Category: Stock Market

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) shares closed in the red again on Tuesday afternoon. Throughout the day the shares tumbled 1.81% to $9.24 a piece. 

The downturn means the airline stock has tumbled 13.24% over the past week and is now down 11.92% for the year-to-date. The stock is also 7.51% lower than this time last year.

What happened to Qantas shares?

Qantas shares tumbled 9.2% on Wednesday last week after the airline posted its first-half results for FY26. 

The company revealed a 6.3% increase in revenue, and a 5.1% hike in underlying profit before tax, which was around 2% ahead of market estimates. It also announced a net debt of $5.6 billion which was in line with its target range.

The flying kangaroo’s strong results meant the board was able to declare a fully franked interim base dividend of 19.8 cents per share, up 20%. The company also confirmed that it intends to undertake an on-market share buyback of up to $150 million.

But it looks like the results came in short of investor expectations and the share price suffered. 

The airline’s share price has tumbled even further this week as uncertainty around fuel prices heats up. Oil has surged as the US and Israeli war against Iran continues. Trading Economics data shows that WTI crude futures rose more than 2% toward $73 per barrel on Tuesday after rallying roughly 6% in the prior session

How long will the downturn last?

It’s not clear how long the share price will decline. Airlines are closely monitoring fuel prices, and, at the AFR Business Summit on Tuesday, Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson said that the airline has “pretty good” fuel hedging in place. 

“We’ve got pretty good hedging in place, but these are pretty significant impacts on aviation and we’re just continuing to watch how it all unfolds,” she said at the event.

Is there any upside ahead? Or has the share price already peaked?

Analysts are still very bullish on the outlook for Qantas shares. Once the current geopolitical uncertainty cools, the airline’s stock could well fly much higher.

TradingView data shows that 11 out of 15 analysts still have a buy or strong buy rating on Qantas shares. The average target price is $12.36 a piece, which implies a potential 33.8% upside at the time of writing. But some think it could climb even higher, by 45.36% to $13.43.

The post Qantas shares sink 13% in a week: What happened, and how long will it last? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Why Brainchip, Fortescue, Qantas, and Westpac shares are dropping today
• 2 great ASX 200 blue-chip shares I’d buy right now
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• Should I buy Qantas shares after their 9% decline?
• Everything you need to know about the latest Qantas dividend

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.

The Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) share price finished February in the green.

Barely.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) iron ore giant closed on 30 January trading for $21. When the closing bell rang on 27 February, shares were swapping hands for $21.14 apiece.

This saw the Fortescue share price edge up 0.7% over the month just past, underperforming the 3.7% gain posted by the ASX 200 over this same time.

One of the headwinds impacting the miner was the declining iron ore price. Iron ore kicked off February trading for around US$109 per tonne, falling some 9% to just under US$100 per tonne by the end of the month.

Here’s what else investors were considering.

Fortescue share price gets a results boost

Fortescue reported its half-year results (H1 FY 2026) on 25 February.

The Fortescue share price closed up 4.7% on the day, with the Aussie miner reporting all-time high iron ore shipments of 100.2 million tonnes, up 3% year on year.

Adding fuel to those record shipments, Fortescue enjoyed a 7% increase in the realised price it received for its Hematite (iron ore), which came out to US$90.87 per dry metric tonne (dmt).

And costs came down over the six months to 31 December. The ASX 200 miner reported Hematite C1 unit costs of US$18.64 per wet metric tonne (wmt), down 3% from H1 FY 2025.

In other core financial metrics, Fortescue raked in revenue of US$8.4 billion over the half year, up 10% year on year. And underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) leapt 23% to US$4.5 billion.

The miner also revealed strong cash flow generation, with net cash flow from operating activities of US$3.2 billion. Free cash flow for the half year came out to US$1.5 billion, after the miner invested US$1.7 billion in capital expenditure.

On the bottom line, Fortescue’s net profit after tax (NPAT) surged by 23% from the prior corresponding period to US$1.9 billion.

The Fortescue dividend

The Fortescue share price also looks to have gotten a lift on the day the miner reported its results after management declared a fully-franked interim dividend of 62 Aussie cents per share. That’s up 24% from the 2024 interim payout.

Unfortunately, it’s a bit too late to grab the latest passive income payout from the ASX 200 miner.

Fortescue stock traded ex-dividend on Monday, 2 March.

At the time of writing, Fortescue shares trade on a 6.2% fully-franked trailing dividend yield.

The post Did you catch what happened with the Fortescue share price in February? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Here’s the dividend forecast out to 2030 for Fortescue shares
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• Why Brainchip, Fortescue, Qantas, and Westpac shares are dropping today
• Is the Fortescue share price a buy in March?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben 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.

Two ASX small-cap shares that have drawn the attention of Morgans after earnings season are Ridley Corporation Ltd (ASX: RIC) and Peoplein Ltd (ASX: PPE). 

These companies reported half-year results in late February, contrubuting to a mostly positive outlook from the broker. 

Here’s what Morgans had to say. 

Ridley delivers strong results

Ridley provides and markets stock feed and animal feed supplements.

In late February, the consumer staples company saw its share price soar after investors reacted positively to earnings results. 

Investors gobbled up these ASX shares after the company reported a large increase in first-half net profit and revenue.

Its share price is now up 13.5% year to date. 

Morgans said the 1H26 result was stronger than expected and that the Integrated Poultry Feed (IPF) segment is off to a solid start. 

RIC’s outlook comments were stronger than expected for Bulk Stockfeeds and IPF but softer for the Packaged Feeds & Ingredients (PF&I). Pleasingly, IPF synergies have been upgraded to A$15m from A$7m previously. We have revised our forecasts. RIC’s new FY26-28 Growth Plan will be released at its Investor Strategy Day on 10-11 March. We view this event as the next catalyst for the stock.

Based on this guidance, Morgans said it remains positive on the group’s future prospects and maintains its accumulate rating. 

It also maintained its $3.20 price target.

From yesterday’s closing price of $2.94, this indicates 8.84% upside.

Peoplein has plenty of upside according to Morgans

Peoplein is a workforce solutions company operating in Australia and New Zealand. The company’s services include recruiting, contracting, onboarding, rostering, timesheet management, payroll, and workplace health and safety management.

It released H1 FY26 results on February 20. 

Earnings results in line with expectations at $16.1m, while ongoing operating EBITDA of $10.5m declined 9.2%. 

Morgans said the result reflected its streamlined business, following the sale of its Health and Community operations in late CY25. 

Key P&L metrics improved hoh, while still falling short of the prior year, suggesting any earnings recovery is still unproven. To this end, we continue to believe that PPE is producing cyclically low earnings, with the improvement hoh still too early to be called a trend.

Based on this guidance, Morgans retained its speculative buy recommendation on these ASX shares. 

It also maintained its $0.95 price target, which is around 45% upside from yesterday’s close price.

The broker commented:

Whilst tentative, we see some early signs of improvement and reiterate our Speculative Buy recommendation and $0.95/sh price target.

The post Are these ASX shares a buy, hold or sell after earnings results? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Which rural products company’s shares are up almost 20% on solid results?

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

Certain areas of the share market have been under significant pressure in recent months.

This has dragged a number of quality exchange traded funds (ETFs) deep into the red.

While this is disappointing, it may have created a buying opportunity for investors.

For example, the three ASX ETFs listed below have fallen by more than 25% from their highs and could be worth a closer look. Here’s what you want to know about them:

BetaShares S&P/ASX Australian Technology ETF (ASX: ATEC)

The BetaShares S&P/ASX Australian Technology ETF has been hit hard, falling around 38% from its highs.

This ASX ETF holds leading Australian technology names such as WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC), Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO), and TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE). These companies have faced heavy selling as investors reassessed valuations and the potential impact of artificial intelligence on software businesses.

However, these are not speculative startups. They are profitable, globally expanding companies with recurring revenue models and high switching costs.

Australia’s tech sector is still relatively young compared to the US. If even a handful of these businesses continue scaling internationally over the next decade, this fund’s current weakness may look like a compelling long-term entry opportunity.

Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK)

The Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF has fallen approximately 26% from its high amid broader tech volatility.

The ETF includes global cybersecurity leaders such as CrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD), Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW), and Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT). While these stocks have been volatile, the underlying demand for cybersecurity has not disappeared.

In fact, cyber threats continue to rise in frequency and sophistication. Governments and corporations cannot afford to ignore digital security. In many cases, cybersecurity budgets are considered essential rather than discretionary. This bodes well for the companies in this fund over the next decade and beyond.

VanEck Video Gaming and Esports ETF (ASX: ESPO)

The VanEck Video Gaming and Esports ETF is down about 30% from its highs.

This ASX ETF provides exposure to companies involved in video games, hardware, and esports. Its holdings include Nintendo, Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD), Take-Two (NASDAQ: TTWO), and Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA).

Over the past decade, gaming has evolved into a global entertainment industry with recurring revenue models, digital downloads, and in-game purchases. As connectivity improves and new technologies such as cloud gaming develop, the industry’s addressable market continues to expand.

In light of this, while a 30% pullback may be painful in the short term, it has lowered the entry point for investors who believe in the long-term growth of interactive entertainment. This fund was recently recommended by analysts at VanEck.

The post 3 ASX ETFs down 25% that could be big long-term winners appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Technology One, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Advanced Micro Devices, BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF, CrowdStrike, Fortinet, Take-Two Interactive Software, Technology One, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Electronic Arts and Palo Alto Networks. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Advanced Micro Devices, CrowdStrike, and Technology One. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

It was a brutal day for the Australian markets and the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) this Tuesday. After hitting a new record high yesterday, investors were brought back down to earth today by a savage sell-off.

By the time trading wrapped up this session, the ASX 200 had fallen a horrid 1.34%, leaving the index at 9,077.3 points.

This rather calamitous drop for the ASX comes after a far calmer morning over on Wall Street to kick off the American trading week.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a volatile session but closed 0.15% lower.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was luckier, managing to close 0.36% higher.

But let’s get back to the local markets now and take stock of how today’s nasty falls affected the various ASX sectors this session.

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

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

The REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) share price fell 3.6% to an intraday low of $159.77 on Tuesday.

There was no price-sensitive news pertaining to this ASX 200 communications share today.

So, why the tumble from yesterday’s closing value of $165.80 apiece?

REA share price declines amid red day for market

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) took a breather on Tuesday as investors considered how the war in Iran might play out.

The ASX 200 fell 1.39%, and 149 stocks also finished in the red. That included REA shares at $161.58 apiece, down 2.55%.

But there was another factor at play — it’s also ex-dividend day for REA shares.

It’s typical for a company’s share price to fall on ex-dividend day because the stock is no longer trading with the next payment attached.

That means it’s inherently less valuable.

Earnings season came to a close on Friday, and REA is among 35 stocks going ex-dividend this week.

REA shares will pay an interim dividend of $1.24 per share, fully franked, for the 1H FY26 period.

That’s 13% higher than last year’s interim dividend.

Re-cap on 1H FY26 results

The owner of realestate.com.au reported core operations revenue of $916 million for the half, up 5% year over year (yoy).

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) (excluding associates) came in at $569 million, up 6% yoy.

The net profit after tax (NPAT) from core operations was $341 million, up 9%.

REA also announced an on-market share buyback of up to $200 million worth of shares, which is now underway.

REA Group CEO Cameron McIntyre said:

REA Group’s first half performance was underpinned by strong double-digit yield growth in our core residential business. Our focus on richer, more immersive consumer experiences supported record audience and strong engagement. 

Investors were displeased with the earnings report, and the REA share price fell heavily on the day of the news.

Are REA shares a buy?

The REA share price has fallen 34% over the past 12 months.

After reviewing REA’s 1H FY26 report, UBS reiterated its buy rating with a 12-month share price target of $218.90.

Bell Potter retained a buy rating with a target of $211.

JP Morgan kept its buy rating as well, but reduced its price target from $225 to $215.

Morgans upgraded its rating to buy and shaved its price target down from $236 to $230.

Jeffries also upgraded REA to buy with a share price target of $203.

Ord Minnett maintained a hold rating on REA with a share price target of $215.

Macquarie also has a hold rating on REA shares. The broker lowered its price target from $210 to $200 after the 1H FY26 report.

Jarden reiterated its hold rating and slashed its target from $196 to $177.

The post Why did the REA share price fall today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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JPMorgan Chase 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 JPMorgan Chase, Jefferies Financial Group, and 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.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) energy shares are up 0.45% on Tuesday, and energy is the only one of the 11 market sectors in the green.

The benchmark ASX 200 is down 1.2% as the market digests what the war in Iran might mean for global energy supply and trade.

Oil and gas prices continue to rise today, with Brent Crude at US$79.50 per barrel, up 2.1%, and WTI Crude at US$72.50 per barrel, up 1.6%.

European gas prices have skyrocketed after the US and Israel attack on Iran triggered direct disruption of gas supplies on the continent.

QatarEnergy suspended production of liquefied natural gas at its Ras Laffan and Mesaieed complexes after a drone struck a water tank.

The company feeds about 20% of global LNG supply.

UK natural gas futures jumped 41% to 115 pence per therm, and European futures surged 50% to 48 euros per megawatt-hour (MWh).

German gas rose to 45 euros per MWh, up 34%.

Analysts at Trading Economics said:

The suspension of supply from Qatar threatens around 15% of LNG imports to the European Union, magnifying tight shipments from an already tight global LNG market, and increasing bidding competition from US sources.

Besides the targeted attacks at the LNG facility, LNG carrier operators halted flows of tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, limiting supply from other key Middle Eastern gas producers.

Both British and European gas storage levels are below 30%, making them especially vulnerable to external supply shocks.

ASX 200 energy shares on Tuesday

ASX 200 oil & gas shares are somewhat mixed today.

The Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) share price is up 0.7% to $30.46.

Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) shares are down 0.7% to $7.21.

Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) shares are among the market’s fastest risers today, up 2.1% to $29.67 apiece.

ASX 200 coal shares are also among the fastest movers due to higher thermal prices amid expectations of resilient global demand.

Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) shares are up 4.6% to $6.48.

Whitehaven Ltd (ASX: WHC) shares are 2.2% higher at $8.10.

The New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) share price is up 7.4% to $5.10 on news of an extended share buyback.

New ratings and price targets after earnings season

With earnings season ending on Friday, the brokers have been busy assessing company reports and re-rating shares accordingly.

Let’s see where they landed on three of the market’s largest ASX 200 energy shares.

Santos Ltd (ASX: STO)

Santos reported underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) of US$898 million for FY25, down 30% on FY24.

The ASX 200 energy share will pay an unfranked final dividend of US 10.3 cents per share.

Bernstein reiterated its buy rating on Santos shares yesterday with an improved price target of $7.60.

Morgans retained a hold rating on the ASX 200 energy share, but increased its target from $6.80 to $7.50.

Jarden kept its sell rating with a slightly lower price target of $5.90.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) 

The oil and gas giant reported an NPAT of US$2,718 million, down 24%, for FY25.

Woodside shares will pay a fully-franked final dividend of 59 US cents per share.

RBC retained its buy rating on Woodside shares with a 12-month price target of $31.50.

Citi maintained a hold stance with a target of $28.

Ord Minnett kept a sell rating on Woodside shares with a price target of $24.

Check out more ratings and forecasts for Woodside shares here.

Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD)

Ampol reported a statutory NPAT of $82.4 million for FY25, down 33% year over year.

The ASX 200 energy share will pay a final dividend of 60 cents per share, fully franked. 

Of the five broker notes we’ve seen since Ampol reported, all of them retained buy ratings on the ASX 200 energy share.

Ord Minnett lowered its price target slightly to $35, and Macquarie also cut from $33.65 to $32.50 per share.

Morgan Stanley has a new price target of $31, down from $33.

The post 3 ASX 200 energy shares just given new 12-month price targets post-results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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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 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.

ASX dividend shares are a great option for Aussie investors looking for reliable income, stability, and long-term growth potential.

There are several companies that pay their investors every quarter, every six months, or every year. ASX dividend shares that pay out every single month are a much rarer find. 

The most popular three are the BetaShares Dividend Harvester Active ETF (ASX: HVST), Plato Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: PL8), and Metrics Master Income Trust (ASX: MXT). They all offer a reliable monthly income at a good rate.

But there is another ASX dividend share that I think Aussie investors should consider: The BetaShares Australian Top 20 Equity Yield Maximiser Fund (ASX: YMAX).

What is YMAX?

The Betashares YMAX is an ASX-listed exchange-traded fund (ETF) that is designed to generate an attractive income. It targets the 20 largest Australian shares on the ASX. 

The fund uses a covered call strategy to generate extra income that is typically higher than dividend yields alone. It generally offers lower volatility than a direct investment in the underlying shares. It does not aim to track an index.

What does its portfolio look like?

The ASX dividend share invests in a portfolio that provides exposure to the largest 20 Australian securities listed on the ASX, combined with call options written on the securities in the share portfolio.

The portfolio is passively managed, which means that the weighting of each security will generally mirror the weighting of the security within the Solactive Australia 20 Index, Betashares explains. It also aims to generate dividends, franking credits, and some capital growth. 

It is most heavily weighted into the financial sector (45.7%) and the materials sector (20.8%). 

And as of the 30th of January this year, the top four holdings in its portfolio are Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), and National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB).

The portfolio is most heavily weighted into CBA and BHP shares at 15.5% and 15.1% respectively. It is also weighted 8.2% into both Westpac and NAB.

What are the ASX dividend share’s payouts?

When it comes to monthly payouts, the Betashares YMAX is relatively new to the table. Since its inception in April 2013, the fund has been paying quarterly dividends to its shareholders.

But effective from January 2026, the intended distribution frequency of the fund has been amended from quarterly to monthly.

As at 30 January 2026, the Betashares YMAX has a 12-month gross distribution yield of 8.8% and a 12-month distribution yield of 7.4%. The total 12-month franking level is 42.7%.

The fund paid its last quarterly dividend on 19th January. It paid shareholders $0.13247 per share with 31% franking.

Its first-ever monthly dividend payment was paid on the 17th of February, where it handed investors $0.035221 per unit. This came with 37.97% franking. This translates to an annual distribution return of 7.64%.

The fund has confirmed a $0.050699 per unit dividend, with 32.88% franking, will be paid on the 17th of March.

The post For monthly income, an 8.8% ASX dividend share to consider 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 recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Looking for ASX shares to buy? If you are, then it could be worth hearing what analysts are saying about the three below, courtesy of The Bull.

Are they buys, holds, or sells? Let’s find out:

Bannerman Energy Ltd (ASX: BMN)

The team at Fairmont Equities sees value in this ASX uranium stock. It believes Bannerman stands to benefit from increasing demand for uranium, which it expects to outstrip supply in the coming years.

As a result, it has named it as an ASX share to buy this week. Fairmont explains:

Bannerman is a uranium development company. Its flagship Etango project is based in Namibia. The uranium sector continues to appeal because demand should continue to outpace supply for the next several years. The company recently announced a joint venture with the China National Nuclear Corporation. The deal de-risks the Etango project and reduces funding risk involving development. BMN is exposed to potential upside in uranium prices.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

Morgans thinks that Australia’s largest bank is undoubtedly a high-quality company. However, due to its stretched valuation, it isn’t a buyer at current levels.

In addition, with much of the good news now priced in, the broker is recommending investors sell CBA shares. It commented:

CBA is a high quality company. But the bank’s valuation has stretched well beyond peers, reflecting investor preference for safety and consistency. Much of the good news, including strong deposit margins and sector leading returns, is already priced in, leaving limited scope for upside from here. We see better value elsewhere in the sector and believe the current premium leaves the stock vulnerable to even modest disappointment, which supports our sell rating at these levels.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Morgans is a little more positive on telco giant Telstra, but not enough to justify a buy recommendation.

The broker has named Telstra shares as a hold. It thinks the stock is fairly valued at current levels, stating:

This telecommunications giant offers stable earnings, a strong mobile network and dependable dividends, making it a defensive holding in a volatile market. However, while its core mobile business continues to perform well, the growth outlook is steady rather than exciting. The stock appears fairly valued at recent levels, reflecting its predictable cash flows and limited near term catalysts. For now, Telstra remains suitable as an income‑focused hold due to its defensive earnings stream, but we don’t see a compelling reason to materially increase exposure.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Bannerman, CBA, and Telstra shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 must-own ASX blue-chip dividend stocks for Aussie investors
• 1 miner, 1 bank, and 1 ASX tech share I’d buy this month
• 3 reasons to buy Telstra shares right now
• How the CBA share price rocketed 17% in February
• 5 top ASX 200 shares I’d buy in March

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

ASX dividend stocks are a popular choice for investors seeking long-term growth potential and steady income.

But when it comes to deciding exactly which ASX dividend stocks to go for, there are plenty of options. Almost too many. There are dividend stocks that pay dividends every single month, and others that pay quarterly or annually. Some are fully franked, and some aren’t. There are high-yield stocks, and then there are your blue-chips.

Blue-chip stocks are generally large, well-established, and financially stable companies. They have a strong track record, have reliable earnings, and pay frequent dividends.

If you want a dividend stock that will steadily increase its dividend over time and have solid growth potential, blue-chip stocks are what you need to look at.

Here are three blue-chip dividend stocks that I think all Aussie investors should own in their portfolios. 

BHP Group (ASX: BHP)

Mining giant BHP is one of the largest and most established companies on the ASX, with a strong balance sheet and low debt, even during volatile markets.

In FY25, BHP’s dividend payouts were lower than those received the previous year, reflecting shifts in commodity prices over the 12-month period. But it continues to be a heavyweight for passive income. 

The miner recently reported impressive half-year earnings. On the bottom line, the ASX 200 miner achieved a 22% increase in underlying profit to US$6.20 billion.

This saw management declare a fully-franked interim dividend of 73 US cents (AU$1.03) a share, up 30% in Aussie dollar terms and up 46% in US dollar terms.

Macquarie previously forecast that BHP will pay its shareholders US$1.09 per share in FY26, with a potential dividend yield of 5.7% including franking credits. 

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Internet access and mobile phone connectivity are no longer a perk but a necessity for everyday life. That means Telstra shares tend to perform steadily, regardless of the stage of the economic cycle. 

The ASX dividend stock offers a reliable income stream to investors, too. In fact, one of the best things about Telstra is that its dividend payout ratio is close to 100% of its earnings. That unlocks a good dividend yield.

In its February half-year results, the company declared an interim dividend of 10.5 cents per share, up 10% from the prior period. The dividend was 90.5% franked, with 9.5 cents franked and 1 cent unfranked. On an annualised basis, that represents 21 cents per share for the full year. 

In FY25, Telstra shares paid a fully franked dividend of 19 cents per share.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers is another blue-chip company that offers a fantastic passive income. The business owns several leading retailers, including Bunnings, Kmart, Officeworks, and Priceline.

The business recently posted a strong FY26 half-year result, which included a fully-franked interim dividend of $1.02 per share. That’s an increase of 7.4%.

Analyst forecasts suggest the retail giant could deliver an annual dividend per share of $2.16 in FY26, which would be a grossed-up dividend yield of 3.9%, including franking credits.

The post 3 must-own ASX blue-chip dividend stocks for Aussie investors appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why the BHP share price rocketed 16% in February
• 1 miner, 1 bank, and 1 ASX tech share I’d buy this month
• Why Wesfarmers shares are a retiree’s dream in 2026
• 3 reasons to buy Telstra shares right now
• 5 top ASX 200 shares I’d buy in March

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