Category: Stock Market

Are you looking for some new portfolio additions? If you are, it could be worth considering the three ASX shares in this article.

They have been named as buys by Morgans and are tipped to rise 15% to 55% from current levels. Here’s what the broker is recommending to clients:

Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT)

Morgans was pleased with this sports technology company’s recent FY 2026 results.

In response, the broker put a buy rating and $5.40 price target on its shares. Based on its current share price of $3.52, this implies potential upside of 53% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on Catapult, Morgans said:

CAT’s FY26 result confirmed strong organic momentum, with revenue US$141m (+19% c/c) and closing ACV US$134m (+28% c/c) at the top of guidance, while Management EBITDA of US$25m (17.6% margin, +67% pcp) beat MorgansF. Operating leverage is now evident, with a 41% incremental margin (48% ex-acquisitions) in the period. ACV per pro team crossed US$30k for the first time whilst SaaS metrics improved.

We trim FY27-FY29F Management EBITDA by 6-8% factoring in the result. Our price target is lowered to A$5.40 (from A$5.55) on these changes, offset to a degree by a valuation roll forward. BUY maintained.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

Another ASX share that Morgans is bullish on is integrated industrial property company Goodman.

Following the release of its third-quarter update, the broker has put a buy rating and $36.00 price target on its shares. Based on its current share price of $31.20, this suggests that upside of 15% is possible.

The broker commented:

GMG’s 3Q26 update reinforced a deliberate strategy: deploy balance-sheet capital ahead of customer commitments to win the race for power-enabled metro data centre (DC) capacity. WIP is set to step from $14.5bn at Mar-26 to a record c.$18bn by Jun-26 (Consensus $17.7bn), with the power bank lifted to 6.4GW. Operationally the update was mixed, with pre-committed share, production rate and Yield On Cost (YOC) all relatively flat hoh.

The structurally important note was management’s view that industry DC capex requirements likely exceed global capital market funding capacity, a backdrop that favours those with secured power, sites and locked-in capital partners.

Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG)

A third ASX share that gets the thumbs up from Morgans is burrito seller Guzman Y Gomez.

It was pleased with the company’s decision to exit the US market. In response, it put a buy rating and $29.40 price target on its shares. Based on its current share price of $18.95, this implies potential upside of 55%.

Speaking about the company, Morgans said:

GYG announced the immediate exit of its US operations, a business that we forecast generated a significant FY26 underlying EBITDA loss and required materially more capital than could be justified by prospective returns. We view this as a positive catalyst, notwithstanding that the market has previously ascribed meaningful optionality value to the US as a long-term growth engine.

The exit removes a loss sooner than consensus anticipated and simplifies the story while the Australian operations are performing well and in line with expectations. Stripping out the US losses results in material upgrades to our EBITDA and NPAT forecasts. We maintain our BUY rating and upgrade our price target to A$29.40.

The post Morgans rates these ASX shares as buys with up to 55% upside appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why there could be hidden value in REITs right now
• 3 amazing ASX growth shares to buy and hold forever
• 3 high-quality Australian shares I’d buy with $10,000
• Why these ASX blue-chip shares are strong buys right now
• These shares are being dumped from the ASX 200 index

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

ASX growth shares can be among the best investments to own because of their ability to compound earnings over the long term.

When a company is growing revenue rapidly, there is a strong chance that operating leverage will improve, and profit margins can increase. Typically, investors usually value a business based on how much net profit it could make in the future,

The investment team from WAM Active Ltd (ASX: WAA) have outlined a couple of compelling ASX shares that could be great opportunities today. They are usually looking for mispriced opportunities in the Australian market.

EchoIQ Ltd (ASX: EIQ)

WAM described EchoIQ as an Australian medical technology company focused on improving cardiology decision-making through AI to detect structural heart issues in echocardiograms.

The fund manager noted that the company has received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for severe aortic stenosis detection, with additional FDA clearance for heart failure detection expected in the near term.

WAM noted that the EchoIQ share price rose 44% in May after the ASX growth share announced an expanded resale and distribution agreement with the Mount Sinai Health System (one of the leading cardiology programs in the US) in late April.

The investment team explained that the agreement provides meaningful clinical validation and further de-risks the FDA pathway. FDA clearance for heart failure is expected in the coming weeks, which would significantly expand EchoIQ’s US addressable market and support a “material uplift” in revenue generation.

WAM said:

We believe additional hospital signings and strategic partnership discussions with Australian and US-based parties remain key near-term catalysts for further share price re-rating.

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

The other ASX growth share that WAM highlighted is Megaport, a Brisbane-headquartered network-as-a-service provider. After its 2025 acquisition of Latitude.sh, it also operates a global on-demand compute platform.

The company is positioned as one of the few ASX (growth) shares that has direct exposure to the infrastructure supporting artificial intelligence (AI) adoption.

Last month, the ASX growth share announced three binding contracts with two US AI customers, with a total contract value (TCV) of approximately US$183 million and annualised recurring revenue (ARR) of approximately US$65 million.

Two of those three contracts have 36-month terms, providing visibility into revenue. The Megaport share price increased by 28% on the day, exceeding the contract value.

The agreements validate the strategic rationale for the Latitude.sh on-demand ARR increasing 31% since the acquisition, compute is becoming a key growth driver.

WAM concluded:               

We continue to hold Megaport, with the May contract wins supporting the FY2026 and FY2027 earnings outlook, and further customer announcements representing a credible near-term catalyst.

The post 2 ASX growth shares to buy with big growth potential! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Up 90% in a month, why did Megaport shares just get downgraded?
• Why are ASX 200 tech stocks like WiseTech, Life360 and Xero shares getting hammered on Tuesday?
• Buy, hold, sell: Megaport, Bendigo Bank, BHP shares
• 7 ASX shares set to soar 30% to 90% in 12 months: experts
• ASX 200 tech stocks led the market with big share price gains last week

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

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares fell 0.24% to close at 8,604.2 points yesterday.

Let’s take a look at some new ratings on three ASX 200 shares from experts on The Bull this week.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

The Woodside share price finished 0.58% higher at $31.09 yesterday.

Mark Gardner from MPC Markets has a buy rating on this ASX 200 energy share.

Gardner said: 

The company remains leveraged to LNG demand from Asia. The Scarborough Energy project is reportedly 96 per cent complete and on track for first LNG cargoes in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Energy prices remain volatile, but gas continues to play an important role in regional energy security.

In our view, the market isn’t fully pricing in the production uplift from Woodside’s major growth projects.

The dividend has been under pressure, but the balance sheet and asset base remain appealing for investors seeking energy exposure.

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO)

The Rio Tinto share price closed 1.81% lower at $181.23 on Tuesday.

Rio Tinto shares have been on a rollercoaster over the past week.

The ASX 200 iron ore mining share rose to a record high of $195.84 last Wednesday.

Then on Thursday and Friday, iron ore stocks tumbled after a big production rise at the giant Simandou mine in Africa.

That’s not as big a problem for Rio Tinto, given it’s a part-owner of Simandou.

But the mine is bringing significant new supply onto the market at a time when demand is already weakening.

That has implications for the iron ore price, which directly impacts miners’ earnings.

The iron ore price has already dropped more than 9% over the past month.

Damien Nguyen from Morgans puts a hold rating on Rio Tinto shares this week.

Nguyen said: 

Rio Tinto is a world class diversified miner with high quality iron ore, aluminium and copper assets generating solid cash and consistent shareholder returns.

Iron ore earnings remain central to the investment case, but are sensitive to Chinese property and infrastructure activity, which continues to face near term headwinds.

Copper and lithium assets provide structural growth exposure.

The balance sheet is strong and the dividend remains well-supported, making RIO a sound income holding.

However, with the near term earnings outlook balanced rather than clearly positive, we retain a hold recommendation.

National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB)

NAB shares finished 1.72% lower at $35.96, after hitting a new 52-week low of $35.48, on Tuesday.

Gardner has a sell rating on this ASX 200 bank share.

He explains: 

NAB remains a quality banking franchise, but the near term earnings outlook is under pressure.

The bank’s first half net profit in fiscal year 2026 missed analyst expectations, with bad debt provisions and one-off charges weighing on the result.

The dividend remains attractive, but valuation support looks less convincing if earnings momentum continues to soften.

In our view, the bank faces the challenges of margin pressure, higher credit risk and slower profit growth.

We prefer to reduce exposure and direct capital towards stronger growth opportunities elsewhere.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Woodside, Rio Tinto, NAB shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here’s the dividend forecast out to 2028 for Woodside shares
• Why Woodside shares just got a big buy call
• Why these ASX blue-chip shares are strong buys right now
• Rio Tinto shares slump 7.5% from an all-time high: Buy, sell or hold?
• NAB shares sink to 52-week low, are they in the buy zone?

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-listed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can be some of the easiest ways to invest and become wealthy.

Being able to invest in a single transaction and get exposure to a wide range of businesses is very compelling, in my opinion.

But, there are so many options, which one to buy? I think it depends on an investor’s goals.

Simple ASX ETF investing

For investors who just want a very simple investment strategy that can help grow wealth passively in the background without needing to monitor it. There are plenty of possible ASX ETFs.

Aussies can get the return of the share market for very little cost by choosing one of the cheapest ones.

I really like the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) because it invests in more than 1,000 businesses worldwide. Over time, global businesses are collectively growing profits, supporting long-term share price growth.

Over the past 10 years, the VGS has returned an average of 13.5% per year. Past performance is not a guarantee of future returns, of course, but it has been an excellent long-term investment.

High-quality

Some investors may not want to own thousands of businesses across the global share market. What about just investing in the best ones?

There are a variety of options that aim to invest in the highest-quality businesses. One of my favourites is the VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL) – it invests in 300 of the highest-quality global businesses, as measured by quality metrics.

High-quality businesses can perform better during downturns and over the long term. In the last decade, it has returned an average of 14.6% per year.

Technology

Over the last 20 years, tech businesses have been some of the strongest-performing investments. With the current trajectory of many large tech companies and their strong profit margins, investors may want targeted exposure to the exciting sector.

One of the best options for a tech allocation, in my opinion, is the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ) – that’s 100 of the biggest tech businesses listed in the US.

It’s important to remember that past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Having said that, it has returned an average of 19.2% per year in the past five years.

Passive investing

ASX ETFs can be an excellent way for investors to unlock passive income. Many funds don’t have high dividend yields because the underlying businesses themselves don’t have much dividend yield.

But some funds deliberately target higher-yielding businesses, while some ASX ETFs can provide a pleasing dividend yield.  

The WCM Quality Global Growth Fund (ASX: WCMQ) invests in a high-quality portfolio of global shares with strengthening economic moats and corporate cultures that support those competitive advantages. The fund aims to deliver a 5% distribution yield to investors.

One of the ASX’s most appealing options for passive income is Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY). It looks to invest in just the higher-yielding ASX shares.

In my view, a good ASX ETF is a great investment, though it is not the only effective investment.

The post Which ASX ETF should I buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to turn $20,000 into $200,000 with ASX shares
• How to invest in ASX shares when you don’t know what to buy
• Looking to FIRE? Here are 2 ASX ETFs to get your portfolio started
• 3 excellent ASX ETFs for beginners to buy now
• Where to invest $5,000 in Vanguard ETFs in June

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in VanEck Msci International Quality ETF and Wcm Quality Global Growth Fund. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF and Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Australian investors do not need to stay limited to the ASX.

Some of the world’s strongest businesses are listed offshore, and ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) can make them easy to access in a single trade.

That can be useful for investors wanting exposure to global technology, US market leaders, and high-quality companies with sustainable competitive advantages.

Here are three world-class ETFs that could be worth a closer look.

Global X Fang+ ETF (ASX: FANG)

The first ASX ETF to look at is the Global X Fang+ ETF.

This fund gives investors exposure to a concentrated group of global technology and innovation leaders. Its holdings include companies such as NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), and Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX).

NVIDIA is a particularly interesting example. The company has become one of the most important businesses in the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, with its graphics processing units powering data centres, AI models, cloud infrastructure, and high-performance computing.

It is concentrated and can be volatile when technology valuations come under pressure. But for investors wanting exposure to some of the world’s most influential digital companies, the Global X Fang+ ETF offers a simple way to own a basket of global names that are shaping how people work, shop, stream, communicate, and use AI.

iShares S&P 500 AUD ETF (ASX: IVV)

Another world-class ASX ETF to consider is the iShares S&P 500 ETF.

This fund tracks the S&P 500, giving Australian investors exposure to many of the largest listed companies in the United States. Its holdings include Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN), and Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.B).

Microsoft is a good example of the quality inside the index. The company has built a powerful position across enterprise software, cloud computing, productivity tools, gaming, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.

Its Azure cloud platform gives it exposure to growing demand for digital infrastructure, while products such as Office, Teams, and Dynamics remain deeply embedded in businesses around the world.

The iShares S&P 500 ETF is broader than a pure technology fund. It includes healthcare, financials, consumer companies, industrials, and communication services. That makes it a straightforward option for investors wanting diversified exposure to corporate America.

VanEck Morningstar International Wide Moat ETF (ASX: GOAT)

A third ASX ETF that could be worth a look is the VanEck Morningstar International Wide Moat ETF.

This fund focuses on international companies that have sustainable competitive advantages. Its holdings change periodically but currently include Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO), Etsy (NYSE: ETSY), and Dassault Systemes (FRA: DSY).

Novo Nordisk shows why that moat approach can be powerful. The Danish healthcare giant has built a leading position in diabetes and obesity treatments, with strong brands, deep scientific expertise, and significant global demand for its medicines.

Healthcare businesses with strong intellectual property, regulatory experience, and trusted products can be difficult to displace. That can support pricing power and long-term earnings resilience.

For investors wanting exposure to high-quality international companies with strong advantages, this fund could be a strong long-term option.

The post 3 world-class ETFs for Australian investors appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to use the iShares S&P 500 ETF (IVV) to become a millionaire
• 3 ASX stocks I’d buy during a sharemarket crash
• Could this ASX ETF be the best way to invest in the AI boom?
• 3 amazing ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years
• Can you turn $20,000 into $100,000 with ASX shares?

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 Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Dassault Systèmes Se, Etsy, Microsoft, Netflix, Nvidia, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Novo Nordisk. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Dassault Systèmes Se, Microsoft, Netflix, Nvidia, VanEck Morningstar International Wide Moat ETF, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) is one of the best exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the ASX in terms of management costs and net returns. I think it’s a wonderful investment to help Australians build towards becoming a millionaire (and more).

The IVV ETF invests in 500 of the largest and most profitable businesses that are listed in the US.

Let’s run through its positives and then I’ll show how it can be used to help reach $1 million.

Low management costs

There are numerous ASX ETFs that Australians can buy. We don’t know what the returns of the funds will be, but costs are likely to play an important part in the net return. The lower the fees the better, as that leaves more of the money in the hands of the investor.

Of course, there isn’t much of an actual difference between 0.05% or 0.10% per year.

But, low-cost ETFs have significantly lower fees than active fund managers, who may charge 1% (or more), plus outperformance fees if they do outperform.

The IVV ETF has an incredibly low management cost of 0.04% per year. That’s one of the cheapest on the ASX, making it very appealing.

Great businesses lead to great returns

In my view, the 500 businesses in the ASX ETF’s portfolio are some of the highest quality that we can find in the global stock market. Many of the US-listed businesses are among the best at what they do. That allows them to capture significant market share, generate strong profit margins and still have good growth potential.

In the portfolio are names like Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon.com, Broadcom, Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Micron Technology and Tesla.

Some of the other names further down the list include Berkshire Hathaway, JPMorgan Chase, Visa, Walmart, Costco and Netflix.

Pleasingly, this portfolio has performed extremely well for investors. The IVV ETF has returned an average of 15.5% per year over the prior decade. Of course, past performance is not a guarantee of future performance.

Compelling diversification

While all of the businesses in the portfolio are listed in the US, their underlying earnings come from across the world. Think how many countries around the world have Apple smartphone users, use Google or utilise Microsoft software.

Many of the businesses in the portfolio are truly global businesses, they just happen to be listed in the US. So, I think the underlying earnings of this portfolio are very diversified.

The sectors are fairly diversified, though there is a rising allocation on technology as certain companies become increasingly large.

How to become a millionaire with the IVV ETF

I don’t know what the future returns of the IVV ETF will be, and I’d be surprised if it’s more than 15% per year over the next decade.

But, I think the companies involved could continue to perform well. So, let’s assume the average return per year in the coming years could be 10%.

If someone invested $1,000 per month and it returned an average of 10% per year, that’d turn into $1 million in less than 24 years. If it returned 15% per year, it’d reach $1 million in 19 years.

Each household will have a different financial picture. Perhaps someone can invest $2,000 per month. If the IVV ETF returned an average of 10% per year, an Australian could become a millionaire in less than 18 years. An average return of 15% per year would mean millionaire status in less than 15 years.

Of course, the IVV ETF isn’t the only investment I’d consider to become a millionaire.

The post How to use the iShares S&P 500 ETF (IVV) to become a millionaire appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 world-class ETFs for Australian investors
• 3 ASX stocks I’d buy during a sharemarket crash
• Can you turn $20,000 into $100,000 with ASX shares?
• 3 ASX ETFs I’d buy to build a portfolio from scratch
• This ASX bank ETF has a 5.2% dividend yield right now

JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Broadcom, Costco Wholesale, JPMorgan Chase, Meta Platforms, Micron Technology, Microsoft, Netflix, Nvidia, Tesla, Visa, Walmart, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Netflix, Nvidia, Visa, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) are a listed investment vehicle that owns, operates, or finances income-producing real estate.

Instead of buying a property directly, you buy units in a REIT, giving you exposure to a professionally managed portfolio of properties.

REIT typically owns assets such as:

• Office buildings
• Shopping centres
• Industrial warehouses
• Logistics facilities
• Data centres
• Healthcare properties
• Residential developments (less common)

The properties generate rental income, which the REIT collects and distributes to investors after expenses.

Why real estate stocks and REITs are down in 2026

In 2026, the S&P/ASX 200 Real Estate (ASX: XRE) index is down almost 10%. 

There have been several headwinds affecting the sector. 

Firstly, REITs are highly sensitive to rates because they typically use debt to finance property portfolios. 

The RBA has raised rates multiple times in 2026, increasing borrowing costs and reducing the present value of future rental income streams.

Additionally, more expensive and less available financing makes it harder for REITs to acquire assets, refinance debt, or fund developments, reducing expected growth. 

Finally, as bond yields and cash rates rise, investors can earn higher returns from lower-risk assets such as term deposits and government bonds, making REIT distributions relatively less attractive. 

Despite these headwinds, a new report from Bell Potter has identified REITs that have been oversold or offer long-term upside. 

Here is what the broker is tipping. 

REITs with upside

According to Bell Potter’s weekly report, several REITs are worth targeting. 

Firstly, the broker has a buy recommendation on Goodman Group (ASX: GMG). 

Its share price has been largely flat in 2026 and is currently trading at $31.20 per share. 

However, Bell Potter has a $35.50 price target, indicating a healthy 13% upside. 

The broker is also optimistic about Aspen Group Ltd (ASX: APZ). Its share price is down 14% year to date. 

Bell Potter has a 12-month price target of $6.50, which indicates roughly 40% upside. 

Finally, the broker has a buy rating on Cedar Woods Properties Ltd (ASX: CWP). 

Cedar Woods Properties shares have fallen almost 23% year to date, and now offer considerable value. 

The broker has a buy rating and $9.65 price target, indicating 46% upside from current levels. 

REITs to avoid 

While some REITs have fallen to a value, the broker has also highlighted that not every REIT is a buy-low candidate. 

The broker has a sell rating on HomeCo Daily Needs REIT (ASX: HDN), an Australian property group focused on the ownership, development, and management of Australian shopping centres. 

Bell Potter also changed its rating on Abacus Storage King (ASX: ASK) to a hold (previously buy) due to emerging pressure in the storage sub-sector.

The post Why there could be hidden value in REITs right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX dividend stocks for passive income investors
• 3 high-quality Australian shares I’d buy with $10,000
• Why these ASX blue-chip shares are strong buys right now
• Buy, hold, sell: Goodman, Arafura Rare Earths, Elders shares
• Why a top broker just downgraded this ASX 300 share

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 Goodman Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group and HomeCo Daily Needs REIT. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Passive income investors do not need to rely only on the big banks for dividends.

There are plenty of ASX dividend stocks across retail, property, infrastructure, consumer staples, and agriculture that could help generate income over time.

Here are five ASX dividend stocks that could be worth a closer look.

Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD)

Elders could be an ASX dividend stock to buy. It is one of Australia’s best-known agribusinesses, providing services across rural products, livestock, real estate, financial services, and agency operations.

Its earnings can move with seasonal conditions and farmer confidence, so it is not a defensive dividend stock in the traditional sense. But agriculture remains essential, and Elders has a long-established position in rural Australia.

For income investors willing to accept some cyclicality, it could offer exposure to a sector that is very different from banks, miners, and retailers.

HomeCo Daily Needs REIT (ASX: HDN)

Another ASX dividend stock that could be worth a look is HomeCo Daily Needs REIT.

This property trust owns assets focused on regular household spending and essential services. Its tenants include supermarkets, pharmacies, health services, childcare operators, and large-format retailers.

That tenant mix can make the trust more resilient than property assets tied heavily to discretionary shopping or office demand.

Interest rates and property valuations remain risks. But its focus on convenience and daily needs could support a steady distribution profile for passive income investors.

Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL)

A third ASX dividend stock to consider is retail conglomerate Super Retail.

It owns brands including Supercheap Auto, Rebel, BCF, and Macpac. This gives it exposure to auto parts, sporting goods, outdoor leisure, and adventure categories.

Retail conditions can be mixed when households are under pressure. But Super Retail has built strong brands in categories where customers can be loyal and repeat purchases matter.  In addition, its scale, store network, and membership programs help support the business.

If Super Retail continues managing costs and inventory well, it could be well-placed to continue rewarding shareholders with big dividends.

Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

A fourth ASX dividend stock for income investors to consider is Transurban.

It is a toll road operator with assets across major cities in Australia and North America. This includes CityLink in Melbourne, Cross City Tunnel in Sydney, and AirportlinkM7 in Brisbane.

That gives the company a strong position. In many cases, its roads are important parts of daily transport networks, helping people get to work, school, airports, and key business areas.

This can support steady cash flow over time. And that cash flow helps fund the distributions that passive income investors look for.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

A final ASX dividend stock to look at is Woolworths.

It is one of Australia’s most defensive consumer businesses, with its supermarkets serving millions of shoppers each week.

Groceries and household essentials remain important regardless of the economic backdrop. That gives the company a more stable earnings base than many discretionary retailers.

Together with Woolworths’ scale, brand, and supply chain strength, this makes it a dependable name for income-focused investors.

The post 5 ASX dividend stocks for passive income investors appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why there could be hidden value in REITs right now
• 4 reasons to buy Transurban shares today
• 5 tips to navigate ASX share market volatility
• Why Telstra and these defensive ASX dividend shares could be top buys
• Buy, hold, sell: Goodman, Arafura Rare Earths, Elders shares

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Super Retail Group and Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Super Retail Group, Transurban Group, and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Elders and HomeCo Daily Needs REIT. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) is a harder share market story than it used to be.

For years, investors treated the biotechnology giant as a reliable compounder. Today, the market wants evidence of better execution, stronger margins, cleaner guidance, and a clearer path back to earnings momentum.

I think that shift has created an opportunity.

The buy case today is about improvement from a much lower level of confidence. CSL no longer needs to be viewed as flawless for investors to make money. It needs to show that the business can stabilise, tighten execution, and rebuild momentum over the next few years.

That is why I would buy the shares while sentiment remains weak.

A more practical investment case

I think CSL now needs to be judged differently.

The old story was built around consistent growth, high investor trust, and a premium valuation. The current story is more grounded. It is about self-help, operational improvement, and whether management can get more from a very large healthcare platform.

That may sound less exciting, but it can still be a powerful setup.

A business of CSL’s size does not need everything to change at once. Better collection efficiency, sharper commercial execution, improved productivity, and more disciplined spending could all make a meaningful difference over time.

When expectations are low, even steady progress can matter. That is the part I find attractive. The market is already cautious. Investors are no longer assuming the company will deliver smooth, year-over-year growth. If CSL can start rebuilding credibility, the share price could respond well before the recovery looks complete.

Plasma remains central

The plasma business is still the beating heart of CSL. Demand for plasma-derived therapies is tied to serious medical conditions and ongoing healthcare needs. Products such as immunoglobulins are used by patients who rely on treatment, which gives the business a very different demand profile from many consumer-facing companies.

The challenge for CSL is turning that demand into stronger returns.

That means managing collection costs, improving network productivity, making good commercial decisions, and rebuilding confidence in the earnings path. None of that is easy, but the prize is significant because the plasma market still has long-term growth potential.

I also think investors sometimes underestimate the value of scale in this industry.

CSL has a collection, manufacturing, regulatory, distribution, and scientific capability that cannot be replicated quickly. Those strengths do not remove the execution challenge, but they do give the company a strong base from which to improve.

More than one lever

CSL also has other parts of the business that could help over time.

Seqirus gives the group exposure to vaccines, while CSL Vifor adds specialist medicine exposure in areas such as iron deficiency and nephrology.

These businesses have not removed the pressure on the group, and investors still need to watch execution closely. But they do add breadth to CSL’s earnings base and give management more than one area to improve.

That is important because recovery does not have to come from a single perfect outcome.

If plasma execution improves, Seqirus remains resilient, and CSL Vifor contributes more consistently, the overall group could look much healthier in a few years.

Patience is needed

I would not expect sentiment to change overnight. Once the market loses confidence in a former favourite, it usually takes time and evidence before investors return in a meaningful way. That could mean several results, clearer guidance, and signs that margins are moving in the right direction.

There are risks to think about. Its recovery could take longer than expected, margins may stay under pressure, and management still needs to prove it can deliver a cleaner earnings story.

But I think the starting point is far more attractive than it was when CSL shares traded on a much richer valuation and investor expectations were much higher.

Foolish takeaway

CSL shares now look like a different kind of opportunity.

The company is no longer just a simple quality compounder that the market is willing to back almost automatically. It is a global healthcare business that needs to rebuild trust, improve execution, and show that its best years are not behind it.

I think that is a worthwhile risk at today’s lower level of confidence.

Patient investors may need to wait for sentiment to turn, but that is often how better entry points appear. If CSL can make steady operational progress and restore earnings momentum, I think today’s weak sentiment could eventually look too pessimistic.

The post Why I’d buy CSL shares while sentiment is weak appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• Has the CSL share price finally bottomed out?
• 3 cheap ASX shares I’d buy before sentiment turns
• Why Chalice Mining, CSL, Megaport, and Pro Medicus shares are racing higher
• 6 ASX 200 shares downgraded by analysts this week

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

ASX healthcare stock Vitrafy Life Sciences (ASX: VFY) continued its impressive run yesterday with a 16% jump. 

The company has now seen its share price rise almost 200% year to date. 

Company overview

Vitrafy is a biotechnology company focused on improving cryopreservation, which is the process of freezing and storing biological materials such as cells, tissues, reproductive material, and potentially other medical or veterinary products.

The company has developed its own Vitrafy Cryopreservation Technology (VCT), which combines:

• Smart freezing and thawing devices
• Quality management software
• Specialised packaging solutions

The goal of VCT is to better control temperature changes during freezing and thawing. This helps more cells survive and remain functional after they are thawed.

According to Vitrafy’s testing and independent validation studies, its technology has produced higher cell survival rates and better cell quality than many existing industry methods and standards.

Why is it hitting new highs?

There was no price-sensitive news out of this healthcare stock on Tuesday. 

However, last week, the company announced a partnership with Vitalant Innovation Center (“Vitalant”) to configure Vitrafy’s next-generation cryopreservation ecosystem to solve the looming crisis for red blood cell preservation. 

The partnership aims to address a pivotal industry transition: as existing frozen red blood cell (“RBC”) technologies reach the end of their operational life, with no replacement presently available.

Speaking on the partnership, Managing Director and CEO, Brent Owens, commented:

We are really excited to partner with Vitalant to actively address an issue of national significance with one of the leading blood market participants in the USA. 

The recognition of Vitrafy’s cryopreservation ecosystem as the next generation solution to this crisis reinforces our belief that we are securing meaningful market traction and creating a pathway to significant commercial scale. 

We see this partnership as the first of several potential civilian blood opportunities that have stemmed from the successful results in the U.S Army platelets study.

This new partnership, along with recent contract wins, has likely propelled the healthcare stock to new all-time highs. 

Can this healthcare stock keep rising?

This ASX healthcare stock is now at a new 52-week high following Tuesday’s gain. 

Holders of the stock may now be considering profit-taking, while prospective investors will be considering the future potential of this growth stock.

Earlier this year, Bell Potter placed a price target of $3.00 on this healthcare stock. 

Meanwhile, Morgans is optimistic about the company following recent contract wins. 

Despite the positive views, it is now trading above broker targets. 

However, it’s worth noting that growth stocks can remain attractive investments even when trading above broker price targets. 

Rapid earnings and revenue growth can cause a company’s intrinsic value and share price to increase faster than analysts can update their forecasts and rerate the stock.

The post Is this exciting healthcare stock a buy, hold or sell after rocketing 16% yesterday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Is this ASX materials stock a buy, hold or sell after sliding on earnings results?
• This ASX small-cap gold stock could surge 136% according to Bell Potter
• Why this ASX real estate stock is a compelling buy according to Bell Potter
• Are Nufarm shares a buy, hold or sell after jumping 13% on half-year results?
• This ASX industrials stock could be set to race 20% higher: Expert

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.