Category: Stock Market

It is a good day to own ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) shares.

Shareholders of these big four banks should be smiling today for a couple of reasons. But why? Let’s find out.

Why is it a good day to own ANZ and Westpac shares?

The first reason that today is a good day for the banks’ shareholders is that they are both pushing higher on Friday morning.

At the time of writing, the ANZ share price is up 0.65% to $36.27 and the Westpac share price is up over 1% to $38.72.

Investors have been bidding the big four banks’ shares higher today after a strong night of trade on Wall Street.

This has seen the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) rise 0.5% in early trade this morning.

What else?

Another reason that today is a good day for shareholders is that it is payday for them both.

Last month, both banks released their full year results and declared their latest final dividends.

ANZ reported a statutory profit of $5,891 million, which was down 10% from the prior year, and a flat cash profit (excluding significant items) of $6,896 million.

This was reflective of both the strength of ANZ’s franchise and the importance of executing its long-term strategy according to management. It highlighted that its institutional and New Zealand divisions performed well, while Australian retail and business banking remained competitive.

This allowed ANZ to reward its shareholders with a 70% franked final dividend of 83 cents per share for FY 2025. This brought its full year dividend to 166 cents per share, which was in line with what it paid a year ago.

Eligible shareholders can look forward to receiving this final dividend of 83 cents per share later today.

The Westpac dividend

Last month, Westpac released its full year results for FY 2025. Australia’s oldest bank reported a 3% increase in net interest income to $19.473 billion for the 12 months ended 30 September. This was underpinned by a 6% increase in loans and a 7% lift in customer deposits.

And while higher operating expenses weighed on its profits for the year, with Westpac reporting 1% decline in net profit after tax to $6.989 billion, it didn’t stop its board from increasing its dividend modestly to a fully franked $1.53 per share.

This includes a fully franked final dividend of 77 cents per share, which is being paid to eligible Westpac shareholders today.

The post Why today is a great day to own ANZ and Westpac shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• 5 ASX shares I’m avoiding this week
• $5,000 invested in ANZ shares at the start of 2025 is now worth…
• Forget Westpac shares, these ASX ETFs could be better buys
• 3 blue chip ASX shares with 4% dividend yields

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has 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.

NIB Holdings Limited (ASX: NHF) shares are edging higher on Friday.

In morning trade, the private health insurer’s shares are up almost 1% to $6.96.

What’s going on with NIB shares today?

Investors have been buying the company’s shares today after it released an update on its profit expectations.

According to the release, it expects to report non-recurring one-off items that will impact its statutory operating profit (SOP) but not its underlying operating profit (UOP).

The company advised that non-recurring cash expenses in first half are expected to be around $17 million, which is higher than previously indicated at its FY 2025 results briefing in August.

Its one-off and non-recurring expenses, including M&A and integration costs, were $21.5 million for the half. These expenses partly relate to a net cash expense (before tax) of approximately ~$8 million relating to historical adjustments for the Private Health Insurance Australian Government Rebate (AGR) and NSW Hospital Insurance Levy (HIL).

With respect to the AGR, NIB highlights that the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has recently clarified that the AGR could not be claimed on some historical marketing offers and COVID customer givebacks. In response, NIB has amended its approach moving forward.

For HIL, as a result of recent legal determinations, NIB has confirmed that a different basis of calculation can be utilised for the HIL. This includes refunding some historically charged levies and providing some offset to the AGR impact. This approach has also been amended going forward.

Outside this, the company’s non-recurring cash expenses include restructuring costs associated with the group-wide productivity program, as well as strategic initiatives such as the strategic review of NIB Travel, with an outcome expected in FY 2026.

What else?

NIB also revealed that a non-cash expense (before tax) of around $4.5 million is expected to be incurred in the first half. This is for the reduction in the value of redundant acquired software relating to acquisitions in NIB Thrive.

Management advised that this will be recognised in the amortisation of acquired intangibles.

Since 2022, the company has acquired six NDIS plan management businesses, a support coordination business, and an NDIS marketplace platform.

Over the last 12 months, it has consolidated the majority of these businesses onto a single technology platform to enhance automation, operating efficiency, and ongoing business model simplification.

Underlying profit on target

While we are not quite at the end of the half, management highlights that it is currently performing to expectations for group UOP during the first half. Though, it acknowledges that this is subject to the second quarter risk equalisation outcome.

The post NIB shares edge higher on profit update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• NIB holdings updates investors on 1H26 one-off expenses and profit outlook
• Own NIB shares? Here are the key dates for 2026

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

You don’t need thousands of dollars to get started in the share market.

In fact, investing smaller amounts regularly can be one of the smartest ways to build long-term wealth, especially when you use exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

ETFs let you spread your money across dozens or even hundreds of stocks all in a single trade. That makes them ideal for investors who want diversification, global exposure, and a simple way to get their money working without having to pick individual stocks.

If you have $250 to invest this month, here are three ASX ETFs that could be worth considering.

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

The iShares S&P 500 ETF is a great foundation for almost any portfolio, regardless of how much you are investing. It tracks the S&P 500 index, which represents 500 of the largest and most influential stocks in the United States.

Its holdings include household names like Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST), Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.B), and JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM). Importantly, it also includes plenty of high-quality businesses outside the mega-cap tech giants.

For a small investment, this fund offers instant exposure to the world’s most powerful economy and a long history of strong long-term returns. It is the kind of ETF you can keep adding to month after month.

VanEck Video Gaming and Esports ETF (ASX: ESPO)

If you want to add a growth tilt to your $250 investment, the VanEck Video Gaming and Esports ETF could be an exciting option. It provides investors with targeted exposure to the global video game and esports industry, which continues to grow as gaming becomes a mainstream form of entertainment.

The fund holds companies such as Tencent Holdings (SEHK: 700), Nintendo, Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA), Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ: TTWO), and Roblox (NYSE: RBLX). These businesses sit at the intersection of technology, media, and consumer spending.

Overall, this ASX offers a way to invest in a high-growth theme without relying on a single company to succeed, which is especially useful when investing smaller amounts. It was recently recommended by analysts at VanEck.

VanEck China New Economy ETF (ASX: CNEW)

Finally, the VanEck China New Economy ETF could be worth a look. It offers exposure to companies that are driving China’s new economy.

There are a total of 120 fundamentally sound and attractively valued Chinese stocks across sectors such as technology, healthcare, consumer staples, and consumer discretionary. Its holdings include a broad mix of domestically focused businesses that benefit from rising incomes, urbanisation, and long-term structural change.

It was also recently recommended by analysts at VanEck.

The post Where to invest $250 in ASX ETFs this month appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• These are the ASX ETFs I would buy if the market crashed tomorrow
• The ASX ETFs to buy in 2026 and then never sell
• How to build wealth with ASX ETFs
• 3 Australian ETFs to buy and hold forever
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JPMorgan Chase 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 Berkshire Hathaway, Costco Wholesale, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, Nvidia, Roblox, Take-Two Interactive Software, Tencent, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Electronic Arts and Nintendo and 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 recommended Berkshire Hathaway, Microsoft, Nvidia, 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.

When it comes to ease of use for investing, you can’t go past exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to allow you to invest according to thematics, particularly when you’re looking to get exposure to overseas shares with a minimum of fuss.

CommSec has just announced which ETFs investors using its platform have favoured over the past year, and perhaps not surprisingly, they have a global and a technology focus.

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

First cab off the rank is the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF, which aims to track the tech-heavy NASDAQ’s top 100 index, and given how US tech stocks have been performing over the past year, it’s no surprise that this one has done well.

According to the Betashares website, this ETF has delivered a 20.87% return over the past year, not far off its index benchmark of 21.32%.

And over three years, the returns are even better, returning 29.49% against the index’s 29.96%.

The fund’s top holding is Nvidia, comprising 9% of its holdings, followed by Apple at 8.8%, Microsoft at 7.7%, and Broadcom at 5.5%.

That’s just ahead of Amazon at 5.1%.

Other holdings include Alphabet, Tesla, and Meta.

iShares Core S&P/ASX 200 ETF (ASX: IOZ)

As the name suggests, this ETF, the second most popular with CommSec users, seeks to track the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which comprises the top 200 companies listed on the Australian bourse.

Australian shares have not performed anywhere near as well as the top US tech stocks over the past year, and this is reflected in the relatively muted return for this ETF of 5.44% over one year and a three-year return of 9.61%.

Given it tracks the top Aussie stocks, the largest holdings should be no surprise, with Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) the top dog at a 9.84% weighting, BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) at 8.61%, Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) at 5.03%, and National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) at 4.92%.

Other companies in the top 10 holdings include CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), and Goodman Group (ASX: GMG).

iShares Global 100 ETF (ASX: IOO)

The third-most popular ETF among CommSec customers has a global focus; however, considering the dominance of US stocks, its holdings are similar to the NDQ ETF.

The fund aims to track 100 of the largest global stocks, and again, Nvidia and Apple are at the top of the holdings list, with 11.65% and 11.26% of the fund in these two stocks, respectively.

Among the differences between the ETFs is IOO’s 2.42% holding in JP Morgan and holdings in Eli Lilly and Walmart.

This ETF has returned 22.43% over the past year and 28.04% over the past three years.

The post Check out the three most-traded ETFs on CommSec this past year appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX ETFs that could be perfect for beginners
• The smartest ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years
• Where to invest $10,000 in ASX ETFs for 2026
• 3 reasons to buy the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (NDQ) ETF in 2026
• Own IOZ ETF? Here are your new investments

JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Cameron England has positions in CSL, Wesfarmers, and iShares International Equity ETFs – iShares Global 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, CSL, Goodman Group, JPMorgan Chase, Macquarie Group, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, Tesla, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Broadcom and 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 and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, BHP Group, CSL, Goodman Group, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Qube Holdings Ltd (ASX: QUB) share price is in focus today after the company updated investors on the Macquarie Asset Management due diligence process. Qube confirmed that Macquarie has provided the necessary confirmation to continue the exclusivity period under the Process Deed, as previously announced.

What did Qube Holdings report?

• Received confirmation from Macquarie Asset Management to extend the due diligence exclusivity period
• Exclusivity governed by the Process and Exclusivity Deed signed on 23 November 2025
• Update follows Qube’s prior ASX announcement regarding the potential Macquarie proposal on 24 November 2025
• No certainty yet that a binding offer will result from the process

What else do investors need to know?

Qube’s ongoing discussions with Macquarie Asset Management follow a non-binding indicative proposal, but there’s no guarantee it will turn into a firm offer. The Process Deed gives Macquarie an exclusivity period to conduct due diligence and possibly submit a binding proposal.

The company has reminded shareholders that no decision is required at this stage. Investors will receive further updates as the process develops, keeping them informed every step of the way.

What’s next for Qube Holdings?

Qube expects to continue working with Macquarie Asset Management throughout the extended exclusivity period. The company will provide timely updates as and when further developments arise regarding Macquarie’s intentions.

For now, the Process Deed means the due diligence phase goes on, but Qube stressed that there is still uncertainty as to whether shareholders will ultimately receive a binding proposal.

Qube Holdings share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Qube Holdings shares have risen 20%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which have risen 5% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Qube Holdings shares in focus after Macquarie due diligence update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• NIB holdings updates investors on 1H26 one-off expenses and profit outlook
• Austal secures $135m patrol boat contract extension
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Qube Holdings books $100m profit after selling Beveridge property

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

There are a lot of options for income investors to choose from on the local share market.

To narrow things down, let’s take a look at three ASX dividend stocks that analysts are tipping as buys this month. They are as follows:

Jumbo Interactive Ltd (ASX: JIN)

The first ASX dividend stock to look at is Jumbo Interactive. It is an online lottery ticket seller and lottery platform provider, best known for its Oz Lotteries app and Powered by Jumbo platform.

The team at Macquarie is positive on Jumbo and sees significant value in its shares at current levels. Especially given its strong growth outlook. It said:

We forecast +25% three-year EPS CAGR (FY25-28), and see attractive valuation on 11.5% free-cash-flow yield & 11x P/E, 12-months forward.

The broker is forecasting fully franked dividends of 33 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 44.5 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $10.93, this would mean dividend yields of 3% and 4.1%, respectively.

Macquarie has an outperform rating and $15.00 price target on its shares.

Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL)

Another ASX dividend stock that could be a buy according to analysts is Sonic Healthcare. It is one of the largest pathology and diagnostic imaging providers in the world.

Bell Potter is positive on this one and believes it is well-placed for solid growth in the coming years. It explains:

One can expect SHL to generate solid mid-high single digit organic EPS growth with addon benefit of acquisitions to drive double-digit growth on a normal basis. SHL is a sold compound generator, which is why it holds appeal in our view.

As for dividends, the broker expects partially franked dividends of 109 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 111 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $22.52, this represents dividend yields of 4.8% and 4.9%, respectively.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $33.30 price target on its shares.

Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI)

Finally, Universal Store could be an ASX dividend stock to buy. It is a youth-focused fashion retailer behind the Thrills, Perfect Stranger, and Universal Store.

Bell Potter believes the company is well-placed for growth thanks to its private label expansion and store rollout. It said:

At ~18x FY26e P/E (BPe), we see UNI trading at a discount to the ASX300 peer group and see the multiple justified by the distinctive growth traits supporting consistent outperformance in a challenging broader category, longer term opportunity with three brands, organic gross margin expansion via private label product penetration (currently ~55%) and management execution.

It is forecasting fully franked dividends of 37.3 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 41.4 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $8.08, this equates to dividend yields of 4.6% and 5.1%, respectively.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $10.50 price target on its shares.

The post Experts say these ASX dividend stocks are cheap buys appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Jumbo shares could be one to watch today
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• These 2 ASX dividend shares are great buys right now
• $5,000 to invest? Consider 4 no-brainer ASX dividend shares with over 20 years of growth
• Bell Potter names three retail stock picks for your Christmas hamper

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

The NIB holdings Ltd (ASX: NIB) share price is in focus as the company flagged $17 million in non-recurring expenses for the first half of FY26, higher than the previous guidance, with underlying operating profit (UOP) still expected to meet expectations.

What did NIB holdings report?

• Expected non-recurring cash expenses of around $17 million in 1H26, up from prior guidance
• Non-cash expense of about $4.5 million for redundant software amortisation
• FY25 one-off and non-recurring expenses totalled $21.5 million
• Underlying operating profit (UOP) remains on track with previous expectations
• Announcement of ongoing restructuring costs tied to productivity programs and strategic reviews

What else do investors need to know?

NIB attributed the higher one-off expenses mainly to historical adjustments on the Private Health Insurance Australian Government Rebate (AGR) and the NSW Hospital Insurance Levy (HIL). The company adjusted its claims and levy calculations following new clarification and legal decisions affecting the health insurance industry.

Additionally, a reduction in the value of previously acquired software—stemming from consolidation of NDIS-related businesses onto a unified technology platform—led to a one-off, non-cash hit to statutory profit. The group-wide productivity program and the ongoing strategic review of nib Travel will also contribute to non-recurring costs.

What’s next for NIB holdings?

Looking ahead, NIB anticipates its 1H26 underlying operating profit will stay in line with market expectations, subject to outcomes from second quarter risk equalisation. The company is focusing on streamlining its technology and business models to drive efficiencies, including consolidating its NDIS businesses and continuing its review of the travel segment, with updates expected in FY26.

NIB is scheduled to release its full 1H26 results on 23 February 2026.

NIB holdings share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, NIB Holdings shares have risen 27%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post NIB holdings updates investors on 1H26 one-off expenses and profit outlook appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Qube Holdings shares in focus after Macquarie due diligence update
• Austal secures $135m patrol boat contract extension
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Qube Holdings books $100m profit after selling Beveridge property

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

The Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB) share price is in focus after the company announced it has been awarded a further contract extension worth more than $135 million to build two new Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats for the Australian Border Force, bringing the total contracted to 14 vessels.

What did Austal report?

• Contract extension worth over $135 million for two additional Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats
• Total number of Evolved Cape-class vessels contracted up to 14
• Nine vessels already delivered to the Royal Australian Navy
• Two more Evolved Cape-class boats already under construction for the Australian Border Force
• New boats to be built at Austal’s Henderson, Western Australia shipyard
• Strong ongoing relationship with Australian Border Force and Department of Defence

What else do investors need to know?

Austal has supplied the Australian Border Force and Royal Australian Navy with 12 Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats since 2020, and the latest order lifts that to 14. This highlights continued confidence in Austal’s naval capability and in the Cape-class platform’s performance.

The vessels feature modern crew accommodations for up to 32 personnel as well as advanced systems designed to boost operational effectiveness and sustainability. Construction of these additional patrol boats will support a national shipbuilding supply chain based in Western Australia.

Austal continues to support Australia’s defence requirements through other programs too, including the Guardian-class Patrol Boat initiative, with 22 out of 24 vessels already delivered.

What did Austal management say?

Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said:

Over the past five years, the Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats have proven themselves as highly capable, reliable assets for Australia’s border protection missions…With nine Evolved Capes already delivered and performing exceptionally with the Royal Australian Navy, and two more already under construction for the Australian Border Force, this new order further enhances Australia’s maritime surveillance and response capability across Northern Australia and our vast maritime domain.

What’s next for Austal?

Austal will construct the two new vessels at its Henderson, WA facility, backed by its experienced supply chain and project teams. The company continues to focus on strengthening Australia’s sovereign naval shipbuilding and maritime support capabilities through high profile defence contracts.

Looking ahead, Austal says it will keep providing in-service support for both Cape-class and Evolved Cape-class patrol boats and maintain progress on the Guardian-class program, reinforcing its position as a key partner for Australia’s naval and border protection.

Austal share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Austal shares have risen 106%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Austal secures $135m patrol boat contract extension appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Austral lands $1 billion defence deal. So why are its shares barely moving?
• Qube Holdings books $100m profit after selling Beveridge property
• Bendigo and Adelaide Bank hit with APRA capital charge, faces AUSTRAC probe

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

While interest rates could rise in 2026, they are still expected to remain lower than historical levels for the foreseeable future.

In light of this, term deposits are once again looking less attractive for income-focused investors. And while they offer certainty, they also cap returns and provide no opportunity for income growth or capital appreciation.

By contrast, ASX dividend shares can deliver regular income, potential dividend growth, and upside if the underlying business performs well.

For investors prepared to tolerate some share price volatility, they can be a far more powerful long-term income tool than cash in the bank. But which ones could be buys?

Here are three ASX dividend shares that analysts think could be worth considering instead of a term deposit.

Charter Hall Retail REIT (ASX: CQR)

Charter Hall Retail REIT could be a strong option for investors seeking reliable income. The property trust owns a diversified portfolio of convenience-based retail centres anchored by supermarkets, service stations, and essential services.

These types of assets tend to be highly defensive, as shoppers continue to spend on groceries and everyday necessities regardless of economic conditions. Long lease terms and high-quality tenants provide visibility over rental income, which in turn supports consistent distributions to unitholders.

Citi rates its shares as a buy with a $4.50 price target. As for income, it is forecasting dividends per share of 25.5 cents in FY 2026 and then 26 cents in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $4.10, this would mean dividend yields of 6.2% and 6.3%, respectively.

Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD)

Another ASX dividend share to look at is Elders. It could be good option for income investors that are comfortable with some cyclical exposure. The agribusiness provides rural and livestock services, agricultural inputs, and real estate services to Australia’s farming sector.

While its earnings can fluctuate with seasonal conditions, Elders has built a diversified national footprint that helps smooth performance across cycles. Strong agricultural demand and disciplined cost management have also supported solid cash generation in recent years.

Macquarie is a fan and has an outperform rating and $8.25 price target on its shares.

With respect to dividends, the broker is forecasting fully franked payouts of 36 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 37 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $6.97, this would mean dividend yields of 5.1% and 5.3%, respectively.

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN)

Harvey Norman has long been a favourite among ASX income investors, and it isn’t hard to see why. The retailer benefits from a unique franchise model that generates robust cash flows and provides flexibility during challenging retail environments.

In addition to its core electronics and furniture operations, Harvey Norman owns a substantial property portfolio, which adds another layer of income stability. This combination of retail earnings and property exposure has supported generous dividend payments over time.

Bell Potter, which has a buy rating and $8.30 price target on its shares, expects fully franked dividends per share of 30.9 cents in FY 2026 and 35.3 cents in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $6.92, this represents dividend yields of 4.5% and 5.1%, respectively.

The post Forget term deposits and buy these ASX dividend shares in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Elders gets third strike in a row against its executive pay
• Two undervalued agriculture ASX shares to add to your Christmas stocking
• Bell Potter names three retail stock picks for your Christmas hamper
• These shares have bigger dividend yields (and more upside) than CBA shares
• What could keep Harvey Norman shares climbing in 2026?

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 Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Charter Hall Retail REIT, Harvey Norman, and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Elders. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Jumbo Interactive Ltd (ASX: JIN) share price will be in focus when the market opens today. This comes after the company released a contract-related update after Thursday’s close.

Shares in the online lottery ticket seller and platform provider finished the session at $10.93, up 1.02%, with investors yet to digest the news during normal trading hours.

Here are the key details.

What was announced?

According to the release, Lotterywest has awarded Brightstar Lottery PLC (NYSE: BRSL) a contract to deliver a new gaming and digital solutions platform.

Under the proposed structure, Brightstar will act as the prime contractor, with Jumbo working alongside it under a subcontract arrangement. Jumbo will supply key digital components, including its website and mobile application technology, as well as elements of its Player Account Management capability.

These features will be delivered through Jumbo’s proprietary Jumbo Lottery Platform (JLP), which already supports a range of government and charity lotteries globally.

Jumbo also noted that its existing SaaS agreement with Lotterywest, which supports the Lotterywest by Oz Lotteries digital channel, will continue as normal.

Why this matters for Jumbo investors?

Jumbo hasn’t put any figures around the update, and the proposed subcontract is still subject to negotiation and board approval.

That said, the announcement reinforces Jumbo’s position as a trusted digital partner in regulated lottery markets.

Brightstar is one of the world’s largest lottery operators, and Jumbo’s inclusion in a long-term government platform rollout highlights the strength of its digital offering. The platform transition is expected to be delivered in phases, with a targeted go-live in Q3 2027.

Jumbo said it will update the market once the subcontract terms are finalised.

Looking at the bigger picture

This update comes as Jumbo continues to progress on several parts of the business.

The company has been expanding internationally, particularly in the US, following its Dream Car Giveaways acquisitions. Jumbo has also continued to be viewed by brokers as a cash-generative, dividend-paying business, supported by recurring revenue from long-term lottery contracts.

Jumbo shares pulled back from recent highs earlier this year as the market focused on the cost of US expansion. Since then, the company has continued to add platform wins and partnerships that support its longer-term outlook.

What to watch next for Jumbo

In the near term, investors will be watching how the market responds today and whether any further detail emerges around the Brightstar subcontract.

Over time, the update adds another data point, showing Jumbo’s platform continues to be used in large, regulated lottery systems.

For now, I’ll be watching from the sidelines.

The post Why Jumbo shares could be one to watch today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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 Jumbo Interactive. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Jumbo Interactive. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.