Category: Stock Market

Now could be a good time to invest in the ASX 300 stock in this article.

That’s the view of analysts at Bell Potter, who are tipping market-beating returns over the next 12 months.

Which ASX 300 stock?

The stock that Bell Potter is recommending to clients is Propel Funeral Partners Ltd (ASX: PFP).

It is the second largest provider of funeral, cemetery, crematoria, and related services in the ANZ market.

Bell Potter notes that the company has a strong presence in regional areas and an emerging metropolitan presence.

While the ASX 300 stock underperformed expectations during the first half, the broker believes that better times are coming, especially given the weaker comparable period it is about to cycle. It explains:

PFP’s recent 1H26 result from saw revenue led misses given the weaker than expected average revenue per funeral (ARPF) vs market expectations and BPe. However good cost control saw broadly similar EBITDA margins vs pcp. While no guidance was provided for FY26, a -3% in comparable volumes in the pcp (2H25) including a material contraction in 3Q26 and upcoming favourable demographics arising from the ageing of the baby boomer population were reiterated as catalysts for 2H26 and ahead.

The M&A pipeline was noted as conducive, in addition to PFP’s ~10% collective ANZ market share, while the funding facility of $275m was refinanced ahead of expiry on more attractive terms (maturity in Oct-29).

Should you invest?

According to the note, Bell Potter sees plenty of value on offer here despite trimming its valuation.

This morning, the broker has retained its buy rating on the ASX 300 stock with a lowered price target of $5.00 (from $5.90).

Based on its current share price of $4.14, this implies potential upside of 21% for investors over the next 12 months.

In addition, Bell Potter is expecting an attractive 3.4% fully franked dividend yield over the 12 months, which boosts the total potential return to almost 25%.

Commenting on its buy recommendation, the broker said:

Our Price Target decreases ~15% to $5.00/share given our earnings changes and as we factor in a higher risk-free rate within our DCF valuation. With ~$135m debt capacity together with long maturity, we expect M&A activity to be supported by a healthy pipeline. As a less discretionary exposure within our Consumer Discretionary sector coverage, we remain optimistic on both PFP’s underlying business & acquisition opportunity and see M&A as driving overall revenue growth above midsingle digit organic revenue growth.

Within the underlying business, we see relatively less challenging comps in 2H26 as PFP cycles organic volume declines (particularly in Feb-Apr), while we expect the demographic tailwinds from an ageing baby boomer population to be a sizable catalyst from 2026 onwards. We see the trading update in May as a potential catalyst. We also view the freehold property portfolio valued at cost less depreciation of ~$246m as a strong hedge to the net gearing level of 2.3x.

The post This ASX 300 stock could deliver a 25% return appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• 3 top ASX dividend share buys for passive income in March
• 35 ASX All Ords shares with ex-dividend dates next week
• 2 excellent ASX All Ords stocks I’d buy today

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.

The team at Morgans has been busy running the rule over a number of ASX dividend stocks.

Two that have fared well and been given buy ratings are listed below. Here’s what the broker is recommending to clients:

Collins Foods Ltd (ASX: CKF)

This quick service restaurant operator could be worth considering according to Morgans.

It was pleased with the company’s recent announcement of plans to make a bolt-on acquisition for its KFC business in Germany. Morgans described it as “sensible” and highlights that it is expected to be immediately accretive to earnings.

In response, the broker has upgraded this ASX dividend stock to a buy rating with a $12.70 price target. It said:

CKF has announced what we see as a high-quality German KFC bolt-on at attractive economics. CKF is acquiring an eight-restaurant Bavarian portfolio at just under 6x restaurant-level EBITDA (pre-AASB 16) and expects the deal to be immediately EPS accretive. The Germany runway has been extended through the German Development Agreement (DA) to 45-90 new restaurants (from 40-70), materially extending the organic growth runway.

We believe this was a sensible, returns-focused deal that adds weight to the Germany growth story; execution is still key, but with a refreshed team and strong operators at the helm, success in Germany should be the catalyst for a re-rate despite lingering Netherlands noise. We upgrade to a BUY with a $12.70 target (was $12.40).

As for income, Morgans is forecasting fully franked dividends of 29 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 35 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $9.79, this would mean dividend yields of 3% and 3.6%, respectively.

Jumbo Interactive Ltd (ASX: JIN)

Another ASX dividend stock that Morgans is recommending is online lottery ticket seller Jumbo Interactive.

It responded positively to the company’s half-year results and put a buy rating and $14.90 price target on its shares. The broker said:

Jumbo Interactive (JIN) reported a solid 1H26 result, with most headline metrics pre-released. While Lottery Retailing was impacted by a softer jackpot cycle, offshore segments delivered encouraging growth and margin expansion. Managed Services continues to build momentum, with Canada EBITDA guidance upgraded and the UK tracking nicely. Underlying SaaS trends remain healthy ex-Lotterywest.

Following the update, we believe JIN can delever by FY27F, assuming a normalisation in Australian jackpot activity and continued offshore earnings growth. We have updated our model to reflect upgraded Managed Services and Prize Draw guidance, alongside refreshed FX assumptions. Our underlying EBITDA increases +1%/+5% across FY26-27F. We maintain our BUY recommendation with an unchanged $14.90 target price.

With respect to dividends, Morgans expects fully franked payouts of 28 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 38 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $7.71, this would mean dividend yields of 3.6% and 4.9%, respectively

The post 2 ASX dividend stocks Morgans rates as buys appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 6 ASX All Ords shares at 52-week lows: Experts say buy
• Buy, hold, sell: Collins Foods, Liontown, and Northern Star shares
• 2 ASX shares highly recommended to buy: Experts
• Buy, hold, sell: Collins Foods, Endeavour, and Magellan shares
• KFC owner Collins Foods shares sliding today on class action news

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Collins Foods. 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 Collins Foods and Jumbo Interactive. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Building passive income from ASX shares is something I think a lot of investors aim for.

But one of the most common questions is how much capital you actually need to get there.

Let’s break it down using BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares as an example.

Starting with the income goal

A $100 monthly income might not sound like a lot, but it’s a great place to start.

Over a year, that works out to $1,200 in dividend income.

That’s the key number to keep in mind, because once you know your annual income target, you can start working backwards.

What BHP shares currently offer

BHP is one of the ASX’s largest and most established dividend payers.

According to CommSec, consensus estimates show that the miner is expected to pay fully franked dividends of $1.87 per share in FY26 and $1.73 per share in FY27.

Using the current share price of $48.35, that puts its forward dividend yield at roughly 3.6% to 3.9%.

Of course, it’s worth remembering that BHP’s dividends can fluctuate. As a miner, its payouts are influenced by commodity prices, particularly iron ore and copper.

So while it can deliver strong income, it won’t be perfectly consistent every year.

How much do I need to invest?

Now for the key part.

If we aim for $1,200 in annual dividend income and assume a yield of around 3.8%, we can estimate the investment required.

At that yield, you’d need roughly $31,500 invested in BHP shares to generate $1,200 per year in dividends. That equates to roughly 650 shares.

While this gives a useful estimate, there are a couple of important things to keep in mind.

First, dividends are not guaranteed. If commodity prices fall, BHP’s earnings and dividends could decline as well.

Second, putting all your money into a single stock carries risk. Even a high-quality company like BHP shouldn’t be your only source of income.

A long-term perspective

What I like about BHP for income is that it also offers growth potential.

It has significant exposure to commodities like copper, which is expected to play a major role in global electrification.

It is also investing in future-facing projects like its Jansen potash development in Canada, which could become a major earnings contributor over time.

So while the income may fluctuate, the long-term outlook could support both dividends and capital growth.

Foolish takeaway

To generate $100 per month in income from BHP shares, you’d likely need to invest in the region of $30,000 to $32,000 at current prices and forecasts.

That might sound like a lot, but it certainly could be worth it for investors looking to build a balanced income portfolio.

The post Here’s how much I’d need to invest in BHP shares to generate a $100 monthly income appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 2 ASX mining stocks that could rise 60% to 100%+
• How are Australia’s biggest blue-chip stocks performing in 2026?
• What does a change of CEO mean for the BHP share price?
• Buying BHP shares? Meet your new CEO
• Where to invest $5,000 in Australian shares for the rest of 2026

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino 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 recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) shares have fallen to a 52-week low.

That alone doesn’t make it a buying opportunity. Plenty of stocks hit new lows for good reasons.

But every now and then, a company gets caught in broader market weakness despite continuing to execute well. That’s when I start to take a closer look.

And in this ASX 200 tech stock’s case, I think there’s a strong argument that this could be one of those moments.

This ASX 200 tech stock is still gaining momentum

When I look at Megaport, I don’t see a company slowing down.

In its latest half-year result, it delivered record performance, with group annual recurring revenue (ARR) jumping 49% year-on-year to $338 million.

Even stripping out acquisitions, the core network business is still growing strongly, with ARR up 19% in constant currency and net revenue retention improving to 111%.

That tells me customers are not only sticking around, but spending more over time.

And that’s exactly what you want to see in a subscription-style business.

A much bigger opportunity is emerging

What I find most interesting is how Megaport is evolving.

Historically, it has focused on network-as-a-service. But with the acquisition of Latitude.sh, it is now expanding into compute-as-a-service as well.

That might sound like a small shift, but I think it’s significant.

It effectively brings network and compute together into one platform, allowing customers to deploy infrastructure globally, on demand.

Management describes this as the next logical step in automating IT infrastructure at scale, particularly as demand grows for cloud, AI, and data centre services.

To me, this expands Megaport’s total addressable market meaningfully and strengthens its long-term growth story.

The numbers are starting to reflect scale

Another thing that stands out is improving business quality.

Customer lifetime has extended from 10 to 13 years, while customer lifetime value has increased significantly.

That combination suggests the platform is becoming more valuable and more embedded in customer operations.

And importantly, the company is generating EBITDA of $35.3 million, showing that it is moving further along the path toward sustained profitability.

This isn’t just growth for the sake of growth anymore. It’s starting to scale.

So why is the share price falling?

Despite all of this, the share price is down.

In my view, that may say more about market sentiment than the business itself.

Tech stocks have been under pressure, particularly those exposed to infrastructure, AI, and global growth themes.

There’s also some short-term noise around integration of acquisitions and currency movements.

But none of that changes the long-term direction of the business.

Is this a buying opportunity?

This is where I think things get interesting.

This ASX 200 tech stock is growing strongly, expanding into new markets, and improving the quality of its revenue.

At the same time, its share price has been pushed down to a 52-week low.

That combination doesn’t come along all that often.

I’m not expecting a straight-line recovery. Volatility is likely to continue, especially in the tech sector.

But when I see a business executing well while its share price moves in the opposite direction, I tend to pay attention.

Foolish takeaway

Megaport isn’t without risk. It’s still investing heavily, integrating acquisitions, and operating in a competitive, fast-moving industry.

But I think the bigger picture matters more.

This is a company that is growing, evolving, and expanding its opportunity at a time when its share price has fallen significantly.

For me, that looks like a setup worth considering. At a 52-week low, I’d be leaning toward buying rather than waiting on the sidelines.

The post Should I buy this ASX 200 tech stock at a 52-week low? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

S&P/ASX All Ords Index (ASX: XAO) shares finished 1.77% lower yesterday as the Iran war and higher oil prices worried investors.

More than 400 companies in the ASX All Ords fell yesterday, with some hitting new 52-week lows.

Brokers say these ASX All Ords shares are good buys in today’s market.

Here are their 12-month share price targets on each stock.

Objective Corporation Ltd (ASX: OCL)

The Objective Corporation share price fell to a 52-week low of $11.68 on Thursday.

The ASX All Ords tech share is down 29% in the year to date (YTD), and down 22% over the past 12 months.

Following the stock’s recent fall, Morgans upgraded its rating from accumulate to buy.

However, the broker reduced its 12-month price target from $20 to $16.70.

Morgans said:

We see tailwinds remaining supportive of OCL’s long-term growth momentum.

Generation Development Group Ltd (ASX: GDG)

The Generation Development Group share price fell to a 52-week low of $3.71 yesterday.

The ASX All Ords financial share is down 35% YTD, and down 21% over the past 12 months.

Morgans recently retained its buy rating but reduced its 12-month price target from $7.97 to $6.66.

The broker said:

We believe GDG has a great story, and management has executed well over time.

Jumbo Interactive Ltd (ASX: JIN)

The Jumbo Interactive share price dropped to a 52-week trough of $7.66 yesterday.

This ASX All Ords gaming share has fallen 32% YTD, and is down 25% over the past 12 months.

Jarden has a buy rating on Jumbo Interactive shares with a price target of $12.70.

Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (ASX: CWY)

The Cleanaway Waste Management share price fell to a 52-week low of $2.31 on Thursday.

The ASX All Ords industrials share has fallen 11% YTD, and dropped 9% over 12 months.

Morgans has a buy rating with a 12-month price target of $3.11.

The broker commented:

1H26 was a mixed bag, with a minor bottom-of-the-range EBIT guidance upgrade.

Next catalyst is the investor strategy day planned for 21 April.

Earnings forecast adjustments are minimal, cashflow downgrades more material.

Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL)

The Sonic Healthcare share price fell to a 52-week low of $20.50 on Thursday.

The ASX All Ords healthcare share has deteriorated 8% YTD and 20% over the past year.

Macquarie has an outperform rating on Sonic Healthcare with a price target of $27.50.

Saluda Medical Inc (ASX: SLD)

Fellow ASX All Ords healthcare share, Saluda Medical, dropped to a 52-week low of 80 cents yesterday.

The Saluda Medical share price has tumbled 42% YTD, and is down 35% over 12 months.

Morgans has a speculative buy rating with a 12-month price target of $3.07.

The broker said:

1H26 showed solid revenue momentum, improving margins, and continued expansion of the US sales force, supporting confidence in a stronger 2H.

Reiteration of FY26 revenue guidance (US$85m) added further comfort and now expects to exceed IPO metrics for gross margin, adjusted EBITDA and cash burn.

The post 6 ASX All Ords shares at 52-week lows: Experts say buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 2 ASX dividend stocks Morgans rates as buys
• My 3 best ASX dividend-focused stocks to buy in March
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• 3 ASX dividend shares to buy today with $5,000
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday

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 Jumbo Interactive, Macquarie Group, and Objective. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group and Objective. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Generation Development Group, Jumbo Interactive, and Sonic Healthcare. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

ASX investors are a patriotic lot. We tend to prioritise buying shares on our local stock market. Stocks like Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) can be found in many ASX share portfolios around the country.

Thanks partly to our unique system of franking, as well as some good old fashioned love of country, it’s fair to say that ASX investors have a strong local bias.

When we do branch out to invest beyond our shores, it is usually a direct flight to the US markets. As I’ve written here before, the US is, as it should be, the first port of call for ASX investors seeking international diversification. No one can deny that the US is home to the vast majority of the world’s best and most dominant businesses. No other country’s share market constituents can match the size, scope and scale of top US stocks like Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, Netflix, Mastercard, Procter & Gamble, Apple, and countless others.

However, that doesn’t meaning investing in US stocks isn’t without risk. The US-Iran war that has been raging all month proves that. As such, I think the prudent investor might wish to consider diversifying beyond just Australia and America. The easiest way to do this, by far, is by using exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Let’s go through some of the best options for stocks outside Australia and the US.

3 ASX ETFs that can help diversify a portfolio

First up, there’s the Vanguard All-World ex-US Shares Index ETF (ASX: VEU). This ETF, as its name implies, throws a whole bunch of different countries’ stock markets together, with the notable exception of the US. The largest contributors to VEU’s portfolio include Japan, the United Kingdom, China, Canada, India, and Taiwan. A healthy mix of advanced and developing economies there. ASX do feature in this ETF as well, although they make up just 4.3% of the entire portfolio.

Another option to consider is the Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets Shares ETF (ASX: VGE). VGE focuses exclusively on emerging economies, so you won’t find European, British or Japanese stocks here. Instead, VGE’s largest contributors are countries like China, Taiwan, Brazil, South Africa and Saudi Arabia.

Finally, investors can consider the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (ASX: IVE). This fund covers markets from Europe, Asia and the Far East (EAFE). It offers exposure to countries ranging form Japan, Spain and the UK to Germany, Singapore and Israel. Again, Australia is included as well, but contributes just over 6% to IVE’s holdings.

Foolish takeaway

All three of these ASX ETFs offer Australian investors an easy way to add exposure to stocks from Europe, Asia and Africa to their portfolios. These regions are under-represented in the vast majority of ASX portfolios, and can help insulate investors from adverse movements on the American or Australian markets.

The post These 3 ASX ETFs can help protect your portfolio in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Mastercard, Microsoft, Netflix, and Procter & Gamble. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Mastercard, Microsoft, Netflix, and Vanguard International Equity Index Funds – Vanguard Ftse All-World ex-US ETF and is short shares of Apple. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Mastercard, Microsoft, and Netflix. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Income investors have a lot of choice on the Australian share market.

To narrow things down, let’s take a look at two ASX dividend shares that Morgans is forecasting to offer 7% and 8% dividend yields in 2027.

Here’s what it is recommending to clients:

Accent Group Ltd (ASX: AX1)

Morgans is positive on this footwear retailer. It believes a return to growth is coming in FY 2027, which could make it a good time to snap up shares.

The broker has a buy rating and $1.30 price target on its shares. It said:

AX1 reported 1H26 EBIT which was down 30% yoy to $56.5m, in line with the revised guidance range provided in November ($55-60m). The decline was driven by soft comp sales and significant operating de-leverage from lower gross margins. AX1 has made the unsurprising decision to cease operations of loss-making Glue store, which contributed $8.4m EBIT loss in 1H26.

On an underlying basis, EBIT fell 10%. We see this providing incremental benefit on group earnings in FY27. We have increased our EBIT by 1.5% in FY26 and by 11% in FY27. Our blended valuation lifts to $1.30 (from $1.10). We have upgraded to a BUY (from HOLD). We see significant earnings growth in FY27, driven by underlying FY26 run-rate (ex-Glue), this makes the stock look inexpensive at ~10x FY27 P/E and ~5.6% yield.

Morgans is forecasting fully franked dividends of 4.3 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 6.3 cents per share in FY 2027.  Based on its current share price of 88 cents, this would mean dividend yields of 4.9% and 7.2%, respectively.

Regal Partners Ltd (ASX: RPL)

Another ASX dividend share that Morgans is positive on is investment company Regal Partners.

It was pleased with its performance in 2025 and believes it is well-placed to build on this in 2026. As a result, it has put a buy rating and $5.00 price target on its shares.

Commenting on the company, the broker said:

Underlying fund performance, along with offshore and product expansion has seen RPL grow FUM 16% in CY25, driving management fee growth of 25%. Performance fees, up 108% (vs pcp), are a clear leading indicator for future FUM growth and sets the business up for continued growth in the higher multiple recurring income streams.

Despite record growth, RPL trades at an undemanding multiple and attractive dividend yield, on this basis we reiterate our BUY rating with a $5.00/sh target price.

As for income, Morgans expects fully franked dividends of 20 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 21 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $2.48, this would mean dividend yields of 8% and 8.5%, respectively.

The post These buy-rated ASX dividend shares offer 7% to 8% yields appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro 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.

While the broader market is currently questioning capital expenditure and return on investment from hyperscalers like Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN), Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ: META), and Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG), looking elsewhere for beneficiaries of structural tailwinds could present opportunities over the long run.

In Australia and globally, several powerful themes are driving investment. Electrification is reshaping energy systems, requiring significant spending on transmission infrastructure, renewable generation, and storage. At the same time, strong commodity prices are supporting mining companies, while large-scale infrastructure projects — including those linked to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics — are lifting activity domestically.

Against this backdrop, two ASX-listed companies, Wagners Holding Company Ltd (ASX: WGN) and NRW Holdings Ltd (ASX: NWH), have delivered standout share price performance over the past 12 months, rising over 157% and 94%, respectively.

But after such strong gains, are the fundamentals keeping pace?

Riding the infrastructure and construction wave

Wagners is a construction materials and infrastructure business with exposure to concrete, cement, composite materials, and aviation services. The company generates revenue by supplying essential inputs into infrastructure, civil construction, and mining projects — sectors that are currently benefiting from elevated investment levels.

Recent updates suggest Wagners has been experiencing strong trading momentum, supported by higher demand across its key divisions. In particular, infrastructure activity in Queensland and major project pipelines have been contributing to increased volumes and improved pricing outcomes.

The company has also continued to invest in its proprietary composite technologies, which offer lighter and more durable alternatives to traditional materials. This positions Wagners to benefit not only from near-term construction demand but also longer-term structural shifts in how infrastructure is built.

Looking ahead, the outlook appears supported by sustained infrastructure spending and population growth, particularly in regions such as southeast Queensland. If project activity continues to ramp up, Wagners could see further earnings growth, provided cost pressures remain controlled.

NRW Holdings: Leveraged to mining services growth

NRW Holdings operates as a mining services contractor, providing civil, mining, and drill and blast services to resource companies. Its revenue is largely tied to contract work across mine development, production, and infrastructure.

The company has benefited from strong commodity prices, which have left many miners with robust balance sheets and the ability to fund expansion projects and exploration programs. This has translated into a growing pipeline of work for contractors like NRW.

Recent results highlight solid profit growth and a healthy order book, with the company securing new contracts and maintaining strong utilisation across its fleet. Importantly, NRW’s diversified exposure across commodities and clients helps mitigate reliance on any single project or resource.

The outlook remains favourable as mining investment continues, particularly in bulk commodities and critical minerals linked to the energy transition. As long as commodity markets remain supportive, demand for mining services is likely to stay elevated.

What could drive the next leg of growth?

Both ASX shares are benefiting from trends that appear durable rather than cyclical in nature.

Electrification requires significant capital investment in infrastructure. Mining companies are expanding to meet demand for key resources. And government-backed infrastructure pipelines remain strong.

However, after such significant share price appreciation, future returns may depend more heavily on continued earnings growth rather than multiple expansion.

For Wagners, this means maintaining margins while scaling production and delivering on project demand. For NRW, it comes down to converting its order book into sustained revenue and profit growth while managing costs.

If both companies can continue to grow revenue and earnings, maintain or expand margins, and avoid valuation compression, there is potential for further upside over time.

As always, the key will be execution.

The post 2 ASX shares booming on electrification and mining. Is there more upside ahead? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

On Thursday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a disappointing session and sank deep into the red. The benchmark index fell 1.65% to 8,497.8 points.

Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Friday and end the week on a high? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to edge lower

The Australian share market looks set to edge lower on Friday following a relatively poor night in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 1 point lower this morning. In late trade on Wall Street, the Dow Jones is down 0.45%, the S&P 500 is down 0.3% and the Nasdaq is down 0.3%.

Oil prices fall

It could be a subdued finish to the week for ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) after oil prices fell overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 1.9% to US$94.52 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 0.8% to US$106.53 a barrel. Oil prices fell after Israel revealed plans to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Premier Investments results

Premier Investments Ltd (ASX: PMV) shares will be on watch today when the retailer releases its half-year results. The team at UBS believes the Smiggle and Peter Alexander owner will report Premier Retail sales of $460 million and net profit after tax of $99.3 million for the half. This is expected to be driven largely by a strong performance from the Peter Alexander brand, offsetting a weak performance from Smiggle.

Gold price sinks

ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) could have a poor finish to the week after the gold price sank overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 5.15% to US$4,642.8 an ounce. Inflation and higher interest rate concerns weighed on the precious metal.

Buy Propel shares

Propel Funeral Partners Ltd (ASX: PFP) shares could be in the buy zone according to Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has reaffirmed its buy rating with a trimmed price target of $5.00. It said: “Within the underlying business, we see relatively less challenging comps in 2H26 as PFP cycles organic volume declines (particularly in Feb-Apr), while we expect the demographic tailwinds from an ageing baby boomer population to be a sizable catalyst from 2026 onwards. We see the trading update in May as a potential catalyst. We also view the freehold property portfolio valued at cost less depreciation of ~$246m as a strong hedge to the net gearing level of 2.3x.”

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woodside Energy Group Ltd. 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 Premier Investments. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

How much you can own in assets and earn in wages and investment income, while still qualifying for the pension, changes today.

The changes are part of the latest round of indexation adjustments to keep payments aligned with inflation.

Here are the essential details.

How much can you own in retirement while still getting the pension?

The value of assets you can own in retirement while still qualifying for at least a part-pension increase today.

Assessable assets include your superannuation, ASX shares, international shares, bonds, managed funds, rental properties, and cash.

Excluding your home, singles can now own $722,000 in assets, up from $714,500, and still be eligible for at least a part-payment.

The limit for a full pension remains $321,500.

Single non-homeowners are now allowed to own $980,000 in assets, up from $972,500, and still be eligible for a part-pension.

The limit for a full pension is $579,500.

Couple homeowners can now own $1,085,000 worth of assets, up from $1,074,000, and still be eligible for a part-pension.

The limit for a full pension remains $481,500.

Couple non-homeowners can own $1,343,000 in assets, up from $1,332,000, and still be eligible for a part-payment.

The limit for a full pension is $739,500.

How much can you earn?

From today, singles can earn up to $2,619.80 per fortnight, up from $2,575.40 per fortnight, and still qualify for at least a part-pension.

Couples can earn up to $4,000.80 per fortnight, up from $3,934 per fortnight, and still get a pension benefit.

In order to receive the full pension, singles cannot earn more than $218 per fortnight, and couples can’t earn more than $380 per fortnight.

Part of your assessable earnings is investment income.

From today, the Federal Government will also implement a second increase to pensioner deeming rates.

Deeming is used to estimate a pensioner’s annual investment income.

Deeming applies to all assets except investment properties (pensioners must report their actual rental income each year).

The lower deeming rate changes today from 0.75% to 1.25% for assets worth less than $64,200 for singles and $106,200 for couples.

The upper deeming rate lifts from 2.75% to 3.25% for assets worth more than these amounts.

How much is the pension?

Singles on the full age pension will receive an extra $22.20 per fortnight from today.

Couples will receive an extra $16.70 per person, per fortnight.

This means the full pension payment, with both supplements included, lifts to $1,200.90 per fortnight for singles.

Couples will receive $905.20 per partner, per fortnight.

How much does retirement cost per year?

According to Australia’s benchmark Retirement Standard, a modest retirement costs $35,503 per year for single homeowners and $51,299 for couple homeowners.

A comfortable retirement costs $54,840 per year for single homeowners and $77,375 per year for couple homeowners.

Retirement costs more for renters because their housing costs are higher.

A modest retirement costs $50,055 per year for single renters and $67,639 per year for couples who rent their homes.

The post What you can own and earn in retirement while still qualifying for the pension changes today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Bell Potter is tipping this ASX small-cap to double in the next year

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