Category: Stock Market

Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB) shares have not escaped the recent weakness across technology and platform stocks.

Its share price is down around 30% from its 52-week high of $122.03, with sentiment hit by broader concerns around artificial intelligence (AI) disruption and elevated valuations across the sector.

But when I look past the short-term noise, I think there is a strong case that this pullback could be an opportunity rather than a warning sign.

Here is how I see it.

A quality ASX 200 stock caught in a sector sell-off

The recent decline in Hub24’s share price appears to be driven more by macro and sector sentiment than company-specific issues.

We have seen a broad de-rating in growth and technology names as investors reassess valuations and try to understand how AI could reshape competitive dynamics.

That is not unusual. Periods of uncertainty often lead to indiscriminate selling, even among high-quality ASX 200 stocks.

Corrections tend to feel worse in the moment, but they are often part of a normal cycle rather than the start of something deeper.

For a company like Hub24, which still operates in a structurally growing industry, that distinction is important.

Structural growth still intact

Hub24 operates a wealth platform that benefits from a long-term shift in how Australians invest.

Advisers and clients continue to move toward platform-based solutions, and funds under administration across the industry have been trending higher over time.

I think that tailwind is far from over. As the platform scales, Hub24 can deepen relationships with advisers, embed itself into workflows, and improve retention. That creates a compounding effect where inflows, scale, and margins can all reinforce each other.

Even if growth moderates from the pace of recent years, the direction of travel still looks favourable.

Operating leverage is the real story

I think one of the more interesting aspects of Hub24 at this stage is how the business evolves as it gets larger.

Platform businesses tend to have relatively high fixed costs. Once those are covered, additional funds flowing onto the platform can come through at higher incremental margins.

That creates the potential for earnings to grow faster than revenue over time.

So while the market may be focused on top-line growth and external risks like AI, I think the more important driver could be internal. If Hub24 continues to scale efficiently, operating leverage could become a key part of the investment case.

What about AI disruption?

The concern around AI is not unreasonable. Technology is changing quickly, and it will likely reshape parts of the financial services industry.

But I think it is worth separating hype from practical impact. Hub24 is not just a simple software product. It is a deeply integrated platform that connects advisers, clients, compliance, reporting, and investment administration.

Those ecosystems tend to be sticky. AI may enhance parts of the value chain over time, but it does not necessarily replace the need for platforms. In many cases, it could improve them.

Valuation reset

A 30% pullback by this ASX 200 stock changes a lot.

At higher prices, expectations can become stretched, and even strong execution may not be enough to justify valuations.

After a correction, the bar is set lower. And if Hub24 continues to deliver steady growth, a lower starting valuation could make future returns more attractive.

Foolish takeaway

Hub24’s share price decline reflects a mix of sector rotation, valuation compression, and uncertainty around technology trends.

But the underlying business still appears to have strong structural tailwinds, improving scale, and the potential for meaningful operating leverage over time.

For investors willing to look beyond short-term sentiment, I think this pullback could be a buying opportunity.

The post Down 30%, why this ASX 200 stock could be a strong buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why I think these high-quality ASX shares deserve a spot in most investment portfolios
• Three ASX 200 shares the Jarden team says are a buy right now
• Buy, hold, sell: NextDC, Hub24, PLS Group shares
• Buy, hold, sell: Cleanaway, Hub24, and MAAS shares
• Missed out on Hub24 and Netwealth? Bell Potter thinks this ASX tech stock is next

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Hub24. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Hub24. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Hub24. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

On Tuesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a poor session and dropped into the red. The benchmark index fell 0.65% to 8,710.7 points.

Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Wednesday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to fall again

The Australian share market looks set to fall again on Wednesday following a poor night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 34 points or 0.4% lower. In the United States, the Dow Jones fell 0.05%, the S&P 500 dropped 0.5%, and the Nasdaq tumbled 0.9%.

Oil prices rise

It looks like ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a solid session after oil prices pushed higher overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 2.5% to US$99.63 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 2.45% to US$110.86 a barrel. This follows news that Donald Trump was not pleased with Iran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Woodside Q1 update

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares will be on watch today when the energy giant releases its first-quarter update. According to a note out of Macquarie, for the three months ended 31 March, its analysts are forecasting production of 43.7mmboe, sales volumes of 46.6mmboe, and revenue of US$3.09 billion.

Gold price sinks

ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a poor session on Wednesday after the gold price tumbled overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 1.9% to US$4,606 an ounce. Soaring oil prices have sparked inflation and rate hikes fears.

Hold Whitehaven Coal shares

Bell Potter thinks Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) shares are fully valued at current levels. In response to its third-quarter update, the broker has retained its hold rating and $8.10 price target on the coal miner’s shares. It said: “We maintain a Hold recommendation. In the medium term, WHC are positioned to capitalise when coal markets sustainably improve with a diversified portfolio of assets in Queensland and New South Wales and strong organic growth optionality. We have a positive long term met coal outlook, driven by constrained supply and increased demand from steel producers reliant on seaborne met coal (i.e. India).”

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

More reading

• 6 ASX 200 shares with strengthened buy ratings this week
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 3 ASX 200 shares just upgraded to strong buy — here’s what the brokers are saying
• Why Beach Energy, Domino’s, Origin Energy, and Pantoro Gold shares are dropping today
• ASX 200 falls to a fresh 3-week low. Here’s what’s driving the sell-off today

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woodside Energy Group Ltd. 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.

Over the past week, plenty of ASX small-cap stocks have received positive attention from brokers. 

Some of these shares have been tipped to rise as much as 157%.

While this is exciting for prospective investors, it is also worth noting that small-cap stocks come with plenty of volatility.

However, for those looking beyond these options, the team at Bell Potter have a positive outlook on ASX small-cap stock Minerals 260 Ltd (ASX: MI6). 

Company overview

MI6 is a Perth-based exploration and development company. 

It is a special purpose acquisition company which was incorporated for the purpose of spinning out the Moora project and the Koojan JV project from Liontown Resources Limited.

It has already rocketed significantly higher in 2026, rising almost 70% since the start of the year. 

The team at Bell Potter are optimistic this growth can continue after the company’s March quarterly activities report.

What did this ASX small-cap report?

According to Bell Potter, MI6 has released a very positive March 2026 quarterly report. 

Highlights included:

• The completion of a highly attractive $220m funding deal with Franco-Nevada (FNV: CN),
• An extremely strong funding position of $250m cash with no debt 
• The reporting of increasingly consistent wide, high grade drilling results at its flagship Bullabulling Gold Project (BGP) 
• Updates confirming the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) with maiden Ore Reserve are on track for July 2026 and a further Mineral Resource update is on track for August 2026.

The broker also said drilling results released during the quarter demonstrated multiple opportunities for further resource growth, including high grade intersections outside the current resource, increasingly consistent high grades at depth and an opportunity for low cost, low-risk commissioning feed from mineralised material identified in the Bacchus waste rock dump.

Upside in tact 

Following these results, Bell Potter has retained its buy recommendation on this ASX small-cap. 

The broker also increased its price target significantly to $1.35 (previously 90 cents). 

From yesterday’s closing price of 73 cents, this price target indicates an upside potential of 85%. 

MI6 offers gold exposure via the 4.5Moz Bullabulling Resource, valuation uplift through discovery success, project advancement and de-risking as the BGP progresses towards production. It holds ~$250m cash, sufficient to fund to Final Investment Decision (FID), long-lead items and early site works.

We lift out target price by 50%, to $1.35/sh, on upcoming key catalysts, project de-risking, our latest (higher) gold price forecast and prospective Resource growth.

The post This ASX small-cap is tipped to almost double in the next year appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX small-cap stocks every investor should be monitoring
• After a 22% crash, this ASX 200 stock could be set to rise 74% according to Bell Potter
• Still down 40% over the past year, how high could WiseTech shares recover?
• Where is opportunity in the ASX real estate sector? Expert
• This ASX materials stock could rise 20% according to this broker

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.

Most Australians hope to have enough money in their superannuation to be able to fund a comfortable retirement lifestyle.

But for those who are caught short, or are worried they won’t have enough to support themselves after they stop working, the Age Pension is an extra safety net.

The good news is, you’re not forced to pick one or the other.

The bad news is that your Age Pension eligibility is subject to an income test and an asset test.

And the asset test includes the amount of money you have in your superannuation.

How much is the Age Pension?

The Age Pension is a maximum payment of $1,100.30 per fortnight for single Australians aged 67 years or older.

Couples can get up to $829.40 per person after the age of 67. 

This doesn’t include any additional potential supplement rates.

How much can I have in my superannuation and still get the Age Pension?

In order to receive the full Age Pension, single homeowners can own assets up to a value of $321,500 and non-homeowners can own assets up to $579,500 in retirement.

A couple combined can own up to $481,500 in total if they own a property, or $739,500 if they don’t.

Your superannuation balance counts towards your total asset balance once you reach Age Pension age. Before then, it is exempt. 

This includes superannuation that has been converted to an account-based pension, as well as defined benefit pensions and annuities.

However, if your fund is paying you a superannuation pension, it is assessable as an income stream.

There is still a part-payment option

If your superannuation balance puts you over the threshold for your asset test, it is still possible to receive a part-payment.

If your assets are less than $722,000 if you’re a single homeowner, and $980,000 if you’re a non-homeowner, you are still entitled to some level of payment.

Couples are also entitled to a part-payment so long as their combined assets aren’t more than $1,085,000 for homeowners. Non-homeowners can own assets totalling up to $1,343,000.

How does the cut off compare with the average superannuation balance at age 67?

According to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) data, the average superannuation balance for Australian men aged 65-69 is $448,518, and for women it is $392,274.

Even at a quick glance, it’s clear that, unless you’re an individual non-homeowner, the average superannuation balance would be too high to qualify for the full Age Pension.

The post How much can you have in superannuation and still qualify for the full Age Pension in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• This ASX small-cap is tipped to almost double in the next year
• Why I’d buy and hold DroneShield shares for 10 years
• How to boost your income with $50,000 of annual dividends
• 6 ASX 200 shares with strengthened buy ratings this week

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.

DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) is not the kind of share I would expect to move in a straight line.

It operates in a developing industry, it can be lumpy from a revenue perspective, and sentiment can shift quickly. 

But when I step back and look at the bigger picture, I think it has the ingredients to be a long-term winner.

That is why I would be comfortable buying and holding it for a decade.

A market that is still taking shape

One of the things I find most interesting about DroneShield is the market it operates in.

Counter-drone technology is still emerging, but I think its importance is becoming clearer. Drones are being used more widely across both commercial and military settings, and that creates a growing need for detection and defence systems.

Governments, defence agencies, and critical infrastructure operators are all starting to take this more seriously.

In my view, this is not a short-term trend. It looks like a market that could expand over many years as threats evolve and technology becomes more advanced.

Positioned early in the cycle

DroneShield is still relatively early in its growth journey.

What I like is that it has already developed a range of products and built relationships with customers in defence and security. It is not starting from scratch.

At the same time, the company is continuing to invest in its technology and expand its capabilities. That gives it a chance to grow alongside the market rather than trying to catch up later.

I think being early can be powerful if the company executes well.

It means there is room to win contracts, build credibility, and become more deeply embedded with customers over time.

A business that is starting to scale

Another part of the story that stands out to me is how the business is evolving.

DroneShield is moving from being a smaller, project-based operation toward something more scalable. As it wins larger contracts and builds a broader pipeline, the revenue base can start to become more meaningful.

There will still be volatility. But if the company can continue to convert opportunities into contracts, I think the overall trend could be upward over time.

That is the kind of setup I look for in a long-term investment.

Tailwinds that could support demand

There are also broader factors that I think support the case.

Rising geopolitical tensions, increased defence spending, and the growing use of drones all point toward a need for counter-drone solutions.

These are not things that change overnight. If anything, they tend to build over time. That creates a backdrop where companies operating in this space could see sustained demand.

The risks are real

That said, I do not think DroneShield shares are a low-risk investment.

The company is still relatively small, contracts can be unpredictable, and competition could increase as the market grows.

There is also the risk that expectations run ahead of reality at times, which can lead to share price volatility.

For me, that is part of the trade-off. The potential upside comes with a level of uncertainty, especially over shorter timeframes.

Foolish takeaway

DroneShield is not a share I would expect to deliver smooth, predictable growth year after year.

But I do think it operates in a market that could expand significantly over time, and it already has a foothold in that space.

If it continues to execute and build on its position, I think the business could look very different in 10 years. That is why I would be comfortable taking a long-term view and holding through the ups and downs.

The post Why I’d buy and hold DroneShield shares for 10 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week
• Buy, hold, sell: Cochlear, CSL, and DroneShield shares
• Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy right now
• Up 209%, what’s next for DroneShield shares?

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in DroneShield. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield. 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 ASX stock market is a fantastic place to unlock an additional source of income for Australian investors. Dividends are a wonderful way to passively boost how much income an investor can make each year. Aussies can build up a significant level of annual dividends.

Job earnings are great, but there is an upper limit to how much we can work each week.

Investing in shares means having a small piece of ownership in businesses that are working hard to make profit. They can use some of that profit to fund growing dividends and invest for future growth.

Generating $50,000 of annual dividends won’t be a quick result (unless you win the lottery). But, by starting now, investors can give themselves as much time as possible to benefit from compounding.

Never underestimate compounding

By investing as little as $1,000 (or even less), investors can put money into shares and start seeing the passive income rolling in.

Let’s say a business has a 4% dividend yield, and it grows its dividend by 10% per year. In the first year, if someone invested $1,000, it would pay $40 of annual dividends that we could add to our personal finance budget.

If the business hiked its dividend by 10%, in the second year the dividend payment would be $44.

Another 10% increase would make that amount $48.40 in the third year.

And so on.

In the 10th year, it would be $94.30 of annual dividends.

All of those above numbers are based on the investor only investing $1,000 once. It also assumes no re-investment of dividends into buying new shares.

Dividend re-investment plans (DRP) make it very easy to re-invest dividends into new shares for no transaction fees. This allows investors to significantly boost the growth of their divided income. Over a 10 year period, it would mean buying hundreds of dollars of more shares.

Invest regularly to reach $50,000 of annual dividends

By making regular contributions to our share portfolio, such as monthly or every two months, we can create that desired income.

For example, if someone invested $1,000 every month and it returned an average of 10% per year (the long-term ASX share market average return), that would turn into a portfolio worth more than $1.05 million. Depending on the dividend yield of a portfolio, that could allow investors to generate $50,000 of annual dividends.

I’m aiming to build that sort of financial picture for myself, though I’m still a long way from achieving it.

I am investing in ASX shares I believe can deliver strong total returns, including a good dividend yield. I can re-invest those dividends into buying more shares or spend that money – that’s up to me as the months and years go by.

Some of my favourite ASX dividend stocks for this objective include Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL), MFF Capital Investments Ltd (ASX: MFF), L1 Long Short Fund Ltd (ASX: LSF), WCM Quality Global Growth Fund (ASX: WCMQ) and WCM Global Growth Ltd (ASX: WQG).

The post How to boost your income with $50,000 of annual dividends appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in L1 Long Short Fund, Mff Capital Investments, Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited, Wcm Global Growth, and Wcm Quality Global Growth Fund. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Mff Capital Investments. 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 finished in the red for a sixth consecutive day yesterday, falling 0.64%.

As the war in Iran drags on, investors are increasingly worried about the long-tail impact of the fuel crisis on the global economy.

The Bureau of Statistics will release quarterly inflation data today ahead of the Reserve Bank’s next interest rate meeting next Tuesday.

Ryan Felsman, a senior economist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), laid out his expectations:

The March 2026 CPI release will provide an update on underlying price pressures ahead of the RBA’s May Board meeting (4-5 May), as well as insights into how prices initially responded following the start of the Iran war.

We expect headline inflation rose by 1.1% in March to take the annual rate to 4.6%.

Fuel alone is likely to account for 0.9% pts of the monthly gain, with petrol prices at the pump rising by more than 30% over the month.

Amid these economic concerns, several brokers have reiterated their buy ratings on a small group of ASX 200 shares this week.

Despite today’s volatile market conditions, they see strong growth ahead for their top picks.

Let’s take a look.

Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN)

The Mineral Resources share price closed at $61.37, up 4% on Tuesday.

UBS has renewed its buy rating on this ASX 200 mining stock and increased its 12-month price target from $66 to $73.

The target suggests a possible 19% capital gain ahead.

Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN)

The Suncorp share price closed steady at $16.77 on Tuesday.

UBS has reiterated its buy rating on this ASX 200 financial share and raised its price target from $19.25 to $19.60.

This implies a potential 17% upside ahead.

Morgan Stanley also renewed its buy rating on Origin shares with a more ambitious $21.60 target.

Newmont Corporation CDI (ASX: NEM)

The Newmont share price finished the session at $158.69, down 4.5%, yesterday.

The ASX 200 gold mining share attracted a renewed buy rating from Citi with a $215 target this week.

This suggests capital growth of 34% ahead.

Macquarie and Morgans also renewed their buy ratings this week. Their targets are $192 and $208, respectively.

In a note, Morgans said:

… NEM delivered a strong beat across multiple operating and financial metrics, while completing its US$6bn buyback and announcing a further US$6bn program.

The result reinforces NEM’s positioning as a high-quality, cash-generative gold producer with strong balance sheet flexibility and increasing capacity to return capital to shareholders.

Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG)

The Origin Energy share price finished 3.9% lower at $11.66 yesterday.

UBS reiterated its buy rating on Origin shares this week.

The broker shaved its target down from $14.30 to $14.10.

This suggests a potential 21% upside ahead for the ASX 200 utilities share.

Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL)

The Aristocrat share price closed at $46.20, down 4.2%, on Tuesday.

The ASX 200 consumer discretionary share got a reiterated buy rating from UBS this week.

The broker lowered its target slightly to $68.90, which still suggests impressive capital growth of almost 50% ahead.

IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO)

The IGO share price closed 2.3% higher on Tuesday at $7.49.

UBS maintained its buy rating on the ASX 200 lithium share this week.

The broker lifted its price target from $9.05 to $9.75, implying a potential 30% upside ahead.

The post 6 ASX 200 shares with strengthened buy ratings this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 3 ASX 200 shares just upgraded to strong buy — here’s what the brokers are saying
• Why Beach Energy, Domino’s, Origin Energy, and Pantoro Gold shares are dropping today
• ASX 200 falls to a fresh 3-week low. Here’s what’s driving the sell-off today
• Origin Energy shares slump 10% this week: Buy, sell or hold?

Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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 Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

There is no shortage of complex strategies when it comes to ASX investing.

But what I come back to is something much simpler. It is the habit of adding to quality investments regularly and giving them time to grow.

It does not rely on perfect timing. It does not depend on picking the next big thing. It is about building exposure over time and letting the underlying businesses do the work.

Here is how I think about it.

Start with businesses you understand

The first step is choosing ASX shares that make sense to you.

I find it easier to stay invested when I understand how a business makes money and why customers keep coming back. That tends to lead me toward companies with clear roles in the economy and steady demand.

For example, businesses like Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) or Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) operate in areas that are part of everyday life. That familiarity makes it easier to hold them through different market conditions.

Add to positions over time

Once I have identified a few ASX shares, the next step is consistency.

Adding to positions over time can help smooth out market movements. Some purchases will happen at higher prices and others at lower prices, which tends to even out over the long run.

This approach also removes the pressure of trying to decide when to invest a lump sum. Instead, the focus shifts to building the position gradually. This is often referred to as dollar-cost averaging.

Let the businesses do the work

Over time, the results tend to come back to the underlying performance of the ASX shares.

If earnings are growing and cash flow is improving, that usually flows through to the share price and dividends. It may not happen in a straight line, but the direction tends to follow the business.

That is why I focus more on how the company is tracking than on short-term share price movements.

Keep it manageable

I think there is value in keeping things simple.

A smaller number of positions makes it easier to follow what is happening and stay confident in the investment. It also helps avoid spreading capital too thinly across too many ideas.

That clarity becomes more important over time, especially as the portfolio grows.

Stay patient

Time is a big part of this approach and shouldn’t be overlooked.

Compounding takes time to show up, and that can test patience when markets move around.

Staying consistent and sticking to the plan is what allows it to work.

Foolish takeaway

Building wealth in the share market does not need to be complicated.

Focusing on quality businesses, adding to them over time, and staying invested can go a long way. It is a simple ASX investing habit, but I think it is one that can make a real difference over the long term.

The post I think this simple ASX investing habit can build wealth over time appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 reasons why the Coles share price is a buy
• How big will the Wesfarmers dividend yield be in 2027?
• Nervous investors turn to ASX 200 defensives as global energy shock drags on
• Wesfarmers shares: Buy, hold or sell?
• 2 great ASX 200 blue-chip shares I’d buy right now

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

In Australia, the Age Pension is a fortnightly sum paid to individuals aged 67 years or older to help fund their retirement years.

As of March this year, the Age Pension is a maximum payment of $1,100.30 per fortnight for singles. Couples can get up to $829.40 per person. This doesn’t include any additional potential supplement rates.

But it’s important to note that it isn’t available to everyone, and if you’re eligible, the amount you receive can vary wildly. The problem is that many Australians look at the income test and miss vital information about the asset test.

To help, here are eight things every Australian needs to know about the Age Pension asset test before it’s too late.

1. The Age Pension asset test includes everything except your home

What many Australians don’t realise is that the asset test literally includes everything you own in full, in part, or have an interest in. 

It generally excludes the home you live in.

Applicable assets include S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares, other financial investments, home contents, personal effects and vehicles, real estate, annuities, income streams, superannuation, SMSFs, partnerships, private trusts, and private companies.

It also includes any assets held outside Australia and any debts owed to you.

2. Yes, your superannuation balance also counts

Many people are surprised to learn that the asset test includes your superannuation balance if you’re over Age Pension age or you receive payment from it.

3. The limits and rules vary depending on if you’re single or in a couple

In order to receive the full Age Pension, single homeowners can own assets (including superannuation) up to a value of $321,500, and non-homeowners can own assets up to $579,500 in retirement.

But a couple has a different threshold, and it’s not double the amount of one person. A couple combined can own up to $481,500 in total if they own a property, or $739,500 if they don’t.

4. Exceed the limit? You can still get a part payment

If you earn over those limits, there is still hope. 

Your assets can total up to $722,000 if you’re a single homeowner, and $980,000 if you’re a non-homeowner. You can’t get the full Age Pension, but you’re still entitled to a part-payment depending on where you fall between the two brackets. 

Couples are also entitled to a part-payment so long as their combined assets aren’t more than $1,085,000 for homeowners. Non-homeowners can own assets totalling up to $1,343,000.

5. Gifting money can backfire

You’ve reached age 60, and you realise you’re over the threshold for the asset test. It can be tempting to gift a chunk of money to influence your Age Pension eligibility.

But Centrelink has strict rules to ensure that Australians don’t do this.

An individual can give away up to $30,000 over a five-year period before it will affect their assets test. Any amount over $30,000 will be counted, for five years, as an asset and included in the asset test.

6. Downsizing can leave you worse off

Your home is generally not included in the Age Pension asset test. If you downsized to something smaller, it could put you over the limit.

For example, if you sell a $1.5 million home and downsize to a $1 million property, that $500,000 difference becomes an assessable asset.

But, if you’re 55 or over and you’ve owned your home for at least 10 years, you can contribute up to $300,000 per person ($600,000 per couple) from your sale proceeds into your superannuation. This is called the downsizer super contribution rule, and it could save you a fortune in retirement. 

7. Deeming rules apply

Deeming is how centrelink calculates how much income you make from your assets when you apply for Age Pension. 

Under deeming rules, instead of looking at how much your assets actually earn, it’s assumed they earn a set amount of income.

As of March 2026, the financial assets of single Australians have a deeming rate of 1.25% for the first $64,320. Anything over this amount is deemed to earn 3.25%.

Couples have a 1.25% deeming rate on their first $106,200 of combined financial assets (this includes superannuation). Anything over $106,200 is deemed to earn 3.25%.

8. The rules constantly change

The final thing that every 60-year-old needs to know about the asset test is that the rules constantly change.

Anything from threshold rates, deeming levels, and even eligibility rules is constantly updated. So if you plan a strategy at age 60, it could be out of date by the time you reach retirement.

The post What Australians at 60 must know about the Age Pension asset test before they retire 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.

If you have $15,000 ready to invest, putting it to work in the share market could be a smart move.

The key question is where to invest it.

Here are three ASX 200 shares I’d consider buying with the money today.

Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

The first ASX 200 share I would consider buying is Life360.

It continues to build momentum as its global platform scales. The company’s app has become embedded in users’ daily lives, which helps drive engagement and retention. This creates a strong base for monetisation as it expands its range of services.

Rather than relying on a single feature, Life360 is gradually adding new offerings such as driver protection and emergency assistance. These additions create more opportunities to lift revenue per user over time. In addition, its new advertising business could be a meaningful generator of revenue in the future.

With a large and growing user base, even incremental improvements in monetisation could have a meaningful impact on earnings.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

Another ASX 200 share to look at is Goodman Group.

It offers exposure to areas of the market that are benefiting from structural demand. Its business is tied to logistics infrastructure and data-related assets, both of which are becoming more important as digital activity increases.

Ecommerce continues to drive demand for well-located distribution facilities, while the growth of cloud computing and artificial intelligence is supporting demand for data centres.

Goodman’s ability to develop and manage these types of assets has been a key driver of its growth.

With these trends continuing to play out, the company remains closely linked to long-term shifts in how goods and data move around the world.

TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE)

A final ASX 200 share that could be a top option for a $15,000 investment is TechnologyOne.

It has built a reputation for consistent execution. The company provides enterprise software to government and large organisations. These tend to be on long-term contracts.

Its transition to a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model has been highly successful and has strengthened its earnings profile, improving visibility and supporting margins.

But management isn’t resting on its laurels. The company continues to focus on expanding within its existing customer base, while gradually entering new markets.

This steady approach has translated into reliable recurring revenue and earnings growth over time. The good news is management expects this trend to continue and believes it can double in size every five years.

The post What I’d do with $15,000 in ASX 200 shares right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Goodman Group, Life360, and Technology One. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goodman Group, Life360, and Technology One. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group and Technology One. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.