So, the short answer to the question of how the Iran war is affecting the gold price is: volatility.

Since the war in Iran began last weekend, the gold price has traded in a wide range between about US$5,000 and $5,400 per ounce.

Over the past two years, gold has benefited from a structural change in central banks diversifying their reserves away from the US dollar.

The gold price has also risen due to safe-haven demand amid US tariffs that have destabilised global trade and geopolitical uncertainty.

With a new war upon us, gold’s safe-haven appeal is obviously enhanced.

However, the war is likely to have far-reaching economic effects that will impact interest rates, with a flow-on effect to the gold price.

The key concern is that higher oil and gas prices will inevitably lead to higher inflation.

Likely economic outcomes of the Iran war

So far, the war has pushed oil prices up 17%. Natural gas prices in the UK, Europe, and Germany have also skyrocketed 35% to 60%.

These price spikes are a big problem because every national economy on Earth runs on energy. Without it, industry shuts down.

Oil and gas supply shocks mean businesses running machines to make products, or those transporting products, face higher costs.

This will inevitably flow through to prices — not just at the petrol bowser, but also on supermarket shelves and everywhere else.

This will stoke inflation, and right now, that will mean higher interest rates in Australia and delayed rate cuts in the US.

Neither is helpful for gold.

Interest rates impact the gold price because gold bars yield nothing, but simple cash savings accounts and government bonds do.

When rates fall, gold looks more appealing. Expectations of imminent cuts in the US have been supporting gold in the new year.

Today, analysts at Trading Economics said:

Higher oil and gas prices have revived inflation concerns, prompting traders to delay expectations for easing by the Federal Reserve, with a first cut now seen in September and two reductions still priced in for 2026.

Gold price volatility here to stay, says expert

Peter A. Grant, Vice President and Senior Metals Strategist at Zaner Precious Metals, said the gold price has been volatile all week.

In a blog, Grant commented:

Initial gains on Monday saw five-week highs above $5,400.

However, selling interest emerged on Tuesday as rising concerns about oil prices – and broad inflation – weighed on Fed easing expectations.

The dollar followed yields higher and gold ended the day down more than 4%.

The gold price closed at US$5,390.45 on Monday, US$5,267.60 on Tuesday, and US$5,131.09 on Wednesday.

So far this week, Grant said tests below the 20-day moving average of US$5,068.27 per ounce for the gold price could not be sustained.  

Today, the gold price is US$5,182 per ounce, up 0.9% today, down 0.2% over the week, and up 20% in the year to date (YTD).

Where to next for gold?

For now, Grant said the US$5,000 per ounce ‘support zone’ for the gold price is still in play.

A modestly more favorable tone is evident midweek as the trade assesses the most recent war developments and the yellow metal is consolidating in the lower half of this week’s more than $400 range.

Grant said the underlying fundamentals for gold remain supportive, but there will be more volatility ahead as the war continues.

Bulls will be quick to take profits on rallies, and look for limited risk opportunities to buy on dips.

I’m not catching any longer-term bearish vibes out there, but sellers will absolutely step in when the right opportunity presents itself.

The gold price reached a record high of US$5,595.02 per ounce in January before an end-of-month rout.

The rout was triggered by the US President’s Fed Chair pick, which inspired investors to take profits on gold after a 65% rise in 2025.

The post How is the Iran war affecting the gold price? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Why CSL shares are rebounding today after falling to an 8-year low
• The easy way to build a diversified ASX share portfolio
• 3 ASX shares perfect for beginners
• Why this ASX lithium stock is jumping 5% today
• What next for CBA shares after expectations-busting results?

Motley Fool contributor =””>=””>=””>=””>=””>=””>=””>=””>=””>-brl=”PR” data-uw-origin=””>al-href=”https://www.fool.com.au/author/TMFBronwyn/”>Bronwyn Allen 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 href=”https://www.fool.com.au/fool-com-au-disclosure-policy/” data-uw-rm-brl=”PR” data-uw-original-href=”https://www.fool.com.au/fool-com-au-disclosure-policy/”>disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) share price is pushing higher in mid-afternoon trade on Thursday.

At the time of writing, shares in the biotech giant are up 1.82% to $145.46.

Despite today’s modest rebound, CSL shares have been under heavy pressure recently. On Wednesday, the stock briefly fell to $142.40, marking its lowest level in more than 8 years.

That is a long way from the company’s recent peak of $275.79 in late July 2025.

So, what has been weighing on this ASX healthcare giant?

A difficult period for the CSL share price

CSL has experienced a sharp fall over the past year as a combination of weaker earnings momentum and leadership changes unsettled investors.

The company released its half-year results last month, reporting revenue of US$8.3 billion, down 4% year-on-year. Net profit also declined 7% to US$1.9 billion.

Management said the first-half result was impacted by several factors including government policy changes, restructuring costs, and impairments.

However, the company expects conditions to improve in the second-half. CSL said earnings growth should be supported by demand for its immunoglobulin therapies, albumin products, and newly launched medicines.

The company also announced an expansion of its share buyback program, increasing it from US$500 million to US$750 million.

Investor sentiment has also been affected by the departure of chief executive officer Dr Paul McKenzie, who announced he would step down earlier this year.

Brokers suggest CSL shares could be undervalued

Despite the recent weakness, some analysts believe the CSL share price may now be trading at more attractive levels.

The team at UBS recently described CSL as a “market leader at a discount” after reviewing the company’s latest results.

While plasma therapy sales experienced a short-term decline, CSL remains the largest global supplier with roughly 31% market share.

UBS also noted that the company continues to expand its differentiated product portfolio and has been increasing its presence in European markets.

The broker currently has a $235 price target on CSL shares. Based on the current share price, that suggests upside of more than 60%.

What next for CSL?

CSL remains the largest healthcare company on the ASX with a market capitalisation of roughly $70.5 billion.

The business operates across more than 40 countries and focuses on plasma therapies, vaccines, and specialty medicines used to treat serious medical conditions.

While the share price has fallen sharply from last year’s highs, CSL continues to generate strong cash flow. The company is also investing heavily in research, manufacturing capacity, and its global plasma collection network.

The key question now is whether earnings growth can pick up again as CSL moves through this softer period.

The post Why CSL shares are rebounding today after falling to an 8-year low appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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.

Building a diversified investment portfolio might sound complicated, but it does not have to be.

Many investors assume they need to own dozens of individual shares across multiple industries to spread their risk. While that can work, there is a much simpler way to achieve diversification on the ASX.

In fact, a well-diversified portfolio can be built with just a handful of carefully chosen investments.

Why diversification matters

Diversification is one of the most important principles in investing.

By spreading your money across different companies, industries, and even countries, you reduce the risk that a single poor investment will significantly damage your overall portfolio.

For example, if you only owned mining stocks and commodity prices suddenly fell, your portfolio could take a major hit. But if you also owned healthcare companies, technology businesses, and global shares, the impact would likely be much smaller.

This is why diversification is often considered a cornerstone of long-term investing.

The easiest solution: ETFs

For many investors, the simplest way to achieve diversification is through exchange traded funds (ETFs).

ETFs allow you to buy exposure to dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of shares with a single investment. Instead of trying to pick individual winners, you gain broad exposure to entire markets.

For example, the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) provides investors with exposure to around 300 Australian companies. This includes major businesses such as Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), and CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL).

With one trade, you gain access to a large portion of the Australian share market.

Going global

Of course, diversification does not just mean owning Australian shares.

Australia represents only a small slice of the global economy. To build a truly diversified portfolio, many investors choose to add international exposure as well.

One popular option is the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS). This fund holds more than 1,300 companies across developed markets, including well-known names such as Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), and Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA).

Adding global exposure allows investors to participate in industries that are underrepresented on the ASX, such as large-scale technology and global consumer brands.

Adding quality and balance

Beyond broad market exposure, investors may also want to add strategies focused on quality businesses.

For example, the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT) invests in companies with strong competitive advantages that help protect their market positions over long periods.

This includes global businesses such as Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS), Nike (NYSE: NKE), and Salesforce (NYSE: CRM).

Funds like the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF can complement broader market ETFs by adding a focus on high-quality companies with durable business models.

Foolish takeaway

Building a diversified ASX share portfolio does not require dozens of individual investments or constant trading.

By combining a few well-chosen ETFs covering Australian shares, global markets, and quality companies, investors can quickly create a diversified portfolio designed to grow over the long term.

The post The easy way to build a diversified ASX share portfolio appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL, Nike, VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Apple, CSL, Microsoft, Nike, Nvidia, Salesforce, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple, BHP Group, CSL, Microsoft, Nike, Nvidia, Salesforce, VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF, Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

For investors new to the ASX, the share market, or Australian stocks, the gap between wanting to invest and actually pulling the trigger to buy ASX shares can seem very wide.

It’s true that investing is a complicated process, with strange apps or websites to navigate, unfamiliar jargon to get one’s head around, and money to part with. However, the rewards are so compelling that I think it is essential that Australians who can invest do so, for the sake of their own financial futures.

So with that in mind, let’s talk about three ASX shares that I think would make for a perfect pick for a beginner investor today. These ASX shares are all inherently diversified and have a decent track record of delivering real returns for investors over many years – two factors I think are essential for a first investment.

3 ASX shares perfect for beginners

Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS)

First up, we have the ASX’s most popular index fund. Like all index funds, this ETF from Vanguard holds every share in an index. In this case, that’s the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO). In effect, this means that VAS holds a small portion of all 300 of the largest companies listed on the Australian share market. That’s everything from Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) to Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) and JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH).

This makes the Vanguard Australian Shares ETF a bet of sorts on the future of the Australian economy as a whole. That has always worked out well for investors in the past.

Argo Investments Ltd (ASX: ARG)

Next up, we have a listed investment company (LIC) in Argo. LICs are companies that own and manage a portfolio of underlying investments on behalf of their investors. Argo has been doing this for decades, managing a collection of some of Australia’s best blue-chip stocks. Those ASX shares include CBA and Telstra, as well as Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW), BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), and Bunnings-owner Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES).

Argo has delivered market-matching returns for decades, and also pays a decent dividend, which usually comes with full franking credits attached.

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

Our last stock for a beginner investor today is not really an ASX share. It is another index fund, but this one doesn’t hold CBA, Woolies, or Telstra. Instead, it tracks the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX). This index represents the largest 500 stocks listed on the American markets, just as VAS represents Australia’s largest 300 companies. So instead of JB Hi-Fi and Wesfarmers, you are getting exposure to the likes of Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Coca-Cola, and Netflix.

The US is unquestionably home to many of the world’s best businesses. As such, I think it is a mistake for any Australian investor to just stick with our local companies. This index fund is an easy and effective way to add some of the world’s best companies to your portfolio.

The post 3 ASX shares perfect for beginners appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Amazon, Apple, Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Netflix, Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Netflix, Wesfarmers, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Amazon, Apple, BHP Group, Microsoft, Netflix, Wesfarmers, 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.

The Argosy Minerals Ltd (ASX: AGY) share price is pushing higher on Thursday.

This comes after the lithium developer released an update on its Rincon lithium project in Argentina.

At the time of writing, the Argosy share price is up 4.76% to 6.6 cents.

The move adds to an impressive run for the small-cap lithium stock. Over the past 12 months, Argosy shares have surged more than 175%, reflecting growing investor interest in the company’s progress.

Here’s what the company announced today.

Rincon lithium project makes progress

Argosy provided an update on engineering and feasibility work for its 12,000 tonnes per annum (12ktpa) Rincon lithium project in Salta Province, Argentina.

According to the release, recent process technology test work produced 96% lithium recovery. This result supports the proposed processing flowsheet for the project.

The tests successfully produced high-purity lithium chloride concentrate, which is expected to be used as an intermediate product in the company’s processing strategy.

Argosy said the strong recovery rate increases confidence in the underlying process design and supports ongoing feasibility work.

The company is continuing to optimise the chemical flowsheet and advance key engineering studies as it works toward completing the feasibility program.

Two-stage development strategy

The Rincon project is being developed through a two-stage production pathway.

In the first stage, Argosy plans to produce solid lithium chloride as an intermediate product.

Stage two would then convert that lithium chloride into battery-quality lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide. These are key materials used in lithium-ion batteries.

Management said producing lithium chloride first could deliver several commercial advantages. These include lower upfront capital requirements, faster market entry, and simpler processing requirements.

Energy infrastructure advances

Argosy also confirmed progress on power infrastructure for the Rincon project.

Following feasibility work with electricity distributor EDESA, the company has identified a supply solution that would provide a reliable 33kV connection from the 500kV Argentina national grid.

The plan includes a medium voltage line around 18.6 kilometres long linking the project to a nearby substation. The substation sits next to the 28MW Altiplano solar facility, which could support a long-term power supply.

To help deliver the infrastructure works, Argosy has appointed Lycopodium as the owner’s electrical engineer.

What management said

Argosy Managing Director Jerko Zuvela said the latest results mark another important step forward for the project.

He commented:

We are very pleased with the positive progress on the feasibility and engineering works, with successful test works confirming 96% lithium recovery and producing high purity lithium chloride concentrate.

He added that the power infrastructure solution represents a major advantage for the project and helps position the company for potential early development.

What’s next for Argosy?

Argosy said it is continuing to complete the remaining engineering and feasibility work required for the Rincon development.

Successful completion of the feasibility study would be an important milestone as the company moves toward project financing and production.

The post Why this ASX lithium stock is jumping 5% today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares are 0.81% higher in Thursday lunchtime trade. At the time of writing, the shares are changing hands at $173.30 a piece.

After dropping to a 10-month low of $147.22 on the 21st of January, the CBA share price has surged 17.68%. 

The uplift means the banking giant’s shares are now 7.57% higher for the year to date and 10.77% higher over the year.

CBA shares stage a turnaround

The sharp price hike is surprising given that the banking giant suffered overall weakness throughout the final quarter of 2025 (along with the majority of the banking sector), with share price declines across the board. 

Sombre sentiment meant many investors weren’t expecting any type of recovery this year. In fact, many expected a significant share price crash.

But then the major bank released its FY26 half-year update, and it blew expectations out of the water.

What did CBA report?

In mid-February, the company posted a 6% increase in cash net profit and a 5% increase in net profit after tax. It also lifted its interim dividend by 4% to $2.35 per share. 

This strong result was supported by lending and deposit volume growth in CBA’s core businesses. This was partly offset by lower margins and higher operating expenses, primarily due to inflation and the company’s investment in technology.

At the time of the announcement, CBA’s CEO, Matt Comyn, said that economic growth strengthened during the half, “driven by increases in consumer demand and rising investment in AI and energy infrastructure”.

The result came in far ahead of investors’ and analysts’ expectations, and many moved quickly to snap up the stock. It sent the share price flying 13% in just over a week.

What’s next for CBA shares?

CBA shares have cooled a little since peaking at an 8-month high shortly following the results announcement. At the time of writing, the share price is down 3.51% from its mid-February level.

And unfortunately, it looks like analysts are tipping for the slide to continue.

TradingView data shows that 14 out of 16 analysts have a sell or strong sell rating on CBA shares. One has a hold rating, and another has revised their stance to a strong buy.

The average target price is $131.41, which implies a 24.22% downside at the time of writing. Although some think the shares could sink 10.3% to $155.59, and others think CBA shares could crash a whopping 48.13% to just $90 a piece.

The post What next for CBA shares after expectations-busting results? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The Elsight Ltd (ASX: ELS) share price is pushing higher in midday trade on Thursday.

At the time of writing, shares in the connectivity technology company are up 4.40% to $5.22. Earlier in the week, the stock reached $5.30, marking a new all-time high.

The latest move higher follows Elsight’s announcement of a series of strategic leadership appointments aimed at accelerating global growth.

Let’s take a closer look.

Elsight strengthens global defence leadership

According to the announcement, Elsight has appointed 5 senior business development leaders across key global markets, including the United States, Europe, Israel, and Asia.

Management said the appointments are designed to expand the company’s go-to-market execution as demand for connectivity solutions in defence and unmanned systems programs grows.

The new hires include:

• Ryan Garay, Head of US Government & Special Programs

• Roi Lupo, Director of Business Development, North America

• Ron Kislev, Director of Business Development, UK & NATO Defence

• Tobias Willuhn, Business Director, Germany, EU & NATO

• Shay Dvir, Director of Business Development, Israel & APAC

Chief Executive Officer Yoav Amitai said the hires reflect the scale of opportunities now emerging for the company.

He explained that demand is increasing for secure, resilient connectivity across autonomous and unmanned systems, particularly in defence markets.

Elsight’s flagship Halo connectivity platform allows drones, robotics, and autonomous systems to maintain reliable communication links even in complex or contested environments.

As military and government agencies increase investment in unmanned technologies, this type of capability is becoming very important.

Strong momentum in defence programs

The company said the leadership expansion follows a period of rapid growth in contract wins during 2025, including successful demonstrations with the US Defense Innovation Unit.

Elsight noted that its Halo platform is increasingly being viewed as a mission-critical communications backbone for next-generation unmanned systems operating in challenging environments.

Management believes expanding its commercial leadership team will help convert a growing pipeline of opportunities into new contracts across allied defence markets.

What is happening with the Elsight share price?

Based on the chart, Elsight shares remain in a strong uptrend.

The stock has surged more than 1,400% over the past 12 months, making it one of the standout performers in the ASX technology sector.

The relative strength index (RSI) is currently around 70, suggesting the stock is approaching overbought territory after its recent rally.

However, momentum remains positive.

The recent all-time high near $5.30 now represents the key resistance level to watch. If shares can break above that level, it could open the door for another leg higher.

On the downside, support appears to be forming around the $4.80 to $5 range. This area previously acted as a consolidation zone earlier in the rally.

What is one broker saying?

Bell Potter currently has a buy rating on Elsight with a price target of $5.80.

Based on the current share price, the stock could deliver another 10% growth over the next 12 months.

Bell Potter believes Elsight’s technology is well-positioned to benefit from rising global demand for unmanned systems. This demand is coming from both defence and commercial markets.

The post Elsight shares climb on rising defence demand. Can the rally continue? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has enjoyed a reprieve today. At the time of writing, the index is 0.4% higher for the day following a 3.3% loss earlier in the week. Today’s increase has been driven by strong growth from some Australian growth stocks. Here are three of them, and they’re all supercharged to surge over the next 12 months.

Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK)

Seek shares are 2.37% higher in lunchtime trade on Thursday. At the time of writing, the shares are trading at $16.44 each. It’s welcome news for investors after the stock dropped to a six-year low of $15.77 at the close of the ASX on Tuesday this week.

Seek reported robust double-digit revenue growth in its FY26 first half, but investors weren’t impressed, and the share price dived.

Analysts are still optimistic, though, and think the shares are about to rocket higher. TradingView data shows all 15 analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on the stock. The maximum target price is $29.70, which implies a potential 80.71% upside at the time of writing. 

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP)

Zip shares have also been in the spotlight recently for their excessive share price decline. Since peaking at a multi-year high in October, the Australian growth stock has shed over 64% of its value. 

Just last month, Zip delivered a record half-year FY26 result, but investors were spooked by several of the company’s metrics, sending the share price crashing another 33.87%.

Thankfully, the stock has jumped higher today. At the time of writing, the shares are 5.86% higher at $1.72. 

But it looks like the selling has been way overdone. Analysts expect the stock to U-turn this year. The latest data from TradingView shows that all 11 analysts currently have a buy or strong buy rating on Zip shares. The average target price is $4.21 a piece, which implies a 144.25% upside at the time of writing. But some think the shares could jump another 206.04% to $5.27 each! 

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

The ASX growth stock’s share price suffered a gradual but relentless decline in 2025 after it appointed a new CEO in late August. And by the end of the year, it had shed 30% of its value. 

At the time of writing, REA shares are gaining ground, rising 1.56% to $166.87. 

The company reported robust second-quarter FY26 results in early February, but the figures came in short of market expectations, and the share price crashed by 18%. 

But most analysts are still bullish that we’ll see the stock supercharge higher this year. TradingView data shows that 12 out of 16 analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on the Australian growth stock. The maximum target price is $253, which implies a 51.89% upside at the time of writing.

The post 3 ASX growth stocks primed to rocket in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is having a mildly positive session on Thursday. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is up 0.15% to 8,915.1 points.

Four ASX shares that are acting as a drag on the market today are listed below. Here’s why they are falling:

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

The BHP share price is down almost 2% to $54.73. This has been driven by the mining giant’s shares going ex-dividend this morning for its interim dividend. When a share goes ex-dividend, it means the rights to the payout are now locked in and new buyers won’t be able to receive the dividend. Last month, BHP released its half-year results and declared a fully franked interim dividend of 73 US cents per share. This will be paid to eligible shareholders later this month on 26 March.

EQ Resources Ltd (ASX: EQR)

The EQ Resources share price is down 3% to 33 cents. The catalyst for this may have been a broker note out of Morgans. According to the note, the broker has downgraded the miner’s shares to a trim rating with a price target of 23 cents. It said: “Our valuation and target price have lifted from A$0.16 per share to A$0.23ps. Continued strength in the tungsten price, a most critical metal, could lead to a further increase in our target price. With the share price above our target price, we lower our rating to TRIM from Speculative Buy. Tungsten concentrate production at the start of this current March Quarter may have been affected by the Wet Season in north Queensland at Mt Carbine, and to some extent at Barruecopardo, Salamanca Province, Spain.”

Lottery Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLC)

The Lottery Corporation share price is down almost 2% to $5.30. This morning, this lottery company released an update on operational changes. Under the new model, Lottery Corporation will create three customer-facing business units. These are Lotteries, Digital, and Keno. The company’s CEO, Wayne Pickup, said: “We have a strong foundation and our strategy has served the Company well, but we can unlock more value. This new structure gives us the clarity and accountability to accelerate our evolution as a digital entertainment company, concentrate on local market growth and make faster, better decisions.”

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

The Woodside share price is down 2.5% to $30.01. This has also been driven by the energy giant’s shares going ex-dividend this morning for its latest dividend. Last month, Woodside released its full-year results and declared a final dividend of 59 US cents per share. This brought its full-year fully franked dividend to US$1.12 per share or US$2.1 billion. Eligible shareholders can look forward to receiving the final dividend later this month on 27 March.

The post Why BHP, EQ Resources, Lottery Corp, and Woodside shares are falling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) shares are holding steady today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) telco provider closed yesterday trading for $5.18. During the Thursday lunch hour, with more than $31 million worth of trades already transacted today, shares are changing hands for $5.18 apiece. (I’ll let you do the maths!)

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

Today’s modest underperformance isn’t what stockholders are accustomed to. Over the past 12 months, Telstra shares have gained 23%, or more than twice the 9.8% one-year gains posted by the ASX 200.

And that’s not including the passive income the company has paid out to eligible stockholders over the year.

Telstra paid a final fully-franked dividend of 9.5 cents a share on 25 September. The company will pay the 10.5 cents a share interim dividend, 90% franked, on 27 March. (It’s a bit too late to grab that one, as Telstra stock traded ex-dividend on 25 February.)

At the current share price, this sees the ASX 200 stock trading on a partly-franked trailing dividend yield of 3.9%.

Which brings us back to our headline question.

Are Telstra shares a good passive income buy?

Morgans’ Damien Nguyen recently ran his slide rule over the ASX 200 telco (courtesy of The Bull).

“This telecommunications giant offers stable earnings, a strong mobile network and dependable dividends, making it a defensive holding in a volatile market,” Nguyen said.

Explaining his hold recommendation on Telstra shares, he added, “However, while its core mobile business continues to perform well, the growth outlook is steady rather than exciting.”

On the passive income front, Nguyen concluded:

The stock appears fairly valued at recent levels, reflecting its predictable cash flows and limited near term catalysts. For now, Telstra remains suitable as an income‑focused hold due to its defensive earnings stream, but we don’t see a compelling reason to materially increase exposure.

What’s the latest from the ASX 200 telco?

Telstra reported its half-year results (H1 FY 2026) on 19 February.

Highlights included a 9.2% year-on-year increase in earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) to $2 billion. Amid the ongoing share buyback, earnings per share (EPS) were up 11% to 9.9 cents.

And on the bottom line, profit for the period was up 8.1% to $1.2 billion.

The interim Telstra dividend of 10.5 cents per share was up 10.5% from last year’s interim passive income payout.

“We delivered ongoing growth in earnings, reflecting momentum across our business, strong cost control and disciplined capital management,” Telstra CEO Vicki Brady said.

Telstra shares closed up 3.6% on the day of the results release.

The post Are Telstra shares a buy for their ‘dependable dividends’ appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Aussie Broadband vs Telstra: Which telco stock deserves your dollar?
• Here’s the latest earnings forecast out to 2030 for Telstra shares
• Buy, hold, sell: Bannerman, CBA, and Telstra shares
• 3 must-own ASX blue-chip dividend stocks for Aussie investors
• 3 reasons to buy Telstra shares right now

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