There are a few ASX dividend stalwarts that I’d suggest putting in a passive income-focused portfolio. One of those is the business L1 Long Short Fund Ltd (ASX: LSF).

L1 Long Short Fund Ltd is a listed investment company (LIC) that is managed by the fund manager L1 Group Ltd (ASX: L1G). LICs generate accounting profits for their financials by making investment returns from a portfolio of shares.

L1 Long Short Fund invests in both ASX shares and international shares, while utilising both long-term investing and short-selling strategies. Short-selling means betting that a share price will go down.

Using that strategy, the ASX dividend stalwart is able to generate returns regardless of whether the market is going up or down.

Excellent investment returns

Past returns are not a guarantee of future returns, of course. But, at the same time, an investment manager with a history of strong outperformance is worth paying attention to.

I’d describe L1 Long Short Fund as being a contrarian investor with a willingness to invest in businesses with a lower price/earnings (P/E) ratios accompanied by confidence of solid earnings growth.

As of January 2026, the sectors that had delivered the most returns using this investment strategy were (in order of biggest returns): ASX mining shares, then industrials, communication services, utilities and financials. Considering the recent performance of many tech names, it’s probably a good thing the LIC has largely avoided long-term investing in the technology sector.

Giving its latest view on the ASX share market and global stock market, L1 wrote in the January 2026 update:

We believe the Australian equity index is relatively fully valued, with several large cap stocks, particularly within the ASX20, trading well above historical multiples and global peers. Encouragingly, we are continuing to find numerous undervalued stocks, where we see a far more compelling combination of strong earnings growth, shareholder-friendly management, conservative balance sheets and significant valuation support.

We continue to believe that infrastructure, gold, U.S. cyclicals, uranium and ‘quality value’ stocks provide some of the best opportunities globally. Given the enormous outperformance of high P/E stocks in recent years and over the past decade, we are finding more compelling opportunities in ‘Value’ stocks. We believe low P/E stocks will strongly outperform high P/E stocks (in general) over the coming 1-2 years, which the portfolio is well positioned to benefit from.

I like getting exposure to a range of investments to generate my investment returns, and I like that this ASX dividend stalwart looks at a variety of sectors that may not necessarily be my own preferred hunting ground.

Since inception in April 2018 to January 2026, the LIC’s portfolio delivered an average return per year of 15.1%. Over the seven years to January 2026, it returned an average of 21.5%. I’m not expecting the returns to be that strong in the years ahead, but it shows how well the LIC has been able to perform.

These returns have funded pleasing dividends.

ASX dividend stalwart credentials

It has increased its half-year dividend per share each year since FY21 and it’s aiming to increase its dividend each year for investors. It has already built up a large accounting profit reserve that can fund rising dividends for years to come.

The business recently switched to paying quarterly dividends to investors, providing more frequent cash flow for bank accounts.

Its combined FY26 first quarter and second quarter dividend (totalling 7.1 cents per share) is 13.6% higher than the FY25 first-half dividend. If the business continues increasing its FY26 quarterly dividend by 0.1 cents per share in the next two quarters, its FY26 annual payout will be 14.6 cents per share, translating into a grossed-up dividend yield of 4.7%, including franking credits.

That’s not a huge starting dividend yield, but I think the payout will progressively grow from here, making it a very appealing ASX dividend stalwart for the long-term.

The post An ASX dividend stalwart every Australian should consider buying appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in L1 Long Short Fund. 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 Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CCM) share price is in focus today after the company posted record first-half results, including a maiden 5 cents per share fully franked interim dividend.

What did Capricorn Metals report?

• Sales revenue up 64% to $350.1 million from the sale of 59,816 ounces of gold at an average price of $5,842 per ounce
• Underlying net profit after tax up 130% to $144.8 million
• Underlying EBITDA rose 101% to $215.3 million with a 62% margin
• Cash flow from operating activities up 141% to $204.5 million
• Net cash position increased to $440.8 million
• Maiden fully franked interim dividend of 5 cents per share ($22.8 million) declared

What else do investors need to know?

Capricorn Metals delivered a strong operational result at its Karlawinda Gold Project (KGP), producing 62,794 ounces at an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of $1,627 per ounce. The company is on track to achieve the upper end of its full-year guidance of 115,000 to 125,000 ounces at an AISC of $1,530–$1,630 per ounce.

During the half, Capricorn advanced growth at the Karlawinda Expansion Project, investing $44.5 million, and progressed exploration and feasibility work at the Mt Gibson Gold Project. The group also completed the acquisition of Warriedar Resources, adding potential new resources in the Golden Range and Fields Find regions.

What did Capricorn Metals management say?

Capricorn Executive Chairman Mark Clark said:

Capricorn delivered another strong half year of operations at Karlawinda, generating record cash flow from operations of $204.5 million and record underlying EBITDA of $215.3 million. This performance continued to bolster the balance sheet, with the net cash position increasing to $440.8 million. Underpinned by this financial strength and the consistently strong operating cashflow of the KGP, the board has declared a maiden fully franked dividend. This dividend is a milestone for Capricorn and reflects the Company’s focus on delivering shareholder returns whilst we pursue our industry leading growth projects.

What’s next for Capricorn Metals?

Looking ahead, Capricorn is fully funded to advance both the Karlawinda Expansion and Mt Gibson developments while maintaining a strong net cash position. The Karlawinda expansion is expected to enter commissioning in the first quarter of FY27, which could lift gold production to around 150,000 ounces per year.

At Mt Gibson, the company is finalising permitting and continuing resource definition drilling, which could unlock further underground mining opportunities. Capricorn says it remains committed to building on its multi-mine, mid-tier Australian gold producer ambitions.

Capricorn Metals share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Capricorn Metals shares have risen 80%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 11% over the same period.

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The post Capricorn Metals declares maiden dividend and record profit 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 Worley Ltd (ASX: WOR) share price is in focus today as the company reported half-year 2026 results, highlighting 5.4% revenue growth to $6.31 billion and a steady underlying EBITA at $377 million, supported by strong project bookings and ongoing transformation efforts.

What did Worley report?

• Aggregated revenue of $6,312 million, up 5.4% on the prior corresponding period
• Underlying EBITA rose 0.3% to $377 million; underlying EBITA margin excluding procurement increased to 8.8%
• Underlying NPATA of $207 million, down 4.2%; statutory NPATA of $152 million, down 29.6%
• Interim dividend of 25 cents per share declared (unfranked)
• Normalised cash conversion ratio of 95.5%
• Backlog of $16.7 billion with bookings of $9.8 billion, up 63% on previous half

What else do investors need to know?

Worley continues to benefit from its global reach and growing presence across energy, resources, and chemicals, with energy now contributing half of aggregated revenue and resources showing the strongest growth. The company is actively managing its cost base, incurring $82 million in transformation expenses this half, and expects annual cost savings of over $100 million from FY27.

A $324 million on-market share buy-back has been completed since March 2025, reflecting strong capital management and confidence in future prospects. The Board also reaffirmed its commitment to returning capital to shareholders via the interim dividend.

Bookings for major projects reached a record $9.8 billion, supported by recent wins across LNG, carbon capture, mining, and energy infrastructure. Worley’s healthy $16.7 billion backlog and a robust pipeline of future opportunities underpin management’s confidence in delivering stable earnings.

What did Worley management say?

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Chris Ashton commented:

Solid revenue growth and resilient earnings define this result. Worley continues to win the confidence of our customers as their capital investments adjust to global conditions. These results show once again our adaptability in the face of dynamic markets.

What’s next for Worley?

Looking to FY26, management is targeting moderate growth in both aggregated revenue and underlying EBITA, with a focus on higher-margin work and expanding end-to-end project delivery. The company expects its transformation and restructuring initiatives to yield material cost savings from FY27, further strengthening earnings resilience.

Worley is also set to pursue opportunities in growth markets beyond its traditional energy, chemicals, and resources base—supported by digital innovation and the scale of its integrated global operations.

Worley share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Worley shares have declined 17%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 11% over the same period.

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The post Worley posts HY26 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.

Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) share price trading has been temporarily paused, pending a further announcement from the company, according to today’s ASX market release.

What did Neuren Pharmaceuticals report?

• Trading in Neuren Pharmaceuticals shares has been paused by the ASX from 26 February 2026.
• The company is yet to issue a further announcement explaining the reason for the pause.
• No financial or operational results were reported in this particular market release.
• Investors are awaiting more information from Neuren Pharmaceuticals management or the ASX.

What else do investors need to know?

A trading pause generally means the company is preparing a significant update or announcement. Until this announcement is made, shares will not trade on the ASX.

This could relate to a range of matters including financial results, a capital raise, or a market-sensitive development affecting the Neuren Pharmaceuticals share price.

What’s next for Neuren Pharmaceuticals?

Investors should keep a close eye on the ASX platform for Neuren’s next update. The pause will likely be lifted once the expected announcement is released.

We’ll bring you the latest as soon as more details become available.

Neuren Pharmaceuticals share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Neuren Pharmaceuticals shares have declined 3%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 11% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Neuren Pharmaceuticals shares paused ahead of company announcement 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 ASX growth share space has been hammered over the past few months, particularly names that have a significant technology element to their business. I decided to take advantage of the cheap prices I was seeing.

AI may well be a problem for a few different business models. But, the effect may take a lot longer to play out, impacts may not be as widespread, and incumbent businesses may be able to utilise AI to their advantage.

Following significant sell-offs of a number of businesses that I’m bullish about, I decided to put $4,000 into the following two names. I’m just as optimistic about their long-term prospects as I was a year ago.

Siteminder Ltd (ASX: SDR)

This software business provides software for many thousands of hotels around the world, generating tens of billions of dollars of reservations. Siteminder (and Little Hotelier) helps hotels operate more efficiently and generate more revenue.

Siteminder has a goal to increase its organic annual recurring revenue (ARR) by 30% per year in the medium-term. It has introduced a number of additional, profit-boosting modules for hotels which add a lot more data and analysis for clients, even offering tools to allow automatic room price changes throughout the year, depending on the level of demand.

Due to the software nature and operating leverage of its offering, I’m expecting long-term profit margin growth as long as cost growth is contained and its market share continues rising.

When I invested, the ASX growth share was down approximately 50% from 29 October 2025, which I think represents a huge decline for a business growing so quickly.

With profitability and cash flow increasing over time, I think the business has great tailwinds at increasing its underlying value, even if it trades on a lower price/earnings (P/E) ratio (or price to revenue ratio) than it used to. I think it could deliver strong returns over the next three or four years.

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

Temple & Webster is another tech-related business that has been sold off heavily in recent months. It had dropped around 40% since 26 November 2026, making it look a lot cheaper.

Its FY26 half-year result didn’t impress the market, despite 20% revenue growth to $376 million. FY26 second half trading to 9 February 2026 showed revenue growth of 20%. Home improvement revenue rose 47% to $30 million, which I think bodes well for future growth in this segment.

I think homewares, furniture and home improvement revenue could all benefit from growing online shopping adoption by Australian (and New Zealand) consumers.

The ASX growth share’s total addressable market (TAM) is large, which gives the business a big target to aim at and a significant growth runway. I like how much it’s investing in growth activities, customer value and technology. While that may hamper profitability in the short-term, I think it’s the better choice for the long-term for its success.  

Operating leverage could lead to the business significantly increasing its profit margins in the future, particularly if it can capture a useful market share in New Zealand, where it has just started selling items.

In five years, I think its market share and profit margins could be considerably larger.

The post 2 ASX growth shares I invested in last week with $4,000 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in SiteMinder and Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended SiteMinder and Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended SiteMinder. 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 Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHS) share price is in focus after the company reported first-half FY26 net profit after tax attributable to owners of $160.7 million and announced a fully franked interim dividend of 42.5 cents per share.

What did Ramsay Health Care report?

• Revenue from contracts with customers: $9,340.8 million, up 9.7% from 1H FY25
• Net profit after tax attributable to owners: $160.7 million, versus a $104.9 million loss in 1H FY25
• Underlying net profit after tax after non-controlling interests: $171.7 million, up 8.1%
• EBITDA: $1,118.4 million, up 6.4%
• Fully franked interim dividend: 42.5c per share, an increase of 6.3%
• Basic earnings per share (after CARES): 66.4 cents, up 234%

What else do investors need to know?

Ramsay’s results reflected improved performance in its core Australian business and the absence of large impairments seen in the UK segment last year. Group revenue climbed on the back of increased activity and higher case acuity, particularly in Australia and Europe.

The company proposed to distribute its shareholding in Ramsay Santé, its European business, to shareholders via an in‑specie distribution if approved. The board declared a fully franked interim dividend of 42.5 cents, with a payout ratio of roughly 60% of underlying net profit after tax from continuing operations. Ramsay suspended its Dividend Reinvestment Plan for this dividend.

What’s next for Ramsay Health Care?

Looking forward, Ramsay expects EBIT growth in Australia to continue, supported by ongoing activity growth, revenue indexation, and cost control. The UK acute hospital segment is preparing for continued NHS budget constraints until the new NHS fiscal year commences in April, after which additional funding is anticipated.

In Europe, Ramsay Santé’s focus remains on cost control and operational efficiency, particularly as tariff indexation in France remains low. Across all regions, capital discipline and productivity improvements are key priorities. Group capex guidance for FY26 has been lowered to $755–795 million.

Ramsay Health Care share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Ramsay Health Care shares have risen 13%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 11% over the same period.

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The post Ramsay Health Care posts 1H FY26 earnings; lifts dividend 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 Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) share price is in focus today, after the company reported a sharp jump in half-year net profit to $80.2 million and revenue to $413.7 million.

What did Lynas Rare Earths report?

• Revenue grew to $413.7 million (1H FY25: $254.3 million)
• Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) surged to $80.2 million (1H FY25: $5.9 million)
• EBITDA rose to $152.4 million (1H FY25: $38.1 million)
• Closing cash and cash equivalents of $1,030.9 million
• Rare earth oxide (REO) production increased to 6,375 tonnes
• Successful $932 million equity raising to support growth

What else do investors need to know?

Lynas completed commissioning of the Mt Weld expansion, while the first half of heavy rare earths production at Lynas Malaysia was delivered. The company began shipping separated heavy rare earths to customers, signing initial contracts with pricing reflecting the strategic value of these materials.

Lynas also announced an expanded heavy rare earth separation facility at its Malaysian site to meet rising customer demand. An MoU was signed with a permanent magnet manufacturer to strengthen the supply chain outside China, and further upstream resource development continued via partnerships in Malaysia. The balance sheet was bolstered by a large equity raise supporting the new Towards 2030 growth strategy.

What did Lynas Rare Earths management say?

CEO & Managing Director Amanda Lacaze said:

The December half of FY2026 was an exciting one for Lynas. We completed commissioning for the Mt Weld expansion project, delivered the first half year of Heavy Rare Earth production at Lynas Malaysia, launched the Towards 2030 growth strategy and successfully completed an equity raising to support our growth agenda.

All of this occurred in a global context where the focus on rare earth supply chain security is reshaping the market through government actions to address market dysfunction and supply challenges. With the completion of the Lynas 2025 capital investment program during the half year, Lynas is the only company able to capture the full value of this market upside. This is due to our position as the only commercial producer of separated Light and Heavy Rare Earth oxides outside China today.

“Alongside market movements, half year production volume, sales volume, revenue and average selling price all increased from the prior corresponding period, contributing to a Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) of $80.2m.

What’s next for Lynas Rare Earths?

Looking ahead, Lynas is focused on delivering its Towards 2030 strategy, which aims to optimise the performance from recent capital investments and expand further into heavy rare earths production. Management believes the recently completed projects position the company to benefit from rising demand and stronger pricing.

Lynas’ expanded facilities and strategic partnerships should help it meet customer needs and take advantage of market opportunities as global supply chains look for reliable sources outside China.

Lynas Rare Earths share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Lynas Rare Earths shares have risen 149%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 11% over the same period.

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The post Lynas Rare Earths earnings: Profit jumps as growth strategy kicks off 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 recommended Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. 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 after announcing a package of six contracts totalling $21.7 million with a western military end-customer. The contracts cover dismounted counter-drone systems, spares, and software, with delivery slated for the first quarter of 2026.

What did DroneShield report?

• Secured six standalone contracts, valued at $21.7 million, via an in-country reseller
• Deals cover supply of counter-drone systems, spare kits, and software subscriptions
• All items are available from existing stock and expected to be delivered in Q1 2026
• Payment anticipated in the second quarter of 2026
• No additional material conditions required for fulfilment
• Previously received $17.8 million in contracts from this reseller over the past seven years

What else do investors need to know?

The counterparty is a subsidiary of a large, global, publicly listed company, acting as an intermediary for distribution to the western military end-user. DroneShield notes there is no commitment for further orders from either the reseller or the end-customer at this stage.

Importantly, DroneShield confirms that the identity of the customer is not expected to have a material effect on the value of its securities. The announcement includes all the information relevant for investors to assess the contract’s impact on the company’s outlook.

What’s next for DroneShield?

DroneShield expects to complete delivery on these contracts by the end of Q1 2026, with payments to follow in Q2 2026. The company remains focused on supplying innovative counter-drone solutions to defence and government clients worldwide.

This win strengthens DroneShield’s track record with major international partners and underscores its position in the growing counter-drone technology sector.

DroneShield share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, DroneShield shares have risen 299%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 11% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post DroneShield wins $21.7m in western military contracts 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.

The Atlas Arteria Group (ASX: ALX) share price is in focus today after the company unveiled its 2025 full‑year results, which saw a 9.4% lift in proportional toll revenue and a reaffirmed distribution guidance.

What did Atlas Arteria report?

• Proportional toll revenue grew 9.4% to $2,012.3 million
• Proportional EBITDA increased 9.3% to $1,509.9 million, with a 75.0% margin
• Statutory net profit after tax was $181.8 million, impacted by the Temporary Supplemental Tax
• Operating free cash flow per security came in at 34.9 cents
• Distribution paid and guidance for 2025 are both 40.0 cents per security

What else do investors need to know?

Atlas Arteria implemented a new leadership structure during 2025, sharpening its focus on strategic priorities. The company refreshed its executive team, appointing new CEOs at Dulles Greenway and Chicago Skyway to drive results and strategic execution.

Operationally, traffic performance was steady across the portfolio, with Dulles Greenway seeing an 8.2% increase in volume as drivers avoided congestion on alternate routes. The company also submitted a new rate case application for Dulles Greenway in December and continues to pursue growth projects in France, particularly with the A412 motorway.

What did Atlas Arteria management say?

CEO Hugh Wehby said:

2025 was another positive year for Atlas Arteria. We delivered strong revenue growth and steady traffic performance. We continued to build and optimise our businesses to improve safety and customer experience. This performance supports a 40 cps distribution for our investors for 2025, in line with guidance.

What’s next for Atlas Arteria?

Looking ahead, Atlas Arteria reaffirmed its distribution guidance of 40.0 cents per security for both 2025 and 2026, with plans to maintain or exceed this level subject to ongoing business performance. The company highlighted continued growth in free cash flow and an FX hedging program to help support distributions.

Atlas Arteria remains committed to building a resilient, long-term portfolio. Its strategy focuses on optimising current operations, seeking value-accretive growth opportunities, and preparing for French concession retenders in the coming decade.

Atlas Arteria share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Atlas Arteria shares have declined 5%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 11% over the same period.

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The post Atlas Arteria results: 2025 toll revenue climbs, 40c distribution on track 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.

There are plenty of emerging sectors that investors can now gain access to through focussed ASX ETFs. 

Traditionally, ETFs were seen as a way to track broad markets or indexes. These were often indexes like the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) or S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX). 

Funds that track these indexes are still great cornerstones of many portfolios. However targeting emerging sectors as well can help capture future growth. 

These are often referred to as thematic ASX ETFs. 

New insights from Global X have highlighted two such sectors that could be set for growth. 

Indian market lag creates opportunity 

A new report from Global X has reinforced the opportunity for Indian equities. 

However it is important to point out it has had a rough start to 2026. 

According to the report, the Indian share market started 2026 with its worst relative performance versus emerging markets in over 30 years.

However, there are three key tailwinds set to kick in that could help future growth. 

Firstly, the ETF provider pointed towards policy stability. 

Global X said India’s government is reducing its fiscal deficit while maintaining significant capital expenditure. This is evident across transport, energy, and defence. 

Continued investment in infrastructure supports long term productivity, while incentives for electronics, semiconductors, and clean energy help shore up domestic manufacturing and supply-chain resilience.

Secondly, trade clarity with the US is improving. 

The long anticipated US – India trade deal removed a major overhang for markets, easing tariff uncertainty and improving sentiment among foreign investors. 

Finally, AI infrastructure is emerging as a growth engine. 

Global X said major global tech companies (including Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta and others) have announced large-scale commitments to AI, cloud, and data-centre buildouts across the country. 

With hyperscaler spending accelerating, India is aiming to transition from an outsourcing destination to a foundational AI infrastructure hub.

ASX ETFs to consider if you are looking for exposure to Indian equities include: 

• The Global X India Nifty 50 ETF (ASX:NDIA)
• Betashares India Quality ETF (ASX: IIND)

AI infrastructure buildout 

Another global sector set for future growth is AI and semiconductors. 

Of course, the growth of artificial intelligence is not a new idea. 

However, Global X has outlined the case that the semiconductors sector is moving through an important transition from cyclical to structural. 

What this means is the first phase of the AI trade was driven by demand for compute, concentrating gains in a small group of AI chip designers and hyperscalers as training and inference scaled rapidly. 

Now, as AI systems grow, tightening memory supply, surging storage needs, and rising data centre power demands are revealing infrastructure constraints. This is shifting the story from pure compute to a broader build-out across semiconductors and physical assets.

The AI build-out is now spreading across two distinct layers. The first is the digital layer, which sits within the semiconductor ecosystem and includes memory, foundries, chip designers, equipment, and advanced packaging.

The second is the physical layer, which allows that compute to operate at scale. This includes electricity generation, grid upgrades, data centres, cooling systems, and the broader industrial capacity required to support them. As AI workloads grow, this layer becomes just as critical as the chips themselves.

To target semiconductors directly, an ASX ETF to consider is the Global X Semiconductor ETF (ASX: SEMI). 

For investors looking to target the physical layer of the AI buildout, a fund to consider is the Global X Ai Infrastructure ETF (ASX: AINF). 

The post Niche ASX ETFs headed for massive growth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• The easy way for Aussies to invest globally on the ASX
• 5 ASX ETFs to buy with $50,000 today
• The best ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years or more
• The case for emerging markets ASX ETFs strengthens: Expert

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.