If you’ve got $1,000 to invest in ASX dividend shares, sometimes the smartest move is simply putting that money to work in businesses that generate reliable cash flow and return it to shareholders over time.

With that in mind, these are three ASX dividend shares I’d seriously consider right now if income was the priority.

Transurban Group Ltd (ASX: TCL)

If I’m buying dividends, I want predictability. That’s exactly what Transurban offers.

It owns and operates toll roads in major cities where traffic demand is driven by population growth, commuting patterns, and congestion. These aren’t discretionary assets. People use them because they have to, not because conditions are perfect.

The cash flows it generates are long-dated, inflation-linked in many cases, and supported by contractual toll escalation. This has underpinned a growing stream of distributions for well over a decade.

In FY26, Transurban has guided to a distribution of 69 cents per share, up from 65 cents previously. At current prices, that translates into a dividend yield of around 5%.

HomeCo Daily Needs REIT (ASX: HDN)

HomeCo is one of the more interesting income plays on the ASX, in my view, because of what it owns.

Its portfolio is focused on large-format retail assets anchored by tenants that provide everyday necessities. Think supermarkets, hardware, childcare, and essential services. These are not malls dependent on discretionary spending.

The REIT is guiding to distributions of 8.6 cents per share in FY26. Based on the current share price, that implies a dividend yield north of 6.5%. Importantly, those distributions are underpinned by long lease terms and a high-quality tenant mix that tends to hold up well even when consumer conditions soften. Its three largest tenants are Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW), Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), and Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL).

For investors with $1,000, I think HomeCo offers an attractive income stream without taking on excessive risk.

Lottery Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLC)

Lottery Corporation is another smart choice, in my opinion.

This ASX dividend share operates Australia’s major lottery brands, and demand for lottery tickets has historically been remarkably resilient. Sales don’t rely on economic growth, interest rates, or consumer confidence in the same way most retail businesses do.

What I like most is the quality of the cash flow. The business is capital-light, highly profitable, and converts a large portion of earnings into free cash flow. That gives it plenty of capacity to pay and grow dividends over time.

While the yield isn’t the highest on the ASX, currently 3.4% based on CommSec forecasts, the consistency and defensiveness of the earnings make it a strong long-term income holding.

Foolish takeaway

With $1,000, you don’t need complexity. You need businesses that can reliably generate cash and share it with investors.

Transurban, HomeCo Daily Needs REIT, and Lottery Corporation each approach that goal differently, through infrastructure, property, and regulated consumer demand. Together, they offer a mix of yield, stability, and resilience that I think makes sense for income-focused investors right now.

The post The smartest ASX dividend shares to buy with $1,000 right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Got $5,000? 5 ASX income shares to buy and hold forever
• How to build income on the ASX without losing sleep at night
• 5 ASX dividend shares paying 4% a year on average in 2026!
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• My 3 best ASX dividend-focused stocks to buy in February

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Transurban Group and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended The Lottery Corporation, Transurban Group, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Transurban Group and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended HomeCo Daily Needs REIT, The Lottery Corporation, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

ASX small-cap BetMakers Technology Group (ASX: BET) has been a strong performer over the past year, with its share price up around 64% over the last 12 months.

However, the stock traded modestly lower on Thursday, down 2.5% at the close, following its latest quarterly update.

So after the update, is there more upside ahead, or is the rally starting to run out of steam?

What did BetMakers report?

In its December quarter update (Q2 FY26), BetMakers reported revenue growth of 14.1% year on year, reflecting continued momentum across its digital wagering, content, and technology businesses.

The company also delivered adjusted EBITDA of $2.7 million, representing a meaningful turnaround from a loss in the prior corresponding period and marking the fourth consecutive quarter of positive adjusted EBITDA.

Margins continued to move in the right direction, with gross margin expanding to 66.4%, up from 61.6% a year earlier. Management attributed this improvement to the business’s ongoing transition toward higher-margin, technology-led revenue streams. Operating cash flow was slightly positive in the quarter, and BetMakers finished December with approximately $30 million in cash, maintaining a solid liquidity position.

What else should investors know?

Operationally, the quarter was also notable for a series of high-profile commercial wins. BetMakers secured new or expanded agreements with major wagering operators, including Stake, PENN Entertainment, and CrownBet. While these deals reinforce the company’s position as a global racing technology provider, they have not yet made a meaningful contribution to reported revenue. Management expects its financial impact to begin flowing through in the second half of FY26.

That timing likely explains Thursday’s muted share price reaction. After a strong 12-month rally, some investors appear to be taking profits, while others are waiting for clearer evidence that recent contract wins will translate into sustained revenue and earnings growth.

Looking ahead, investors will be focused on whether growth can accelerate from here.

Foolish bottom line

The broader takeaway is that BetMakers looks like a stronger, more resilient business than it did a year ago. Revenue is growing, margins are improving, and profitability has returned on an adjusted basis. At the same time, expectations have risen alongside the share price.

Whether the rally continues will likely depend on execution over the next few quarters, particularly how quickly new customer agreements convert into recurring revenue and cash flow.

The post Up 64% in a year, can ASX small cap BetMakers keep rallying? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• How I’m targeting $3,000 a month in passive income with just $50 a week

Motley Fool contributor Kevin Gandiya has no positions in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Betmakers Technology Group. 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.

Most ASX investors buy shares to build wealth as quickly as possible and, hopefully, one day, to establish a stream of passive income large enough to help fund a comfortable retirement.

Receiving $3,000 a month (that’s $36,000 annually) in passive income from dividend shares is obviously a nice end goal. Unfortunately, my own portfolio is not yet at the stage where it can check that box. But, all going well, it will be one day. I’m certainly planning on getting there. Using the 4% rule, a passive income of $3,000 a month would require a portfolio worth $900,000. That’s obviously a tall ask for any Australian.

However, I’m planning on getting there. Remember, the wonders of investing and compound interest mean we don’t actually need to save up $900,000 to build a portfolio worth $900,000. We invest in ASX shares, and keep investing (including reinvesting those dividends). If we do this diligently and relentlessly, the capital will do the hard work for us.

Let’s dive a little deeper into that process.

Let’s say we have found an ASX share or index fund that returns 8% per annum on average (pretty close to the long-term returns of ASX shares). If we invested $10,000 in this share and an additional $1,000 each year for a further 4 years, we would have invested $15,000 of our own capital by year 5. Yet we would have a portfolio worth $20,560.

The magic of compound interest and passive income

That additional $5,560 of ‘free money’ is our return on investment, and, assuming the performance remains the same, will grow exponentially, year in, year out. After 20 years of doing the same investing strategy, our investor would have a portfolio worth $92,372, of which only $30,000 would be invested capital.

Fortunately, I am able to put more than $1,000 each year into my ASX stock portfolio. Let’s assume an investor with $10,000 can afford to part with $50 each week. In this scenario, they would end up with a portfolio worth $432,269 after 30 years, assuming that 8% return. That’s decent, of course, especially considering we’ve only contributed $88,000 of our own money. But not enough to reach $3,000 per month in passive income using the 4% rule. That’s why I try to pick individual stocks with the potential for market-beating returns.

At a minimum, I aim for an annualised return of 12% in my own portfolio. If I do indeed achieve that over 30 years, instead of 8%, my portfolio would be worth $1.12 million by the end of it. That’s well above what we would need to hit that $3,000 per month in passive income. In many cases, the rate of return is even more important than the amount of money we can invest.

The post How I’m targeting $3,000 a month in passive income with just $50 a week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Prediction: In 12 months the Qantas share price and dividend could turn $10,000 into…
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• ASX copper shares surge as commodity hits record high

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.

The Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) share price has outperformed the market in recent years.

Since this time in 2024, the airline has soared by around 85%.

After a strong run like this, the question for investors is whether there’s still upside left, or whether the easy money has already been made.

Based on current broker expectations, I think the answer is yes, there could still be meaningful upside over the next 12 months.

Macquarie has an outperform recommendation and a $12.29 target price on the shares. That implies around 21% upside from current levels. On a $10,000 investment, that alone would lift the value to roughly $12,100.

But that’s only part of the picture.

Dividends could add another $500

In addition to share price upside, Macquarie expects Qantas to deliver a dividend yield of around 5% in FY26.

On a $10,000 investment, that equates to roughly $500 in dividend income over the next year. Combined with the potential share price appreciation, the total value of an investment could approach $12,600 in 12 months if things play out as expected.

That combination of capital growth and income is one of the reasons I still find the stock appealing at current prices.

Jetstar is doing the heavy lifting

A key part of the bullish case is the role Jetstar (JQ) continues to play within the group.

Macquarie points out that “JQ continues to be the growth driver, both domestically and internationally,” helped by capacity redeployment and strong positioning in value-focused travel markets. That matters because Jetstar gives Qantas exposure to growth without relying entirely on premium travel demand.

Even where international load factors (LF) have softened, Macquarie notes that the impact has been manageable. For Qantas’ international operations, “the deployment of the A380 has improved the yield mix, resulting in a likely neutral net outcome.” In other words, weaker volumes are being offset by better aircraft utilisation and pricing.

Costs and fleet renewal

Another reason I’m comfortable with the outlook is cost control.

Macquarie acknowledges that “LF may have peaked and RASK is softening,” but also argues that this is being “more than offset by softer oil prices, strong cost discipline, and the benefits of a newer fleet.”

That’s an important point. Airlines don’t need perfect demand conditions to perform well if costs are moving in the right direction. A younger, more efficient fleet combined with disciplined execution can protect margins even when growth moderates.

Looking ahead, Macquarie expects FY26 earnings per share growth of 11%, which it describes as attractive in the context of the current valuation.

Long-term productivity upside is underappreciated

One of the more interesting longer-term drivers is Project Sunrise.

Macquarie says it is “excited about the significant productivity benefits expected on the London route,” noting that the new service will require only two aircraft instead of three to operate daily flights. That kind of efficiency gain can have a meaningful impact on returns over time.

It’s not something that will show up overnight, but it reinforces the idea that Qantas is still finding ways to improve productivity rather than relying solely on cyclical tailwinds.

Foolish takeaway

At $10.15, the Qantas share price is no longer cheap. But it doesn’t need to be.

If Macquarie’s $12.29 target is reached and the expected FY26 dividend is delivered, a $10,000 investment could realistically grow to around $12,600 over the next 12 months. That’s a compelling outcome for a stock with a strong market position, improving cost structure, and clear earnings momentum.

Nothing is guaranteed, especially in aviation. But based on the current setup, I think Qantas still offers a reasonable risk-reward balance for investors.

The post Prediction: In 12 months the Qantas share price and dividend could turn $10,000 into… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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.

ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) provide easy diversification in just one trade, and there are more than 420 to choose from today.

The simplest ones track the performance of major indexes such as the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

These are called ‘passive ETFs’ because they simply seek to mirror the performance of an indices, minus fees.

Active ETFs are managed by a professional team that selects the stocks in the portfolio for a higher fee.

Australians invested a net $53 billion into ASX ETFs last year, up 75% on 2024, according to Betashares data.

Given the popularity of ETFs, have you ever wondered which ones other investors are targeting?

We get a clue by looking at the full-year data recently published by the ASX.

The data shows which ETFs have the most funds under management.

This gives an indication as to which ETFs investors have had the most confidence in over the years.

Check them out.

Which ASX ETFs do investors like best?

1. Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS)

ASX VAS has $22.585 billion in funds under management. In 2025, a net $3 billion flowed in.

The VAS ETF tracks the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO), which represents the 300 largest listed companies by market capitalisation.

This includes blue-chip shares like BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Commonwealth Bank of Australia Ltd (ASX: CBA), and CSL Ltd (ASX:CSL).

2. Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

VGS has $14.192 billion in funds under management. The ASX VGS brought in $2.6 billion in new funds last year.

The VGS ETF tracks the MSCI World ex-Australia (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars Index.

ASX VGS gives investors exposure to about 1,300 international shares across 23 nations. US shares dominate the portfolio at 74%.

3. iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

IVV has $13.11 billion in funds under management. The ASX IVV attracted a net inflow of $1.17 billion in 2025.

ASX IVV tracks the performance of the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX), which represents the 500 biggest listed companies in the US.

4. BetaShares Australia 200 ETF (ASX: A200)

A200 has $8.88 billion in funds under management. The ASX A200 brought in $2.1 billion in new funds last year.

The BetaShares Australia 200 ETF tracks the ASX 200.

5. VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL)

QUAL ETF has $8.07 billion in funds under management. In 2025, a net $293 million flowed in.

The QUAL ETF tracks the MSCI World ex Australia Quality Index, which encompasses 300 diversified and high-quality companies listed on exchanges in developed markets outside Australia.

The ‘quality’ component has a specific definition: High return on equity (ROE), earnings stability, and a healthy balance sheet.

6. iShares Core S&P/ASX 200 ETF (ASX: IOZ)

IOZ ETF has $7.798 billion in funds under management. The ASX IOZ brought in $1.1 billion in new funds last year.

The iShares Core S&P/ASX 200 ETF tracks the performance of the ASX 200 Accumulation Index.

This index tracks the ASX 200 but also takes into account the reinvestment of dividends.

7. Betashares NASDAQ 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

NDQ ETF has $7.69 billion in funds under management. In 2025, a net $927 million flowed in.

This ETF tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index (NASDAQ: NDX), which represents the 100 largest companies listed on the tech-heavy US NASDAQ.

8. Dimensional Australian Core Equity Trust — Active ETF (ASX: DACE)

This ASX ETF has $6.434 billion in funds under management. In 2025, DACE attracted a net inflow of $293 million.

DACE invests in a portfolio of ASX shares selected by Dimensional analysts.

9. Magellan Global Fund – Open Class Units – Active ETF (ASX: MGOC)

MGOC has $6.372 billion in funds under management. This ETF had a net outflow of $1.3 billion in 2025.

MGOC ETF invests in 20 to 40 stocks that the Magellan team considers best in their class.

10. Vanguard US Total Market Shares Index ETF (ASX: VTS)

VTS ETF has $6.361 billion in funds under management. In 2025, investors ploughed an extra $377 million net into this ETF.

The VTS ETF tracks the CRSP US Total Market Index.

This gives investors exposure to more than 3,700 US-listed companies.

The post 10 most popular ASX ETFs on the market today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• An easy and effective ASX portfolio with just 3 investments
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• How a beginner investor could build a $250,000 ASX share portfolio
• 3 Vanguard ETFs for smart investors to buy in February
• VAS and IVV: 3 reasons these two ASX ETFs belong in a long-term portfolio

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in BHP Group and Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, CSL, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, CSL, Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF, and 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.

Exchange traded funds (ETFs) have become an increasingly popular way for Australian investors to access opportunities that would otherwise be difficult to reach through local shares alone.

Rather than focusing on one country or one outcome, the right mix of ETFs can provide exposure to different growth drivers, economic cycles, and business models around the world.

With that in mind, here are three ASX ETFs that could be worth considering right now, each offering something quite different.

VanEck China New Economy ETF (ASX: CNEW)

The first ASX ETF to consider is the VanEck China New Economy ETF.

It is focused on businesses tied to China’s domestic consumption, innovation, and healthcare trends. This includes companies operating in areas such as pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, and technology-enabled services.

Examples of holdings include Intsig Information and Giantec Semiconductor. These types of businesses are more exposed to rising incomes, digital adoption, and industrial upgrading than to global commodity cycles.

For Australian investors, the VanEck China New Economy ETF offers a way to gain exposure to China’s evolving economy rather than its old one.

It was recently recommended by analysts at VanEck.

Betashares India Quality ETF (ASX: IIND)

Another ASX ETF that could be a buy is the Betashares India Quality ETF.

India’s growth story is often discussed in broad terms, but this fund takes a more selective approach by focusing on higher-quality companies rather than the market as a whole. This ETF targets businesses with strong balance sheets, consistent earnings, and solid returns on capital.

Holdings include companies such as Infosys (NYSE: INFY) and HDFC Bank (NSEI: HDFCBANK), which play central roles in India’s technology services and financial systems.

What makes this fund a stand out is its emphasis on durability. India’s economy is expected to grow for decades, but not every company will benefit equally. By filtering for quality, this ASX ETF aims to capture growth while reducing some of the risks that can come with fast-expanding markets.

This fund was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF (ASX: QLTY)

A final ASX ETF to look at is the Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF.

This ASX ETF invests in global companies with strong competitive advantages, high profitability, and consistent earnings growth. Rather than simply backing size or popularity, the ETF focuses on businesses that have demonstrated an ability to defend margins and generate returns over long periods.

To avoid the usual examples, holdings include Adobe (NASDAQ: ADBE) and LVMH (FRA: MO). These companies operate in very different industries, but both benefit from powerful brands, pricing power, and loyal customer bases.

For Australian investors, the Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF can act as a core global holding. It provides exposure to world-class businesses across regions and sectors, without requiring constant changes as leadership shifts over time.

The fund manager also recently recommended this fund to investors.

The post 3 of the best ASX ETFs for Australian investors to buy now 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 positions in and has recommended Adobe. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended HDFC Bank and has recommended the following options: long January 2028 $330 calls on Adobe and short January 2028 $340 calls on Adobe. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Adobe. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

If you are looking for high risk, high reward investment options, then read on.

That’s because the speculative ASX stock in this article could rise approximately 80% over the next 12 months according to analysts at Bell Potter.

Here’s what it is recommending to clients with a high tolerance for risk.

Which speculative ASX stock?

The stock that is being recommended is EMvision Medical Devices Ltd (ASX: EMV).

It is a medical device company that is aiming to change the stroke care model.

The speculative ASX stock’s lead product in development is a portable, cost-effective, non-ionising and safe brain scanner called Emu. It will be capable of rapidly determining the presence of suspected stroke and stroke type to provide game-changing insights for clinicians.

Its second product and likely main revenue generator according to Bell Potter is First Responder. It is a pre-hospital based device the size of a motorcycle helmet that can be used by standard road or air ambulances where fast access to CT/MRI scanning is limited.

Bell Potter notes that the company is progressing through its preparatory phase. It said:

EMV has moved through its preparatory phase and fully activated recruiting for the trial, following completion of onboarding, training verification and site activation processes. A second site at Mt Sinai has been activated and a second site at Memorial Hermann will soon activate to accelerate recruitment.

The network of KOL sites across the trial group should prove valuable in building commercial foundations for the emu product. The Continuous Innovation Study is designed to support algorithm and feature development, while the Regional Benefits Study (RBS) is moving toward an ethics submission with planned activation in 2H CY26. The RBS is designed to support broader adoption of the emu.

The broker also highlights that the speculative ASX stock is running studies for First Responder, with preliminary findings due next month. It adds:

EMV is continuing to move through the Mobile Stroke Unit Study, the Aeromedical Retrieval Study and the Standard Road Ambulance Clinical Study. These studies examine workflow, integration, and usability in a variety of settings, which is necessary for building the 510(k)-application process and commercial prospects. Next month, EMV will be presenting preliminary findings of the Aeromedical study at the International Stroke Conference, giving the First Responder critical exposure to over 6,000 clinicians, researchers, and stroke professionals.

Big potential returns

According to the note, Bell Potter has retained its speculative buy rating and $3.15 price target on the ASX stock.

Based on its current share price of $1.76, this implies potential upside of approximately 80% for investors over the next 12 months.

Bell Potter’s bullish view is based on its belief that 2026 will be a pivotal year for the company. It said:

CY26 is a pivotal year for EMV with an expected successful completion of the current validation trial, leading to potential FDA De Novo clearance in 4Q CY26 / 1Q CY27, as well as the completion of the various First Responder feasibility studies. Both these developments should present valuation inflection points for EMV.

The post Why this speculative ASX stock could rise 80% 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 positions in and has recommended EMVision Medical Devices. 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 copper shares surged today amid the commodity price ripping more than 6% higher to above US$6.30 per pound — a new record.

Copper is benefiting from rising demand for real assets amid geopolitical and trade uncertainties and a rapidly falling US dollar.

Today, the Australian dollar is trading at 71 US cents, a three-year high.

Trading Economics analysts explained why copper rose so strongly today:

In recent developments, US President Donald Trump threatened Iran with military strikes far more severe than the attack he ordered in June unless the country agrees to a trade deal with Washington.

Trump’s tariff threats against other nations, coupled with his apparent indifference to the dollar’s weakness, further fueled the flight to metals.

Copper is also being supported by recurring supply tightness and robust industrial demand, particularly driven by the global transition to renewable energy and artificial intelligence.

Meanwhile, copper inventories in Shanghai, London, and New York have risen in recent weeks, pushing combined holdings above 900,000 tons.

Copper is in high demand as the green energy transition begins showing its impact in strongly rising commodity prices.

The red metal is essential for electrification.

It is a key input in much of the new infrastructure required for the energy transition and artificial intelligence systems.

It offers high ductility, malleability, and thermal and electrical conductivity, and is resistant to corrosion.

Copper is in wiring, electric vehicles (EVs), wind turbines, solar energy systems, telecommunications, and electronic products.

The US added the red metal to its Critical Minerals List in November.

What happened with ASX copper shares today?

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), now the world’s largest copper producer, rose 2.1% to a two-year high of $51.66 per share.

The Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) share price ascended 1.6% to a record $157.24.

The ASX 200’s largest pure-play copper share Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR) reached a record $21.30, up 5.2%.

Capstone Copper Corp CDI (ASX: CSC) shares soared 5.1% to a record $17.64 per share.

Aeris Resources Ltd (ASX: AIS) shares lifted 2.9% to a 52-week high of 70 cents.

The Develop Global Ltd (ASX: DVP) share price rose 2.2% to $5.65.

ASX exchange-traded fund (ETF) Global X Copper Miners ETF (ASX: WIRE) lifted 7.8% to a record $28.95.

However, not all ASX copper shares were buoyed by the commodity’s surge today.

The Greatland Resources Ltd (ASX: GGP) share price fell 0.86% to $13.77.

WA1 Resources Ltd (ASX: WA1) shares fell 2.5% to $17.89.

Amid volatile geopolitics, investors are seeking safety in base metals like copper and precious metals like gold and silver.

The weaker US dollar is supporting these commodities.

Trading Economics analysts explain:

A softer dollar makes commodities priced in greenbacks, including copper, gold, and silver, more affordable for buyers using other currencies.

The gold price also surged to above US$5,600 per ounce today.

The analysts said:

Momentum picked up after President Trump dismissed the dollar’s slide to four-year lows, signaling tolerance for currency weakness despite ongoing tariff threats and renewed criticism of the Federal Reserve’s independence.

Meantime, the silver price ripped to above US$117 per ounce on the same tailwinds.

Gold is up 29% and silver is up 66% in the year to date.

The post ASX copper shares surge as commodity hits record high appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• BHP shares: Should I buy now or wait?
• 3 ASX stocks every Aussie investor should consider in 2026
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• “A+ Scorecard” – Bell Potter just upgraded this ASX materials stock
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in BHP Group and Global X Copper Miners 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 BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) shares have been strong performers in 2026.

Since the start of the year, the uranium producer’s shares have risen by 30%.

Is it too late to invest? Let’s find out what Bell Potter thinks.

What is the broker saying?

Bell Potter was pleased with Boss Energy’s performance during the second quarter, noting that its production was stronger than expected and its costs were lower than expected. It said:

BOE produced 456klbs (BPe 370klbs, VA 386klbs) from Honeymoon with sales of 350klbs (BPe 350klbs VA 401klbs), at an average C1 cost of A$30/lb (BPe A$40/lb VA A$42/lb) broadly beating expectations. The result was driven by higher lixiviant tenors (77 U3O8mg/l; BPe 70 U3O8mg/l), and an increase in production through the drying and packaging circuit. Management guided to a slower 3QFY26 as leach tenors decline and planned maintenance impact production.

And while its production guidance has been retained, its cost guidance has been lowered. The broker adds:

FY26 guidance is maintained at 1.6Mlb (~53% complete at 1HFY26) however C1 cost guidance is revised lower to A$36-$40/lb (from A$41-45/lb) and AISC to A$60-64 (from $64-70). Material cash flow movements included – Receipts A$44m, Honeymoon operating costs A$(16.3)m, Honeymoon wellfield capex and capital expenditure A$(11.5m) and G&A A$(3.7)m. Closing cash was A$53m (+A$5m QoQ), with total liquid assets being A$208m, down from A$212m on movements in listed assets and receivables.

Should you buy Boss Energy shares?

Despite the positives from the quarterly update, Bell Potter believes that Boss Energy shares have reached fair value now. That’s at least until further details are provided in relation to the future of the Honeymoon project.

According to the note, the broker has downgraded the company’s shares to a hold rating with a $1.95 price target. This is a touch below its current share price of $2.05.

Commenting on its downgrade, Bell Potter said:

We maintain our TP of $1.95/sh and reduce our recommendation to Hold (previously Buy). Our valuation assumes production at Honeymoon over the short 10Y mine life is limited to ~1.6Mlbs pa and costs remain elevated, until such a time that management have completed the work to guide otherwise. We have ascribed nil value to BOE’s exploration assets at this point. NPAT changes are: FY26 +5%, FY27 -2% and FY28 nc.

The post Is it too late to buy Boss Energy shares for uranium exposure? 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 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.

Betr Entertainment (ASX: BBT) shares are down around 7% today (at the time of writing) after the ASX small-cap wagering business released its half-year results, which showed strong turnover growth but a larger-than-expected EBITDA loss.

What did Betr report?

For the first half of FY26, Betr delivered headline turnover growth of 25%; however, the company reported a normalised EBITDA loss of $13.2 million for the half.

Management attributed the loss to two main factors: exceptionally customer-friendly racing and sports results during peak wagering periods, and front-weighted, one-off investment in brand relaunch, marketing, and technology.

Encouragingly, Betr said trading margins have returned to historical levels since December, with net win margins around 11% across December and January to date.

What else do investors need to know?

The first half was investment-heavy. Betr spent aggressively on brand marketing, premium sports advertising, and the rollout of Sky Racing, which management believes will drive improved operating leverage in the second half.

Customer metrics also improved, with active cash customers rising to more than 163,000, up 5.7% quarter-on-quarter, and turnover continuing to grow faster than the overall market.

At the end of December, Betr held $41 million in cash, with total available funding of approximately $42.4 million, providing an estimated 4.4 quarters of funding at current cash burn levels

What’s the outlook?

Betr reiterated its earnings guidance, targeting $5 million to $8 million in normalised EBITDA in H2 FY26, followed by $13 million to $19 million in FY27. Management said the major investment programs are now largely complete, allowing marketing intensity and costs to normalise while benefiting from higher scale and improved margins.

The company also recently announced an on-market share buyback of up to 10% of issued capital, signalling board confidence that the shares are trading below intrinsic value.

Foolish takeaway

Today’s share price reaction reflects disappointment with the first-half loss, despite the top-line growth. The second half will be critical in proving that the heavy upfront investment can translate into sustainable earnings.

Betr shares are down 30% over the last 12 months, trailing the ASX All Ordinaries index.

The post ASX small cap Betr shares slide after H1 loss, confirms 10% share buy back appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Kevin Gandiya has no positions 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.