• PLS shares have soared 107% in a year! Is the ASX 200 lithium stock now a buy, hold or sell?

    Buy, hold, and sell ratings written on signs on a wooden pole.

    Despite a material retrace since May’s all-time highs, PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) shares have more than doubled investor’s money over the past year.

    In late morning trade on Monday, shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) lithium stock– formerly known as Pilbara Minerals – are changing hands for $4.47 apiece.

    That sees the share price up 106.7% in 12 months, smashing the 1.1% one-year losses posted by the ASX 200 over this same time.

    And we’ve yet to include the final FY 2026 PLS dividend.

    As you may know, PLS suspended its dividend payouts in 2024 following the global lithium price crash of 2023.

    But with the spodumene (a lithium bearing ore) price up 95% over the past 12 months, PLS declared a final fully-franked dividend of 5 cents per share.

    The ASX lithium stock traded ex-dividend on 2 September. If you owned PLS shares at market close on 1 September, you can expect to see that passive income hit your bank account next week, on 24 September.

    Of course, that dividend and the remarkable one-year share price gains are all water under the bridge today.

    And, while well up over 12 months, the spodumene price has fallen around 29% since its mid-May highs.

    That’s seen short sellers come out to bet against the soaring ASX lithium stock. Indeed, as of market opening this morning, 11.2% of the miner’s shares were held short, putting it among the top ten most shorted stocks on the ASX this week.

    Which brings us back to our headline question…

    Are PLS shares still a good buy today?

    Baker Young’s Toby Grimm recently analysed the outlook for the soaring Aussie lithium miner (courtesy of The Bull).

    “This lithium producer generated group revenue of $1.934 billion in full year 2026, up 152 per cent on the prior corresponding period,” he noted.

    “It was driven by a 121 per cent increase in the average realised price and record sales volumes,” Grimm added.

    But with PLS shares having more than doubled in a year, Grimm issued a sell recommendation on the ASX 200 stock.

    He concluded:

    However, in our view, considerable optimism is already priced into the stock. Further details, including the benefits and risks, of potentially expanding the Pilgangoora operations are expected to be released in the December quarter.

    After a strong share price run in the past year, we would consider cashing in some gains at these levels.

    The post PLS shares have soared 107% in a year! Is the ASX 200 lithium stock now a buy, hold or sell? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Pls Group right now?

    Before you buy Pls Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Pls Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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.

  • My top ASX passive income stocks for the next 10 years

    Elderly couple cosily walking together outside.

    I think passive income is most valuable when you can see it continuing well into the future.

    That means looking beyond the dividend available today and thinking about what could support those payments over the next decade.

    With that said, these four ASX passive income stocks would be high on my list.

    Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

    CBA would be my first choice among the major banks.

    Its dividend is supported by one of Australia’s strongest banking franchises, with millions of customers using the company for home loans, deposits, business banking, credit cards, and other financial services.

    I particularly like CBA’s technology and customer relationships. Its digital capabilities make it easier to keep customers within the bank and offer them additional products over time.

    Australian banking will always be competitive, and I would watch CBA’s premium valuation closely.

    But if I were choosing a bank to provide income for the next decade, its combination of earnings strength and fully franked dividends would put it near the top of my list.

    Aurizon Holdings Ltd (ASX: AZJ)

    Aurizon gives income investors exposure to a completely different part of the economy.

    The company operates rail freight services and owns rail infrastructure used to move commodities across Australia.

    I like the infrastructure side of the business because these assets are difficult and expensive to replicate. Aurizon’s Network operation also earns revenue from customers using its rail infrastructure rather than relying entirely on the profitability of individual commodity producers.

    There will still be fluctuations in freight volumes and commodity markets.

    Even so, I think the essential nature of its transport infrastructure can support substantial cash generation and shareholder distributions over the long term.

    HomeCo Daily Needs REIT (ASX: HDN)

    HomeCo Daily Needs REIT would add property income to the mix.

    The real estate investment trust owns properties centred around everyday spending, including supermarkets, neighbourhood retail centres, and other assets that consumers regularly visit.

    I think that focus makes sense for an income investment.

    People may delay large discretionary purchases when household budgets become tight, but groceries and other everyday needs remain part of regular spending.

    As rents increase and the portfolio develops over time, there is also potential for the underlying income generated by these properties to grow.

    Interest rates and property valuations can create volatility, so I would keep an eye on debt levels and funding costs.

    But for a decade-long income portfolio, I like the type of property exposure the HomeCo Daily Needs REIT provides.

    Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

    Transurban would round out my four picks.

    The company operates major toll roads in Australia and North America, including CityLink in Melbourne, Cross City Tunnel in Sydney, and AirportLinkM7 in Brisbane.

    Traffic volumes can grow as populations increase and cities become busier, while contractual toll increases provide another way for revenue to rise over time.

    That creates the potential for dividends to increase as the underlying cash flows expand.

    Transurban carries substantial debt and requires plenty of capital, so it is not a risk-free income investment. But its roads are long-life assets that millions of motorists rely on.

    Foolish takeaway

    If I were building passive income for the next 10 years, I would want more than a collection of today’s highest-yielding shares.

    CBA, Aurizon, HomeCo Daily Needs REIT, and Transurban give me income supported by banking, freight infrastructure, everyday retail property, and toll roads.

    I think that gives the portfolio several sources of cash flow while still leaving room for those payments to grow over time.

    The post My top ASX passive income stocks for the next 10 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Aurizon right now?

    Before you buy Aurizon shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Aurizon wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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

  • Why I’d buy Santos and Woodside shares today

    Engineer in the oilfield wearing red helmet and work clothes, with pumpjack and wellhead in the background.

    Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares have already delivered stockholders some smashing gains in 2026.

    And both S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) energy stocks are outperforming again today.

    In morning trade on Monday, Santos shares are swapping hands for $8.68 apiece, up 1%. Woodside shares are trading for $33.14 each, up 0.9%.

    For some context, the ASX 200 is just about flat at this same time.

    Taking a step back, the ASX 200 is up a slender 0.2% so far in 2026. That compares to the 41.2% year-to-date gains for Santos stock and the 40.1% gains posted by Woodside.

    Atop those capital gains, both ASX 200 energy stocks have paid (or shortly will pay) two dividends this calendar year, making them appealing passive income plays.

    Santos shares currently trade on a 3.5% unfranked dividend yield, while Woodside shares trade on a fully-franked 4.9% dividend yield. That equates to a 7% yield grossed up.

    What’s been sending the ASX 200 energy stocks flying?

    The Aussie oil and gas giants have been clear beneficiaries of surging global oil prices in the wake of the Iran war.

    Indeed, on 1 January, Brent crude oil was trading for a mere US$60.85 per barrel. The oil price then topped US$118 per barrel in April, before sinking back to US$72.01 per barrel in July.

    But oil has been on the rise again since then, and Brent surged back to US$107.36 per barrel over the weekend as the Middle East conflict heated back up.

    That means the vital Strait of Hormuz oil shipping route is unlikely to reopen for normal business anytime soon.

    And with Iranian-backed Houthi forces increasing their attacks over the weekend and threatening to block another Red Sea shipping chokepoint, oil supplies could remain restricted for some time.

    While that’s bad news for inflation and the economy, it could support further gains in Santos and Woodside shares, as well as boost their next round of dividends.

    Why Santos and Woodside shares still look like a good buy

    Despite their strong outperformance already this year, I think Santos and Woodside shares are well-placed to keep outperforming in the year ahead.

    Just how well they perform will depend to a significant extent on global oil prices.

    On that front, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) head of commodities Vivek Dhar said (quoted by the Australian Financial Review):

    US tolerance to delay any peace deal with Iran … rising Chinese imports and lower supply outside the Middle East in 2026 indicate that Brent oil futures may stay above US$100 a barrel for longer than it did in late July.

    RBC Capital Markets head of commodity strategy Helima Croft added, “Maritime traffic … is gravely imperilled by the Houthi advances, bringing into focus our high oil price forecast.”

    Croft noted that the latest attacks had “reduced the efficacy of one of the key oil release valves for the six-month Iran war”.

    Croft said that if the conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia escalated, it could see the oil price hit US$118 per barrel in 2026 and potentially reach US$130 per barrel in 2027.

    At those levels, both ASX 200 energy stocks would see their profit margins grow, likely supporting higher dividends and spurring further increases in the Santos and Woodside share price.

    The post Why I’d buy Santos and Woodside shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Commonwealth Bank Of Australia right now?

    Before you buy Commonwealth Bank Of Australia shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Commonwealth Bank Of Australia wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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.

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