Stock Pick

  • This 8% ASX dividend stock pays cash every single month

    Woman with $50 notes in her hand thinking, symbolising dividends.

    It’s easy to find a good dividend-paying stock on the ASX that hands out cash to its investors. But most of these only pay out every 6 or 12 months.

    Finding a dividend stock that pays out money every month is a lot harder to pin down.

    I’ve written before about how the BetaShares Dividend Harvester Active ETF (ASX: HVST) is a great monthly-paying stock. It has a decent upside, too. Even the Plato Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: PL8) and its regular payments are an ASX investor’s dream.

    But there is also another monthly-paying dividend stock I have my eye on right now.

    Metrics Master Income Trust (ASX: MXT)

    The Metrics Master Income Trust is a listed investment trust (LIT). It doesn’t invest in a portfolio of other ASX dividend shares, but instead it has a portfolio of corporate loans and private credit investments. 

    This means it is able to give its investors the advantage of direct exposure to the Australian corporate loan market. This is a space currently dominated by Australia’s regulated banks. The LIT is able to offer diversity-seeking investors an alternative investment that prioritises income stability and pays out dividends on a monthly basis.

    What does the ASX dividend stock pay out?

    Metrics Master Income Trust targets a return of the Reserve Bank cash rate plus 3.25% p.a. (net of fees) through the economic cycle. Distributions are paid monthly, although there is also a distribution reinvestment plan (DRP), which allows unit holders to reinvest monthly income distributions.

    The ASX dividend stock’s latest payout was 1.27 cents per share in October, paid on 10 November. That means that over the past 12 months, the Metrics Master Income Trust has paid out 12 dividends that total 16 cents per share (unfranked). At the time of writing, this gives the LIT a dividend yield of 8.03%.

    Its next ex-dividend date is tomorrow, 28th November, where it plans to hand out 1.24 cents per share, payable on the 8th of December. 

    At the time of writing, in Thursday lunchtime trade, the Metrics Master Income Trust’s shares are 0.38% higher at $1.9625 a piece. Over the past month, the shares have climbed 1.13% but they’re still 6.12% lower than this time last year.

    The LIT’s annual decline means it has underperformed the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO). Over the same 12-month period, the ASX 200 Index has risen 2.74%, at the time of writing.

    The post This 8% ASX dividend stock pays cash every single month appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Metrics Master Income Trust right now?

    Before you buy Metrics Master Income Trust 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 Metrics Master Income Trust 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…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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    Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Whatever the forecasts say, shoppers are treating this Thanksgiving like a budget holiday

    Turkeys on sale at a grocery store
    This year, shoppers are treating Thanksgiving like a budget holiday

    Al Drago/Getty Images

    • Whether Thanksgiving dinner prices are going up this year depends on which report you read.
    • Either way, consumers are prioritizing affordability, seeking deals, and planning to spend less.
    • Restaurants and retailers are trying to meet the moment with bundled deals and steep discounts.

    Americans are still in affordability mode this Thanksgiving season, whether prices have stabilized or not — and restaurants and retailers are working hard to meet the moment.

    Determining if the cost of turkey day dinner has gone up this year depends on which report you read: the consumer price index puts the cost of food at home up 2.7% year over year, and Deloitte suggests prices have held relatively steady with a 0.6% increase. Meanwhile, Wells Fargo's Thanksgiving dinner analysis estimates the cost of the year-end meal is down 2-3%, depending on the shopper's strategy.

    No matter what the forecasts say, though, consumers are wary, and what's consistent across the board is that they're looking for a good deal.

    Francisco Martin-Rayo, CEO and cofounder of Helios AI, an agritech startup that models food supply chain risks and agricultural prices, told Business Insider that the global food supply is facing a "triple whammy" of inflation, climate concerns, and tariffs all happening at once, resulting in price volatility.

    "Our models show modest easing in overall food inflation, yet certain staples are still rising," Martin-Rayo said. "Fresh cranberries are up around 12% year-over-year, while squash and sweet potatoes are trending 5-10% higher. Consumers won't face sticker shock, but the inflation baked into every side dish remains a real pressure point for US households."

    Shoppers are seeking deals and planning to spend less

    The concerns around affordability extend beyond Thanksgiving dinner into the rest of the holiday spending season, but pinning down exactly how much consumers plan to shell out is another challenge, with inconsistent answers depending on the source.

    Eating out is even more expensive than staying in, with the consumer price index showing that the cost of food away from home has increased by 3.7% this year. According to Expert Market's Food & Beverage Report, 62% of US restaurants have increased menu prices to offset wage increases, and 47% of US restaurants increased menu prices due to the effects of import tariffs.

    PwC's Holiday Sentiment survey found that some age groups — millennials and Gen Xers, in particular — are planning to curb their spending overall, while others, namely boomers and Gen Z shoppers, plan to spend more than they previously reported when surveyed earlier this year.

    Deloitte found that Gen Z is planning to spend 34% less than last year, and planned spending across generations is down 10% overall when compared to 2024 numbers.

    Across reports, the thread is that consumers are seeking value wherever possible, with 64% planning to "spend more time looking for deals" this holiday season, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers. Across all income groups, Deloitte found that 7 out of 10 shoppers are "engaging in value-seeking behaviors" this year, such as joining loyalty programs or shopping at more affordable retailers, to save money.

    The National Retail Federation said it expects retail spending, which includes holiday gifts, food, decorations, and other seasonal items, will exceed $1 trillion, though this year's sales growth is expected to be slower than in prior years. And on Black Friday, one of the biggest shopping days of the year, most shoppers are planning to spend less overall, according to insights shared with Business Insider by the consumer research company GWI.

    GWI found there has been a 15.9% decline in the number of shoppers planning to spend more than $650 on Black Friday shopping this year, and an increase of 43.6% in the number of shoppers who plan to spend less than $130.

    Retailers are doubling down on deals

    With consumers more cost-conscious, retailers are trying to attract every shopper they can, while chains like Home Depot and Target struggle with declining sales, especially among middle-income consumers.

    Many, including Walmart, Sam's Club, and Costco, have launched Thanksgiving meal bundles, ranging from $4 to $10 per serving, to try to lure in price-sensitive shoppers. Business Insider previously reported that they're a good value, but the pre-packaged kits don't include pantry staples like spices and seasonings, so preparing the meal may require an additional out-of-pocket expense.

    Deloitte found that seven out of 10 consumers say finding the best value for their money matters more than getting the cheapest option. A holiday outlook report from PwC found that internet searches for "discount" and "coupon code" increased by 11% compared to last year, suggesting that holiday purchases remain important, but price point remains a key consideration.

    "People are going to keep shopping, but with continuing concerns about tariffs and elevated prices (especially on electronics, apparel, toys, food, and household staples), value-conscious choices are likely to define the season," the report reads.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • Why Morgans is bullish on these ASX tech shares

    a man in a business suite throws his arms open wide above his head and raises his face with his mouth open in celebration in front of a background of an illuminated board tracking stock market movements.

    There are plenty of quality options for investors in the tech sector, but which ones could be smart additions to a portfolio now?

    Let’s take a look at two ASX tech shares that Morgans has been running the rule over this week and why it is speaking positively about them:

    Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT)

    This sports performance technology company has caught the eye of analysts at Morgans.

    The broker believes that Catapult is well-positioned to grow its revenue at a strong rate in the coming years. So much so, Morgans believes that the company is destined to become a member of the coveted Rule of 40 club by FY 2027.

    In light of this, the broker has initiated coverage on this ASX tech share with a buy rating and $6.25 price target. This implies potential upside of 18% for investors over the next 12 months. Commenting on its initiation, Morgans said:

    Catapult Sports Ltd (CAT) is a global leader in sports performance technology that provides a comprehensive all-in-one platform for elite professional and collegiate sports. This encompasses coaching, scouting, analytics and athlete management. Initially landing with its core wearables technology, CAT has since expanded its service offering and opened up new key verticals assisting its penetration into a large addressable market of ~20k teams globally.

    We forecast strong topline growth for CAT, estimating a ~20% ACV 3-year CAGR, reaching ~US$180m by FY28. A scalable platform and strong SaaS metrics should see CAT join the ‘Rule of 40’ club by FY27. We initiate coverage on Catapult Sports (CAT) with a Buy recommendation and a A$6.25 per share price target.

    Objective Corporation Ltd (ASX: OCL)

    Another ASX tech share that Morgans has been looking at is information technology software and services provider Objective Corporation.

    The broker believes that momentum is building and it is positioned for profitable growth in the coming years. It has upgraded its shares to an accumulate rating with a $20.00 price target, which suggests that upside of 11% is possible from current levels. It said:

    OCL’s recent investor day showcased the group’s product, strategy & the broader opportunity that sits across its solutions. OCL’s vision and direction is in our view clearer now vs. its inaugural event 2 years ago. We believe momentum across the business continues to build, which sees OCL well placed to deliver profitable growth in coming years. In light of the recent share price pull back, we move to an ACCUMULATE rating, with a revised PT of $20.00/sh.

    The post Why Morgans is bullish on these ASX tech shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Catapult Group International 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 Catapult Group International 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…

    See the 5 Stocks

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

  • What Australia’s shocking inflation print means for ASX 200 investors and interest rates

    Surprised man looking at store receipt after shopping, symbolising inflation.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up 0.4% in early afternoon trade today.

    This comes after the benchmark Aussie stock market index closed up 0.8% on Wednesday.

    That two-day boost looks to be aligned to growing expectations of a December interest rate cut from the US Federal Reserve rather than any hopes for rate relief from the Reserve Bank of Australia.

    Hopes that were further dashed by yesterday’s shock inflation data.

    What’s happening with inflation Down Under?

    ASX 200 investors appeared to largely shrug off yesterday’s shock inflation print. Whether that carefree attitude can be maintained remains to be seen.

    The ABS reported that for the 12 months to October, the consumer price index (CPI) increased by 3.8%. That’s up from the already elevated 3.6% print in September and ushered in the fourth month in a row of price gains.

    This was the first time the ABS transitioned from the quarterly CPI to the complete monthly CPI as Australia’s primary measure of headline inflation.

    And crucially for ASX 200 investors pining for another RBA interest rate cut, the central bank’s preferred measure of trimmed mean inflation came in at 3.3%, up from 3.2% and above the bank’s top target of 3%.

    Indeed, this is the highest trimmed mean inflation print we’ve seen since May.

    What can ASX 200 investors expect from interest rates now?

    The odds of a December RBA rate cut were already close to nil before Wednesday’s unwelcome inflation surprise.

    And with inflation potentially continuing to run above the central bank’s target range, rather than seeing rate cuts pushed further out into 2026, ASX 200 investors and mortgage holders could now be facing rate increases instead.

    “The RBA’s November outlook already anticipated a slow journey back to the 2% to 3% inflation target,” Farhan Badami, market analyst at eToro said.

    He noted that yesterday’s data “extends the timeline to recover even further, especially given stubborn non-tradable pressures like rents and the fading effect of Rent Assistance”.

    According to Badami:

    This pretty much confirms the RBA’s easing cycle might be over before it really started, potentially locking in [the] cash rate through mid-2026 at least. If inflation doesn’t get any better, it could even add pressure on the RBA to increase rates.

    And Badami is not alone in cautioning ASX 200 investors to position themselves for potentially higher interest rates in 2026.

    Both Barrenjoey and UBS now forecast that rather than easing, the RBA will be forced to tighten monetary policy in the year ahead.

    “The next RBA move is more likely to be a hike than a cut,” Andrew Lilley, chief rate strategist at Barrenjoey, said (quoted by The Australian Financial Review).

    “There is now more of a trend of higher inflation, which is becoming concerning,” George Tharenou, chief economist for Australia at UBS, added.

    The post What Australia’s shocking inflation print means for ASX 200 investors and interest rates appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * 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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • If you’d invested $100 in Amazon 5 years ago, here’s how much you’d have today

    A couple sitting in their living room and checking their finances.

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

    Key Points

    • Amazon stock’s trailing-five-year performance might come as a surprise to most investors.
    • Many factors support Amazon’s bull case, including revenue growth and artificial intelligence.

    Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) started out as an online bookseller. But these days, it has evolved into a thriving tech titan with a presence in many industries. The business is massive, sporting a market cap of $2.4 trillion.

    The stock’s long-term returns are magnificent. But they’re not as impressive on a shorter time frame. If you bought $100 worth of Amazon shares five years ago, here’s how much you’d have today.

    Amazon lags the S&P 500

    In the past five years, this stock has generated a return of only 43% (as of Nov. 19). This means that a $100 investment would be worth $143 today.

    This gain pales in comparison to the 100% total return of the S&P 500 index. It’s worth pointing out, though, that Amazon shares skyrocketed 77% in the 12 months before (from mid-November 2019 to mid-November 2020), as it benefited from a quick recovery following the COVID-19 dip.

    Nonetheless, it might be surprising to see the stock underperforming the broader index on a trailing-five-year basis.

    Should you buy Amazon stock?

    Amazon looks to continue its winning ways. Its revenue keeps growing, with net income rising at a much faster clip in the third quarter (ended Sept. 30). It’s a leader when it comes to artificial intelligence. And the business possesses numerous durable competitive advantages that support its dominant position.

    Investors should consider buying the stock right now.

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

    The post If you’d invested $100 in Amazon 5 years ago, here’s how much you’d have today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

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

    Before you buy Amazon 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 Amazon 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…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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

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    Neil Patel 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 Amazon. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Amazon. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Why Catapult, Kingsgate, Light & Wonder, and Reece shares are storming higher today

    Excited group of friends sitting on sofa watching sports on TV and celebrating.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has followed Wall Street’s lead and is pushing higher again on Thursday. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is up 0.3% to 8,631.3 points.

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

    Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT)

    The Catapult Sports share price is up 5.5% to $5.35. This appears to have been driven by the release of a broker note out of Morgans this morning. According to the note, the broker has initiated coverage on the sports performance technology company’s shares with a buy rating and $6.25 price target. It said: “We forecast strong topline growth for CAT, estimating a ~20% ACV 3-year CAGR, reaching ~US$180m by FY28. A scalable platform and strong SaaS metrics should see CAT join the ‘Rule of 40’ club by FY27. We initiate coverage on Catapult Sports (CAT) with a Buy recommendation and a A$6.25 per share price target.”

    Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd (ASX: KCN)

    The Kingsgate Consolidated share price is up 2.5% to $4.22. This morning, this gold miner revealed that it has mutually agreed to terminate arbitration proceedings with the Thai government that were commenced in November 2017. Kingsgate’s CEO, Jamie Gibson, said: “This is a historic moment for Kingsgate’s investment in the Chatree Mine. I look forward to an era of renewed cooperation with the Thai Government. I believe that the continuance of operations at the Chatree Mine will deliver significant benefits to Kingsgate and its shareholders as well as to the people of Thailand. More generally, I think this development is a strong and positive signal that Thailand is open for business.”

    Light & Wonder Inc. (ASX: LNW)

    The Light & Wonder share price is up 5.5% to $151.55. This may have been driven by a broker note out of UBS. This morning, the broker reaffirmed its buy rating and $206.00 price target on the gaming technology company’s shares. It highlights that industry data shows that gaming revenues in the US increased strongly in October.

    Reece Ltd (ASX: REH)

    The Reece share price is up 4% to $12.75. This morning, this plumbing parts company announced a new $35 million on-market share buyback. The company’s chair and CEO, Peter Wilson, said: “We have a well-defined capital allocation framework and continue to take a long-term approach to shareholder value creation. We remain committed to maintaining a strong balance sheet with a conservative leverage ratio to fund future growth.”

    The post Why Catapult, Kingsgate, Light & Wonder, and Reece shares are storming higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Catapult Group International 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 Catapult Group International 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…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * 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 Catapult Sports and Light & Wonder Inc. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Light & Wonder Inc. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Why are WiseTech shares storming higher today?

    A business person directs a pointed finger upwards on a rising arrow on a bar graph.

    WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares are racing higher today.

    Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) logistics software solutions company closed yesterday trading for $65.25. In late morning trade on Thursday, shares are swapping hands for $68.75 apiece, up 5.4%.

    For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.4% at this same time.

    Today’s outperformance will come as good news to longer-term shareholders, with shares in the ASX 200 tech stock still down 45% over 12 months.

    Here’s what’s catching investor interest today.

    What’s boosting WiseTech shares on Thursday?

    WiseTech looks to be catching tailwinds on two fronts today.

    First, expectations of a December interest rate cut from the US Federal Reserve have shot from just 30% last week to around 80% today. That comes amid increasingly dovish comments from key Fed members, including John Williams, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

    Tech stocks, including WiseTech shares, are often priced with future growth in mind. Meaning they tend to perform better when investors expect rate pressures to ease.

    These expectations also see the S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) outperforming today, with the All Tech Index up 1.6% at the time of writing.

    What else is lifting investor sentiment for the ASX 200 tech stock?

    WiseTech shares also look to be getting a boost today from a new leadership announcement.

    As you’re likely aware, the company faced headwinds last year and into this year amid allegations relating to inappropriate behaviours of WiseTech founder Richard White.

    White stepped down as the company’s CEO in October 2024, but he remains actively involved as the company’s executive chair.

    With the company recently coming back under close scrutiny from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) over potential issues involving trading in WiseTech shares by White and three company employees, investors are likely breathing a bit easier with today’s new leadership news.

    In what the company said is another important step in its board renewal program, WiseTech reported that Raelene Murphy has been appointed to the board as an additional independent non-executive director.

    She’ll join the board on 1 January and importantly will also become a member of the WiseTech’s Audit & Risk Committee.

    Atop her 35 years of executive experience in strategic, financial, and operational leadership, the company noted that she is currently serving as independent non-executive director and Audit Committee chair of Bega Cheese Ltd (ASX: BGA) and Tabcorp Holdings Ltd (ASX: TAH).

    Commenting on the appointment that could help support WiseTech shares longer-term, lead independent director Andrew Harrison said:

    Her appointment marks further progress we are making in board renewal and ensuring we have the appropriate skillset mix to support WiseTech’s future growth. Raelene brings significant additional depth and expertise to the board, particularly in the areas of audit, corporate governance and Australian public company experience.

    The post Why are WiseTech shares storming higher today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in WiseTech Global right now?

    Before you buy WiseTech Global 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 WiseTech Global 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…

    See the 5 Stocks

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

  • Why Amcor, DroneShield, Harvey Norman, and QBE shares are falling today

    A man sits in despair at his computer with his hands either side of his head, staring into the screen with a pained and anguished look on his face, in a home office setting.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on form again on Thursday. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is up 0.4% to 8,639.3 points.

    Four ASX shares that have failed to follow the market higher today are listed below. Here’s why they are falling:

    Amcor (ASX: AMC)

    The Amcor share price is down 1% to $12.98. This has been driven by the packaging company’s shares going ex-dividend this morning for its latest payout. Earlier this month, Amcor released its quarterly update and declared a quarterly dividend of 19.8 cents per share. This will be paid to eligible shareholders next month on 17 December.

    DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO)

    The DroneShield share price is down 7% to $2.02. This is despite there being no news out of the counter drone technology company on Thursday. However, it is worth noting that its shares have rallied hard in recent sessions. For example, prior to today, they were up 26% since the end of last week. It seems that some traders have decided to take a bit of profit off the table during Thursday’s session.

    Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN)

    The Harvey Norman share price is down 3% to $7.07. This may have been driven by a broker note out of Macquarie this morning. According to the note, the broker has downgraded the retailer’s shares to a neutral rating with an improved price target of $7.60 (from $7.40). While relatively pleased with the company’s trading update at its annual general meeting, it feels that its shares are fairly valued now. Especially given their re-rating over the past 12 months and its belief that the Reserve bank’s interest rate cuts are now over.

    QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE)

    The QBE Insurance share price is down 4% to $19.01. This follows the release of the insurance giant’s third quarter update this morning. Although QBE had a solid quarter and reaffirmed its guidance for FY 2026, it revealed that premium rate increases have softened. Commenting on its outlook, management said: “We are confident in achieving our outlook for the year. In the aggregate, Group claims are expected to track broadly to plan, as we focus on delivering consistent and resilient performance. Following meaningful first half global catastrophe losses, catastrophe experience in the second half has been more benign to date.”

    The post Why Amcor, DroneShield, Harvey Norman, and QBE shares are falling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Amcor plc right now?

    Before you buy Amcor plc 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 Amcor plc 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…

    See the 5 Stocks

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

  • How one artist landed a 6-month dream gig making art for Liam O’Brien’s Critical Role fantasy book

    A composite image of Liam O'Brien and a page from "Der Katzenprinz," his fantasy children's book.
    Liam O'Brien worked on "Der Katzenprinz," his first book, with artist Charlie Borovsky.

    Critical Role; Insight Editions

    • Critical Role cofounder Liam O'Brien released "Der Katzenprinz," his first children's book, in April.
    • The book comes with 112 fully illustrated pages by artist Charlie Borovsky.
    • Borovsky, who spent six months working on the book, explained how he landed his dream gig.

    Like most creatives who wind up working for Critical Role, Charlie Borovsky was a fan first.

    Borovsky, who's based in Prague, said he started watching Critical Role's "Dungeons and Dragons" campaign on Twitch, a stream that remains a mainstay of the crew's nerdworld business.

    Ten years on, as Critical Role sells out stadiums for its live shows and makes Amazon-backed animated series about the stream he watched at home, Borovsky has found himself contributing to it. He is the artist for Critical Role cofounder Liam O'Brien's "Der Katzenprinz," a 112-page children's book.

    O'Brien, Borovsky said, had been aware of his work and portfolio from when he began posting fan art of the former's wizard character, Caleb Widogast, in 2018. But it took more than five years before O'Brien approached Borovsky and asked if he'd like to do the art for "Der Katzenprinz."

    "In autumn 2023, we started talking in emails, and it wasn't until the winter of 2024 that we started the project," Borovsky said.

    "He approached me about it and asked if I wanted to hop on, and I was like, 'Hell yeah, this sounds really up my alley,'" Borovsky added.

    Then came a six-month crunch time for Borovsky, where "Der Katzenprinz" was the only art project he worked on. Borovsky also makes art for other tabletop role-playing projects and has been a freelance creative for books and games alike.

    "It was like, my life. I wasn't doing anything else," Borovsky said. "I'm also chronically ill, so if I have a job, I have to just do that, and I won't have enough hours in the day to do anything else."

    Working with O'Brien was smooth, Borovsky said, and they moved quickly from thumbnails to line art, then finished artwork.

    "Honestly, Liam was really nice and easy. I only had a few notes from him, and most of them were just like, 'This looks great, keep on going,'" Borovsky said.

    Borovsky said that the early concept work was his favorite part of the process, because he got a lot of creative freedom when conceptualizing how the work would look on the page, in concert with O'Brien's writing.

    "It usually gets harder toward the end of the project, where you just have to do the manual work of actually rendering and shading everything," Borovsky said.

    The most rewarding part of the project, Borovsky said, was seeing O'Brien promote the book upon its release.

    "That made it so worth it. It really warmed my heart after some of the stress of the deadlines, actually seeing him talk about it and genuinely seeming like he's really proud of the project," Borovsky said.

    How to get a nerdworld dream job

    A page from "Der Katzenprinz," art by Charlie Borovsky.
    "Der Katzenprinz" is a story written by Liam O'Brien. Charlie Borovsky did full illustrations for the tale.

    Insight Editions

    Borovsky told Business Insider his tips could help artists, whether they hope to get a gig with Critical Role or other businesses.

    First, Borovsky says, it's essential to define your personal style as an artist. That means getting better at the fundamentals of art so companies will be convinced that you can deliver what they're asking for.

    "I wouldn't say to focus on having an art style that will be so different from everybody else that everybody will remember you," Borovsky said. "That's really not the point. You need to have a style that will be good for all the different publishers, but still unique enough that people can recognize that it's yours."

    Secondly, Borovsky says that there's a demand for artists who not only draw characters but also have some versatility.

    "Not only focusing on characters, but doing all the other things, creatures, magic items, environments, that's what you get work through, usually," Borovsky said.

    Borovsky added that it's important to curate your online portfolio with a diverse array of items that you can draw.

    "I definitely say you need to participate in the online things of portfolio day, and just following art directors online," Borovsky said.

    "Sometimes, art directors post online, saying, 'We're looking for an artist,' and you can drop your portfolio link under the post," Borovsky said.

    If you're hoping to work for Critical Role, Borovsky suggests making more fan art to get noticed by the company's creative team — and to keep honing your skills.

    "Critical Role is really good at picking artists from their fan art circles, instead of outsourcing it to somebody totally new," Borovsky said.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • Forget CBA shares and check out this buy-rated ASX financial stock

    Happy couple at Bank ATM machine.

    When it comes to ASX financial stocks, most investors turn to Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares.

    And while this has been a successful move in recent years, there are concerns that the bank’s current valuation could limit returns in the medium term.

    In light of this, investors might be better off turning to other ASX financial stocks for potential market-beating returns.

    Which ASX financial stock?

    Bell Potter thinks that COG Financial Services Ltd (ASX: COG) could be a top stock to buy now.

    It is diversified conglomerate of distribution businesses across Australia, providing access to credit providers for yellow commercial goods (construction and earth-moving equipment).

    In addition, Bell Potter notes that the company has some balance sheet funded direct originations, with a focus on capturing some of the overflow for non-prime chattel mortgages.

    Why is it a buy?

    The broker believes that the company is well-positioned for growth in the coming years. It said:

    We provide building blocks for earnings growth from FY26-27 and incorporate revised interest rate expectations. Acquisitions should contribute +13% accretion, meaning we need to find +17% growth to hit +30% FY26. We think this is possible. Things continue to improve for COG, and now all three divisions are placed to have a positive impact.

    FY25 NPATA had an implied -$0.5m headwind despite the broker footprint being unchanged. A rebound in volumes should be supportive, especially with Board experience. Normalisation alone would translate to +2% earnings uplift.

    Big potential returns

    According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating and $2.70 price target on the ASX financial stock.

    Based on its current share price of $2.09, this implies potential upside of 29% for investors over the next 12 months.

    In addition, Bell Potter is expecting COG to pay a fully franked 7.9 cents per share dividend in FY 2026 and a 9.3 cents per share dividend in FY 2027. This represents dividend yields of 3.8% and 4.5%, respectively.

    Overall, the broker feels that its shares are too cheap given its positive earnings growth outlook. Speaking about its buy recommendation, Bell Potter said:

    We expect +20% EPSA growth from FY26-28. However, the forward multiple of 13x would indicate low appreciation for acquisition integrations, cyclical improvement for the divisions and further consolidation activity. To that end COG screens well in our opinion.

    Overall, this could potentially make this ASX financial stock a better option than CBA shares in the current environment.

    The post Forget CBA shares and check out this buy-rated ASX financial stock appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

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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.