Category: Stock Market

  • This ASX stock is edging lower today after a shareholder friendly move

    Young ASX share investor excitedly throwing hands up in front of savings jar.

    The Maas Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: MGH) share price is in the red on Wednesday following a fresh announcement released overnight.

    Shares are down 0.54% to $5.51 in early trade, after Maas confirmed an extension to its share buyback program.

    The market response appears to be subdued, despite the move signalling confidence in the company’s outlook and balance sheet.

    Here’s what investors need to know.

    What was announced?

    According to the release, Maas Group’s board approved an extension of the company’s existing on market share buyback.

    Under the updated plan, Maas can repurchase up to 10% of its issued ordinary share capital over the next 12 months. This matches the scale of the previous buyback and keeps the program in place through to early 2027.

    Management said the extension supports the company’s aim of delivering sustainable returns on equity for shareholders. It also reflects confidence in the underlying performance of the business and its capital position.

    The company noted that the timing and volume of buybacks remain discretionary. Any purchases will depend on factors such as the share price, market conditions, and competing capital requirements.

    No changes were made to guidance, and no additional capital management initiatives were announced.

    Why the market reaction looks muted

    While share buybacks are typically viewed as shareholder-friendly, the modest decline in Maas shares suggests the move was largely anticipated.

    The company has previously indicated a disciplined approach to capital allocation, and the extension does not materially change earnings forecasts or near-term cash flow expectations.

    Investors may also be weighing broader market conditions, particularly ongoing volatility in construction activity and infrastructure spending.

    A quick refresher on Maas Group

    Maas Group is a diversified construction materials, equipment, and services provider with exposure across civil infrastructure, mining, and property development.

    The company has continued to expand its footprint through both organic growth and selective acquisitions. In recent months, Maas has highlighted stable trading conditions and solid demand across several operating divisions.

    Late last year, the company also secured a major electrical infrastructure agreement. The deal strengthened its position in the infrastructure services segment and improved forward work visibility.

    At its most recent AGM update, management reaffirmed guidance and pointed to resilient demand across key end markets, despite softer conditions in some parts of the construction sector.

    What to watch next

    Looking ahead, I will be watching how actively Maas executes the buyback, particularly if share price weakness persists.

    Upcoming earnings updates will be important in assessing margins, cash generation, and capital discipline as the group balances growth and shareholder returns.

    The post This ASX stock is edging lower today after a shareholder friendly move appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in MAAS Group Holdings Limited right now?

    Before you buy MAAS Group Holdings Limited 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 MAAS Group Holdings Limited 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 1 Jan 2026

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

  • Neuren Pharmaceuticals shares paused pending announcement

    A man with a heavy facial hair growth and a comical look on his face holds his hands in a 'time out' gesture.

    The Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) share price was paused from trading today, with investors awaiting further updates from the company.

    What did Neuren Pharmaceuticals report?

    • Trading in Neuren Pharmaceuticals shares has been temporarily paused by the ASX.
    • No financial results or earnings updates were included in the announcement.
    • The pause is pending a further announcement from the company.
    • No changes to dividend guidance or capital management have been disclosed.

    What else do investors need to know?

    The ASX directed the trading pause for Neuren Pharmaceuticals ahead of a further announcement. This is a standard process that helps ensure all market participants receive new, potentially price-sensitive information at the same time.

    Investors will need to watch for Neuren Pharmaceuticals’ upcoming update to understand the reason for the pause and any effect on the company’s future direction.

    What’s next for Neuren Pharmaceuticals?

    The main development to watch is the expected further announcement from the company, which should clarify the reason for the trading pause. Depending on what’s disclosed, it could impact the Neuren Pharmaceuticals share price when trading resumes.

    Shareholders and interested investors are encouraged to monitor ASX announcements for more details.

    Neuren Pharmaceuticals share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 month, Neuren Pharmaceuticals shares have risen 11%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Neuren Pharmaceuticals shares paused pending announcement appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Neuren Pharmaceuticals Limited right now?

    Before you buy Neuren Pharmaceuticals Limited 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 Neuren Pharmaceuticals Limited 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 1 Jan 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 are Synlait Milk shares falling today?

    Three cows jumping over a field of grass.

    Shares in New Zealand-based dairy company Synlait Milk Ltd (ASX: SM1) are trading sharply lower after the company said it would swing to a net loss after a “disappointing” first half.

    The company said in a statement to the ASX on Wednesday morning that while manufacturing challenges at its Dunsandel operations had been largely resolved, “Synlait continues to face related cost and operational impacts”.

    The company went on to say:

    The need to rebuild inventory across product segments required significant adjustments to Synlait’s manufacturing plans this dairy season, relative to a normal year. To enable these adjustments, additional raw milk sales were made during HY26, which weighed heavily on margins and operating costs.

    Synlait said its first-half performance had also been impacted by lower relative returns from its commodities portfolio.

    The company was also taking a “conservative approach” and not recognising further deferred tax assets “arising from unused tax losses beyond those recorded at 31 July 2025”.

    Bottom line to plunge into the red

    The company said that, given the impacts referred to above, it expected the first half underlying EBITDA to be between break-even at $5 million and a reported EBITDA loss of $28 to $33 million.

    It also expected an underlying net loss of $33 to $38 million and a reported net loss after tax of $77 to $82 million.

    For the same period last year, the company reported a net profit of $4.8 million.

    The company said it had lodged an insurance claim to recoup losses as a result of its manufacturing challenges, and while the claim had been accepted, “the final amount and timing of reimbursement remain subject to further assessment and settlement processes”.

    Synlait Chief Executive Officer Richard Wyeth said regarding the expected result:

    We are very disappointed with the six-month result and the impact it has had on the pace of our financial turnaround. However, we have made progress with real momentum in our operations, a renewed Canterbury-based executive leadership team, and the North Island sale set to fundamentally strengthen Synlait. Our strategy is being reset, and we are confident it will provide a pathway to return Synlait to success, although this will take at least 12 months.

    The company said the sale of the North Island assets was due for completion on April 1, with the proceeds to be used to “significantly reduce debt”.

    The company added:

    The sale will enable Synlait to centre its core operations on Canterbury, with renewed focus on delivering continuous operational excellence and customer diversification to support longer-term profitability, however, it is clear the company’s recovery will take time.

    Synlait shares were 5.8% lower at 49 cents in early trade.

    The company was valued at $313.7 million at the close of trade on Tuesday.

    Synlait will report its full-year results on March 23.

    The post Why are Synlait Milk shares falling today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Synlait Milk Limited right now?

    Before you buy Synlait Milk Limited 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 Synlait Milk Limited 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 1 Jan 2026

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    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.

  • 3 ASX dividend stocks I’m excited to see the payouts of this reporting season

    a young boy dressed in a business suit and wearing thick black glasses peers straight ahead while sitting at a heavy wooden desk with an old-fashioned calculator and adding machine while holding a pen over a large ledger book.

    Reporting season is a very exciting time of year because we get to see how ASX dividend stocks and other businesses have performed.

    I view this time of year a bit like Christmas – we get to open the results without knowing what’s inside. The dividends will be interesting to see and will be heavily influenced by how much profit the companies have been able to generate.

    Hopefully, the results are solid and pleasing for shareholders in terms of both the passive income and earnings that are revealed. These are three numbers that could be very interesting.

    BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

    BHP shares have surged 27% in the last six months, with investors seemingly excited about the company’s increasing profit potential as commodity prices remain pleasing.

    I’m curious to see how much the ASX dividend stock has been able to capitalise on these higher resource prices for iron ore and copper amid its reported discussions/dispute with China Mineral Resources Group (CMRG) – a key buyer of iron ore.

    BHP is usually a rewarding dividend payer for investors, and broker UBS is expecting the business to pay an interim dividend of US 60.8 cents per share, representing a dividend payout ratio of 50% of projected net profit for the first half. However, a higher payout is possible if prices remain “favourable”.

    As one of the two biggest businesses on the ASX, it makes an important contribution to the Australian economy, and its dividend payouts matter for a lot of shareholders.

    Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

    CBA is the other titan of the ASX with a market capitalisation of around $250 billion.

    The numbers that the ASX bank share reports will give investors a good barometer of the banking sector and a wider view of the economy.

    CBA has the most customers, the largest loan book, and the largest branch and ATM network in Australia.

    After the RBA rate hike was announced yesterday, it’ll be interesting to see how the ASX dividend stock navigates that and what that could do for the bank’s profitability (as measured by the net interest margin (NIM) metric). I expect it may be a slight net positive for CBA.

    The dividend declared will be a reflection of recent profitability and the board’s view on upcoming profitability, too.  

    Nick Scali Ltd (ASX: NCK)

    I think Nick Scali is one of the most impressive retail businesses on the ASX, considering its high return on equity (ROE), its store network growth in Australia and New Zealand, and the initiatives it has to become a sizeable player in the UK.

    As a retailer of furniture, it’s exposed to household demand. I’m very curious to see how the ASX dividend stock has performed in the last six months of 2025 and its outlook for 2026, considering the solid Australian economy and the recent rate rise.

    I think the dividend payout could be quite revealing of the confidence of management. It increased its payout per share every year between 2013 and 2023, but cut the dividend each year since then. Will there be a reversal of that direction towards positive dividend growth?

    The post 3 ASX dividend stocks I’m excited to see the payouts of this reporting season appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy BHP 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 BHP 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 1 Jan 2026

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

  • ASX 300 stock tumbles despite 22% profit jump

    A young man stands facing the camera and scratching his head with the other hand held upwards wondering if he should buy Whitehaven Coal shares

    Jumbo Interactive Ltd (ASX: JIN) shares are on the move on Wednesday morning.

    At the time of writing, the ASX 300 stock is down 3.5% to $10.15.

    Why is this ASX 300 stock tumbling?

    Investors have been selling the lottery ticket seller’s shares following the release of a preliminary update on its first-half results.

    The ASX 300 stock delivered strong profit growth during the half despite a softer lottery jackpot environment.

    According to the release, Jumbo revealed that revenue is expected to rise 29% to $85.3 million in the first half, after total transaction value (TTV) increased 15.7% to $524.7 million.

    Also growing at a strong rate was its underlying EBITDA, which is expected to be $37.5 million for the first half. This is up 22.6% from $30.6 million in the prior corresponding period.

    What drove the strong performance?

    Jumbo’s strong performance during the first half is notable because the broader lottery environment was relatively weak. There were fewer large Powerball and Oz Lotto jackpots, no jackpots above $100 million, and a sharp drop in total prize value compared to last year.

    Historically, jackpots tend to drive higher lottery spending, so this was a headwind for the sector.

    Despite this, Jumbo’s Lottery Retailing division delivered a resilient result, with TTV broadly flat year on year. The company said this was supported by continued momentum in charity and proprietary products, which helped offset the quieter jackpot cycle.

    Away from traditional lottery retailing, growth was stronger. Jumbo’s SaaS segment recorded TTV growth of 9.9%, and 12.4% excluding Lotterywest, showing that its B2B platforms continue to scale.

    Managed Services was another bright spot, with underlying EBITDA up more than 50%, driven by good momentum in Canada and disciplined execution in the UK.

    Another contributor to the result was the ASX 300 stock’s recent expansion into prize-based giveaways. Jumbo completed the acquisitions of Dream Car Giveaways UK and Dream Giveaway USA in October 2025. Management said the UK business in particular is performing ahead of expectations.

    What about its dividend?

    No dividend was announced with its preliminary results. Management advised that its payout will be determined once the audited results are finalised later this month and will reflect its revised payout ratio of 30% to 50% of statutory net profit.

    The post ASX 300 stock tumbles despite 22% profit jump appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Jumbo Interactive Limited right now?

    Before you buy Jumbo Interactive Limited 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 Jumbo Interactive Limited 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 1 Jan 2026

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

  • Guess which ASX 200 stock is jumping 8% on results day

    A woman presenting company news to investors looks back at the camera and smiles.

    Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI) shares are jumping on Wednesday.

    In morning trade, the ASX 200 stock is up 8% to $18.58.

    Why is this ASX 200 stock jumping?

    Investors have been buying the investment company’s shares despite it releasing its half-year results and reporting a sizeable profit decline.

    According to the release, net profit after tax was $67.3 million during the half. This is down 11% from $75.7 million in the prior corresponding period.

    This was driven by weaker performance fees. The ASX 200 stock advised that performance fees earned by eight Pinnacle affiliates, post-tax, contributed $13.4 million of Pinnacle’s net profit after tax in the first half. This is down from $36.4 million from nine affiliates during the same period last year.

    Importantly, net profit after tax before performance fees was 37% higher than the prior corresponding period and 11% higher than the second half of FY 2025.

    In light of its profit decline, the ASX 200 stock’s board was forced to cut its interim dividend by 12% to 29 cents per share. This dividend will be 80% franked.

    What happened during the half?

    Other than its weak performance fees, the first half was strong for Pinnacle.

    It revealed record net inflows of $17.2 billion. This comprises domestic retail net inflows of $6.8 billion, domestic institutional net inflows of $7.0 billion, and international net inflows of $3.4 billion.

    Aggregate affiliates funds under management (FUM) was $202.5 billion at the end of December.

    Commenting on its performance, the ASX 200 stock’s managing director, Ian Macoun, said:

    We have made deliberate efforts over several years to diversify and expand our platform, both organically and through careful inorganic growth, believing that doing so provides us with greater robustness, wider relevance to our clients and more avenues to continue growing our earnings. We recall the very large performance fee contribution from Hyperion in the first half of FY25, which was an exceptional outcome.

    We also note the ongoing growth in net flows and core earnings within Affiliates, across multiple channels, which this diversification has enabled. Within the record flow outcome for this half, of particular note was the outcome in Australian wholesale and retail, demonstrating our strong position in that market, and in Life Cycle, who have had the fastest start of any Pinnacle Affiliate to date. We continue to invest in our people and platform, across multiple channels and markets, to support and drive further growth.

    The post Guess which ASX 200 stock is jumping 8% on results day appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Pinnacle Investment Management Group Limited right now?

    Before you buy Pinnacle Investment Management Group Limited 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 Pinnacle Investment Management Group Limited 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 1 Jan 2026

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    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 has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • This junior energy company could deliver close to 50% returns one broker says

    Oil worker giving a thumbs up in an oil field.

    Strike Energy Ltd (ASX: STX) recently released its first-half production report and provided an update that construction of its peaking gas power plant in Western Australia was 72% complete.

    Strike is a bit different from many oil and gas companies in that it is currently a gas producer but is also looking to use that gas to put through its power plant once it’s finished.

    The company said last week that it produced 1.59 petajoules of gas at its Walyering operations during the second quarter, generating $16.6 million in gas sales revenue.

    The company was also continuing to drill at Walyering, “with any success at Walyering West-1 representing upside to Strike’s current supply and cash flow planning.”

    Strike Managing Director Peter Stokes said in the company’s ASX release that it continued to execute its plans well across the portfolio.

    Material progress was made at the South Erregulla 85 MW Peaking Gas Power Project, which is 72% complete at quarter end and remains on track for its targeted 1 October 2026 completion, supported by a strong safety performance during a sustained period of construction activity. With drilling services secured for Walyering West-1 and key regulatory approvals progressing across the portfolio, Strike enters the next phase of the year well positioned to advance its Perth Basin growth pipeline.

    Brokers like what they see

    Bell Potter analysts have run the ruler over the recent quarterly, and have a speculative buy rating on the company’s shares, with a price target of 15 cents.

    As the Bell Potter team said:

    Strike is leveraged to the Western Australia energy market where electricity and gas prices are expected to remain supportive. Walyering provides supplementary cash flow while the South Erregulla Peaking Gas Power Project is being developed (online 4Q 2026). Potential exploration success (Walyering West, Ocean Hill) remains a value catalyst. While the West Erregulla timing and development scenario remain uncertain, this asset will potentially be a large source of energy supply.

    The Bell Potter team noted that a reserves update for West Erregulla is expected in the current quarter.

    They also estimated that the South Erregulla peaking power plant could deliver margins of about $35 to $55 million per year.

    Strike Energy shares last traded at 10.5 cents, not far off their 12-month lows of 10 cents.

    The shares have traded as high as 23 cents over that period.

    Strike was valued at $377.9 million at the close of trade on Wednesday.

    The post This junior energy company could deliver close to 50% returns one broker says appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Strike Energy Limited right now?

    Before you buy Strike Energy Limited 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 Strike Energy Limited 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 1 Jan 2026

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    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.

  • Is this the best ASX ETF to buy to build wealth?

    ETF in written in different colours with different colour arrows pointing to it.

    ASX-listed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are very effective investments because of how easy it is to buy an entire portfolio in a single trade. This type of great buy-and-hold option can provide investors with diversification and good long-term returns.

    But, where should Aussies invest? There are some great ASX growth shares available that could become much larger businesses in the coming years.

    But, in terms of ASX ETFs, I think it’s a good idea for Australian investors to look at international investments. There’s a lot more to the global share market than just ASX shares, thanks to numerous high-quality businesses being listed in northern hemisphere markets.

    There are quite a few wonderful ASX ETFs that could be strong picks to build wealth. iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) is one of the most compelling ideas for a few different reasons.

    Great businesses

    It seems fairly obvious to say, but I think the best businesses will deliver very good returns.

    The IVV ETF gives investors exposure to the S&P 500, an index of 500 of the largest and most profitable businesses that are listed in the US.

    The United States is where many of the world’s strongest businesses are listed such as Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Broadcom, Tesla, Berkshire Hathaway, Visa, Walmart, Mastercard and Costco.

    When you look at those names, they are involved in some of the biggest trends and changes in modern life such as AI, cloud computing and supercomputing, driverless cars, digital payments, chips, social media, video gaming, e-commerce and more.

    The products and services that are provided by these businesses are (mostly) driving significant earnings growth, which is a strong tailwind for shareholder returns. Those companies also have impressive financial statistics, such as return on equity (ROE), the strength of the balance sheet and strong profit margins.

    Low fees

    Management fees can play an important part in how appealing the net returns of a fund are. It’s common for Australian fund managers to charge at least 1% of annual management fees, as well as performance fees if they outperform their benchmark. That can lead to net returns being materially lower than the gross returns.

    The IVV ETF, on the other hand, has exceptionally low fees for an ASX ETF. iShares S&P 500 ETF has an annual management fee of just 0.04%. That’s very close to zero and leaves nearly all of the returns in an investor’s hands.

    Strong returns

    Past performance is not a guarantee of future returns, but the IVV ETF has performed exceptionally well.

    In the last decade, the iShares S&P 500 ETF has returned an average of 15.56% per year. That shows the businesses involved have performed admirably well for investors.

    If someone had invested $10,000 ten years ago, it would have grown into $42,469 – more than quadrupled.

    I wouldn’t expect the next decade to be as good as that, but the IVV ETF is an exceptional place to invest for exposure to US businesses and it’s a great option for building wealth, in my view.

    The post Is this the best ASX ETF to buy to build wealth? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in iShares S&P 500 ETF right now?

    Before you buy iShares S&P 500 ETF 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 iShares S&P 500 ETF 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 1 Jan 2026

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    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 Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Costco Wholesale, Mastercard, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, Tesla, Visa, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Broadcom. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Mastercard, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, Visa, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Can these 2 ASX gold shares keep outpacing the gold rally?

    A woman sprints with a trail of fire blazing from her body.

    Gold’s bull run has been explosive. Prices have surged over the past year as investors piled into safe havens, dragging ASX gold shares higher.

    But not all gold names are created equal — and none exemplify that better than Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) and Meeka Metals Ltd (ASX: MEK).

    Ramelius Resources shares have soared 81% over the past 12 months and Meeka a whopping 119%, while the gold commodity price rose 68%.

    Let’s have a look at whether the ASX gold shares could keep the pace going.

    Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS)

    This ASX gold share has been one of the quieter winners of the gold rally, with its share price powering higher over the past year as higher bullion prices collided with improving operational delivery.

    As a profitable mid-tier producer with multiple Western Australian assets, Ramelius has benefited from rising margins, strong cash generation, and growing confidence that its production base is sustainable rather than short-lived. Investors have rewarded that stability, pushing the ASX gold stock ahead of many peers still grappling with cost blowouts or development risks.

    The big strength for Ramelius is execution. It is already producing, already generating cash, and already reinvesting into exploration and extensions that could support output for years. That lowers risk and gives the company leverage to gold prices without the existential threats facing smaller miners.

    The flip side is that expectations are now higher. Costs remain elevated across the sector, and any slip in grades, mine sequencing, or gold prices could quickly cool enthusiasm.

    Analysts generally see further upside for the ASX gold share, but most are more measured than the market was six months ago. After the miner revealed its 2Q FY26 results, Morgans maintained its buy rating on the stock and lifted its price target from $4.50 to $5.50.

    That points to a 23% upside, compared to the share price of $4.47 at the time of writing.

    Meeka Metals Ltd (ASX: MEK)

    This smaller ASX gold share has delivered the kind of share price surge that gold investors dream about. As sentiment around the gold sector heated up, Meeka’s transition from explorer to emerging producer lit a fire under the stock, sending it almost 120% higher over the past year.

    Unlike Ramelius, Meeka’s gains have been driven less by current cash flow and more by what investors believe the company could become if its Murchison project delivers as planned.

    That optionality is Meeka’s greatest strength. A growing resource base, improving project economics, and a clear pathway toward production give the company significant leverage to a strong gold price. If execution goes smoothly, the ASX gold stock could continue to outpace both gold and much of the sector.

    But that leverage cuts both ways. The company remains small, capital-hungry, and highly sensitive to delays, cost overruns, or weaker sentiment. Any stumble could hit the share price hard.

    Analyst coverage is limited but optimistic, reflecting the upside potential rather than proven delivery. The average 12-month price target is $0.45, representing a potential gain of 97% from the current share price of $0.23.

    Foolish Takeaway

    Looking ahead, Ramelius offers steadier, production-led gains with lower risk. Meeka has greater upside, but only if it executes cleanly.

    Big returns favour Meeka; more reliable exposure to gold favours Ramelius — both with risks as gold optimism runs high.

    The post Can these 2 ASX gold shares keep outpacing the gold rally? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Ramelius Resources Limited right now?

    Before you buy Ramelius Resources Limited 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 Ramelius Resources Limited 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 1 Jan 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.

  • 3 ASX dividend shares that still beat bank interest rates

    Happy man holding Australian dollar notes, representing dividends.

    On Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of Australia lifted the cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.85%.

    That move is likely to translate into slightly higher returns on savings accounts and term deposits in the months ahead. But even with rates moving higher, income investors are not short of alternatives.

    In fact, the ASX still offers dividend yields that comfortably beat bank interest rates, with the added bonus of potential capital growth over time.

    With that in mind, here are three ASX dividend shares that could still be worth considering for income-focused investors.

    Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP)

    The first ASX dividend share that could beat bank interest rates is Centuria Industrial REIT.

    It owns a diversified portfolio of industrial properties, including warehouses, logistics facilities, and distribution centres leased to a broad range of tenants. These assets tend to benefit from long lease terms and rental increases that help support predictable income.

    While higher interest rates have weighed on the broader REIT sector, industrial property fundamentals have remained relatively resilient. Demand for well-located logistics and warehousing space continues to be underpinned by e-commerce and supply chain investment.

    Bell Potter is bullish on the company. It has a buy rating and $3.75 price target on its shares.

    As for income, the broker is forecasting payouts of 16.8 cents per share in FY 2026 and 17.3 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $3.21, this would mean dividend yields of 5.2% and 5.4%, respectively.

    Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN)

    Another ASX dividend share that still stands out is Harvey Norman.

    This retail giant operates across furniture, electronics, and homewares, and while discretionary spending has been under pressure, Harvey Norman’s business model provides some insulation. Its franchise structure, strong property backing, and net cash position give it flexibility through the cycle.

    Even after the latest rate hike, its dividend potential remains well ahead of what most bank deposits can offer.

    For example, Bell Potter, which has a buy rating and $8.30 price target on its shares, is expecting fully franked dividends of 30.9 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 35.3 cents per share in FY 2027.

    Based on its current share price of $6.51, this would mean dividend yields of 4.8% and 5.4%, respectively.

    Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

    A final ASX dividend share to consider is Transurban. It owns and operates toll roads across Australia and North America, generating revenue from long-dated infrastructure assets that are difficult to replicate.

    Traffic volumes tend to grow over time with population and economic activity, providing a long runway for cash flow growth. Importantly, many of Transurban’s toll roads have built-in inflation-linked toll increases. This helps protect income even when inflation and interest rates are elevated.

    Citi is a fan of the company and has put a buy rating and $16.10 price target on its shares.

    With respect to dividends, the broker expects payouts of 69.5 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 73.7 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $13.88, this would mean dividend yields of 5% and 5.3%, respectively.

    The post 3 ASX dividend shares that still beat bank interest rates appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Centuria Industrial REIT right now?

    Before you buy Centuria Industrial REIT 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 Centuria Industrial REIT 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 1 Jan 2026

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