Category: Stock Market

Most Australians know superannuation matters. Fewer know whether they are actually on track — or how much time they have left to do something about it.

At 55, retirement is no longer a distant concept. It is approaching, but it is not here yet. That distinction matters.

Because while 60 is often framed as the “line in the sand”, 55 is where the real decisions get made — particularly around how you accumulate, invest, and position your final years of working life.

So instead of asking what your super should look like at retirement, a more useful question might be this: what position do you want to be in five years earlier?

The benchmark still matters — but timing changes everything

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) continues to provide a useful guidepost.

A comfortable retirement today still implies spending of roughly $55,000 per year for a single person and over $78,000 for a couple. To support that lifestyle, the broad benchmark sits around $630,000 in super for singles and closer to $730,000+ combined for couples.

Those figures assume home ownership and some support from the Age Pension from 67.

At face value, the targets have not changed dramatically. What has changed is how much flexibility you still have at 55.

Where Australians in their mid-50s are actually sitting

For many Australians, the gap is already visible by 55.

Average balances tend to sit meaningfully below the “comfortable” benchmarks — particularly for singles and women. Structural factors such as career breaks, part-time work, and lower lifetime earnings continue to show up in the data.

Couples, on the other hand, are often closer to the mark on a combined basis, especially when both partners have maintained steady contributions over time.

But averages only tell part of the story.

At 55, most people are still working. That means contributions are ongoing, investment returns are still compounding, and decisions made now can have an outsized impact compared to earlier decades.

Why your 50s are the most powerful investing years

There is a tendency to become more conservative as retirement approaches. In some cases, that is sensible. In others, it can quietly work against long-term outcomes.

The reality is that your early-to-mid 50s may represent the most capital-rich period of your life:

• Your income is often at or near its peak
• Debts may be lower or more manageable
• Super balances are large enough for compounding to matter
• Time horizon is still meaningful (10–20 years of retirement ahead)

That combination creates a window where both contributions and investment allocation can materially change your trajectory.

Even small adjustments — whether that is increasing concessional contributions, reviewing fees, or ensuring your super is appropriately invested for growth — can compound over the next decade.

This is also where the mindset subtly shifts.

Earlier in life, investing is about building. In your 50s, it becomes about finishing well — maximising what you already have.

The levers available at 55

Unlike at 60, where the focus often shifts to drawing down, 55 still offers a full toolkit for accumulation.

There are three broad levers worth understanding:

• Contributions: Concessional contributions (up to current caps) remain one of the most tax-effective ways to boost super. Carry-forward rules may also allow for larger catch-up contributions depending on your balance and history.
• Downsizer strategy (later optionality): While typically used closer to retirement, understanding the ability to contribute proceeds from a future home sale can influence planning decisions now.
• Investment positioning: Reviewing asset allocation, fees, and fund structure can be just as impactful as adding new money. Over a 5–10 year window, these changes can compound meaningfully.

None of these are silver bullets on their own. Together, they can meaningfully shift outcomes.

A different way to think about “on track”

The conversation around super often focuses on a single number at a single age.

In reality, the more useful lens is trajectory.

At 55, you are not locked in. You are positioned.

Some Australians will already be within reach of a comfortable retirement. Others will see a gap that feels confronting at first glance.

The key difference now is that you still have time — and, more importantly, leverage.

Foolish takeaway

Looking at super at 55 reframes the conversation.

It is less about whether you have “enough” today, and more about what you can still influence before retirement begins.

For couples, the path to a comfortable retirement may already be visible. For singles, the gap can be more pronounced — but not necessarily fixed.

The final working years are not just a countdown. They are an opportunity.

And how you approach accumulation and investing from here may matter more than anything that came before.

The post What Australians must focus on at 55 to build enough superannuation before retirement appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• The ASX healthcare stocks with the biggest upside according to brokers
• Infratil lifts CDC outlook and FY27 earnings guidance
• Why ASX dividend shares could still be better than term deposits
• Which defensive ASX shares are outperforming right now?

Motley Fool contributor Leigh Gant 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

The Infratil Ltd (ASX: IFT) share price is in focus today after the company increased its EBITDAF guidance for 2027 and announced progress in expanding data centre operations.

What did Infratil report?

• Upgraded FY27 EBITDAF guidance to A$680–$720 million (previously ~A$660 million)
• FY26 EBITDAF expected at lower end of A$390–$400 million, due to timing of contracted capacity
• A$500 million equity raise completed to support accelerated growth at CDC
• Bank debt upsizing to A$2.1 billion expected by March 2026
• Strong pipeline with 18 operational CDC data centres and five under construction

What else do investors need to know?

CDC, Infratil’s Australasian data centre business, continues to benefit from robust demand for secure, large-scale data centre infrastructure—especially supporting AI and cloud workloads. Two new data centres at CDC’s Eastern Creek campus are nearing operational status, which will significantly boost available capacity.

The business maintains its position as the largest data centre operator in Australasia, with market-leading water efficiency thanks to closed-loop cooling systems. Minimal water use has enabled CDC to add almost 200 megawatts of capacity in the latest quarter, while maintaining environmental credentials.

What did Infratil management say?

Infratil CEO Jason Boyes commented:

Our focus is on supporting CDC to deliver more capacity to meet the growing demand for data centre space across Australasia. Infratil, along with CDC’s other major shareholders, recently provided A$500 million in equity funding to support the acceleration of CDC’s construction programme.

What’s next for Infratil?

Looking ahead, Infratil plans to keep expanding CDC’s footprint, meeting ongoing demand for secure data centre capacity across Australia and New Zealand. The higher formal EBITDAF guidance for FY27 reflects management’s confidence in CDC’s strong contract pipeline and expectations for continued growth in digital infrastructure.

Investment in skills and sustainable technology will remain a priority, alongside developing new sites and supporting the transition to clean energy.

Infratil share price snapshot

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

View Original Announcement

The post Infratil lifts CDC outlook and FY27 earnings guidance appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Rising interest rates have made term deposits more attractive again.

Right now, a standard five-year term deposit from Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) is offering around 4%. That is the best level savers have seen for quite some time and may appeal to those looking for certainty.

However, when you factor in inflation, the real return looks far less compelling.

Inflation is still eating into returns

This week, the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that inflation rose 3.7% over the 12 months to February 2026.

That means a 4% term deposit is only just keeping pace with rising prices. In real terms, investors are barely growing their wealth.

For those who are highly risk averse, this trade-off may be acceptable. But for investors willing to take on some volatility, there may be better options available.

ASX dividend shares can offer more income

One of the key advantages of ASX dividend shares is their ability to deliver higher income yields.

Many established companies on the ASX offer dividend yields above 4%, with some comfortably exceeding this level depending on market conditions.

In addition, these dividends can grow over time as company earnings increase. This provides a level of income growth that term deposits simply cannot match.

ETFs make diversification easy

For those who prefer not to pick individual ASX dividend shares, the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY) offers a simple alternative.

This fund provides exposure to a broad portfolio of high-yielding ASX shares, helping to spread risk across multiple companies and sectors.

It has historically delivered a yield above 4%, making it competitive with term deposits from an income perspective.

But the key difference is total return.

Over the past five years, the ETF has generated a total return of 13.45% per annum. While there is no guarantee this will continue, it highlights the potential for both income and capital growth.

Capital growth makes the difference

The biggest advantage ASX dividend shares have over term deposits is the potential for capital appreciation.

While a term deposit will return your original capital plus interest, ASX shares can increase in value over time as businesses grow.

This means investors are not just relying on income. They also benefit from rising share prices, which can significantly boost long-term returns.

For investors focused on building wealth while generating income, this combination can make ASX dividend shares a more compelling option than term deposits.

The post Why ASX dividend shares could still be better than term deposits appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

It’s no surprise that many investors will be turning their attention to defensive ASX shares in the current environment. 

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) recovered 1.8% yesterday, however it remains down 7% in the past month. 

Ongoing conflict has put pressure broadly on most ASX sectors outside of energy shares.

As a quick refresher, defensive stocks are established, mature companies that tend to maintain consistent profits and dividends regardless of the broader economic climate.

With markets experiencing serious volatility since the beginning of the conflict between Iran, Israel and the US, here are some defensive shares that have offered some relief. 

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

As half of Australia’s supermarket duopoly, Woolworths has an estimated 37 percent share of Australia’s grocery market. 

It operates in the consumer staples sector, supplying essential goods like groceries and household items that people need regardless of economic conditions. 

Even during downturns, consumers may cut discretionary spending but still need to buy food and everyday necessities, which helps Woolworths maintain relatively stable revenue and cash flow.

Since the end of February, Woolworths shares have essentially held flat. 

While investors are always looking for capital gain, compared to the broader market sell-offs, Woolworths shares have held strong. 

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

Unsurprisingly, Woolworths’ heated rival Coles has also held up over the last month for the same reasons. 

At the time of writing, Coles shares are actually up 5% since the end of February. 

It also has a strong history of solid dividends, which can also provide cash flow during periods of volatility. 

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

As Australia’s largest and longest-running provider of telecommunications and information products and services, Telstra has also held up during recent sell-offs. 

It is a defensive stock because it provides mobile, internet, and connectivity that customers continue paying for regardless of economic conditions.

Its recurring subscription-based revenue and large, established customer base help deliver relatively stable cash flows and dividends even during market downturns.

Since the end of February it has risen roughly 3%. 

APA Group (ASX: APA)

Finally, APA Group shares have also provided relief for investors over the past few weeks. 

The company is a major owner and operator of Australia’s gas distribution network, including pipelines, gas-fired power stations, and storage facilities. It currently transports more than half the natural gas used in Australia.

It is another example of a defensive option as much of its income is backed by long-term agreements and often linked to inflation, providing reliable cash flow and reducing earnings volatility even during downturns.

Since late February, it has risen roughly 5%. 

The post Which defensive ASX shares are outperforming right now? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) share price has taken a dive over the last several months. As the chart below shows, it has fallen almost 50% from August 2025. But, experts think there’s a chance that the ASX healthcare share could recover a lot of the lost ground.

The global biotech business provides a number of healthcare products, including blood plasma-related treatments and vaccines.

UBS recently released a note that outlined one of the reasons why investors can be excited by the business.

UBS is positive on the biotech giant

The broker said that there has been a rapid uptake of CSL’s Andembry since the launch in mid-2025, with more than 1,000 patients on the therapy. UBS estimates this is around 15% of patients on prophylactic treatment across the major markets where it has been approved.

At a US price of around $400,000, the broker said this early momentum should underpin “strong second-half FY26 sales and extend into FY27”.

UBS suggests that its hereditary angioedema (HAE) forecasts may prove conservative, as it has allowed for competitive pressure in its projections and therefore expects CSL’s HAE market share to peak in FY27.

The broker is projecting that CSL’s market share could rise from around 20% in FY25 to a peak of 27% in FY27. UBS said its cautious stance reflects “gradual switching from incumbent therapies, including Haegarda, and competition from other new therapies, both approved and currently in clinical trials.”

UBS believes there’s “meaningful upside if Andembry takes more” market share.

The broker said its scenario analysis suggests the FY30 (estimated) earnings could get a 9% potential boost if CSL lifts its market share to 40% of the global HAE market. While ambitious, UBS said that possible outcome is “credible given Andembry’s clear advantages in convenience and patient experience”.

UBS also noted that CSL’s long history with this patient group positions it well to take share from the market leader, Takeda.

Is the CSL share price a buy?

The broker is still bullish on the business, despite the market’s pessimism.

UBS currently has a buy rating on the business, with a price target of $235. A price target tells investors where they think the share price will be in a year from the time of the investment call. The broker’s price target suggests a possible rise of 66% over the next year.

The broker projects that the business could generate net profit of US$3.4 billion in FY26.

The post Here’s one reason why experts think the CSL share price can rise 65%! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

For anyone that watched the Terminator movie franchise and developed an overwhelming fear of robots – perhaps look away. 

A new report from Betashares has shed light on the global robotics industry and its profound development. 

An ideal ASX ETF for investors looking to target this developing market is the Betashares Global Robotics And Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: RBTZ). 

Here are three reasons investors could benefit from long term growth through this fund. 

A growing market 

According to Hugh Lam, Investment Strategist at Betashares, globally, the robotic market is projected to reach US$111 billion by 2030. 

This is being driven by persistent labour shortages, accelerating AI adoption, and better unit economics from increased competition. 

Goldman Sachs forecasts the global humanoid robot market alone could reach US$38 billion by 2035. This is up more than sixfold from a previous projection of US$6 billion. 

Real world application 

According to Betashares, for much of the last decade, AI progress was largely software-driven. 

However, advances in embodied AI are now enabling robots to operate in real-world environments. This is shifting application from research demos to commercial deployment. 

Companies are already applying these capabilities across industries – from simulated factory design to physical automation.

At the same time, large-scale humanoid robot production is beginning to take shape.

For example, the demand for physical robotics is manifesting in areas of the economy where workflows are often considered monotonous or dangerous. 

This includes high-energy power plants and logistics warehouses and manufacturing facilities. 

Roughly 16,000 humanoid robots were installed globally by the end of 20253, with annual shipments forecast to reach 115,000 units by 20274 — a near-sevenfold increase in just two years.

Cheaper development

Not only is investment growing, and real world application materialising, but the cost of building a single humanoid robot has fallen dramatically.

From anywhere between US$150,000 and US$500,000 just a few years ago, manufacturing costs dropped approximately 40% between 2022 and 2023 alone, driven by cheaper components shared with mature electric vehicle supply chains and improving manufacturing techniques.

In summary, demand is increasing, while cost of production is lowering at the same time. 

RBTZ fund overview

For investors interested in gaining exposure to this ASX ETF, the fund invests in companies involved in industrial robotics and automation.

It also invests in companies involved in non-industrial robots, humanoid technology, robotics-focused AI and unmanned vehicles and drones. 

Recently, the fund has undergone a timely evolution in response to key development in the Robotics and AI landscape.

Some key changes include: 

• The index now explicitly includes a Humanoid Technology theme and has sharpened its AI definition to focus exclusively on AI that powers physical systems – chips, software, and platforms enabling robotics and autonomous operation.
• The index now includes companies listed on mainland Chinese exchanges via the Hong Kong Stock Connect program – giving investors direct exposure to some of the most consequential companies in the humanoid robotics value chain that were previously inaccessible.
• Recognising that many of the most exciting players of next-gen robots and AI are still in early commercial stages, the index now admits pre-revenue companies actively developing relevant technologies.

The post 3 reasons this AI and Robotics ASX ETF is a long term play appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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.

Many Aussie investors would be feeling the pinch after the recent ASX 200 decline. 

Australia’s benchmark index entered correction territory briefly this week before slightly bouncing back. 

A new report from Betashares has explored how long similar falls in the past have taken to recover.

What is a correction and how often do they happen?

A market correction is a short-term drop in stock prices – usually defined as a decline of 10% or more. 

A bear market usually involves a decline of 20% or more.

According to Betashares, falls of more than 5% happen roughly once a year on average. 

Of those that reach 10%, just over half go on to become deeper declines, although the risk is lower when the economy is not heading into recession.

Hans Lee, Senior Finance Writer at Betashares, said the most recent comparable moment was Liberation Day in April last year, when Trump’s tariff announcement sent the ASX down 15.8% peak-to-trough in a matter of days. 

It recovered fully within weeks.

Before that, investors experienced a 35% fall in the Australian share market in just five weeks during early 2020. Markets recovered to pre-crash levels just 13 months later.

History offers some reassurance here. Markets price fear faster than they price recovery – which is why making significant decisions on instinct tends to produce worse results than sitting tight.

Why is the market falling?

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is the main catalyst of recent declines. 

However unlike liberation day sell-offs last year, the current fall is having more direct impacts to the economy. 

Last year, when President Trump announced widespread tariffs, markets reacted quickly, and priced in this fear before any real economic impact was felt. 

This was a classic example of markets reacting more to expectations and uncertainty than to immediate, measurable economic damage.

In contrast, the current conflict is resulting in higher oil prices. These feed directly into inflation, complicating the picture for central banks.

The RBA raised rates again earlier this month fearing inflationary pressures from the impact of higher oil prices, while the US Federal Reserve signalled it’s in no hurry to cut rates any time soon.

Is this likely to persist?

According to Betashares, history says there is a good chance the conflict is short lived. 

Research by Hartford Funds found that historically the S&P 500 was higher one year after the onset of conflict 73% of the time , with average one-year returns in the high single digits. Oil-driven shocks can take longer to resolve, but history still favours patience over panic.

Chief Economist David Bassanese’s base case is that a negotiated resolution remains the most likely outcome. But markets are waiting for confirmation and, until they get it, volatility will be the default setting.

Is now the time to buy?

Here at The Motley Fool, we are long-term focussed. 

With that framework in mind, a 10% decline to Australia’s benchmark index is a chance to top up your portfolio at a relative value. 

It’s important to remember that short-term volatility is likely to persist. There’s no guarantee of a quick resolution to the current conflict in the Middle East. 

However as Betashares research points out, over the long-term, markets like the ASX 200 will recover, and eventually steam ahead. 

If you are looking for broad exposure to the ASX 200, here are a few ASX ETFs to consider: 

• BetaShares Australia 200 ETF (ASX: A200)
• iShares Core S&P/ASX 200 ETF (ASX: IOZ)
• Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) – Targets the ASX 300 rather than just the 200 largest companies. 

The post How long will it take for the ASX 200 to recover? Expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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.

Australian sharemarkets have slumped over the past month amid geopolitical uncertainty and interest rate fears, prompting investors to pull back from most sectors. Now, many are turning their focus to ASX dividend shares.

At the time of writing, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has ticked 1.9% higher this week off the back of renewed confidence, but over the month, it’s still down 6.7%, and down 2.4% for the year to date.

Despite the decline, there are two more unusual ASX 200 dividend shares that are still making money.

National Storage REIT (ASX: NSR)

National Storage REIT is the largest self-storage provider in Australia and New Zealand. It’s unique because it is the only ASX-listed entity focused purely on storage. 

The majority of its 230-plus self-owned storage facilities are mostly located on city fringes, suburban, and regional areas. They are owned and operated, but they also have long-term leaseholds.

The company offers self-storage, business storage, climate-controlled wine storage, vehicle storage, and other value-added services such as vehicle and trailer hire, packaging, and insurance.

As a storage business, the company is generally resilient to market pressures. Its share price has remained stable over the past month, unlike many other companies in the ASX 200 Index. At the time of writing, the shares are changing hands at $2.78 each. That’s a 0.2% increase over the past month, a 1.46% increase for the year to date, and a 25.8% hike from the share price this time last year.

The ASX company has a history of paying reliable half-year dividends to its investors, too. Its most recent interim dividend, paid in February, paid investors 6 cents per share, fully franked. At the time of writing, this translates to a trailing dividend yield of 4.2%.

Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA)

Viva Energy Group is Australia’s second-largest vertically integrated refined transport fuel supplier. The company makes, imports, blends, and delivers about one quarter of Australia’s fuel requirements. It also supplies lubricants, solvents, and bitumen. 

The ASX stock is unusual because, as a fuel refiner and retailer, it has exposure to both the infrastructure and energy sectors.

Recent fuel supply pressures have created a strong tailwind for the business, and its share price has soared higher. At the time of writing, the shares are changing hands at $2.36. That’s a huge 35.6% uplift over the past month alone. The share price has also risen 13.4% over the year to date and 33.2% from this time last year.

Viva Energy has paid half-yearly dividends to its shareholders since 2022. The company is due to pay its investors a final dividend of 3.94 cents per share, fully franked, next week. For the full year, the company has paid a total dividend of 6.77 cents per share, which equates to a dividend yield of around 2.9% at the time of writing. 

The post As the ASX indexes sink, these unique dividend shares are making investors money appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

With so much uncertainty in the global economy right now, ASX defensive shares could be a smart call.

Businesses that benefit from elevated inflation could outperform the wider ASX share market, as higher fuel prices (and other disruptions from the Middle East) could drive inflation higher.

Having noted that, I think the following ASX defensive shares are good buys today.

Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF)

Rural Funds is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns farmland across Australia.

Food is one of the most important commodities that a business could produce. But, the business is leasing its farms to high-quality tenants, removing the risk of operating agricultural land.

Rural Funds generates a pleasing level of rental income from its property portfolio, enabling it to guide a distribution for FY26 that translates into a distribution yield of 5.8% at the time of writing.

The reason why I think it can succeed during another bout of inflation is because a significant portion of its rental income is linked to inflation, which could mean an acceleration of rental growth during this period.

A key aspect why I think this is a good time to buy is that it’s trading at a low price to the underlying value of its property portfolio (minus the loans and so on), with a metric called the net asset value (NAV).

At 31 December 2025, it had an adjusted NAV of $3.10, so it’s trading at a 35% discount to this.

I love being able to buy assets for less than they’re worth, like this situation with the ASX defensive share.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Telstra is Australia’s leading telco with the most subscribers, the widest network coverage and the strongest economic moat in the sector, in my view.

The company has recently announced another price increase for its prepaid and postpaid users – the biggest increase came to around 10%, though other subscriber levels saw a smaller rise. This will come into play from 5 May 2026.

This is likely to increase Telstra’s average revenue per user (ARPU) across FY26 and FY27, which could also help raise the company’s margins. More revenue from the same subscribers is a powerful earnings tailwind.

I’m not sure how the company’s costs are going to evolve, but I doubt the expenses are going to rise as much as revenue in the medium-term.

I think telecommunication services are one of the most defensive sectors, making Telstra an appealing business to consider as an ASX defensive share.

With Australia becoming increasingly digital, the ASX defensive share is exposed to an ongoing growth tailwind, which I believe will help subscriber numbers rise over time.

If it hikes the FY26 final dividend to the same level as the interim payment, it could offer a dividend yield of around 4%, excluding franking credits.

The post 2 ASX defensive shares I’d buy in a heartbeat appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

If you have $3,000 ready to invest, recent market weakness could be creating some compelling opportunities.

A number of high-quality ASX shares have pulled back sharply from their highs, despite continuing to execute on their long-term strategies.

For investors willing to look through short-term volatility, this could be a chance to buy into strong businesses at more attractive prices.

Here are two ASX shares that could be worth considering in 2026 according to analysts.

NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT)

The first ASX share that could be a standout option is NextDC.

The data centre operator continues to benefit from powerful structural tailwinds, including cloud adoption and artificial intelligence demand. Its latest results highlighted further strong growth, with revenue up 13% and underlying EBITDA rising 9% for the half.

More importantly, the company’s contracted utilisation surged and it now has a record forward order book, which is expected to drive a material uplift in revenue and earnings over the coming years.

Despite this, NextDC shares are down around 30% from their highs to $12.54, reflecting broader pressure on growth stocks rather than a deterioration in fundamentals.

The team at Morgans sees significant upside and has put a buy rating on its shares with a $20.50 price target. This implies potential upside of over 60% for investors over the next 12 months.

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

Another ASX share that analysts think investors should consider is Temple & Webster.

The online furniture and homewares retailer has come under significant pressure in recent months, with its shares down approximately 75% from their highs to $6.73. However, its underlying performance suggests the business is still moving in the right direction.

Last month, the company reported revenue growth of nearly 20% for the first half and continues to gain market share. The latter reached record levels of 2.9% and shows little sign of slowing.

It is also seeing strong traction in key growth areas, including home improvement and commercial sales, while its expansion into New Zealand is already generating early revenue.

Importantly, Temple & Webster operates a capital-light model with no inventory risk and has a strong cash position, giving it flexibility to continue investing in growth.

Macquarie is positive on its outlook and has put an outperform rating on its shares with a $13.70 price target. Based on its current share price, this suggests that its shares could double in value over the next 12 months.

The post $3k to invest? 2 ASX shares to consider buying in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Nextdc and Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group and Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie 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.