BlackRock has announced the next round of distributions (dividends) for a bunch of its iShares ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

The ETFs, which all hold international shares, include iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) and iShares Global 100 ETF (ASX: IOO).

According to the final distributions schedule, BlackRock will pay ASX ETF investors next Friday, 9 January.

BlackRock has also announced the unit price for each ETF’s distribution reinvestment plan (DRP).

Here are the details below.

Dividend amounts for iShares ASX ETF investors

Here is a summary of the dividend amounts that investors in these iShares ETFs will receive on 9 January.

The iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) will pay 20.139782 cents per unit. The DRP price is 68.655529 cents.

The iShares Global 100 ETF (ASX: IOO) will pay 56.022206 cents per unit. The DRP price is 187.616183 cents.

The iShares Asia 50 ETF (ASX: IAA) will pay 102.246930 cents per unit. The DRP price is 142.609469 cents.

The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (ASX: IEM) will pay 60.218221 cents per unit. The DRP price is 81.779557 cents.

The iShares Europe ETF (ASX: IEU) will pay 111.471175 cents per unit. The DRP price is 101.121191 cents.

The iShares MSCI Japan ETF (ASX: IJP) will pay 463.446530 cents per unit. The DRP price is 1120.137308 cents.

The iShares S&P Mid-Cap ETF (ASX: IJH) will pay 20.521395 cents per unit. The DRP price is 50.124344 cents.

The iShares S&P Small-Cap ETF (ASX: IJR) will pay 72.410620 cents per unit. The DRP price is 183.871445 cents.

The iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF (ASX: IXI) will pay 70.973956 cents per unit. The DRP price is 96.032604 cents.

The iShares Global Healthcare ETF (ASX: IXJ) will pay 72.347038 cents per unit. The DRP price is 144.793837 cents.

The iShares S&P China Large-Cap ETF (ASX: IZZ) will pay 47.139823 cents per unit. The DRP price is 56.906399 cents.

The iShares S&P Small-Cap ETF (ASX: IJR) will pay 72.410620 cents per unit. The DRP price is 183.871445 cents.

More dividend announcements to come

BlackRock will announce the estimated dividends for a second group of ETFs, which all hold ASX shares, on 6 January.

Those ETFs will include the iShares Core S&P/ASX 200 ETF (ASX: IOZ) and the iShares S&P/ASX 20 ETF (ASX: ILC).

The ex-dividend date will be 7 January.

BlackRock will announce the finalised distribution amounts on 8 January and send payments to investors on 19 January.

The post Own IVV or IOO ETFs? Here’s your next dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• The three ETFs I’d buy to set up a starter portfolio
• Did these two ASX ETFs targeting developing economies beat your portfolio in 2025?
• How to invest like Warren Buffett without picking ASX stocks
• How to invest your first $500 in ASX shares the smart way
• 3 super strong ASX ETFs to buy with $10,000

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended BlackRock. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended iShares International Equity ETFs – iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) share price dropped 0.47% in afternoon trade on Tuesday. At the time of writing the shares are changing hands at $67.75 a piece.

Throughout 2025, the shares have suffered a number of headwinds and two distinct price crashes. 

What happened to WiseTech shares in 2025?

In February, WiseTech shares crashed nearly 23% within a day. The crash came after news of a boardroom fallout, which led to the resignation of a number of directors. This came at the same time the tech sector saw broader weakness and lower than expected FY25 guidance. 

WiseTech shares managed to gain some ground and investor confidence, but following the company’s FY25 results in late August, the shares crashed another 20%. Investor expectations were clearly high. The 14% year-on-year increase in total revenue fell just shy of consensus analyst forecasts.

Later in October, WiseTech investors were spooked by news that the company’s Sydney headquarters had been searched by the Australian Federal Police and ASIC. The raid was in relation to alleged insider trading by Richard White and other staff members during late 2024 to early 2025.

No charges have been laid against the software company, but board resignations, leadership instability, and investor uncertainty accelerated the share price decline throughout the latter months of 2025.

The logistics software provider’s stock also succumbed to the dramatic tech-sector-wide sell-off in late November. Investor confidence was dented following concerns about overheated valuations and an AI bubble. 

From 26th August to the time of writing, the share price has steadily fallen, down 41.47% to date.

WiseTech shares are now trading 45.31% below the level seen when the ASX opened in January this year.

Will WiseTech shares crash again in 2026?

Despite the numerous headwinds, WiseTech’s underlying business continues to be robust. As a global leader in logistics software, the company is continually expanding operations and has a proven track record of growth. 

The company is also well-positioned to benefit from growing demand for automation and cloud computing, particularly amid a highly anticipated AI boom in 2026. Its software helps logistics and supply chain businesses automate their processes and transition to cloud-based systems. These are key priorities for many companies that are looking to improve their efficiency.

Over the past five years, the business has also been able to double its revenue to US$778.7 million. And for FY26, management expects revenue to grow about 80% to around US$1.4 billion. 

What do analysts think of the tech stock?

TradingView data shows that the majority of analysts rate WiseTech shares as a buy. Out of 16 analysts, only 2 have a hold rating and the remaining 14 have a buy or strong buy rating on the shares. 

The average target price for 2026 is $109.42 a piece, but some think the shares could surge as high as $176.61 each. That implies a potential 160.49% increase over the next 12 months!

With expectations like these, it looks like WiseTech’s share price crashes are firmly behind the business and that 2026 will be a year of recovery. 

The post Will the WiseTech share price crash again in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Is WiseTech a buy, sell or hold in 2026?

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

As we look ahead to 2026, I’m less focused on predicting short-term market moves and more interested in owning businesses that can continue to compound value over time.

The ASX 200 is home to many of Australia’s highest-quality companies, but only a subset combine scale, structural tailwinds, and clear strategic direction. With that in mind, here are the ASX 200 stocks I believe are well-positioned for the years ahead.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)

Sigma Healthcare has quietly transformed into one of the most interesting defensive growth stories on the ASX, in my opinion.

The merger with Chemist Warehouse this year has brought together Sigma’s national pharmaceutical distribution infrastructure with one of Australia’s most powerful retail pharmacy brands. The result is a vertically integrated healthcare group with exposure across wholesale distribution, franchising, and retail.

With more than 880 franchised pharmacies under brands such as Chemist Warehouse, Amcal, and Discount Drug Stores, Sigma plays a critical role in ensuring Australians have access to medicines, regardless of where they live. Healthcare demand is structural rather than cyclical, which I think gives Sigma a level of resilience few sectors can match.

As integration benefits flow through and the group leverages its scale domestically and internationally, I think Sigma could deliver robust growth in 2026 and beyond.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

I think that Wesfarmers remains one of the ASX’s most dependable blue chips.

Its diversified portfolio, spanning Bunnings, Kmart, Officeworks, industrial businesses, and health and wellness businesses, provides resilience across economic cycles. While its shares are not cheap, the company’s disciplined capital allocation and long history of value creation make it a compelling long-term holding. I think this makes it deserving of its premium valuation.

For 2026, I see Wesfarmers as a steady compounder rather than a high-growth play.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

CBA shares are rarely cheap, but high-quality banks seldom are.

Its scale, digital leadership, and dominant deposit base give it structural advantages over its peers. While its returns may be more modest from here, I think the nation’s biggest bank remains attractive for investors seeking stability, reliable dividends, and exposure to Australia’s financial system.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

CSL offers global healthcare exposure that few ASX 200 stocks can match.

Operating in specialised areas of biotechnology with high barriers to entry, CSL benefits from long-term demand driven by ageing populations and ongoing medical innovation.

While its earnings can fluctuate, the company’s pipeline and global scale make it a strong growth option for 2026.

In addition, as its shares have fallen heavily in 2025, investors are able to buy them on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio that would have been unfathomable 3 or 4 years ago.

The post The best ASX 200 stocks to own in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• The three ETFs I’d buy to set up a starter portfolio
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• My top 10 ASX stocks to buy for 2026
• The forever portfolio: 3 ASX stocks to buy in 2025 and hold forever
• The pros and cons of buying Wesfarmers shares in 2026

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

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gold stocks, including Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST), are getting hammered today.

On the last full trading day of 2025, the ASX 200 is just about flat in early afternoon trade.

And the benchmark Aussie index certainly isn’t getting any help from the gold mining sector.

Here’s how these top ASX 200 gold stocks are performing at this same time:

• Northern Star shares are down 3.0%
• Newmont Corp (ASX: NEM) shares are down 4.3%
• Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) shares are down 2.8%
• Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) shares are down 4.8%
• Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) shares are down 2.5%
• Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) shares are down 3.5%
• Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU) shares are down 2.8%
• Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) shares are down 1.0%
• Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) shares are down 3.3%

What’s pressuring ASX 200 gold stocks today?

The big retrace in the Aussie gold miners today comes on the heels of a sizeable retrace in the record-setting gold price.

Over the weekend, the yellow metal notched new record highs of US$4,533 per ounce, and gold was trading for US$4,516 on Monday. But the gold price has now slipped 4.8% from its new highs, currently trading for US$4,336.

As you’d expect, this has some investors reaching for their sell buttons today.

And with the gold price still up an impressive 66% in 12 months, longer-term investors choosing to sell today should be booking some tidy end-of-the-year profits.

Here’s how the same ASX 200 gold stocks have performed over the past full year:

• Northern Star shares are up 67.3%
• Newmont shares are up 144.3%
• Ramelius Resources shares are up 90.4%
• Evolution Mining shares are up 154.0%
• Bellevue Gold shares are up 48.0%
• Genesis Minerals shares are up 182.7%
• Perseus Mining shares are up 114.9%
• Vault Minerals shares are up 148.8%
• Westgold shares are up 118.9%

Is the golden bull run over in 2026?

While the future is unknown by definition, many analysts are forecasting further gains in the gold price in 2026.

Saxo Bank’s head of commodity strategy, Ole Hansen, for example, expects the gold price to reach US$5,000 per ounce next year.

“As we head into 2026, gold is no longer just a hedge against inflation or falling rates,” he said. “It is increasingly a cornerstone asset in a world defined by fragmentation, fiscal strain, and geopolitical uncertainty.”

If 2026 does see bullion continue to march higher, then we can expect more outperformance from these surging ASX 200 gold stocks.

The post What on earth is going on with ASX 200 gold stocks like Northern Star today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Gold just smashed a record high. Are Northern Star shares next?
• Up 160% in a year, could Evolution Mining shares keep climbing?

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.

Want to invest in ASX shares in 2026 but aren’t sure where to start? Don’t worry because analysts at Bell Potter have named a number of shares that they believe are top buys for 2026.

Here are three that the broker is bullish on for next year:

Bega Cheese Ltd (ASX: BGA)

This diversified food company could be an ASX share to buy for 2026 according to Bell Potter.

It has a buy rating and $7.00 price target on its shares. Based on its current share price of $6.01, this implies potential upside of 16% for investors over the next 12 months.

The broker likes the Vegemite owner due to its very positive growth outlook. It explains:

Following recent restructuring announcements, with regard to the closure of Strathmerton and winding down of the PCA operations, there appears a clear pathway towards a $250-270m EBITDA target. If successful in generating this return and having consideration for the cash costs to achieve this target (c$85- 100m), it would imply a share price of $8.00-9.00ps (at BGA’s historical ~12x EBITDA multiple). In effect, BGA now has a clearly articulated strategy to generating >20% p.a. EPS growth to FY28e. Trading on a FY25-28e PEG ratio of ~1x, BGA is one of the more compelling growth exposures in the sector.

CAR Group Limited (ASX: CAR)

Another ASX share that the broker is positive on its auto listings giant CAR Group.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $42.20 price target on CAR Group’s shares. This implies potential upside of 38% for investors from current levels.

It highlights that its shares are trading on lower than normal multiples, which it believes is a buying opportunity for investors. It said:

CAR is trading around two-year lows at a P/E of ~28x, despite a defined product rollout map to drive value from its market-leading networks in its large, addressable markets, which includes C2C payments, pay-per-lead model, regional expansion and scope to develop market-based legacy advertising practices, underpinning a steady growth profile in our forecast EPS through FY26e-FY28e.

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN)

A final ASX share that the broker is bullish on for 2026 is retail giant Harvey Norman.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $8.30 price target on its shares, which implies potential upside of approximately 18% for investors over the next 12 months.

The broker believes that Harvey Norman’s shares are still good value despite rising strongly in 2025. It explains:

Despite the strong re-rate in the name, HVN trades at ~2.0x market capitalisation to freehold property value as Australia’s single largest owner in large format retail with a global portfolio surpassing $4.5b and collectively owning ~40% of their stores (franchised in Australia and company operated offshore). This sees our view that of the 1-year forward ~19x P/E multiple as justified considering the multiple catalysts near/mid-term.

The post Bell Potter rates these ASX shares as strong buys for 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Picking individual stocks, particularly when you’re starting out investing, can be a fraught process – how do you know what to buy, if and when to sell?

That’s why many investors are turning to exchange-traded funds (ETFs) which according to Betashares, will see fund inflows of more than $50 billion this year.

I like ETFs for their ease of use, and despite there being literally hundreds of ETFs on offer, it’s relatively easy to find an investment thematic which will suit your purposes.

Cybersecurity in focus

For myself, one ETF I can’t go past is the Betashares global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK).

While the ETF has come off a bit over the past month, pushing its 12 month total return down to 5.7%, given the huge investment inflows into the artificial intelligence field at the moment, I can’t help but think this ETF will come into its own in the next couple of years, returning to its longer-term performance of 24.1% over three years and 13.5% over five.

This ETF holds stakes in companies such as Cisco Systems, Crowdstrike Holdings and Cloudflare.

Local income play

For exposure to Australian shares and their dividend yields I’d go with Vanguard Australian shares High Yield (ETF :VHY), which has more than $6 billion in funds under management and returned 14.4% over the past 12 months.

VHY has a fully-franked dividend yield of 8.3%, fully-franked, which is great for investors seeking regular income, and it pays out quarterly.

The top holdings in VHY mirror the S&P/ASX20 Index and include BHP Group (ASX: BHP), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX: WBC).

Global leaders

Looking outside of Australian shares, the iShares Global 100 ETF (ASX: IOO) is a solid option, with a total return over the past year of 17.5% and 27.3% over a three-year horizon.

As the name suggests, this ETF aims to give investors exposure to 100 of the largest global stocks in one fund, and is more geared towards capital growth than dividend returns.

Investing in IOO gives exposure to the trillion-dollar Nvidia Corp as well as Apple, Microsoft, Amazon and Google owner Alphabet.

While I’ve selected three ETFs which suit my investment profile, there are literally hundreds of other options out there.

CommSec recently revealed the three most popular ETFs traded on its platform during 2025, and only IOO among my picks was in the top three, coming in at third place.

The second-most popular ETF was the iShares Core S&P/ASX 200 ETF (ASX: IOZ) which aims to track the top 200 Australian companies, while the most popular was the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)  which aims to track the tech-heavy NASDAQ’s top 100 index.

The post The three ETFs I’d buy to set up a starter portfolio appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• The best ASX 200 stocks to own in 2026
• Why I’m bullish on the BHP share price as copper prices surge
• Did Fortescue, Rio Tinto or BHP shares perform better this year?
• Can the sizzling rally in ASX 200 copper stocks boost BHP shares in 2026? 
• Why I’m not selling my CBA shares in 2026

Motley Fool contributor Cameron England has positions in iShares International Equity ETFs – iShares Global 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF – Currency Hedged, and Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

When it comes to building long-term income, the best dividend shares tend to have 2 things in common. They generate strong cash flow, and they keep paying shareholders through different market cycles.

On the ASX, a small group of companies fit this profile, standing out for their ability to deliver reliable dividends year after year.

Here’s why 2 of these dividend giants deserve a place in any long-term income portfolio.

Dicker Data (ASX: DDR)

Dicker Data is one of the quiet achievers of the ASX.

The company is a major IT distributor across Australia and New Zealand, supplying hardware, software and cloud solutions from global brands like Microsoft, Cisco, HP, Lenovo and Dell. While it may not attract much attention, it is well positioned to benefit from ongoing growth in cloud computing, AI and cybersecurity.

What really sets Dicker Data apart for income investors is its quarterly dividend.

Unlike most ASX companies that pay twice a year, Dicker Data pays shareholders every 3 months.

Over the past year, it has consistently paid 11 cents per share each quarter, or 44 cents annually, fully franked. At the current price of $10.21, that equates to a yield of roughly 4.3%, before franking credits.

Brokers have often pointed to the company’s strong cash generation and conservative balance sheet as key strengths. Even while paying regular dividends, Dicker Data continues to invest in new warehouses, automation and expanding its vendor relationships.

For income-focused investors, Dicker Data stands out as a business that rewards shareholders while continuing to grow. Its regular dividends are supported by a solid and well-run operation.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

Woodside is one of the biggest income payers on the ASX.

The company is Australia’s largest oil and gas producer, with major LNG and energy assets that generate strong cash flow. Even after a weaker share price, Woodside is offering a fully franked dividend yield of around 7% at recent prices.

Over the past year, the company paid about $1.65 per share in dividends. That level of income is why Woodside continues to appeal to dividend investors.

Some brokers have raised concerns about softer energy prices and recent management changes. Even so, most still expect Woodside to produce enough cash to keep paying solid dividends over the next few years.

Woodside also has a clear dividend policy aimed at smoothing out earnings ups and downs. This helps provide shareholders with more stable income, even when energy markets move around.

Foolish bottom line

While their businesses couldn’t be more different, Dicker Data and Woodside Energy both stand out as shares that reward long-term investors with dividends.

Dicker Data pays regular dividends every three months and benefits from long-term growth in technology. Woodside pays large, fully franked dividends supported by ongoing global demand for energy.

For investors looking to build reliable income over time, these Australian shares can be held for the long run.

The post 2 Australian dividend giants to buy and never sell appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Prediction: Here’s where the latest forecasts show the Woodside share price going next
• Better dividend stock in December: Woodside or Whitehaven?

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

Trying to predict what the share market will do next week, next month, and next year is hard enough. Trying to forecast the next two decades can feel impossible.

That’s why long-term investing is often about identifying businesses with sustainable advantages, massive addressable markets, and management teams that know how to compound value over time. If you get those elements right, short-term volatility becomes little more than background noise.

With that in mind, here are two ASX giants that I believe have the qualities required to still be thriving and potentially much larger 20 years from now.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

CSL might have been out of form in 2025, but it remains one of Australia’s greatest corporate success stories and its long-term investment case remains compelling.

The company sits at the centre of global healthcare, specialising in plasma-derived therapies, vaccines, and biotechnology. Demand for CSL’s products is driven by powerful structural trends, including ageing populations, improving diagnosis rates, and rising healthcare spending across developed and emerging markets.

What makes CSL especially attractive for long-term investors is its ability to reinvest heavily while still generating strong cash flows. The company consistently pours billions into research and development, facilities, and acquisitions to strengthen its pipeline and widen its moat. Importantly, these investments are designed to deliver returns over decades, not quarters.

While CSL’s share price can go through periods of consolidation or weakness, such as in 2025, its underlying business has proven remarkably resilient across economic cycles. Over a 20-year timeframe, that consistency, combined with compounding earnings growth, is exactly what patient investors should be looking for. So, with its shares down heavily over the past 12 months, I think now could be an opportune time to make a long-term investment.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

Goodman Group may be classified as a property stock, but it operates very differently to traditional real estate businesses.

Rather than shopping centres or offices, this ASX giant focuses on high-quality industrial property, logistics hubs, and data-enabled warehouses. These assets sit at the heart of global supply chains and are critical infrastructure for e-commerce, automation, and artificial intelligence.

Goodman’s edge comes from its development expertise and global footprint. It works closely with major customers to design and build customised facilities, locking in long-term relationships while earning development profits and recurring rental income. This capital-light model has allowed the company to grow rapidly without overloading its balance sheet.

An example of this is the agreement it signed with the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board this month. This will see it establish a A$14 billion European data centre partnership comprising four projects totalling 435 MW of primary power and 282 MW of IT load.

Looking ahead, the growth of online retail, cloud computing, and AI-driven logistics should keep demand for Goodman’s assets strong for many years. Its exposure to data centres adds another long runway, as digital infrastructure becomes as essential as roads and ports.

The post 2 ASX giants to buy and hold for the next 20 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• 3 no-brainer ASX 200 shares to buy with $5,000

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

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) has been an OK stock pick in 2025. While it’s up around 15% so far in 2025, which would normally be considered successful, the S&P 500 is up more than 16%. This places Microsoft as a market loser, which nobody wants to own. However, the tides could shift in 2026, and Microsoft could be one of the best artificial intelligence (AI) stocks to own.

Two billionaires are incredibly confident in Microsoft’s potential and loaded up on its stock during the third quarter. Is there something they know that we don’t for 2026? 

Billionaires love Microsoft’s stock

The two billionaires I follow who loaded up on Microsoft stock during the third quarter were the legendary Peter Thiel and Daniel Loeb at Third Point. Thiel is a legend on Wall Street, as he was one of the founders of PayPal and Palantir Technologies. He was also one of the first outside investors of Facebook (now Meta Platforms). When he makes a move, investors should pay attention, as he has a phenomenal track record.

During Q3, Thiel sold off a hefty amount of Tesla stock and all of his Nvidia stock. He then used some of those proceeds to take a $25 million stake in Microsoft, now his second-largest holding. That’s a big deal, and could indicate that he believes Microsoft is due for a strong 2026.

Loeb at Third Point more than doubled its stake in Microsoft during Q3, and it now accounts for its third-largest position at 6.9% of the portfolio. That’s a huge move, and signals something big could be coming.

Other billionaires own Microsoft stock, like Chase Coleman at Tiger Global Management. Although he didn’t buy any Microsoft stock in Q3, it’s his portfolio’s largest position at a 10.5% weighting.

Clearly, Microsoft stock is incredibly popular among billionaires, but why is that the case?

Microsoft is an AI facilitator

Microsoft has delivered strong growth since the artificial intelligence arms race began. While it hasn’t developed its own generative AI model, it has partnered with others who have. None is more significant than OpenAI. Microsoft owns about a 27% stake in OpenAI, so an investment in Microsoft acts as a proxy investment in OpenAI — a company generally recognized as being one of the leaders of the generative AI movement.

That’s likely the biggest reason why Microsoft is a top investment among these funds, but its regular businesses aren’t too shabby either. During its fiscal 2026’s first quarter (ended Sept. 30), Microsoft’s revenue rose 18% year over year while diluted earnings per share (EPS) rose 13%. Those are impressive figures, and a key part of that is Microsoft’s top-tier cloud computing offering, Azure.

Azure grew 40% in the quarter, far outpacing some of its cloud computing peers. Azure has become a top spot to build AI applications in, as it offers access to multiple generative AI models — not just OpenAI’s ChatGPT. This makes it an attractive offering, and is a key reason why it’s growing so quickly. 

Microsoft may be doing well right now, but its market underperformance is something many investors are likely concerned about these days. Some of that value would be unlocked by OpenAI going public, as Microsoft’s stake in OpenAI would be easier to value. Still, Microsoft is fairly pricey as is.

At a price-to-earnings ratio of 35, it’s among the more expensive AI stocks on the market.

MSFT PE Ratio data by YCharts

While Microsoft’s growth has been strong, it’s nothing compared to what some others are proposing. This makes Microsoft’s stock look expensive with no future in sight, which will make returns difficult to come by. I think Microsoft will be a market-average stock next year, with the only help coming from an OpenAI IPO.

Microsoft is a great company, but it just doesn’t have the growth for me to recommend it over some other faster-growing AI stocks today.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

The post 2 billionaires just loaded up on Microsoft stock. Do they know something we don’t for 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

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Keithen Drury has positions in Meta Platforms, Nvidia, PayPal, and Tesla. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, Palantir Technologies, PayPal, and Tesla. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft, long January 2027 $42.50 calls on PayPal, short December 2025 $75 calls on PayPal, and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and PayPal. 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) is having a subdued session on Tuesday. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down slightly to 8,717.5 points.

Four ASX shares that are falling more than most today are listed below. Here’s why they are dropping:

Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN)

The Evolution Mining share price is down 4% to $12.48. Investors have been selling this gold miner’s shares following a sharp pullback in the gold price overnight. This appears to have been driven by traders taking profit after the precious metal rose strongly and hit a new record high. It isn’t just Evolution Mining that is falling this afternoon. At the time of writing, the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold index is down by a disappointing 2.75%.

Firefly Metals Ltd (ASX: FFM)

The Firefly Metals share price is down 4% to $2.04. This has been driven by weakness in the gold industry and news the emerging gold miner has doubled the size of its recently announced share purchase plan (SPP) to $10 million. This decision was made following “extremely strong demand for the SPP and reflects the Company’s commitment to its supportive retail shareholders.” FireFly’s managing director, Steve Parsons, said: “We are delighted to have received such strong demand for the SPP. This reflects the outstanding upside at Green Bay and our aggressive strategy to continue creating value by using nine rigs. We have taken the opportunity to reward our loyal retail shareholders by doubling the total SPP provision to A$10m, increasing their ability to secure further exposure to this growth potential.”

Unico Silver Ltd (ASX: USL)

The Unico Silver share price is down 6% to 85.5 cents. Investors have been selling this silver miner’s shares following a drop in the silver price overnight. The precious metal tumbled 8% on Monday night to US$72.27 per ounce. This also appears to have been driven by profit taking from traders following a big gain in 2025.

Weebit Nano Ltd (ASX: WBT)

The Weebit Nano share price is down almost 10% to $5.24. This may have been caused by profit taking from some investors after a very strong gain on Monday. Investors were buying the semiconductor company’s shares after it revealed that it signed a licensing agreement for its ReRAM technology with Texas Instruments (NASDAQ:TXN). The company’s CEO, Coby Hanoch, said: “This agreement is another strong signal that the industry is moving towards ReRAM as the successor to flash memory in SoC designs.” Weebit Nano also released revenue guidance for FY 2026, revealing that it expects revenue of at least $10 million.

The post Why Evolution Mining, FireFly, Unico Silver, and Weebit Nano shares are tumbling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why are ASX silver stocks getting hammered today?
• My top 10 ASX stocks to buy for 2026
• Why this ASX mid-cap stock is back in the spotlight today
• If I could buy only 1 ASX stock to bet on the AI boom in 2026, it would be this one
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday

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 Texas Instruments. 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.