At the start of each week, I like to look at ASIC’s short position report to find out which shares are being targeted by short sellers.

This is because I believe it is well worth keeping a close eye on short interest levels as high levels can sometimes be a sign that something isn’t quite right with a company.

With that in mind, here are the 10 most shorted shares on the ASX this week according to ASIC:

• Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) is the most shorted ASX share with short interest of 15.6%. It appears that short sellers believe the struggling pizza chain operator’s turnaround strategy will not be a success.
• Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) has seen its short interest rise to 14.8%. This wine giant has been battling very tough trading conditions. Short sellers may not believe a change is coming in the near term.
• Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) has short interest of 14.2%, which is up since last week. This radiopharmaceuticals company has been facing delays with FDA approvals. Short sellers don’t appear confident that regulators will be approving its therapies any time soon.
• Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) has short interest of 13.8%, which is up week on week. This burrito seller continues to struggle and make a loss in the United States market, which was supposed to be its largest growth opportunity.
• Polynovo Ltd (ASX: PNV) has short interest of 13%, which is up since last week. This medical device company’s shares trade on sky-high earnings multiples.
• Nanosonics Ltd (ASX: NAN) has 11.4% of its shares held short, which is up week on week. Last month, this infection prevention company posted a 3% decline in profit before tax during the first half.
• Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) has short interest of 11.4%, which is down significantly since last week. With the uranium producer’s shares down 65% since the start of July on production concerns, some short sellers may be buying back shares to lock in their gains.
• IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) has 10.8% of its shares held short, which is down week on week. This student placement and language testing company has been battling changes to visa rules in key markets.
• Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) has short interest of 10.5%, which is up since last week. This may be due to valuation concerns and the rare earths producer’s shares rocketed over the past 12 months.
• Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) has short interest of 9.7%, which is down week on week. There are concerns that the travel agent won’t deliver on its revenue margin targets.

The post These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Why I’d buy these dirt-cheap ASX 200 shares trading at 52-week lows
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Domino’s Pizza Enterprises and Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, Nanosonics, PolyNovo, Telix Pharmaceuticals, and Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, Flight Centre Travel Group, Nanosonics, PolyNovo, and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Amid of all of the volatility, there could be very attractive ASX share opportunities for investors to buy.

Share price declines give us the chance to buy certain companies at much cheaper valuations. These are the same businesses as last year, but the market has decided they are worth less than they were.

When an expert calls a business a buy, that’s interesting. When numerous analysts call a company a buy then that’s a very compelling signal to investors.

Let’s look at two well-liked ideas.

Collins Foods Ltd (ASX: CKF)

Collins Foods is a large operator of KFC restaurants in Australia and Europe.

According to the Commsec collation of analysts, there are currently 10 buy ratings on the ASX share. One of the brokers that rates the business as a buy is UBS, with a price target of $13.50.

Collins Foods recently gave a trading update and announced an acquisition.

UBS noted that the ASX share is buying eight KFC restaurants in Bavaria (centred around Munich) and this delivers a 50% increase to its German network.

Additionally, its German development plan has been expanded, with a target of between 45 to 90 greenfield (new) restaurants over the next four years, which is expected to add between 3% to 7% more earnings per share (EPS) than the previous growth target range.

In terms of the trading update, in the second half of FY26 to date, Collins Foods said that Australian total sales were up 6.2%, German total sales were up 9.1% and the Netherlands total sales were up 4.1%.

Each country’s like for like (LFL) sales growth was stronger than expected, according to the broker. Excitingly, UBS is expecting Collins Foods to increase its EPS at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between FY27 and FY30.

It’s only trading at 19x FY26’s estimated earnings, according to UBS’ estimates.

Premier Investments Ltd (ASX: PMV)

Premier Investments is the owner of Peter Alexander and Smiggle. It also owns a substantial minority stake of Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG).

According to the Commsec collation of analyst opinions, there are currently 11 buy ratings on the business. One of the brokers that rates Premier Investments as a buy is UBS.

The broker notes that Premier Investments is going to hand in its FY26 half-year result at the end of this week.

UBS noted that the business has provided guidance for the FY26 first half result of underlying profit of $120 million, which the broker is also estimating for the company. The broker is also forecasting net profit of $99.3 million, EPS of 62.1 ents and a dividend per share of 40.4 cents.

The broker has a buy rating on the ASX share because of its strong core ANZ Peter Alexander business and the extent that the Breville shares are “underappreciated within its valuation”, which makes the risk/reward attractive despite Smiggle being challenged and the start-up losses in Peter Alexander UK.

In ANZ, Peter Alexander has expanded its total addressable market (TAM) with its offer extending to men, kids, plus-size and accessories. UBS thinks the business is justified to invest in expanding the store network and refurbishing existing stores.

Based on UBS’ estimate, the Premier Investments share price is valued at 14x FY26’s estimated earnings.

The post 2 ASX shares highly recommended to buy: Experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: Collins Foods, Endeavour, and Magellan shares
• KFC owner Collins Foods shares sliding today on class action news
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• 2 of the best ASX growth shares to buy now
• Guess which ASX 200 stock is rocketing 11% on big Euro news

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Breville Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Collins Foods and Premier Investments. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

These two S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares offer dependable income today while still delivering long-term growth.

While attractive yields alone don’t guarantee strong returns, companies with durable businesses and disciplined capital management can reward shareholders for years.

Two ASX 200 shares that stand out for their dividend potential are Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES).

Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL)

This ASX 200 share is one of Australia’s largest private health insurers, providing health insurance to millions of Australians through its Medibank and AHM brands.

One of Medibank’s key strengths is the defensive nature of the health insurance industry. Demand for health cover tends to remain relatively stable even during economic downturns, which helps support consistent earnings and cash flow.

Another advantage is its predictable revenue model. Premium income provides recurring cash flow, allowing the ASX 200 share to maintain a reliable dividend profile. The recent FY26 half-year result showed a number of positive growth numbers. This bodes well for future growth of its dividend payouts.

The company is also exposed to rising healthcare costs. If claims inflation accelerates faster than premium increases, margins could come under pressure. Health insurers face ongoing regulatory oversight, and changes to government policy could affect profitability.

Competition from other insurers is another factor to watch, particularly as providers compete to attract younger members to the private health system.

Medibank has developed a reputation as a strong ASX 200 income share. Medibank’s dividend policy is to distribute between 75% and 85% of underlying net profit after tax to shareholders, helping support consistent and relatively generous payouts.

Broker UBS is expecting dividend growth from the ASX 200 share over the next few years.

The broker forecasts that the annual dividend per share could be 19 cents in FY26, which translates into a potential grossed-up dividend yield of 5.4%, including franking credit at the time of writing.

Analysts have set an average 12-month price target at $5.03. That points to an 18% upside and could bring total earnings to well over 20% at the time of writing.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers is one of Australia’s largest diversified companies, with leading retail businesses including Bunnings, Kmart, Officeworks, and an expanding industrial and chemicals portfolio.

The $86 billion ASX 200 share’s biggest strength is its portfolio of dominant retail brands. Bunnings remains Australia’s leading home improvement retailer, while Kmart continues to grow thanks to its strong value proposition.

Wesfarmers also has a long track record of disciplined capital allocation. Management regularly reinvests in high-return projects while returning excess capital to shareholders through dividends and special distributions.

Retail is inherently cyclical and sensitive to consumer spending. In addition, Wesfarmers’ earnings are heavily reliant on a handful of major divisions, meaning any weakness in key segments like Bunnings or Kmart could affect overall performance.

Wesfarmers has built a reputation as a reliable dividend payer. UBS predicts that the business could deliver an annual dividend per share for FY26 of $2.13. That would be a grossed-up dividend yield of 4%, including franking credits, at the time of writing.

Brokers have set a price target for the ASX 200 share of $81.85, a potential gain of 8% over 12 months.

The business is expected to increase its payouts in the subsequent years, which is great news for investors wanting passive income.

In the 2027 financial year, the ASX 200 share is projected to pay an annual dividend per share of $2.31.

The post 2 ASX 200 shares with eye-catching dividend yields appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX dividend shares I’d buy instead of Westpac
• A once-in-a-decade chance to earn a supersized passive income from ASX shares?
• What I’d do as a beginner with $50,000 to invest in ASX shares
• 2 ASX blue-chip shares offering big dividend yields
• With half year profits up 9% to $1.6 billion, are Wesfarmers shares a buy?

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

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) has long been a popular choice for dividend investors.

And that’s easy to understand. The big four banks have historically paid generous fully franked dividends and have been reliable income generators for Australian investors.

But at the moment, I’m not convinced Westpac shares look particularly attractive.

Its share price has climbed strongly and its valuation now reflects a lot of optimism. As a result, I think it makes sense for investors to at least consider other opportunities in the market.

Personally, if I were looking for dividend income today, I would rather buy these ASX dividend shares instead of Westpac.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

When I think about reliable dividend payers on the ASX, Telstra is one of the first companies that comes to mind.

The telecommunications giant generates steady cash flow from providing mobile, broadband, and network services to millions of customers across Australia. That kind of recurring revenue can be very supportive when it comes to paying dividends.

What stands out to me is how resilient the business model is. People might cut back on discretionary spending during tougher economic periods, but mobile and internet services are now essential parts of everyday life.

Telstra has also been investing heavily in its network and digital capabilities, which should help support its long-term competitiveness. In my view, that combination of reliable earnings and ongoing investment makes it an appealing option for income investors.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers might not always have the highest dividend yield on the ASX, but I still think it deserves attention from income-focused investors.

The company owns a portfolio of high-quality businesses including Bunnings, Kmart, and Officeworks. These retail operations generate strong cash flow and have historically delivered solid returns on capital.

What I personally like about Wesfarmers is the balance between income and growth. The company pays attractive dividends while also reinvesting in new opportunities and expanding its businesses.

That approach has helped it deliver strong long-term shareholder returns, which in my view can be just as important as the headline dividend yield.

APA Group (ASX: APA)

Infrastructure businesses can be particularly attractive for income investors, and APA Group is a good example.

The company owns and operates one of Australia’s largest energy infrastructure networks, including gas pipelines and energy assets that stretch across the country.

Many of its assets operate under long-term contracts, which helps provide predictable revenue streams. That kind of stability can support consistent dividend payments.

While the energy sector is evolving, infrastructure assets like pipelines remain an important part of the energy system. Personally, I think that stability makes APA a compelling option for investors seeking dependable income. Its forecast dividend yield of over 6% in FY26 is also attractive.

Foolish takeaway

Westpac will likely remain a popular choice for dividend investors.

But in my view, income opportunities on the ASX go well beyond it.

Companies like Telstra, Wesfarmers, and APA offer exposure to different industries while still providing attractive dividend income. For investors looking to diversify their income streams, I think these types of businesses are well worth considering.

The post 3 ASX dividend shares I’d buy instead of Westpac appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• 3 top ASX dividend shares with 6%+ yields
• Here’s what Westpac says the RBA will do with interest rates next week
• How I’d start building an ASX retirement portfolio today
• A once-in-a-decade chance to earn a supersized passive income from ASX shares?

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

Debt gets a bad rap amongst ASX share investors and, to be fair, it’s often deserved. High debt, when taken on for the wrong reasons can sink even quality businesses. But used well, debt can also be a powerful tool.

When considering company debt, look at it from a few angles:

• What is the debt funding?
• How predictable are the cash flows that support it?
• Does management use it as a crutch or a strategic tool?

Debt as a strategy

Debt can be built into a company’s model and used to create leverage. Done well, debt can boost return on equity, manage tax liabilities and build future revenue streams.

There are plenty of examples of this, but the infrastructure assets sector is a good one to look at.

Take ASX share Transurban Group Ltd (ASX:TCL), for example. If you looked its balance sheet alone, debt is high. In FY25, its books showed group debt of $26.8 billion.

But when you step back and investigate, it makes sense. As a toll road provider, Transurban’s projects are usually capital intensive with long delivery time frames and often, predictable demand. Once finished, these projects tend to deliver reliable cash flows, so taking on debt to complete the project is likely a rational move.

Used this way, company debt can create leverage without materially increasing business risk.

Debt as a tool

Debt can also be used as a tool to increase financial flexibility.

Essentially, company debt is used to accelerate growth and adapt with agility when interest rates rise or markets tighten, often via revolving credit facilities (RCFs).

ASX share Goodman Group Ltd (ASX:GMG)  is an example of a company that uses RCFs well. It maintains a strong liquidity buffer ($6.6 billion as at FY25) and keeps gearing relatively low. Usage of credit facilities is intermittent to manage cycles or act on strategic opportunities.

Debt as a crutch

This is the kind of debt investors should be more wary of. Debt can quickly become a liability when a company uses it to fund business as usual.

This type of company debt is more often seen in industries with tight margins and volatile conditions.

Perhaps one of the most cautionary tales from the sector is electronics retailer, Dick Smith. In the lead up to its much-publicised decline, the retailer continued to post relatively healthy revenue, but under the water it was paddling hard. Debt was being used to maintain the appearance of momentum, funding inventory and pulling future sales forward.

High debt isn’t uncommon in retail – and it can be a pathway to turnaround, but it is one that carries significantly higher risk. As was the case for Dick Smith, when consumer demand softens, the company’s balance sheet can’t provide a defence, and the debt can go from manageable to fatal in a matter of weeks.

If debt is tied to short-term earnings and inventory, it’s worth taking a deeper look at what’s happening below the surface.

The bottom line

Of course, a company without debt is much less likely to go under, but in some sectors, particularly capital-intensive ones, debt can be a solid pathway to growth.

The most important question for ASX share investors to ask is how is the debt being used? Is it creating leverage to realise future revenue or providing a crutch to enable continued trading?

If it’s the former, then it’s a functional tool that can deliver positive outcomes for investors. If it’s the latter, it’s a potential red flag and only worth considering if you understand and trust in the levers the company can use to turn things around.

The post How to assess company debt as a new ASX share investor appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Melissa Maddison 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 Goodman Group and Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Transurban 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.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries across the global economy.

From cloud computing and healthcare to data infrastructure and enterprise software, businesses are increasingly investing in AI-powered tools and digital platforms to improve productivity and unlock new capabilities.

While many investors immediately think of large US technology companies when considering AI opportunities, several ASX growth shares are also well positioned to benefit from this powerful long-term trend.

Here are three shares that could ride the AI wave over the coming years, rather than be disrupted by it.

NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT)

One ASX growth share that could benefit significantly from the AI boom is NextDC.

The company operates a network of high-performance data centres that provide the infrastructure required for cloud computing, hyperscale workloads, and artificial intelligence systems.

Training and running AI models requires enormous computing power and data storage capacity. As a result, demand for advanced data centre facilities has surged as technology companies and enterprises build out their AI capabilities.

NextDC’s facilities provide secure, highly connected environments where major cloud providers and enterprise customers can deploy large-scale computing infrastructure.

The company has also reported a record forward order book of contracted capacity that is expected to ramp into billing over the coming years, giving it strong visibility over future revenue growth.

With AI adoption accelerating globally, demand for the type of digital infrastructure NextDC provides could continue rising for many years.

Morgans recently tipped NextDC as a buy with a $20.50 price target.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

Another ASX growth share that could benefit from the rise of artificial intelligence is Pro Medicus.

The healthcare technology company develops imaging software used by hospitals and radiologists to view and analyse medical scans.

Medical imaging generates enormous volumes of data, and AI tools are increasingly being used to assist doctors in detecting conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and other abnormalities.

Pro Medicus’ Visage platform is designed to process and display complex medical images extremely quickly, which can help clinicians work more efficiently and improve patient outcomes.

Importantly, the company’s platform can integrate artificial intelligence algorithms, allowing hospitals to combine AI analysis with advanced imaging workflows.

As healthcare systems increasingly adopt AI-powered diagnostic tools, demand for high-performance imaging platforms like those developed by Pro Medicus could continue growing.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

A final ASX growth share that could benefit from AI is Xero.

The accounting software company provides cloud-based financial management tools to millions of small and medium-sized businesses around the world.

Artificial intelligence is expected to play a major role in automating many accounting tasks such as invoice processing, expense categorisation, and financial forecasting.

By integrating AI into its platform, Xero aims to help businesses save time, gain insights from their financial data, and automate repetitive administrative work.

Over time, these AI-driven capabilities could make the platform even more valuable to small businesses and accountants, strengthening customer retention and attracting new users.

As AI becomes increasingly embedded into everyday business operations, Xero could be well positioned to benefit from this shift toward smarter, automated financial software. In addition, with unique data sets and complex tax rules, it would be hard to be disrupted by AI.

The post 3 ASX growth shares that could benefit from the AI boom appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

With March bringing significant volatility for ASX stocks, there is plenty of opportunity for value investors.

Unsurprisingly, much of the opportunity lies with ASX healthcare and technology stocks that have struggled over the past year. 

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) is down 30% in the last 12 months. 

The S&P ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) is down 20% in that same span. 

Meanwhile, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up 11.2%. 

With that in mind, here are three ASX stocks drawing price targets from brokers indicating significant upside. 

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

WiseTech shares have been hotly covered recently as the company has clawed back some momentum after enduring a 60% fall in the back half of last year. 

Positive earnings results in February have started to turn the tide for this technology company. 

The Motley Fool’s Grace Alvino laid out the compelling case for WiseTech shares last week, with AI tailwinds, market positioning and leadership all pointing towards a year of growth. 

Brokers are also anticipating a strong recovery during 2026. 

The logistics software company closed trading last week at $47.57 each.

15 analysts forecasts via TradingView have an average one year price target of $85.95, with the highest estimates reaching $123.83. 

These targets indicate upside between 80% and 160%. 

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

CSL is another ASX stock that brokers remain positive on, despite a rough 12 months. 

The Australian-based global biotechnology company has seen its share price fall 43% over the last year, and now sits close to its 52-week low.

On Friday, it closed trading at $141.03. 

However, Morgans recently put a buy rating and $241.34 price target on the ASX healthcare stock. 

This indicates upside of 71%. 

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

Another struggling ASX healthcare stock tipped to recover is Pro Medicus. 

The company provides medical imaging technology globally.

Its share price is down more than 42% in the last year. 

However, it signed two key five year contracts last week.

Specifically, the company’s wholly owned US subsidiary, Visage Imaging, signed two five-year contract renewals with a combined minimum value of $40 million.

It’s possible this marks the beginning of a rebound. 

It closed last week at $133.00. 

However, 13 analyst ratings via TradingView have an average one year price target of $218.44. 

This indicates 64% potential upside.

The post 3 ASX stocks brokers say could double in the next year appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• 3 reasons to buy WiseTech shares today
• Should I buy WiseTech shares? Yes or no
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• 2 ASX growth stocks to buy now and hold for 10 years

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

The Australian share market traditionally provides Aussie investors with a 4% dividend yield.

While that is an attractive yield, you don’t have to settle for it.

Not when there are analysts out there forecasting significantly greater yields from the three buy-rated ASX dividend shares listed below.  Here’s what they are recommending:

APA Group (ASX: APA)

The first ASX dividend share that brokers are tipping as a buy is APA Group.

It owns and operates critical energy infrastructure across Australia, including gas pipelines, storage facilities, and power assets. These assets are typically long life and regulated or contracted, which helps provide steady and visible cash flows.

Macquarie currently has an outperform rating and $9.58 price target on its shares.

As for income, Macquarie is forecasting dividends of 58 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 59 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $9.18, that equates to very attractive dividend yields of 6.3% and 6.4%, respectively.

Charter Hall Retail REIT (ASX: CQR)

Another ASX dividend share that could be a buy in March is the Charter Hall Retail REIT.

It is a property trust that owns a diversified portfolio of convenience-based retail centres anchored by supermarkets, service stations, and essential services.

As shoppers continue to spend on groceries and everyday necessities regardless of economic conditions, these assets tend to be defensive.

Together with long lease terms and high-quality tenants, Charter Hall Retail has good visibility over future rental income. This supports consistent distributions to unitholders.

Macquarie is also a fan of the company and is expecting some big dividend yields in the near term.

The broker is forecasting dividends per share of 25.5 cents in FY 2026 and then 25.4 cents in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $3.87, this would mean dividend yields of 6.6% and 6.55%, respectively.

Macquarie has an outperform rating and $4.15 price target on its shares.

Dexus Industria REIT (ASX: DXI)

A third ASX dividend share that brokers are positive on is Dexus Industria.

It focuses on industrial assets, including warehouses and logistics facilities, which continue to benefit from structural trends such as ecommerce and supply chain optimisation.

Bell Potter is positive about the company’s outlook and recently put a buy rating and $3.00 price target on its shares.

As for income, the broker is forecasting dividends of 16.6 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 16.8 cents per share in FY 2027.  Based on its current share price of $2.40, this would mean dividend yields of 6.9% and 7%, respectively.

The post 3 top ASX dividend shares with 6%+ yields appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX dividend shares I’d buy instead of Westpac
• 5 high-yield ASX dividend shares paying 6% to 10%
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• This would be my $1 million ASX retirement portfolio

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

Two of the biggest winners during earnings season were Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP). 

BHP shares rocketed 16% higher during February, while Rio Tinto shares climbed 13%. 

Both ASX mining giants hit yearly highs during this time, however since then, have lost significant ground. 

Why are these miners falling?

Since hitting yearly highs, BHP shares have fallen roughly 16%, while Rio Tinto shares have dropped just over 6%. 

It’s possible this is a combination of a slightly inflated share price along with ripple down effects from the developing conflict in the Middle East. 

The importance of the Strait of Hormuz for global oil supply has been well-documented over the past couple of weeks

Although BHP was not directly exposed to an oil supply shock, it remains highly vulnerable to the ripple effects. 

One major reason is its heavy reliance on fuel inputs – particularly diesel. This represents a significant portion of the company’s cost base. 

Large-scale mining operations require enormous amounts of fuel to power extraction equipment, haulage fleets, and the transportation networks.

Interruptions to fuel supply therefore pose a serious operational and financial risk to the miner.

In addition, many of the largest consumers of oil and petroleum products passing through the Strait of Hormuz are in Asia – most notably India and China. 

These countries are also among BHP’s most important customers. 

If energy shortages were to disrupt operations at Chinese steel mills or refineries, demand for key raw materials could quickly decline. 

In such a scenario, companies like BHP would likely be among the first suppliers contacted to delay or cancel shipments of commodities such as iron ore and copper.

It’s worth noting that BHP chairman Ross McEwan reinforced in early March that the global mining giant sees “little immediate impact from the US-Iran conflict.”

For Rio Tinto, increased shipping costs, insurance premiums, and uncertainty in supply chains for metals could be weighing on sentiment. 

Higher commodity prices could theoretically boost revenues in the short term. Meanwhile logistics risks, energy costs, and market volatility create uncertainty for the company and its investors.

What are experts saying?

After recent share price declines, investors may be considering buying the dip in these blue-chip stocks.

On Friday, Morgans upgraded Rio Tinto shares to a hold rating (previously trim). 

The broker now has a price target of $147.00. 

However, from last week’s closing price of $157.89, that indicates a potential downside of approximately 7%. 

Meanwhile, for BHP shares, 16 analysts forecasts via TradingView have an average one year price target of $53.02 on the company. 

From last week’s closing price, that indicates an upside of 6.46%. 

The post Are Rio Tinto or BHP shares a better buy right now? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The ASX is home to a wide range of companies, from mature dividend payers to high-growth businesses.

Right now, a few ASX growth shares stand out to me for different reasons. One operates in a rapidly expanding defence technology market, another is benefiting from structural growth in financial advice platforms, and the third has built a global leadership position in medical technology.

Here are three ASX shares I think could be worth buying.

DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO)

DroneShield is one of the most fascinating companies on the ASX right now.

The business specialises in counter-drone technology, providing solutions designed to detect and neutralise hostile drones. As drones become more widely used in both civilian and military settings, the need for systems that can defend against them is increasing rapidly.

What attracts me to DroneShield and its shares is the scale of the opportunity. Defence spending is rising globally and counter-drone technology is becoming an important part of modern security systems. DroneShield’s technology is already being used by military, government, and law enforcement customers around the world.

This is still a relatively small company compared with many defence contractors, which means it has plenty of room to grow if adoption continues to increase.

In my view, that combination of a large addressable market and proven technology makes DroneShield a particularly interesting long-term growth story.

HUB24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

HUB24 is a company I keep coming back to when I think about structural growth on the ASX.

The company’s platform provides technology and investment solutions used by financial advisers to manage client portfolios. Over the past several years, it has consistently taken market share as advisers move toward modern platforms that offer better functionality and service.

What I like about HUB24 is that it is benefiting from multiple long-term tailwinds at the same time. The shift toward professional financial advice continues, the wealth management industry keeps growing, and advisers are increasingly consolidating onto a smaller number of high-quality platforms.

As funds under administration rise, the platform can generate more revenue without needing to increase costs at the same pace. That creates operating leverage and helps drive strong earnings per share growth.

Personally, I think HUB24 still has a long runway for expansion as the Australian wealth management industry continues to evolve.

ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD)

ResMed is another ASX share that I believe has a powerful long-term growth story.

The company develops medical devices and software designed to treat sleep apnoea and other respiratory conditions. These products are used by millions of patients around the world.

What stands out to me is the structural demand for its products. Sleep apnoea remains significantly underdiagnosed globally, and awareness of the condition continues to increase.

ResMed also has a strong competitive position thanks to its best-in-class technology, brand recognition, and growing ecosystem of digital health tools that connect patients, clinicians, and healthcare providers.

In my view, that combination of medical demand and technological leadership makes ResMed one of the most compelling long-term healthcare shares on the ASX.

Foolish takeaway

These companies are each benefiting from long-term structural trends that could support growth for many years to come.

For investors looking for ASX shares with strong long-term potential, I think all three are worth serious consideration.

The post Why I think DroneShield and 2 more ASX shares are buys appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in DroneShield and Hub24. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield, Hub24, and ResMed and is short shares of DroneShield. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed. 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.