Category: Stock Market

It has been a difficult 12 months for WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares.

During this time, the logistics solutions technology company’s shares have lost 65% of their value.

Is this a buying opportunity for investors? Bell Potter thinks it is.

Bell Potter on WiseTech shares

The broker has been looking at the company’s progress in getting large customers over to its CargoWise Value Packs.

It suspects that this is proving harder to accomplish than first expected. Bell Potter explains:

WiseTech CEO Zubin Appoo said at the 1HFY26 result in February he was “confident and hopeful” that the company would migrate some of the remaining 5% of customers – representing c.30% of CargoWise revenue – across to CargoWise Value Packs (CVP) this financial year. As of yet, however, there has been no announcement or indication that one or more of these customers have moved across so we suspect it is proving more difficult or at least more time consuming to achieve this outcome.

In light of this, the broker has trimmed its revenue forecasts. It adds:

As a result we are modestly reducing our CargoWise revenue forecasts in the short to medium term given we expect this transition to provide a boost to revenue with the shift to transaction-based pricing. We also see some risk that WiseTech may have to provide greater incentives for these customers to shift – such as transitional price protection (TPP) or additional training – which would also have a negative impact.

Bell Potter remains bullish on WiseTech shares

According to the note, Bell Potter has retained its buy rating on WiseTech shares with a trimmed price target of $71.75 (from $78.75).

Based on its current share price of $38.05, this implies potential upside of almost 90% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its recommendation, Bell Potter said:

We have reduced the multiples we apply in our PE ratio and EV/EBITDA valuations from 55x and 30x to 50x and 27.5x and also increased the WACC we apply in the DCF from 8.6% to 8.8% given the lack of apparent progress in shifting large customers to CVP and the resulting downgrades in our forecasts.

These changes combined with the downgrades have resulted in a 9% decrease in our TP to $71.75 which is still, however, a significant premium to the share price so we maintain our BUY recommendation. That is, we believe the lack of progress is already reflected in the share price as well as the risk of a revenue result at the low end of guidance.

The post Why WiseTech Global shares could rise 90% in a year appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
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• Here’s what brokers tip for WiseTech shares over the next 12 months
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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Lendlease Group (ASX: LLP) share price is in focus after the company reaffirmed FY26 earnings per security guidance for its core Investments, Development and Construction (IDC) business at 28–34 cents, while updating investors on the progress of its capital recycling program.

What did Lendlease report?

• FY26 earnings per security guidance (IDC segment): 28–34 cents, subject to targeted completions
• Underlying group gearing at FY26 expected in the mid-30% range
• New work secured for Construction in FY26 expected to be ~$6.5 billion
• Backlog Construction revenue at 30 June 2026 forecast at ~$8 billion
• Over $2.9 billion in Capital Release Unit (CRU) transactions announced or completed since May 2024

What else do investors need to know?

Lendlease continues to work through its asset recycling strategy, with several major transactions close to completion. These include the TRX Retail and Office divestment in Malaysia (~$400 million) and multiple UK development projects in a joint venture with The Crown Estate (~$300 million), both anticipated to settle over FY26 and FY27 depending on conditions.

Underlying group gearing is now expected to be in the mid-30% range at June 2026, reflecting the timing of asset sales and more challenging market conditions. Management highlighted that most large, complex capital recycling transactions are either complete or nearing finalisation, which should assist in reducing net debt and simplifying the business.

What’s next for Lendlease?

Lendlease plans to continue simplifying the business while prioritising capital efficiency and debt reduction. With a significant pipeline of capital recycling transactions in progress and major development commitments winding down, the company expects improved cash flow in FY27. Management is also focused on a more streamlined approach to capital recycling and a capital-light partnering model for major projects.

The company’s investment grade credit rating was reiterated in May 2026, supporting future plans. As FY27 approaches, further asset sales and settlements are expected to drive lower capital outflows, while Construction and Investments divisions aim to generate positive cash flow independently.

Lendlease share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Lendlease shares have declined 55%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 1% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Lendlease reaffirms FY26 earnings guidance appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Megaport launches retail entitlement offer after $827 million capital raise
• Lendlease Group appoints Nick O’Neil as next CEO and MD
• Super Retail Group outlines 5-year growth strategy and transformation plans
• Atlas Arteria takeover bid extended
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

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.

Of all the exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the ASX, it is the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) that routinely tops the list as our local favourite. For years now, this index fund has commanded more funds under management than any other. Each month, that total seems to climb higher, too.

At the time of writing, Vanguard tells us that VAS has just over $24.3 billion in funds under management. That’s almost $10 billion more than its closest rival, which happens to be another Vanguard ETF – the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS).

So there are more than a few Australian investors who have a stake in the Vanguard Australian Shares ETF.

However, these investors may or may not know exactly what they are buying when they purchase VAS units. Index funds change over time, and most investors who invest in them in the first place do so because they prefer passive, hands-off investing.

Additionally, the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO), which VAS tracks, has undergone some significant changes in recent months. So let’s dive into what you are really buying with this ASX ETF today.

Diving into the Vanguard Australian Shares ETF

As you may gather from its index, the Vanguard Australian Shares ETF offers investors exposure to the 300 largest publicly listed companies in Australia.

However, an investment isn’t just split 300 ways. Like most index funds, Vanguard allocates more capital to larger companies than to smaller ones. So while in theory, VAS allows investors to put money into stocks ranging from Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN) and JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) to Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) and Myer Holdings Ltd (ASX: MYR), in practice, the lion’s share of most invested cash ends up with just a handful of stocks.

The ASX has long had a reputation for being heavy with bank and mining stocks. That was always true. However, it has become even more so of late. Investors can thank CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) for that. For years, healthcare giant CSL was one of the largest companies in Australia, at times ranking third and even second in the ASX 300 Index.

However, CSL has lost a lot of goodwill with investors over the past few years, with its shares dropping from over $270 last August to $90 earlier this month. At the time of writing, they are trading at just over $102 each. At this price, CSL is now the 12th largest ASX 300 share.

Buying VAS on the ASX: What are you really getting?

This void has, naturally, been filled by bank shares and mining stocks. Check out the current (as of 30 April) largest holdings in the Vanguard Australian Shares ETF below to see for yourself:

1. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) at 10.68% of VAS’ portfolio
2. BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) at 10.03%
3. Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) at 4.84%
4. National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) at 4.50%
5. ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) at 4.06%
6. Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) at 3.06%
7. Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) at 3.04%
8. Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) at 2.34%
9. Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) at 2.29%
10. Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) at 2.22%

As you can see, you have to get to VAS’ seventh-largest holding to find a stock that isn’t a bank or a miner. In fact, only two stocks on this top-ten list aren’t banks or miners (Woodside is technically an energy stock, but the point still arguably stands).

As you may have also gathered, $10 of every $100 invested in the Vanguard Australian Shares ETF goes into CBA alone, and another $10 or so heads to BHP. Of that $100, more than $25 finds its way to one bank stock or another.

Of course, many investors won’t mind this. Banks tend to be phenomenal dividend payers and have been relatively stable investments over decades. But some might. Perhaps even investors who already own VAS units in their portfolios. Keep these facts in mind if that’s you, or if you are eyeing off this popular ASX ETF in 2026.

The post Buying the Vanguard Australian Shares ETF (VAS)? There’s a big change you should know about appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• How to invest in ASX shares when you don’t know what to buy
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• Can you turn $20,000 into $100,000 with ASX shares?
• Top 10 ASX shares bought and sold by investors in May
• ASX index funds: Is VAS or A300 the better choice?

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in CSL, Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL, Goodman Group, Macquarie Group, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Harvey Norman and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, CSL, Goodman Group, Myer, Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Lendlease Group (ASX: LLC) share price is in focus after the company announced Nick O’Neil will become its new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director from 10 September 2026, following a period of leadership transition.

What did Lendlease Group report?

• Nick O’Neil appointed as incoming Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
• Transition period with Joint Interim CEOs Andrew Nieland (CFO) and Penny Ransom (CIO) from 30 June 2026
• Outgoing CEO Tony Lombardo to step down by 30 June 2026 or earlier
• Nick O’Neil’s remuneration includes $1.8 million fixed pay plus incentive awards and a $4.5 million sign-on grant in Lendlease securities
• No earnings results were included in this announcement

What else do investors need to know?

Lendlease says Nick O’Neil brings over 25 years of global experience across real assets, markets, and investment strategy, including leadership roles at AustralianSuper and Macquarie Group. Lendlease’s board described the appointment as marking the next phase following a strategy reset and significant business simplification.

During the transition, the CEO’s office will be jointly led by CFO Andrew Nieland and CIO Penny Ransom, who are tasked with ensuring continuity until Mr O’Neil officially steps in. Outgoing CEO Tony Lombardo departs after nearly two decades with the company, having led major strategic shifts and asset divestments.

What’s next for Lendlease Group?

Lendlease says it is entering a new phase aimed at revitalising and strengthening the business, following its strategy reset and portfolio simplification. With Nick O’Neil’s focus on real asset management and global investment, investors can expect leadership continuity and a strategic push towards growth and long-term value creation for shareholders.

The group’s immediate priority will be a smooth CEO transition while delivering ongoing projects. Investors will be watching for further strategy updates as O’Neil takes the helm later in 2026.

Lendlease Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Lendlease shares have declined 55%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 1% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Lendlease Group appoints Nick O’Neil as next CEO and MD appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Atlas Arteria takeover bid extended
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A $10,000 annual passive income stream would be hard to turn down.

It could help cover insurance, council rates, electricity, groceries, or part of a mortgage.

The question is how to get there without chasing the highest-yielding ASX shares on the market and taking on more risk than necessary.

First step

The first step is to turn the goal into a portfolio number.

If an investor wants $10,000 a year in passive income and can earn an average dividend yield of 5%, they would need an ASX share portfolio worth around $200,000.

Alternatively, at a 4% yield, the required portfolio rises to $250,000, and at a 6% yield, it falls to about $167,000.

This does not mean investors should automatically chase the 6% option. A lower but more sustainable yield can be more valuable (and safer) than a higher yield that gets cut later.

Build the passive income engine

Most investors will not have $200,000 sitting ready to invest.

As a result, most investors will have to build the income engine piece by piece.

This is where diversification is key. An investor should look to buy ASX shares across different parts of the market. That might include infrastructure, supermarkets, healthcare, property, insurance, and selected industrials. Examples include Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), and APA Group (ASX: APA).

The aim is to avoid relying on one company or one sector for all the income.

A portfolio dominated by banks and miners may produce large dividends in some years, but those payouts can move with credit cycles, commodity prices, and economic conditions.

A broader mix can make the income stream feel more dependable.

Let the first dividends do more work

In the early years, the most important dividends are the ones an investor does not spend.

Reinvesting them can speed up the process because the portfolio starts buying more ASX shares, which should then produce more dividends of their own.

This is where passive income becomes a flywheel.

The early progress may look slow. But as the portfolio grows, each dividend payment can buy more income-producing assets. Over time, the compounding effect can become much more visible.

Foolish takeaway

Aiming for $10,000 a year in passive income from ASX shares is not about finding one magic stock. It is about creating a growing collection of assets that can send cash back to investors year after year.

There will be setbacks. Dividends can be reduced. Share prices can fall. Interest rates can change the way investors value income stocks.

But that does not make the goal unrealistic. It just means the portfolio needs to be built with patience and diversification.

The post How I’d aim to build $10,000 a year in passive income from ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Telstra shares are a retiree’s dream for FY27
• 5 ASX dividend stocks for passive income investors
• 5 tips to navigate ASX share market volatility
• 6 ASX 200 shares downgraded by analysts this week
• Why Telstra and these defensive ASX dividend shares could be top buys

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woolworths 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 Apa 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.

The ASX is full of quality companies, but some of the world’s most dominant businesses are listed overseas.

That is where exchange traded funds (ETFs) can help.

In a single ASX trade, investors can gain exposure to global technology leaders, Asian digital giants, or high-quality international companies with strong financial profiles.

With that in mind, here are three ASX ETFs that could be worth a closer look.

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

The first ASX ETF to look at is the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF.

This fund allows investors to own a slice of the companies building the modern digital economy. Its holdings include NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT).

Microsoft is a good example of why this fund remains so relevant. The company is no longer just about Windows and Office. It now sits across cloud computing, enterprise software, cybersecurity, gaming, workplace productivity, and artificial intelligence.

Its products are deeply embedded in businesses around the world, which gives it a powerful position as companies keep digitising their operations.

This ETF can be volatile because it is heavily exposed to technology and growth shares. But for investors wanting access to global businesses that are shaping how people work, communicate, consume media, and use AI, it offers a simple route into the Nasdaq’s biggest names.

Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

Another ASX ETF that could appeal to investors looking for global winners is the Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF.

This fund focuses on leading technology and online retail companies across Asia excluding Japan. Its holdings include SK Hynix (NYSE: JNSB), Samsung Electronics (FRA: SSU), and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM).

SK Hynix is a particularly interesting holding. The South Korean memory giant has become increasingly important as demand grows for high-performance memory used in artificial intelligence, data centres, and advanced computing.

That gives the fund a different flavour from many US-focused technology ETFs. It is not only about software platforms and digital advertising. It also provides exposure to the hardware, semiconductors, and supply chains that support the next wave of global technology growth.

VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL)

A third ASX ETF to look at is the VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF.

This fund takes a different approach. Rather than simply buying the biggest global companies, it focuses on international shares that boast quality characteristics such as strong profitability, low leverage, and resilient earnings.

Its holdings include Cadence Design Systems (NASDAQ: CDNS), Airbus (ETR: AIR), and Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO).

Cadence is a useful example of the type of company this fund can hold. It provides electronic design automation software used by semiconductor and electronics companies to design complex chips and systems.

As chips become more advanced, the software used to design them becomes increasingly important. That gives Cadence exposure to long-term growth in areas such as artificial intelligence, automotive technology, cloud infrastructure, and connected devices.

Overall, this focus on financially strong global businesses could potentially make it a top option for investors wanting international exposure with a quality filter.

The post 3 ASX ETFs for investors who want global winners appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 3 excellent ASX ETFs for beginners to buy now
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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF and Betashares Capital – Asia Technology Tigers Etf. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Apple, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Broadcom, Cadence Design Systems, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL) share price is in the spotlight today as the company outlines its ambitious new five-year strategy, including a transformation program and plans to boost its store network beyond 900 locations by 2031.

What did Super Retail Group report?

• Unveiled a five-year plan to grow across its auto, sport, and outdoor businesses
• Set targets to expand store numbers from 790 to over 900 by 2031
• Announced the Ignite program, aiming for around $75 million in annual cost savings by FY29
• Annual capital expenditure forecast at approximately $150 million
• Transformation project expected to cost $30 million per year for the next three years

What else do investors need to know?

Super Retail Group is focusing on expanding Supercheap Auto’s product range, particularly to capture growth in electric vehicles and introduce new store formats. Its rebel brand is set for increased regional expansion and “owning sport,” while BCF will push into the 4WD market and open more large-format stores.

The Macpac brand will keep growing its network and building recognition in Australia, with a focus on high-tech product innovation. Group-wide, these moves will lift Super Retail Group’s store and online presence, helping reach more customers through omni-channel initiatives such as click and collect.

What did Super Retail Group management say?

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Paul Bradshaw said:

Our new Group Strategy puts the customer at the centre of everything we do as we build our business for its next phase of growth… We have launched a significant transformation program to help power this growth. This will require deliberate short-term investments in our systems and unlock a sustainable cost advantage over time.

What’s next for Super Retail Group?

Looking ahead, Super Retail Group plans to fund its strategic investments within its existing capital expenditure envelope, keeping project costs disciplined. Management anticipates the Ignite program will both modernise workflows and drive operational savings to reinvest in further growth.

Investors can expect the Group to focus on scaling its brands and deepening customer engagement across both physical stores and online, with particular attention to underrepresented regions and new store formats.

Super Retail Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Super Retail shares have declined 16%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 1% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Super Retail Group outlines 5-year growth strategy and transformation plans appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Lendlease Group appoints Nick O’Neil as next CEO and MD
• Atlas Arteria takeover bid extended
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 5 ASX dividend stocks for passive income investors

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 positions in and has recommended Super Retail Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Super Retail Group. 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.

There are plenty of options out there for income investors to choose from.

To narrow things down, let’s look at three ASX dividend shares with 5% to 7% dividend yields that brokers rate as buys:

Cedar Woods Properties Limited (ASX: CWP)

The first ASX dividend share to look at is Cedar Woods Properties.

It is a property developer with a diversified portfolio across different locations, price points, and product types. This gives it exposure to a broad range of buyers at a time when Australia’s housing shortage remains a major structural issue.

Bell Potter is positive on the company and believes its portfolio leaves it well placed to benefit from ongoing demand for new housing.

That could also support attractive dividends. The broker expects Cedar Woods to pay dividends per share of 38 cents in FY 2026 and 41 cents in FY 2027. Based on the current share price of $6.64, this implies dividend yields of 5.7% and 6.2%, respectively.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $9.65 price target on Cedar Woods shares.

Premier Investments Ltd (ASX: PMV)

Another ASX dividend share that brokers are bullish on is Premier Investments.

It owns the Smiggle and Peter Alexander retail brands, as well as a valuable stake in Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG). These assets have historically generated strong cash flows, which has helped the company return capital to shareholders through dividends.

The good news is that Macquarie expects this trend to continue despite the challenging retail backdrop.

The broker expects the company to pay fully franked dividends of 95.2 cents per share in FY 2026 and 97.4 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $13.89, that represents dividend yields of 6.9% and 7%, respectively.

Macquarie has an outperform rating and $16.90 price target on the shares.

Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL)

A third ASX dividend stock to consider is Sonic Healthcare.

It is a global medical diagnostics business with operations across Australia, Europe, and the United States.

Its laboratories and collection centres provide services that are tied to healthcare demand, rather than short-term consumer spending. That can give the business a more defensive earnings profile than many cyclical companies.

Bell Potter is also positive on Sonic Healthcare and believes it is well-placed for a return to growth.

On the income front, the broker is forecasting partially franked dividends of 109 cents per share in FY 2026 and 111 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on the current share price of $20.28, this implies dividend yields of 5.4% and 5.5%, respectively.

Bell Potter currently has a buy rating and $28.75 price target on its shares.

The post 3 top ASX dividend shares to buy with 5% to 7% yields 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 positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Macquarie Group, Premier Investments, and Sonic Healthcare. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Atlas Arteria Group (ASX: ALX) share price is in focus today as Diamond Infraco 1 Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of IFM Global Infrastructure Fund, issued its sixth supplementary bidder’s statement extending its takeover offer and updating the status of offer conditions.

What did Atlas Arteria report?

• The offer period for Diamond Infraco’s takeover bid has been extended to 7:00pm (Sydney time) on Thursday, 25 June 2026.
• Several regulatory and material agreement conditions of the offer have been either fulfilled or waived.
• The bid remains subject to a small number of outstanding conditions, including no market fall and restrictions on distributions and major business changes.
• The new deadline for notice of the status of conditions is now 18 June 2026.

What else do investors need to know?

Diamond Infraco’s extension gives Atlas Arteria shareholders a further week to consider the bid, replacing the previous closing date of 18 June 2026. Most regulatory hurdles have now been cleared, which means the offer is closer to being unconditional.

At the time of the latest statement, only a handful of conditions remain. These largely relate to market performance and ensuring Atlas Arteria does not undertake significant changes before the offer closes. This update was formally lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission on 10 June 2026.

What’s next for Atlas Arteria?

The focus now shifts to whether the remaining offer conditions are satisfied or waived ahead of the extended closing date. Shareholders can expect further updates by or before 18 June 2026 regarding the status of outstanding conditions.

Looking ahead, Atlas Arteria’s board and shareholders will be weighing up the merits of the revised timeline and any developments in negotiations with Diamond Infraco as the offer nears its new closing date.

Atlas Arteria share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Atlas Arteria shares have declined 4%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 1% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Atlas Arteria takeover bid extended appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Average superannuation balance in Australia in 2026: 45 vs 65 year olds
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• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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.

I’d say Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) shares could be one of the best ASX blue-chip options for retiree investors.

Telstra may not be quite as large as Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) or BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP). But, I’m going to explain why I think Telstra could be one of the strongest blue-chips that retirees could want to buy right now.

Let’s run through my thoughts.

Diversification

There are two elements that make me believe Telstra shares are an effective pick for boosting diversification.

Firstly, Telstra is much more than just a telco that provides services for mobiles and home broadband. It also provides wholesale telco services, it has an international division, it has an infrastructure division, it services large (and small) business customers, and so on.

I also think it provides pleasing industry diversification. The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is dominated by ASX mining shares and ASX bank shares, so having Telstra in the portfolio would actually give investors a fairly different earnings base.

In my view, given how integral the internet seems to be in many areas of life these days, Telstra is one of the few ASX blue-chip shares that could provide investors with defensive earnings.

Rising dividend

Despite the headwinds of higher inflation and interest rates, the business has managed to hike its annual dividend each year in the last few years.

For example, owners of Telstra shares saw a 10.5% hike of the interim dividend per share to 10.5 cents. In my eyes, not many ASX blue-chips are likely to deliver that level of growth in the FY26 result.

Only the Telstra board of directors know how much the business is going to pay in the coming result, but I believe it’s very likely to be higher than the FY25 payout.

How much larger? According to the forecast on Commsec, the business is projected to pay an annual dividend per share of 21 cents. That would represent year-over-year growth of 10.5% and it would be a grossed-up dividend yield of approximately 5.6%, including franking credits, at the time of writing.

In FY27, the dividend could grow again to 21.5 cents per share. That would be a grossed-up dividend yield of 5.8%, including franking credits, at the time of writing.

Well-positioned for the current conditions

I think the company’s earnings are more defensive and predictable than both ASX bank shares and the ASX mining shares. This increases reliability, perhaps at a time when investors need it most.

Inflation is problematic for a number of households and businesses. However, Telstra can use this time to increase its prices and improve its average revenue per user (ARPU), as well as the profit margins.

Australia is becoming increasingly digital, so this is a good tailwind for the company’s earnings in the coming years as we continue to use internet-connected devices for work, education, connection and entertainment.

According to the forecast on Commsec, the Telstra share price is valued at 26x FY26’s estimated earnings.

Telstra isn’t the only ASX share that could be a great pick for retirees, though.

The post Why Telstra shares are a retiree’s dream for FY27 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 tips to navigate ASX share market volatility
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• Why Telstra and these defensive ASX dividend shares could be top buys
• 3 ASX defensive stocks to buy while sharemarkets are volatile
• Which defensive shares are outperforming the ASX 200

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. 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.