Lendlease Group (ASX: LLC) shares are pushing higher on Wednesday morning.

At the time of writing, the ASX 200 stock is up 3.5% to $5.23.

Why is this ASX 200 stock rising?

Investors have been buying the property developer’s shares this morning after it announced a major contract win.

According to the release, the ASX 200 stock has secured the Sydney Metro Hunter Street West Over Station Development, which also includes construction of the new metro station beneath the site.

The project will see Lendlease deliver a 52-storey premium commercial tower on the corner of George Street and Hunter Street in the heart of Sydney’s CBD.

Known as the West Tower, the building is expected to achieve a 6 Star Green Star rating and will feature up to 58,000 square metres of commercial office space and around 1,000 square metres of retail space.

It is fair to say that the scale of the project is significant. Lendlease estimates the West Tower will have a gross end value of approximately $2.2 billion, while the associated station construction contract is valued at around $1.5 billion.

Construction is targeted to commence in FY 2027, with completion expected in 2032. It notes that this aligns with the planned opening of the Hunter Street metro station.

Future earnings boost

Management highlighted that the project will contribute meaningfully to Lendlease’s future earnings profile.

The group expects to receive development management and performance fees, as well as construction income, and noted that the development has been structured in a capital-efficient manner. Encouragingly, returns from the project are expected to be above the group’s cost of equity, reflecting Lendlease’s disciplined approach to new opportunities.

The ASX 200 stock’s CEO, Tony Lombardo, said:

Growth momentum is building across our core segments. Securing the Hunter Street Over Station Development and 175 Liverpool St residential development during 1H FY26, we have added ~$5 billion to our Australian Development pipeline year to date. The award of the Hunter Street contract has resulted in ~$4 billion of new Construction work being secured in the first half.

Following strong progress to simplify the Group, our focus remains firmly on strengthening our balance sheet and developing opportunities for growth across our Australian operations and international investment management platform.

The Hunter Street win also represents another step in rebuilding Lendlease’s Australian development pipeline. The company revealed that the project contributes to a goal of securing more than $10 billion of new opportunities in FY 2026, adding to an already secured pipeline of $10 billion.

In addition, Lendlease is progressing discussions on several other major projects, including the RNA Showgrounds redevelopment in Brisbane, which is set to host the Athletes’ Village for the 2032 Olympic Games, and a large residential metro development in Melbourne.

The post Guess which ASX 200 stock is rising on $3.7b contract win appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• 5 magnificent ASX stocks that can make you richer in 2026
• Lendlease unveils $400m TRX sale and FY26 capital recycling update
• 2 quality ASX 200 stocks to buy for your 2026 portfolio
• 5 ASX shares I’m avoiding this week

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.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares sit at the centre of Australian investing.

It is the nation’s largest bank, a core holding in countless superannuation portfolios, and a share that many Australians hold for decades rather than years. When CBA moves, a lot of household wealth moves with it.

So how has it actually performed in 2025?

Let’s rewind to the very start of the year and see what would have happened if an investor put $10,000 into CBA shares and then did absolutely nothing.

$10,000 invested at the start of 2025

At the end of 2024, CBA shares were trading at $153.25.

With $10,000, an investor could have bought 65 shares for a total cost of $9,951.25, leaving a small amount of cash on the sidelines for a nice dinner.

For a while, that decision looked very smart.

CBA shares surged in the first half of the year and reached an all-time high of $192.00 in late June. At that peak, those 65 shares would have been worth $12,480, representing a paper gain of more than $2,500 in just six months.

However, the second half of 2025 told a different story.

Concerns about its valuation, slowing growth, and how much further Australia’s biggest bank could realistically run began to weigh on the share price. At the time of writing, CBA shares had fallen back to $161.73, which is roughly 16% below their June high.

At that price, the original 65 shares are now worth $10,512.45. This is around $550 higher than the initial investment.

The dividends

Of course, focusing only on the share price misses a big part of the CBA story.

Over the period, the bank paid two fully franked dividends to shareholders. They received a $2.25 per share interim dividend in March, followed by a $2.60 per share final dividend in September.

Across 65 shares, that equates to total dividend income of $315.25, which means that the total value of this investment would now be $10,827.70.

That’s a total return of almost 9% for the year.

While this is not a spectacular outcome, especially given how strong the first half of the year looked, it is better than what some blue chips delivered this year.

It is also a return that many shareholders would be pleased with given how most analysts were predicting sharp declines from CBA shares this year.

The post Was it a good idea to invest $10,000 in CBA shares in 2025? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Did the ASX 200, NASDAQ 100, or S&P 500 perform better this year?
• Would I be mad to buy more CBA shares near $160?
• CBA shares down 16% since peak amid core advantages ‘slowly being eroded’
• Why these ASX ETFs could be better than buying CBA shares
• 5 ASX shares I’m avoiding this week

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 Ventia Services Group Ltd (ASX: VNT) share price is in focus today after the company announced it has secured a NSW Whole‑of‑Government cleaning contract in Western Sydney, valued at around $100 million over 18 months with a possible one-year extension.

What did Ventia report?

• Secured new NSW Whole‑of‑Government Cleaning Services contract for Western Sydney Region
• Contract valued at approximately $100 million over 18 months, with option for one‑year extension
• Extends Ventia’s longstanding partnership with NSW Government, building on 20+ years of service delivery
• Commitment to create local jobs and support small and medium enterprises in Western Sydney
• Focus on strengthening local supply chains and direct economic benefits to local communities

What else do investors need to know?

Ventia says this award demonstrates its capacity to deliver large-scale, sustainable services for government and the wider community. The company highlights its proven track record, providing essential services throughout the COVID period and maintaining critical operations under pressure.

Another key takeaway is Ventia’s stated commitment to local economic growth. By prioritising partnerships with small and medium businesses, Ventia aims to channel benefits directly into the Western Sydney region, supporting jobs and helping the supply chain.

What did Ventia management say?

Dean Banks, Managing Director and Group CEO said:

We are proud to be selected for this important contract and to continue our longstanding partnership with NSW Government in Western Sydney. This award demonstrates Ventia’s capability to deliver large-scale, sustainable services that make a real difference to communities. We aim to set new standards in cleaning services and expand our support for government and community across Australia.

What’s next for Ventia?

Looking forward, Ventia is well-placed to further cement its reputation as a leading essential infrastructure services provider. The company’s focus remains on delivering reliable, scalable services and creating shared value for clients, communities, and shareholders.

Ventia’s strategy centres on redefining service excellence—through strong local partnerships, innovation, and sustainable operations—across a broad range of sectors, including defence, utilities, and transport.

Ventia share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Ventia Services shares have risen 65%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has increased 7% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Ventia wins $100m NSW cleaning contract, boosting services outlook appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• DroneShield secures $6.2 million Asia Pacific contract
• EVT buys QT Auckland in $87.5m deal: hotel portfolio gets a boost
• Retirement wealth plan: Create $1 million with a single Australian stock
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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.

The DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) share price is in focus today after the company announced a new $6.2 million contract for its AI-powered defence solutions, expected for delivery and payment in 2026.

What did DroneShield report?

• Secured a $6.2 million Asia Pacific contract with a military end-customer
• Delivery and cash payment anticipated in 2026
• The contract was arranged through an in-country reseller for a government department
• Solutions include interoperability with DroneShield’s command-and-control software, DroneSentry-C2
• DroneShield has received 14 standalone contracts from this reseller over the past 2 years, totalling over $48 million

What else do investors need to know?

DroneShield’s latest deal adds to a growing tally of contracts in the Asia Pacific region, reinforcing its role as a trusted technology supplier for military clients. The company points out there is no obligation for further contracts but notes its consistent relationship with this significant global reseller.

Management also confirmed all material information regarding the financial impact and customer identity is fully disclosed and does not expect this news to have an outsized impact on its share value.

What’s next for DroneShield?

With delivery and payment on this contract expected in 2026, DroneShield’s focus now turns to executing on its obligations and continuing to nurture key industry relationships. Management remains committed to innovation, leveraging its AI-based defence platforms across terrestrial, maritime, and airborne security markets.

DroneShield share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Droneshield shares have soared 411%, significantly outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 7% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post DroneShield secures $6.2 million Asia Pacific contract appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Sometimes winning isn’t about sprinting. It’s about starting early, and this ASX dividend share looks like it’s back in the race.

Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL) shares have declined by 17% in value over the past 12 months. Since the end of August, the ASX dividend share has experienced a steady decline to $22.80 at the time of writing.

Many analysts believe now is the time to consider the seventh largest ASX 200 healthcare share by market capitalisation.

Plumber of modern medicine

Sonic Healthcare made its name doing the unglamorous but essential stuff: pathology and diagnostic imaging. It specialises in blood tests, biopsies, and scans — the plumbing of modern medicine.

It’s boring, sure. But boring can be beautiful when cash flows are steady, and demand refuses to go away.

After riding a pandemic sugar hit, the ASX dividend share spent the past couple of years sobering up. COVID testing revenue faded, margins tightened, and investors wandered off in search of shinier stories.

Ageing population, healthy balance

Expectations around Sonic Healthcare are now lower, and that’s often where opportunity sneaks in. Its underlying business is solid with a healthy balance sheet, the company has a bright future fuelled by an ageing global population, and it reported sound full-year results.

In FY 2025, the company delivered revenue of $9.6 billion, up 8% year over year. The net profit increased by 7% to $514 million, and EBITDA rose 8%, while operating cash flow also surged by 21%.

The ASX stock has leveraged its strong cash flows – bolstered during the COVID pandemic – to fund acquisitions in Germany and the US, as well as investments in digital pathology and AI. This could drive future growth.

Risks? Plenty. Government funding pressures, wage inflation, and regulatory changes can all bite.

What do analysts think?

According to Bell Potter, the ASX dividend share is a good choice for investors seeking income opportunities. The broker expects Sonic Healthcare’s earnings to rise due to cost-cutting, recent acquisitions, and increased activity at its labs and clinics returning to pre-pandemic levels.

Bell Potter forecasts dividends of $1.09 per share in FY 2026 and $1.11 in FY 2027. With Sonic shares currently at $22.80, this would result in a dividend yield of 4.8% and 4.9%.

The broker has assigned a buy rating and a $33.30 price target to its shares. Based on the share price at the time of writing, this implies a potential upside of 33% for investors over the next 12 months.

Bell Potter is on the bullish side, as the average 12-month target price is $26.51. However, that still points to a 16% upside and could bring the total gain in 2026 to well over 20%.

The post Start the new year bright by snapping up this ASX dividend share appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The EVT Ltd (ASX: EVT) share price is in focus after the company announced it will acquire QT Auckland for NZ$87.5 million (~A$76 million), strengthening its owned hotel portfolio and extending its QT brand presence in the region.

What did EVT report?

• Acquisition of QT Auckland, a 150-room premium lifestyle hotel, for NZ$87.5 million (~A$76 million)
• Strategic expansion aligns with hotel division growth strategy and asset ownership in key city locations
• Divestment of Rydges Geelong for $24.5 million as part of capital recycling initiative
• Completion of both transactions expected early in the 2026 calendar year
• QT Auckland has won multiple industry awards since opening in 2020

What else do investors need to know?

This acquisition secures long-term brand presence for EVT in Auckland’s vibrant Viaduct precinct—an area popular with business and leisure travellers. The purchase cements EVT’s strategic approach to focus on high-performing hotels in major city locations.

Funds from the sale of Rydges Geelong, described as a non-core asset, will be redirected to support this investment. EVT’s asset recycling program is designed to strengthen its property portfolio and improve profitability by investing in flagship locations.

The QT brand continues to grow both locally and internationally, with new openings such as QT Singapore and plans for QT Parramatta to open in 2027.

What did EVT management say?

EVT CEO Jane Hastings said:

We are pleased to secure ownership of one of our flagship QT hotels, reinforcing our commitment to growing earnings from owned hotel assets and advancing our broader hotel brand strategy. This investment also complements the upcoming conversion of our Queenstown property to the QT brand, which will be an exceptional property in one of our strongest markets, with Auckland serving as a key feeder market for international visitors to Queenstown.

What’s next for EVT?

Looking ahead, EVT plans to complete both the QT Auckland acquisition and the Rydges Geelong sale in early 2026, subject to conditions being met. The company aims to drive further growth with its asset-light QT brand expansion, hotel management agreements, and innovative brand extensions such as qtQT cabins.

Management has highlighted a focus on portfolio optimisation, international market entry, and ongoing capital recycling to maximise returns for shareholders. The opening of QT Parramatta and further brand rollouts are expected to complement the Group’s growth strategy.

EVT share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, EVT shares have risen 15%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has increased 7% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post EVT buys QT Auckland in $87.5m deal: hotel portfolio gets a boost appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Ventia wins $100m NSW cleaning contract, boosting services outlook
• DroneShield secures $6.2 million Asia Pacific contract
• Retirement wealth plan: Create $1 million with a single Australian stock
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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.

When it comes to building long-term wealth, few things are as powerful as reliable dividends paid by high-quality businesses.

While share prices will always move around, companies with strong earnings and a commitment to returning cash to shareholders can provide investors with peace of mind through all market cycles.

If I were building a portfolio designed to last decades, these are three ASX dividend shares I would be comfortable buying and holding forever.

APA Group (ASX: APA)

APA is one of the most dependable income stocks on the Australian share market. As a leading owner and operator of energy infrastructure, it generates stable, regulated cash flows that are largely insulated from economic ups and downs.

Its portfolio spans gas pipelines, electricity transmission assets, and power generation, with long-term contracts that provide excellent visibility over future earnings. This stability has allowed APA to steadily grow its distributions over time, making it a favourite among income-focused investors.

In fact, it has gone almost two decades with consecutive annual dividend increases.

Overall, I like this ASX dividend share due to its predictability, inflation-linked revenues, and a business model that supports consistent payouts year after year.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

In recent years, Telstra has quietly re-established itself as a core ASX dividend share for investors. As Australia’s largest telecommunications provider, it benefits from essential infrastructure, a dominant mobile network, and recurring revenue from its millions of customers.

Ongoing investment in 5G, network reliability, and cost efficiency has strengthened Telstra’s earnings base, helping underpin its dividend outlook. Importantly, connectivity demand continues to grow, even during weaker economic periods, which supports Telstra’s defensive characteristics.

For investors seeking income with lower volatility, Telstra could be the one to choose.

Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI)

Finally, Universal Store might look different to traditional ASX dividend shares, but it earns its place here through growth-supported income. The youth fashion retailer has built a scalable store network, strong private-label penetration, and disciplined cost control, even in challenging retail conditions.

Unlike many retailers, Universal Store continues to generate solid free cash flow despite the tough consumer backdrop and has been able to return a meaningful portion of earnings to shareholders.

And with the company having a significant store rollout and private label opportunity, its future looks very bright. As a result, I think this is an ASX dividend share worth buying and holding for the long term.

The post 3 strong ASX dividend shares I would buy and hold forever appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

There are plenty of indexes Aussie investors track to measure their portfolio performance. Here in Australia, the benchmark index is the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO). 

It is made up of the 200 largest Australian companies based on market cap.

It is heavily weighted towards Australia’s largest companies like Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and mining giants like BHP Group (ASX: BHP). 

Because these companies are significantly larger than most of the others, the ASX 200 index is largely influenced by how these blue-chip companies perform. 

For example, CBA is twice as big as the next largest bank and almost 5x larger than the 11th largest company listed on the ASX. 

How did the ASX 200 perform this year

The ASX 200 index started the year at 8,201 points. 

It dropped significantly from February to early April, declining more than 14% in that span. 

This was largely due to a strong sell-off in early April as investors reacted to Tariff news from the US. 

After this initial panic, the ASX 200 steadily recovered. 

Prior to Christmas eve, it closed trading at 8,795.70 points, which is an overall rise of 7.25% for the year. 

Overall this sits just below, but close to an average year for the index. 

Motley Fool research shows the ASX 200 has compounded at roughly 9% per annum over the last 10 years, dividends included.

How does this compare to the US?

Two of the key indexes investors pay close attention to in the US are the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) and the NASDAQ-100 Index (NASDAQ: NDX). 

The first, the S&P 500 index, is widely regarded as the best single gauge of large-cap U.S. equities. 

The index includes 500 leading companies and covers approximately 80% of available market capitalisation.

Meanwhile, the Nasdaq 100 Index includes 100 of the world’s largest non-financial companies listed on the broader Nasdaq sharemarket. 

As a collection of dynamic companies at the forefront of innovation, the Nasdaq 100 Index has come to represent the ‘new economy’. 

This year, the S&P 500 Index has risen 17.21%. 

Meanwhile, the NASDAQ-100 Index has risen 21.39%. 

Since 1985 (until December 2024), the NASDAQ-100 index has provided an average annual return of 14.25%, compared to 11.57% for the S&P 500. 

How do investors get exposure?

For investors looking to track these Australian and global indexes, there are many ASX ETFs to choose from. 

For exposure to the ASX 200, some options include: 

• BetaShares Australia 200 ETF (ASX: A200)
• iShares Core S&P/ASX 200 ETF (ASX: IOZ)
• SPDR S&P/asx 200 Fund (ASX: STW)

To track the S&P 500: 

• iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)
• SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (ASX: SPY)

To track the NASDAQ 100, investors can consider: 

• BetaShares NASDAQ 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)
• Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF – Currency Hedged (ASX: HNDQ)

The post Did the ASX 200, NASDAQ 100, or S&P 500 perform better this year? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has positions in BHP Group and BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF – Currency Hedged, 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.

Although I’m technically a few decades away from the traditional retirement age, I’m already planning for a life beyond 9-5. That planning involves investing in ASX shares that will hopefully be paying my bills one day. There’s one stock in my portfolio that I have placed a lot of faith in to get me there faster. I have every confidence that this Australian stock will be worth $1 million alone one day.

That stock is investing house Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL), a stock that has been on the ASX for more than a century.

Washington H. Soul Pattinson, or Soul Patts for short, is a company that functions more like an investor itself than a producer of goods or services. It owns a vast underlying portfolio of assets that it manages on behalf of its investors. These assets consist of stakes in other ASX shares, property, venture capital investments and private credit, amongst others.

Soul Patts has been a proven Australian stock market performer for many years now. Back in September, the company told investors that it had delivered a total shareholder return (growth plus dividends) of 13.7% per annum over the 25 years to 23 September 2025. That beat the performance of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) by 5.1% per annum over the same period.

Of course, past performance is never a guarantee of future success. But 25 years of outperforming the broader Australian stock market is still a rare achievement. As is delivering an annual dividend increase every year since 1998 – a feat unmatched by any other Australian stock.

How to turn $10,000 into $1 million with an Australian stock

I’ve built Soul Patts into one of my portfolio’s largest positions with the hope and expectation that its 13.7% annual return will continue well into the future.

Let’s, for a moment, assume that Soul Patts will be able to keep to that 13.7% return going forward. How long would it take for this Australian stock to compound its way to $1 million?

Well, let’s say an investor puts $10,000 into Soul Patts stock, reinvests all dividends, and adds an additional $500 every month. At 13.7% per annum, that investor would have $1 million to their name after 22 years. That’s easily enough to help that investor into an early retirement.

Let’s up the ante and say our investor initially invests $20,000 and puts another $1,000 in every month. Well, under this scenario, that investor will hit six figures after 17 years. For an investor who starts this process at 25, they will have $1 million in Soul Patts shares well before age 40.

Of course, Soul Patts might not be able to hit 13.7% per annum forever. But a long track record of outperformance is worth an awful lot in the Australian stock investing world. I’m happy to hitch my financial cart to this wagon.

The post Retirement wealth plan: Create $1 million with a single Australian stock appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Many investors might not be aware that there are roughly 390 ASX ETFs available. 

These range from broad index tracking funds, to niche thematic funds.

What’s equally as important to understand, is not every fund is successful, and it’s not uncommon that ASX ETFs actually have to shut down entirely. 

Running an ASX ETF involves ongoing costs such as index licensing fees, market-making and trading costs, administration, compliance, and regulatory reporting. 

Investors cover some of these costs in the form of management fees.

These costs exist regardless of how much money is invested in the fund and are largely fixed for the issuer. 

Because of this, an ASX ETF could be forced to shut down if it isn’t attracting enough investors to be worth running. 

If a fund has low money invested in it or very little trading activity, the fees collected may not cover these costs. 

15 years of ups and downs

A recent report from Vanguard showcases just how hard it can actually be for a fund to have long term success. 

Over the last 15 years, we’ve seen:

• COVID-19
• 2022 inflation and interest rate shock
• Geopolitical conflicts
• Tariff and trade escalation and de-escalation
• Brexit
• European debt crisis

All of these impacted international markets. 

According to Vanguard, over that period, Australian investors had access to just over 1,000 multi-asset funds.

Over half have closed or ceased reporting performance data. 

Vanguard said there are approximately 200 funds that have at least a 15-year track record as at 30 September 2025.

What does this tell us? To have long term success is easier said than done.

Which funds have had long term success?

While it’s important to note past performance doesn’t guarantee future returns, there are ASX ETFs that have stood the test of time. 

The first, is the iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV). 

As the name suggests, it invests in the performance of the S&P 500 Index which is the largest US companies by market capitalisation. 

This includes global powerhouses like Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT), Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA). 

It was first listed in 2008, and is up 650% total in that span. 

Over the last 10 years, it has provided annual returns of roughly 15%. 

Another fund that has provided long term success is Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS). 

The fund tracks the return of the S&P/ASX 300 index – Australia’s largest 300 companies. 

It is actually the largest ASX ETF by market cap. 

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

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

The post The ASX ETFs that have stood the test of time appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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, Microsoft, Nvidia, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.