I hope there is no stock market sell-off in 2026. Markets falling is never pleasant, and volatility can test even experienced investors.

That said, whether markets rise steadily or stumble along the way, there are some ASX growth stocks I would still feel comfortable buying. These are businesses, I believe, that are built to keep growing through different economic conditions, rather than relying on perfect market sentiment.

Here are three ASX growth stocks I would consider owning regardless of whether 2026 brings a sell-off or not.

HUB24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

HUB24 does not depend on consumers opening their wallets or businesses lifting spending. Instead, its growth is tied to how Australians manage their wealth over time.

The company provides investment and superannuation platforms used by financial advisers and their clients. Once advisers build their processes around a platform, switching is rarely simple. It involves compliance, reporting, client education, and operational change. That creates inertia, which tends to favour established providers.

What I find appealing about HUB24 is not just asset growth, but the way it earns revenue. As funds under administration rise, the platform benefits without needing to take outsized balance sheet risk or chase aggressive lending growth. Market movements can influence short-term flows, but the long-term trend of Australians consolidating and professionalising wealth management remains intact.

Even in weaker markets, advisers still need reliable platforms. In stronger markets, HUB24 benefits from rising balances. That combination makes it a business I would be comfortable owning across cycles.

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP)

Zip is often viewed purely through the lens of consumer spending and credit conditions. That framing misses part of the story.

At its core, Zip operates a payments and checkout platform designed to reduce friction at the point of sale. Merchants care about conversion rates, basket sizes, and repeat customers. Payment options play a role in all three, particularly online.

What makes this ASX growth stock interesting to me is its focus on simplifying the customer journey rather than just extending credit. As the business matures, the emphasis has shifted toward risk management, operating discipline, and improving unit economics. That evolution matters more than headline transaction growth.

If a sell-off occurs, sentiment toward consumer-facing stocks may weaken. But demand for flexible payment options does not disappear overnight. Consumers still buy essentials, and merchants still compete for attention.

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX)

Telix operates in a very different world from most ASX growth stocks.

The company focuses on radiopharmaceuticals, developing diagnostic and therapeutic products that use targeted radiation to detect and treat cancer. This is not a discretionary market. Clinical demand is driven by patient need and healthcare decisions rather than consumer confidence or interest rates.

What stands out to me is Telix’s commercial mindset. While many biotech companies remain perpetually pre-revenue, Telix has worked to move products from development into clinical and commercial use. That shift changes how the business is valued and how it can fund future growth.

Healthcare stocks can still be volatile, especially when markets turn risk-averse. But the underlying drivers of demand for improved cancer diagnostics and treatments are largely independent of economic cycles. That makes Telix a growth stock I would consider holding even if broader markets struggle.

Foolish Takeaway

No one knows whether 2026 will bring a stock market sell-off. What investors can control is the quality of the businesses they choose to own.

HUB24, Zip, and Telix operate in very different sectors, but they share a common trait. Each is positioned around structural demand rather than short-term market optimism. For me, this makes them ASX growth stocks to buy in any market.

The post 3 unstoppable ASX growth stocks to buy even if there’s a stock market sell-off in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• After crashing 8% yesterday, should investors buy the dip on these ASX 200 stocks?
• Why I think Zip shares offer major upside in 2026
• Zip shares slide 10% today as investors head for the exits. Here’s why
• The 3 stocks I’d buy and hold into 2026
• Could the Zip share price benefit from Trump’s latest proposal?

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Hub24. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Hub24 and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Hub24 and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares have been through a difficult period, but the tide appears to be turning.

After an uncharacteristically weak FY25 result weighed heavily on investor sentiment, the company is showing signs of stabilisation and recovery.

Here are five reasons why I think this makes now a good time to invest.

1. The share price has not fully caught up with improving fundamentals

Woolworths shares fell sharply in 2025 after a disappointing result highlighted cost pressures, softer volumes, and increased competition. While the share price has recovered from its multi-year low, it remains meaningfully below recent highs.

At the current share price of $30.20, investors are effectively paying for a business that has already absorbed much of the bad news. If operational performance continues to improve, there may still be scope for further upside as confidence rebuilds.

2. FY25 was a setback, not a structural problem

FY25 stood out as a rare weak year for Woolworths, particularly in its core Australian Food division. However, there was no indication that the company’s competitive position had been permanently impaired.

The issues appeared to be cyclical and operational rather than structural. These included inflation-driven cost pressures, heightened price competition, and execution challenges. Importantly, management has acknowledged these issues and outlined clear steps to address them, rather than downplaying the result.

3. Early signs of a turnaround are emerging

Recent updates suggest momentum is gradually improving. In the first quarter of FY26, group sales increased 2.7%, with Australian Food sales rising 2.1% and ecommerce sales growing by double digits.

Customer metrics are also trending in the right direction. Net promoter scores improved compared to the prior year, average prices excluding tobacco have declined for several consecutive quarters, and digital engagement continues to grow. While progress remains uneven, the direction of travel appears more encouraging than it did six months ago.

4. Earnings are expected to recover steadily

According to consensus estimates provided by CommSec, Woolworths’ earnings per share (EPS) are expected to rebound meaningfully over the next few years. Forecasts point to EPS of $1.28 in FY26, rising to $1.45 in FY27 and $1.66 in FY28.

Based on these numbers, Woolworths shares trade on a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 23 times FY26 earnings, which I think looks reasonable if the recovery plays out as expected. While the company is unlikely to deliver explosive growth, a return to steady earnings expansion could be enough to support solid long-term returns.

5. Dividends are expected to grow again

Income investors may also find Woolworths appealing as profitability improves. Dividends per share are forecast to rise from 99.5 cents in FY26 to 113 cents in FY27 and 135 cents in FY28. The latter represents a forecast dividend yield of 4.5%.

If those estimates are delivered, shareholders could benefit from a growing income stream alongside any share price recovery. For a business with Woolworths’ scale, market position, and defensive characteristics, that combination may be attractive in 2026 and beyond.

Foolish takeaway

Woolworths shares have already endured a tough reset, and the company appears to be moving past an unusually weak year. With early signs of improvement, recovering earnings expectations, and dividends forecasted to rise, I think Woolworths could be one of the more interesting large-cap recovery stories on the ASX in 2026.

The post 5 reasons to buy Woolworths shares in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Where to invest $10,000 in ASX 200 shares this month
• DIY investors: How to build a stable income portfolio starting with $50,000
• I’d buy this ASX dividend stock in any market
• 3 strong ASX dividend shares to buy for your SMSF
• 3 ASX 200 blue chip shares built for the long term

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

The good news for income investors is that there are a lot of options to choose from on the Australian share market.

But which ASX dividend stocks could be buys this month?

Let’s take a look at two that analysts at Bell Potter are currently recommending as buys:

GDI Property Group Ltd (ASX: GDI)

GDI Property Group could be an ASX dividend stock to buy now. It is an integrated, internally managed property and funds management group with capabilities in ownership, management, refurbishment, leasing, and syndication of office properties.

Bell Potter points out that GDI Property’s shares are trading at a sizeable discount to their net tangible assets (NTA). It thinks this could have created a buying opportunity for investors. It said:

No change to our Buy recommendation. GDI continues to trade at a significant -41% discount to NTA which reflects no value for its FM OpCo, and while the Perth office market recovery could be a ‘slow burn’ with early leasing wins working through for GDI, we do still see upside from current levels which drops straight through to FFO gains.

As for income, the broker is forecasting dividends of 5 cents per share in both FY 2026 and FY 2027. Based on its current share price of 63 cents, this would mean dividend yields of almost 8% for both years.

Bell Potter sees plenty of upside for its shares. It has a buy rating and 85 cents price target on them.

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN)

Another ASX dividend stock that Bell Potter rates highly for income investors is Harvey Norman. It is of course one of Australia’s leading retailers.

Although its shares have rallied strongly over the past 12 months, Bell Potter believes they are still good value, especially when you factor in its property portfolio. It commented:

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

The broker is expecting fully franked dividends of 30.9 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 35.3 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $6.73, this would mean dividend yields of 4.6% and 5.25%, respectively.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $8.30 price target on its shares.

The post Buy these ASX dividend stocks for 5% to 8% dividend yields appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Brokers say buy Telstra and these ASX dividend stocks this month
• Are JB Hi-Fi or Harvey Norman shares a better buy right now?
• Top 5 ASX 200 retail shares of 2025
• Forget term deposits and buy these ASX dividend shares
• How I’d build a $1,000-a-month passive income from ASX shares

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

By anyone’s measure, 2025 was a decent year for the Australian share market and many ASX shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) started the year at 8,159.1 points and finished up in December at 8,714.3 points. That’s a gain worth about 6.8%, disregarding the new record high of 9,115.2 points back in June. If we include dividend returns too, the ASX 200 recorded a return of about 10.2% for 2025.

In any given year, we are going to see some ASX shares outperform the broader market, and others undershoot it.

Today, let’s go over two ASX shares that won big last year, and that I think are poised to continue their success in 2026

Two ASX shares that beat the market in 2025

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers has just come off another successful year. The ASX 200 industrial and retailing conglomerate began 2025 at $71.53 a share. But by the time December wrapped up, Wesfarmers had hit $81.09. That translates to a 2025 gain of 13.37%. You can throw in another 3% or so to account for the two fully franked dividends the company paid out last year, too. So we have a clear market-beater here.

I own Wesfarmers shares myself, and I am confident that the company’s best days are in front of it. Wesfarmers owns four of the best retailers in Australia – Bunnings, Kmart, OfficeWorks and Target. In addition, the company has extensive industrial operations, ranging from gas distribution and healthcare to work clothing and lithium extraction.

Wesfarmers has a long history of prudent capital management, including an ever-rising dividend. As such, I’m happy to keep a cart hitched to this horse in 2026.

Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL)

Next up, let’s talk about ASX share and investing house Soul Patts. Soul Patts shares began 2025 at a price of $34.22 each. They ended the year at $37.14 after rising as high as $45.14 at one point. That gives this company a 2025 gain of 8.53%. Again, we can throw on another 3% or so to account for this company’s full-franked dividends, making Soul Patts a market beater for the year.

Soul Patts is another top holding in my own portfolio, and I think it is primed for another big year in 2026. This faith rests on Soul Patts’ long history of delivering market-beating gains. As we’ve discussed plenty of times in recent weeks, this ASX share managed to average a return of 13.7% per annum over the 25 years to September 2025. Given that its performance last year was less than 13.7%, I’m confident that this year won’t be a disappointment.

The post These ASX shares won big last year and are still excellent buys for 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• These ASX dividend stocks are built to keep paying and paying
• 3 ASX shares that I rate as buys for both growth and dividends
• Why I look at past performance of ASX shares to help think about the future performance outlook
• $20,000 in savings? Here’s how that could become $10,000 a year in passive income
• 3 ASX 200 shares I’d trust if I couldn’t check my portfolio for a year

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Global X Copper Miners ETF (ASX: WIRE) closed at $24.93 per unit yesterday, up 0.12%, and hit a record of $25.92 on Tuesday.

This ASX ETF is having a tremendous run on the back of rising global demand for copper.

The copper price soared 42% in 2025 and hit a new record above US$6 per pound last week.

Copper is essential for electrification and is a key ingredient in much of the new infrastructure being built for the green energy transition.

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

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

The red metal was added to the US Critical Minerals List in November 2025.

Surging demand for copper has provided tremendous support to ASX copper shares, as well as two of our diversified major miners.

The market’s largest pure-play copper share, Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR), reached a record $19.61 per share yesterday.

Develop Global Ltd (ASX: DVP) shares also hit a record high of $5.46 this week.

Capstone Copper Corp CDI (ASX: CSC) shares reached a record of $15.89 last week.

The Aeris Resources Ltd (ASX: AIS) share price rose to a two-year high of 68 cents last week, too.

Shares in BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), the world’s largest producer, hit a 52-week high of $49.75 yesterday.

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), which began life 150 years ago as a copper miner in Spain, hit a record $154.75 per share last week.

All these price milestones bode well for WIRE ETF, which invests in most of these ASX copper stocks.

BHP shares make up 4% of investments and Sandfire Resources comprises about 3.2%.

Capstone Copper provides another 3%, and Develop Global makes up 0.36%.

What is $10,000 invested a year ago now worth?

On 16 January 2025, WIRE ETF closed at $12.91 apiece.

If you had put $10,000 into this ASX ETF then, it would have bought you 774 units (for $9,992.34).

There’s been capital growth of $12.02 per unit since then, which equates to $9,303.48.

Therefore, your $10,000 investment in WIRE ETF a year ago would be worth $19,295.82 today.

Woah.

Total returns…

WIRE ETF also pays dividends (called ‘distributions’ with ETFs).

Global X paid 14.29 cents per unit in July 2025 and will pay 6.21 cents per unit today.

So, you will have received $158.67 in income over the past year.

Your capital gain of $9,303.48 plus your distributions of $158.67 gives you a total annual return, in dollar terms, of $9,462.15.

Remember, you invested $9,992.34 in WIRE this time last year.

This means you have received a total return, in percentage terms, of 95% over 12 months.

Ripper!

The post $10,000 invested in WIRE ETF a year ago is now worth… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Fortescue shares vs. BHP: Which delivered superior returns in 2025?
• Why BHP, BlueScope, Catalyst Metals, and Ryman shares are storming higher today
• 5 ASX 200 mining stocks including Mineral Resources and BHP shares smashing new 52-week highs today
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in BHP Group and Global X Copper Miners ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

If you are lucky enough to have $10,000 available to invest this month, then it could be worth considering the three ASX 200 shares listed below.

They have quality business models, positive growth outlooks, and analysts recommending them as buys.

Here’s what you need to know about them:

Life360 Ltd (ASX: 360)

Life360 offers investors exposure to a global consumer technology platform that is still early in its monetisation journey.

The company’s app is used by millions of families worldwide for location sharing and safety features. What makes the business compelling is the combination of a large free user base and a growing subscription model, which gives it multiple levers for long-term growth.

As the ASX 200 share continues to convert free users into paying subscribers and expand the range of services it offers, its revenue and earnings can grow faster than the user base itself. With strong network effects and high engagement, Life360 has the potential to become more deeply embedded in everyday family life over time.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $52.50 price target on its shares.

Light & Wonder Inc. (ASX: LNW)

Light and Wonder is a diversified global gaming technology business with multiple earnings streams.

The company operates across land-based gaming machines, digital gaming, and lottery systems, giving it exposure to both traditional and online gaming markets. This diversification helps smooth earnings and reduces reliance on any single segment.

In addition, as digital gaming continues to grow alongside traditional gaming venues, Light and Wonder is well positioned to benefit.

Another positive is that the ASX 200 share has just settled its litigation with a key rival. This removes a dark cloud that was weighing on investor sentiment.

UBS has a buy rating and $206.00 price target on Light & Wonder shares.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

Woolworths could be an ASX 200 share to buy. After all, it is the kind of business that rarely grabs headlines but quietly compounds value over time.

The supermarket giant’s scale gives it influence across pricing, sourcing, and distribution that smaller competitors simply cannot match. That advantage shows up in consistent earnings, strong cash generation, and the ability to absorb cost pressures without losing relevance to customers.

What is often overlooked is how central Woolworths has become to daily household behaviour. The business sits at the heart of food, convenience, and increasingly, digital engagement through online shopping and loyalty platforms. That makes it less about chasing growth and more about steadily expanding its role in a customer’s weekly routine. This all bodes well for the future.

Ord Minnett has a buy rating and $33.00 price target on Woolworths’ shares.

The post Where to invest $10,000 in ASX 200 shares this month appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 reasons to buy Woolworths shares in 2026
• DIY investors: How to build a stable income portfolio starting with $50,000
• I’d buy this ASX dividend stock in any market
• 3 strong ASX dividend shares to buy for your SMSF
• 3 ASX 200 blue chip shares built for the long term

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Life360 and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Life360 and Light & Wonder Inc. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360 and Woolworths Group. 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.

The VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL) currently has the distinction of being the most popular exchange-traded fund (ETF) on the ASX that isn’t a traditionally-styled index fund.

With more than $8 billion in assets under management, QUAL is currently the fifth most popular ASX ETF on our markets. It comes in behind the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS), the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS), the iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) and the BetaShares Australia 200 ETF (ASX: A200).

Unlike those four ETFs, though, QUAL isn’t a market-wide index fund that blindly invests in companies according to their market capitalisation, with few other considerations.

Instead, it tracks an index that actively screens companies to identify their quality. These screens include factors like a stock’s return on equity, earnings stability and financial leverage.

After applying these screens to a range of internationally listed shares, the VanEck International Quality ETF settles on a portfolio of around 300 different stocks, hailing from more than a dozen different countries. These countries range from Switzerland, Japan and the United Kingdom to China, Denmark and Ireland.

However, the vast majority of QUAL’s portfolio is drawn from the United States of America, which commands more than three-quarters of this ETF’s weighted holdings.

So, let’s get into what you’re actually buying when purchasing QUAL units in 2026.

QUAL: What’s in this ASX ETF’s box?

Here are the current top ten holdings of the VanEck International Quality ETF, as well as their respective weightings in the QUAL portfolio:

1. Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG)(NASDAQ: GOOGL) at 5.67% of the total QUAL portfolio
2. Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ: META) at 5.02%
3. NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) at 4.64%
4. Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) at 4.62%
5. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) at 4.46%
6. Eli Lilly & Co (NYSE: LLY) at 3.44%
7. Visa Inc (NYSE: V) at 2.92%
8. ASML Holding N.V. (AMS: ASML) at 2.52%
9. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) at 1.86%
10. Walmart Inc (NYSE: WMT) at 1.77%

Some other significant QUAL holdings include Mastercard Inc (NYSE: MA), Netflix Inc (NASDAQ: NFLX), Costco Wholesale Corp (NASDAQ: COST) and Caterpillar Inc (NYSE: CAT).

Not only does this list reveal how dominant the US is in this ASX ETF, but it shows how similar its holdings are to a broad-market US index fund like the iShares S&P 500 ETF. We discussed that ETF just the other day, so check out how its holdings compare to QUAL’s here.

This methodology seems to have worked quite well for the VanEck International Quality ETF, though. As of 31 December, QUAL units have returned an average of 14.8% per annum over the past ten years, and 22.85% per annum over the past three. It will be interesting to see if this performance keeps up in 2026.

This ASX ETF charges a management fee of 0.4% per annum.

The post Investing in the VanEck International Quality ETF (QUAL)? Here’s what you’re really buying appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX ETFs that could be perfect for beginner investors in 2026
• Investing in the Vangaurd International Shares ETF (VGS)? Here’s what you’re really buying
• 1 Vanguard ETF I’m buying in 2026 and holding forever
• Why the IVV ETF and these funds could be top buys in 2026
• Investing in the iShares S&P 500 ETF (IVV)? Here’s what you’re really buying

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Alphabet, Apple, Caterpillar, Costco Wholesale, Mastercard, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Netflix, Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF, and Visa. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended ASML, Alphabet, Apple, Costco Wholesale, Mastercard, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Netflix, Nvidia, Visa, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Johnson & Johnson and has recommended the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended ASML, Alphabet, Apple, Mastercard, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Netflix, Nvidia, Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF, Visa, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

On Thursday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was on form and pushed higher. The benchmark index rose 0.5% to 8,861.7 points.

Will the market be able to build on this on Friday and end the week on a high? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to ease

The Australian share market looks set to ease on Friday despite a good session in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 5 points lower this morning. In late trade on Wall Street, the Dow Jones is up 0.75%, the S&P 500 is up 0.45% and the Nasdaq is up 0.5%.

Oil prices sink

It could be a tough finish to the week for ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) after oil prices sank overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 4.6% to US$59.18 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 4.15% to US$63.75 a barrel. This was driven by easing US-Iran tensions.

Buy Boss Energy shares

Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) shares could be cheap according to analysts at Bell Potter. It has put a buy rating and $1.95 price target on the uranium producer’s shares. The broker said: “We believe the stock is bubbling along the bottom of its trading range at the moment, creating an asymmetric risk profile should the review pan out positively. Alternatively, BOE may become a takeover target at current levels, with global uranium producer Orano seeking to diversify exposure from Niger and having experience in operating ISR projects in Kazakhstan.”

Gold price softens

ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) could have a relatively subdued finish to the week after the gold price edged lower overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 0.3% to US$4,622 an ounce. The precious metal eased after the US dollar strengthened and Donald Trump softened his tone on Iran.

Buy Monadelphous shares

Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND) shares have been on fire over the past 12 months but Bell Potter doesn’t think it is too late to invest. It has upgraded the diversified services company’s shares to a buy rating with an improved price target of $33.00. It said: “MND’s contract award streak has exceeded our expectation, reflecting a stronger development pipeline in the Mining and Energy sectors than we had anticipated. […] Importantly, MND’s current orderbook builds a strong foundation for earnings growth in the near-term that is not reflected in consensus expectations.”

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why I think ASX 200 gold shares like Newmont and Northern Star will keep surging higher in 2026
• Bell Potter names the best ASX uranium stocks to buy now
• 3 ASX 200 shares that doubled in value in 2025
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• After 5 days of straight gains, is oil setting up for its next move?

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woodside Energy Group. 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.

Dividends are often seen as something you take and spend.

But for long-term investors, dividends can be far more powerful when they are treated as a tool for compounding rather than income.

Used correctly, they can accelerate portfolio growth, reduce reliance on new savings, and quietly build wealth over time.

Here is how I would approach turning dividends into long-term wealth.

Start with dividends that are built to last

The foundation of dividend-driven wealth is sustainability.

High yields can be tempting, but they are not always reliable. What matters more is whether a company generates enough cash to support its dividends while still reinvesting in the business.

Companies with stable earnings, strong balance sheets, and disciplined capital management are far more likely to keep paying dividends through different market conditions. This might include APA Group (ASX: APA), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), and Transurban Group (ASX: TCL).

Over time, dividend growth is often more important than yield. A modest dividend that rises steadily year after year can end up delivering far more value than a higher payout that stalls or is cut.

Reinvest early and consistently

The most important step in turning dividends into wealth is reinvestment.

When dividends are reinvested, they buy additional shares. Those shares then generate their own dividends, which are reinvested again. This compounding effect can be slow at first, but it becomes increasingly powerful as the portfolio grows.

In the early and middle stages of investing, reinvesting dividends usually delivers a better long-term outcome than taking the cash. It allows the portfolio to grow without requiring extra contributions and removes the need to time new investments.

Time and compounding

Dividend compounding rewards patience. In the first few years, dividends may feel insignificant relative to contributions. But over longer periods, the income stream often grows to a point where it becomes meaningful on its own. At that stage, dividends are no longer just a bonus. They become a driver of portfolio growth.

This is why time matters more than perfection. Starting early and staying invested usually has a far greater impact than finding the perfect ASX dividend stock.

Use dividends to strengthen the portfolio

As a portfolio grows, dividends can be used strategically.

Instead of automatically reinvesting into the same ASX share, dividends can be directed toward areas that you are underweight or offer better value at the time. This allows investors to rebalance gradually without selling assets or adding new capital.

Over time, this approach can improve diversification and reduce risk while still benefiting from compounding.

Foolish takeaway

Dividends are not just about income today. When reinvested and combined with patience, they can become one of the most effective drivers of long-term wealth.

By focusing on sustainable dividends, reinvesting early, and giving compounding time to work, investors can turn regular cash payments into a powerful engine for building wealth over the long run.

The post How to turn ASX dividends into long-term wealth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here’s my top ASX dividend stock for 2026
• DIY investors: How to build a stable income portfolio starting with $50,000
• Why Telstra and these ASX dividend shares could be top buys
• Why I think Telstra shares are a strong blue-chip buy
• Why I look at past performance of ASX shares to help think about the future performance outlook

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

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gold shares, including Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) and Newmont Corp (ASX: NEM) shares absolutely shot the lights out in 2025.

And I think the top Aussie gold miners are well-placed to deliver another year of strong outperformance in 2026.

We’ll take a look at what the year ahead may bring in a tick.

But first…

What’s been sending ASX 200 gold shares rocketing?

Atop their own mining and exploration successes, the big Aussie gold stocks have enjoyed strong tailwinds from a rocketing gold price.

On Thursday, gold was trading near its all-time highs at US$4,627 per ounce. This sees the gold price is up a whopping 72% over the last 12 months.

Over those 12 months, the ASX 200 has gained 7.7%.

Here’s how these leading ASX 200 gold shares have performed over this period as at market close yesterday:

• Newmont shares are up 161.4%
• Northern Star shares are up 57.6%
• Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) shares are up 105.4%
• Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) shares are up 142.7%
• Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) shares are up 53.4%
• Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) shares are up 168.1%
• Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU) shares are up 117.3%
• Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) shares are up 155.4%
• Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) shares are up151.7%
• Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX: OBM) shares are up 108.1%

Why Newmont and Northern Star shares can outshine again in 2026

You’re unlikely to find any investors complaining about the past 12 months performance delivered by the above gold miners.

And amid growing analyst consensus that gold’s bull run is far from over, I think ASX 200 gold shares including Evolution Mining, Northern Star and Newmont should deliver another year of outsized gains in 2026.

“Unlike [surging] equity indices or AI stocks … the dynamics driving the gold price are driven by fear, not greed,” Webull Securities Australia CEO Rob Talevski said.

According to Talevski:

This fear and greed dichotomy characterises the nature of financial market dynamics today: private investors are chasing returns fuelled by favourable US politics for capital markets, driving the top end of equity indices to new highs; at the same time, central banks as well as global macro investors are expanding allocations to gold, given the potential fallout associated with a breakdown between Wall Street and Main Street, as well as central bank independence.

Talevski concluded, “The global-uncertainty dynamics that prompted these trends toward the end of 2025 have only risen in 2026, creating a perfect storm for ongoing gold demand.”

And he’s far from alone on his bullish assessment on the gold price outlook.

Sebastian Mullins, head of multi-asset and fixed income at Schroders, noted (quoted by The Australian Financial Review):

Gold is benefiting from continued worries over currency debasement along with rising geopolitical risk. In the US, Trump continues to pressure the Federal Reserve … at the same time, geopolitical uncertainty in both Venezuela and now Iran are causing further demand for the safe haven.

And in what would be welcome news for ASX 200 gold shares, the analysts at Global X expect the gold price will top US$5,000 per ounce in 2026.

According to Global X investment strategist Justin Lin:

We see gold as one of the most attractive investments of 2026. The key drivers of gold’s strength are still in play. Central banks are set to continue purchasing gold, geopolitical risks remain elevated, and activity in exchange-traded funds is strong.

The post Why I think ASX 200 gold shares like Newmont and Northern Star will keep surging higher in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX 200 shares that doubled in value in 2025
• Up 154% since August, Ora Banda shares jumping again today on ‘exciting’ gold results
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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.