• Top Australian stocks to buy with $2,000 right now

    Man holding out Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.

    If you have $2,000 sitting in your bank account with no immediate plans for it, it could be worth putting it to work in the share market.

    After all, the potential returns on offer from Australian stocks are vastly superior to what you would earn from a savings account.

    The good news is that you do not need a large portfolio or a complex strategy to get started. Sometimes, investing a single amount into high-quality businesses and letting time do the heavy lifting can be a sensible approach.

    With that in mind, here are two Australian stocks that could be good options for investors with $2,000 to invest right now.

    CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

    Although recent history might suggest otherwise, CSL remains one of the highest-quality businesses on the Australian share market.

    It is a global biotech giant with a specialty in plasma therapies, specialty pharmaceuticals, and vaccines. This means it is operating in areas of healthcare where demand is driven by long-term medical needs rather than economic cycles. This gives CSL a level of resilience that few companies can match.

    What sets CSL apart from many others is its ability to reinvest for growth. It consistently directs capital into research, manufacturing capacity, and global expansion, which has supported decades of earnings growth. In FY 2025, CSL spent US$1.36 billion on R&D and will be spending a similar amount again in FY 2026. This ensures that it has a pipeline of potential therapies to entrench its position and drive growth over the long term.

    For investors looking to put $2,000 into an Australian stock they can hold with long-term confidence, I think CSL could be worth considering.

    I’m not alone with this view. The team at Morgans has a buy rating and $249.51 price target on its shares. This implies potential upside of over 40% for investors.

    REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

    Another Australian stock that could be a good pick for the $2,000 is REA Group.

    It is the company behind one of Australia’s most powerful digital platforms. REA Group’s realestate.com.au has become the default destination for property buyers, sellers, and agents, giving REA a dominant position in online real estate advertising. That dominance creates strong pricing power and valuable data advantages.

    Looking ahead, REA’s growth is not solely tied to property volumes. The company continues to expand its suite of products and services, increasing revenue per listing and deepening its role across the property transaction process. Over time, this creates opportunities for earnings growth even in softer housing markets.

    UBS thinks it could be an Australian stock to snap up. It has a buy rating and $255.00 price target on its shares. This is 35% higher than current levels.

    The post Top Australian stocks to buy with $2,000 right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in CSL right now?

    Before you buy CSL shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and CSL wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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

  • If I invest $15,000 in Macquarie shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2026?

    a woman sits in comtemplation with superimposed images of piles of gold coins, graphs and star-like lights above her head as though she is thinking about investment options.

    Owning Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) shares has largely been a good call for investors since the GFC, with the investment bank going through a significant expansion over the last 16 years, as well as growing passive income payouts in most years.

    As an ASX financial share, the business typically trades on a relatively lower price-earnings (P/E) ratio than other sectors, allowing the business to reward investors with a decent dividend yield. It also typically likes to be fairly generous with the dividend payout ratio.

    According to CommSec, there are currently seven analyst buy ratings on the business, making this a good time to consider whether Macquarie shares can provide an appealing passive income in 2026. Let’s look at the dividend potential of a $15,000 investment.

    Potential 2026 payout

    The projection from CommSec suggests that the business could see a significant increase in earnings per share (EPS) to $10.85 in the 2026 financial year.

    If the business has a fruitful year, the projection is that it could pay an annual dividend per share of $7.10 in 2026. Pleasingly, the forecasts on Commsec suggest EPS and the dividend could rise again in 2027, with the payout increasing to $7.70 per share. But today’s focus is the FY26 payment.

    At the time of writing, the possible payout for the 2026 financial year translates into a dividend yield of 3.4%, excluding franking credits. Grossed up for the likely franking credits, it’s a dividend yield of around 4%.

    What would happen with a $15,000 investment in Macquarie shares?

    Based on the potential dividend payout for FY26, a $15,000 investment in Macquarie shares could unlock $510 of annual passive cash income.

    Including the potential franking credits, the payout would translate into just over $580 of grossed-up dividend income.

    But, there’s also the potential capital growth that could occur over the next year.

    A 12-month time period is fairly short when it comes to shares – it’s better to think about three years, or more, into the future.

    Having said that, analysts’ price targets generally indicate to investors where they expect the share price to be in a year from the time of the investment call.

    According to CMC Markets, of recent analyst price targets on the business, the average price target is $222.59, implying a possible rise of approximately 8% from where it is at the time of writing.

    Therefore, analysts suggest that a $15,000 investment in Macquarie shares could increase to nearly $16,200 over the next 12 months. If the dividends and Macquarie share price rise as analysts predict, it could be a market-beating year for the ASX financial share.

    But, there could be other ASX shares that could deliver an even stronger return.

    The post If I invest $15,000 in Macquarie shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Macquarie Group Limited right now?

    Before you buy Macquarie Group Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Macquarie Group Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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

  • Up 45% since August, ASX All Ords gold stock jumps on key approval

    Teen standing in a city street smiling and throwing sparkling gold glitter into the air.

    The All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) is up 0.3% in morning trade today, with ASX All Ords gold stock Brightstar Resources Ltd (ASX: BTR) charging ahead of those gains.

    Brightstar Resources shares closed yesterday trading for 52.5 cents. At the time of writing, shares are changing hands for 53.5 cents apiece, up 1.9%.

    That sees shares in the Aussie gold miner up 44.6% since the stock plumbed one-year closing lows of 37 cents on 20 August.

    Here’s what’s catching investor interest today.

    ASX All Ords gold stock leaps on regulatory approval

    Investors are bidding up Brightstar Resources shares today after the company announced that the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration (DMPE) has given the green light to commence mining operations at the Lady Shenton project.

    The project, located in Western Australia, is an important part of the Menzies Hub resource package that Brightstar Resources is developing within the Goldfields Hub.

    The ASX All Ords gold stock said that, having already received approval for the Native Vegetation Clearing Permit, the Lady Shenton deposit (estimated at 352,000 ounces of gold graded at 1.4 grams of gold per tonne) is ‘mine ready’ for production.

    Brightstar plans to haul the gold ore it mines from Lady Shenton to its proposed CIL gold recovery processing plant in Laverton.

    What did management say?

    Commenting on the regulatory approval helping to boost the ASX All Ords gold stock today, Brightstar Resources managing director Alex Rovira said, “We are pleased to receive approval for the Mining Development and Closure Proposal for the open pit development of the Lady Shenton mine in Menzies.”

    Rovira noted, “This signifies a key milestone for the development of our Menzies assets, which once in operation will represent the first mining to occur since the successful Selkirk mining JV in 2024.”

    He added:

    Lady Shenton is now ‘mine ready’ and represents a low capex, high-margin deposit for Brightstar that complements the broader Goldfields Hub development. We look forward to releasing the updated DFS2.0 and providing a development update and timeline for the Menzies and Laverton Gold Projects this quarter.

    Rovira noted that as an unhedged gold producer, Brightstar “remains well placed in a strong gold price environment”.

    The ASX All Ords gold stock owns and operates two underground mines, and is a near-term developer of the 1.6Moz at 1.6g/t Au Goldfields Hub. Brightstar Resources is targeting final investment decision (FID) in the March quarter.

    Looking ahead, Rovira concluded:

    With over 4 million ounces of Mineral Resources on granted mining leases, Brightstar has a strategic objective of developing both the Goldfields and Sandstone Projects in the coming years as part of our aspiration to be a multi-asset, mid-tier scale WA gold producer.

    The post Up 45% since August, ASX All Ords gold stock jumps on key approval appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Brightstar Resources Ltd right now?

    Before you buy Brightstar Resources Ltd shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Brightstar Resources Ltd wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben 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.

  • BlueScope share price pushes higher amid $438m special dividend

    Excited couple celebrating success while looking at smartphone.

    The BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL) share price is pushing higher again on Wednesday.

    In morning trade, the steel products company’s shares are up almost 1% to $30.06.

    Why is the BlueScope share price rising today?

    Today’s rise has nothing to do with recent takeover interest and everything to do with capital returns.

    According to the release, BlueScope has announced plans to return $438 million in surplus cash to shareholders through an unfranked special dividend.

    BlueScope will be rewarding shareholders with $1.00 per share, which is the equivalent of a 3.3% dividend yield at current prices.

    The company notes that the surplus cash that is being returned has been generated from recent initiatives. This includes the sale of BlueScope’s 50% interest in the Tata BlueScope joint venture for $167 million, the agreement to sell 33 hectares of land at West Dapto for $76 million, and the ongoing realisation of the residual projects in the BlueScope Properties Group. These are delivering a working capital release of around $200 million over FY 2025 and FY 2026.

    Why is it returning capital?

    The BlueScope board revealed that it has elected to return this surplus cash to shareholders through an unfranked special dividend because an on-market buy-back is currently not available due to corporate activity and regulatory settings.

    It notes that its dividend decision is part of BlueScope’s established capital management framework and is independent of any prior or potential future proposals for the company.

    Commenting on the capital return, BlueScope’s managing director and CEO, Mark Vassella, said:

    This special dividend demonstrates BlueScope’s ability to generate and distribute returns to its shareholders. With a clear line of sight to the completion of our current significant capital investment program, BlueScope is positioned to not only return to the robust cash generation it has been known for, but to strengthen it further with the enhanced earnings of the business. The Board will continue to carefully balance investment in growth with shareholders’ returns as cash flows build.

    There could be more returns to come in the future. BlueScope highlights that in addition to these recent cash generating initiatives, its free cash generation is set to ramp up over the next 12 to 18 months.

    This is expected to be delivered as the company works through the balance of its major investment program, with a reduction in capex of at least $500 million expected in FY 2027 relative to FY 2026.

    BlueScope shares will go ex-dividend for this special dividend on 20 January. After which, it is expected to be paid to eligible shareholders next month on 24 February.

    The post BlueScope share price pushes higher amid $438m special dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in BlueScope Steel Limited right now?

    Before you buy BlueScope Steel Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and BlueScope Steel Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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    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.

  • A fourth contract win in under a month has this ASX 200 company’s shares at a new record high

    Man raising both his arms in the air with a piggy bank on his lap, symbolising a record high.

    Shares in Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND) are again hitting record levels after the company announced its fourth major contract win in less than two months.

    The company said in a statement to the ASX that it had been awarded a “major long-term maintenance contract with Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) valued at approximately $300 million in aggregate over five years”.

    The company went on to say:

    Under the contract, the company will continue to provide fixed plant and shutdown services, delivering generalist mechanical and access services across Rio Tinto’s iron ore operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

    Monadelphous Managing Director Zoran Bebic said the contract award reflected the company’s strong reputation for delivering safe and reliable maintenance services.

    He added:

    We are delighted to continue supporting Rio Tinto’s Pilbara iron ore operations, where Monadelphous has provided services for more than 30 years.

    Latest in a series of wins

    The new contract win follows a $110 million suite of contracts announced just last week, a $175 million contract win with BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) also announced last week, and a $250 million contract win with Rio Tinto in December.

    That contract with Rio was a major construction contract at the company’s Brockman iron ore project, also in the Pilbara.

    Monadelphous said at the time:

    The multidisciplinary contract, valued at approximately $250 million, includes fabrication and supply, detailed earthworks and concrete, structural, mechanical, piping and electrical and instrumentation works associated with the construction of a new primary crusher and overland conveyor, as well as modifications to existing plant. Work under the contract will commence immediately and is expected to be completed in 2027.

    Set up for a strong year

    At the company’s AGM in late November, chair Rob Velletri said the company had in 2025, secured about $2.3 billion in new contracts and contract extensions, which was a record, plus had added another $570 million since the end of the financial year.

    Mr Bebic said at the time the company was forecasting revenue for the half-year ending December 30 of about $1.5 billion, with full-year revenue expected to be about 20% to 25% higher than the previous year.

    Monadelphous shares traded as high as $29.51 on Wednesday morning, up 3.3% and a new record.

    Monadelphous Group was worth $2.85 billion at the close of trade on Tuesday. The company has more than doubled in value over the past year.

    The post A fourth contract win in under a month has this ASX 200 company’s shares at a new record high appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Monadelphous Group Limited right now?

    Before you buy Monadelphous Group Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Monadelphous Group Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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

  • Three oil stocks to buy and one to sell

    a man in a business suit looks at a map of the world above a line up of oil barrels with a red arrow heading upwards above them, indicting rising oil prices.

    The RBC Capital Markets team has reviewed the Australian oil and gas sector and reiterated its positive outlook for the majors, while being less bullish on mid-tier company Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT).

    RBC has published a preview of fourth-quarter operating results for the sector and says shares in Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) look like good buys at current levels.

    Over at Santos, the RBC team says they expect a “relatively strong” fourth quarter coming off a weaker result in the third quarter.

    As they said in their note to clients:

    We forecast fourth quarter sales revenue growth of 6% quarter on quarter supported by higher WA production volumes (third quarter downtime), solid PNG LNG and GLNG production, and a return to normalised Cooper Basin production more than offsetting weaker commodity pricing.

    They added that Santos’ free cash flow generation has the potential to increase materially in 2026, assuming its Barossa and Pikka projects are delivered broadly as planned.

    The RBC team stated that Santos aims to distribute at least 60% of its free cash flow to shareholders after 2026, which should support dividend payments.

    Santos is currently sitting on a trailing dividend yield of 5.96%, franked to 10%.

    RBC has a price target of $6.75 on Santos shares, compared with $6.14 currently.

    Pick of the bunch

    But for even bigger gains, the RBC team is recommending investors take a look at Woodside shares, with an outperform rating on the shares and a price target of $31.50 compared with $23.31 currently.

    In their research note, the RBC team said they like the company’s long-term outlook, but were expecting a decline in sales revenue over the most recent quarter of 13% due to lower sales and production volumes.

    Woodside has a trailing dividend yield of 7.15%, fully-franked, and if the RBC price target were achieved, that would represent a return of 35.1%.

    Among the smaller oil and gas companies, Amplitude Energy Ltd (ASX: AEL) is the preferred RBC pick.

    As they said:

    We see improved Orbost operating performance, solid domestic gas price and higher priced spot gas sales supporting sales revenue growth of 4% quarter on quarter. Orbost has achieved record quarterly production.

    RBC said new drilling in the Otway Basin starting this year also had the potential to add value.

    RBC has a price target of $3.25 on Amplitude shares, compared to its current price of $2.90. The company does not currently pay dividends.

    Risks to the downside

    Meanwhile, the RBC team expect Beach Energy shares to fall to $1.05 compared with $1.14 currently.

    They expect Beach’s sales revenue to decline by 21% quarter over quarter and noted that production at Beach’s Otway gas plant was 31% lower quarter over quarter.

    Beach has a trailing dividend yield of 7.86%, fully franked.

    The post Three oil stocks to buy and one to sell appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Woodside Petroleum Ltd right now?

    Before you buy Woodside Petroleum Ltd shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Woodside Petroleum Ltd wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Cameron England 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.

  • 2 great ASX 200 blue-chip shares I’d buy right now!

    The word growth with bles arrows shooting up above it, indicating a share price movement for ASX growth stocks

    I’m always on the lookout for wonderful S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) blue-chip shares that could deliver market-beating performances.

    The best businesses in an industry may have the potential to continue delivering great returns because of the economic moats and impressive economics.

    Both of the businesses below have fallen by more than 10% in recent times. With that decline, this could be a smart time to look at these ASX 200 blue-chip shares.

    Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

    Goodman Group is a large, global industrial property business that owns, develops and manages real estate. It’s best known for its logistics properties and data centres in major global cities that are important for the digital economy.

    It has a presence in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe, the UK and the Americas. Goodman is one of the largest listed specialist investment managers of industrial property globally.

    Goodman is benefiting from growing demand in areas like e-commerce and data centres, giving the business a pleasing outlook for its work in progress (WIP), the assets under management (AUM) and rental earnings.

    For example, at 30 September 2025, the ASX 200 blue-chip share had $12.4 billion of WIP with data centres representing 68% of WIP. The projected WIP for June 2026 is more than $17.5 billion.

    The rental side of the business is also performing strongly – in its latest quarterly update, it reported 4.2% like-for-like annual net property income (NPI) growth on properties in its partnerships. It has an occupancy rate of 96%.

    Goodman is forecasting operating earnings per security (EPS) growth of 9% in FY26. It looks good value after falling 17% in the past year.

    Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG)

    Breville is one of the world’s largest coffee machine businesses, with a number of brands.

    The company has suffered a loss of some investor confidence during the past year following the US – a key market for Breville – applying tariffs to products made in China. The Asian powerhouse was responsible for manufacturing a significant portion of the Breville-made products for the US market.

    So, the ASX 200 blue-chip share is hard at work changing where products bound for the US are made, particularly utilising production in Mexico.

    Over time, Breville has significantly grown its revenue and net profit and this has helped improve its underlying value.

    I’m confident the company can continue growing thanks to increasing levels of coffee consumption at home globally and that Breville is expanding in markets that have much lower levels of home coffee consumption (offering growth). Some of the company’s newer expansion markets are China, South Korea and the Middle East.

    The ASX 200 blue-chip share looks much better value after falling 12% in the past year. At the time of writing, it’s trading at 29x FY27’s estimated earnings, according to Commsec.

    The post 2 great ASX 200 blue-chip shares I’d buy right now! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Goodman Group right now?

    Before you buy Goodman Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Goodman Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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

  • Why this ASX 200 resources stock is off to a flying start in 2026

    Machinery at a mine site.

    This S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) resources stock caught a strong bid on Tuesday as investors piled back into anything even remotely tied to rare earths and critical minerals.

    Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU) was one of the highflyers during Tuesday’s trade, finishing 6.2% higher at $6.68. That brings the total gain in 2026 to 15.4%, while the ASX 200 resources stock has soared by 35% in the past 6 months.

    Let’s take a closer look.

    Strategic rare earths player

    This wasn’t about quarterly numbers or a surprise announcement from the company itself. Global markets woke up bullish on the idea of building rare earths supply chains outside China. That optimism washed straight onto the ASX, and Iluka fits neatly into that picture.

    While best known for mineral sands like zircon and titanium, the ASX 200 resources stock also owns a strategically important rare earths refinery project. One that suddenly looks a lot more valuable in a world scrambling for secure supply.

    Iluka’s strengths are clear. It controls some of the world’s highest-quality mineral sands deposits, has deep processing expertise, and enjoys strong government backing for its rare earths strategy.

    The ASX 200 miner operates major assets in Western and South Australia and owns the Sierra Rutile business in West Africa. Its next phase of growth is taking shape in Western Australia, where Iluka is building the Eneabba rare earths refinery.

    From side hustle to growth engine

    The project aims to position Australia as a reliable supplier of critical minerals to global markets and reduce reliance on China. If successful, the Eneabba refinery could reshape the company.

    The ASX 200 resources stock would move beyond mineral sands into vertically integrated rare earths production. It would supply oxides used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and advanced electronics. These are markets with strong long-term demand.

    If demand for electric vehicles, defence technology, and clean energy infrastructure continues to accelerate, Iluka’s exposure to critical inputs starts to look less like a side hustle and more like a growth engine.

    However, risks remain. Mineral sands prices are cyclical and closely tied to global manufacturing conditions, with Chinese supply playing a major role. Recent production pauses underscore Iluka’s exposure to demand swings. Eneabba is also capital-intensive and relies on securing long-term offtake agreements. Delays or cost overruns could pressure valuations.

    What’s next for Iluka shares?

    There is also a dose of broker enthusiasm driving the current rally. Recent upgrades have reminded the market that the ASX resources stock combines solid cash flows today with leverage to a structural trend tomorrow. That’s a rare and appealing mix in the resources space.

    It’s no surprise that analysts and investors are warming up to Iluka’s rare earths strategy. That long-term optionality is powerful.

    Most brokers see the ASX 200 resources stock as a buy or strong buy. They have a 12-month average price target at $7.44, which points to a potential gain of 11%.  

    The post Why this ASX 200 resources stock is off to a flying start in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Iluka Resources Limited right now?

    Before you buy Iluka Resources Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Iluka Resources Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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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 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.

  • BlueScope returns $438m to shareholders with special dividend

    Male hands holding Australian dollar banknotes, symbolising dividends.

    The BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL) share price is in focus today after the company announced it will return $438 million to shareholders via a $1.00 per share unfranked special dividend, following several recent asset sales and cash flow initiatives.

    What did BlueScope report?

    • Declared an unfranked special dividend of $1.00 per share, totalling $438 million
    • Surplus cash generated from sale of 50% Tata BlueScope joint venture for $167 million
    • Agreed sale of 33 hectares at West Dapto for $76 million
    • Continued realisation of BlueScope Properties Group projects, releasing $200 million over FY25–FY26
    • Dividend record date: 21 January 2026; payment date: 24 February 2026
    • Dividend reinvestment plan not active for this special dividend

    What else do investors need to know?

    BlueScope’s board opted for a special unfranked dividend rather than a buy-back due to ongoing corporate activity and regulatory settings. The company’s capital management framework aims for a balanced approach, distributing at least 50% of free cash flow to shareholders through dividends and buy-backs.

    In the past decade, BlueScope has invested more than $3.7 billion in growth projects and delivered over $3.8 billion in shareholder returns since FY17. The latest asset sales and working capital initiatives add to its disciplined capital management record.

    What did BlueScope management say?

    BlueScope MD & CEO Mark Vassella said:

    This special dividend demonstrates BlueScope’s ability to generate and distribute returns to its shareholders. With a clear line of sight to the completion of our current significant capital investment program, BlueScope is positioned to not only return to the robust cash generation it has been known for, but to strengthen it further with the enhanced earnings of the business. The Board will continue to carefully balance investment in growth with shareholders returns as cash flows build.

    What’s next for BlueScope?

    BlueScope expects to ramp up free cash generation over the next 12–18 months as it completes its major investment program. Notably, capex is set to reduce by at least $500 million in FY27 compared to FY26 as these projects wind down.

    Management highlights a focus on balancing investment in profitable growth with consistent shareholder returns, signalling further distributions as cash flows improve.

    BlueScope share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, BlueScope shares have risen 52%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has lifted 7% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post BlueScope returns $438m to shareholders with special dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in BlueScope Steel Limited right now?

    Before you buy BlueScope Steel Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and BlueScope Steel Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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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.

  • Want silver exposure? Morgans says this ASX silver stock is a buy

    Man looking happy and excited as he looks at his mobile phone.

    The silver price has exploded higher over the past 12 months, more than doubling in value during the period.

    This means that miners with exposure to silver are printing money every time they pull an ounce of the precious metal out of the ground.

    But how can investors position their portfolio to benefit from this? Let’s find out what Morgans is saying about one ASX silver stock.

    Broker tips ASX silver stock as a buy

    Morgans has been running the rule over BMC Minerals Ltd (ASX: BMC) shares following its IPO last month.

    BMC is the 100% owner of the Kudz Ze Kayah (KZK) Project. It is an advanced polymetallic development project located in Canada’s Yukon territory. It comprises 372km2 of under-explored, resource rich tenure and is host to two deposits. It will produce three concentrates: silver/gold, copper, and zinc.

    Morgans, which helped with the ASX silver stock’s IPO, believes its shares are still significantly undervalued despite rising over 40% since listing.

    According to a note, the broker has initiated coverage on BMC Minerals’ shares with a speculative buy rating and $4.90 price target.

    Based on its current share price of $2.82, this implies potential upside of 74% for investors over the next 12 months.

    Morgans believes the company is positioned to generate significant EBITDA from its KZK project once it reaches steady state production. It commented:

    We initiate coverage of BMC Minerals with a SPECULATIVE BUY rating and a target price of A$4.90ps. The Kudz Ze Kayah (KZK) project is a high grade undeveloped polymetallic deposit, with high silver equivalent reserve grades of 597g/t AgEq and an indicative ~32Moz Ag per annum production profile. Indicative economics of KZK are solid.

    We model steady state average annual financials of US$780m revenue, US$435m EBITDA at a 52% EBITDA margin, US$287m FCF and FCF yields of 29% based on precious and base metals price assumptions well below current spot prices. With BMC, we see parallels to past prolific polymetallic/base metals assets which generated strong returns for shareholders: Vares for Adriatic, Nova-Bollinger for Sirius and De Grussa for Sandfire.

    How else can you gain exposure to the booming silver price?

    There are other ways for investors to get access to the silver boom.

    One way is through the Global X Physical Silver Structured (ASX: ETPMAG).

    Global X notes that this fund offers a low-cost and secure way to access physical silver via the stock exchange. This means investors can avoid the need to personally store their own bullion.

    The post Want silver exposure? Morgans says this ASX silver stock is a buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in ETFS Metal Securities Australia Limited – ETFS Physical Silver right now?

    Before you buy ETFS Metal Securities Australia Limited – ETFS Physical Silver shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and ETFS Metal Securities Australia Limited – ETFS Physical Silver wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 Jan 2026

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    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.