With the new year underway, many investors are turning their attention back to income opportunities on the Australian share market.

While interest rates may eventually rise, quality dividend shares continue to offer the potential for reliable income alongside long-term capital growth.

For investors looking to put money to work this January, here are five ASX dividend shares that stand out for their cash-generating ability and long-term relevance.

Accent Group Ltd (ASX: AX1)

Accent Group operates a portfolio of leading footwear and apparel brands, including Platypus, Skechers, and The Athlete’s Foot.

While consumer spending has been under pressure, Accent’s focus on vertically integrated retailing, private-label growth, and disciplined cost control has allowed it to keep paying dividends through a tough cycle. And with its shares down heavily over the last 12 months, now could be an opportune time for patient investors to snap them up.

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN)

Harvey Norman is a well-known name among income investors, thanks to its long history of dividend payments and asset-backed balance sheet. The retailer benefits from a large property portfolio, offshore operations, and exposure to housing-related spending.

While its earnings can be cyclical, Harvey Norman’s conservative capital management and strong cash position have supported regular dividends over many years. That combination could make it an attractive option for income investors seeking some downside protection.

HomeCo Daily Needs REIT (ASX: HDN)

A third ASX dividend share that could be a buy for income investors is HomeCo Daily Needs REIT. It owns convenience-based retail assets focused on everyday services such as supermarkets, healthcare, and essential retail. These properties tend to generate stable rental income, supported by long leases and defensive tenants.

Because its portfolio is designed around non-discretionary spending, HomeCo has been able to deliver attractive distributions even during periods of economic uncertainty. For income portfolios, this kind of predictability can be very appealing.

Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL)

Sonic Healthcare is one of the world’s largest pathology and diagnostic imaging providers, with operations across Australia, Europe, and the United States.

While its performance since the pandemic has been underwhelming, there are signs that the company is now in a position to deliver consistent and solid earnings growth over the coming years. This could make it a good pick for income investors, especially given how healthcare demand is inherently defensive.

Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

Finally, Transurban could be an ASX dividend share to buy. It owns and operates toll roads across Australia and North America, generating growing cash flows from essential transport infrastructure. Its assets benefit from long concession lives, inflation, population growth, and rising traffic volumes over time.

It is no surprise that Transurban’s ability to deliver predictable distributions underpinned by contracted revenue makes it a cornerstone holding in many dividend-focused portfolios.

The post 5 ASX dividend shares to buy in January appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 worst ASX All Ords shares of 2025, and why brokers rate 4 of them a buy
• Analysts name 3 ASX dividend stocks to buy with $10,000
• Snap up these reliable ASX dividend shares for income and upside
• 2 buys and 1 sell for investors worried about an ASX market crash in 2026
• Safe Australian shares to buy now and hold through market volatility

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Accent Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Harvey Norman and Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Accent Group, HomeCo Daily Needs REIT, and Sonic Healthcare. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

There are a wide range of ASX shares available for Aussies to buy, but not all of them get the attention they deserve.

A little-known business is just as capable of producing good returns as a high-profile name. In-fact, companies flying under the radar may be trading on a more appealing valuation because of the little amount of investor attention they receive.

We’re going to take a look at two names that a lot more Australians should to know about.

Redox Pty Ltd (ASX: RDX)

Broker UBS describes Redox as a leading supplier of chemicals, ingredients and raw materials in ANZ, as well as operations in Malaysia and a growing presence in the US.

UBS was impressed by the company’s FY25 result, which showed a resilient gross profit margin and lower costs through a period of moderating like for like (LFL) volume growth.

At the time of that result, management reiterated it expects to deliver long-term growth of around 10% per year, with some years leaner than that and others stronger. FY25 was a year of headwinds including price deflation, margin normalisation and more subdued demand.

UBS noted the ASX share reported a solid start to FY26, with July top-line growth of 13% year-over-year.

While there is uncertainty in FY26, the broker suggests conditions will improve towards longer-term trends in FY26 with price deflation in the rear-view mirror.

UBS also notes that acquisitions remain “on the agenda” and the broke has seen a shift in tone towards the US as a focus after completing three bolt-on acquisitions in Australia. The broker suggested that the balance sheet is well-funded for more deals and the long-term story remains “positive”.

The broker forecasts that the business could generate $82 million of net profit in FY26, putting the ASX share at 19x FY26’s estimated earnings. It’s projected to grow its earnings by 55% between FY26 and FY30.

UBS has a buy rating on Redox, with a price target of $3.40.

Hansen Technologies Ltd (ASX: HSN)

Another ASX share that UBS rates as a buy is Hansen Technologies. The broker describes the business as a global software provider mainly to the energy, telecommunications, pay-TV and water verticals.

UBS said that the company’s billing and customer care software allows clients to “efficiently manage and automate key business functions, such as customer billing, processing, collections, general revenue management, customer acquisition, and customer service.”

It has hundreds of customers globally, with dozens of offices across the continents.

The most recent note from UBS discussed the company’s acquisition called Digitalk, giving new exposure to the growing mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) segment of the telecommunications market.

This acquisition came with an enterprise value price tag of $66 million. It’s a billing, cloud-based software provider to the MVNO segment of the telco market.

UBS noted that MVNOs have been taking market share globally thanks to lower price points and more convenient type plan offerings, so this sector “should be viewed as a growth market”. Digitalk has delivered revenue growth of at least 10% per year consistently over the last three years, driven by a range of telco wins supporting increased MNVO market share gains in the UK and Europe.

The broker then said about the ASX share:

Given its cloud/SaaS based nature, the revenue growth has come alongside consistent margin expansion to current FY25 levels of 31.4%. Quite simply we believe this is a small albeit very impressive founder led business that Hansen has acquired.

…For core Hansen, we remain constructive on its ability to deliver top line and earnings growth in FY26, acknowledging this remains an area of market debate. We forecast FY26 revenue growth of 5% to A$408mn. Within this, we expect (1) 12% growth in recurring Saas / Support & Maintenance revenue as recently won / renewed Licence revenues go live, (2) +8% growth in predictable Application or Services revenue, offset by (3) an expected 35% decline in up-front Licence sales to A$32mn after a very strong FY25 (A$50mn).

The solid top-line growth will, in our view, more importantly be also met with another year of operating leverage as the company continues to realise recent efficiency benefits and Powercloud cost outs.

UBS has a buy rating on Hansen shares, with a price target of $7.50 on the ASX share.

The post Brokers rate these 2 top ASX shares as buys in January appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why these brokers are bullish on the Suncorp share price
• 5 ASX dividend shares to buy in January
• CBA shares returned just 4.9% last year. Should investors look elsewhere?
• 3 ASX 200 growth shares to buy and hold for 10 years
• Can Genesis Minerals shares keep running after a 195% surge in a year?

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.

Shares in Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) have disappointed investors recently.

At last week’s market close, CBA shares finished trading at $161.12, delivering a total return of just 4.92% over the past 12 months. That result looks weak compared to Australia’s other major banks, which posted much stronger gains over the same period.

For context, CBA shares are also trading well below their record high of $192, reached in late June 2025. Since then, the share price has fallen more than 16%.

So, what has gone wrong, and should investors be looking elsewhere?

Other banks have done much better

CBA has long been regarded as the highest quality bank on the ASX. Over the past year, however, its share price performance has fallen well short of that reputation.

Over the past year:

• Westpac shares are up 20.18%
• NAB shares have gained 13.86%
• ANZ shares have surged 27.39%

Against that backdrop, CBA’s 4.92% return clearly lags its peers. A big part of the issue is that investor expectations for CBA are already very high.

The valuation is still too expensive

One of the key reasons CBA’s share price has struggled is its valuation.

CBA is currently trading on a price to earnings (P/E) ratio of 26.68, which is expensive for a major bank.

By comparison, other major Australian banks trade on much lower P/E ratios:

• Westpac trades a P/E of about 19.64
• NAB is sitting on a P/E of 19.20
• ANZ has a P/E ratio of around 18.67

This means investors are paying a significantly higher multiple for CBA’s earnings than they are for its peers.

That premium reflects CBA’s strong market share, solid profits, and long track record of consistent performance. However, when earnings growth slows or investor confidence softens, high valuations can quickly work against the share price.

What the latest update showed

In its September quarter 2025 trading update, CBA reported steady lending growth and stable margins. However, there were no major surprises to excite the market.

With competition increasing across home loans and deposits, investors appear cautious about how much earnings can grow from here.

What are brokers saying

Broker views on CBA are mixed, and that really comes down to valuation.

Several brokers have price targets well below the current share price of $161.12, suggesting a possible pullback from here.

Recent broker updates include:

• Morgan Stanley has a price target of $144.80
• Jefferies has a target price of $143.87
• Morgans believes CBA shares are too expensive, with a target of $99.81

Those targets highlight a clear gap between where CBA shares are trading today and what analysts believe the stock is worth.

Brokers generally agree that CBA remains a high quality business with a strong balance sheet and reliable dividends. However, many believe the shares are fully priced at current levels.

Should investors look elsewhere?

CBA’s recent share price performance highlights the risks of buying into a stock trading at a premium valuation.

Investors focused on dividends may still be comfortable holding CBA shares. However, those looking for stronger growth may find better opportunities elsewhere on the ASX.

The post CBA shares returned just 4.9% last year. Should investors look elsewhere? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: Amcor, ANZ, and Macquarie shares
• If I invest $10,000 in Westpac shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2026?
• Buy, hold, sell: CBA, REA Group, and Xero shares
• Here’s what Westpac says the RBA will do with interest rates in 2026
• 5 fantastic ASX ETFs for beginners in 2026

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

When you’re investing with a decade-long time horizon, short-term noise matters far less than business quality and long-term growth potential.

But which ASX 200 growth shares could be top picks for the long term? Let’s take a look at three that I think look well placed to deliver strong returns over the next 10 years. They are as follows:

Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

Life360 could be a top ASX 200 growth share to buy and hold. Its app, which helps families stay connected through location sharing, driving alerts, and emergency assistance, now reaches over 90 million monthly active users globally.

But what makes Life360 particularly compelling as a long-term holding is its transition from user growth to monetisation. The company is steadily converting free users into paying subscribers, lifting recurring revenue and margins in the process. And with a massive addressable market and relatively low penetration outside the US, there is still significant runway ahead.

If management continues to execute successfully, Life360 could evolve into a global consumer subscription powerhouse over the coming decade.

ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD)

Another ASX growth share to look at is ResMed. It operates in one of the most attractive areas of global healthcare: sleep apnoea and respiratory care.

There are an estimated one billion people worldwide that suffer from sleep apnoea, with the vast majority still undiagnosed. The company is a clear leader in sleep devices, masks, and cloud-connected software that helps clinicians monitor patient outcomes. This gives it a huge growth runway over the next decade, especially as sleep health education and awareness increases.

Over a 10-year period, these structural drivers could translate into robust earnings growth, strong cash generation, and ongoing reinvestment into innovation.

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

Finally, Temple & Webster could be an ASX 200 growth share to buy and hold for 10 years. In recent years, it has firmly established itself as Australia’s leading online furniture and homewares retailer, capitalising on the long-term shift toward e-commerce.

Despite the company’s strong growth, it is operating in a furniture market that remains one of the least penetrated retail categories online. As more and more sales shift online, this bodes well for its future growth.

In addition, the company’s asset-light, digital-first model allows it to scale without the heavy costs faced by traditional retailers. Its expanding private-label range also provides scope for margin improvement over time.

If online penetration continues to rise and Temple & Webster maintains its execution discipline, this is an ASX 200 growth share that could look significantly larger and more profitable a decade from now.

The post 3 ASX 200 growth shares to buy and hold for 10 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Where I’d invest $10,000 in 2026 in ASX shares aiming to beat the market
• How to make $20,000 of passive income from ASX shares
• Why Capstone Copper, Life360, Northern Star, and Weebit Nano shares are falling today
• How to retire with a $1 million ASX share portfolio
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Life360, ResMed, and Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Life360, ResMed, and Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360 and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) share price has been one of the ASX’s standout performers over the past year.

The gold miner’s shares have surged about 195% over the last 12 months and is up almost 12% in the past month alone. Its shares last closed at $7.30, just below the company’s record high of $7.63, which was reached in late December.

But with Genesis trading near historic highs, can its shares keep going?

Let’s find out.

Why Genesis has exploded higher

The biggest driver behind Genesis’s rally has been the gold price.

Gold prices have climbed sharply over the past year, hitting record levels as investors looked for safe places to park their money. Ongoing geopolitical tensions, expectations of lower interest rates, and strong demand from central banks have all supported gold.

For gold producers like Genesis, higher gold prices generally mean stronger revenue and better profits, which helps explain why investor interest has surged.

Genesis also operates in the Leonora gold region in Western Australia, an area known for high-quality gold assets. The company has been steadily growing production and improving its operations, which has boosted investor confidence.

What brokers are saying

Most brokers covering Genesis remain positive on the stock.

Broker consensus continues to lean towards a ‘buy’ rating, with analysts viewing Genesis as one of the better-positioned mid-tier gold producers on the ASX.

Recent broker updates show price targets generally ranging from around $7.30 to just over $8.00 per share. For example, UBS has a target of $8.05, while Citi recently lifted its target to $7.60.

Analysts have also pointed to Genesis’s growth profile, with expectations that production and earnings could continue to rise over the next few years.

Key risks

Despite the strong outlook, there are still risks investors should keep in mind.

After such a strong run, Genesis shares no longer look cheap, with a P/E ratio of 37.24. Other gold miners, such as Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST), currently trade on a lower P/E ratio of 21.89.

A lot of positive news is already reflected in the share price. This could limit future gains unless gold prices rise further or results surprise to the upside.

Another key risk is a pullback in the broader gold market. If prices were to fall, gold stocks like Genesis could also come under pressure.

What this means for investors

Genesis Minerals has delivered an outstanding run, backed by soaring gold prices and improving operations.

While brokers remain supportive, investors should remember that big gains often come with higher risk. From here, future returns are likely to depend on gold prices and Genesis continuing to execute well.

The post Can Genesis Minerals shares keep running after a 195% surge in a year? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• 5 best ASX 200 mining shares of 2025
• Why Capstone Copper, Life360, Northern Star, and Weebit Nano shares are falling today
• Why are Northern Star shares crashing 10% today?
• Northern Star Resources trims FY26 gold guidance after soft December quarter

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

Looking at ASX ETFs that perform well can help provide a snapshot into the themes and sectors gaining momentum. 

Throughout 2025, themes that brought big returns included gold, silver and other commodities. 

Similarly, global defence shares skyrocketed due to government spending and key contracts. 

For investors looking to gain access to these kinds of themes or sectors, ASX ETFs provide exposure to a group of similar stocks in one trade. 

With that in mind, here are three examples of such funds from VanEck that performed well in 2025. 

VanEck Investments Limited – VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF (ASX: GDX)

Gold shares emerged as one of the clear share market winners last year. 

This fund from VanEck was able to capture those gains. 

It is made up of a portfolio of 92 companies involved in the gold mining industry. 

These companies are mostly based in Canada (45%), United States (21%) and Australia (10%). 

This fund rose an astonishing 131% over the last 12 months. 

VanEck Australian Resources ETF (ASX: MVR)

This ASX ETF has been hotly covered in the past year as it captured the tailwinds in Australia’s resources sector. 

As the name suggests, this fund offers exposure to 32 ASX-listed resources companies. 

According to VanEck, this includes companies focused on physical energy commodities (such as coal, oil, gas and uranium) related services and equipment (such as drilling, pipelines, storage and transportation), power generation and renewable energy. 

It also holds companies focused on mining and resources (such as iron ore, coal, precious metals and other minerals) and mining related services and equipment (such as drilling, explosives, transportation and producers of mining machinery).

This fund includes blue-chip companies like BHP Group (ASX: BHP), Fortescue Metals Group (ASX: FMG) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO). 

It allows investors to access these big fish in one trade. 

Over the past year, this fund has risen more than 35%. 

VanEck Vectors Small Companies Masters ETF (ASX: MVS)

Another emerging story in 2025 was the impressive performance of ASX small-cap stocks. 

This fund captured that performance for investors, rising more than 20% in the last year. 

The fund is made up of 58 small-cap companies across a wide range of sectors including healthcare, industrials, resources, technology, energy and more. 

The post 3 of the best performing VanEck ASX ETFs in the last year appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• 3 Australian shares with bullish catalysts heading into 2026
• $20,000 in excess savings? Here’s how to try and turn that into a second income in 2026
• 5 fantastic ASX ETFs for beginners in 2026
• How did the BHP share price perform in 2025?

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.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cut the cash rate multiple times last year, making ASX dividend shares a lot more appealing for passive income.

It’s certainly possible that the RBA could decide to increase the interest rate 2025, so we’ll have to see what happens. The strength of inflation could be key.

I’m going to outline two ASX dividend shares that could be a great option today.

Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW)

This is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns a diversified portfolio of properties across Australia’s cities. It has built its asset base to have a long weighted average lease expiry (WALE), hence the name.

At the end of FY25, the business had a WALE of 9.3 years, which is an exceptional level of income visibility and security for investors.

Those properties are from a diverse array of tenant industries including pubs and hotels, government-tenanted buildings, telecommunication exchanges, data centres, service stations, grocery and distribution, food manufacturing and so on.

One of the reasons why I think it’s such an effective ASX dividend share pick today is because it has steady rental growth built into its contracts and it’s able to provide investors with a high degree of certainty regarding its rental earnings.

For FY26, it has guided that its operating earnings per security (EPS) and distribution per security will both be 25 cents. That translates into a distribution yield of 6.1%, which I think is an attractive level of passive income.

Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI)

Pinnacle has been one of the most impressive ASX dividend shares considering it operates in a very volatile sector – funds management. It buys stakes in promising funds management businesses (affiliates) and helps them grow.

The company offers its affiliates a number of services such as fund administration, compliance, finance, legal, distribution and client services, seed funds under management (FUM), technology, working capital and more.

Pinnacle is benefiting from the natural investment growth of the affiliates’ funds, the net inflows they’re seeing and the occasional addition of a new affiliate to the portfolio.  

In the first three months of FY26, Pinnacle saw its FUM rise 10% (compared to June 2025) to $197.4 billion. This growth included total net inflows of $13.3 billion for the quarter.

With most affiliate strategies having outperformed their benchmarks over the prior five years, they have a good track record to attract more FUM for the foreseeable future, which is a good tailwind for earnings.

The ASX dividend share increased its annual dividend every year between FY17 to FY25, aside from FY20 when it maintained the payout. It currently has a grossed-up dividend yield of around 5%, including franking credits. I think that’s a great starting point for an ASX dividend share.

The post 2 top ASX dividend share buys for passive income in January 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• $20,000 in excess savings? Here’s how to try and turn that into a second income in 2026
• 2 ASX dividend shares raising dividends like clockwork!
• 2 undervalued ASX 200 shares to target
• These 2 ASX dividend shares are great buys right now
• 2 ASX blue-chip shares offering big dividend yields

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

BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL) doesn’t shout. It just delivers.

The $10.5 billion steel stock has quietly gone about its business. At the time of writing, BlueScope Steel shares are trading hands at $24.14 apiece.

If you’re wondering why the market can’t get enough of it, here are 3 reasons BlueScope Steel shares still look buy-worthy.

Upbeat analysts see upside

Let’s start with the scoreboard. BlueScope shares are up a solid 29% in the past 12 months. That’s not a lucky bounce, but sustained momentum.

Even after that run, analysts aren’t waving the caution flag. Brokers are generally upbeat, with most market watchers recommending BlueScope Steel shares as a strong buy.

Several major brokers see further room for gains for the steel stock, with average 12-month price targets at $26.26 and some high-end estimates of $28. This implies an 16% upside at the current share price.

Higher-margin steel products

BlueScope Steel’s share price recovery is being driven by a combination of supportive factors. A pickup in Australian construction activity has lifted demand for the company’s coated and painted steel products, including Colorbond and Zincalume.

Alongside this, ongoing cost-reduction initiatives and improvements in operational efficiency are strengthening BlueScope’s performance. The deliberate shift toward higher-margin premium steel products further supports the view that the steel maker is managing its position within a cyclical industry with greater discipline.

For investors, that means more stable earnings and fewer nasty surprises when the steel cycle turns.

BlueScope Steel shares offer options

Steel cycles can be brutal. BlueScope Steel’s balance sheet, however, looks built for survival and opportunity. The company has emerged leaner, more flexible and better capitalised than in past cycles.

That financial strength gives management options. BlueScope Steel can invest in growth, weather downturns, or return capital to shareholders. Markets love options, especially in industrial names.

Yes, risks remain. Steel demand is tied to global growth, energy costs can spike, and oversupply never fully disappears. The company also continues to grapple with lower returns on equity compared with industry rivals, raising questions about capital efficiency.

But analysts broadly agree BlueScope Steel is better placed than most to handle those headwinds. The steel producer has kept dividends stable, signalling confidence in the underlying business. BlueScope Steel shares offer an acceptable dividend yield of 3.3%, which could lift total earnings, including dividends, close to the 20% mark.  

Operationally, the company’s Australian steelmaking division remains a steady performer, while its move toward branded, value-added products gives it more pricing power than commodity steelmakers typically enjoy.

Put it all together and the case is simple. Strong momentum, smarter operations and financial muscle explain why BlueScope Steel shares are worth considering.

The post 3 reasons to buy BlueScope Steel shares now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• All systems go for BlueScope Steel shares
• Two ASX 200 stocks with buy recommendations from Ord Minnett
• Can this ASX 200 stock keep its end of year rally going?

Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther 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.

On Friday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) finished the week on a positive note. The benchmark index rose 0.15% to 8,727.8 points.

Will the market be able to build on this on Monday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to rise again

The Australian share market looks set for a decent start to the week following a relatively positive finish to the last one on Wall Street on Friday. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 11 points or 0.15% higher. In the United States, the Dow Jones was up 0.65%, the S&P 500 rose 0.2%, and the Nasdaq finished largely flat.

Oil prices slip

It could be a subdued start to the week for ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) after oil prices slipped on Friday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price was up 0.15% to US$57.32 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price was down 0.15% to US$60.75 a barrel. Since then, the Venezuelan leader Maduro has been overthrown. Given how oil-rich it is, this could have an impact on oil markets when they reopen.

BHP and Rio Tinto expected to rise

It looks set to be a good start to the week for BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares on Monday after their NYSE-listed shares charged higher on Friday night. Both miners were up around 2% during the session on Wall Street. This left both mining giants trading within touching distance of their 52-week highs.

Gold price falls

ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a subdued start to the week after the gold price edged lower on Friday night. According to CNBC, the gold futures price was down 0.25% to US$4,329.6 an ounce. This may have been driven by profit-taking from some traders.

Collins Foods pay day

Today is a good day for owners of Collins Foods Ltd (ASX: CKF). That’s because today is pay day for the KFC focused quick service restaurant operator’s shareholders. Last month, the company released its half year results and revealed a 29.5% increase in underlying net profit after tax to $30.8 million. This allowed the Collins Foods board to increase its fully franked interim dividend by 18% to 13 cents per share.

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

More reading

• 3 of the best performing VanEck ASX ETFs in the last year
• Why Woodside shares could face short-term pressure as oil prices slide
• Can Santos shares reignite after a 20% slide?
• Which ASX shares paid the best dividends in 2025?
• ASX 200 energy sector leads the market ahead of OPEC+ meeting

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

It’s no secret that Aussies love a holiday, which impacts the performance of many travel shares listed on the ASX. 

While travel shares is an umbrella term, it includes many ASX listed companies that operate in leisure, tourism, business etc – and all contribute significantly to the Australian economy. 

Here are three to keep an eye on this year. 

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

As Australia’s largest and most recognisable airline, Qantas holds an important and dominant space in the Australian tourism landscape. 

Last year, like many other ASX 200 shares, it dipped during early April amongst tariff panic. 

However after that, it rebounded significantly, rising more than 30% from April 9 until the new year. 

Overall, it finished 2025 with a total gain of more than 15%. 

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) rose approximately 6.3% in 2025. 

However, it seems some experts are tipping more turbulence than upwards trajectory in 2026. 

For one, general consensus is that 2026 may bring RBA rate increases, which could put pressure on household spending. 

Rising interest rates usually hurt travel shares because higher borrowing costs and mortgage repayments reduce discretionary spending on travel. 

In December, Sanlam Private Wealth’s Ben Faulkner said the Qantas share price has run ahead of fundamentals. 

This leaves it vulnerable to any possible downgrades. 

On the flip side, average analyst ratings from TradingView has a 12 month price target on these travel shares of $12.31. 

This is 17% higher than Friday’s closing price. 

SiteMinder Ltd (ASX: SDR)

These ASX travel shares ended the year on a bull run that simply cannot be ignored. 

In the past 6 months, SiteMinder shares rose 38.15%. 

It is a technology company that provides an e-commerce platform for hotels and other accommodation businesses. The company touts its product as helping hotels to sell, market, manage, and grow their businesses from one platform.

Even after its strong end to 2025, there could be more room for growth. 

Late last year, UBS placed a price target of $8.30 on these ASX travel shares. 

That indicates a further rise of 35% from Friday’s closing price. 

Kelsian Group Ltd (ASX: KLS)

Kelsian Group was one of the best performing ASX travel shares last year. 

The company operates public and private transport and tourism services through a portfolio of brand names across Australia, United States, Singapore, London, and the Channel Islands. 

In 2025, its share price rose an impressive 18%. 

Despite this growth, it is still trading on a cheap price/earnings (P/E) ratio based on expected growth from forecasts on CMC Markets. 

Furthermore, this travel stock is expected to pay a grossed-up dividend yield of 6.2% in FY26 and 6.9% in FY27.

The post ASX travel shares to watch in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Should you buy Qantas shares for its 5% dividend yield in 2026?
• 9 ASX All Ords shares upgraded to strong buy ratings for the new year
• My top 5 ASX 200 shares I would buy with $10,000
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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