Stock Pick

  • AMP suspends AMPPB hybrid notes for redemption and removal

    A woman sits at her computer with her hand to her mouth and a contemplative smile on her face as she reads about the performance of Allkem shares on her computer

    Yesterday afternoon, AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP) announced the immediate suspension and upcoming removal of its AMP Capital Notes 2 (AMPPB) hybrid securities from quotation. The move follows the pending redemption of these notes, which only affects this specific security class.

    What did AMP report?

    • AMP Capital Notes 2 suspended from ASX quotation, effective immediately
    • Notes to be removed from quotation following redemption announcement
    • Redemption process covered under ASX Listing Rules 17.2 and 17.10
    • This change only applies to AMPPB; no impact on other AMP securities

    What else do investors need to know?

    The suspension means investors will no longer be able to trade AMP Capital Notes 2 on the ASX, pending the formal redemption process. AMP has advised the redemption details will be confirmed in a separate announcement, along with lodgement of the required appendix for cessation of these securities.

    If you hold AMPPB notes, this action does not affect your ordinary AMP shares or any other securities. The broader AMP business and its main ASX shares continue to trade as normal.

    What’s next for AMP?

    Investors can expect further announcements from AMP outlining the timing and process for redeeming the AMP Capital Notes 2. The company will also lodge the formal Appendix 3H to confirm cessation of these securities.

    For holders of AMPPB, keep an eye on your broker or registry communications for details around payment and closure. Ordinary AMP shares and other quoted securities remain listed and unaffected.

    AMP share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, AMP shares have risen 5%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 2% over the same period.

    View Original Announcement

    The post AMP suspends AMPPB hybrid notes for redemption and removal appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy AMP 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 AMP 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…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    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.

  • Why brokers are bullish on this rapidly-growing ASX 200 share

    A young boy points and smiles as he eats fried chicken.

    Brokers are excited by the potential of a particular S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) share – Collins Foods Ltd (ASX: CKF). This business is a major franchisee operator of KFCs in Australia, Germany and the Netherlands.

    The business recently reported its FY26 half-year result, which included a number of positives. Total revenue increased 6.6% to $750.3 million, underlying operating profit (EBIT) grew 20% to $63 million and underlying net profit climbed 29.5% to $30.8 million.

    According to a collation of analyst opinions on the ASX 200 share, there are (at least) seven buy ratings on the business. That makes it a well-liked business and suggests there could be an opportunity here.

    Let’s take a look at what analysts are attracted to regarding this business.

    Further profit growth projected

    Broker UBS said in a note after seeing the result that Collins Foods’ value proposition is resonating with consumers against a backdrop of a challenging operating environment.

    UBS noted that not many Australian consumer-facing ASX 200 shares have increased like-for-like sales in the last four months, yet KFC Australia did, with an improvement from 2.3% to 3.6%.

    The broker said that if these conditions continue, along with usual seasonality and one extra trading week, it sees scope for “$9 million EBITDA upside”.

    Conditions are more challenging in Europe, though an improvement in the impact of avian flu and changes to the sales tax (VAT) could still result in year-over-year EBITDA growth.

    UBS likes the ongoing strength of the Australian KFC business, combined with the potential for market share growth in Germany.

    However, the broker did acknowledge that ongoing losses at Taco Bell Australia are a drag on the ASX 200 share’s profitability, suggesting a 9% negative impact to earnings per share (EPS) because of it.

    UBS is projecting that Collins Foods’ earnings per share could grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19% and even more if the losses from Taco Bell are excluded.

    ASX 200 share valuation

    According to the projections from UBS, the business is forecast to deliver $61 million of net profit in FY26, putting it at 21x FY26’s estimated earnings.

    The broker estimates the business could deliver net profit of $74 in FY27, $87 million in FY28, $103 million in FY29 and $109 million in FY30. Therefore, net profit could close to double between FY26 and FY30, which is a strong tailwind for potential Collins Foods share price growth.

    UBS has a price target of $13.10 on the business, implying a possible rise of 24% over the next year.

    The post Why brokers are bullish on this rapidly-growing ASX 200 share appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Collins Foods 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 Collins Foods 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…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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 Collins Foods. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 3 ASX blue-chip shares I’d buy with $3,000 right now

    A fit woman in workout gear flexes her muscles with two bigger people flexing behind her, indicating growth.

    Investing in ASX blue-chip shares can be a very good strategy because of the strength and stability they provide.

    But, I only think it’s a good idea to buy a blue-cihp when that business is growing its profit over time, which is why US blue chips have been such strong investments over the last 15 years.

    Although we don’t have any global tech giants on the ASX, I think there are a few ASX blue-chip shares that still have a compelling future. I usually mention Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) in an article like this, but I’m going to look at three of the other businesses I like. I’d happily put $3,000 across the three of them.  

    Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

    This ASX financial share is one of the biggest institutions listed in Australia. I like the diversification that the business provides because it has four different segments: investment banking (Macquarie Capital), asset management (Macquarie Asset Management (MAM)), commodities and global markets (CGM) and banking and financial services (BFS).

    The company has a global earnings base, but I’m particularly excited about local earnings because of the BFS division’s growth.

    Macquarie is capturing savers with the no-rules savings account that offers a good interest rate, while borrowers are attracted to a competitive interest rate with rapid approvals, which appeal to mortgage brokers and their clients.

    In the FY26 first-half result, the financial business reported its home loan portfolio had grown 13% since 31 March 2025 – a very strong annualised result. It now has 6.5% of the Australian market, with growth driven by the broker channel with “technology investment enabling market-leading turnaround times”. It has significantly higher customer satisfaction than its big bank rivals.

    BFS deposits grew 12% since 31 March 2025 to $192.5 billion, with growth driven by “market-leading digital banking experiences”.

    If it continues growing its loan book and deposits at that pace, it has a compelling future ahead.

    Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

    Coles is another ASX blue-chip share worth owning, in my view. Not only does it have defensive earnings, but it’s also growing at a much stronger pace than rival Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW).

    In the first quarter of FY26, Coles reported total sales growth of 3.9%, with supermarket sales excluding tobacco growing by 7%, which is a very impressive growth rate for such a large business.

    Coles said this growth is down to its focus on ensuring its range and value offering continues to resonate with customers, coupled with further improvements in availability and strong e-commerce sales growth. The company said that the customer experienced improvement across all key metrics in the FY26 first quarter, including availability, quality and price.

    For this defensive business, it’s only trading at 24x FY26’s estimated earnings, according to the projection on Commsec.

    Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

    Wesfarmers has regularly impressed me over the years. In particular, i’m drawn to its ability to focus on the long-term for shareholders, generating profitable growth. Bunnings and Kmart are two wonderful examples of how to provide customers with a compelling retail offering and fend off competition.

    The company is willing to make big calls with its business portfolio for the long-term benefit of its earnings and balance sheet, such as the decisions to divest Coles and diversify into healthcare and lithium mining. In ten years, the Wesfarmers earnings ‘pie’ could look quite different, but I think it will continue to be a compelling ASX blue-chip share to own for many years.

    The post 3 ASX blue-chip shares I’d buy with $3,000 right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Wesfarmers 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 Wesfarmers 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…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group, Telstra Group, and Woolworths Group. 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.

  • A US aircraft carrier’s hard turn to avoid enemy fire surprised sailors and sent a jet with bad brakes into the sea

    The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman sails through the Mediterranean Sea on May 18.
    The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman made a hard turn before sending a fighter jet and a tow tractor overboard.

    US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Mike Shen

    • A US Navy aircraft carrier made a hard turn to avoid enemy fire, sending a fighter jet overboard.
    • The maneuver to avoid the Houthi missile attack surprised sailors, the investigation shows.
    • The F/A-18's brakes weren't working properly, and it fell into the Red Sea along with a tow tractor.

    A US Navy aircraft carrier's hard evasive turn to avoid enemy missile fire caught crewmembers off guard and sent a $60 million F/A-18 Super Hornet rolling off the deck and into the Red Sea, an investigation into the fighter jet loss revealed.

    The fighter's brakes weren't functioning properly, investigators found, allowing the jet to slide across the deck when the carrier USS Harry S. Truman abruptly changed course during the late April action.

    Poor communication, bad brakes, and a slippery surface all contributed to the loss.

    A tow tractor also fell into the water alongside the expensive F/A-18 fighter jet, the second of three that the Truman lost during a monthslong Middle East combat deployment. When it went over, it nearly took sailors overboard as well.

    Evading enemy fire

    During their deployment, the Truman and its strike group led Navy combat operations against the Houthis, the heavily armed Iran-backed rebel group in Yemen that spent more than a year attacking key Middle East shipping lanes.

    Three F/A-18 Super Hornets prepare to launch from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, December 21, 2021.
    An F/A-18 fell overboard the Truman while the carrier took a hard turn.

    US Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Abbigail Beardsley

    On April 28, the move crew lost control of an F/A-18 under tow in the Truman's hangar bay, a maintenance area below the flight deck, the Navy reported at the time, and both the jet and its tow tractor tumbled into the Red Sea.

    Right before it fell in, a sailor jumped from the cockpit, suffering minor injuries. The Navy didn't share information or insight into the warship's situation at the time of the plane loss.

    According to the command investigation, the fighter jet and the tractor fell overboard while the Truman was conducting evasive maneuvers to avoid an incoming medium-range ballistic missile fired by the Houthis, a detail that had been reported but not confirmed at the time.

    The move crew, which was preparing the F/A-18 from Strike Fighter Squadron 136 (VFA-136), the "Knighthawks," for planned flight operations, didn't hear the announcement that the ship was making a hard turn and was caught unaware when the ship began to tilt.

    Sailors had removed the chocks and chains to pull the F/A-18 into the hangar bay. With the brakes engaged but not actually working, there was nothing to hold the aircraft in place when the carrier heeled in an evasive turn.

    Two US Navy Aviation Ordnancemen transport ordnance across the hangar bay aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in the US Central Command area of responsibility.
    The hangar bay is an area underneath the flight deck where aircraft receive maintenance.

    US Navy photo

    It slid backward toward the deck edge, dragging the tow tractor behind it. The crew moving the Super Hornet abandoned their posts just before the fighter jet fell into the sea.

    Bad brakes

    The command investigation put the blame for the incident primarily on the fighter jet's inadequate brake engagement and the lack of communication from the Truman's bridge to flight deck control and the hangar bay.

    Leadership also said that the non-skid, a rough, high-friction coating applied to the decks of Navy ships to keep people, vehicles, and aircraft from slipping on smooth steel surfaces, was ineffective, having not been replaced since 2018.

    These problems, the investigation said, cost the Navy an F/A-18, a multirole fighter made by the US aerospace giant Boeing that has been in service with the Navy for decades.

    The April incident was one of four major mishaps that the Truman and its strike group suffered during their deployment.

    In December, the cruiser USS Gettysburg accidentally shot down one of the Truman's F/A-18s in what the military described as a friendly fire incident. In February, the carrier collided with a cargo ship. And in May, the ship lost its third fighter jet after a landing failure caused it to slide off the flight deck and plunge into the sea.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • A Navy warship mistook US fighter jets for enemy missiles and opened fire. The targeted pilot saw his life flash before his eyes.

    A US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet flies over the Red Sea during routine operations, January 5, 2025.
    An F/A-18 operates over the Red Sea.

    US Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gerald R. Willis

    • A US Navy warship fired missiles at two American F/A-18 fighter jets above the Red Sea last year.
    • The warship mistook the fighter jets for Houthi cruise missiles, the investigation shows.
    • One of the fighter jets was shot down. The other barely survived the friendly fire incident.

    A US Navy pilot whose jet was mistakenly shot down by an American warship over the Red Sea told investigators he saw his life flash before his eyes before ejecting from the doomed aircraft.

    The command investigation into the late December 2024 friendly fire incident, which Business Insider reviewed prior to its release on Thursday, reveals that the warship's crew mistook two Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets for anti-ship cruise missiles fired by Houthi rebels in Yemen.

    In a catastrophic failure, the cruiser USS Gettysburg launched surface-to-air missiles at both F/A-18s, shooting down one and nearly hitting the second. It also targeted a third friendly aircraft but never pulled the trigger.

    A hit and a near-miss

    The Gettysburg and the other warships in the strike group led by the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman deployed in September 2024 and entered the Red Sea three months later to take over Navy combat operations against the Iran-backed Houthis, who had for almost a year at that point been attacking key shipping lanes.

    Early on December 22, just seven days after entering the Red Sea, the Gettysburg accidentally shot down a Super Hornet from the Truman's air wing in what the US military described as "an apparent case of friendly fire." Both aviators, the pilot and the weapons officer, ejected safely from the roughly $60 million fighter, part of Strike Fighter Squadron 11 (VFA-11), the "Red Rippers."

    The command investigation reveals that the friendly fire incident nearly resulted in a much larger disaster. While initial reports centered on the aircraft that was struck, the investigation reveals that a second narrowly avoided a catastrophic end, and a third was in the crosshairs.

    The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg steams in the US Central Command area of responsibility.
    The cruiser USS Gettysburg opened fire on two Navy fighter jets in December 2024.

    US Navy photo

    As the first surface-to-air missile raced upward from the Gettyburg's missile tubes, the pilot and weapons officer of the first jet assumed the weapon was chasing after a Houthi drone they hadn't found, the investigation said.

    They watched the missile climb and then suddenly change course. As the weapon rushed toward them, the pilot suddenly saw his life flash before his eyes, he told investigators. Seeing no other choice, the two-man team ejected just before the missile struck the plane.

    In that chaotic moment, the Gettysburg fired another missile at a second American fighter jet. The aviators on board issued multiple mayday calls but opted to outmaneuver it rather than bail. The missile gave chase, course correcting in pursuit of the jet.

    It narrowly missed, the jet shaking as it passed just a few feet away before burning out and exploding in the water.

    A Navy helicopter commander who witnessed the incident told investigators his crew "saw the missile overhead and saw it flash." They said there was no warning before the shot was taken.

    The decision to shoot was 'wrong'

    As for what caused this disaster, the command investigation pointed to a series of failures, from shortcomings in the planning process to deficiencies in the Gettysburg’s combat systems, and noted that crew fatigue may have played a role.

    US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets, assigned to the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, fly a mission over the US Central Command area of responsibility, April 8, 2025.
    One F/A-18 was shot down, and another one barely survived during the friendly fire incident.

    US Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jackson Manske

    Early in the deployment, the investigation said, the Navy identified “significant degradation” in the Gettysburg’s core interoperability system. Problems spanned network management, surveillance and tracking reporting, identification, mutual tracking, mission engagement, and weapons coordination.

    During the first three months of the deployment, the Gettysburg and Truman were often separated. The cruiser had been fending off Houthi missiles and drones shortly before the friendly fire incident, and there appeared to be some confusion over whether the threat had concluded.

    That said, the investigation assessed "the decisions to shoot were wrong when measured across the totality of information available" to Gettysburg's commanding officer, who was constrained by a series of previous actions and decisions both in and beyond his control.

    The captain had low situational awareness, and his combat information center team was unable to help him regain it, the investigation said.

    This shootdown incident wasn't the Red Sea battle's only friendly fire incident, though it was the most serious. Earlier in the Red Sea conflict, in February 2024, a German warship accidentally targeted a US MQ-9 Reaper drone, but the missiles never reached it because the warship's radar system suffered a technical malfunction.

    The December 2024 friendly fire incident was one of four major mishaps that the Truman strike group experienced during its monthslong deployment in the Middle East.

    The aircraft carrier collided with a cargo vessel in February and also lost two more F/A-18s to accidents — one fell off the side of the warship along with a tow tractor in April, and another experienced a failure while landing and slid off the flight deck in May.

    In a statement Thursday, Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby said that "the Navy is committed to being a learning organization," adding that "these investigations reinforce the need to continue investing in our people to ensure we deliver battle-ready forces to operational commanders."

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • Investigators found Hegseth had a ‘unique’ system installed so he could use his personal cellphone from inside his secure Pentagon office

    US defense secretary Pete Hegseth wearing a blue suit with his head turned facing left.
    The Pentagon inspector general released findings from an investigation into the secretary's use of Signal earlier this year.

    The Washington Post/The Washington Post via Getty Images

    • Pete Hegseth had a "unique" system installed to access his personal cell phone from inside his secure office, an investigation found.
    • It's unclear if the defense secretary's setup violated Pentagon policy.
    • The findings were part of the inspector general's report on Hegseth's use of Signal to share information on strikes.

    Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had his assistant install a "unique" system in his secure office at the Pentagon that allowed him to access and control his personal cellphone from inside, a new watchdog report says.

    The findings are part of Pentagon Inspector General Steven Stebbins' investigation into Hegseth's use of the Signal app to share sensitive information about US airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen earlier this year. The investigation concluded the secretary risked the safety of US military personnel.

    The report, released Thursday, included a section stating that Hegseth's junior military assistant, at the request of the secretary of defense, "requested and oversaw the installation of a unique capability through which the secretary could access and control his personal cell phone from inside his secure office."

    The tether system, for which photos of a prototype design were redacted in the report, was installed in late February 2025.

    The system mirrored and accessed the content of the personal phone and connected a keyboard, mouse, and monitor via cable to the phone, which was located outside the office.

    Within the Pentagon, especially for the officers of more senior officials, it's not uncommon to find lockers or boxes for staff and visitors to store phones and other devices.

    Department of Defense policy states that personal and government mobile devices, such as cellphones, are prohibited from secure spaces in the Pentagon, places like Hegseth's office. The inspector general's report concluded it could not be determined whether the unique system installed for the secretary met requirements because it was quietly removed by late April 2025.

    Hegseth confirmed in a July statement to the Pentagon inspector general's office that he requested the system.

    "It is true that upon taking this job, I asked my comms team whether it was possible to get access to my personal cell phone in my office," he said, explaining that aim was to "more easily receive non-official, communications during the workday."

    "The comms team," the secretary said, "prepared a compliant solution that would allow me this access while also maintaining proper security."

    The Secretary of Defense Communications Team said the installed workaround was consistent with DoD information security requirements, as it didn't physically violate the no-cellphones-in-a-secure-space rule, the investigation said.

    The Pentagon didn't immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment on the findings.

    Stebbins' investigation into Hegseth's use of Signal for the Yemen strikes was launched after The Atlantic's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg was inadvertently added to group chats where Hegseth shared sensitive information, classified details from a SECRET/NOFORN email, about the timing of the attacks and assets that would be used to execute them.

    The inspector general concluded that Hegseth’s use of the messaging app put US forces at risk because, if the information had been intercepted by US adversaries, it could have endangered US military personnel.

    While the secretary said in an earlier statement to the office that "there were no details that would endanger our troops or the mission," the investigation concluded that "the secretary's actions created a risk to operational security that could have resulted in failed US mission objectives and potential harm to US pilots."

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • Read Business Insider’s stories and watch our video after nearly 200 interviews with workers over 80

    Barbara Ford, D'Yan Forest, Rich Colorado, Jane Way, June Boyd, Luis Bautista, Pat Fagin Scott, Sandy McConnell, Thomas Ferguson, Lydia HInds

    Jason Henry, Laura Thompson, Lanna Apisukh, Matt Martian Williams, Brittany Greeson, Cassidy Araiza, Alyssa Schukar, Bridget Bennett, Tim Gruber, Michael J. Fiedler for BI

    "I'm working because I have to. I don't want to." "I'm basically working seven days a week." "I don't want to fall into sedentary mode." "I'm still full of energy. I'm still very much on my game."

    These are some of the stories we heard in interviews with nearly 200 Americans who continue to work past the age of 80. In 2025, Business Insider wrote more than 20 stories and produced a short documentary video — all examining why people over 80 continue to work well beyond the typical retirement age.

    Older workers are the fastest-growing sector of the US labor force. Our "80 over 80" project examines the how and why.

    Check it out below:

    Credits

    Reporter:
    Noah Sheidlower

    Features editors:
    Bartie Scott, Andy Kiersz, Hayley Peterson Herrin, Brad Davis

    As-told-to editors:
    Lauryn Haas, Jane Zhang, Tess Martinelli, Manseen Logan, Debbie Strong

    Copy editor:
    Tracy Connor

    Design & development:
    Eason Xinran Wang, Randy Yeip, Bryan Erickson

    Photo editors:
    Jorge Castillo, Isabel Fernandez-Pujol, Rebecca Zisser

    Photographers:
    Cassidy Araiza, Corrie Aune, Bridget Bennet, Jesse Brantman, Michael J. Fiedler, Brittany Green, Tim Gruber, Jason Henry, Brooke Herbert, Clark Hodgin, Shuran Huang, Nilo Jimenez, Melyssa St. Michael, Mark Petty, Valerie Plesch, Alyssa Schukar, Katie Shaw, Nate Smallwood, Laura Thompson, Katrina Ward, Matt Martian Williams, Cornell Watson, Annie Flanagan

    Audience:
    Corina Pintado, Victoria Gracie, Hannah Kennedy

    Video producer:
    Sarah Andersen

    Videographers:
    Timothy Wolfer, Juan-Antonio Puyol

    Video editor:
    Esteban Aburto

    Motion designer:
    Dorian Barranco

    Video copy editors:
    Mark Abadi, Caitlin Charles

    Supervising producer:
    Mark Adam Miller

    Head of video:
    Barbara Corbellini Duarte

    Quicksplainer video:
    Rachel Cohn, Jacky Zarra

    .credits-box {
    border: 1px solid #d3d3d3; /* light gray */
    padding: 20px;
    border-radius: 8px; /* rounded corners */
    max-width: 800px; /* optional: constrains width */
    margin: 0 auto; /* centers the box */
    background: #fff; /* clean white background */
    }
    .gi-credits {
    font-size: 1rem;
    }
    .credits-header {
    text-align: center;
    margin-bottom: 1rem;
    }

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • Which of the most popular ASX ETFs has brought the best returns this year?

    An accountant gleefully makes corrections and calculations on his abacus with a pile of papers next to him.

    Data shows Aussie investors are pouring more and more cash into ASX ETFs. 

    There are currently three funds that are significantly larger in terms of market cap. 

    These funds are common choices for new and experienced investors looking for set and forget options. 

    While past performance doesn’t guarantee future returns, these funds have performed over the last 10-20 years. 

    As the year approaches its end, let’s see which one has performed the best in 2025. 

    Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS)

    The Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF is the largest ASX ETF by market cap. 

    Recent data (October 2025) shows it has a market cap of more than $22 billion. 

    Put simply, it offers exposure to the top 300 companies listed on the ASX.

    Its largest exposure is to blue-chip companies like Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and BHP Group (ASX: BHP), with 10.3% and 7.9% exposure respectively. 

    Historically, dating back to its initial inception in 2009, it has offered returns of roughly 9% per annum.

    However this year, it has risen approximately 6%. 

    Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

    This fund is often paired alongside the VAS ETF. 

    That’s because the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF provides exposure to around 1,300 companies from developed countries, excluding Australia.

    It is Australia’s second largest ETF, with a market capitalisation of approximately $13.8 billion. 

    The ETF invests in companies from around 23 different countries including the U.S, Japan, U.K, Canada, France, and Switzerland.

    It offers exposure to the largest global companies including Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT). 

    Since inception in 2014, it has provided annualised returns of approximately 13%. 

    In 2025, the fund has risen by 10.47%. 

    iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

    The fund is different from the previous two. While the others focus on Australian and international stocks, the IVV ETF aims to provide investors with the performance of the S&P 500 Index, before fees and expenses. 

    The index is designed to measure the performance of large capitalisation US equities.

    It is the third largest ASX ETF, with a market capitalisation of just under $13 billion. 

    In the last 10 years, it has provided annualised returns of approximately 15%. 

    Its largest exposure by underlying holding is also to Nvidia Inc (NASDAQ: NVDA), Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT). 

    In 2025, it has risen by 9.23%. 

    The post Which of the most popular ASX ETFs has brought the best returns this year? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in iShares S&P 500 ETF right now?

    Before you buy iShares S&P 500 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 iShares S&P 500 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…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has positions in BHP Group and Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. 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 Apple, BHP Group, Microsoft, Nvidia, Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Expert lists its top resources shares to target in December

    Image of young successful engineer, with blueprints, notepad and digital tablet, observing the project implementation on construction site and in mine.

    A new report from Wilsons Advisory and Canaccord Genuity says momentum is turning positive for ASX resources shares – particularly mining. 

    Greg Burke, Equity Strategist, said after a three-year downturn, momentum in the mining sector appears to be turning. 

    He said broad-based strength across major commodities now underpinning what could be the early stage of a significant resources upgrade cycle.

    Why have resources shares lagged?

    According to the report, a negative view on China’s growth has contributed to the multi-year downtrend in resources (with the notable exception of gold).

    This has been particularly focussed on the weakness in its property sector, which remains central to demand for iron ore. 

    While China’s economy may slow further, investor sentiment seems to be improving, supported by easier monetary policy and rising credit availability.

    We also see potential for large-scale stimulus in China in 2026, as greater clarity emerges around the US tariff situation, which would have positive implications for commodity pricing.

    What’s changing?

    Mr Burke said there are a few catalysts for a rebound for resources shares. 

    Overall, the macro environment is becoming more supportive for resources thanks to: 

    • Rate cuts in the US that should help stimulate global commodity demand
    • A weaker USD offers a tailwind for dollar-priced commodities
    • Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ will also take effect early next year and is expected to stimulate US manufacturing
    • Further easing of trade frictions between the US and the rest of the world could help improve global growth.

    Overall, more supportive supply/demand fundamentals for most metals are now driving upgrades to consensus commodity price forecasts and, importantly, translating into stronger earnings expectations for the ASX Mining sector.

    What stocks should investors target?

    The Motley Fool’s Cameron England reported earlier this week on the ASX copper shares recommended by Wilsons Advisory and Canaccord Genuity. 

    They also listed other ASX resources shares to target. 

    Firstly, in the already booming gold sector, the preferred large cap exposures are Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST). 

    Evolution Mining offers the cleanest gold leverage over the near-term in our view, as it has demonstrated best-in-class operational delivery and offers an attractive FCF yield over the next couple years, while NST offers the greatest medium-term upside in our view, driven by its strong production growth outlook, its relatively attractive valuation, and the rolling off of its hedging profile.

    Wilsons Advisory/Canaccord Genuity has price targets of $12.25 on Evolution Mining shares and $34.50 on Northern Star Resources shares. 

    The report also noted that iron ore demand faces structural headwinds and sees risks as skewed to the downside over the medium term. 

    With that in mind, the report said its preferred iron ore exposure is to BHP Group (ASX: BHP). 

    Our preferred iron ore exposure is BHP (BHP), the lowest-cost producer globally with a strong track record of operational delivery and disciplined management. Its commodity mix is relatively attractive compared to the other majors, with ~45% of FY26 EBITDA expected to come from copper (where we have a more favourable view), providing valuable diversification beyond iron ore.

    The post Expert lists its top resources shares to target in December appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy BHP Group shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

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

  • Bell Potter names the best ASX 200 shares to buy in December

    Three excited business people cheer around a laptop in the office

    If you are looking for investment ideas, then it could pay to listen to what Bell Potter is saying.

    That’s because the broker has just released its latest top Australian picks that feature in its core portfolio.

    It notes that its “Core Portfolio is a diversified, benchmark aware portfolio of 25-35 Australian equities, with a bias towards growth-orientated, quality companies.”

    Here are three ASX 200 shares that make the cut this month:

    Amcor (ASX: AMC)

    This packaging giant has been named in the core portfolio. Bell Potter is positive on the company’s outlook due to its transformative merger with Berry Global. It believes the transaction positions Amcor for growth and improves the quality of its earnings. It said:

    The investment thesis for Amcor is based on its transformative merger with Berry Global, which positions the company for a period of significant growth and quality improvement. The merger is expected to drive two years of double-digit EPS growth, fuelled by an estimated $650 million in synergies, with ~80% anticipated to be realised within the first 24 months. Beyond the near-term earnings growth, the merger also creates a more resilient and less cyclical business by increasing its exposure to the defensive home & personal care and pharmaceutical sectors.

    CAR Group Limited (ASX: CAR)

    CAR Group, the owner of Carsales.com.au, could be a top option for investors according to Bell Potter. It highlights its attractive valuation and positive earnings growth outlook. The latter is expected to be underpinned by its ongoing penetration into large and underpenetrated markets. The broker said:

    CAR screens favourably on a risk-adjusted return basis when considering the stability of earnings growth against comparable ASX-listed classifieds platforms. They recently re-iterated full year guidance at their AGM and yet the stock is down 15% from its August highs as valuations have compressed.

    We expect EPS CAGR of 12% between FY25-28e driven by ongoing penetration into large and underpenetrated markets with a defined pathway of platform enhancements to extract value from its audience/networks. CAR’s Dealer subscription model and wide pay-per-lead price thresholds can protect against volume/price volatility, which is reflected in CAR’s stable earnings growth (historical + forecast), and provides for a preferred risk-adjusted return profile versus peers.

    WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

    This logistics solutions technology features in the broker’s Core Portfolio. It likes WiseTech due to its predictable business model, recurring revenue, and ultra low churn rate. It commented:

    WiseTech is a leading global provider of software solutions to the logistics industry, with its market-leading CargoWise One platform used by many of the world’s largest logistics providers. The company’s quality is underpinned by a highly predictable business model, with around 95% of its revenue being recurring and a customer churn rate of less than 1%. This provides clear and consistent cash flow, enabling a distinct path to deleverage, with management confident in reducing ND/EBITDA from ~3x in FY26 to 1.7x in FY27.

    The post Bell Potter names the best ASX 200 shares to buy in December 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

    .custom-cta-button p {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    }

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in WiseTech Global. 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 Amcor Plc and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CAR Group Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.