4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) shares have jumped another 2.3% higher in Thursday afternoon trade. At the time of writing, the shares are changing hands at $6.37 a piece.

The uptick means the shares have now rocketed 55% over the past week. They’re now up a huge 71% over the past month and are 40% higher over the year to date.

Most impressively, 4DX shares are 1,890% higher than this time 12 months ago, driven by regulatory approvals and a portfolio of signed contracts with hospitals and medical providers.

The ASX healthcare technology company develops imaging software for healthcare providers to analyse airflow through the lungs. It helps identify and treat lung and respiratory diseases ranging from asthma to lung cancer.

The company saw its share price explode in 2025 after its flagship product, CT:VQ, received regulatory approvals. It was quickly implemented and adopted through partnerships and commercial contracts with healthcare organisations.

4DMedical has already signed contracts with hospitals and medical providers, primarily across the US. Stanford University, the University of Miami, Cleveland Clinic, and UC San Diego Health have all rolled out the technology at their centres.

So, why are 4DX shares in the spotlight this week?

4DX announced yesterday that its CT:VQ has now been deployed at the Mayo Clinic in the US for ventilation and perfusion analysis. 

The clinic is widely-regarded as one of the world’s leading hospitals. This makes it a landmark moment for 4DX and its shares. 

The news comes amid the company’s rapid repositioning from a research and development business trialling new technology, to a globally commercial business. And this has happened within a very short period of time.

Investors are clearly jumping on board and it is sending the share price flying.

What’s next for 4DX in 2026?

Development and rapid adoption of the company’s technology also mean 4DMedical has smashed its milestone goals this year. 

Approvals have been secured in Canada and New Zealand, and now the company is turning its attention to Europe and Australia.

What’s the outlook for 4DX shares?

The latest share price surge even took analysts by surprise. Despite the majority of brokers holding strong buy ratings, the target prices all now imply a significant downside for 4DX shares from here. We may see analysts confirm or update their expectations for the shares in coming days.

What’s clear though, is that the share price rally demonstrates high expectations for the outlook of the company’s growth. I think we’ll see plenty more from 4DX shares this year.

The post Why is everyone talking about 4DX shares this week? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Why 4DMedical, Brazilian Rare Earths, Clarity, and Tuas shares are racing higher today
• ASX 300 stock rockets 38% on ‘landmark moment’
• Up over 900%: Is it too late to buy this incredible ASX tech stock?
• Are 4DMedical and Life360 shares a buy, hold or sell after rocketing 10% yesterday?

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

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has slumped another 0.1% at the time of writing on Thursday afternoon. It means the index is now down 2.3% for the year to date but the shares are 6.6% higher than this time last year.

Losses have been seen across the board this year as geopolitical uncertainty and concerns about rising inflation rates puts pressure on markets.

But there are some ASX shares which have been pushed down to fresh multi-year lows.

The question is: Is this a buying opportunity for investors? Or a sign of what will come next?

Dexus (ASX: DXS)

At the time of writing, Dexus shares have shed another 1.3% to $5.96 a piece. Today’s decline marks the stock’s lowest point seen since late-2012. 

The shares have tumbled 14% so far in 2026 and are now down 19% over the year. The decline has come off the back of concerns about Australia’s interest rate direction, high borrowing costs, and overall investor uncertainty. 

But the ASX 200 real estate stock is a major Australian property investor, developer, and manager. It has a large, high-grade office portfolio and a smaller industrial portfolio in Australasia. It also manages properties on behalf of third-party investors. 

This means it’s diverse and it has a steady, reliable income.

Its FY26 first-half statutory NPAT came in at $348.5 million, up significantly from $10.3 million in the same period last year. The increase was mostly driven by property valuation gains.

Analysts tip an average upside of 22% to $7.28 per share.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

Cochlear shares are also trading in the red at the time of writing, down 0.2% to $165.30. This is the lowest level seen for the ASX 200 company’s shares since October 2017.

The shares have crashed 37% in the first three months of 2026, and they’re 39% lower over the past year.

The world’s leading cochlear implant manufacturer suffered from lower-than-expected FY25 results in mid-August, and again for the first half of FY26 last month. Investors were spooked and many sold up their stock.

But brokers are confident that a recovery is on the horizon, with many agreeing that the company’s share price is now below fair value.

Analysts tip an average upside of 51% to $249.58 over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

It’s been a bloodbath for WiseTech shares over the past nine months, with the company’s share price crashing 68%. At the time of writing, the share price is down another 3% to $38.45, marking the lowest point for the ASX 200 shares since a dip in June 2022.

For the year to date, the shares have shed 44% of their value, and the stock is currently trading 55% below where it was this time last year.

The logistics software company faced several huge headwinds, which sent its value crashing. Even an impressive half-year result in late February didn’t stop investors selling up.

But after so much downwards pressure, brokers expect the price to bottom out this year and start soaring.

Analysts tip an average 123% upside to $85.69 over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

The post These 3 ASX 200 shares have hit fresh multi-year lows: Buy, sell or hold? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• The ASX healthcare stocks with the biggest upside according to brokers
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• 4 ASX All Ords shares at 52-week lows: Buy, hold, or sell?
• 3 top blue-chip ASX 200 shares that look dirt cheap right now

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

Investment house Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL) just released another solid result. Shareholders may be wondering how big the latest Soul Patts dividend is.

Soul Patts has an illustrious history of paying dividends. It has been listed on the ASX for 120 years, and has paid a dividend every year in that time.

The company has just announced its latest payout.

Soul Patts dividend

For the half-year period to 31 January 2026, the company decided to declare an interim dividend of 48 cents per share, representing a year over year increase of 9.1%.

The business funds its payout from net cash flow from its investments, i.e., the money it receives from its portfolio.

Soul Patts reported that its net cash flow from investments grew by 15.4% to $334 million, driven by strong trading gains and its recent efforts to build a larger capital base following the Brickworks merger. On a per-share basis, the cash flow grew 12.5% to 89 cents.

The investment house said that total dividends as a percentage of net cash flow from investments was 54.6%, representing a very sustainable dividend payout ratio.

When will it be paid?

Shareholders have less than two months to wait for the cash to hit their bank accounts. This interim dividend will be paid on 14 May 2026.

But any investors who want to receive entitlement to this Soul Patts dividend will need to ensure they own Soul Patts shares before the ex-dividend date of 20 April 2026.

The ex-dividend date is the cut-off date when investors will miss out on the payment. Therefore, interested investors must have bought shares before the end of trading on Friday, 17 April 2026.

Investors can also choose to participate in the dividend reinvestment plan (DRP) to receive new Soul Patts shares instead of receiving cash. The DRP price for the new shares will be determined over the next several weeks.

Soul Patts dividend yield

The company doesn’t have the biggest dividend yield on the ASX, but its consistency is one of the most impressive elements.

It has now increased its dividend every year for the past 28 years, a stunning record for an ASX share.

The dividend announced today represents a dividend yield of 1.25%, or a grossed-up dividend yield of 1.8% including franking credits (at the time of writing).

Adding the final dividend from FY25 and the HY26 interim dividend, Soul Patts now has an annual dividend yield of 2.8%, or 4% including franking credits. I think it’s likely the company intends to increase its FY26 final dividend too, so the FY26 yield is likely to grow.

The post Everything you need to know about the latest Soul Patts dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Soul Patts 1H26 earnings: Strong growth, dividend up again
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• You can aim to beat the Age Pension for the price of a daily coffee!

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

ASX healthcare share Starpharma Holdings Ltd (ASX: SPL) has rocketed 365% over the past 12 months.

Had you put $10,000 into this ASX small-cap share in March 2025, your holdings would be worth $36,500 today.

Starpharma is an Australian biotech that develops drug delivery systems using proprietary polymers called dendrimers.

These nanoscale molecules make medicines more effective in the body.

Starpharma licenses its drug delivery technology to large pharma, and also develops its own anti-infection products.

This ASX healthcare share is trading at 47 cents on Thursday, up 1.1%.

What’s behind the dramatic 365% share price rise?

The bulk of Starpharma’s rise over the past 12 months occurred between late September and February.

In September, the ASX healthcare share rose by more than 100% after the company announced two new partnerships.

Starpharma announced a new deal with drug company Genentech, which it has worked with for more than three years.

The companies will develop cancer treatments using Starpharma’s proprietary DEP drug delivery technology.

Under the deal, Starpharma got an upfront payment of US$5.5 million.

It is also eligible to receive up to US$564 million in success-based payments over time.

Starpharma granted Genentech an exclusive global licence to commercialise any products developed via the collaboration.

Starpharma CEO Cheryl Maley said:

A key strategic priority for Starpharma is to build new, high-impact partnerships that unlock the full potential of our DEP platform.

By actively pursuing licensing opportunities and collaborating with leading organisations, we aim to expand market reach and enable our partners to deliver significantly improved therapies to patients worldwide.

The ASX healthcare share surged again when the company announced its first radiopharmaceutical partnership.

Starpharma signed a research and option agreement with Radiopharm Theranostics Ltd (ASX: RAD) that made it eligible to receive a $500,000 option fee, a $2 million upfront payment, and up to $89 million in success-based payments and royalties on net sales.

Maley called the deal a key milestone, and said radiopharmaceuticals was a strong area of focus for Starpharma.

In its 1H FY26 report in February, Starpharma reported a 474% increase in revenue to $10.8 million for the six months to 31 December.

The half-year profit was $1,367,000, up from a loss of $5,392,000 in 1H FY24.

Is it too late to buy this rising ASX healthcare share?

ASX biotech shares are notoriously risky and unsuitable for investors with a low risk tolerance.

PAC Partners gives this one a buy rating with a “high risk” 12-month price target of 80 cents to $1.

PAC Partners forecasts growth in partnerships as well as over-the-counter revenue over the next four years.

The post $10,000 invested in this ASX healthcare share a year ago is now worth $36,500 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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.

There are a lot of ASX shares out there to choose from on the local share market.

To narrow things down, let’s see what analysts are saying about the three in this article.

Are they buys, holds, or sells? Here’s what the broker is recommending:

Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG)

Ord Minnett is very positive on this appliance manufacturer and is recommending it to clients. The broker recently upgraded its shares to a buy rating with a $37.20 price target.

It highlights that Breville is well-placed to benefit from a consolidation of vendors by Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) in the United States. It explains:

The consolidation of vendors by Best Buy is described by Breville management as a “material change” to the retail channel structure in the US. The brands chosen benefit from additional shelf space and a structural lock-in, while the brands that have been de-ranged lose access to more than 1,000 retail locations. This dynamic is also playing out across other Best Buy categories, not just small domestic appliances.

As a primary partner in Best Buy’s consolidated vendor strategy, this should provide Breville with a significant competitive advantage in the giant US market. Following recent weakness in the Breville share price, we upgrade to Buy from Accumulate with an unchanged price target of $37.20.

Collins Foods Ltd (ASX: CKF)

The broker has also been looking at quick service restaurant operator Collins Foods.

It highlights that the company is expanding its footprint in Germany with an acquisition.

However, while it sees positives, it isn’t enough for anything more than a hold rating with a $12.00 price target. It explains:

Collins noted same-store sales (SSS) growth in its dominant Australian division was 2.7% in FY26-to-date but had accelerated in the second half of FY26 to 3.2%. Post the trading update, Ord Minnet trimmed its FY26 EPS estimate by 0.7%, while our forecasts for FY27 and FY28 increased by 7.2% and 8.4%, respectively, which led us to raise our target price to $12.00 from $10.50.

There is value apparent in Collins, but the company needs to exhibit a sustained period of performance in the German market, which the company is touting as its next ‘growth pillar’, before we can become more constructive on the stock.

MA Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MAF)

Ord Minnett is feeling bullish about this global alternative asset manager and has named it as a buy with a $10.05 price target.

It highlights that the asset management business is experiencing strong momentum and believes it is well-placed to grow its assets under management. It commented:

‍Ord Minnett has resumed coverage of MA Financial with a Buy recommendation and a target price of $10.05. Its asset management business is seeing continuing momentum in net flows and the launch of new investment vehicles in FY25 leads us to expect strong growth in assets under management (AUM) in the near term.

Further, the residential lending business is hitting its straps and will deliver a more material profit contribution in FY26. We see an attractive value proposition in MA Financial, with the stock trading on a one-year forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 14.7x, along with a forecast EPS compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23% over the FY25–28 horizon.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Breville, Collins Foods, and MA Financial shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Which ASX financial stock could deliver 30% upside?
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• Why buying ASX shares in March could supercharge your wealth

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

The ongoing US-Iran war has investors checking the value of their ASX stock portfolios more frequently than usual. That’s fair enough. This conflict, aside from the tragic human cost and flow-on effects on fuel prices, has elicited some of the most dramatic volatility we have seen in years. It is not uncommon these days for major stock market indexes like the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) to move by more than 1% on any given trading day. It’s a similar story with gold and other precious metals, too.

Since the start of March, the ASX 200 has lost about 7.1% of its value. Over on the US markets, the S&P 500 Index is down by roughly 4.2%. These falls have obviously seen the value of many ASX and US stocks decline concurrently. But what has been far more interesting, at least in my view, has been the trajectory of the gold and silver markets.

If you cast your mind back to earlier this year, gold and silver were riding high. Gold saw a new all-time high right at the start of this month, with gold topping US$5,600 per ounce for the first time ever on 1 March.  Silver hit a record high of its own back in January, rising above US$120 per ounce.

Precious metals collapse amid US-Iran war

However, the outbreak of the war saw both precious metals collapse. Gold got as low as US$4,300 just last week, while silver went under US$66 an ounce at about the same time.

These falls have seen investors take major haircuts on their gold and silver positions. This might seem strange to many observers. Precious metals are supposed to be ‘safe-haven investments‘. Indeed, demand for gold has historically risen in line with global geopolitical tensions or economic uncertainty. And we’ve seen huge spikes in both this March.

So why are gold and silver collapsing at precisely the time that they should, at least in theory, be attracting dollars hand over fist?

Well, it’s hard to know for sure with these things. Perhaps investors are anticipating a global rise in interest rates to combat the likely inflation spike that higher energy prices will probably bring. As zero-yielding investments, metals like gold and silver often suffer under high rates.

I have a theory, though, and if it’s true, we might see gold back to US$5,600 or even higher before we know it.

Why gold could bounce back to US$5,600

At the onset of a black swan event like the initial American attack on Iran, fear-filled investors often duck for cover in a ‘flight to safety’. The traditional asset for doing so is not gold, but US dollars. US dollars are more liquid than gold or silver and tend to be where investors shelter from short-term uncertainty.

However, as investors digest a crisis and the initial fog clears, the paradigm can change. Back in 2020, the initial onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic saw gold drop from almost US$1,700 per ounce down to under US$1,500 in the first few weeks of global lockdowns. Gold only began to push notably higher from its pre-pandemic state a few months later, once the initial fear had subsided and the picture was clearer.

We saw a similar pattern back in the global financial crisis of the late 2000s.

No one knows when the US-Iran war will end. But we do know that it will likely have a profound effect on global energy markets for months to come. I think gold will rebound to its former levels, or even break new ground, over the months ahead, just as it did in past crises. That’s why I’m holding on to my ASX gold shares. Of course, I could be wrong. But the best thing we can do as investors is learn from history. And I think, in this case, the lessons are there for those who are looking.

The post Prediction: Gold will hit US$5,600 again appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• $10,000 invested in this ASX healthcare share a year ago is now worth $36,500
• Buy, hold, sell: Breville, Collins Foods, and MA Financial shares
• Why is this battered ASX tech stock losing big today?
• Qantas shares extend losses as fuel costs reshape operations
• 1 ASX dividend stock and 1 growth stock I’d buy today

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Newmont. 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.

It’s another tough session for this beaten down ASX tech stock.

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) was down 6.3% to $7.44 during afternoon trade. That extends a painful trend — Megaport is now down roughly 39% year to date.

So, what’s going on?

This isn’t about one single shock. It’s part of a broader narrative.

Strong growth? Yes. But the ASX tech stock is still lossmaking. Add in guidance noise and weak sentiment toward tech stocks, and investors are hitting the sell button.

A key player in cloud infrastructure

Megaport operates a network-as-a-service platform.

In simple terms, it helps businesses connect to major cloud providers like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. Instead of building expensive infrastructure, customers can plug into Megaport’s global network and scale usage up or down instantly.

That makes this ASX tech stock a critical enabler of cloud computing, data centres, and AI workloads.

As demand for data explodes, so does the need for fast, flexible connectivity. That’s exactly where Megaport plays.

Strong growth, scalable model

The long-term story still looks compelling for the ASX tech stock.

Megaport is exposed to powerful tailwinds. Cloud adoption continues to surge. AI is driving massive data demand. Businesses are moving more operations online.

The company’s platform is also highly scalable. Once the network is built, adding new customers comes at relatively low cost. That’s a hallmark of successful tech businesses.

Analysts expect that to translate into strong growth. Revenue is forecast to climb more than 20% annually, with earnings potentially accelerating faster as scale improves.

Megaport is also expanding its offering. New cloud and compute services could open up additional growth opportunities.

So why the sell-off?

Despite the growth, there are real concerns.

First, profitability. Megaport is still not consistently in the black. Its latest half-year result showed a statutory loss of around $19 million, which weighed on sentiment. That included about $15.8 million in acquisition-related costs.

Second, competition. This is a fast-moving space. Larger players and evolving technology could pressure margins over time.

Third, expectations. Tech investors can be unforgiving. If results or guidance don’t quite hit the mark, share prices can fall quickly.

That’s exactly what we’re seeing now with the ASX tech stock.

What’s the outlook?

Here’s the interesting part.

Despite the heavy sell-off, analysts remain overwhelmingly bullish on the ASX stock.

Megaport currently carries a consensus buy rating, with most brokers calling it a strong buy.

The average 12-month price target sits around $15.58. That implies roughly 110% upside from current levels.

The bottom line

Megaport is a classic growth stock story.

Big opportunity. Strong revenue growth. But still working toward consistent profitability.

That combination can create volatility — especially in a weak tech market.

For investors, the question is simple: short-term pain or long-term potential?

If the growth story for the ASX tech stock plays out, today’s weakness could look like an opportunity. But expect a bumpy ride along the way.

The post Why is this battered ASX tech stock losing big today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 2 amazing AI stocks to buy in the ASX 200
• 1 ASX growth stock that could skyrocket in 2026 and beyond

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 Megaport. 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 Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) share price is in the red on Thursday, falling 2.30% to $8.50.

The drop adds to a difficult stretch for the airline, with shares now down around 20% over the past month. Rising fuel costs linked to the Middle East conflict have been a key driver behind the decline.

Today’s move comes alongside fresh reporting that highlights how Qantas is adjusting its operations to manage those cost pressures.

Fleet changes point to cost focus

According to The Australian, Qantas has been replacing hundreds of flights with smaller aircraft to reduce fuel use.

The changes involve using fewer large Airbus A330 aircraft, particularly on domestic routes, while smaller, more fuel efficient Boeing 737 jets handle more flights.

On key routes such as Melbourne to Perth, the use of A330’s has dropped, while overall widebody flying has also declined.

This reflects a broader push to better match capacity with demand. It also helps limit fuel use, which remains one of the airline’s largest operating costs.

Fuel pressure reshaping decisions

Fuel costs have become a central issue for airlines in recent weeks.

Tensions in the Middle East have pushed oil prices higher, lifting costs across the aviation sector. There have been no confirmed supply disruptions, but prices have risen due to increased risk.

In response, airlines are focusing on efficiency measures rather than passing on higher costs to consumers.

The report highlights that newer aircraft are being prioritised due to better fuel efficiency, while older and larger planes are being used less frequently.

There are also operational adjustments taking place behind the scenes at Qantas. These include reducing excess fuel loads, optimising flight planning, and limiting ground delays where possible to avoid unnecessary fuel burn.

Limited impact on profit outlook

Despite these changes, the financial impact may be manageable.

Analysis referenced in the report suggests the effect on Qantas’ 2026 profitability could be in the range of around 10% to 15%, assuming current conditions persist.

At the same time, capacity adjustments and potential fare increases may help ease part of the pressure. Higher revenue per seat kilometre has already been flagged as one way the airline can help manage the impact.

Foolish takeaway

The recent share price decline reflects a mix of rising costs and uncertainty around how long those pressures will last.

Qantas is responding by adjusting capacity, improving efficiency, and shifting its fleet mix. These steps may help manage costs, but the business remains exposed to movements in fuel prices.

The past month highlights how sensitive earnings are to changes in input costs, even as management works to limit the impact.

The post Qantas shares extend losses as fuel costs reshape operations appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Qantas shares could be flying into turbulence
• Qantas stock is down 17.7% in a month. Time to buy?
• Down 15% in March, should you buy Qantas shares today?
• 3 massively popular ASX 200 shares experts say to sell (inc. CBA)
• Why BHP, EchoIQ, Life360, and Qantas shares are racing higher today

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

The Australian share market has been a bit volatile recently, with ongoing geopolitical tension and inflation concerns keeping investors on edge.

That kind of backdrop can lead to short-term weakness, but I think it can also open the door to picking up quality ASX shares at more attractive prices.

With that in mind, here’s one dividend stock and one growth stock I’d be happy to buy today.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

Woolworths stands out to me as a reliable income-focused investment with defensive characteristics.

The supermarket giant benefits from consistent demand, which helps underpin earnings even when economic conditions are uncertain like they are today. People may cut back on discretionary spending, but groceries remain essential, and I think that gives Woolworths a solid foundation over the long term.

The company’s scale is another advantage. Its supply chain and buying power are difficult for competitors to match, which I believe can support margins and long-term profitability.

While it’s not immune to cost pressures or competition, I see Woolworths as the kind of ASX dividend stock that can continue generating dependable cash flow for the foreseeable future. That’s ultimately what supports its dividends, which I’d expect to grow steadily each year over the next decade.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

On the growth side, Xero is an ASX stock that looks increasingly interesting after its recent pullback.

There has been a clear shift in sentiment toward tech stocks, and concerns around artificial intelligence (AI) disruption seem to have weighed on Xero’s valuation. That uncertainty could continue in the near term, and I think investors should be prepared for volatility.

Even so, the underlying business continues to perform positively. Xero has built a strong position in cloud-based accounting software, with a growing subscriber base and a high level of recurring revenue.

Over time, I think the ongoing digitisation of small and medium-sized businesses could continue to support growth. If Xero can successfully incorporate new technologies like AI into its platform, that may strengthen its competitive position rather than weaken it.

The valuation still reflects growth expectations, so it’s not without risk. But after the recent share price weakness, I think the risk-reward profile is very attractive for long-term investors.

Foolish takeaway

Woolworths offers a level of consistency that can be valuable when markets are unsettled, particularly for investors who appreciate a steady income stream.

Xero sits at the other end of the spectrum, with a higher growth profile and more volatility, but also the potential for stronger long-term returns if execution remains solid.

Overall, I think holding a mix of businesses with different characteristics is one way to navigate uncertain conditions while staying focused on long-term wealth creation.

The post 1 ASX dividend stock and 1 growth stock I’d buy today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Brazilian Rare Earths, L1 Group, Silver Mines, and Xero shares are dropping today
• Where to invest $10,000 in ASX shares right now
• Which defensive ASX shares are outperforming right now?
• Here are expert views on whether the Xero share price is a buy amid AI concerns
• 3 ASX growth shares that could rebound strongly after the selloff

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

There’s no shortage of complex strategies in the market. Stock picking frameworks, macro views, trading signals. It can quickly become overwhelming.

But the approach I keep coming back to is far simpler.

And I think it has a very real chance of outperforming most investors over time.

That strategy involves gaining broad market exposure, a touch of global equities, and committing to regular investments.

Focus on broad market exposure

The Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) would form the foundation of a simple investment strategy.

This exchange-traded fund (ETF) gives exposure to a wide range of Australian companies, from banks and miners to healthcare and consumer businesses.

What I like here is that you’re not relying on a handful of picks. You’re capturing the performance of the broader market, which has historically delivered solid long-term returns.

It’s simple, diversified, and effective.

Add global growth

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) complements that perfectly.

It opens the door to global leaders across industries like technology, healthcare, and industrials.

Many of the world’s most dominant companies aren’t listed on the ASX. The VGS ETF gives you exposure to them in one investment, helping to balance out the local focus of the VAS ETF.

Keep investing consistently

This part of the strategy isn’t complicated. It involves regularly investing into these ETFs, regardless of what the market is doing.

Some months you’ll be buying when prices are high. Other months you’ll be buying during pullbacks.

Over time, this dollar-cost averaging approach helps smooth out your entry price and removes the need to time the market.

Let compounding work its magic

This is where things start to get interesting. With compounding, returns begin to build on top of previous returns, and the effect accelerates over time.

It won’t feel dramatic early on. But over years and decades, the difference can be significant.

The key is staying invested and reinvesting any income along the way.

Why I think it can outperform

Many investors underperform not because they pick bad investments, but because of behaviour.

They chase momentum, react to headlines, or try to time market moves. This strategy avoids those pitfalls.

It keeps you invested, diversified, and focused on the long term. And while it may not feel exciting, I think that’s exactly the point.

Foolish takeaway

A simple approach built around broad market ETFs like Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF and Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF may not grab attention day to day.

But by combining diversification, consistency, and compounding, I think it has a strong chance of outperforming more complex strategies over the long run.

The post This simple ASX strategy could outperform most investors appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF. 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 Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.