With the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enduring a brutal month so far this March, investors are understandably looking for ways to protect their portfolios. One sector that keeps surfacing in those discussions is energy. ASX oil stocks have had a strong run lately, buoyed by surging crude prices amid the escalating geopolitical situation in the Middle East. But does that actually make oil stocks a reliable shield for one’s portfolio if the broader market continues to slide?

It’s a question worthy of careful consideration before you pile in.

The logic behind owning oil stocks during a time like this isn’t unreasonable. Energy is a genuine necessity. Economies run on oil and gas regardless of what stocks markets happen to be doing. On top of that, the US-Iran war is pushing oil prices, and therefore ASX oil stocks, higher while other corners of the markets are getting hammered.

Energy shares surge as markets drop

As tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, it is clear that the world is on the cusp of a severe energy crisis. So, it makes sense that many investors might assume that companies that own huge reserves of oil and gas are a safe harbour to park their capital in right now.

We’ve already seen massive gains in the ASX’s energy sector. Our largest listed energy stock, Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS), has risen by more than 27% over the past month. Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) is up 18.7%, while Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) has leapt 16.85%. One of the most lucrative investments has been the BetaShares Crude Oil Index Complex ETF (ASX: OOO). This exchange-traded fund (ETF) has rocketed 56% since this time last month.

Given that the ASX 200 has fallen by a nasty 7.44% over the same period, it is obvious that these stocks have indeed protected many investors’ portfolios from this downturn.

But what about the future?

Is it too late to buy ASX oil stocks?

Well, I can’t give you a definitive answer on that. There is arguably a good chance that ASX oil stocks will continue to outperform the broader market for as long as this energy crisis lasts.

But there are a few caveats to keep in mind before you rush out and buy Woodside, Beach or Santos shares. Firstly, prolonged energy shocks have often caused recessions in the past, most notably during the 1970s and ’80s. Global recessions typically see demand for energy fall off a cliff, and prices with it. If energy prices end up collapsing thanks to a global downturn, the share prices of ASX oil stocks will not be safe. To illustrate, Woodside shares lost more than 50% of their value between May and December of 2008.

Energy stocks are not recession proof companies, or even recession resistant. Indeed, past energy shocks have only been balanced out by demand collapsing. Now, I don’t know if that’s what’s in store in 2026. But history tells us it is a possibility that cannot be discounted.

Zooming out though, I think investors are better off not even trying to play these games. As Warren Buffett says, “If you aren’t thinking about owning a stock for ten years, don’t even think about owning it for ten minutes”. The best companies survive the bad times and thrive during the good. If investors focus on finding those companies instead of trying to time the perfect oil stock trade, they will probably be better off when this crisis is in the rear-view mirror.

The post Will ASX oil stocks protect your portfolio from a market crash in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Why Beach Energy, Block, Life360, and Medibank shares are rising today
• 3 reasons this commodities ASX ETF could be an ideal buy in the current environment
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• ASX 200 energy shares lead the market for a third week
• $10,000 invested in this ASX ETF a month ago is now worth $14,500

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen 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.

If there’s one thing I’ve always loved about investing in ASX dividend shares, it’s the quality of franked dividend income that some of its biggest names can deliver for investors. Thanks perhaps to our unique system of franking, most blue chip ASX shares pay out hefty dividends on a relatively consistent basis.

Right now, there are a few recognisable names are sitting on dividend yields well north of 3%. Let’s take a look at three of them to kick off the week’s trading.

Three ASX dividend shares offering yield over 3% today

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Telstra is a stock that will inevitably come up in most dividend discussions on the ASX. This company is bound to come up in any serious conversation about ASX income investing. Australia’s dominant telco has long enjoyed a wide economic moat, built on its vast and formidable network infrastructure that underpins both mobile and fixed-line services. That structural advantage has translated into decades of relatively dependable dividends for shareholders.

At the time of writing, Telstra shares were trading at $5.29, putting the stock on a trailing dividend yield of 3.78%. The telco has lifted its annual dividend every year since 2021, which speaks to the underlying resilience of the business. There is one wrinkle worth noting though. Telstra’s most recent interim dividend came only partially franked at 90.5%, ending a near-30-year streak of full franking credits. Whether that becomes the new normal is something to watch carefully.

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

Our next ASX dividend share worth checking out is Coles Group. Coles is a business that sells Australians the food and everyday essentials they need, regardless of what the economy is doing. Recessions come and go. Interest rates rise and fall. But Australians will always need groceries, and Coles’ vast national supermarket network ensures it captures a substantial share of those dollars year in, year out. This inherent defensiveness makes Coles a strong contender for a dividend income portfolio.

The company recently reported earnings growth of more than 10% for its latest half, which is a reassuring sign that the dividend is well-supported. At the time of writing, Coles shares are trading at $21.62 apiece. That gives this grocer a trailing fully-franked yield of 3.38%.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

Last but certainly not least, we have BHP. At the time of writing, BHP shares are trading at $46.84. At this pricing, the ‘Big Australian’ is sitting on a trailing yield of 4.18%. Now, BHP is a different beast to Telstra and Coles when it comes to dividends. BHP’s payouts are tied to commodity prices, particularly iron ore and copper. Those prices can swing dramatically from month to month.

But for investors who understand and accept that cyclicality, BHP offers something genuinely compelling. The scale, the balance sheet strength, and the long-term commodity tailwinds around copper amid the global energy transition all give me confidence that BHP can keep the income flowing for years to come. It’s not a set-and-forget ASX dividend share in the same way as Coles or Telstra. However, at this 4%-plus yield, BHP is arguably hard to look past.

The post 3 ASX dividend shares with yields over 3% today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• BHP shares crash 21% in March so far: Time to sell up?
• 2 ASX shares highly recommended to buy: Experts
• 3 ASX shares I’d buy today and not check for a year
• Where to invest $2,000 in ASX dividend shares this week
• The stress-free ASX ETF portfolio built to weather market crashes

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen 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 positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. 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 Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) share price is heading south on Monday, slipping to a fresh 52-week low.

At the time of writing, Goodman shares are down 1.26% to $25.18. Earlier in the session, the stock fell as low as $24.56, marking its lowest level since February 2023.

The decline means Goodman shares are now down around 19% in 2026.

Selling pressure pushes shares to multi-year lows

The recent move lower continues a clear downtrend that has been building over the past year.

Goodman shares have been making lower highs and lower lows, which is typically a sign that sellers remain in control. The break below the $25 level is notable, as this had previously acted as a support zone.

Momentum indicators also remain weak. The relative strength index (RSI) has been sitting in the lower range, suggesting limited buying interest. At the same time, the price is tracking near the lower Bollinger Band, reflecting sustained downward pressure rather than a short-term dip.

Unless the stock can reclaim previous support levels, the trend may remain under pressure in the near term.

Interest rates and property cycle remain key factors

One of the biggest influences on Goodman’s share price is the interest rate outlook.

As a global industrial property group, Goodman is exposed to funding costs and asset valuations. Higher interest rates can weigh on both, making future developments less attractive and compressing valuation multiples.

Recent market expectations indicate that rate cuts may take longer than previously hoped. This has weighed on real estate stocks across the sector, including Goodman.

There are also broader concerns around the property cycle. Slower development activity and more cautious capital deployment across the sector are likely to impact near-term earnings growth.

Long-term position still strong

Despite the recent weakness, Goodman’s core business remains unchanged.

The company continues to focus on logistics facilities and data centres across major global cities. These assets are tied to long-term trends such as e-commerce growth, supply chain modernisation, and rising demand for data infrastructure.

Data centres are now a significant part of Goodman’s development pipeline, reflecting strong demand from cloud providers and artificial intelligence workloads.

The company also benefits from high-quality locations and long-term customer relationships, which have previously supported occupancy and rental growth.

Foolish Takeaway

Goodman shares are clearly under pressure, with the stock now trading at multi-year lows and down around 19% this year.

In the short term, interest rates and market sentiment are likely to remain key drivers.

However, the company’s exposure to logistics and data infrastructure continues to support its longer-term outlook.

The post Goodman shares hit 52-week low. Can this ASX 200 stock make a comeback? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 3 ASX shares I’d buy today and not check for a year
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• 2 amazing AI stocks to buy in the ASX 200

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 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.

Two S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) energy stocks are pushing higher on Monday, with both hitting fresh highs as momentum builds across the sector.

Strong gains in oil and coal prices are continuing to support the move, with energy shares among the standout performers in 2026.

Let’s take a closer look at which stocks are hitting highs right now.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

The Woodside share price is up 0.97% to $34.37 at the time of writing.

Earlier in the session, the energy giant’s shares reached $34.60, marking a multi-year high. The last time the stock traded at these levels was in October 2023.

The rally means Woodside shares are now up approximately 45% in 2026, making them one of the best performers on the ASX 200 this year.

Recent strength in oil prices has been a key driver. Brent crude has surged above US$112 per barrel amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, tightening supply expectations and lifting sentiment across the sector.

At the same time, Woodside has been returning a large portion of its cash flow to shareholders. Its dividend payout ratio targets 50% to 80% of underlying net profit.

Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL)

Yancoal shares are also pushing higher today.

The coal producer’s share price is up 3.85% to $8.63, after hitting an intraday high of $8.70 earlier in the session. This marks the highest level for the stock since mid-2017.

Yancoal has now surged approximately 74% in 2026, making it also one of the standout stocks on the ASX 200 this year.

Coal prices have remained firm due to ongoing supply constraints and strong demand, particularly across Asian markets. This has supported earnings expectations across the sector.

The company operates a portfolio of thermal and metallurgical coal assets across New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia.

Yancoal has also been returning significant cash to shareholders. In recent periods, it has delivered large dividends supported by strong earnings and cash flow.

What is driving the sector?

Energy stocks have been leading the market in recent weeks, supported by a lift in underlying commodity prices.

Geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, have pushed oil prices significantly higher. At the same time, supply risks and steady demand have supported coal prices.

This combination has lifted earnings expectations across the energy sector, helping drive share prices higher and improve investor sentiment.

While commodity prices can be volatile, current conditions are providing a clear tailwind, with strong pricing continuing to support recent gains.

The post These two ASX 200 stocks are hitting fresh 52-week highs appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• ASX 200 energy shares lead the market for a third week
• 2 ASX shares that could benefit from rising interest rates and oil prices
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Pulse check: How are the top 10 ASX 200 shares performing amid a new war?

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.

Once you reach age 60, retirement should be high on the agenda. By age 70, most Australians have already retired or are approaching the final few years of their working life. It’s this 60 to 70 age bracket when your superannuation balance is more important than ever.

By this age, you should already have, or be close to the superannuation balance you need for the retirement lifestyle you want.

The problem is, it’s sometimes difficult to work out exactly what that is. Here’s a breakdown of the average superannuation balance for Aussies the same age. How does yours measure up?

What is the average superannuation balance at age 60 in Australia?

According to the Association of Superfunds of Australia (ASFA) data, the average superannuation for men aged 60-64 is $395,852 and for women it is $313,360.

What is the average superannuation balance at age 70 in Australia?

ASFA data also shows that the average superannuation for men aged 70-74 is $510,785 and for women it is $449,540.

How much superannuation do I need to retire?

If your superannuation balance is on track with the rest of the population, that’s great news. But it still might mean you have enough to live the retirement lifestyle you want. 

According to the latest ASFA Retirement Standard, the benchmark for a comfortable retirement has just climbed higher. Australians now need $54,840 a year, or $77,375 a year for a couple.

A comfortable retirement includes top level private health insurance and enough money for an occasional holiday, meals out or home repairs. This assumes you already own your home outright.

For a comfortable retirement your superannuation balance at age 60 should be close to $496,500. By age 67, this should be closer to $630,000 for a single and $730,000 for a couple.

But there are also other lifestyle options.

Australians who are happy with a modest lifestyle, where you have basic health insurance, money for essential bills, and leisure activities or holidays are infrequent or non-existent, need a little less. A modest lifestyle is estimated to cost around $35,503 for singles and $51,299 for couples. To fund this, by age 67 you’d need $110,000 in superannuation as a single or $120,000 as a couple.

Then if you’re still renting in retirement, you can expect the same modest lifestyle level but for a much higher $50,055 or $67,639 per year for singles and couples respectively. To fund this a single person would need $340,000 in their superannuation by age 67, and a couple would need $385,000.

Top tips to boost your superannuation in the years before retirement

If you haven’t got enough in your superannuation for the lifestyle that you want, there are a few last-minute things you can do to boost your savings before it’s too late.

You can delay retirement and continue working (even part-time) for a few more years. Even 3-5 years would hike your superannuation balance and also give your investments more time to grow.

If possible, make additional contributions wherever you can. From concessional contributions to spouse contributions, any additional funds will increase your superannuation balance and can improve your retirement lifestyle.

It’s also vital at any age to maximise what you already have saved. Make sure your fund outperforms benchmark indexes like the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and suits your personal risk profile. High costs or underperforming funds can materially impact your balance at retirement age.

The post This is the average superannuation balance at ages 60 and 70 in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) shares are sinking today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) lithium stock closed Friday trading for $1.455. In early afternoon trade on Monday, shares are changing hands for $1.407 each, down 3.3%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.9% at this same time.

Despite today’s retrace, Liontown shares remain up an impressive 116.9% since this time last year, smashing the 5.3% 12-month gains posted by the benchmark index.

The miner has been benefiting from a roughly doubling in lithium carbonate prices over this time.

But with shares having already more than doubled over the last year, is the ASX 200 lithium miner still a good buy today?

Liontown shares: Buy, hold or sell?

Alto Capital’s Tony Locantro recently analysed the outlook for the Aussie lithium miner (courtesy of The Bull).

“LTR’s Kathleen Valley lithium project in Western Australia is one of the largest new hard-rock lithium operations globally,” said Locantro, who has a sell recommendation on Liontown shares.

Liontown reported its half year results (H1 FY 2026) on 12 March. Commenting on those results, Locantro said:

The company’s first half year result in fiscal year 2026 highlighted strong operational progress, with production ramping up and revenue increasing significantly from growing concentrate shipments.

However, Liontown reported a net loss of $184 million, reflecting accounting charges and the ongoing costs associated with scaling up the operation.

Summarising his sell recommendation on Liontown shares, Locantro concluded:

While the long-term outlook for lithium demand remains encouraging, the current share price appears to reflect a large portion of the project’s future growth potential. With earnings still developing and the company transitioning through a capital intensive ramp-up phase, the risk-reward balance at current levels favours taking profits following the sector’s recent re-rating.

What’s the latest from the ASX 200 lithium miner?

As Locantro mentioned above, first half production was strong, with Liontown reporting a 70% year on year increase in lithium oxide production to 192,514 dry metric tonnes (dmt). Lithium sales increase by 106% to 189,596 dmt.

But impacted by the ramp-up costs at Kathleen Valley, Liontown reported an underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) loss of $7.7 million.

As at 31 December, the miner had a cash balance of $391 million.

“Kathleen Valley is now a 100% underground operation,” Liontown CEO Tony Ottaviano said.

“The underground ramp-up is on track and we expect the second half to be materially stronger as volumes, recoveries, and pricing all continue to improve,” he added.

Liontown shares closed down 0.6% on the day of the results release.

The post Up 117% in a year, should you still buy Liontown shares now? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

Shares in Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG) have been trending lower over the past few weeks, but if you believe the team at Macquarie, that’s just more reason to buy.

Macquarie has issued a research note to its clients with a bullish price target on Breville shares.

We’ll get to exactly what that price is shortly, but first, why are they so keen on the company?

Breville tends to lead the market

Macquarie analyses the performance of small-appliance companies globally, with the data used to provide a benchmark for how companies such as Breville are performing.

They said the most recent data was mixed, with fellow coffee machine maker De’Longhi giving guidance for mid-single-digit sales growth, while Williams-Sonoma was guiding to 2% to 6% like-for-like sales growth.

Other companies in the sector were mixed, with SharkNinja very positive with 10% to 11% growth guidance, while Nestle’s Nespresso division was expected to deliver 3% to 4% organic growth.

Macquarie said that Breville’s first-half revenue beat the Macquarie Kitchen Benchmark, and had outperformed the benchmark by about 9% per year since 2018.

Macquarie said that historical outperformance supported its forecast for compound annual growth of 10%-plus from FY25 to FY28.

They said further:

Coffee growth, new market entry and new product development continue to drive outperformance vs sector peers.

Strong first half

Breville itself said while releasing its first-half results in February that it expected EBIT to be “a slight increase” over the previous year; however, that was assuming “no significant change in economic conditions in the group’s major trading markets”.

Chief Executive Jim Clayton said at the time that the company had delivered strong results while executing two transformation projects at the same time.

These were “driving the manufacturing diversification of our 120-volt portfolio and leaning into the front edge of our enterprise-wide AI program”.

Mr Clayton added:

The tariff backdrop in the US made the half incrementally challenging, but the results speak for themselves. We achieved 80% of US Gross Profit manufactured outside of China by December, grew our position in key categories, and minimized the impact on the P&L. Coffee continued to lead, delivering double-digit revenue growth. Our NPD pipeline again contributed materially to performance, with strong launches across espresso and cooking. Beanz continued its rapid growth trajectory, scaling across four countries with the infrastructure and processes now proven to support further growth. Our newest markets—Mexico, China, the Middle East, and Korea—collectively grew over 50%, further validating geographic expansion as an important growth lever. These markets are still early but the customer and partner engagement has been strong.

Breville has also recently released a range of toasters that assess how cooked toast is visually, rather than by time, in what the company says is a big step forward.

Macquarie has a price target of $37.10 on Breville shares compared with $26.26 currently.

The company also pays a 1.4% dividend yield.

The post How high does Macquarie think Breville shares will go? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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.

The recent market selloff has been hard to ignore.

Australian and global shares have been dragged sharply lower this month, with the technology sector leading the decline. Concerns around artificial intelligence (AI) disruption, rising interest rates, and geopolitical tensions have all weighed on sentiment.

For long-term investors, however, this type of pullback can create opportunity. When quality assets fall alongside the broader market, it can open the door to building positions at more attractive levels.

Here are three ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) that could be worth considering right now.

BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

The first ASX ETF that has been caught up in the recent selloff is the BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF.

Its portfolio includes global heavyweights such as Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), and Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN). These are companies that sit at the centre of the digital economy and continue to generate significant cash flow.

Microsoft is a good example of why this ETF remains compelling. Its cloud platform Azure and enterprise software products are deeply embedded in business operations worldwide, creating recurring revenue and strong margins.

While the tech sector has come under pressure recently, many of these companies continue to invest heavily in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, which could support long-term growth.

BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

Another ETF that has experienced meaningful weakness is the BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF.

This fund provides exposure to major Asian technology companies such as Tencent Holdings (SEHK: 700), Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA), and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE: TSM).

Taiwan Semiconductor is particularly important within the global tech ecosystem. It manufactures advanced chips used in everything from smartphones to AI systems, making it a critical supplier to many of the world’s largest technology companies.

With digital adoption continuing across Asia and demand for semiconductors expected to remain strong, this ETF offers exposure to a different set of growth drivers compared to US-focused funds.

BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK)

A final ETF to consider is the BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF.

Its holdings include companies such as CrowdStrike Holdings (NASDAQ: CRWD), Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW), and Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT), all of which specialise in protecting digital systems and data.

CrowdStrike stands out as a leader in cloud-based cybersecurity. Its platform uses artificial intelligence to detect and respond to threats in real time, helping organisations protect their networks as cyber risks become more sophisticated.

Cybersecurity is not a discretionary expense. As businesses continue to digitise and store more data online, protecting that data becomes essential.

With the recent market selloff pushing valuations lower across the tech sector, ETFs like these could present an opportunity for patient investors to gain exposure to long-term growth trends at more attractive prices.

The post 3 of the best ASX ETFs to buy after the market selloff appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF and Betashares Capital – Asia Technology Tigers Etf. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Amazon, Apple, BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, CrowdStrike, Fortinet, Microsoft, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, and Tencent and is short shares of Apple and BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Alibaba Group and Palo Alto Networks. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Amazon, Apple, CrowdStrike, and Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) share price is in the red on Monday.

This comes after news emerged that its chief executive has sold a large parcel of shares.

At the time of writing, the Whitehaven share price is down 2.47% to $9.07, with investors reacting to the update.

Let’s take a closer look at the release.

CEO offloads shares

According to the ASX announcement, managing director and CEO Paul Flynn sold 991,692 shares between 13 March and 19 March.

The shares were sold on-market for a total consideration of $8,724,701, implying an average sale price of around $8.80 per share.

The company stated that the transaction relates to the exercise of vested performance rights, with shares sold for personal reasons, including tax obligations.

At the same time, Flynn disposed of 736,409 performance rights, while retaining a large remaining interest in the business.

Remaining holdings still significant

Following the sale, Flynn continues to hold 1,085,033 shares indirectly.

He also retains 2,690,640 vested performance rights, 1,089,453 unvested performance rights, and 597,740 share appreciation rights.

This means the CEO still has a very large exposure to Whitehaven’s future performance.

Flynn has been CEO since 2013 and remains one of the company’s largest individual shareholders.

Share price context

Whitehaven shares have pulled back slightly today but remain well above levels seen earlier in the year.

The stock is up approximately 16.7% in 2026 to date and around 58% over the past 12 months.

The company currently has a market capitalisation of roughly $7.4 billion, with approximately 826 million shares on issue.

On a valuation basis, Whitehaven is trading on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of around 11.4 times and offers a dividend yield of approx. 11.1%.

What to watch

The share sale may weigh on sentiment in the short-term, but it does not change the company’s operating position.

Whitehaven’s earnings remain closely tied to coal prices, which are still holding up. Thermal coal is currently trading around US$146 per tonne, near recent highs, supported by tight supply and steady demand from key Asian markets.

Higher gas prices and ongoing disruptions in global energy markets have also kept coal demand steady.

Foolish bottom line

The CEO’s share sale appears linked to vested incentives rather than a change in the company’s outlook.

The focus should remain on coal prices, production performance, and cost control across Whitehaven’s asset base.

Coal markets can be volatile, so any shift in global demand or pricing could flow through to earnings.

The post Whitehaven shares fall after CEO sells $8.7 million in stock appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

ASX share market corrections can be a worrying time, which is why it can be a smart move to look at businesses that have plans to grow earnings significantly in the coming years.

When growing companies experience a significant decline, it can mean investors can buy businesses at a much better price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio.

Two of the leading ASX growth shares that I’m excited about, outside of the tech space, are the following:

Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV)

Lovisa is an affordable global jewellery retailer that aims to provide younger shoppers with attractive, good-value products.

I’m impressed by how much the business has already grown – to more than 1,000 global stores – and it’s still expanding at a pleasing pace.

In the FY26 half-year results, it reported 152 additional stores than in HY25, bringing its total to 1,095. I think the ASX share still has plenty of store growth potential in countries like Canada, Mexico, Germany, China, Vietnam, the UK, the US, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. The new brand that Lovisa has started, Jewells, could also be another useful growth avenue.

The company’s core revenue and net profit both increased by more than 20% in HY26, so it’s improving at a strong rate.

It’s down close to 50% in the last six months and it has dropped 30% this year, so this looks like an opportune time to invest.

Using the projection on CMC Invest, the Lovisa share price is now valued at just 23x FY26’s estimated earnings. That puts the PEG ratio at close to 1, making it an appealing pick today.

The ASX share is expected to pay an annual dividend per share of 97 cents per share in FY26, according to CMC Invest, giving the business a possible forward dividend yield of 4.75%. I’m expecting the dividend to grow at roughly the same speed as net profit in the coming years.

Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG)

GYG is a Mexican food restaurant business with big ambitions. At the end of the FY26 half-year period, it had 237 locations in Australia – it wants to reach 1,000 restaurants within 20 years.

On top of that, the ASX share has a growing Asian network. I believe Asia gives GYG significant earnings growth potential beyond Australia, which the market is underestimating. It now has 22 locations in Singapore and five in Japan. I’m hopeful the US can deliver profitable growth, but I’m not counting on it.

HY26 saw Australia network sales increased $17.4% to $632 million, while Asian network sales grew 19.3% to $42 million. GYG’s overall net profit jumped 44.9% to $10.6 million.

If the company can continue expand its restaurant count, comparable sales and profit margins, then it should be on a very appealing journey to a great bottom line in the coming years.

It has dropped by more than 30% in the past six months, so this is an appealing time to invest, in my view.

The forecasts on CMC Invest suggest that the Guzman Y Gomez share price could be valued at 36x FY28’s estimated earnings, with a possible FY28 grossed-up dividend yield of 3.4%, including franking credits.

The post 2 ASX shares that I rate as buys today for both growth and dividends! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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