Category: Stock Market

  • Why I think these boring ASX shares could build serious wealth

    Stacks of files and folders next to businessman who is stressed.

    The share market naturally draws attention towards businesses promising rapid growth or the next major breakthrough.

    But building wealth does not always require that sort of excitement.

    I think some of the best long-term investments can be companies doing fairly ordinary things, provided they keep doing them well for many years.

    Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

    Selling groceries is hardly a new business idea.

    But that is one reason I like Coles as a long-term investment. Australians need food regardless of which technology trend is dominating the headlines or where we are in the economic cycle.

    The opportunity comes from improving a huge existing operation.

    Coles has invested heavily in automated distribution and fulfilment centres, which can help move products more efficiently through its network and support the continued growth of online shopping.

    Even modest improvements can become meaningful when they are applied across hundreds of stores and millions of customer visits.

    I think Coles can continue growing earnings by making its operations more efficient, improving the shopping experience, and serving a gradually expanding Australian population.

    Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

    Toll roads are another business that may not generate much excitement, but I think the economics can be attractive over long periods.

    This ASX share owns and operates major roads in Australia and North America.

    These are pieces of infrastructure used by commuters and businesses every day, often in cities where congestion makes additional road capacity valuable.

    Traffic can grow as populations increase, while toll prices generally rise according to agreements attached to each road.

    Transurban can also invest in expansions and new projects when suitable opportunities arise.

    I think that gives the business a fairly straightforward way to become more valuable over time.

    For shareholders, dividends can provide income along the way, while the underlying road network remains difficult for competitors to recreate.

    Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL)

    Sonic Healthcare provides pathology and diagnostic services across several countries. Again, I wouldn’t say there is anything fashionable about this.

    Doctors need tests to diagnose illnesses, monitor patients, and make treatment decisions. As populations grow and age, I think the amount of diagnostic testing required over time should increase.

    This ASX share has built a large global network of laboratories and medical professionals, allowing it to serve healthcare systems at significant scale.

    The company can also continue expanding through M&A, an approach it has used for many years.

    For me, this is the sort of business that does not require extraordinary assumptions about the future. If demand for healthcare keeps increasing and Sonic continues operating well, there should be opportunities to grow.

    Foolish takeaway

    I would never dismiss an ASX share investment simply because the underlying business sounds boring.

    Groceries, toll roads, and pathology testing all solve needs that are unlikely to disappear anytime soon.

    If a company can keep serving those needs, reinvest sensibly, and increase earnings over many years, shareholders can still end up with an excellent result.

    That is the type of quiet compounding I would be happy to have working in my portfolio.

    The post Why I think these boring ASX shares could build serious wealth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Coles 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 Coles 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 August 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Transurban Group. 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 Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Sonic Healthcare. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Would I buy NEXTDC shares after its strong FY26 results?

    Woman pointing to a hologram of a world map with finance graphs and related themes.

    NEXTDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) has just delivered an FY26 result that strengthens my confidence in its long-term growth story.

    The company is investing heavily to meet rising demand for data centre capacity, and artificial intelligence is giving that opportunity another powerful push.

    For me, the latest numbers support a buy.

    The forward order book is the standout

    I think the most important figure in NEXTDC’s FY26 result was not revenue or profit.

    It was the 565MW forward order book, up sharply over the year. This represents contracted capacity that has not yet started billing, and every megawatt is backed by a binding customer commitment.

    I think this gives investors much better visibility over where growth can come from next.

    NEXTDC expects 197MW of that capacity to begin billing in FY27 and another 221MW in FY28. Together, that would convert almost three-quarters of the current forward order book within two years.

    The company estimates its existing contracted utilisation could eventually generate more than $1 billion of EBITDA, without assuming any additional customer wins.

    For me, that shows just how much growth is already locked into the pipeline.

    Artificial intelligence is changing the scale of demand

    The artificial intelligence (AI) boom is a major reason I think NEXTDC can keep growing beyond those existing commitments.

    Training and running advanced AI models requires enormous amounts of computing power, which in turn creates demand for data centres capable of handling high-density workloads.

    NEXTDC says AI, cloud providers, hyperscalers, and newer specialised cloud operators are all contributing to strong demand. Its facilities are being designed for advanced computing environments, including the higher power densities and cooling requirements associated with AI infrastructure.

    This is not simply a case of hoping AI demand eventually arrives. NEXTDC’s contracted utilisation has already climbed to 740.1MW on a pro forma basis, more than triple the level a year earlier.

    I think that provides tangible evidence that customers are committing significant capital to this infrastructure now.

    FY27 could show the next step

    Management expects FY27 net revenue to rise by 52% to 58%, while underlying EBITDA is forecast to increase by 55% to 65%.

    Those are substantial growth rates for a company already operating data centres across Australia and expanding internationally.

    There are risks. NEXTDC expects to spend between $5.25 billion and $5.75 billion in FY27, making execution, financing, construction, and access to power important areas to watch.

    But much of that spending is being directed towards capacity customers have already contracted.

    Foolish takeaway

    I would buy NEXTDC shares following the FY26 result.

    The AI boom is creating enormous demand for computing infrastructure, and NEXTDC now has a record amount of contracted capacity waiting to become revenue.

    The investment will require patience as the company builds that capacity, but I think the scale of the opportunity has become much clearer.

    If NEXTDC delivers on its current pipeline and keeps winning AI-related demand, I believe it could be a considerably larger business by the end of the decade.

    The post Would I buy NEXTDC shares after its strong FY26 results? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Nextdc 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 Nextdc 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 August 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

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

  • Why gold stocks have regained their shine: Expert

    A group of gold nuggets.

    A new report from Global X has identified that Australian investors have used gold’s recent pullback as a buying opportunity. 

    After record outflows from Australian gold-related exchange traded funds in June, local investors changed course in July. 

    Gold has long been a safe-haven asset for Australian investors, which contributed to its boom over the course of 2025 and into 2026. 

    According to the report, investors allocated a combined $334 million to gold bullion and gold miners ETFs during the month, making it the fourth-strongest month on record for the combined category.

    Why has gold rallied?

    According to Global X, the reversal suggests investors viewed the weakness as an opportunity rather than a reason to abandon gold. 

    Gold climbed above US$4,600 an ounce this week, reaching a three-month high, while Bitcoin rallied towards US$77,000. Both moves accelerated after the US Treasury announced that it would at least double the maximum size of selected buyback operations for longer-dated government securities, from US$2 billion to at least US$4 billion per operation.

    These operations allow the Treasury to repurchase older, less actively traded bonds, helping improve liquidity in the market. They are not the same as the US Federal Reserve printing money or launching quantitative easing, nor do they eliminate the government’s debt burden.

    Gold can appeal in this environment because it is scarce, globally recognised and not issued by a government.

    Not a unique situation 

    This behaviour is not unique to precious metals. 

    Australian investors have repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to invest during market weakness when they believe the long-term case remains intact. 

    A similar pattern emerged in Australian technology stocks between October 2025 and April 2026, when concerns about artificial intelligence disruption contributed to a decline of more than 40%. Investors continued adding exposure through the drawdown.

    That same “buy-the-dip” mentality now appears to be extending to gold.

    How to invest in gold?

    For investors looking to add exposure to gold in their portfolio’s, there are several options. 

    One strategy is to target specific gold miners. 

    Some popular options include: 

    • Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) – One of the largest gold mining companies in the world. 
    • Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) – Large mining company with projects in Australia and the United States.

    Another option is to target ASX ETFs that track the price of physical gold. 

    One such fund is the Global X Physical Gold (ASX: GOLD) fund. 

    It aims to deliver a return mirroring the growth in the Australian dollar gold price. 

    Another option that targets miners rather than the physical gold price is the BetaShares Global Gold Miners ETF – Currency Hedged (ASX: MNRS). 

    It targets the largest global gold mining companies (ex-Australia). 

    The post Why gold stocks have regained their shine: Expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Global X Physical Precious Metals – Global X Physical Gold right now?

    Before you buy Global X Physical Precious Metals – Global X Physical Gold 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 Global X Physical Precious Metals – Global X Physical Gold 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 August 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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.

  • Could ASX shares crash? 5 questions every investor should ask now

    two people sitting at a desk look on in dismay as a colleague holds a chart with diminishing green bars topped with a jagged red line representing a stock market crash.

    ASX shares could face a tougher road ahead as record US government debt adds to concerns about a potential market correction. While nobody can predict exactly when the next crash will strike, history shows that sharp sell-offs are simply part of investing.

    The good news? Investors don’t need to predict the next downturn to prepare for it. Rather than trying to time the market, investors can take a proactive approach by stress-testing their portfolios and asking whether they’re ready for a serious sell-off.

    Here are five questions worth asking now.

    Could you survive a 30% downturn?

    Market crashes are part of investing. They may feel rare when markets are rising, but sharp sell-offs happen with surprising regularity. Investors only need to look back to 2020 for a reminder: the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) plunged around 30% between January and March as the COVID-19 pandemic sent markets into a tailspin.

    The next crash could look completely different, and nobody knows when it will arrive. But investors in ASX shares don’t need to predict the next downturn to prepare for it.

    Imagine opening your portfolio tomorrow and discovering it has fallen 30%. Would you panic and sell? Or would you be comfortable holding through the volatility?

    Now take it a step further. What would a 50% decline mean for your portfolio? These aren’t just theoretical questions. A major market sell-off can be brutal, and investors who aren’t prepared emotionally may make costly decisions at exactly the wrong time.

    If a 30% or 50% decline would force you to sell ASX shares, it may be worth reconsidering your portfolio’s risk level before a crash happens.

    Is your portfolio too concentrated?

    Diversification can be one of an investor’s best defences against company-specific and industry-specific shocks.

    Ask yourself: how much of your portfolio is tied to a handful of blue chips like BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) or Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), sectors or themes? Owning several ASX shares doesn’t necessarily mean you’re diversified if they’re all exposed to the same economic forces.

    A portfolio spread across different companies, industries and asset classes may be better positioned to withstand a downturn.

    Do you have an emergency cash buffer?

    A market crash is particularly painful if you need to sell shares to pay unexpected bills. That’s why an emergency fund can be just as important as the investments themselves.

    Having cash set aside for essential expenses could give investors the flexibility to leave their portfolios alone when markets are falling.

    Will you be ready to buy ASX shares?

    A crash isn’t only a threat. It can also create opportunities. Quality businesses can become significantly cheaper when fear takes over.

    But investors need capital available to take advantage of those opportunities. If every dollar is already invested or tied up elsewhere, it becomes much harder to act when attractive ASX shares go on sale.

    Are you prepared now?

    Nobody knows when the next market crash will arrive — or how severe it will be.

    That’s precisely why preparation matters. Investors who know their risk tolerance, maintain sensible diversification, keep an emergency cash buffer and have a plan for deploying capital may be better equipped to withstand the next downturn.

    The goal isn’t to predict the crash. It’s to make sure you’re ready when it comes.

    The post Could ASX shares crash? 5 questions every investor should ask now 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 August 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has positions in BHP 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 recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 2 ASX data centre stocks rated a buy

    Two IT professionals walk along a wall of mainframes in a data centre discussing various things

    Data centre companies have been in demand on the ASX over the past year, but not all of them are created equal.

    I’ve selected two broker reports published in the past week which profile companies the brokers think will perform well following their recent results announcements.

    Let’s see who they like.

    Nextdc Ltd (ASX: NXT)

    This data centre operator reported net revenue of $405 million for FY26, up 16%, with net profit improving from a $60.5 million loss to an $82.1 million profit.

    The company spent $3.39 billion on capital expenditure in FY26, and expects to follow that with $2.7-$3 billion in spending this year, “reflecting additional land acquisitions and accelerated delivery of contracted capacity”.

    Nextdc Chief Executive Officer Craig Scroggie said of the results:

    FY26 was the largest contracting year in Nextdc’s history. Contracted utilisation tripled to 740.1MW on a pro forma basis, and we exceeded guidance on both net revenue and Underlying EBITDA. Our Forward Order Book of 565MW is now more than 3.2 times our billing utilisation, and our focus is on delivering that capacity and converting it into revenue and cash inflow. Since August 2025 we have also raised $9.75 billion of new capital, taking pro forma liquidity from $5.5 billion to $8.7 billion and providing significant capital to deliver the contracted capacity and grow our development pipeline.

    Nextdc is expecting to grow its net revenue by 52%-58% this year and underlying EBITDA by 55%-65%.

    UBS said the profit result was better than expectations, and they expected large consensus upgrades to earnings across FY27-FY29.

    UBS has a price target on Nextdc of $22.55, well above the current share price of $13.99.

    Macquarie Technology Ltd (ASX: MAQ)

    This data centre operator reported its twelfth straight year of EBITDA growth, posting FY26 earnings of $115.9 million, up 2%.

    During the year the Federal Government also invested $200 million into Macquarie Technology, ”via the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC) – a sovereign investment fund to support nationally significant technological innovation, digital infrastructure, defence and national security”.

    After the end of the financial year the company also completed the acquisition of a 34,200sqm site in Macquarie Park, which underpins a proposed 200MW Macquarie Engineering & Technology Campus.

    On the outlook for the current year the company is expecting modest growth in EBITDA.

    Broker Macquarie said the FY26 result was largely in line with expectations, while the outlook was slightly softer than expected.

    Macquarie has a price target of $87.80 on Macquarie Technology shares, compared to $57.27 currently.

    The post 2 ASX data centre stocks rated a buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Nextdc 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 Nextdc 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 August 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Cameron England has positions in Nextdc. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia 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.

  • Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

    An old-fashioned panel of judges each holding a card with the number 10

    It was a pleasant end to the trading week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Friday. Investors shook off the negativity that we saw yesterday right off the bat this morning, pushing the market higher at open.

    The ASX 200 stayed in green territory all session, steadily climbing to close with a 0.6% gain. That leaves the index at 9,092.3 points as we head into the weekend.

    This happy day for Australian investors followed an upbeat Thursday session for US markets overnight.

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) enjoyed a modest 0.1% gain.

    Meanwhile, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) ran much hotter, rising 1.57%.

    But let’s get back to the local markets now for an examination of how the various ASX sectors fared amid today’s pleasant trading conditions.

    Winners and losers

    There were only a couple of sectors that weren’t invited to today’s ASX party.

    The most conspicuous absentee was real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) was left out in the cold, slumping 0.78%.

    The other unlucky corner of the market was utilities shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) slipping 0.09%.

    Let’s get to the winners now, though. Leading said winners this Friday were tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) was on fire, shooting 2.31% higher.

    Mining stocks were in high demand too, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)’s 0.98% surge.

    Gold shares were also popular. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) roared 0.9% higher this session.

    Financial stocks had a day to remember as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) soaring 0.75%.

    Energy shares didn’t miss out. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) enjoyed a 0.66% jump this Friday.

    We could say something similar for consumer discretionary stocks, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)’s 0.44% leap.

    Its consumer staples counterpart was a little less enthusiastic. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) still managed a 0.3% improvement, though.

    Communications stocks were our next corner of the market, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) advancing 0.25%.

    Healthcare shares were decent performers, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) put on 0.08% today.

    Finally, industrial shares only just got over the line, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)’s 0.04% bump.

    Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

    Gold stock Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX: PNR) was our chart-topper this Friday.

    Pantoro shares rocketed up 5.88% to close at $2.88 each today. That was despite no news or announcements from the company today.

    Here’s the rest of today’s best:

    ASX-listed company Share price Price change
    Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX: PNR) $2.88 5.88%
    Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: VUL) $2.71 5.04%
    Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) $85.64 4.78%
    Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) $1.20 4.37%
    Resolute Mining Ltd (ASX: RSG) $1.44 4.36%
    IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX) $3.05 4.10%
    PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) $5.36 4.08%
    IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) $8.58 3.50%
    TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE) $32.74 3.48%
    Alcoa Corporation (ASX: AAI) $71.00 3.06%

    Enjoy the weekend!

    Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

    The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Pantoro Gold right now?

    Before you buy Pantoro Gold 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 Pantoro Gold 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 August 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

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

  • Coles stock vs Woolworths shares: Who had the better dividend this week?

    Woman thinking in a supermarket.

    With earnings season in full swing on the ASX this week, we heard from two titans of the ASX, and two companies that almost all of us visit at least once a week. Yep, both Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) and Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) have just dropped their results. Coles stock reported on Tuesday, while Woolies shares followed up on Wednesday.

    The market reacted positively to both companies’ numbers. By the time trading had wrapped up on Tuesday, the Coles share price had jumped 4.9%. Woolworths shares had gained 3.42% by the close of trading on Wednesday.

    Both reports were arguably positive, with plenty of green numbers. You can read more about Coles’ FY2026 here, or about Woolies’ year here, if you’re curious.

    But today, I want to focus exclusively on the final dividends that both companies declared, and assess which was the more pleasing announcement.

    Coles stock or Woolies shares: Which had the better final dividend?

    Let’s go through Woolworths shares’ new dividend first. Woolies revealed that its final dividend for 2026 will come in at 52 cents per share. Like all dividends from this ASX 200 stock, it will come with full franking credits attached. This final dividend represents a 15.56% increase over the equivalent payouts that shareholders enjoyed in 2025, worth 45 cents per share.

    It takes Woolworths’ full-year payouts for 2026 to 97 cents per share. That’s up 15.48% from the 84 cents that shareholders bagged in 2025.

    Meanwhile, owners of Coles stock are set to receive a final dividend of 37 cents per share for 2026. It will come fully franked. 37 cents per share is up 15.6% on the 32 cents investors bagged this time last year. It pushed Coles’ full-year payouts up to 78 cents per share, which was up 13% from the 74 cents the company paid out over 2025.

    So on the surface, it appears these two ASX stocks have delivered markedly similar dividend results this August. And they have. However, I still think there’s a clear winner here.

    Coles has given its income investors far more certainty over the past few years than Woolworths. 2026 marks the seventh year in a row that Coles has raised its annual dividends. In stark contrast, Woolies’ recent dividends have been far more yo-yo-like. To illustrate, the company doled out $1.04 per share over 2023, $1.44 per share in 2024, and then 84 cents per share in 2025.

    Finally, Coles stock is sitting on a trailing dividend yield of 3.3% right now, while Woolworths shares are trading on a 2.46% yield. Enough said.

    The post Coles stock vs Woolworths shares: Who had the better dividend this week? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Coles 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 Coles 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 August 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen 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.

  • Minerals 260 expands Bullabulling project with new lease and tenement acquisition

    Stacked gold bricks.

    The Minerals 260 Ltd (ASX: MI6) share price is in focus after the company announced the granting of an expanded Mining Lease at its Bullabulling Gold Project and the acquisition of additional regional tenements, expanding its total project area to 1,527km².

    What did Minerals 260 report?

    • The expanded Mining Lease now covers the full mining and processing area defined in its Pre-Feasibility Study.
    • Minerals 260 entered a binding agreement to acquire 367km² of additional tenure from Kalgoorlie Mining Associates Pty Ltd.
    • Total project area now stands at 1,527km², up significantly from the original 130km² acquired in April 2025.
    • The Bullabulling Gold Project hosts a gold resource of 190Mt at 1.0g/t Au for 6.2Moz (JORC 2012 Mineral Resource Estimate as of July 2026).
    • Board’s Final Investment Decision is on track for Q1 CY2027, with project approvals progressing as planned.

    What else do investors need to know?

    The newly granted Mining Lease, along with the acquisition of strategic nearby tenements, gives Minerals 260 Limited control over the largest and most prospective land package along the Bullabulling fault. This move broadens its exploration potential and underpins the scale of the Bullabulling Gold Project.

    The acquisition deal consists of $250,000 in cash and $1,000,000 in Minerals 260 shares, based on a 20-day volume-weighted average price to 26 August 2026. The transaction is expected to complete within two business days, subject to standard conditions.

    Pre-feasibility plans and approvals continue on schedule, supporting the path towards a Board-level investment decision next year and targeted first production in 2028.

    What did Minerals 260 management say?

    Minerals 260 Managing Director, Luke McFadyen, said:

    The granting of the expanded Mining Lease for Bullabulling is a significant step for the Project and reflects the continued de-risking activities the Company is focussed on to achieve our first production target in 2028. The newly acquired tenure enables Minerals 260 to add further potential targets to its ongoing regional exploration program, which is a focus for the Company to drive longer term value for shareholders.

    What’s next for Minerals 260?

    Looking ahead, Minerals 260 plans to integrate the newly acquired tenements into its regional exploration activities to identify additional gold targets. The company maintains its focus on advancing project permits and technical studies, with key milestones including a final board decision in early 2027 and ambitions for first gold production in 2028.

    Management remains optimistic that a larger, unified landholding will enhance long-term value and flexibility as development proceeds.

    Minerals 260 share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Minerals 260 shares have risen nearly 600%, far outpacing the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO).

    View Original Announcement

    The post Minerals 260 expands Bullabulling project with new lease and tenement acquisition appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Minerals 260 right now?

    Before you buy Minerals 260 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 Minerals 260 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 August 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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.

  • 4 ASX All Ords shares with 40% to 90% upside post-results: experts

    A female ASX investor looks through a magnifying glass that enlarges her eye and holds her hand to her face with her mouth open as if looking at something of great interest or surprise.

    S&P/ASX All Ords Index (ASX: XAO) shares are 0.5% higher at 9,290.9 points on Friday.

    As earnings season nears its end, brokers have updated their ratings as 12-month price targets on many ASX All Ords shares.

    The following four shares have major upside potential over the next 12 months, according to the experts.

    Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

    The Temple & Webster share price is $4.75, up 2.8% today and down 80% over 12 months. 

    Canaccord Genuity reiterated its buy call on this ASX retail share following the online furniture seller’s FY26 results.

    The broker has a 12-month target price of $9, which implies a potential 89% upside from here.

    betr Entertainment Ltd (ASX: BBT)

    The betr Entertainment share price is 20 cents, up 1% today and down 34% over 12 months.

    Morgans maintained its buy rating on this ASX consumer discretionary share after the company’s FY26 results.

    The broker kept its target price at 36 cents, implying a potential 82% upside from here.

    Morgans said:

    BETR Entertainment (BBT) finished the year strongly, with normalised EBITDA of $6.1m in the second half against guidance of $5m to $8m, a $19.3m swing on the first half.

    Full year normalised EBITDA of -$7.1m was a touch below our -$6.2m, with a gross profit beat offset by a higher cost of doing business.

    Encouragingly, current trading remains healthy. Through the first eight weeks of FY27, turnover is up more than 20%, new customers have almost doubled, CPA is down 31% and promotional cost is down 9%, all excluding the FIFA World Cup.

    The company announced the launch of its new first to market ‘Wildcards’ same game multi (SGM) feature that will launch during the Wildcard AFL round this weekend.

    Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO)

    The Judo Capital share price is $1.01, down 0.8% today and down 42% over 12 months. 

    Morgans reiterated its buy recommendation on this ASX bank share after reviewing Judo’s FY26 results.

    The broker said: 

    FY26 PBT landed towards the top end of the revised guidance range and FY27 guidance was reaffirmed offering strong earnings growth.

    EPS forecasts moderated 2-6%.

    The broker trimmed its 12-month price target from $1.47 to $1.42, suggesting a potential 40% upside ahead.

    DigiCo Infrastructure REIT (ASX: DGT)

    The DigiCo Infrastructure REIT share price is $2.62, up 1.2% today and down 12% over 12 months. 

    Morgans kept its buy rating in place on this ASX real estate investment trust (REIT) after DigiCo’s FY26 results.

    The broker has a 12-month price target of $3.60, implying a 37% upside ahead.

    The broker said: 

    The signed Letters of Intent (LOIs) over the remaining 52MW would take the Australian portfolio to full capacity — a strong demand signal that de-risks management’s pathway to $250m of EBITDA.

    However the ramp-up in earnings is back-ended, hence FY27 guidance was ~8% below MorgansF and ~13% below Consensus.

    Liquidity of ~$1.2bn funds the ~$1.2bn capex bill, with management calling out no need for additional equity.

    We still see clear value, but the cashflows are pushed out — this is now an FY28-into-FY29 story.

    The post 4 ASX All Ords shares with 40% to 90% upside post-results: experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Betr Entertainment Ltd right now?

    Before you buy Betr Entertainment Ltd 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 Betr Entertainment Ltd 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 August 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

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

  • Northern Star shares are closing in on $25. Can the rally keep going?

    3D render of gold dollar with arrow sign.

    Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) shares are having another good day on Friday.

    At the time of writing, the gold miner’s shares are up 1.13% to $24.61.

    It continues a strong run over the past month, with Northern Star shares now up around 21% since the end of July.

    That bounce has helped the stock claw back some of its earlier losses. The shares are now up around 30% over the past 12 months, although they are still down roughly 8% in 2026 and remain well below their 52-week high of $31.96.

    So, what’s been giving Northern Star shares a lift lately?

    Gold prices are helping

    One thing working in Northern Star’s favour right now is the gold price.

    Gold is trading around US$4,583 an ounce and has climbed almost 13% over the past month, which is giving gold miners a nice tailwind.

    Northern Star’s FY26 result also showed just how much that stronger gold price can help.

    Revenue rose 19% to $7.62 billion, even though gold sold fell 6% to 1.54 million ounces. Helping offset the lower sales volume was the average realised gold price, which jumped 26% to $4,925 an ounce.

    Underlying EBITDA increased 22% to $4.27 billion, while statutory net profit rose 24% to $1.66 billion.

    Shareholders also got a fully franked final dividend of 30 cents per share.

    Investors clearly liked what they saw, with the stock jumping 6.2% on 20 August when the result was released.

    What happens next at KCGM?

    A lot now comes down to how the KCGM expansion plays out.

    Northern Star is now commissioning the larger processing plant, with the project expected to play a bigger role in production and cash flow over the coming years.

    Management is guiding to FY27 gold production of 1.5 million to 1.65 million ounces, with all-in sustaining costs (AISC) of $3,050 to $3,450 an ounce.

    Spending is still going to be high, though. Capital expenditure is expected to come in between $2.55 billion and $2.94 billion as work continues across KCGM and the Hemi project.

    Keep in mind that this investment weighed on FY26 underlying free cash flow, which fell 64% to $190 million.

    Managing director Stuart Tonkin called the company an “important inflection point”, with the KCGM expansion expected to help lift free cash flow as the ramp-up continues.

    What are brokers saying?

    Despite the recent rally, brokers aren’t all convinced there is much upside left.

    According to TipRanks, the average 12-month price target is $23.08, which sits below where Northern Star shares are trading today.

    Of the 11 analyst ratings, 2 are ‘buys’, 8 are ‘holds’ and 1 is a ‘sell’.

    Jefferies is more positive, though. The broker kept its ‘buy’ rating after the FY26 result and lifted its price target to $27.

    With the shares now at $24.61, Jefferies still sees the stock heading a little higher from here.

    The post Northern Star shares are closing in on $25. Can the rally keep going? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Northern Star Resources right now?

    Before you buy Northern Star Resources 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 Northern Star Resources 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 August 2026

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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.