The Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) share price was in focus today as the company reported standout 2025 fourth quarter results, including an 8% increase in copper-equivalent (CuEq) production for the year and record shipments from its Pilbara iron ore operations.

What did Rio Tinto report?

• Full-year copper-equivalent production up 8% year-on-year
• Pilbara iron ore production hit 327.3 million tonnes, steady year-on-year, with Q4 up 4% to 89.7 million tonnes
• Iron ore shipments reached a record 326.2 million tonnes for the year; up 7% for Q4
• Copper production surged 11% to 883,000 tonnes, topping guidance
• Bauxite production set a record at 62.4 million tonnes, up 6%
• Record quarterly lithium output, and aluminium production rose 3% to 3.38 million tonnes

What else do investors need to know?

Rio Tinto’s operational results reflected strong recovery from earlier weather issues and highlighted expansion milestones, such as first exports from the Simandou iron ore project in Guinea. The company delivered project ramp-ups across copper, bauxite, and lithium, underpinned by ongoing improvements in operational efficiency.

Expenditure on exploration and evaluation dropped to US$795 million, primarily as more costs were capitalised relating to the Rincon lithium project. Management reaffirmed production guidance for 2026, keeping targets in line with strategic plans outlined at the company’s recent Capital Markets Day.

What did Rio Tinto management say?

Chief Executive Simon Trott said:

Our operations delivered exceptional production performance, both on a quarter-on-quarter and full year basis, as we leverage our strong foundation of operating excellence and project delivery across our portfolio.

What’s next for Rio Tinto?

The group expects 2026 production guidance to remain unchanged, with ongoing project ramp-ups in Pilbara iron ore, Simandou, Oyu Tolgoi copper, and lithium capacity in Argentina. Several brownfield expansions and greenfield studies are underway, including feasibility at the Rhodes Ridge iron ore project and advanced work on multiple battery minerals assets.

Capital plans reflect continued focus on portfolio growth and operational improvements, including cost discipline and investment in critical minerals for the global energy transition. Rio Tinto’s leadership notes ongoing strategic reviews in some business units, aiming to unlock further value in coming years.

Rio Tinto share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Rio Tinto shares have risen 21%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Rio Tinto posts strong 2025 Q4 production results 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 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 people talk about ASX growth shares, the focus often falls on the same familiar names. 

That makes sense. Quality businesses tend to attract attention. But it also means some companies with genuine earnings potential get overlooked, especially if they operate in less glamorous niches or have gone through periods of volatility.

These are three ASX growth shares that I believe are underappreciated today, not because they lack quality, but because their earnings power is not always obvious at first glance. Here’s why I would invest $1,000 in them.

Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT)

Catapult is a company I think many investors still underestimate.

It operates in elite sports performance technology, providing wearable devices and analytics software used by professional teams around the world. Once a team embeds Catapult’s technology into its training and performance systems, switching providers is not easy. That creates customer stickiness that is easy to overlook if you only focus on short-term results.

What gives Catapult real earnings power, in my view, is the combination of recurring software revenue and operating leverage. The company has already invested heavily in product development and global distribution. As revenue continues to grow, particularly from subscriptions, incremental margins should improve.

Catapult is not without risk, and its share price has reflected that over time. But as its top line growth and cash flow improves, I think the market may start paying more attention to the underlying economics of the business rather than just its history.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)

Sigma is a company that looks very different today than it did a few years ago.

Following its merger with Chemist Warehouse, Sigma has become a vertically integrated healthcare group with scale across wholesale distribution, franchising, and retail pharmacy. That scale matters. It provides purchasing power, operational efficiencies, and a more defensible competitive position.

Healthcare demand is structural rather than cyclical. People need access to medicines and pharmacy services regardless of economic conditions. This gives Sigma a level of earnings resilience that is often underappreciated by the market.

The Chemist Warehouse integration process does carry execution risks, and I would not pretend otherwise. But if management delivers on integration benefits and cost synergies, Sigma’s earnings profile could look very different over the next few years. That potential upside is not something I think is fully reflected in current sentiment.

Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

Hub24 is one of my preferred ways to gain exposure to the structural growth of Australia’s wealth management industry.

The shift toward platform-based investing, transparency, and adviser-led solutions continues to benefit Hub24 and underpin funds under administration growth.

What I like about Hub24’s earnings power is how clean the model is. Revenue scales with platform usage, costs are relatively controlled, and the business benefits from long-term industry trends rather than short-term market sentiment.

Hub24 shares are not cheap on traditional valuation metrics, which may be why some investors hesitate. But I think that misses the point. Businesses that consistently grow earnings at attractive rates and generate high returns on capital rarely look cheap. For me, Hub24’s ability to convert growth into profits is what makes it stand out.

The common thread

What links Catapult, Hub24, and Sigma is not hype or short-term momentum. It is the presence of real earnings power that can become more visible over time.

Each operates in a market with structural tailwinds. Each has a business model that can scale. And each, in my opinion, is still not fully appreciated for what it could earn if execution remains solid.

The post 3 underappreciated ASX growth shares I would buy with $1,000 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Hub24 shares jump 8% on record-breaking performance
• HUB24 posts record inflows in Q2 FY26 earnings

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Hub24. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports and Hub24. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Hub24. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Investing in ASX ETFs gives investors a great opportunity for diversification in a single trade. 

Of course, knowing what you are investing in is vital when making your decision. 

However an often overlooked aspect of ASX ETF investing is the cost of management fees. 

What are ASX ETF management fees?

ASX ETF management fees are the ongoing costs charged by the fund provider to operate and manage the exchange-traded fund. 

These fees help cover expenses like portfolio management, administration, index licensing, custody, and regulatory compliance. 

Management fees are usually expressed as a percentage per annum (% p.a.) of the total value of your investment.

Rather than being charged directly to investors, the fee is automatically deducted from the ETF’s assets on an ongoing basis, meaning it is reflected in the ETF’s unit price and overall returns over time.

It is also important to recognise that different funds have different fees based on how complex the fund is to run. 

Actively managed and specialised funds tend to be more expensive due to research, trading, and management costs, while passive index funds are usually cheaper. 

Fees can also be higher for funds with international exposure, currency hedging, or less liquid assets. In contrast, large, broad-market funds often have lower fees because their costs are spread across more investors.

Does the management fee really matter?

When you compare funds, you might see management costs ranging from 0.05% p.a. to even 1% p.a. 

While 1% might not sound like a lot, even a tiny difference in management fees can add up over the long-term, especially with large investments. 

The Motley Fool’s Sebastian Bowen covered this in great detail last year. 

His research shows an ASX ETF that is 0.05% cheaper can save you almost $6,000 over a 20-year period. 

With that in mind, here are some options for investors seeking low-fee ASX ETFs that have also brought strong returns. 

Vanguard Us Total Market Shares Index ETF (ASX: VTS)

This fund is the cheapest fund I could find in terms of management fees p.a.

Its management fee sits at just 0.03% p.a. 

The fund provides exposure to some of the world’s largest companies listed in the United States.

Alongside this low ongoing cost, it has risen by 93.89% in the last 5 years. 

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

Put simply, this fund aims to provide investors with the performance of the S&P 500 Index. 

The fund has risen by 104.83% in the last 5 years. 

Alongside this growth, it has a very low cost fee of 0.04% p.a. 

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (ASX: VEU)

This ETF provides exposure to many of the world’s largest companies listed in major developed and emerging countries outside the US.

It has a management fee of 0.04% p.a and has risen by 43% in the last 5 years. 

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

This is Australia’s second largest ETF by market capitalisation.

It has a management fee of 0.18% p.a. 

The fund includes around 1,300 companies from developed countries, excluding Australia.

It has risen by almost 80% in the last 5 years. 

The post ASX ETFs with big gains and low fees appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the 3 ASX ETFs I use for my super fund
• 3 global ETFs I’d hold for the next decade
• How to build an ASX share portfolio for income and growth
• Why Aussies are pouring into ASX ETFs at a record pace
• 5 strong ASX ETFs to buy in your 30s

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has positions in Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Vanguard International Equity Index Funds – Vanguard Ftse All-World ex-US ETF and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended 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.

Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB) shares avoided the broad market weakness on Tuesday and charged higher.

The ASX 200 stock was up almost 9% at one stage before finishing the day 3% higher at $101.21.

Investors were buying the investment platform provider’s shares after responding positively to the release of its latest quarterly update.

Can this ASX 200 stock keep rising in 2026?

Bell Potter was impressed with the company’s performance during the second quarter and remains positive on the investment opportunity here.

In response to its update, the broker said:

HUB released a solid 2Q26 update, printing the highest quarterly inflow on record, and provided similar positive comments around the pipeline. Our channel checks indicate it continues to rank first for future flow intentions.

Net inflows of $5.6bn exceeded consensus expectations of $4.7bn, reflecting solid gross inflows of $9.3bn and low outflow leakage, in what we consider to be an important quarter. Flow growth ex-transitions continue to accelerate.

Bell Potter is feeling positive on the ASX 200 tech stock’s outlook, highlighting that key revenue drivers remain constructive. It adds:

Revenue drivers remain constructive, with ASX trading activity up +44% and our average FUA landing +32% 1H26 (versus +33% 1H25). We are also constructive on equity markets with average month-to-date returns of +2.0%, supportive US macro environment and a commodities boom risking some guidance parameters.

It also highlights that new features look set to strengthen its offering in the near term. Bell Potter said:

There were new features outlined that deliver further efficiencies for advisers, with a focus on developing the fresh reporting capabilities from 1Q26, and automation of transition processe[s] was expanded to better onboard and retain clients.

Time to buy

According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating and $125.00 price target on the ASX 200 tech stock.

Based on its current share price of $101.21, this implies potential upside of 24% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its buy recommendation, the broker said:

Our Buy thesis and price target is unchanged, with the current forward multiple around average levels, factoring in FY27 visibility, leading indicators and strategic progress.

HUB is currently trading on 32x FY27 EBITDA – around medium-term averages but we see a clear pathway to achieving guidance for $148-162bn custodial FUA. Comments point to a fast start, tracking ahead on the current run-rate.

The post Why this incredible ASX 200 stock could rise almost 25% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 underappreciated ASX growth shares I would buy with $1,000
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• Why Bellevue Gold, DroneShield, Hub24, and Telix shares are storming higher today
• Hub24 shares jump 8% on record-breaking performance
• HUB24 posts record inflows in Q2 FY26 earnings

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Hub24. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Hub24. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is off to a modest start in 2026. 

Australia’s benchmark index is up roughly 1% since the start of the new year. 

Two ASX 200 stocks I have my eye on are ARB Corporation Ltd (ASX: ARB) and IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX). 

These two companies have experienced very different starts to the year. 

However it appears both may be trading below fair value. 

Here’s what experts are saying. 

ARB Corporation Ltd (ASX: ARB)

This ASX 200 company is Australia’s largest designer, manufacturer, and distributor of four-wheel-drive and light commercial vehicle accessories.

The company has carved a niche with aftermarket accessories including bull bars, suspension systems, differentials, and lighting.

Its stock price has tumbled more than 11% for the year to date. 

This week alone, the company has seen its share price fall 12% on the back of its half-year trading update.

It appears investors were heavily selling after the company reported Australian aftermarket sales declined 1.7%. 

The Motley Fool’s Aaron Teboneras reported yesterday this result reflected softer demand for key vehicle models and ongoing fitting capacity constraints.

Perhaps even more concerning was that ARB expects to report underlying profit before tax of approximately $58 million for the half year. 

This represents a 16.3% decline compared with the prior year.

However, it wasn’t all bad news. The company also reported export sales had increased 8.8%, with US market sales up 26.1%. 

This ASX 200 company is now trading close to its 52-week low, which could be an attractive entry point for value investors.

TradingView has an average one year price target of $41.34. 

This indicates more than 45% upside from yesterday’s closing price. 

IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX)

It has been a very different year for IperionX. 

The low carbon titanium developer has seen its share price soar almost 20% since the start of the year. 

This has been fuelled by key contract wins amidst the United States’ push to strengthen the defence-related supply chains for critical materials.

Despite the emerging tailwinds, this ASX 200 stock still sits 20% below its 52-week high.

It also experienced a slight dip yesterday, dropping more than 2%. 

Analysts insights suggest it has the potential to keep rising. 

Back in December, broker Bell Potter said the company has the potential to disrupt the incumbent titanium supply chain through materially lowering production costs and manufacturing waste. 

The broker has a speculative buy recommendation along with a price target of $9.25. 

This indicates a further upside of 33.29% from yesterday’s closing price. 

Meanwhile, TradingView estimates suggest the stock price could rise a further 37%. 

The post Should you buy the dip on these ASX 200 stocks? 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 ARB Corporation. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended ARB Corporation. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

ASX blue-chip shares may be some of the safest investments to make right now considering all of the volatility happening and the different economic dynamics that are playing out, including AI and the huge capital expenditure that’s occurring.

Stability is a valuable thing during times of uncertainty. The three businesses I’m going to highlight look like good buys right now, including where their valuations are today.

Let’s get into it.

Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

Transurban is Australia’s largest toll road operator, with roads in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and North America.

As the chart below shows, the Transurban share price has been drifting lower since November 2025, but this could prove to be an appealing entry point for the business, considering it’s still seeing traffic growth.

If the business continues seeing traffic growth and inflation of toll prices over time, then its operating profit (EBITDA) and cash flow can continue rising.

The quarterly update for the three months to September 2025 saw the ASX blue-chip share’s annual daily traffic (ADT) increase 2.7% year over year, with Sydney ADT up 1.7%, Melbourne ADT up 3.2%, Brisbane ADT up 2.6%, and North American ADT up 6.8%.

With the business continuing to invest in new projects, ADT can rise further. The future looks bright for the business.

It’s expecting to pay an annual distribution per security of 69 cents, which represents an increase of 6% year over year. At the time of writing, this translates into a forward distribution yield of 5%.

Australian Foundation Investment Co Ltd (ASX: AFI)

I don’t think of AFIC, Australia’s largest listed investment company (LIC), as a single business but as a portfolio of names.

It’s invested in many ASX blue-chip shares, offering solid diversification.

Its portfolio gives exposure to names like Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), and Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG).

I like how the portfolio has been constructed to offer both long-term capital growth and dividends for shareholders.

The fact that the ASX blue-chip share is (likely) trading today approximately 10% below its net tangible assets (NTA) is appealing to bargain hunters.

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

The supermarket and liquor business (it owns liquor retailers like Coles Liquor and Liquorland) isn’t a high-flying stock, but it’s clearly doing very well against peers.

Its supermarket business saw 7% sales growth excluding tobacco in the first quarter of FY26, which I’d describe as a strong performance, as its exclusive products, own-brand items, and value attract customers.

An ASX blue-chip share with defensive characteristics doesn’t need to deliver huge earnings growth to outperform the market. Compounding is a powerful force; it’s not just for the fastest-growing businesses.

As its supermarket network grows, offering more products and services and improving its supply chain, the company’s profits can continue to rise.

At the time of writing, it’s down by more than 10% since September, making this a better time to buy.

The post 3 ASX blue-chip shares I’d buy with $10,000 right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 2 ASX shares highly recommended to buy: Experts

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, Transurban Group, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group and Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Meridian Energy Ltd (ASX: MEZ) share price is in focus today after the company released its December 2025 operating report, showing a 16.3% lift in December generation volumes and significant growth in customer connections.

What did Meridian Energy report?

• Total generation volume for December rose 16.3% year-on-year to 1,459 GWh, with hydro and wind both up.
• Average generation sales price in December dropped to $6.8 per MWh, 65% below the previous year.
• Retail sales volumes climbed 4.5% compared to December 2024, with residential segment sales up 26.4%.
• Total New Zealand customer connections increased 19.5% year-on-year to 457,336.
• Catchment inflows remained strong, with December at 123% of historical average and financial year-to-date inflows at 144%—the second highest on record.

What else do investors need to know?

December saw a period of plentiful rainfall across key catchments, leading to high hydro storage levels and extended periods of water spilling in both Waitaki and Waiau. As a result, wholesale electricity prices remained low, benefiting the market but leading to a lower realised price for Meridian’s own generation.

National electricity demand for December climbed 4.3% from a year earlier, with New Zealand Aluminium Smelters’ load also significantly higher. While Meridian’s average price received fell, the company offset this with higher sales volumes and new customer growth, including the onboarding of ex-Flick customers.

What did Meridian Energy management say?

Chief Executive Mike Roan said:

We’ve begun 2026 in a very strong position when it comes to hydro storage. Inflows, current storage and remaining snowpack are all well above the long-term averages, which has meant we’ve had extended periods of spilling in both the Waitaki and Waiau catchments since early December… Overall, we’re generating and selling more at this point of the financial year than we were a year ago. Generation volumes are 13% higher, and retail sales volumes 12% higher than the first half of the last financial year. Our customer numbers are also growing, with total connections 19.5% higher than in December 2024.

What’s next for Meridian Energy?

Looking ahead, the company expects high hydro storage, positive inflows, and rising customer numbers to support operational momentum through summer. The summer outlook from Earth Sciences suggests higher than average temperatures across New Zealand and variable South Island rainfall—a scenario that management believes Meridian is well-placed to manage.

Meridian’s focus will remain on retail growth, efficient operations, and adapting to fluctuating wholesale prices, aiming to convert strong hydrological conditions into lasting value for shareholders.

Meridian Energy share price snapshot

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

View Original Announcement

The post Meridian Energy reports record hydro inflows and rising customer growth 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 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 Mercury NZ Ltd (ASX: MCY) share price is in focus today after the company’s December 2025 quarter update showcased strong hydro inflows, lower wholesale electricity prices, and progress on its new geothermal generation project.

What did Mercury NZ report?

• Waikato hydro generation rose by 23% to 1,072 GWh for the quarter
• Wholesale spot electricity prices in Auckland averaged $40/MWh, down due to high hydro inflows
• Wind generation up 6% year-on-year; geothermal generation down 9% due to planned maintenance
• 223,000 customer accounts now use two or more Mercury products, up 10% from last year
• New geothermal OEC5 unit commissioning commenced in January 2026

What else do investors need to know?

Mercury NZ’s operational performance benefited from national hydrological inflows near record levels, resulting in above-average hydro lake storage. Notably, Taupō storage remained elevated, providing a strong base for future generation.

The company’s bundling strategy is paying off, with telco and mobile connections up by 30,000 compared to the same period last year. Commercial and industrial electricity yields were slightly lower, with some contracts repricing to better reflect 2026 forward electricity curves.

What’s next for Mercury NZ?

Looking ahead, Mercury NZ plans to finish full commissioning of the Ngā Tamariki OEC5 geothermal expansion by the end of the third quarter. Once online, this project is expected to add 390 GWh of annual generation and boost net output by 46 MW, supporting reliability and renewable supply.

The company remains focused on expanding integrated energy and telco customer offerings, supported by strong hydro reserves and continued investment in renewable projects.

Mercury NZ share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Mercury NZ shares have risen 1%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Mercury NZ Q2 update: Hydro powers results, renewables on track appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Meridian Energy reports record hydro inflows and rising customer growth
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Summerset Group Holdings FY25 results: record sales and growth momentum
• Fletcher Building sells Construction Division to VINCI for $315.6 million

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.

Most Australians with a superannuation fund (which is most of us) opt for the easiest option – a balanced fund. Almost every superannuation provider offers this no-frills option. In fact, it is normally the default place that your money will go within your super fund unless you say otherwise. And it’s fair enough. ‘Balanced’ has a nice ring to it, for one. For another, these configurations spread out your capital amongst several different asset classes, including shares, bonds and cash. That means it can offer something for everyone.

However, it’s my view that these balanced options are not a great fit for everyone. As I’ve discussed before, Australians under the age of 40 might be better off investing in a more growth-oriented fund that forgoes the stability that cash and bonds provide for a higher potential return by going all in shares. As anyone under 40 probably isn’t going to retire anytime soon, stability and capital protection arguably shouldn’t be high priorities at this stage of life.

When it comes to my own superannuation, I’ve put my money where my mouth is. My superannuation provider offers the choice of selecting individual index funds that I can invest my super into. So today, let’s talk about the three ASX ETFs that I use within my super fund to achieve the best returns possible. The funds themselves aren’t publicly traded, but have ASX counterparts which are essentially the same offering.

Three ASX ETFs that I’ve built my super fund around

Australian and international stocks

First up, we have a good old-fashioned S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) fund. Roughly 40% of my super fund goes towards an ASX 200 index fund, one rather similar to the iShares Core S&P/ASX 200 ETF (ASX: IOZ) or the SPDR S&P/ASX 200 ETF (ASX: STW). This fund holds the largest 200 stocks on the ASX. That’s everything from Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) and Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) to JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) and Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN).

This index fund represents the best of Australian business. As ASX shares have historically delivered meaningful growth and healthy dividend income, I am very happy for this fund to receive some of my retirement cash.

Next up, another 50% or so of my super capital goes towards an international shares ETF. This ETF holds hundreds of different stocks from dozens of advanced economies around the world. These include the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany and France, among many others. A listed equivalent might be the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS).

Australia is a wonderful place to invest, but its best companies simply don’t have the firepower that international markets do. That’s why I’m happy that this component of my super fund invests in world-dominating stocks like Apple, Amazon, NVIDIA, Mastercard, Alphabet, Toyota and Nestle.

Adding some diversity to my super fund

My super fund’s final holding, making up that final 10% or so, provides even more diversification. It is an emerging markets fund, drawing thousands of holdings from emerging economies around the globe. An ASX equivalent might be the Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets Shares ETF (ASX: VGE). It offers exposure to countries like China, India and Taiwan. I think these economies will offer a lot of growth over the next few decades, and, as such, I am happy to have part of my super fund invested there.

Foolish takeaway

As I am still a few decades away from the traditional retirement age, I am happy to have 100% of my super fund invested in shares. With the three ETFs mentioned above, I feel that I have adequate diversification across multiple markets and currencies, whilst still maintaining exposure to some of the world’s best companies. Individually selecting these investments also keeps my super costs as low as possible, which is of vital importance for building wealth over decades.

The post Here are the 3 ASX ETFs I use for my super fund appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ASX ETFs with big gains and low fees
• 3 global ETFs I’d hold for the next decade
• Are Woolworths shares a blue-chip buy?
• How to build an ASX share portfolio for income and growth
• Why Goldman Sachs expects Woolworths shares to leap 21%, plus dividends!

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, and Mastercard. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Mastercard, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Nestlé. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Mastercard, Nvidia, and Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

ASX metals and mining shares have been one of the hottest stories of 2026. 

The S&P/ASX 300 Metal & Mining (ASX: XMM) index is up an impressive 7% already in 3 weeks of trading this year. 

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up just 1% in that same period. 

Here are 5 metals and mining shares off to hot starts in 2026. 

Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC)

Whitehaven Coal is a large Australian independent thermal and metallurgical coal miner with mines in the Gunnedah Basin, New South Wales.

The coal miner has benefited from long-term global coal demand increases and strengthening coal prices this year. 

Already in 2026, its share price has risen from $7.80 to almost $9 per share. 

This is a 14.6% increase. 

NICO Resources Ltd (ASX: NC1)

NICO Resources is a small-cap mineral exploration and development company. 

It is engaged in exploring, developing, evaluating, acquiring, and exploiting mineral resource project opportunities.

It has been one of the hottest materials shares to start 2026, rising from $0.14 to $0.35 in that period. 

That represents a rise of 150%. 

Viridis Mining and Minerals Ltd (ASX: VMM)

Viridis Mining & Minerals engages in mineral exploration primarily on a portfolio of coal assets in Indonesia.

Yesterday, its stock price rose by more than 7%. 

Including this gain, it is now up 46% in 2026 and more than 330% in the last 12 months. 

Investors have been reacting positively this year to the conditional Letter of Support (‘LOS’) for up to US$50 million from Export Finance Australia (‘EFA’). 

Bell Potter believes this growth could continue. 

The broker has a speculative buy rating and set a price target of $2.65 on these ASX mining shares. 

That indicates a further upside of more than 42%. 

Titan Minerals Ltd (ASX: TTM)

Titan Minerals shares jumped 5% yesterday to take its year to date gains to more than 30%. 

There has been plenty of positive news out of the gold miner already this year. 

Titan Minerals shares also jumped 7% on January 14 after a strong exploration update from its Dynasty Gold Project in Ecuador.

Titan Minerals Ltd. is a minerals exploration and production company, which focuses on medium-sized gold projects in South America.

It has enjoyed massive gains over the past year (like many other gold shares). 

This gold mining company is up more than 180% in the last 12 months. 

Benz Mining Corp (ASX: BNZ)

Benz Mining is a Canadian mining development company focused on advancing the Eastmain Gold Mine project in the James Bay Region, Quebec.

After yesterday’s 4.4% rise, it has now increased more than 22% this year. 

In the last 12 months it is up more than 400%. 

The post 5 of the hottest ASX metals and mining shares right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Top broker just increased its price target on Whitehaven Coal shares
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• 4 ASX 200 stocks smashing the benchmark this week
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Titan Minerals shares leaping 14% on Wednesday on ‘spectacular’ gold results

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 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.