Category: Stock Market

There are a number of compelling ASX dividend stocks that have fallen noticeably in recent times, giving investors the ability to receive a higher dividend yield. Dexus Industria REIT (ASX: DXI) is one business that looks appealing.

A share price decline leads to a similar increase in the dividend yield. For example, if the dividend yield was 5% and the share price declines 10% then the dividend yield becomes 5.5%. A 20% decline would mean the dividend yield becomes 6%.

Dexus Industria is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns a portfolio of industrial properties across the country. I think this is a good time to look at the business whilst it’s trading at a large discount.

ASX dividend stock credentials

The business is expecting to grow its payout in the 2026 financial year – a rising distribution/dividend is one of the most appealing factors of a good ASX dividend stock, in my view.

It’s expecting to increase its payout from 16.4 cents per security in FY25 to 16.6 cents in FY26.

That potential payout for FY26 translates into a forward distribution yield of around 6%. I think that’s a really positive yield, in my opinion, with a superior offering to term deposits and the possibility of further payout growth in future years.

With the ASX dividend stock’s compelling outlook, I think the business is a compelling buy for a few reasons.

Why it looks like a buy

Every REIT tells investors what its underlying worth is for each result with a net tangible asset (NTA) and net asset value (NAV) figure. This includes the value of the properties, the loans, cash and other assets and liabilities.

Dexus Industria REIT reported that at 30 June 2025, it had NTA of $3.34. That means the ASX dividend stock is currently trading at a 17% discount, which I think is an appealing discount.

The business says that it’s focused on enhancing portfolio attributes that deliver organic income growth and that it’s “well positioned to continue generating a secure income stream with embedded rental growth, while delivering on its development pipeline”.

The business is optimistic on the industrial property market. It said:          

Industrial market conditions remain favourable, supported by continued low vacancy across core markets. Demand has moderated from the extraordinary levels reached in recent years. However, strong population growth, higher online penetration rates, and a more supportive interest rate outlook are expected to continue to support industrial activity and demand. With continued high land and construction costs, supply levels are expected to remain moderate, supporting rental growth and occupancy levels. With that in mind, I think the future looks very positive for the ASX dividend stock.

The post 1 ASX dividend stock down 24% I’d buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• What is Bell Potter’s view on REITs?

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.

The major ASX bank shares are typically as seen as stable and sturdy options for passive income. The National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) share price typically trades at a lower price/earnings (P/E) ratio than other sectors.

When the P/E ratio is lower, it means investors can receive a higher dividend yield.

In the FY25 result, NAB decided to pay an annual dividend per share of $1.70, which was 1 cent per share higher than FY24. At the time of writing, that translates into a trailing grossed-up dividend yield of around 6%, including franking credits.

Let’s have a look at the likelihood of pleasing dividends in the coming years.

Could the ASX bank share deliver good passive income?

At this stage, analysts are not expecting much dividend growth in the 2026 financial year, if any.

The forecast on CMC Markets suggests the bank may deliver another annual dividend per share of $1.70 in FY26. That would mean another grossed-up dividend yield of approximately 6%, including franking credits.

Shareholders could then see a slight increase of the annual payout to $1.705 per share in FY27, according to the projections. This possible dividend is so similar to the FY26 projected amount that the grossed-up dividend yield (including franking credits) still comes to around 6%.

That’s not a bad passive income yield at all, though there are other ASX dividend shares out there with larger yields and have a stronger possibility of dividend growth.

Is the NAB share price a buy?

The more important question, I believe, is whether the ASX bank share is trading at an attractive valuation to buy. Dividends are only one part of overall returns – capital growth (and avoiding capital losses) is very important too.

UBS currently has a neutral rating on the ASX bank share, though it has a price target of $42.50. That implies a possible rise of 4%, which isn’t very much.

There’s a mixed view on the business among other analysts. According to CMC Markets, of nine recent ratings on the bank, there are four sell ratings, three hold ratings and two buy ratings.

According to the collation of analyst views on CMC Markets about the ASX bank share, the average price target is $39.40, implying a possible decline of around 4% over the next 12 months.

The most optimistic price target suggests a potential rise of just over 10%, at the time of writing. However, the most negative price target implies a possible decline of more than 20% in the next 12 months, so the likely passive income would not be enough to offset that.

Time will tell whether the bulls or the bears end up being right. For me, I wouldn’t buy NAB shares at this stage if I were aiming for market-beating capital growth because of its limited earnings growth potential for the foreseeable future amid strong competition.

The post Is the NAB share price a buy for passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ASX bank stocks: Buy, sell, or hold?
• Down 8% and 11% in November – Is this the start of a long slide for NAB and CBA shares?
• Buying NAB shares? Here’s how the bank aims to cement its market leading business
• ANZ shares are lagging the other big banks: Here’s why
• Here is how Morgans rates the big four ASX 200 bank shares

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.

Gold miner Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX: OBM) is one of six ASX shares set to join the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) later this month.

S&P Dow Jones Indices announced its December quarter rebalance after the market closed on Friday.

Of the six companies joining the index, four are miners.

The others are fellow gold miners Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX: PNR) and Resolute Mining Ltd (ASX: RSG), and Canadian uranium miner, Nexgen Energy Ltd (ASX: NXG).

Telecommunications share Aussie Broadband Ltd (ASX: ABB) will also ascend into the ASX 200 index.

Another business joining the ranks of Australia’s top 200 listed companies is nuclear technology developer, Silex Systems Ltd (ASX: SLX).

What is an index rebalance?

The S&P Dow Jones Indices team reviews Australia’s leading indices every quarter.

Rebalances ensure our indices accurately rank Australia’s largest companies by market capitalisation.

Indices are important because they enable us to monitor and measure the market’s performance.

The ASX 200 is the benchmark index for the Australian share market.

But other indices, like the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) and S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO), are also very important.

What does getting into the ASX 200 mean for a stock?

Gaining entry into the ASX 200 is a clear sign that a company is doing well and investors have confidence in its future.

Companies have to meet market capitalisation and liquidity requirements to make it into the ASX 200.

Getting into the ASX 200 can have a direct impact on the share price because it triggers a lot of passive investment.

Many exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and managed funds are designed to track the performance of the ASX 200.

This necessitates buying stocks when they enter the ASX 200, and selling stocks that are removed every quarter.

This often leads to extra trading activity around the rebalance date, which may influence a share’s price.

Rebalances matter more than ever due to the growing number of Australians preferring to invest in ETFs over individual shares.

The latest Betashares data shows Australians invested a record $5.99 billion into ASX ETFs in October.

A record $321.7 billion in funds are invested across more than 400 ETFs on the market today.

ASX ETFs are a form of passive, diversified investment that many investors perceive as lower risk.

They are a basket of shares that investors can buy in one trade for a single brokerage fee, with low ongoing management fees thereafter.

This next rebalance will become effective on 22 December.

The post 6 ASX shares including Ora Banda and Aussie Broadband ascend into ASX 200 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• Guess which ASX mining stock was just promoted to the S&P/ASX 50?
• ASX 200 mining shares outperform as iron ore and copper prices strengthen
• Investors can target $1,240 a year in dividend income from $20,000 in this ultra-high-yielding ASX 200 gem – here’s how
• 2 big ASX 200 shares this fund manager rates as buys

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

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) shares have put in a strong performance in 2025.

Stock in Australia’s oldest bank has lifted by about 17% in the year-to-date (YTD) and reached a record $41 in November.

The ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) share price is up about 23% YTD and reached a new record of $38.93 last month.

The National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) share price has risen 9% in 2025 and reached an all-time high of $45.25 last month.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares have risen by just 0.25% in 2025 after reaching a record $192 in June.

What about dividends?

Westpac shares paid a full-year FY25 dividend of 153 cents per share.

The consensus estimate among analysts on CommSec is for Westpac to pay a full-year FY26 dividend of 155 cents per share.

This equates to a forward dividend yield of about 4.1%.

Looking ahead to 2026

Westpac has released its corporate calendar for 2026. Here are the dates for investors to note.

Westpac will release its 1H FY26 results and announce its interim dividend on 5 May.

The ex-dividend date for the interim Westpac dividend will be 8 May.

The record date will be 11 May.

Westpac will pay the dividend on 26 June.

The ASX 200 bank will announce its FY26 full-year results and final dividend on 2 November.

The ex-dividend date for the final dividend will be 5 November.

The record date will be 6 November.

Westpac shares will pay the dividend on 21 December.

The annual general meeting is scheduled for 16 December.

Should you buy Westpac shares?

Macquarie has an underperform rating on Westpac shares.

The broker’s 12-month price target is $31, indicating significant potential downside in 2026.

In a recent note, Macquarie mentioned that Westpac has seen strong growth in its business lending segment.

The bank now has about 16% market share of business lending compared to the segment leader, NAB, with 22%.

The broker also noted a modest improvement in Westpac’s net funding position over the past three months.

Morgan Stanley also has a sell rating on Westpac shares with a price target of $34.10.

Ord Minnett has a sell rating with a price target range of $30 to $31 per share.

Jarden has a sell rating with a price target range of $30 to $32.

Citi has a hold rating on the ASX 200 bank share with a price target of $38.50.

UBS also has a hold rating on Westpac with a share price target of $40.

The post Own Westpac shares? Here are the dividend dates for 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ASX bank stocks: Buy, sell, or hold?
• Buying NAB shares? Here’s how the bank aims to cement its market leading business
• Forget Westpac shares and buy these ASX dividend stocks
• Westpac versus CBA shares: Which bank is a better buy for 2026?
• ANZ shares are lagging the other big banks: Here’s why

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 positions in and has recommended 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.

Recently, the ASX small-cap stock Accent Group Ltd (ASX: AX1) has experienced one of the toughest falls on the ASX. It’s down around 60% in the past year, as the chart below shows.

The footwear ASX retail share has disappointed investors a number of times in the past 12 months after delivering weak trading updates.

In November, the company’s trading update was again not quite as strong as hoped.

With such a volatile and cyclical industry like discretionary retail, I think this could be a good time to invest amid retail pain and no recovery in retail trading conditions in sight – that’s partly why the Accent share price has fallen so far.  

The business is nearing the depths of how much it fell during the COVID-19 crash in 2020, so at this valuation I think it’s attractively opportunistic to consider the business for a couple of key reasons.

Cheap valuation

Firstly, on valuation grounds.

It certainly seems true that the ASX small-cap stock’s near-term earnings are going to be weaker than investors were expecting a year ago. But, are long-term earnings likely to be 60% lower forever (based on the share price decline)? I doubt it.

FY26’s earnings may be disappointing, but FY27 or FY28 earnings could positively surprise in the same way that FY26 earnings have suddenly negatively surprised the market. At this lower valuation, I think investors have a good margin of safety for the long-term.

For now, analysts are expecting a large rise of earnings per share (EPS) in FY27. For example, the projection from UBS suggests a possible EPS rise of 28% and the EPS forecast on CMC Markets suggests a rise of 35%.

UBS’ longer-term projections suggest EPS could climb to 11 cents in FY28, 13 cents in FY29 and 15 cents in FY30.

Five years is a long time in the retail world, but I think a recovering net profit could help give confidence again.

While UBS was unimpressed by the recent update, it still thinks the company’s costs and margins can improve in the longer-term.

Sports Direct Australia

Secondly, the growing potential growing influence of Sports Direct Australia.

Accent is seeing mixed performance within its business, with some brands performing (such as The Athlete’s Foot and Hoka), and some not (such as Platypus, Vans and Skechers).

In the coming years, Sports Direct Australia could be the key to whether the ASX small-cap stock recovers to former share price heights or not.

This business is Accent’s partnership with Frasers to open dozens of large sports stores across the local market. Not only can Sports Direct Australia sell Accent brands, but it can also sell Frasers brands (like Lonsdale, Everlast, Karrimor, Hot Tuna and more) and key global brands like Nike, Adidas, New Balance, ASICS, New Balance, Under Armour and Puma.

The ASX small-cap stock is planning to have at least three stores open in FY26 and at least 50 stores over the next six years. This initiative could be a gamechanger.

This expansion will mean incurring various costs as it establishes Sports Direct Australia ahead of the sales generation, so investors will need to be patient.

I think long-term investors could be well-rewarded if they buy Accent shares at this level, but there could be plenty of volatility over the next year or two.

The post Why I think this ASX small-cap stock is a bargain at 96 cents appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ASX retail shares: 2 to buy and 1 to sell amid rising inflation
• These 2 ASX 300 shares are bargain buys
• Why Accent Group, EOS, Mayne Pharma, and Pilbara Minerals shares are falling today
• What’s Morgans’ view on Accent Group shares after Friday’s sell off?
• What’s driving a 9% divergence in ASX 200 consumer staples vs. discretionary shares?

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

ASX dividend stalwarts could be the right investments to buy in this uncertain era because of the resilient dividend income they can provide investors.

The listed investment company (LIC) Australian Foundation Investment Co Ltd (ASX: AFI) should be one of the businesses that income-focused investors look closely at because of multiple factors, in my opinion.

It offers much more than a solid dividend yield for investors, though that is a strong starting point. Let’s get into why it’s a good buy today.

Dividend yield

One of the first things that Australians may look at is how much passive income they’re expecting from an investment.

Pleasingly, the business has maintained or grown its annual ordinary dividend every year this century. That’s a pleasingly consistent level of passive income compared to many other stocks known for their dividends.

In FY25, the business slightly increased its annual payout to 26.5 cents per share, which translated into a grossed-up dividend yield of 5.3%, including franking credits.

Diversification

One of the reasons that AFIC is a compelling ASX dividend stalwart is because of the useful diversification it offers.

It’s invested in a wide array of ASX shares from different sectors, giving the portfolio pleasing diversification.

Some of the LIC’s larger 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), Transurban Group (ASX: TCL), Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS).

As time goes on, I think AFIC’s portfolio is likely to become even more diversified.

I like that some of its portfolio is allocated towards more growth-focused businesses such as Resmed CDI (ASX: RMD), ARB Corporation Ltd (ASX: ARB) and REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA), helping drive returns and capital growth for AFIC over time.

Low fees

Some LICs have high levels of management fees, while AFIC is one of the LICs with the lowest fees. That means more of the portfolio returns stay in the hands of shareholders, rather than being lost to a fund manager.

The business currently has a low management cost of 0.16% and no additional fees.

Good value ASX dividend stalwart

There are a number of different ways to value a business – AFIC regularly tells investors about its net tangible assets (NTA) value, which is predominantly the share portfolio value and cash.

On 28 November 2025, the business had a pre-tax NTA of $7.91. The AFIC share price is trading at a discount of around 10% to its underlying value, which I think is a very appealing valuation and I think this makes it an appealing time to invest for the long-term.

The post An ASX dividend stalwart every Australian should consider buying appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• The 4.4% ASX dividend stock you can set your watch to
• 5 best Australian dividend stocks to buy in December
• Own AFIC shares? There’s a double special dividend coming your way
• Age Pension worries? 7 income stocks to consider for retirement
• The 2 ASX dividend shares perfect for building a retirement around

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

ASX mining stock Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) will join the S&P/ASX 50 Index, effective prior to the open on 22 December 2025. This decision follows the quarterly rebalance announced by S&P Dow Jones Indices.

What did Lynas Rare Earths report?

• Lynas Rare Earths will be added to the S&P/ASX 50 Index as of 22 December 2025
• The move comes as part of S&P Dow Jones Indices’ December quarterly review
• Lynas is currently a leader in rare earths production operating out of Western Australia and Malaysia
• No changes reported for Lynas regarding revenue, profits, or dividend in this announcement

What else do investors need to know?

This index inclusion means Lynas will soon become one of the 50 largest companies on the ASX by market capitalisation and liquidity. Many funds and ETFs that track the S&P/ASX 50 will now need to add Lynas shares to their portfolios, which can impact trading volumes.

Index changes can sometimes lead to increased visibility for companies and may influence the share price in the short term. However, the announcement does not include updates to Lynas Rare Earths’ financial performance or operational outlook.

What’s next for Lynas Rare Earths?

With this promotion to the S&P/ASX 50, Lynas could see greater investor interest and more active trading, especially from institutional investors tracking the index. The company’s future performance will still depend on its ability to execute its growth strategies in rare earths mining and processing.

Investors will be watching for any upcoming company updates or changes to the rare earths market, as these may impact Lynas’ long-term growth prospects.

Lynas Rare Earths share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Lynas Rare Earths shares have risen 103%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 3% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Guess which ASX mining stock was just promoted to the S&P/ASX 50? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ASX 200 mining shares outperform as iron ore and copper prices strengthen
• Investors can target $1,240 a year in dividend income from $20,000 in this ultra-high-yielding ASX 200 gem – here’s how
• 2 big ASX 200 shares this fund manager rates as buys
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Centuria Industrial REIT announces 4.2 cent December 2025 distribution

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has 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. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

Starting your investing journey can feel nerve-racking.

With thousands of ASX shares and ETFs to choose from, many beginners worry about picking the wrong investment or getting the timing wrong.

The good news is that smart investing doesn’t require complicated strategies, insider knowledge, or luck. It simply requires discipline, diversification, and time.

If you have your first $1,000 ready to invest, here is a smart, simple roadmap to get started.

Forget about timing the market

New investors often sit on the sidelines waiting for the perfect moment to begin. But history shows that time in the market beats timing the market. Even investing at less-than-ideal moments generally works out when you stay invested for years rather than months.

That means the smartest move with your first $1,000 is simply to start. You are building habits and unlocking compounding, not trying to pick the market’s next move.

Diversify

With only $1,000, buying individual ASX shares means you risk putting too much money into too few companies. That’s where exchange-traded funds (ETFs) shine. They allow you to own dozens or even thousands of shares instantly.

Three ETFs worth considering as a starter mix are:

Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS)

This fund gives you exposure to the top 300 ASX shares, including BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES). It is a simple, low-cost way to own the broader Australian market.

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

For US exposure, the iShares S&P 500 ETF is worth considering. It tracks the high-performing U.S. S&P 500 Index. Inside are companies like Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), and Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA). These are some of the most profitable and innovative businesses in the world.

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

If you want a tilt toward technology and long-term growth, the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF is worth a look. It is packed with digital, cloud, and AI leaders. Over long stretches, the Nasdaq has delivered some of the strongest returns of any global index.

You don’t need all three to begin, but any one of them gives you instant diversification and long-term potential.

Add small amounts regularly

Your first $1,000 is just the beginning. The real power comes from adding $100, $250, or $500 at a time. Regular contributions help smooth out volatility and accelerate compounding.

For example, starting with $1,000 and then adding $250 a month would turn into over $50,000 in 10 years if you were able to generate a 10% per annum average return.

Foolish takeaway

The smartest way to invest your first $1,000 is to keep it simple. Remember to start early, choose diversified ETFs, invest consistently, and stay patient.

With those foundations in place, you will build better investing habits than most people manage in a lifetime.

The post How to invest your first $1,000 in the share market the smart way appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX ETFs for beginner investors in 2026 and beyond
• ASX 200 mining shares outperform as iron ore and copper prices strengthen
• Prediction: This AI stock will be the most surprising winner of 2026
• Forecast: Here’s what $10,000 invested in Wesfarmers shares could be worth next year
• 3 ASX ETFs I’d buy right now to build wealth

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Apple, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Microsoft, Nvidia, Wesfarmers, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple, BHP Group, Microsoft, Nvidia, Wesfarmers, 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.

Looking to buy a promising S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) energy share tipped to deliver outsized near-term gains?

Then you may want to have a look into Amplitude Energy Ltd (ASX: AEL), formerly Cooper Energy.

That’s according to Wik Farwerck, portfolio manager of the Balmoral Investors micro-cap fund (courtesy of The Australian Financial Review).

Asked which stock his fund owns that he believes has the most near-term upside, Farwerck said, “ASX-listed Amplitude Energy has a good chance, given the catalyst-rich environment it has in front of it.”

Noting two reasons the ASX 300 energy share could surge in the coming months, he said, “As an east coast gas producer, it has exposure to rising gas prices, exploration in the Otway and improving volumes from its Orbost gas plant.

Amplitude Energy shares have already enjoyed a strong run over the past 12 months, gaining 44%.

And Farwerck believes the stock can deliver more outperformance ahead.

Why this ASX 300 energy share is a buy

Among the reasons Farwerck is bullish on Amplitude Energy is the increasing realisation that the world will need gas for a very long time yet to keep the lights on.

He noted:

Increasingly, it is dawning on regulators and even politicians that gas is not a transition fuel; it’s simply a fuel, and a crucial one at that. It is vital to the economy for heating, industrial processes and electricity.

As existing gas fields deplete in Bass Strait and from a lack of investment, primarily due to regulatory and government policy settings, we face the potential of much higher gas prices.

And the ASX 300 energy shares is well-positioned to take advantage.

“Amplitude has strategic value in its existing gas plants in Victoria, as the ability to get approvals for new infrastructure appears impossible,” Farwerck said.

He added:

The current Otway drill program by ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) is looking promising, but the proponents have limited processing options, hence the value of the Athena gas plant owned by Amplitude.

In his bullish appraisal, Farwerck also echoed legendary investor Warren Buffett, who famously said, “A great manager is as important as a great business.”

Farwerck noted, “Amplitude has a strong management team that has turned the business around, reset the cash generating base for earnings and set the company up for growth.”

Then there’s Amplitude’s recently completed $150 million equity raising, which will help to support its East Coast Supply Project (ECSP) expansion.

“The recent capital raising has placed the company in a great position,” Farwerck said.

Rounding off with the fourth reason to buy this ASX 300 share today, he concluded, “The stock looks attractively priced for a business with contracted volumes and with upside to gas prices.”

The post 4 reasons to buy this surging ASX 300 energy share today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• This surging ASX energy stock is tipped to storm another 42% higher
• Why are this junior energy company’s shares rocketing 60% higher?

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.

It was another busy week for Australia’s top brokers. This has led to the release of a number of broker notes.

Three broker buy ratings that you might want to know more about are summarised below. Here’s why brokers think these ASX shares are in the buy zone:

Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG)

According to a note out of Macquarie, its analysts have retained their outperform rating and $39.20 price target on this appliance manufacturer’s shares. The broker highlights that its Macquarie Kitchen Benchmark and the De’Longhi Revenue Index are showing strong growth in the last quarter. And given Breville’s track record of outperforming the benchmark by 11% per annum between 2018 and 2024, it believes this supports its forecast for an average of 10%+ per annum revenue growth between FY 2025 and FY 2028. This is expected to be underpinned by Breville’s coffee segment, new market development, and its investment in new product development. The Breville share price ended the week at $29.42.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

A note out of Morgan Stanley reveals that its analysts have retained their overweight rating and $256.00 price target on this biotechnology company’s shares. The broker remains very positive on CSL due to the favourable long term demand outlook for immunoglobulins and plasma yield improvements from its Horizon 1 and 2 programs. It expects the latter programs to be supportive of a margin recovery in the key CSL Behring business, which should offset weakness in the Albumin franchise. In light of this and recent share price weakness, Morgan Stanley sees a favourable risk/reward profile here for investors. The CSL share price was fetching $184.10 at Friday’s close.

Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

Analysts at Bell Potter have retained their buy rating on this investment platform provider’s shares with a slightly reduced price target of $125.00. According to the note, the broker felt that Hub24’s investor day update had both positives and negatives. The main positive was that it sees upside risk to the company’s funds under administration (FUA) guidance as it continues to broaden its offering and lift volumes. The negative was that management has increased its expense growth guidance to 18% to 20%. Though, Bell Potter notes that this reflects a deliberate move by management to outpace peers and bring forward investment. Overall, the broker left the investor event feeling confident in Hub24’s growth outlook and cadence over peers. The Hub24 share price ended last week at $99.95.

The post Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL, Hub24, and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL and Hub24. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.