• 3 reasons to buy Xero shares today

    Man on computer looking at graphs

    Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) shares are edging higher today.

    Shares in the $19 billion S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) business and accounting software provider closed yesterday trading for $113.36. In morning trade on Friday, shares are changing hands for $113.57, up 0.2%.

    For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.8% at this same time.

    As you may know, Xero shares have come under heavy selling pressure since the ASX 200 tech stock notched a new all-time closing high of $194.21 on 24 June.

    But according to Catapult Wealth’s Blake Halligan, that sell-off looks to be short-sighted, with the outlook for growth in 2026 looking promising (courtesy of The Bull).

    Should you buy Xero shares today?

    “XRO is a global accounting software provider,” said Halligan, who has a buy rating on Xero shares.

    “Average revenue per user was up 15% in the first half of (FY) 2026 when compared to the prior corresponding period. EBITDA was up 21%,” he said, citing the first reason the ASX 200 tech stock could be set for a strong rebound.

    “Rolling out bank feed connections in the United States will be a tail wind moving forward,” he added.

    And the third reason you might want to buy some Xero stock for Christmas is that following the past six months of selling, shares could be trading at a long-term bargain.

    “In our view, the recent fall in the share price reflects a short-sighted assessment of revenue and subscriber growth rates,” Halligan said.

    “The US payments opportunity is significant, and any signs of successful execution and acceleration in growth will drive a meaningful re-rate,” he concluded.

    What’s happening with the company’s US expansion?

    As Halligan mentions, Xero shares could garner significant longer-term support from the company’s growth ambitions in the world’s largest economy.

    At Xero’s half-year results release on 13 November, the company stated:

    In June, Xero announced it had agreed to acquire Melio, a leading US SMB bill pay platform that seamlessly enables customers to manage their cash flow by offering SMBs and their advisors easy-to-use accounts payable (A/P) workflows and a wide choice of payment methods.

    That acquisition was completed in mid-October, which the company said now gives it an opportunity to accelerate integration and deliver value for its US customers sooner.

    Management noted that Melio traded in line with expectations through the first half of FY 2026, achieving underlying revenue growth of 68% to NZ$183 million.

    The post 3 reasons to buy Xero shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Xero Limited right now?

    Before you buy Xero Limited 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 Xero Limited 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 18 November 2025

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

  • Austal shares paused pending further announcement

    a woman wearing a dark business suit holds her hand up in a stop gesture while sitting at a desk. She has a sombre look on her face.

    The Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB) share price is on watch after the company’s securities were temporarily paused on the ASX pending an announcement, with investors eager for clarity on the next steps.

    What did Austal report?

    • Trading in Austal shares has been paused by the ASX as of 12 December 2025
    • No financial results or operational updates were provided in the announcement
    • Investors are awaiting further information from the company
    • No updates regarding dividends or forward guidance were included

    What else do investors need to know?

    The ASX has placed Austal shares into a temporary trading halt. This means investors won’t be able to buy or sell shares until a further announcement restores trading.

    ASX trading halts are not uncommon and can happen for various reasons, including expected news or to maintain fair and orderly trading. Investors should keep an eye out for updates from Austal on the reason for the pause.

    Austal share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Austal shares have risen 123%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 3% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Austal shares paused pending further announcement appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Austal Limited right now?

    Before you buy Austal Limited 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 Austal Limited 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 18 November 2025

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    Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

  • Insiders are buying Xero and these ASX shares this month

    A man working in the stock exchange.

    I think it can be useful for investors to keep an eye on which shares have experienced meaningful insider buying.

    That’s because insider buying is often regarded as a bullish indicator, as few people know a company and its intrinsic value better than its directors. If they are buying, it could be a sign that they are confident in the direction the company is heading and see value in its shares.

    With that in mind, listed below are a few ASX shares that have reported meaningful insider buying recently. They are as follows:

    Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN)

    A change of director’s interests notice reveals that this regional bank’s chair has been buying shares in December. According to the notice, independent chair, Vicki Carter, snapped up a total of 4,933 Bendigo and Adelaide Bank shares last week through an on-market trade on 4 December.

    Carter paid an average of $10.13 per share, which equates to a total consideration of $49,971.29. This purchase boosted the chair’s holding to a total of 38,849 shares.

    Bendigo and Adelaide Bank shares are down 21% over the past 12 months. The majority of this can be attributed to the release of the results of an investigation by Deloitte into suspicious activity.

    The investigation, which was initiated by the bank, concluded that deficiencies existed regarding the bank’s approach to the identification, mitigation and management of money laundering (ML) and terrorism financing (TF) risk.

    Chalice Mining Ltd (ASX: CHN)

    Another change of director’s interests notice shows that one of this mineral exploration company’s non-executive directors has been buying shares this week.

    On Wednesday 10 December, Richard Hacker paid a total of $99,566.34 to acquire 59,862 Chalice shares through an on-market trade. This represents an average of approximately $1.66 per share.

    This lifted Hacker’s shareholding (indirect and direct) to over 1.3 million shares. He also has a large number of unlisted options, which are out of the money at present, and performance and retention rights.

    Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

    Finally, a non-executive director at Xero has taken advantage of recent share price weakness to load up on its shares.

    A notice reveals that Dale Murray has bought 1,286 Xero shares through an on-market trade on 11 December. Murray paid an average of $115.30 per share, which represents a total consideration of $148,275.80.

    This increased the non-executive director’s shareholding to a total of 2,719 shares.

    The post Insiders are buying Xero and these ASX shares this month appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited right now?

    Before you buy Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited 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 Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited 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 18 November 2025

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

  • National Storage REIT declares estimated dividend and updates investors

    Close up of woman using calculator and laptop for calculating dividends.

    The National Storage REIT (ASX: NSR) share price is in focus today after the company announced an estimated fully franked interim dividend of 6 cents per stapled security for the second half of 2025.

    What did National Storage REIT report?

    • Estimated fully franked interim dividend of 6 cents per stapled security for the period 1 July 2025 to 31 December 2025
    • Dividend record date: 31 December 2025
    • Dividend payment date: 20 February 2026
    • Further dividend details to be provided in Appendix 3A.1 (estimate)
    • Withdrawal of all previous earnings guidance in light of recent scheme announcement

    What else do investors need to know?

    National Storage REIT has withdrawn all prior guidance announcements following the scheme announcement, meaning investors should not rely on earlier outlook statements. The company advised that more detail on the estimated dividend will be released via an Appendix 3A.1 estimate.

    National Storage continues as the largest self-storage provider in Australia and New Zealand, operating over 290 storage locations for both residential and commercial customers.

    What’s next for National Storage REIT?

    Investors can expect a more detailed dividend estimate once the company lodges its Appendix 3A.1. The withdrawal of guidance points to the uncertainty pending the outcome of the recent scheme announcement—shareholders may wish to keep an eye out for further updates.

    The company will continue managing its large portfolio across Australia and New Zealand through the anticipated transition period, aiming to maintain stable service and performance.

    National Storage REIT share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, National Storage REIT shares have risen 18%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 3% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post National Storage REIT declares estimated dividend and updates investors appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in National Storage REIT right now?

    Before you buy National Storage REIT 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 National Storage REIT 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 18 November 2025

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    Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

  • Trading near its record high, Macquarie thinks this infrastructure play has even further to go

    A coal miner wearing a red hard hat holds a piece of coal up and gives the thumbs up sign in his other hand

    When it comes to infrastructure shares, stability and a long-term focus are often what investors like to see, and Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Holdings (ASX: DBI) has that in spades.

    The company has a 99 year lease over the Dalrymple Bay Terminal in Queensland, which it has expanded in seven expansion plans over the years to a capacity of 84.2 million tonnes of coal exports from the Bowen Basin per annum.

     As the company says on its website:

    DBT services mines in the Bowen Basin, a 60,000 square km region in central Queensland that is the world’s largest metallurgical coal export region. Metallurgical coal is used for steel production. DBT supports mines in the Bowen Basin to provide a reliable supply of metallurgical coal to steel producers in export markets. DBT is the lowest cost multi-user export pathway for mines located in the central area of the Bowen Basin on average.

    Debt refinanced on better terms

    The company earlier this week announced it had refinanced $1.07 billion of its debt, using the money to pay off older debt facilities and close some down entirely.

    Dalrymple Bay said this week:

    The decision to implement the refinancing is part of Dalrymple Bay’s proactive approach to managing its debt portfolio. The reduced debt pricing currently available to Dalrymple Bay in the market created the opportunity to refinance the more expensive and less flexible USPP notes.

    The company said the refinancing would deliver reduced interest costs of about $75 million out to 2030.

    Further share price upside

    The team at Macquarie have run the ruler over the new debt package and like what they see, with an outperform rating on Dalrymple Bay shares.

    The Macquarie analysts said they calculated the cash flow impact of the refinancing to be about $15 million per year over the next five years, potentially adding 3 cents to the company’s dividend.

    The analysts had this to say about the company:

    We think Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure is a unique investment with dividend growth of 5% and a valuation EV/EBITDA multiple of 13x, which is below comparable port multiples.

    Macquarie has a 12-month price target of $5.33 on Dalrymple Bay shares, compared with the closing price of $4.54 on Thursday.

    Once dividends are factored in, this would equate to a total shareholder return of 23% over a one year period if that share price were achieved.

    Dalrymple Bay was valued at $2.4 billion at the close of trade on Thursday.

    The post Trading near its record high, Macquarie thinks this infrastructure play has even further to go appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Limited right now?

    Before you buy Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Limited 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 Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Limited 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 18 November 2025

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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 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.

  • Nickel Industries lifts 2025 nickel sales and receives green light for growth

    A traffic light with the green light flashing representing the BHP board moving forward with unification of corporate structure

    The Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC) share price is in focus today after news the company has received approval to lift its 2025 nickel ore sales quota to 10.5 million wet metric tonnes (wmt), with immediate recommencement of sales and growth plans for 2026.

    What did Nickel Industries report?

    • 2025 RKAB (nickel ore quota) increased from 9 million wmt to 10.5 million wmt
    • Immediate restart of nickel ore sales from the Hengjaya Mine
    • Approval of 2026 RKAB expected soon, targeting 19 million wmt per annum
    • Five-year environmental permit (AMDAL) secured, enabling market-leading tailings management
    • Innovative in-pit tailings storage and limonite slurry pipeline to ENC HPAL

    What else do investors need to know?

    The company’s environmental permit allows for Indonesia’s first in-pit tailings storage, with a dedicated pipeline between the ENC High-Pressure Acid Leach (HPAL) plant and the Hengjaya Mine. This approach is designed to improve traceability for end users and reduce environmental impact.

    Approval of the five-year AMDAL not only supports higher production for 2025 but also underpins the company’s application for a substantial increase to the nickel ore quota in 2026. Sales of stockpiled ore to the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) have already recommenced, boosting near-term revenue potential.

    What did Nickel Industries management say?

    Justin Werner, Managing Director said:

    We are pleased to announce the approval of an increase to our 2025 RKAB, allowing mine sales to recommence immediately. The AMDAL supporting the 2025 RKAB is not only essential for this year’s operations but lays the foundation for a further RKAB increase in 2026.

    The AMDAL approval is the first of its kind to permit the use of a pipeline to return HPAL tailings to the mine for storage, re-contouring and revegetation. This innovation will significantly contribute to our goal of positioning ENC as the lowest carbon and cost intensive HPAL globally, producing diversified class 1 and intermediary nickel products.

    We thank all of the Ministry of Environment staff who worked closely with the Hengjaya Mine technical team to ensure a detailed and comprehensive AMDAL was delivered.

    What’s next for Nickel Industries?

    Nickel Industries is awaiting final approval for the 2026 RKAB, which would increase its sales quota to 19 million wmt. The company is also focused on commissioning the Excelsior Nickel Cobalt (ENC) project, a next-generation HPAL plant expected to produce around 72,000 tonnes of nickel metal annually.

    As Nickel Industries transitions towards supplying the electric vehicle battery market, the business continues to prioritise reducing its carbon footprint and costs, with new technologies and environmental initiatives leading the way.

    Nickel Industries share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, Nickel Industries shares have declined 17%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 3% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post Nickel Industries lifts 2025 nickel sales and receives green light for growth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Nickel Industries Limited right now?

    Before you buy Nickel Industries Limited 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 Nickel Industries Limited 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 18 November 2025

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    Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

  • These 2 ASX ETFs are booming as the silver and copper price smash new records

    A man is shocked about the explosion happening out of his brain.

    2025 has been a spectacular year for a range of commodities.

    For example, the gold price has jumped by 63% since early January to more than US$4,250 per ounce.

    Overall, the precious metal has notched up fresh all-time highs on dozens of occasions throughout the year.  

    Not surprisingly, the gold price has also comfortably outpaced the broader market.

    During the same period, the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) has risen by 4.87%.

    But gold isn’t the only metal breaking new ground in 2025.

    Both silver and copper hit record prices in recent days, with silver even eclipsing gold’s performance.

    To elaborate, the silver price has skyrocketed by approximately 120% since the start of the year, currently trading above US$63 per ounce.

    The copper price also reached a historic milestone on Thursday, surpassing US$11,800 per tonne for the first time on the London Metal Exchange.

    The red metal has now risen by 35% just this year.

    These stellar price runs have helped propel two ASX-listed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to their own all-time highs.

    Modern-day metals

    Silver has long been regarded as a safe-haven asset, commonly used in jewellery, coins, or as bullion stored in vaults.

    However, the metal’s role is rapidly expanding.

    Demand from solar panel manufacturers has more than doubled since 2016, and its use in electronics has also grown significantly.

    These evolving applications are reshaping the metal’s supply and demand dynamics and helping to drive the silver price higher.

    Meanwhile, copper has long been seen as a barometer of economic health.

    It has even been nicknamed ‘Dr Copper’ in some financial circles, due to the metal’s perceived ability to predict the health and turning points of the global economy. 

    Traditionally, copper boasts mass industrial applications.

    But the metal is also becoming increasingly important to the world’s energy transition, with heavy use in electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.

    It is also a key ingredient in AI data centres thanks to its conductivity and efficiency in power distribution and cooling.

    These applications point towards strong long-term demand and help support an upward trajectory for the copper price.

    Record-breaking ASX ETFs

    Investors looking to capture the momentum in these booming metals have an array of options.

    Amongst others, specialised ASX ETFs provide one practical avenue.

    Firstly, the Global X Physical Silver Structured ETF (ASX: ETPMAG) has been available for Aussie investors since 2009.

    This ASX ETF is designed to generate returns that mirror the silver price in Australian dollars, minus management fees. 

    It hit an all-time high this week, ending Thursday at $86.20 per share.

    Overall, shares in this ASX ETF have now risen by about 96% since the start of the year.

    Meanwhile, the Global X Copper Miners AUD ETF (ASX: WIRE) also reached a new peak in intraday trading on Thursday.

    This ASX ETF has been providing access to a basket of the world’s leading copper miners since its founding in late 2022.

    The fund’s holdings include positions in some leading ASX 200 mining stocks, including BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR).

    Shares in this ASX ETF have now surged by 62% since the beginning of January, closing yesterday at $20.30 each.

    The post These 2 ASX ETFs are booming as the silver and copper price smash new records appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Global X Copper Miners ETF right now?

    Before you buy Global X Copper Miners ETF 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 Global X Copper Miners ETF 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 18 November 2025

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    Motley Fool contributor Bart Bogacz 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 recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Trump signs executive order restricting states’ ability to regulate AI

    Donald Trump
    Trump has said that AI would be "destroyed in its infancy" if companies have to comply with 50 different sets of state regulations.

    • Trump has signed an executive order aimed at establishing a federal framework for regulating AI.
    • The executive order limits states' ability to regulate AI individually.
    • The effort has generated significant backlash, including from fellow Republicans.

    President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday that limits states' ability to regulate AI individually.

    In the 2025 legislative session, more than 1,000 AI-related bills were proposed across all 50 states. The executive order signed by Trump aims at establishing a federal framework for regulating AI, rather than requiring tech companies to comply with various state laws.

    "It's a massive industry. We're leading China. We're leading everybody by a tremendous amount," Trump said during the signing. "But one of the things that it has is you have to have a central source of approval. When they need approvals on things, they have to come to one source. They can't go to California, New York, and various other places."

    Trump said on Monday, prior to the signing, that the order aimed to ensure there's only one "One Rulebook" for AI in the US, stating that the technology would be "destroyed in its infancy" if companies had to comply with different regulations across all 50 states.

    "We are beating ALL COUNTRIES at this point in the race, but that won't last long if we are going to have 50 States, many of them bad actors, involved in RULES and the APPROVAL PROCESS," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "You can't expect a company to get 50 Approvals every time they want to do something. THAT WILL NEVER WORK!"

    While the full text of the order had not yet been released at the time of publication, a draft executive order seen by Business Insider last month would have directed the Department of Justice to sue states for having "onerous" AI laws.

    One thing is clear: Trump is likely to provoke backlash from members of his own party if he follows through with this, as many Republicans have been eager to protect states' rights when it comes to AI.

    The fault lines on this issue became clear over the summer, when Republicans tried to enact a 10-year moratorium on state-level AI regulations via the "Big Beautiful Bill."

    That provision was ultimately watered down over time before being stripped from the bill in a 99-1 vote in the Senate during the final hours before passage.

    Trump recently called for Republicans to include a version of that provision in a must-pass annual defense bill, but that didn't come to pass. On Sunday, lawmakers released the text of that bill, and it did not include the provision.

    In the meantime, the Trump administration has sought other ways to prevent states from enacting AI laws. An "AI Action Plan" released by the White House in July calls for withholding federal funding from states with "burdensome" AI laws.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • ‘Christmas comes early’: Why this ASX 200 stock was just upgraded

    A happy man and woman on a computer at Christmas, indicating a positive trend for retail shares.

    Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL) shares have been having a tough time in recent months.

    So much so, since hitting a record high of $38.30 in August, the ASX 200 stock has lost 30% of its value.

    While this is disappointing for shareholders, Bell Potter thinks that Christmas has come early for the rest of us.

    What is the broker saying about this ASX 200 stock?

    Bell Potter highlights that the investment platform provider’s most recent funds under administration (FUA) update pointed to strong net flows.

    In light of this, the broker believes that its guidance for FY 2026 is de-risked, especially with its channel checks indicating good flow intention. It said:

    NWL provided updated FUA of $123.8bn at 10’Nov; parameters were undisclosed but statements point to strong net flows. The company has indicated FY26 net flows are likely to land around FY25 and consensus reflects that. We think the run rate implied from the update is an improvement and de-risks the guidance, albeit on an early read, and take comfort from growing account additions and strong adviser growth in 2H25. Consensus net flow forecasts haven’t really moved since Feb’25, and the last big revision was to the downside. Our channel checks indicate good flow intention.

    Big potential returns

    In response to the ASX 200 stock’s decline since August, Bell Potter feels that a very attractive buying opportunity has opened up for investors.

    In a note titled “Christmas comes early”, the broker revealed that it has upgraded Netwealth’s shares to a buy rating (from hold) with an improved price target of $31.50 (from $30.00).

    Based on its current share price of $26.75, this implies potential upside of approximately 18% for investors over the next 12 months.

    In addition, the broker expects a dividend yield of 1.7% in FY 2026, which lifts the total potential return to almost 20%.

    Commenting on its upgrade, Bell Potter said:

    Upgrade to Buy. First Guardian is an overhang, but if net flows are maintained then the company is on-track to beating guidance and maybe consensus. Against this backdrop there continues to be noise – KKR is looking to exit CFS and Macquarie has disrupted its flows – so we view FY26 as a good setup and upgrade based on valuation, where NWL has averaged an EV/EBITDA multiple of 33x. The last traded price implies 29x our blended FY26-27 estimates.

    NWL has continued to build platform functionality with additional managed account options, a new individual HIN offering and expanded bond access through the trading desk. This should increase revenue share, and we can see a pathway to the usual +20% revenue growth story that historically has attracted value investors around these levels.

    The post ‘Christmas comes early’: Why this ASX 200 stock was just upgraded appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Netwealth Group Limited 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 Netwealth Group Limited 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 18 November 2025

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

  • Looking for strong dividend yields? Look no further than these energy stocks.

    Australian dollar notes in the pocket of a man's jeans, symbolising dividends.

    Energy stocks have historically been seen as growth stocks, where shareholders aim to make good capital returns rather than relying on dividends.

    That has changed in recent years, however, and some of the best dividend plays at current share price levels can be found in the energy sector.

    Oil sector paying out handsomely

    Take Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) for example. The oil and gas major, which was once again the subject of a takeover approach that was eventually withdrawn this year, has consistently increased its dividend over the past five years, from just US2.1 cents for the first half of 2020 to US13.4 cents for the first half of 2025.

    The company is targeting a return of at least 40% of cash flow to shareholders, which will increase to 100% once the company reaches its target gearing level.

    At the current share price, Santos is paying a 5.83% dividend yield, albeit only franked to 10%.

    Fellow oil and gas major Woodside Energy Ltd (ASX: WDS) also has a generous dividend policy, aiming to pay out 50% of net profit excluding non-recurring items.

    Woodside’s current dividend yield is an even healthier 6.73% fully franked.

    Among the mid-tier oil and gas producers, Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) shares have been under pressure and are trading not far off their 12-month lows.

    From a dividend perspective, however, it looks rosier, with the company paying out 7.82% fully franked.

    The company has flagged that this generous payout might be up for review, however, with chair Ryan Stokes telling the company’s annual meeting in November that changes to capital management could be on the table.

    As he said in October:

    We want to invest to drive growth with a focus on maximising shareholder returns through disciplined capital allocation. This growth will be both organic and potentially inorganic, where it is accretive to shareholder value. We want to growth through accretive opportunities … and we will be disciplined in our approach. As a result, we will review the capital management policy in relation to dividends to ensure it enables growth and maximises total shareholder return.

    Analysts, including the team at Jarden, have interpreted this as meaning the dividend could be trimmed, with Beach directing more funds to growth rather than back to shareholders.

    Coal companies also pay out well

    In the coal sector, the $6.9 billion Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) is paying an exceptional 11.1% dividend, fully franked.

    Yancoal’s dividend policy aims to pay out the higher of 50% of either net profit or free cash flow, although this is subject to the discretion of the board, which can reduce this to a 25% payout of net profit should it decide this is needed for the sustainability of the business.

    Fellow coal producer New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) is paying out a current dividend yield of 8.54%, fully franked, and the company also has a dividend reinvestment plan active, allowing shareholders to reinvest their dividends in new shares.

    The post Looking for strong dividend yields? Look no further than these energy stocks. appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Santos Limited right now?

    Before you buy Santos Limited 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 Santos Limited 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 18 November 2025

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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 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.