When people ask me about dividend stocks, I always try to reset expectations first. I am not looking for the highest dividend yield on the market, and I am not trying to predict next year’s payout to the cent. What I care about is sustainability, balance sheet strength, and the ability for dividends to grow over time.

With that in mind, these are three Australian dividend stocks I would genuinely feel comfortable recommending to almost anyone who wants income, without taking on excessive risk.

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

Flight Centre may not be the first name that comes to mind when thinking about dividends, but that is exactly why I think it deserves attention.

The company has rebuilt its balance sheet since the pandemic and is now operating a more streamlined, higher-quality business. Corporate travel, leisure, and increasingly cruise all contribute to earnings, giving the group multiple levers for growth.

Importantly for income investors, Flight Centre is no longer in recovery mode. It is back to generating cash and returning capital to shareholders. Consensus estimates suggest a dividend yield of around 3% in FY26.

If travel demand remains resilient, Flight Centre has the potential to grow earnings and dividends meaningfully from current levels. That is a more attractive setup than chasing a higher yield from a business with limited growth prospects.

Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF)

Challenger is a dividend stock that often flies under the radar.

The company operates in retirement income, specialising in annuities and investment solutions designed to help Australians manage longevity risk. With an ageing population and a growing pool of superannuation savings, the long-term demand backdrop is supportive for Challenger.

What I like about the business from an income perspective is the predictability of its earnings profile when markets are functioning normally. Annuities generate long-dated cash flows, and management has been focused on maintaining capital discipline rather than chasing growth for growth’s sake.

According to CommSec, consensus estimates point to a dividend yield of around 3.3% in FY26. That is not eye-catching, but it is reasonable when combined with the defensive nature of the business and the potential for steady dividend growth over time.

For investors looking for income exposure outside the usual banks, miners, and REITs, Challenger offers something different.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Macquarie is one of the highest-quality financial stocks on the ASX, and it earns its place on this list easily.

Unlike traditional banks, Macquarie operates across asset management, banking, commodities, capital markets, and advisory services. That diversification helps smooth earnings through different economic cycles.

Macquarie’s dividend can fluctuate from year to year, but it has a long track record of paying out meaningful income while retaining flexibility to reinvest in growth opportunities. Consensus estimates point to a dividend yield of around 3.4% in FY26.

For me, Macquarie works well as a core income holding because it combines a good yield with global growth exposure. Investors are not just buying a dividend, they are buying a business with strong management and a history of adapting to changing conditions.

Foolish takeaway

What links Challenger, Flight Centre, and Macquarie is quality.

Each has a business model that can support dividends through time. Each has management teams that appear focused on capital discipline. And each offers income without relying on excessive leverage or unsustainable payout ratios.

If someone asked me where to start when building a dividend-focused Australian portfolio, these are three stocks I would be comfortable pointing them toward.

The post The top 3 Australian dividend stocks I’d tell anyone to buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• If I invest $15,000 in Macquarie shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2026?
• Is this the best ASX 200 share to buy today?
• Why EOS, Elevra, Lynas, and New Murchison Gold shares are pushing higher today
• The best ASX stocks to buy in January 2026 if you want both income and growth
• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares

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

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares have had quite the run of late. The mining giant has just capped off a spectacular 2025, and, as of today’s pricing, is up a robust 19.35% over the past 12 months.

BHP has shown it can afford to pay massive dividends to its investors when commodity prices are riding high. But I prefer a smoother dividend output from my ASX dividend shares. With BHP, it’s always feast and famine. To illustrate, the ‘Big Australian’ paid out $1.91 in dividends per share over 2025, but $4.63 per share back in 2022.

If I were building an income-focused portfolio today, I would opt for a monthly dividend-paying ASX exchange-traded fund (ETF) instead.

There are a few monthly dividend payers on the ASX to choose from. But one of my favourites is the BetaShares S&P Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: HYLD).

Like most ASX ETFs, this ASX ETF holds an underlying portfolio of about 50 dividend ASX shares. These shares are selected based on their track records of delivering high levels of income to investors, as well as their perceived ability to continue to fund sustainable shareholder payouts.

At present, HYLD’s portfolio includes stocks ranging from ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) to Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS). BHP is also in there.

What’s to like about this monthly income ETF?

The Betashares Australian Shares High Yield ETF has only been around for a few months – since August of 2025, to be specific.

But since its ASX launch, it has funded a dividend payment every single month. HYLD has doled out four dividend distributions since August, with a fifth due on 19 January next week. Each of these dividend distributions has been worth 11.92 cents per share.

At the current HYLD unit price of $31.35 (at the time of writing), that translates to an annualised dividend yield of 4.56%. What I really like about this fund, though, is its fee, or lack thereof.

Most monthly dividend-paying investments on the ASX don’t come cheap. But the Betashares Australian Shares High Yield ETF charges a competitive 0.25% per annum.

That’s not as cheap as a simpler index fund like the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS), at 0.07%. But it’s a lot better than the BetaShares Australian Dividend Harvester Active ETF (ASX: HVST) at 0.72% per annum, and particularly WAM Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: WMX) at 0.88% per annum (that’s in addition to a low-bar 20% performance fee).

So if I were choosing between BHP shares and the Betashares Australian Shares High Yield ETF today, it would be an easy choice.

The post A monthly income ETF I like more than BHP shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• BHP share price tipped to rise to $56: expert
• As CBA shares struggle, is BHP set to retake the biggest ASX stock crown?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• The perfect retirement stock with a 4.4% payout each month
• Why ASX 200 copper stocks like Sandfire and BHP shares could be in the sweet spot in 2026

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Shares in Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) are moving higher today, climbing 2.23% to $23.83 in late afternoon trade.

The bounce comes after a difficult year for investors. Despite today’s strength, Woodside shares remain down around 8% over the past 12 months, reflecting softer energy prices and cautious sentiment toward large oil and gas producers.

So, what is driving today’s move, and could this rally have more room to run?

A steady business, but sentiment has been weak

Woodside is Australia’s largest independent oil and gas producer, with major LNG and energy assets across Australia, the US, and international markets.

Operationally, the business remains solid. Woodside continues to generate strong cash flow, maintain a healthy balance sheet, and return capital to shareholders through dividends. Its trailing dividend yield currently sits around 7%, which remains attractive for income-focused investors.

However, sentiment toward the stock has been weighed down by weaker oil prices over the past year and uncertainty around future demand growth. That pressure has kept Woodside shares range-bound for much of 2025.

Technical signs point to a short-term shift

From a technical perspective, Woodside’s recent price action is becoming more interesting.

In mid to late December, the stock slipped into oversold territory, with the RSI falling into the low 20s. That level often signals selling exhaustion rather than fresh downside momentum. Since then, Woodside shares have stabilised and started to trend higher.

The share price has also moved back inside its Bollinger Bands after spending time below the lower band. That typically suggests downside pressure is easing. While this does not confirm a long-term trend change, it often supports a short-term rebound.

Key support appears to be forming around the $22.50 to $23 range, while near-term resistance sits closer to $25.

Oil prices provide a tailwind

Energy prices have helped sentiment in recent sessions. Oil has pushed higher this month amid renewed geopolitical tensions and concerns about supply disruptions. Even modest oil price rebounds can have a huge impact on large producers like Woodside, especially after a period of weakness.

Looking ahead, Woodside’s earnings and share price will remain closely linked to movements in oil and LNG prices. Any sustained recovery in commodities would likely support further upside.

What should investors watch next?

Today’s move does not alter the long-term outlook, but it suggests that selling pressure may be easing. For income investors, Woodside’s dividend yield remains a key attraction. For traders, the recent rebound from oversold levels could signal improving short-term momentum.

The next test will be whether Woodside can hold above recent support and push through resistance in the weeks ahead. If it can, sentiment may slowly begin to turn.

However, for now, it may make sense for investors to watch Woodside from the sidelines until the company reports its full-year results late next month.

The post Woodside shares lift today. Is the worst behind this ASX energy giant? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Three oil stocks to buy and one to sell
• The perfect retirement stock with a 4.4% payout each month
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• Santos, Beach Energy, or Woodside shares. Which ASX energy share paid the most passive income in 2025?
• Why Codan, DroneShield, Mesoblast, and Woodside shares are storming higher today

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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.

An ASX healthcare stock is back in focus today after a fresh update lifted confidence in its long-term outlook.

The Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) share price is up 7.77% to $20.80.

Over the past year, the stock has climbed around 70%, making it one of the strongest ASX performers in the healthcare sector.

Let’s take a closer look at what the company announced to the market.

What’s behind today’s update

Today’s update focused on the company’s main product, DAYBUE, which is used to treat Rett syndrome, a rare neurological condition.

The company’s US partner now believes global sales could reach about US$700 million by 2028. That is a big increase from current levels and suggests demand for the treatment is continuing to grow.

More than 2,000 patients in the US have now been treated with DAYBUE. Importantly, around 55% of patients are still using the drug after 12 months, which has helped support steady, repeat revenue over time.

Further growth is anticipated from the introduction of a new powder version of the drug, a larger US sales team, and potential approvals in Europe and other markets.

A key benefit for Neuren is that it earns milestone payments and royalties, while its partner handles most of the sales and marketing costs.

Why investors are taking notice

This update helps explain why investors continue to back the stock, even after its strong run.

Neuren is now valued at about $2.5 billion, despite having just one approved product. However, that product is already generating solid income and still has plenty of room to grow.

The company also has another drug in late-stage development, which could add a second source of revenue in the future.

What the chart is telling us

Looking at the technical side of things, the share price remains in a healthy uptrend.

The stock has been moving sideways between $18.50 and $21 for several months, with buyers stepping in around the $18.50 to $19 level. The price is still sitting above key trend lines.

The relative strength index (RSI) is sitting near neutral levels, suggesting the stock is not overbought, despite the strong 12-month run. That leaves room for further upside if positive news continues.

Foolish bottom line

Today’s announcement supports the long-term growth outlook for Neuren.

There is clear momentum in sales and patient numbers, with more growth opportunities ahead. While expectations are high, the business continues to make steady progress.

The post The next 3 years could be huge for this ASX healthcare stock. Here’s why appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 top ASX growth shares to buy now with $5,000
• Which ASX 200 market sectors delivered the best dividend yields in 2025?
• Fastest rising ASX 200 share of each market sector in 2025
• Why 4DMedical, EOS, Gorilla Gold, and Neuren shares are racing higher today
• This ASX 200 stock is charging higher on FDA approval news

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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.

The market has a habit of throwing out excellent businesses when sentiment turns sour. Over the past six months, we have seen exactly that play out across parts of the tech sector.

Two ASX growth shares that stand out to me right now are Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT) and Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO). Both are down more than 30% over the past six months. And in both cases, I think the share price weakness says far more about market mood than business quality.

Catapult Sports shares

Catapult is a stock I keep coming back to because the fundamentals continue to improve, even when the share price does not.

The company sits at the heart of elite sport, data, and software. Its technology is embedded inside professional teams across more than 40 sports globally, and once adopted, it is very hard to replace. That shows up clearly in its metrics.

In the first half of FY26, Catapult grew annualised contract value by 19% on a constant currency basis and lifted management EBITDA by 50% year on year. Retention remained above 95%, which puts it in rare company among global SaaS businesses. This is not a company struggling to find demand. It is one that is scaling with discipline.

What really excites me is the operating leverage now emerging. Contribution margins are improving, free cash flow is turning positive, and the business is moving steadily closer to its longer-term margin targets. The acquisitions of Perch and IMPECT also expand Catapult’s addressable market and deepen its competitive moat, particularly in performance analytics and scouting.

After a sharp pullback, the market is once again offering a chance to buy a global SaaS leader with improving profitability and a long runway for growth.

Xero shares

Xero is another example of a business whose share price has recently disconnected from its operational performance.

In the first half of FY26, Xero delivered revenue growth of 20%, free cash flow growth of 54%, and a Rule of 40 outcome of 44.5%. Subscriber numbers rose to 4.6 million, churn remained low, and average revenue per user continued to climb. This is exactly what you want to see from a mature SaaS platform.

The acquisition of Melio strengthens Xero’s position in the US, which remains its biggest long-term growth opportunity. Importantly, management continues to emphasise disciplined capital allocation and improving efficiency, with operating expenses as a percentage of revenue trending lower.

I think Xero’s investment in artificial intelligence is another underappreciated driver. Its AI financial assistant, JAX, is not a marketing gimmick. It is designed to automate workflows, improve insights, and deepen customer engagement. Over time, that could support both retention and pricing power.

Despite all this, Xero shares have fallen heavily from their highs. For long-term investors, I see this as an opportunity rather than a warning sign.

Foolish Takeaway

Both Catapult Sports and Xero are high-quality ASX growth shares that are executing well in challenging market conditions. They are not without risk, but their competitive positions, recurring revenue, and improving profitability give them genuine earnings power.

If sentiment stabilises and execution continues, I would not be surprised to see both stocks outperform the share market meaningfully in 2026 and beyond.

The post 2 ASX growth shares set to skyrocket in 2026 and beyond appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 reasons Xero shares are a screaming buy right now
• Why I look at past performance of ASX shares to help think about the future performance outlook
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 3 growing small cap ASX shares with huge potential
• Buy this ASX tech stock now for the long run

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

ASX gold stock Titan Minerals Ltd (ASX: TTM) shares are on fire today.

Titan Minerals shares closed yesterday trading for 91 cents. In late morning trade on Wednesday, shares are changing hands for $1.035 apiece, up 13.7%.

For some context, the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) is down 0.1% at this same time while the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) itself is just about flat.

Today’s outperformance is nothing new for Titan Minerals shares.

With today’s intraday gains factored in, shares in the ASX gold stock are up 168.8% over 12 months, racing ahead of the 7.9% gains posted by the ASX All Ords and also handily beating the 115.9% gains achieved by the All Ords Gold Index.

The miner has been a clear beneficiary of the surging gold price. Currently, the gold price has reached a new record high of US$4,597 per ounce, gaining 73% over the past full year.

But Titan Minerals has hardly been sitting on its laurels.

Here’s what’s piquing investor interest again today.

Titan Minerals shares surge on exploration update

Investors are piling into Titan Minerals following a resource drilling update from its Dynasty Gold Project, located in Ecuador.

The miner has been completing resource definition diamond drilling at Dynasty as it works towards a Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) update in Q1 2026.

The latest infill results boosting Titan Minerals shares stem from drilling completed at the Cerro Verde prospect within Dynasty.

Titan Minerals said the drilling delivered “exceptional wide, high-grade results”. It noted the strong results confirm the tenor and continuity of mineralisation at Dynasty, improving the company’s confidence and supporting resource categorisation upgrades.

Among the significant intercepts, the ASX gold stock reported 38.5m at 3 g/t Au, 5.6 g/t Ag from 168.8m, including 7.5m at 11 g/t Au, 12.7 g/t Ag. (Note, Au = gold; Ag = silver.)

What did management say?

Commenting on the exploration results boosting Titan Minerals shares today, CEO Melanie Leighton said, “I’m excited to share these latest drill results which demonstrate the pedigree of the Dynasty gold system and its ability to consistently deliver exceptional wide, high-grade results from shallow depths.”

She said the “phenomenal result” is likely to lead to resource upgrades at the Brecha-Comanche target, Cerro Verde prospect.

“Our infill drilling has highlighted the quality and remarkable predictability of the Dynasty gold orebody, with latest results set to support resource classification upgrades and a robust MRE update suitable for feasibility studies,” Leighton explained.

Addressing the temporary halt in drilling at Dynasty, she added:

A pause in drilling will allow receipt and compilation of 2025 drill results and for the team to plan the next phase of drilling, which will be a combination of exploration to test new and conceptual targets, and resource extensions identified from latest geological and mineralisation modelling.

The post Titan Minerals shares leaping 14% on Wednesday on ‘spectacular’ gold results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• A monthly income ETF I like more than BHP shares
• Woodside shares lift today. Is the worst behind this ASX energy giant?
• The next 3 years could be huge for this ASX healthcare stock. Here’s why
• 2 ASX growth shares set to skyrocket in 2026 and beyond
• Up more than 100% this month, this gold stock just hit a new record on drilling results

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.

Shares in LinQ Minerals Ltd (ASX: LNQ) hit a new record high on Wednesday after the company announced more strong drilling results from its Gilmore project.

The New South Wales-focused gold developer said that the second hole of a drilling campaign at the Dam deposit, which is 600m from the Gidginbung open-pit mine, returned 142m at 1.01 grams per tonne of gold.

LinQ Minerals Executive Chair Clive Donner said that it was another “high value result” from the company’s Gilmore project, which, coupled with previous exploration results, significantly extended the grade and thickness of shallow gold at the project.

Mr Donner said there were multiple assays still pending, “and we anticipate further news flow this month”.

Backing up strong results

LinQ earlier this month reported results from the first hole of the drilling campaign, which intersected 114m at one gram per tonne of gold.

The company added on Wednesday:

With the results of the two remaining Dam holes pending, LinQ is highly encouraged by the assay results returned from both (hole one) and (hole two). Additionally, when coupled with the recent results from the Southern Zone phase 1 program, LinQ considers the Southern Zone to represent a significant mineralised district.

Happy hunting grounds

The Gilmore project is 100% owned by LinQ and is located between West Wyalong and Temora in New South Wales.

The company said:

This region is recognised as Australia’s premier porphyry gold-copper province home to multiple large-scale operating mines. The Gilmore Project hosts the full suite of the Macquarie Arc intrusive gold-copper systems, analogues to the nearby Cadia, Cowal and Northparkes Systems. The Company holds ~597km2 of tenements with a 60km belt of +20 known prospects and 6 mineral resource deposits. The extensive tenement package positions the Company as a major player in the region offering advanced brownfield and greenfield opportunities for copper-gold porphyry and epithermal gold deposits.

Gilmore itself hosts a resource estimated at 516 million tonnes of ore containing about 3.7 million ounces of gold and 1.2 million tonnes of copper.

LinQ shares traded as high as 43 cents on the news on Wednesday, up 16.2%, a new record for the stock, before settling back to be 5.5% higher at 38 cents.

LinQ shares have more than doubled since the start of this month, soaring after the results from the first exploration hole were announced to the market.

LinQ Minerals was valued at $63.3 million at the close of trade on Tuesday.

The post Up more than 100% this month, this gold stock just hit a new record on drilling results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Up 211% in a year, guess which ASX 200 gold share just announced new high-grade results
• Top Australian stocks to buy with $2,000 right now
• If I invest $15,000 in Macquarie shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2026?
• Up 45% since August, ASX All Ords gold stock jumps on key approval
• BlueScope share price pushes higher amid $438m special dividend

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

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gold share Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX: PNR) has more than tripled investors’ money over the past 12 months.

Part of those outsized returns come with due thanks to the rocketing gold price. Gold is trading for US$4,597 per ounce today. That’s right near its all-time highs. And it sees the gold price up a remarkable 73% since this time last year.

But shareholders in Pantoro Gold will have done even better.

In morning trade today, Pantoro Gold shares are down 3%, trading for $5.23 apiece. While that’s underperforming the 0.1% gains posted by the ASX 200 today, investors who bought the ASX 200 gold share 12 months ago will still be sitting on gains of 211.3%.

Or enough to turn a $6,000 investment into $18,679.

In one year.

Now, here’s the latest from Pantoro Gold’s Norseman Gold Project, located in Western Australia.

ASX 200 gold share returns high-grade intercepts

In a market release this morning, Pantoro Gold announced that infill drilling at Daisy South, situated with the Norseman Project, has returned high-grade gold intersections.

The ASX 200 gold shares said these results support its existing mineralisation model and an updated open-pit mining study.

Pantoro also noted that initial step-out drilling has returned high-grade extensions to mineralisation within the Daisy Shear Zone, which is situated south of the project’s current Mineral Resource.

Management said that mine design and planning are underway. Pantoro Gold intends to develop Daisy South in conjunction with its Gladstone Everlasting Open Pit project over the next two years.

Among the top results from the extensional drilling, the ASX 200 gold share reported 14m at 9.17 g/t Au (including) 2m at 23 g/t Au and 1m at 65.58g/t Au.

As for the some of the top results from the Mineral Resource infill drilling, Pantoro reported 4m at 7.5 g/t Au (including) 1m at 22.32 g/t Au; and 9m at 4.92 g/t Au (including) 1m at 15.5 g/t Au and 1m at 11.61 g/t Au.

What did management say?

Commenting on the results that have yet to lift the ASX 200 gold share today but could support it longer term, Pantoro Gold managing director Paul Cmrlec said:

These high-grade results from Daisy South support the development of an additional open pit to be mined at the same time as the Gladstone Everlasting Open Pit, located just 900 metres to the west. Mining the pits simultaneously is expected to improve fleet efficiency and extend the open pit life of the Gladstone Everlasting Mining Centre.

Mine planning and approvals are progressing, and further drilling is planned to continue to extend the resource.

The post Up 211% in a year, guess which ASX 200 gold share just announced new high-grade results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Which ASX 200 market sectors delivered the best dividend yields in 2025?
• 3 of the fastest-growing stocks on the planet in 2025
• US stocks vs. ASX shares in 2025
• Why 2025 was the year of the ASX small-cap shares
• 5 best ASX 200 mining shares of 2025

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 have $2,000 sitting in your bank account with no immediate plans for it, it could be worth putting it to work in the share market.

After all, the potential returns on offer from Australian stocks are vastly superior to what you would earn from a savings account.

The good news is that you do not need a large portfolio or a complex strategy to get started. Sometimes, investing a single amount into high-quality businesses and letting time do the heavy lifting can be a sensible approach.

With that in mind, here are two Australian stocks that could be good options for investors with $2,000 to invest right now.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

Although recent history might suggest otherwise, CSL remains one of the highest-quality businesses on the Australian share market.

It is a global biotech giant with a specialty in plasma therapies, specialty pharmaceuticals, and vaccines. This means it is operating in areas of healthcare where demand is driven by long-term medical needs rather than economic cycles. This gives CSL a level of resilience that few companies can match.

What sets CSL apart from many others is its ability to reinvest for growth. It consistently directs capital into research, manufacturing capacity, and global expansion, which has supported decades of earnings growth. In FY 2025, CSL spent US$1.36 billion on R&D and will be spending a similar amount again in FY 2026. This ensures that it has a pipeline of potential therapies to entrench its position and drive growth over the long term.

For investors looking to put $2,000 into an Australian stock they can hold with long-term confidence, I think CSL could be worth considering.

I’m not alone with this view. The team at Morgans has a buy rating and $249.51 price target on its shares. This implies potential upside of over 40% for investors.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

Another Australian stock that could be a good pick for the $2,000 is REA Group.

It is the company behind one of Australia’s most powerful digital platforms. REA Group’s realestate.com.au has become the default destination for property buyers, sellers, and agents, giving REA a dominant position in online real estate advertising. That dominance creates strong pricing power and valuable data advantages.

Looking ahead, REA’s growth is not solely tied to property volumes. The company continues to expand its suite of products and services, increasing revenue per listing and deepening its role across the property transaction process. Over time, this creates opportunities for earnings growth even in softer housing markets.

UBS thinks it could be an Australian stock to snap up. It has a buy rating and $255.00 price target on its shares. This is 35% higher than current levels.

The post Top Australian stocks to buy with $2,000 right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 quality ASX healthcare shares worth buying now
• 3 of the best ASX 200 shares to buy and hold until 2036
• Why I think CSL and DroneShield shares are buys for 2026
• 3 ASX 200 shares I’d trust if I couldn’t check my portfolio for a year
• Are these 2 ASX 200 media shares a bargain?

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

Owning Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) shares has largely been a good call for investors since the GFC, with the investment bank going through a significant expansion over the last 16 years, as well as growing passive income payouts in most years.

As an ASX financial share, the business typically trades on a relatively lower price-earnings (P/E) ratio than other sectors, allowing the business to reward investors with a decent dividend yield. It also typically likes to be fairly generous with the dividend payout ratio.

According to CommSec, there are currently seven analyst buy ratings on the business, making this a good time to consider whether Macquarie shares can provide an appealing passive income in 2026. Let’s look at the dividend potential of a $15,000 investment.

Potential 2026 payout

The projection from CommSec suggests that the business could see a significant increase in earnings per share (EPS) to $10.85 in the 2026 financial year.

If the business has a fruitful year, the projection is that it could pay an annual dividend per share of $7.10 in 2026. Pleasingly, the forecasts on Commsec suggest EPS and the dividend could rise again in 2027, with the payout increasing to $7.70 per share. But today’s focus is the FY26 payment.

At the time of writing, the possible payout for the 2026 financial year translates into a dividend yield of 3.4%, excluding franking credits. Grossed up for the likely franking credits, it’s a dividend yield of around 4%.

What would happen with a $15,000 investment in Macquarie shares?

Based on the potential dividend payout for FY26, a $15,000 investment in Macquarie shares could unlock $510 of annual passive cash income.

Including the potential franking credits, the payout would translate into just over $580 of grossed-up dividend income.

But, there’s also the potential capital growth that could occur over the next year.

A 12-month time period is fairly short when it comes to shares – it’s better to think about three years, or more, into the future.

Having said that, analysts’ price targets generally indicate to investors where they expect the share price to be in a year from the time of the investment call.

According to CMC Markets, of recent analyst price targets on the business, the average price target is $222.59, implying a possible rise of approximately 8% from where it is at the time of writing.

Therefore, analysts suggest that a $15,000 investment in Macquarie shares could increase to nearly $16,200 over the next 12 months. If the dividends and Macquarie share price rise as analysts predict, it could be a market-beating year for the ASX financial share.

But, there could be other ASX shares that could deliver an even stronger return.

The post If I invest $15,000 in Macquarie shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why EOS, Elevra, Lynas, and New Murchison Gold shares are pushing higher today
• Down 16%: Is this 8% yield ASX mining stock a buy?
• These ASX 200 stocks could rise 20% to 35%
• How to build a $250,000 ASX share portfolio starting at zero
• 3 ASX 200 blue-chip shares I would buy with $100,000

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