Category: Stock Market

On Thursday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) fought hard to carve out a decent gain. The benchmark index rose 0.3% to 8,618.4 points.

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

ASX 200 expected to rise

The Australian share market looks set to edge higher on Friday following a mixed night in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 13 points or 0.15% higher this morning. In late trade on Wall Street, the Dow Jones is currently down 0.15%, the S&P 500 is 0.05% lower, and the Nasdaq is up 0.1%.

Oil prices rise

It could be a good finish to the week for ASX 200 energy shares such as Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) after oil prices pushed higher overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 1.2% to US$59.66 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 0.9% to US$63.24 a barrel. Traders have been buying oil after Russia-Ukraine peace talks failed to reach a deal.

Rio Tinto update

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares will be on watch today after the mining giant announced its new strategy. The company’s chief executive, Simon Trott, detailed how Rio Tinto will unlock its full potential to become the most valued metals and mining business. It aims to achieve this through a strategy that starts with having the right assets in the right markets, supported by a diversified model that delivers market-leading performance and industry-leading returns. The miner has earmarked up to A$15 billion of assets that it could divest.

Gold price edges higher

ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a reasonably positive finish to the week after the gold price rose overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 0.15% to US$4,238.9 an ounce. US dollar weakness appear to have been behind this.

NextDC-OpenAI deal

Nextdc Ltd (ASX: NXT) shares will be in focus today amid reports that the company has signed an agreement with ChatGPT owner OpenAI. According to the AFR, this will see NextDC build the largest data centre in the southern hemisphere in Sydney’s Eastern Creek. OpenAI chief executive, Sam Altman, said: “Australia is well-placed to be a global leader in AI, with deep technical talent, strong institutions and a clear ambition to use new technology to lift productivity.”

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

More reading

• AMP suspends AMPPB hybrid notes for redemption and removal
• Why brokers are bullish on this rapidly-growing ASX 200 share
• Expert lists its top resources shares to target in December
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Major ASX 200 mining shares hit 52-week highs

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Nextdc. 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.

With the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) down about 5.4% from its October record highs, it’s arguably a good time to reassess the markets as we approach the end of 2025 and look for some of the best stocks available to invest in.

It’s still hard to call the ASX cheap as a whole, despite this dip. But it’s what we have right now, so we may as well work with it.

If I had $1,000 to invest in this market today, there are two best ASX stocks I would probably go for. Neither are screaming buys, but both are still trading at reasonable valuations for a long-term investor. At least in my view. Let’s dive in.

2 of the ASX’s best stocks to buy with $1,000 today

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

First up, we have Wesfarmers. Wesfarmers is the name behind some of the most successful retailers in the country, including OfficeWorks, Kmart and Bunnings. Wesfarmers also owns a sprawl of other businesses though, ranging from Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy and Fertilisers (WesCEF) to the Priceline pharmacy chain.

I like this company as a long-term investment because of this inherent diversification, as well as Wesfarmers’ decades-long track record of delivering results for its shareholders. It has prudently managed its underlying companies with aplomb, delivering meaningful capital growth over many years. It has also been a star in the dividend department, consistently raising its fully franked payouts over time.

At just over $80 a share today, I wouldn’t call this stock particularly cheap. But it’s a lot better than the $95 we were seeing just a few months ago. If you’re stuck for a place to put $1,000 right now, you could do worse than this conglomerate.

MFF Capital Investments Ltd (ASX: MFF)

Next up, we have the listed investment company (LIC) MFF Capital. Like most LICs, MFF owns and manages a portfolio of underlying investments on behalf of its shareholders.

In this case, those investments are some of the best stocks from the United States. MFF follows a Warren Buffett-inspired playbook of buying high-quality stocks at prices that make sense, and holding them through thick and thin. Some of its longest-held positions include Amazon, Alphabet, Visa, American Express and Mastercard. All have been in the MFF portfolio for years.

This week, MFF told the market that its portfolio was worth $5.30 per share on a pre-tax basis. Yet you can buy its shares for $4.81 each at recent pricing. Given this LIC’s impressive performance and savvy investment strategy, I think it is one of the best stocks on the ASX. I would be happy to put $1,000 in it today.

The post The best stocks to invest $1,000 in right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Broker reveals ratings on 4 ASX 200 sector leaders
• Is Beach Energy’s 7.7% dividend yield a tempting passive income opportunity?
• 3 ASX blue-chip shares I’d buy with $3,000 right now
• Best ASX retail stock to buy right now: Wesfarmers or Woolworths?
• Is it time to sell your Wesfarmers shares?

American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, American Express, Mastercard, Mff Capital Investments, Visa, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Mastercard, Visa, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Mastercard, Mff Capital Investments, Visa, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Passive income investors scouring the share market for big dividend yields might come across one from Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) shares that might take their fancy.

Yesterday, this ASX 200 energy stock closed at $1.16 a share. At that price, Beach closed with a trailing dividend yield of 7.73%. If we include the full franking credits that Beach usually attaches to its dividends, investors have a grossed-up yield of over 11% staring them in the face.

It’s understandable that more than a few income investors might find that a little tempting. Particularly so, considering the yields available on blue chip shares like Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL), Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) are all currently under 4%.

So today, let’s discuss whether passive income seekers should succumb to temptation and buy Beach Energy shares today for that big dividend.

Are Beach shares a buy for big passive income?

2025 has indeed been a bonanza when it comes to Beach Energy payouts. Shareholders received a 3-cent per share interim dividend back in March. The final dividend, worth 6 cents per share, follows in September.

That 9 cents per share in total dividend income for 2025 gives us that 7.73% yield at Beach’s last share price of $1.16.

However, as most dividend investors are aware, dividend yields always reflect the past, not the future. Just because Beach Energy paid out 9 cents per share in 2025 doesn’t mean investors should expect that kind of income in 2026, or beyond.

No ASX dividend share offers absolute income guarantees. But energy shares are more prone to passive income ebbs and flows than most other stocks on our market. That’s because the company’s profits, and thus ability to fund dividends, are highly dependent on something completely outside their control: global energy prices.

If the global oil price falls, for example, Beach’s profits take an immediate hit.

This is evident when we examine the level of passive income this stock has paid in prior years. 2025 was actually something of an outlier for Beach shareholders. Far from enjoying 9 cents per share annually, Beach’s owners collected 4 cents per share over 2024 and 2023. Between 2017 and 2022, the annual total came to just 2 cents per share.

If Beach reverted to paying out 4 cents per share over 2026, the shares would have a forward yield of 3.45% today. As it happens, many analysts are predicting that Beach will indeed be forced to slash its payouts next year. Whilst that is not a certainty, it does indicate that investors should not expect an automatic 7.76% passive income yield if they buy Beach shares today.

The post Is Beach Energy’s 7.7% dividend yield a tempting passive income opportunity? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX blue-chip shares I’d buy with $3,000 right now
• Best ASX retail stock to buy right now: Wesfarmers or Woolworths?
• Own CBA shares? Here are the dividend dates for 2026
• ASX bank stocks: Buy, sell, or hold?
• Down 8% and 11% in November – Is this the start of a long slide for NAB and CBA shares?

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Yesterday afternoon, AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP) announced the immediate suspension and upcoming removal of its AMP Capital Notes 2 (AMPPB) hybrid securities from quotation. The move follows the pending redemption of these notes, which only affects this specific security class.

What did AMP report?

• AMP Capital Notes 2 suspended from ASX quotation, effective immediately
• Notes to be removed from quotation following redemption announcement
• Redemption process covered under ASX Listing Rules 17.2 and 17.10
• This change only applies to AMPPB; no impact on other AMP securities

What else do investors need to know?

The suspension means investors will no longer be able to trade AMP Capital Notes 2 on the ASX, pending the formal redemption process. AMP has advised the redemption details will be confirmed in a separate announcement, along with lodgement of the required appendix for cessation of these securities.

If you hold AMPPB notes, this action does not affect your ordinary AMP shares or any other securities. The broader AMP business and its main ASX shares continue to trade as normal.

What’s next for AMP?

Investors can expect further announcements from AMP outlining the timing and process for redeeming the AMP Capital Notes 2. The company will also lodge the formal Appendix 3H to confirm cessation of these securities.

For holders of AMPPB, keep an eye on your broker or registry communications for details around payment and closure. Ordinary AMP shares and other quoted securities remain listed and unaffected.

AMP share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, AMP shares have risen 5%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 2% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post AMP suspends AMPPB hybrid notes for redemption and removal appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why brokers are bullish on this rapidly-growing ASX 200 share
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• BWP Group announces December 2025 half-year dividend: distribution details and DRP
• Which junior biotech’s shares are flying on positive trial news?
• Pro Medicus responds to data breach speculation: no client or patient data accessed

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.

Brokers are excited by the potential of a particular S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) share – Collins Foods Ltd (ASX: CKF). This business is a major franchisee operator of KFCs in Australia, Germany and the Netherlands.

The business recently reported its FY26 half-year result, which included a number of positives. Total revenue increased 6.6% to $750.3 million, underlying operating profit (EBIT) grew 20% to $63 million and underlying net profit climbed 29.5% to $30.8 million.

According to a collation of analyst opinions on the ASX 200 share, there are (at least) seven buy ratings on the business. That makes it a well-liked business and suggests there could be an opportunity here.

Let’s take a look at what analysts are attracted to regarding this business.

Further profit growth projected

Broker UBS said in a note after seeing the result that Collins Foods’ value proposition is resonating with consumers against a backdrop of a challenging operating environment.

UBS noted that not many Australian consumer-facing ASX 200 shares have increased like-for-like sales in the last four months, yet KFC Australia did, with an improvement from 2.3% to 3.6%.

The broker said that if these conditions continue, along with usual seasonality and one extra trading week, it sees scope for “$9 million EBITDA upside”.

Conditions are more challenging in Europe, though an improvement in the impact of avian flu and changes to the sales tax (VAT) could still result in year-over-year EBITDA growth.

UBS likes the ongoing strength of the Australian KFC business, combined with the potential for market share growth in Germany.

However, the broker did acknowledge that ongoing losses at Taco Bell Australia are a drag on the ASX 200 share’s profitability, suggesting a 9% negative impact to earnings per share (EPS) because of it.

UBS is projecting that Collins Foods’ earnings per share could grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19% and even more if the losses from Taco Bell are excluded.

ASX 200 share valuation

According to the projections from UBS, the business is forecast to deliver $61 million of net profit in FY26, putting it at 21x FY26’s estimated earnings.

The broker estimates the business could deliver net profit of $74 in FY27, $87 million in FY28, $103 million in FY29 and $109 million in FY30. Therefore, net profit could close to double between FY26 and FY30, which is a strong tailwind for potential Collins Foods share price growth.

UBS has a price target of $13.10 on the business, implying a possible rise of 24% over the next year.

The post Why brokers are bullish on this rapidly-growing ASX 200 share appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• AMP suspends AMPPB hybrid notes for redemption and removal
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• BWP Group announces December 2025 half-year dividend: distribution details and DRP
• Which junior biotech’s shares are flying on positive trial news?
• Pro Medicus responds to data breach speculation: no client or patient data accessed

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

Investing in ASX blue-chip shares can be a very good strategy because of the strength and stability they provide.

But, I only think it’s a good idea to buy a blue-cihp when that business is growing its profit over time, which is why US blue chips have been such strong investments over the last 15 years.

Although we don’t have any global tech giants on the ASX, I think there are a few ASX blue-chip shares that still have a compelling future. I usually mention Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) in an article like this, but I’m going to look at three of the other businesses I like. I’d happily put $3,000 across the three of them.  

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

This ASX financial share is one of the biggest institutions listed in Australia. I like the diversification that the business provides because it has four different segments: investment banking (Macquarie Capital), asset management (Macquarie Asset Management (MAM)), commodities and global markets (CGM) and banking and financial services (BFS).

The company has a global earnings base, but I’m particularly excited about local earnings because of the BFS division’s growth.

Macquarie is capturing savers with the no-rules savings account that offers a good interest rate, while borrowers are attracted to a competitive interest rate with rapid approvals, which appeal to mortgage brokers and their clients.

In the FY26 first-half result, the financial business reported its home loan portfolio had grown 13% since 31 March 2025 – a very strong annualised result. It now has 6.5% of the Australian market, with growth driven by the broker channel with “technology investment enabling market-leading turnaround times”. It has significantly higher customer satisfaction than its big bank rivals.

BFS deposits grew 12% since 31 March 2025 to $192.5 billion, with growth driven by “market-leading digital banking experiences”.

If it continues growing its loan book and deposits at that pace, it has a compelling future ahead.

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

Coles is another ASX blue-chip share worth owning, in my view. Not only does it have defensive earnings, but it’s also growing at a much stronger pace than rival Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW).

In the first quarter of FY26, Coles reported total sales growth of 3.9%, with supermarket sales excluding tobacco growing by 7%, which is a very impressive growth rate for such a large business.

Coles said this growth is down to its focus on ensuring its range and value offering continues to resonate with customers, coupled with further improvements in availability and strong e-commerce sales growth. The company said that the customer experienced improvement across all key metrics in the FY26 first quarter, including availability, quality and price.

For this defensive business, it’s only trading at 24x FY26’s estimated earnings, according to the projection on Commsec.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers has regularly impressed me over the years. In particular, i’m drawn to its ability to focus on the long-term for shareholders, generating profitable growth. Bunnings and Kmart are two wonderful examples of how to provide customers with a compelling retail offering and fend off competition.

The company is willing to make big calls with its business portfolio for the long-term benefit of its earnings and balance sheet, such as the decisions to divest Coles and diversify into healthcare and lithium mining. In ten years, the Wesfarmers earnings ‘pie’ could look quite different, but I think it will continue to be a compelling ASX blue-chip share to own for many years.

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

More reading

• Is Beach Energy’s 7.7% dividend yield a tempting passive income opportunity?
• Best ASX retail stock to buy right now: Wesfarmers or Woolworths?
• ASX bank stocks: Buy, sell, or hold?
• Is it time to sell your Wesfarmers shares?
• Brokers rate these 3 top ASX shares as buys in December

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

Data shows Aussie investors are pouring more and more cash into ASX ETFs. 

There are currently three funds that are significantly larger in terms of market cap. 

These funds are common choices for new and experienced investors looking for set and forget options. 

While past performance doesn’t guarantee future returns, these funds have performed over the last 10-20 years. 

As the year approaches its end, let’s see which one has performed the best in 2025. 

Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS)

The Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF is the largest ASX ETF by market cap. 

Recent data (October 2025) shows it has a market cap of more than $22 billion. 

Put simply, it offers exposure to the top 300 companies listed on the ASX.

Its largest exposure is to blue-chip companies like Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and BHP Group (ASX: BHP), with 10.3% and 7.9% exposure respectively. 

Historically, dating back to its initial inception in 2009, it has offered returns of roughly 9% per annum.

However this year, it has risen approximately 6%. 

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

This fund is often paired alongside the VAS ETF. 

That’s because the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF provides exposure to around 1,300 companies from developed countries, excluding Australia.

It is Australia’s second largest ETF, with a market capitalisation of approximately $13.8 billion. 

The ETF invests in companies from around 23 different countries including the U.S, Japan, U.K, Canada, France, and Switzerland.

It offers exposure to the largest global companies including Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT). 

Since inception in 2014, it has provided annualised returns of approximately 13%. 

In 2025, the fund has risen by 10.47%. 

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

The fund is different from the previous two. While the others focus on Australian and international stocks, the IVV ETF aims to provide investors with the performance of the S&P 500 Index, before fees and expenses. 

The index is designed to measure the performance of large capitalisation US equities.

It is the third largest ASX ETF, with a market capitalisation of just under $13 billion. 

In the last 10 years, it has provided annualised returns of approximately 15%. 

Its largest exposure by underlying holding is also to Nvidia Inc (NASDAQ: NVDA), Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT). 

In 2025, it has risen by 9.23%. 

The post Which of the most popular ASX ETFs has brought the best returns this year? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 excellent ASX ETFs for investors who never want to pick stocks
• 3 ASX ETFs that could quietly make you rich over 20 years
• How to turn $50 a week into a six-figure ASX share portfolio
• Where to invest $10,000 in ASX ETFs this December
• How much of my portfolio should Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (VAS) be?

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has positions in BHP Group and Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple, BHP Group, Microsoft, Nvidia, Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF, 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.

A new report from Wilsons Advisory and Canaccord Genuity says momentum is turning positive for ASX resources shares – particularly mining. 

Greg Burke, Equity Strategist, said after a three-year downturn, momentum in the mining sector appears to be turning. 

He said broad-based strength across major commodities now underpinning what could be the early stage of a significant resources upgrade cycle.

Why have resources shares lagged?

According to the report, a negative view on China’s growth has contributed to the multi-year downtrend in resources (with the notable exception of gold).

This has been particularly focussed on the weakness in its property sector, which remains central to demand for iron ore. 

While China’s economy may slow further, investor sentiment seems to be improving, supported by easier monetary policy and rising credit availability.

We also see potential for large-scale stimulus in China in 2026, as greater clarity emerges around the US tariff situation, which would have positive implications for commodity pricing.

What’s changing?

Mr Burke said there are a few catalysts for a rebound for resources shares. 

Overall, the macro environment is becoming more supportive for resources thanks to: 

• Rate cuts in the US that should help stimulate global commodity demand
• A weaker USD offers a tailwind for dollar-priced commodities
• Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ will also take effect early next year and is expected to stimulate US manufacturing
• Further easing of trade frictions between the US and the rest of the world could help improve global growth.

Overall, more supportive supply/demand fundamentals for most metals are now driving upgrades to consensus commodity price forecasts and, importantly, translating into stronger earnings expectations for the ASX Mining sector.

What stocks should investors target?

The Motley Fool’s Cameron England reported earlier this week on the ASX copper shares recommended by Wilsons Advisory and Canaccord Genuity. 

They also listed other ASX resources shares to target. 

Firstly, in the already booming gold sector, the preferred large cap exposures are Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST). 

Evolution Mining offers the cleanest gold leverage over the near-term in our view, as it has demonstrated best-in-class operational delivery and offers an attractive FCF yield over the next couple years, while NST offers the greatest medium-term upside in our view, driven by its strong production growth outlook, its relatively attractive valuation, and the rolling off of its hedging profile.

Wilsons Advisory/Canaccord Genuity has price targets of $12.25 on Evolution Mining shares and $34.50 on Northern Star Resources shares. 

The report also noted that iron ore demand faces structural headwinds and sees risks as skewed to the downside over the medium term. 

With that in mind, the report said its preferred iron ore exposure is to BHP Group (ASX: BHP). 

Our preferred iron ore exposure is BHP (BHP), the lowest-cost producer globally with a strong track record of operational delivery and disciplined management. Its commodity mix is relatively attractive compared to the other majors, with ~45% of FY26 EBITDA expected to come from copper (where we have a more favourable view), providing valuable diversification beyond iron ore.

The post Expert lists its top resources shares to target in December appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Major ASX 200 mining shares hit 52-week highs
• Why BHP, DroneShield, Lotus Resources, and Nuix shares are pushing higher today
• Rio Tinto or BHP shares? Expert says which stock to buy as copper price smashes record
• 3 ASX dividend shares to buy for a passive income stream

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has positions in BHP 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 BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

If you are looking for investment ideas, then it could pay to listen to what Bell Potter is saying.

That’s because the broker has just released its latest top Australian picks that feature in its core portfolio.

It notes that its “Core Portfolio is a diversified, benchmark aware portfolio of 25-35 Australian equities, with a bias towards growth-orientated, quality companies.”

Here are three ASX 200 shares that make the cut this month:

Amcor (ASX: AMC)

This packaging giant has been named in the core portfolio. Bell Potter is positive on the company’s outlook due to its transformative merger with Berry Global. It believes the transaction positions Amcor for growth and improves the quality of its earnings. It said:

The investment thesis for Amcor is based on its transformative merger with Berry Global, which positions the company for a period of significant growth and quality improvement. The merger is expected to drive two years of double-digit EPS growth, fuelled by an estimated $650 million in synergies, with ~80% anticipated to be realised within the first 24 months. Beyond the near-term earnings growth, the merger also creates a more resilient and less cyclical business by increasing its exposure to the defensive home & personal care and pharmaceutical sectors.

CAR Group Limited (ASX: CAR)

CAR Group, the owner of Carsales.com.au, could be a top option for investors according to Bell Potter. It highlights its attractive valuation and positive earnings growth outlook. The latter is expected to be underpinned by its ongoing penetration into large and underpenetrated markets. The broker said:

CAR screens favourably on a risk-adjusted return basis when considering the stability of earnings growth against comparable ASX-listed classifieds platforms. They recently re-iterated full year guidance at their AGM and yet the stock is down 15% from its August highs as valuations have compressed.

We expect EPS CAGR of 12% between FY25-28e driven by ongoing penetration into large and underpenetrated markets with a defined pathway of platform enhancements to extract value from its audience/networks. CAR’s Dealer subscription model and wide pay-per-lead price thresholds can protect against volume/price volatility, which is reflected in CAR’s stable earnings growth (historical + forecast), and provides for a preferred risk-adjusted return profile versus peers.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

This logistics solutions technology features in the broker’s Core Portfolio. It likes WiseTech due to its predictable business model, recurring revenue, and ultra low churn rate. It commented:

WiseTech is a leading global provider of software solutions to the logistics industry, with its market-leading CargoWise One platform used by many of the world’s largest logistics providers. The company’s quality is underpinned by a highly predictable business model, with around 95% of its revenue being recurring and a customer churn rate of less than 1%. This provides clear and consistent cash flow, enabling a distinct path to deleverage, with management confident in reducing ND/EBITDA from ~3x in FY26 to 1.7x in FY27.

The post Bell Potter names the best ASX 200 shares to buy in December appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 4 ASX shares I’d buy today with $10,000
• These ASX innovators could be the market’s next big winners
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Forget Zip shares: Here’s why Xero and WiseTech are better tech bets for 2026
• 5 most-traded Australian shares last week

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Amcor Plc and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CAR Group Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) has helped investors take serious steps along the path to wealth — and with a gain of more than 21,000% over the past decade, it’s clearly made some early investors multimillionaires. This is because the company emerged as the world’s dominant designer of chips powering the high-growth industry of artificial intelligence (AI).

From today’s higher levels, I wouldn’t expect Nvidia stock to deliver a repeat performance over the next few years, but the stock still has what it takes to climb significantly — and even help investors grow their portfolios into the millions of dollars over the long run. Here’s why this stock still is a multimillionaire-maker. 

Nvidia’s daring move

First, a quick look at how Nvidia became a millionaire-maker in recent years. The company made a daring move, tailoring its graphics processing units (GPUs) to suit the needs of the promising field of AI — and it did this early on, putting itself on track for leadership. Nvidia won this bet, and the company’s ongoing innovation has kept it in the top spot.

All of this has translated into enormous growth, with double- and triple-digit revenue gains over the past few years. Profitability on sales also has been strong, as gross margin shows us — Nvidia generally has maintained a level greater than 70%.

NVDA Gross Profit Margin (Quarterly) data by YCharts

That said, investors have worried that Nvidia’s best days are in the past and growth will slow in the later stages of the AI boom.

AI across industries

Now let’s consider why Nvidia, even at this phase of the AI story, remains a stock that may significantly increase your wealth. And this is because Nvidia is positioned to serve every phase of AI and will be a key player as the use of AI expands across industries. Nvidia’s GPUs are the top product used for the training of AI models — but, importantly, these GPUs also are needed to power the models through their tasks.

The AI giant already has designed specific tools to facilitate the use of AI in various industries like healthcare and automotive, with a particular focus on autonomous vehicles. And just recently, Nvidia announced an investment in telecom giant Nokia as part of an effort to transform telecom networks — AI will drive this new connectivity, and Nvidia will be at the heart of this.

So, Nvidia is taking AI into a broad range of industries and revolutionizing the way things are done — this should result in strong revenue growth for many years to come. Nvidia’s growth won’t be tied uniquely to providing GPUs to data centers; instead, the use of AI across many areas should significantly contribute to the company’s growth.

This could supercharge stock performance over the long term — and as part of a diversified portfolio of quality assets, Nvidia could continue to be a multimillionaire-maker for investors.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

The post Here’s why Nvidia still is a multimillionaire-maker appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

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