Category: Stock Market

  • Is Medibank stock a buy for its 5.5% dividend yield?

    A couple smile as they look at a pregnancy test.

    Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) stock may not receive a lot of investor attention for passive income, but today I’m going to outline why it looks like a solid and compelling choice.

    The business is Australia’s largest private health insurer with its Medibank and AHM brands. It also has a growing portfolio of bolt-on healthcare businesses.

    Healthcare is one of those categories that has typically defensive earnings – I’d imagine plenty of policyholders would want to hold onto their insurance even if Australia’s GDP was slightly declining rather than rising in a particular year.

    With resilient earnings, the business can provide a consistently-growing dividend.

    Is the dividend yield attractive?

    Since it listed a decade ago, the business has increased its annual dividend per share every aside from the COVID-impacted year of 2020.

    In FY25 it decided to hike the annual dividend per share by 8.4% to 18 cents. That translates into a trailing grossed-up dividend yield of 5.5% (which includes the franking credits).

    But, last year’s dividends are history. Let’s take a look at how large analysts think the next payments could be.

    The forecast on CMC Markets suggests the business could decide to hike its annual dividend per share to 19 cents per share, which would represent a year-over-year hike of 5.5%.

    If owners of Medibank stock do receive that projected payout, it would represent a grossed-up dividend yield of 5.8% (which includes franking credits).

    The projection on CMC Markets is another hike in FY27 to 20 cents per share.

    Is this a good time to buy Medibank stock?

    The company is working hard to diversify its earnings streams. It recently announced its FY30 aspirations for its Medibank health segment, with a goal to deliver segment earnings of at least $200 million by FY30.

    Medibank also wants to grow its policyholder market share each year in a disciplined way to at least 26.8% by FY30.

    The ASX healthcare share is regularly achieving growth in both Australian policyholders and international policyholders. In FY25, Medibank grew net resident policyholders by 27,900 (or 1.4%) and increased net non-resident policy units by 10,500 (or 3.1%).

    That’s exactly the numbers I want to see – I think policyholder growth is the key for ongoing success as it boosts both revenue and operating leverage for the business.

    According to CMC Markets, of the five analyst ratings it has information on, the average price target of $5.22. That implies a possible rise of more than 10% over the next year from where it is at the time of writing.

    A double-digit rise of the Medibank share price combined with the dividend return would be a very pleasing result over the next 12 months, if those forecasts come true.

    The post Is Medibank stock a buy for its 5.5% dividend yield? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Medibank Private Ltd right now?

    Before you buy Medibank Private Ltd shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Medibank Private Ltd wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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

    More reading

    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 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.

  • $30,000 of Telstra shares can net me $1,671 of passive income!

    A handful of Australian $100 notes, indicating a cash position

    Owning Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) shares for dividends could be one of the smarter moves by income-focused investors looking at blue-chip shares.

    There are plenty of businesses within the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), but few offer as large a dividend as Telstra while also delivering payout growth.

    The last few years have seen a regular, rising payout by the business and I expect this to continue in the coming years.

    $30,000 investment in Telstra shares

    I wouldn’t recommend that investors put all of their money into one business – having a diversified approach is a good idea.

    But, I’d be more comfortable putting $30,000 into Telstra than ASX bank shares and ASX mining shares.

    In terms of the passive income, in FY25, Telstra decided to pay an annual dividend per share of 19 cents. That represented a 5.6% year-over-year increase. At the current Telstra share price, that represents a dividend yield of 3.9% and a grossed-up dividend yield of 5.6%, including franking credits.

    If someone owned $30,000 of Telstra shares, that would translate into an annual cash of $1,170, or $1,671 including the bonus of franking credits, based on the FY25 payout.

    However, the payments from the 2025 financial year are history. The future dividends could be even bigger.

    The forecast on CMC Markets suggests the business could deliver an annual dividend per share of 20 cents in FY26, implying a possible rise of more than 5% year over year in the current financial year.

    If that’s what happens over the next 12 months, the investor with $30,000 in Telstra shares would receive $1,231 of a cash dividend and $1,759 of grossed-up dividend income, including the franking credits.

    Why is the telco likely to grow its payout?

    Telstra is the leading telecommunications business in Australia and it has built a reputation for having the best network.

    This has given the business the ability to raise prices without much detrimental effect, helping boost the mobile division’s average revenue per user (ARPU) each year in recent years.

    The attractiveness of the mobile network has also meant the business has been able to attract additional customers every year (including the wholesale customers that use the Telstra network through different brands).

    I’m also hopeful that the business can win more wireless broadband customers because this should mean the company can deliver a higher profit margin on that customer, rather than losing a significant portion of it to the NBN.

    At the current Telstra share price, it’s trading at 24x FY26’s estimated earnings, according to the forecast on Commsec. I think that’s a reasonable price to pay for a business with a good earnings outlook, given how Australia is becoming more technological.

    The post $30,000 of Telstra shares can net me $1,671 of passive income! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Telstra Corporation Limited right now?

    Before you buy Telstra Corporation Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Telstra Corporation Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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

    More reading

    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 has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • The ASX small-cap stock that could double in value in 2026

    Happy healthcare workers in a labs

    ASX small-cap stock Biome Australia Ltd (ASX: BIO) has drawn attention from analysts at Bell Potter after a big announcement. 

    The company develops and commercialises clinically backed innovative live biotherapeutics (probiotics), marketing 18 products under the ‘Activated Probiotics’ brand.

    Activated Probiotics is a range of live biotherapeutic products aimed to help prevent and support the management of various health concerns. 

    Yesterday, the company announced the launch of its first human clinical trial. 

    What is the trial?

    The company is embarking on its first human clinical trial for its proprietary probiotic strain, Lactobacillus plantarum BMB18 (BMB18).

    According to Biome Australia, the human clinical trial will investigate the efficacy of BMB18 in patients experiencing digestive symptoms (e.g. bloating, discomfort) and/or occasional sleep or mood disturbances, and examine its impact on digestive function, mood, sleep and quality of life.

    According to the company, the strain demonstrated an ability to effectively modulate immune responses and inflammation. It also can reduce oxidative stress, and maintain intestinal barrier integrity. 

    The trial follows positive outcomes with in vitro studies conducted by a BIO research partner, where the strain was shown to effectively modulate immune responses and inflammation, reduce oxidative stress, and maintain intestinal barrier integrity. 

    The trial is expected to commence in February 2026, lasting 12 months, with the trial conducted by La Trobe University. 

    Speaking on the trial, Biome Managing Director and Founder Blair Norfolk said:

    The registration of our first human clinical trial on L.P. BMB18 represents years of dedicated research and development work by the Biome team. The strong positive outcomes from our in vitro studies provided the foundation for this next critical phase of clinical validation.

    Why is this significant for Biome?

    Following the announcement, Bell Potter released a new report on the ASX small-cap stock. 

    It said Biome Australia is aiming to further differentiate itself in the gut health market through product innovation across its existing products and enabling new product launches.

    According to the report, by owning its own strain, this ASX small-cap can enhance product yield and as strains form a substantial part of a products formulation, lower its costs of goods sold, thereby improving its gross margins. 

    This drives improvement in BIO’s intrinsic value and qualitative elements. 

    Bell Potter said this also provides future licensing opportunities to other operators.

    Significant upside 

    In yesterday’s report, Bell Potter maintained its buy recommendation on this ASX small-cap stock. 

    It also maintained its price target of $1.00. 

    From yesterday’s closing price of $0.395, this indicates an upside of more than 150%. 

    BIO’s operating leverage is starting to come through, and we would expect to see EBITDA improve further through FY26. Building its own IP should enhance gross margins over time. Maintaining quality in its growth performance should eventually see BIO recognised by the market resulting in a re-rate.

    The post The ASX small-cap stock that could double in value in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Biome Australia Limited right now?

    Before you buy Biome Australia Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Biome Australia Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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

    More reading

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

  • Lynas shares: After a year of outperformance, is it still a buy?

    Female miner in hard hat and safety vest on laptop with mining drill in background.

    The Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) share price has seen massive volatility over the last year. In the past 12 months, it’s up by almost 90%, as the chart below shows. That compares to a rise of less than 5% for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

    But the chart also shows that it has fallen 40% from that peak in mid-October.

    After such a significant change in the Lynas share price, it’s definitely worthwhile asking whether it’s a beaten-up opportunity or if it’s overvalued at this level.

    Let’s take a look at what experts from UBS are expecting from Lynas.

    Buy rating on Lynas shares

    The rare earth miner has been in the spotlight this year as China and the US tussle over access to rare earths, which are key materials for devices and other advanced technology.

    The fact that Lynas is a producer of rare earths makes it a strategic player in the global economy.

    UBS has a buy rating on Lynas shares. The broker says that it’s positive on Lynas based on both its position in the country and the broader value chain. The broker is positive on the business because UBS believes the business has strong IP and an economic moat when it comes to heavy rare earth separation, as well as supply scarcity within the global heavy rare earth sector.

    The broker also notes that Lynas’ workforce is skilled and has a low level of turnover, with more than 70% employees having been at the Lynas LAMP facility in Malaysia for at least ten years. UBS suggests this is an understated advantage in a particularly complex field.

    UBS also noted that the rare earth miner has reinvested back into Malaysia, which is an advantage considering the “delicate geopolitical backdrop”. The broker suggests the efforts to expand its heavy refining facility over the next couple of years will help earnings in the longer-term.

    However, recent power disruptions at the Kalgoorlie facility has impacted production, with a loss of around 1 month in the second quarter of FY26.

    UBS noted:

    …inherent challenges faced by the grid (single transmission line, aging infrastructure, tough inland conditions) have impacted the entire region and in particular LYC where even a relatively small outage can have outsized impacts and has compelled LYC to look for other off-grid options even while it is still working with the government and electricity supplier Western Power in improving current availability.  

    …From a broader market perspective, we remain alert to the still tenuous macro relationship between China and the USA, with recent U.S. policy expert feedback informing us that the move to decouple rare earths (and magnet) supply chains remains a priority despite the one-year hold on China rare earths controls.

    Price target and earnings estimate

    UBS forecasts that Lynas could deliver net profit of $288 million in FY26, $528 million in FY27 and $1.05 billion in FY28.

    With that exciting forecast of earnings growth in the years ahead, the broker has a price target of $17.70 on the Lynas share price, suggesting it could rise by close to 40% over the next year.

    The post Lynas shares: After a year of outperformance, is it still a buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Lynas Rare Earths Ltd right now?

    Before you buy Lynas Rare Earths Ltd shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Lynas Rare Earths Ltd wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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

    More reading

    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 recommended Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. 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.

  • What could keep Harvey Norman shares climbing in 2026?

    A happy young couple celebrate a win by jumping high above their new sofa.

    Harvey Norman Holdings (ASX: HVN) had a blistering run in 2025, with its share price zooming more than 50 per cent higher to $7.06 at the time of writing.  

    Harvey Norman shares smashed expectations and delivered results that even surprised the most sceptical investor.

    To put it in context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) only gained 4% in value in the past 12 months.

    What’s behind this dusty old Aussie retail heavyweight doing a sprint, and can it keep it up in 2026?

    Stability through property

    Harvey Norman is a multi-sided retailer that relies on three pillars: Australian franchise operations, 120 overseas stores, and a retail property portfolio comprising over 100 retail complexes.

    The ASX retailer sets itself apart from the competition with its $4.4 billion property portfolio. This adds value but also provides the company and its shareholders with stability.

    Harvey Norman’s results in 2025 have genuinely impressed. In August, the company reported a substantial increase in net income and earnings per share compared to the previous year, highlighting improved performance and stronger shareholder returns. The results exceeded analysts’ expectations.

    More recently, aggregated sales in early FY26 are running hot, with figures showing around 9 per cent growth year-on-year. That’s not bad in a retail environment where consumers can be fickle.

    Share buybacks and capital discipline

    Harvey Norman hasn’t just sat back and watched its stock rally. The company actively puts its money where its mouth is. It extended a massive on-market share buyback program, aiming to repurchase up to 10% of its shares.

    That’s the kind of move that gets investors going. Reducing float can help support the share price while signalling management’s confidence that Harvey Norman shares are undervalued or poised for more growth.

    What next for Harvey Norman shares?

    No retail stock is bulletproof, and Harvey Norman will face headwinds if consumer sentiment cools.

    However, with solid sales momentum, shareholder-friendly capital moves, and ongoing supportive analyst views, the ingredients are on the table for Harvey Norman shares to keep climbing into 2026.

    Analysts are positive on the outlook for the retailer. It looks like even after this year’s share price rally, any stock purchased right now can still benefit from a profit. 

    TradingView data shows that most analysts recommend a hold or (strong) buy. Some expect the ASX 200 stock to climb as high as $8.40, which implies a 19% upside at the time of writing.

    However, the average share price target for the next 12 months is $7.51. That still suggests a possible gain of almost 6.6%.   

    Bell Potter believes Harvey Norman shares are undervalued based on its positive growth-outlook. It currently has a buy rating and $8.30 price target on its shares.

    The post What could keep Harvey Norman shares climbing in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Harvey Norman Holdings Limited right now?

    Before you buy Harvey Norman Holdings Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Harvey Norman Holdings Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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

    More reading

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

  • 3 wonderful ASX dividend shares I’d buy with $3,000 right now

    Man holding a calculator with Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.

    Defensive ASX dividend shares can be a great option for passive income because of their ability to deliver consistent profits and reliable payouts.

    That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to increase their payouts every single year, but I think each of the names I’m going to highlight can grow their payout in FY26 and the longer-term.

    If I had $3,000 to invest, I’d happily put $1,000 into each of the following names.

    Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP)

    This business is a real estate investment trust (REIT) which owns a portfolio of appealing industrial properties across Australia. These buildings are located in compelling metropolitan areas where the vacancy rate is very low.

    There are strong tailwinds for industrial property demand including ongoing e-commerce adoption and data centres, as well as population growth.

    The REIT’s fund manager Grant Nichols recently said:

    CIP continues to achieve strong outcomes across its portfolio relating to leasing, capital transactions and value add initiatives. The ability to deliver these results is credited to CIP’s portfolio being concentrated in Australia’s urban infill markets where tenant demand is strongest, vacancy is low and supply is constrained. These urban infill assets provides multiple future opportunities for alternative, higher-use developments such as data centres and residential schemes.

    I think this bodes well for future rental income growth in the coming years.

    The ASX dividend share expects to pay a distribution per unit of 16.8 cents in FY26, which translates into a distribution yield of 5% at the time of writing.

    Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

    The supermarket business offers a defensive set of earnings considering the essential nature of what it sells. Currently, the company is delivering strong sales growth in the mid-single-digits (and higher single digit sales growth excluding tobacco sales), outperforming Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW).

    Pleasingly for income-focused investors, the business has increased its payout each year in the last six months.

    According to the projection on Commsec, Coles is forecast to pay an annual dividend per share of 78.8 in FY26. That’s a potential grossed-up dividend yield of 5.2%, including franking credits.

    With a rising population, an expanding network of supermarkets, new advanced warehouses and an expanding range of own brand products, Coles shares look like a good long-term investment.

    Australian Foundation Investment Co Ltd (ASX: AFI)

    AFIC is a listed investment company (LIC). It’s the biggest and one of the oldest around.

    I like the diversification that this LIC can provide because of the dozens of businesses that it owns in the portfolio.

    Some of its largest holdings include BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) and Transurban Group (ASX: TCL).

    Shareholders of this business haven’t seen any ordinary dividend cuts this century – it has provided significant stability for income-focused investors.

    The ASX dividend share is currently trading at a discount of around 10%, making it look to me like an appealing time to buy.

    It has a trailing ordinary grossed-up dividend yield of 5.3%, including franking credits, at the time of writing.

    The post 3 wonderful ASX dividend shares I’d buy with $3,000 right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Coles Group Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Coles Group Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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

    More reading

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

  • What a rising Aussie dollar means for your ASX shares

    A young woman uses an application in her smart phone to check currency exchange rates in front of an illuminated information board.

    One of the most dramatic changes we have seen on financial markets over the past month has not come from the ASX, nor from ASX shares, but from the Aussie dollar.

    Less than a month ago, one Australian dollar was buying about 64.5 US cents, a level common to have seen over the past 12 months. But as it stands today, that same Aussie dollar will fetch 66.45 US cents. That’s a rise of about 3% in just a few weeks.

    That’s not even the highest the Aussie has gotten in the last week, either. On Friday, the local currency reached as much as 66.7 US cents – close to a 52-week high.

    These might not seem like newsworthy moves. But a rising dollar has profound impacts on many things in our economy. Let’s talk about those today.

    How does a rising Aussie dollar affect ASX shares?

    Currency movements don’t directly impact all ASX shares. But they do have secondary effects that filter down into most corners of the economy. The largest impact of a rising dollar on the economy is on imports and exports. Put simply, if the dollar strengthens in value against other currencies, it makes our imports cheaper and our exports more expensive.

    That means that a rising dollar helps any company that imports goods into Australia to sell to us. Conversely, it hurts the bottom line of any ASX share that sends goods overseas for sale in other markets.

    As such, if I were a shareholder in ASX shares like JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH), Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN), Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD), or Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), I would be cheering the Aussie dollar’s rise. These companies habitually buy goods like televisions, refrigerators, furniture, refined petroleum (in Ampol’s case), electronics and appliances and, in Wesfarmers’ case, almost any consumer goods you can think of, from countries that specialise in cheap manufacturing. That’s usually China, but also markets like Vietnam, Korea, and Thailand.

    If the Aussie dollar rises, as it has been doing, the cost of buying these goods wholesale falls. Those savings can either be banked by the company or passed on to consumers as lower prices. That’s good news for shareholders, either way.

    Cheaper petrol and diesel, assuming no underlying change in the oil price itself, is also a potential net benefit for the entire economy.

    However, the dollar is a double-edged sword. If I owned shares of BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG), or any other ASX share that exports internationally, I would be eyeing off the rising dollar with trepidation. Just as it lowers the cost of importing goods, the rising Aussie dollar increases export costs. A tonne of iron ore, for example, is sold in US dollars, and then the profits are brought home in Aussie dollars. This rise in our local dollar means that those US dollars are worth fewer Aussie dollars when swapped over.

    Foolish Takeaway

    The profitability of ASX shares can be, and is, affected by what happens with our dollar. With interest rate cuts seemingly accelerating in the United States, and with our own RBA hitting pause, it’s well worth keeping an eye on this space in 2026. We might see the Aussie dollar go even higher next year.

    The post What a rising Aussie dollar means for your ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Ampol Limited right now?

    Before you buy Ampol Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Ampol Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Harvey Norman. 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.

  • Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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

    It was a rough start to the trading week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Monday. After ending the week on a distinct high last Friday, investors were a little less enthused today, sending the ASX 200 0.72% lower by the closing bell. That leaves the index at a flat 8,635 points.

    This sluggish start to the trading week follows a similarly downbeat end to the American trading week on Saturday morning (our time).

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was off its game, dropping 0.51%.

    The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was harder hit still, falling 1.69%.

    But let’s get back to this week and the local markets now, with a look at how the various ASX sectors handled today’s tough trading conditions.

    Winners and losers

    Today’s market pessimism touched most corners of the market, with only one sector escaping with a rise. But more on that in a moment.

    Firstly, it was mining stocks that were hit the hardest today. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) was given a thumping and tanked 2.2%.

    Gold shares weren’t spared from that sentiment, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) plunging 2.06%.

    Healthcare stocks weren’t popular. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) tanked 1.21% this session.

    Energy shares weren’t finding many buyers either, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)’s 0.81% dive.

    Industrial stocks were also left out in the cold. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) was sent home 0.66% lower this Monday.

    Tech shares had a sad session as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) taking a 0.46% hit.

    Real estate investment trusts (REITs) weren’t spared. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) suffered a 0.28% swing.

    Right behind REITs were communications stocks, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)’s 0.26% downgrade.

    Consumer staples shares mirrored that loss. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) also went backwards by 0.26%.

    Next came utilities stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) retreating 0.07%.

    Our last losers were financial shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) slipped down 0.07% as well.

    Let’s get to our one winner. Consumer discretionary stocks managed to get out with a rise, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)’s 0.54% lift.

    Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

    Defence stock DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) was our top performer this Monday. Droneshield shares popped 10.58% higher to close at $2.30. Again, this was not spurred by anything new out of the company itself.

    Here’s the rest of today’s best:

    ASX-listed company Share price Price change
    DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) $2.30 10.58%
    Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB) $6.55 5.14%
    DigiCo Infrastructure REIT (ASX: DGT) $2.48 3.77%
    Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND) $26.99 2.98%
    Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL) $6.52 2.84%
    A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) $9.04 2.61%
    Bega Cheese Ltd (ASX: BGA) $6.07 2.53%
    Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG) $29.64 2.42%
    IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) $5.15 2.39%
    JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) $93.95 2.33%

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

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

    Should you invest $1,000 in DroneShield Limited right now?

    Before you buy DroneShield Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and DroneShield Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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

    More reading

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

  • Want passive income? These ASX dividend stocks could help

    Young female AGL investor leans back in her desk chair feeling relieved after the AGL share price soared today

    If you are looking for passive income on the share market, then look no further than the three ASX dividend stocks named below.

    They have been given buy ratings by brokers and are forecast to offer attractive dividend yields in the near term. Here’s what they are recommending:

    Harvey Norman Holdings (ASX: HVN)

    Harvey Norman could be an ASX dividend stock for income investors to buy.

    It is of course a retail giant and a household name in furniture, electronics, and appliances. But what a lot of people may not know is that it also has one of the largest retail property portfolios in Australia.

    Bell Potter is positive on the retailer and believes the market is overlooking its property portfolio.

    It expects this portfolio and favourable trading conditions to underpin fully franked dividends of 30.9 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 35.3 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $7.00, this would mean dividend yields of 4.4% and 5%, respectively.

    Bell Potter currently has a buy rating and $8.30 price target on its shares.

    IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH)

    A second ASX dividend stock that gets the seal of approval from analysts is IPH.

    It is an international intellectual property (IP) services group with operations covering 26 IP jurisdictions. From its wide range of businesses, IPH services a diverse client base of Fortune Global 500 companies and other multinationals, public sector research organisations, small businesses, and professional services firms.

    The team at Morgans remains positive on IPH and sees significant value in its shares and generous dividend yields on the horizon.

    With respect to the latter, it is forecasting fully franked dividends of 37 cents per share in FY 2026 and FY 2027. Based on its latest share price of $3.39, this would mean 10.9% dividend yields for both years.

    Morgans has a buy rating and lofty $6.05 price target on its shares.

    Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

    Finally, Transurban is an ASX dividend stock that analysts are tipping as a buy.

    This toll road giant owns and operates a number of important roads across Australia and North America. This includes CityLink in Melbourne and the Eastern Distributor in Sydney.

    Citi believes its portfolio is position to support dividends per share of 69.5 cents in FY 2026 and then 73.7 cents in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $14.65, this equates to dividend yields of 4.75% and 5%, respectively.

    The broker currently has a buy rating and $16.10 price target on its shares.

    The post Want passive income? These ASX dividend stocks could help appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Harvey Norman Holdings Limited right now?

    Before you buy Harvey Norman Holdings Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Harvey Norman Holdings Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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

    More reading

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

  • Healthy dividend sends ASX 200 data centre investor’s shares higher

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

    Shares in DigiCo Infrastructure REIT (ASX: DGT) were among the best performers in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) on Monday after the company announced a healthy 6-cent dividend.

    With the market having a challenging day overall, down 0.79% to 8628.3 by mid-afternoon, the good news about the data centre investor’s dividend had it placed well within the top 5 best performers in the ASX 200.

    The company, which was listed on December 13 last year, told the ASX in a statement that it would pay a 6-cent per share dividend to shareholders on the register on December 30.

    The unfranked dividend would be paid “on or about” 26 February, the company said.

    Strong dividend yield

    Taken together with the 10.9 cents per share dividend paid in August, the newly-declared dividend takes the unfranked dividend yield up to 6.84% per share.

    DigiCo shares were trading 8 cents higher on the news on Monday at $2.47.

    New leader to drive growth

    DigiCo also announced just last week that it had named Michael Juniper as Chief Executive Officer.

    Mr Juniper, the company said, had more than two decades’ experience in digital infrastructure, and was a founding Executive and Deputy Chief Executive Officer at privately held data centre giant AirTrunk.

    The company said last week that it had appointed Mr Juniper following him also joing the company’s Board in September.

    Michael’s experience, relationships and track record in this sector make him ideally placed to lead DGT. Under Michael’s leadership, DGT will continue the development of next-generation data centre campuses.

    Former Chief Executive Officer Chris Maher transitioned to a new Managing Director role in the related company HMC Capital (ASX: HMC) as part of the leadership transition.

    Mr Juniper said at the time:

    I am honoured to assume the role of Chief Executive Officer of DGT. DGT is uniquely positioned as Australia’s sovereign digital infrastructure platform, with strong foundations and a high-quality global portfolio. Demand from cloud, AI and GPU-led workloads is accelerating, and DGT is building a future-ready organisation that is required to support these next-generation requirements.

    Outlook strong

    Mr Maher told the company’s annual general meeting last month that DigiCo was in a strong financial position with “more than $1 billion in potential funding for value-accretive development opportunities”.

    On the outlook, he said, following recent customer wins, the company’s Australian contracted IT capacity was expected to be 41MW by June next year, which would represent growth of 95% from June 2025 across the Australian business.

    Underlying EBITDA for the current financial year is expected to be $120-$125 million.

    The post Healthy dividend sends ASX 200 data centre investor’s shares higher appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in DigiCo Infrastructure REIT right now?

    Before you buy DigiCo Infrastructure REIT shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and DigiCo Infrastructure REIT wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Cameron England 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 HMC Capital. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended HMC Capital. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.