio manager Rick Squire expects Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) is well-positioned to outperform. That’s partly due to the ASX 200 gold stock’s lower reliance on ever more expensive diesel following its renewable energy investments.

According to Squire:

We’re looking at companies that have the cash to withstand the dip or, if they are developers, are [at] least fully financed and are in that construction phase. With the gold pullback, there will be a change [in] investor sentiment around what projects are likely to get up and their ability to fund them.

The post 5 ASX 200 gold stocks to buy and hold amid the crashing gold price appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: Capricorn Metals, Chrysos, Cochlear shares
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 7 ASX gold stocks to buy now
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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 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.

End of financial year sneaks up every single year.

30 June 2026 is tomorrow, and for ASX investors it is the single most consequential date on the calendar.

Decisions made before that date are what move the needle on tax and superannuation outcomes for the year.

Here is what is worth checking before the window closes.

Superannuation: the concessional contributions cap

The concessional contributions cap for FY2026 sits at $30,000, including employer contributions.

Investors who have not yet reached that cap can still make additional voluntary contributions.

These are taxed at 15% inside super rather than at a marginal rate that could be more than double that.

As such, every dollar contributed at the concessional rate before 30 June is a permanent and compounding tax saving. But super funds need to actually receive the contribution by the deadline, not simply have it initiated.

For investors with room left under the cap, this is one of the most reliable ways to reduce a tax bill before the financial year closes.

New tax laws change the maths for larger balances

This end of financial year is different from previous years for one specific reason.

Division 296, which takes effect from 1 July 2026, introduces an additional 15% tax on the earnings attributable to superannuation balances above $3 million.

This brings the effective rate to 30% on that portion.

For balances above $10 million, there is an additional 25% tax rate, bringing the effective rate to 40%.

Both thresholds are indexed to CPI. Unlike the original 2023 proposal, the version that passed Parliament applies only to realised earnings, such as dividends, interest, rent, and capital gains actually realised on sale. Importantly, it does not apply to unrealised “paper” gains on assets still held.

The first assessment will be based on balances at 30 June 2027. However, SMSF trustees can elect to reset the cost base of fund assets to their value as at 30 June 2026. This can reduce the Division 296 tax payable when those assets are eventually sold.

That election needs to be made by the 2026-27 tax return lodgement date. As such, it’s worth raising the issue with an accountant or SMSF adviser now rather than waiting.

Capital gains and losses can be locked in

Before 30 June, it is worth reviewing the portfolio for both gains and losses.

Selling a loss-making position can help offset capital gains tax from profitable positions sold earlier in the year. This is a strategy worth discussing with an accountant given how complex the rules around using capital losses can be.

To be clear, investors should not be making last-minute trades purely for tax reasons.

But there is an opportunity for investors to reduce this year’s tax bill by locking in capital losses against gains already realised.

It’s also a natural moment to review what you actually hold

Beyond the tax mechanics, end of financial year is a sensible moment to step back and review the quality of what is sitting inside your portfolio or super fund.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) and CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) are two examples of quality, well-known ASX stocks that can compound over time.

For investors using the end of financial year as an opportunity to reassess their holdings, these stocks could be a good starting point.

Foolish takeaway

End of financial year is not just an accounting deadline.

It is the one moment each year when superannuation contributions, capital gains positioning, and portfolio quality all intersect with a hard cutoff date.

A few considered decisions before 30 June tend to matter far more than anything done in a rush on the day itself.

The post End of financial year is upon us. Here’s what you should do before the deadline appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Chasing early retirement at 55? These ASX shares and ETFs could help
• Why US stocks have hit record highs while ASX shares have barely risen in 2026
• 3 top ASX shares to buy for an SMSF
• Why this fundie is overweight CSL and underweight CBA shares
• 3 ASX blue chip shares to buy and hold for the next 20 years

Motley Fool contributor Mark Verhoeven 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 CSL and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares appear set to provide only mid-single-digit returns for FY26.

It’s been a volatile year due to the wars in Gaza and Iran, the global energy shock, and three interest rate rises.

The chart below shows how the ASX 200 fared throughout the financial year.

Meanwhile on The Bull this week, Michael Gable from Fairmont Equities reveals his ratings on three popular ASX 200 shares.

Let’s check them out. 

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

The Woodside share price has increased by more than 17% over FY26.

Gable has a buy rating on this ASX 200 energy share, and commented:

We were a buyer of this major energy company prior to the war in Iran. In our view, the recent share price fall presents another buying opportunity.

Moving forward, we’re expecting tighter crude oil supplies to lead to higher prices. Recent weaker crude oil prices is a response to governments releasing oil from strategic reserves, but they now need to be replenished.

As the biggest oil stock on the ASX, Woodside Energy will attract investors when they conclude crude oil prices will be higher for longer.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

The BHP share price has grown spectacularly over FY26, delivering more than 60% capital growth to date.

Gable has a hold rating on this ASX 200 mining share. 

He said: 

In our opinion, the commodities bull market is still in the early stages of the latest cycle. As the biggest miner in the world, BHP attracts investors aiming to increase exposure to the resources sector. 

BHP is diverse, so investors gain exposure to a range of commodities, including copper, iron ore, coking coal and potash.

Copper production guidance of between 1.9 million and 2 million tonnes in fiscal year 2026 remains unchanged and is expected to be in the upper half of the range.

We continue to see some solid buying on any dips. BHP offers appeal for long term investors.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

The Xero share price has fallen by more than 60% in FY26.

Gable rates the market’s largest ASX 200 tech share a sell.

He explained:

We have been negative about the Australian technology sector since 2025, and rotated into resource stocks.

Increasing interest rates so far in 2026 amid high sharemarket volatility and uncertainty leaves investors questioning the outlook of technology companies trading on relatively high multiples.

In our view, the share price of Xero, an accounting software provider, hasn’t sufficiently rallied on recent positive announcements.

Consequently, it indicates the stock remains under selling pressure.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Woodside, Xero, BHP shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• If I invest $8,000 in Woodside shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2027?
• Why US stocks have hit record highs while ASX shares have barely risen in 2026
• How to invest $500, $5,000, and $50,000 on the ASX
• Want a pay rise? These ASX dividend shares keep delivering

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in BHP Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool 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 Friday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) finished the week in positive territory. The benchmark index rose 0.2% to 8,764.2 points.

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

ASX 200 expected to rise again

The Australian share market looks set for a positive start to the week despite weakness on Wall Street on Friday. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 16 points or 0.2% higher. In the United States, the Dow Jones was down 0.1%, the S&P 500 edged lower, and the Nasdaq fell 0.25%.

Oil prices fall

ASX 200 energy shares such as Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) could have a poor start to the week after oil prices tumbled on Friday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price was down 3.75% to US$69.23 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price was down 4.3% to US$71.99 a barrel. However, reports of an escalation in US-Iran tensions could give oil a boost on Monday.

Buy Neuren shares

The team at Bell Potter thinks investors should be buying Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) shares. This morning, the broker has retained its buy rating on the pharmaceuticals company’s shares with an improved price target of $23.50. The broker said: “At the latest closing price, we therefore see effectively zero implied value for NEU’s second asset, which in itself would be a multi-billion-dollar value asset should it succeed in the Phase 3 trial. The Phase 3 remains in the early stages of recruitment, with results not expected until the end of CY27 at the very earliest (pending recruitment pace). We maintain our BUY recommendation and increase PT to $23.50.”

Gold price rises

ASX 200 gold shares including Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a good start to the week after the gold price rose on Friday night. According to CNBC, the gold futures price was up 1.2% to US$4,096.3 an ounce. This gain was driven by a weaker US dollar but couldn’t stop gold from recording its fourth weekly loss in a row.

Shares going ex-dividend

A large group of shares are due to go ex-dividend on Monday and could trade lower. This includes APA Group (ASX: APA), Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP), Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC), Dexus (ASX: DXS), Goodman Group (ASX: GMG), Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR), and Transurban Group (ASX: TCL). The latter will be rewarding its shareholders with a 35 cents per share final dividend on 18 August.

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

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

Tomorrow is the last day of the financial year, and therefore, the last day you can make tax-effective contributions to your superannuation, at least until next financial year, that is.

But to make a so-called concessional contribution, you’d most likely need to transfer the money into your superannuation account today so it appears there tomorrow. It would pay to check with your bank and superannuation fund to see whether the transfer will arrive in time.

So how much can you contribute, and why should you?

Each year, individuals can contribute $30,000 as concessional contributions, which are taxed at just 15%.

For salary earners, the amount contributed into superannuation by their employer counts towards the $30,000 cap.

Extra contributions made by an individual are taxed at 15% and can be claimed as a tax deduction. In most cases, this means your overall taxable income, and therefore tax paid, will be lower.

It’s possible to track how much you’ve contributed as concessional contributions, and hence how much extra you can put in, by checking the ATO’s online services. Some super funds also list this information.

If you do put extra into your super and want it to be a concessional contribution, you also need to lodge a notice of intent to claim. This alerts your super fund that it is a concessional contribution, and they will take the 15% tax out as necessary.  

How to make an even bigger contribution

Of course, you can always wait until next financial year to put money in, but there’s a good reason to check you’re not missing an opportunity, particularly if you have a large lump sum you can contribute.

Specifically, unused concessional amounts can be used, going back up to five years, as long as you have less than $500,000 in super at 30 June of the previous financial year.

As the ATO website explains:

If you have unused concessional cap amounts from previous years, you may be able to carry them forward to increase your contribution caps in later years. The oldest available unused cap amounts are carried forward first. For example, unused cap amounts from 2019–20 would be used to increase your cap first before unused cap amounts from 2020–21. Unused concessional cap amounts are applied automatically once you exceed the cap in any year.

Once you’ve used up any concessional caps it is also possible to make non-concessional contributions of up to $130,000 per year.

While the strategies outlined in this article might be useful, they might not be for everyone, and this article does not constitute financial advice. It’s always prudent to consult a financial adviser when setting up a new investment strategy.

The post If you want to use this strategy to top up your superannuation you have to act today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here is the average Australian superannuation balance at ages 45, 55, and 65
• ASX 200 retail shares outperform on growing hopes interest rates have peaked
• DigiCo Infrastructure REIT CEO resigns
• Centuria Capital Group opens $35m retail offer, targets growth in AI and real estate
• Transurban Group announces major North America project expansion

Motley Fool contributor Cameron England 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.