Category: Stock Market

  • How much passive income can I earn off my $800,000 superannuation balance?

    Australian dollar notes in the pocket of a man's jeans, symbolising dividends.

    When it comes to superannuation, it pays to start planning as early as possible, so you know exactly what you’re in for as you approach retirement.

    Figures released by the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia show that on average, people do not have enough in their superannuation for what they deem to be a comfortable retirement.

    If you’re keen to figure out how much you can expect to have in your superannuation when you retire, be that at age 60 or later, there are plenty of calculators around; however, I’d suggest the Federal Government’s MoneySmart website as the one to use.

    How much income can I generate from my superannuation?

    Looking at a lump sum of $800,000, the good news is that it’s well above the $630,000 ASFA says you need for a comfortable retirement as a single person.

    Keep in mind that ASFA assumes you own your own home and draw a part of the Age Pension.

    So how much could you expect to earn from your $800,000 in investments?

    If you are simply drawing dividends and not drawing down any of the capital, the sums are quite simple.

    If you can earn a 10% yield – which would be ambitious – you would earn $80,000, while if you were earning a 5% yield, the amount would be $40,000.

    I’d suggest a yield somewhere between these two is achievable, so let’s assume a 7.5% return, which would return $60,000.

    What makes this even more realistic is that once you are retired, your tax rate on your superannuation drops to zero, and you get the full benefit of franking credits.

    This means that if a share pays a 5% yield, the retiree receives a yield of 7.14% once franking credits are added back in.

    Franking credits compensate shareholders for tax already paid by the company.

    Which shares generate good income streams?

    So, what are some shares that might be worth owning if you’re aiming for these sorts of returns?

    A consistent high dividend payer is Universal Store Ltd (ASX: UNI), which is currently paying right on 5%, while Regal Partners Ltd (ASX: RPL) just declared an improved first-half dividend and is paying an annualised rate of 9.7%.

    The Betashares Australian Dividend Harvester ETF (ASX: HVST) is paying 5.54%, while another dividend-focused fund, WAM Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: WMX), is paying 4.29%.

    Among the blue-chip shares, BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) is paying 3.72%, while Telstra Ltd (ASX: TLS) is paying 4.43%, and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) is paying 4.89%.

    So as you can see, there are plenty of companies paying healthy dividends, which can help you attain your income aspirations.

    The post How much passive income can I earn off my $800,000 superannuation balance? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Universal Store right now?

    Before you buy Universal Store 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 Universal Store 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 1 August 2026

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    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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group and Universal Store. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Ingenia Communities posts strong FY26 with profit up 45% and guidance exceeded

    Middle-aged woman working on a laptop.

    The Ingenia Communities Group (ASX: INA) share price will be on watch on Wednesday after the company beat both EPS and EBIT guidance and posted a 45% jump in statutory profit. Revenue also grew by 8% for FY26, supporting continued delivery on the Group’s five-year plan.

    What did Ingenia Communities report?

    • Statutory profit of $186.4 million, up 45% on FY25
    • Group revenue of $555.3 million, up 8% year on year
    • EBIT of $193.4 million, exceeding guidance and up 18%
    • Underlying EPS of 35.8 cents, up 16% and above guidance
    • Distribution per security maintained at 9.6 cents
    • 573 new home settlements, a 10% lift on the prior year

    What else do investors need to know?

    Ingenia continues to scale its portfolio, with an enlarged development pipeline now supporting up to 8,800 potential new land lease home sites. The company reported steady recurring rental income and strong demand underpinning tourism and residential communities.

    During FY26, Ingenia invested $240 million in growth initiatives, including $174 million in development. Notably, ongoing asset sales (totalling around $125 million) aim to further boost capital flexibility.

    Operating cash flow rose 5% year on year to $152.5 million, despite higher borrowing costs. The company’s balance sheet remains sound, with gearing at 31% and available liquidity to fund upcoming projects and acquisitions.

    What did Ingenia Communities management say?

    Ingenia CEO and Managing Director John Carfi said:

    Two years into the delivery of our strategic plan, this result shows the benefit of ongoing focused execution and builds on the progress achieved in Year 1, demonstrating clear progress against our financial and strategic goals. Underlying EPS and EBIT exceeded guidance, development returns improved and our recurring revenue base continued to grow.

    We remain on track to achieve our Year 3 and Year 5 goals, subject to market conditions, supported by a streamlined operating structure, ongoing refinements to the platform and a stable corporate cost base that enables disciplined execution.

    What’s next for Ingenia Communities?

    Ingenia is targeting EBIT and underlying EPS growth of 0–10% for FY27, citing moderate market activity and buyer sentiment in the near term. The Group expects to benefit from its flexible business model, strong demand for affordable housing, and targeted capital recycling to support new growth.

    Looking ahead, Ingenia will focus on scaling development, integrating new acquisitions, and optimising its operational platform. The company remains confident that continued execution of the five-year plan and a diversified revenue base will support growth, even as some cost and market challenges persist.

    Ingenia Communities share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, the Ingenia Communities share price has underperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) with a decline of almost 30%.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Ingenia Communities posts strong FY26 with profit up 45% and guidance exceeded appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Ingenia Communities Group right now?

    Before you buy Ingenia Communities Group 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 Ingenia Communities Group 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 1 August 2026

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    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. 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.

  • Steadfast Group FY26 earnings: Profits and dividend on the rise

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    The Steadfast Group Ltd (ASX: SDF) share price will be in focus on Wednesday after the company reported underlying diluted EPS of 28.8 cents, up 7.7%, and a 9% increase in its final fully franked dividend to 12.75 cents per share.

    What did Steadfast Group report?

    • Underlying revenue: $2,104.7 million, up 15.3% on FY25
    • Underlying NPATA: $366.3 million, up 7.1%
    • Underlying NPAT: $319.5 million, up 8.2%
    • Underlying EBITA: $669.8 million, up 13.8%
    • Final dividend: 12.75 cps fully franked (up 9%); total FY26 dividends: 20.95 cps, up 7.4%
    • Statutory NPAT: $269.1 million, down from $334.9 million

    What else do investors need to know?

    Steadfast’s growth came from both organic initiatives and acquisitions. Gross written premium (GWP) in its Australasian Network rose 6.2% to $13.2 billion, with underlying EBITA up 13.2% for this segment. The Group also highlighted successful broker hubbing strategies designed to drive efficiency and further growth.

    The company has entered into a Scheme Implementation Deed with Amwins Australasia Group and Starboard BidCo. The Steadfast Board unanimously recommends shareholders vote in favour of the Scheme, subject to no superior proposal and a positive independent expert report.

    Underwriting Agency operations generated $2.5 billion of GWP, up 2.3%, while strong organic growth also supported Steadfast’s international business, contributing to a favourable EBITA result.

    What did Steadfast Group management say?

    Managing Director & CEO Robert Kelly AM stated:

    I am pleased to present our FY26 results, continuing Steadfast’s track record of accretive growth since listing in August 2013. Despite a challenging operating environment, disciplined execution and strong cost management, we delivered solid performance and positioned the business for continued long-term growth.

    What’s next for Steadfast Group?

    Looking ahead, Steadfast is guiding for underlying NPATA of $382–$392 million and underlying NPAT of $333–$343 million for FY27. The company expects underlying EBITA of $700–$715 million and EPS growth of 4–8%.

    Management sees further growth opportunities, with expectations of 2–3% increases in insurance premium pricing and ongoing benefits from its broker and agency network strategies, both in Australia and internationally.

    Steadfast Group share price snapshot

    Over the past year, the Steadfast Group share price has underperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) with a decline of 5%.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Steadfast Group FY26 earnings: Profits and dividend on the rise appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Steadfast Group 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 Steadfast Group 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 1 August 2026

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    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 Steadfast Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Steadfast Group. 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.

  • Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

    Ten happy friends leaping in the air outdoors.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoyed another strong day of gains this Tuesday, lifting the value of many ASX shares.

    After yesterday’s rise kicked off the trading week on a positive note, investors built on that momentum today. The ASX 200 opened higher this morning and stayed in green territory all day, closing with a gain of 0.68%. That leaves the index at 9,164.6 points.

    This terrific Tuesday for the local markets came after a mixed start to the American trading week on Wall Street overnight.

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in an accommodating mood, rising 0.26%.

    However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) had a more Garfield-esque Monday, closing 0.76% lower.

    Let’s get back to the ASX now and take stock of how the different ASX sectors fared this session.

    Winners and losers

    Today’s market rises were near-universal, with only two sectors missing out.

    The first, and worst, of those sectors was energy stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) gave up an early lead to finish down 0.78% today.

    The other red sector was real estate investment trusts (REITs), with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) sinking 0.16%.

    Let’s get to the happier sectors now. Leading the charge were tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had a blowout, rocketing up 2.25%.

    Consumer staples stocks ran hot as well, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)’s 2.11% surge.

    Healthcare stocks were also popular. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) soared 1.4% higher this Tuesday.

    Financial shares joined the party, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) shooting up 0.94%.

    Consumer discretionary stocks were also at the festivities. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) galloped up 0.91% today.

    Next came utilities shares, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)’s 0.59% jump.

    Industrial stocks were right behind that. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) added 0.58% to its total this session.

    Communications shares had a day to remember as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) advancing 0.4%.

    Gold stocks didn’t miss out. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) enjoyed a 0.34% lift today.

    Finally, mining shares managed to find buyers, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)’s 0.3% bump.

    Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

    Defence company Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS) was our top performer this Tuesday. Electro Optic shares exploded 23.02% higher today to close at $10.58 each.

    This astonishing showing followed the company’s latest earnings, which were obviously a delight for the market.

    Here’s how the other top stocks tied up at the dock:

    ASX-listed company Share price Price change
    Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS) $10.58 23.02%
    ARB Corporation Ltd (ASX: ARB) $21.51 13.87%
    Ansell Ltd (ASX: ANN) $41.36 8.16%
    Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN) $19.37 7.97%
    DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) $1.95 7.44%
    Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO) $1.03 6.74%
    A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) $7.09 6.30%
    Data#3 Ltd (ASX: DTL) $11.73 5.77%
    Minerals 260 Ltd (ASX: MI6) $0.92 5.75%
    4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) $3.88 5.72%

    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 Electro Optic Systems right now?

    Before you buy Electro Optic Systems 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 Electro Optic Systems 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 1 August 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended ARB Corporation, DroneShield, and Electro Optic Systems. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended ARB Corporation, Ansell, and Data#3. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Everything you need to know about the Coles dividend

    Person handing out $100 notes, symbolising ex-dividend date.

    The Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) dividend has been announced with the FY26 result, and it was another pleasing payout for shareholders.

    Coles has consistently delivered larger dividends in each of its annual results over the last several years, and FY26 was another good year for shareholders hoping for growth.  

    As the country’s second-largest supermarket operator, it has market power few can match.

    The FY26 result saw a number of growth figures for the business, including 2.8% revenue growth (and 3.7% growth for supermarkets), operating profit (EBITDA) grew 7.1%, underlying net profit increased 13.7%, and statutory net profit rose 1%.

    The statutory net profit figure was impacted by $235 million of significant items relating to the Fair Work Ombudsman’s proceedings.

    However, the strength of the underlying net profit performance helped the board of directors declare another pleasing payout for investors.

    Coles dividend for FY26

    The Coles board of directors decided to declare a fully-franked final dividend of 37 cents per share. This brings the full-year dividend for FY26 to 78 cents per share, representing a 13% year-over-year increase.

    Based on the statutory net profit, the business delivered earnings per share (EPS) of 81.5 cents. Therefore, the full-year dividend represents 95.7% of statutory earnings, though it’s a lower percentage of underlying net profit after tax.

    At the time of writing, the Coles FY26 final dividend represents a dividend yield of 1.6% excluding franking credits and 2.2% including franking credits.

    If we look at the annual payout, the dividend yield is 3.3% excluding franking credits and 4.7% including franking credits.

    When will this be paid?

    Before getting to the payment date, first, we need to look at the ex-dividend date.

    The ex-dividend date is the cutoff day for dividend eligibility. Investors need to own shares before the ex-dividend date to be entitled to the upcoming payment.

    With this upcoming dividend, the ex-dividend date is 3 September 2026. That means investors need to own Coles shares by the end of trading on 2 September 2026 to be entitled to this payment.

    After that, investors will receive payment on 22 September 2026, so that’s less than a month away.

    Investors can also elect to receive new Coles shares rather than cash as the dividend. If they want to receive new shares, then they need to make that election with the dividend reinvestment plan by 5pm on Monday, 7 September 2026.

    Dividend growth in FY27 looks promising, with the company announcing that supermarket sales growth in the first eight weeks of FY27 was consistent with the fourth quarter of FY26.

    The post Everything you need to know about the Coles dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Coles Group 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 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 1 August 2026

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    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.

  • These 3 ASX income shares just hiked their dividends

    A wad of $100 bills of Australian currency lies stashed in a bird's nest.

    Earnings season on the ASX is rolling on this week, and so too is dividend season. This time of year, we tend to find out what the next shareholder payouts from the ASX’s most popular income shares will look like. Exciting times indeed.

    Today, we’ve heard from a number of prominent shares. Let’s go through three of them that have just announced fresh dividend hikes for their investors.

    3 ASX income shares that just increased their dividends

    Australian Ethical Investments Ltd (ASX: AEF)

    First up is ethically-focused fund manager Australian Ethical Investments. Australian Ethical reported its earnings this morning, which contained some impressive numbers. The company revealed that its revenues were up 9% over FY 2026 to $129.5 million, while underlying profits after tax climbed 29% to $25.7 million.

    That helped this ASX income share to declare a final dividend of 10 cents per share, fully franked. That’s 11.1% above the 9 cents per share final dividend from 2025. Over 2026, Australian Ethical will fork out 18 cents per share in dividends, a 29% boost to investors’ 2025 haul.

    Australian Ethical shares are currently trading on a trailing dividend yield of 3.56%.

    Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

    Next up, we have ASX energy stock, Woodside. Woodside also reported its half-year earnings this morning. The oil and gas giant enjoyed 13% higher operating revenues over the six months to 30 June at US$7.45 billion. Underlying net profits after tax rose 7% to US$1.33 billion.

    That helped Woodside boost its 2026 interim dividend by 7.55% to 57 US cents per share. Like most of this ASX income share’s historic payouts, this dividend will be fully franked.

    This will bring Woodside’s 2026 dividend total to US$1.16 per share. That’s 9.4% higher than 2025’s total of US$1.06 per share.

    Right now, Woodside shares are trading on a trailing dividend yield of 4.99%.

    Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

    Last but not least, we have ASX income share and supermarket giant Coles Group. Coles’ earnings this morning were well received by investors. As we covered at the time, the company recorded $45.58 billion in revenues for its FY 2026, up 2.8% from FY 2025. Net profit after tax (NPAT) did even better, jumping 13.7% to $1.26 billion.

    That helped this ASX dividend share deliver its seventh annual shareholder pay rise in a row. Investors will bag a final dividend worth a fully franked 37 cents per share, pushing its full-year payouts to 78 cents per share. The final dividend represents a 15.6% hike over 2025’s equivalent payout.

    Coles shares are currently sitting on a dividend yield of 3.1%.

    The post These 3 ASX income shares just hiked their dividends appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

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

  • Everything you need to know about the Woodside dividend

    Man holding out Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.

    The Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) dividend has just been announced with the FY26 half-year result for the six months to 30 June 2026.

    Woodside is Australia’s largest ASX oil and gas share with projects across Australia, Africa and North America.

    The company regularly gives investors a sizeable dividend every six months and this dividend is another pleasing payout.

    Woodside dividend

    The ASX oil and gas share reported a 13% rise in operating revenue to US$7.4 billion, underlying net profit rose 7% to US$1.33 billion, free cash flow increased 159% to US$352 million and statutory net profit grew 27% to US$1.67 billion.

    Woodside benefited from a 20% rise in its average realised price to US$74 per barrel of oil equivalent (BOE). Gas production fell 21% to 46.1 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe), liquids production fell 4% to 39.4 MMboe, and ammonia production was 1 MMboe.

    The 36% decline of capital expenditure to US$1.6 billion helped the company’s free cash flow. However, operating cash flow declined 10% to US$3 billion.

    Following all of those numbers, Woodside’s board of directors decided to increase the interim dividend per share by 8% to US 57 cents. This payout represents a dividend payout ratio of 80% of underlying net profit after tax.

    At the time of writing, the interim payout translates into a dividend yield of 2.4% excluding franking credits and 3.4% including franking credits.

    When will the payout hit bank accounts?

    Before we talk about the payment date of the upcoming Woodside dividend, we need to look at the ex-dividend date first.

    The ex-dividend date is the cut-off date for eligibility for a dividend. Investors need to own shares by the end of trading on the previous trading day.

    For Woodside’s interim dividend, the ex-dividend date is 3 September 2026, so investors need to own Woodside shares by the end of trading on 2 September 2026.

    After that, the dividend will be paid on 25 September 2026. So, investors don’t have long to wait between now and payment day.

    The dividend reinvestment plan (DRP) remains suspended, according to Woodside.

    I think the dividend is generous considering it represents a dividend payout ratio of 80% of underlying profit.

    The company continues to invest in building its new projects of Scarborough, Trion and Louisiana LNG, which could all help unlock higher earnings once they’re completed. Woodside is also investing in exploration to help unlock a further stage of growth beyond the near future.

    The post Everything you need to know about the Woodside dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Woodside Energy Group Ltd right now?

    Before you buy Woodside Energy Group 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 Woodside Energy Group 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 1 August 2026

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    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.

  • K&S posts lower FY2026 profit as revenue and dividends decline

    Stressed man in an an office with his eyes closed and phone in his hand, with investing graphs open on two iMacs.

    The K&S Corporation Ltd (ASX: KSC) share price is in focus as the company reports a 2.1% drop in operating revenue to $729.2 million for FY2026, with statutory profit after tax down 22% to $22.8 million.

    What did K&S Corporation report?

    • Operating revenue fell 2.1% to $729.2 million
    • Underlying profit before tax was $32.1 million, down 16.0% year over year
    • Statutory profit after tax dropped 22.0% to $22.8 million
    • EBITDA fell 10.0% to $81.6 million
    • Total fully franked dividend of 11.0 cents per share (2025: 16.0 cents)
    • Operating cash flow rose 4.3% to $63.7 million

    What else do investors need to know?

    The company’s Australian transport segment saw lower profits, reflecting the exit from several contracts and softer customer volumes in a challenging economic environment. Cost reduction strategies and operational reviews helped cushion some of the impact.

    The New Zealand arm delivered a steady performance, benefitting from a mildly improved domestic economy and strong export prices. Meanwhile, K&S’s fuel trading business posted increased revenue and profit, navigating price volatility and ensuring fuel supply during market uncertainty.

    The balance sheet remains robust, with net borrowings rising to $55.8 million mainly due to ongoing property and facility upgrades. New and upgraded sites are enhancing operational capability, especially in Adelaide and Brisbane.

    What did K&S Corporation management say?

    Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Paul Sarant said:

    Our strategy remains to improve the quality and contribution of our revenue base, rather than targeting work solely to grow top line revenue.

    What’s next for K&S Corporation?

    Looking ahead, K&S expects economic conditions to remain tough given global disruptions, low domestic growth, and cost pressures. The company notes risks to FY2027 results from subdued construction activity and the conclusion of services for InfraBuild, partly offset by margin improvements and new business in fuel trading.

    Management says they’ll stay disciplined with capital and working capital management, continuing to strengthen the revenue base by focusing on high-quality, profitable business both organically and through select acquisitions.

    K&S Corporation share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, K&S shares have declined 10%, trailing the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which has risen 1% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post K&S posts lower FY2026 profit as revenue and dividends decline appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in K&s right now?

    Before you buy K&s 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 K&s 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 1 August 2026

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    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.

  • Are Woolworths shares a buy, sell or hold ahead of its FY26 results announcement?

    Woman looking at a laptop and thinking.

    Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares have slumped into the red in Tuesday afternoon trade.

    At the time of writing, the supermarket giant’s shares are down around 0.5% and are changing hands at $38.42 a piece.

    The shares have come off the boil recently after reaching an all-time high of $40.66 in early August.

    Since then, the ASX consumer discretionary shares have slipped around 6%. 

    But the latest decline has barely made a dent in the amount of gains Woolworths shares have enjoyed over the past year.

    For the year to date, the shares are up around 31%, and they’re 18% higher than 12 months ago.

    What’s driven the Woolworths share price rally this year?

    It hasn’t been smooth sailing for the Woolworths share price over the past 12 months, and some volatility continued throughout early 2026. But the shares have climbed higher overall.

    The business made headlines earlier this year after it posted its third-quarter sales update in April, revealing a 4.5% increase. 

    At the time, the company also said underlying trading momentum remained solid, but management noted they had seen “some signs of increased customer caution”. Investors were spooked and quickly offloaded their shares.

    Woolworths shares also gained attention in June following media reports about the company’s plans to offshore hundreds of corporate roles. The move is part of a $400 million office cost reduction push to simplify operations and reduce costs.

    Since hitting a low in mid-May, Woolworths shares have now risen around 18%.

    It looks like the increase was mostly driven by investor confidence that the turnaround is coming to fruition. There is renewed investor confidence that the retailer’s earnings are recovering after a difficult period in late 2025.

    Woolworths posted a stronger-than-expected first-half profit in February and continues to pursue cost-cutting initiatives to support margins and earnings over time.

    The company is due to announce its FY26 results tomorrow.

    Are the supermarket shares a buy, sell, or hold now?

    Market experts appear to be reserved about the outlook for Woolworths shares ahead of the company’s results announcement.

    TradingView data shows the majority of analysts (eight out of 17) have a hold rating on Woolworths shares. Another three rate the shares as a buy/strong buy, and six rate the shares as a sell/strong sell.

    Although after a strong rally, it looks like the shares are now trading above fair value.

    The average $37.39 target price implies a potential 3% downside, at the time of writing.

    Although some forecast that the shares could drop 10% to $34.60 over the next 12 months. Meanwhile, others think Woolworths shares have the potential to climb 6% to $40.90 per share at the time of writing.

    UBS downgraded Woolworths shares to a sell rating earlier this month, but raised its 12-month price target to $39.

    The post Are Woolworths shares a buy, sell or hold ahead of its FY26 results announcement? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Woolworths Group 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 Woolworths Group 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 1 August 2026

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

  • 3 ASX shares Macquarie says will return 23% to 49%

    A woman in a red dress holding up a red graph.

    Profit season gives the analysts plenty to work with when they’re assessing which companies represent a good buying opportunity.

    I’ve had a look through the reports Macquarie has put out this week and singled out three which profile companies they think will do particularly well.

    Let’s see who they like.

    Arena REIT (ASX: ARF)

    This listed property trust recently reported a net operating profit of $79.1 million, up 8% on FY25, and boosted its distributions per security by 5.5% to 19.25 cents.

    The trust also guided to distributions for the current year of not less than 18 cents.

    The company said re the result:

    Key contributors to the FY2026 result were income growth from contracted annual and market rent reviews and acquisitions and development projects completed in FY2025 and FY2026. Arena finished the year with a strong balance sheet, with total assets of $2 billion and relatively low gearing of 24.5%.

    Managing Director Justin Bailey said it was a strong year, and the trust “continued to improve portfolio quality through disciplined capital allocation, development activity and targeted divestments”.

    The trust is dealing with a default from Edge Early Learning, which leases 31 Arena properties representing 14% of Arena’s income.

    The trust says it is continuing to engage with Edge and reserves its legal rights.

    Macquarie said in a note to clients that they assume Edge will not remedy the situation and will need to be replaced.

    But they said the current share price implies an “overly pessimistic outcome”.

    Macquarie has a price target of $2.90 on Arena shares compared to $2.45 currently.

    Liberty Financial Group Ltd (ASX: LFG)

    Macquarie said Liberty’s second-half result was positive, underpinned by stronger margins, while a 15 cent special dividend was also a positive.

    They said:

    We like LFG’s continued focus on delivering stable margins and returns, which we believe supports ongoing capital management initiatives. This supports return on equity of ~14% over the medium term, based on our forecasts. Despite changes to negative gearing and CGT in the budget, management noted only modest impacts to date on mortgage lending (with peers reporting similar), which has positively surprised us.

    Macquarie has a price target of $4.70 on Liberty shares compared to $3.58 currently.

    Navigator Global Investments Ltd (ASX: NGI)

    Macquarie said this funds manager’s net profit of US$75 million came in at about 8% better than consensus estimates, and the outlook for the current financial year was strong.

    The completion of an acquisition during the year “provides for material earnings growth in FY27, with capacity on the balance sheet to fund additional M&A”, Macquarie said.

    The broker has a price target of $3.24 on Navigator shares compared to $2.51 currently.

    The post 3 ASX shares Macquarie says will return 23% to 49% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Arena 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 Arena 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 1 August 2026

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    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 Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia 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.