Stock Pick

  • Alicia Keys says a realization about her ‘own triggers’ shaped the way she parents

    Alicia Keys.
    Alicia Keys says being a mother has taught her a lot about herself.

    Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

    • Alicia Keys says her kids help her recognize and heal her own emotional triggers.
    • While parents often project worries onto kids, the singer said it's crucial to know when to step back.
    • "I think that's why they're the most beautiful teachers because they bring to light what we have to see in ourselves," she said.

    Alicia Keys, 44, says having kids has taught her some lessons about herself.

    During an appearance on Sunday's episode of "The Drew Barrymore Show," Keys spoke about being a mother and how it has made her more introspective.

    When host Drew Barrymore said that she's the type to "care myself to death" when it comes to parenting and asked Keys for advice, Keys said the goal is to embrace the experience.

    "You have your instinct, and you know what you feel. And I think we also do have to learn how to separate ourselves from them, because I think that's a big point that you're bringing up," Keys told Barrymore.

    The "Empire State of Mind" singer and her husband, Swizz Beatz, have a blended family of five kids, three of whom are from his previous relationships.

    While it might be common for parents to project their worries onto their kids, Keys said it's important to recognize when to step back.

    "Like, naturally, we do have our own triggers, and we do have our own histories and things that we're working through," Keys said. "And so knowing that they're so pure, you know, knowing that they are a clean slate and a pureness, we can almost take a step and say, 'Hold on, that's mine. That's not theirs. Let me just take a breather.'"

    The singer added that it might be a "beautiful way" for parents to become conscious of unresolved issues they're personally working through.

    "It's just like these things, they bring up things in you, and you're like, 'Ah, wait a minute. Is that me, though? It's probably me,'" Keys said.

    "I think that's why they're the most beautiful teachers because they bring to light what we have to see in ourselves," she added.

    Speaking to Bustle in 2021, Keys said that becoming a mother is "the reason I came into myself."

    "I know for sure that prior to it, I still didn't know myself. I still didn't understand my own worth and importance," she said.

    That same introspection is something she also tries to pass on to her kids.

    In 2024, Keys told People that she encourages her kids to share their thoughts and trust their own intuition.

    "If you don't know what you think or what you feel, it's going to be hard for you. I feel like I've spent a lot of time not fully understanding or not trusting what I felt, and so I want to teach them to trust their instincts."

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • Russia is throwing more of its new jet-powered Shaheds at Ukraine, but interceptor drones are rising to match them

    A black-and-white image shows the rear of a Geran-3 while in flight.
    Serhii Sternenko published footage of what appears to be a jet-powered Geran-3 being approached from behind in the air.

    Sternenko Foundation

    • Ukraine's interceptor drones are countering Russia's new jet-powered Geran-3 attack drones.
    • Russia has deployed 138 Geran-3 drones, which are faster and more advanced than Geran-2 models.
    • Ukrainian developers are rapidly adapting drone technology to meet evolving Russian drone threats.

    Russia's new high-speed attack drones are increasingly appearing on the battlefield, but Ukrainians said they've already destroyed some with cheap interceptors.

    Serhii Sternenko, the leader of a volunteer organization specializing in donating drones to Ukrainian units, said on Sunday that the Sting — a locally built interceptor drone — successfully destroyed several jet-powered attack drones.

    "A bit of a historic achievement," wrote Sternenko in his Telegram channel. He published a photo that appears to show the back of a jet-powered Geran-3 in the sky, indicating that the footage was captured by an aircraft fast enough to catch the Russian drone.

    The announcement is another sign of how Ukraine is finding ways to fight the growing threat of jet-powered strikes, amid concerns that Russia's new drones are too fast to be reliably destroyed through inexpensive means.

    On Sunday, Ukraine's General Staff said in a description of a monthly briefing for officials that Russia had already deployed 138 of the new uncrewed aerial systems.

    This turbojet drone is the Geran-3, Russia's domestic version of the Iranian Shahed-238 long-range loitering munition. With an estimated top speed of 230 mph, the Geran-3 flies much more swiftly than its propeller-driven predecessor, which the Kremlin has been using to hammer Ukraine in large waves over the past year.

    The Geran-2, modeled after the Shahed-136, flies at around 115 mph and is now the foundation of Moscow's bombardment strategy.

    Russia regularly accumulates these mass-produced drones to send in large waves over the border, pairing them with hundreds of decoys to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses. Kyiv officials have said Geran-2s can cost as little as $20,000 each.

    A challenge for new interceptors

    In response, Ukrainians are developing interceptor drones, or small first-person-view drones modified to fly at high speeds, as a low-cost way of countering the Geran-2. Each one typically costs between $2,000 and $6,000, and they're now considered a crucial part of Ukraine's air defense system, working in tandem with machine gun crews and a range of other interceptors.

    The Sting, the interceptor mentioned by Sternenko, is one such drone that is frequently deployed. It was developed by the Ukrainian company Wild Hornets to fly at roughly 215 mph with four rotors.

    A person holding the Sting interceptor drone.
    Ukraine has seen limited use of interceptor drones to down the Shahed, but has in recent months been driving hard at development to counter Russia's growing drone waves.

    Wild Hornets/Telegram

    Sporadic appearances of the Geran-3 over the last year, however, sparked fears that these interceptor drones would be too slow to catch waves of jet-powered Shaheds.

    If that becomes the case, the war would resurface Ukraine's key struggle in defending against such large-scale air attacks: cost. The country is already strapped for resources and cannot afford to use traditional expensive missiles to take down cheap Russian drones.

    The General Staff's latest briefing said Ukraine had destroyed most of the 138 Geran-3s used by Russia lately, but it's unclear through what means.

    Senior Ukrainian officials told Business Insider's Jake Epstein last month that Russia is experimenting with the Geran-3 to test and probe Ukraine's defenses.

    But they also said that Moscow has deployed the new drones in limited numbers. That would indicate that Russia has yet to move into mass production on the scale it has reached with the Geran-2.

    The Geran-3 is significantly more advanced than the Geran-2, of which Russia produces thousands each month, with newer features such as a satellite navigation system that enhances resistance to electronic warfare.

    Meanwhile, Ukrainian drone developers previously told Business Insider that they've been preparing for the possibility of the Geran-3 taking over the skies.

    The deputy head of Ukraine's presidential office, Pavlo Palisa, said in September that Kyiv had already developed drones "capable of fighting the Shaheds with jet engines." However, he did not disclose details about these new interceptors.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • Hilton’s CEO says problem-solving — not perfect service — keeps guests coming back

    Christopher Nassetta speaks at an event in Las Vegas.
    Christopher Nassetta said solving problems for guests is the key to customer loyalty.

    Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Resorts World Las Vegas

    • Hilton's CEO, Christopher Nassetta, said he's not afraid of customers with problems.
    • He said solving customers' problems makes them more loyal to a brand, rather than perfect service.
    • Hilton has over 1.3 million rooms in 141 countries, with an additional 515,000 rooms in development.

    Hilton's CEO said there's one surefire way to build loyalty with a customer.

    Christopher Nassetta, the executive who has held the hotel chain's reins since 2007, said solving problems for his guests is the key to customer retention.

    "People have studied problems and resolution, and it turns out that historically — and it's true to this day — that you build more loyalty with a customer when you have a problem, and you solve it well, than if you never had a problem," he said on a Saturday episode of Yahoo Finance's "Opening Bid" podcast.

    "It sounds crazy, but it's true," he added.

    Nassetta said that customers who don't face any problems with the service don't think much about it.

    But he added, "If I had a problem and you've managed it really well, you think, 'Hey, wow, they care about me. They're really good at this.'"

    The executive said that solving problems for customers is more effective than "begging forgiveness" and rewarding "a million honor points."

    To that end, he said AI integration into the Hilton Honors app has been "the biggest game changer," helping the company resolve customer problems quickly.

    When reached for comment, a Hilton representative directed Business Insider to a January 2024 news release about Hilton allowing its customers to text properties via its Honors app, SMS, WhatsApp, and other channels.

    Hilton has over 9,000 properties in 141 countries, consisting of more than 1.3 million rooms. The company plans to add more than 515,000 rooms, per its October earnings report.

    The company's stock has risen about 15% this year.

    Nassetta's comments come shortly after another American hospitality giant, Marriott, made headlines in November for abruptly terminating its licensing agreement with short-term rental company Sonder.

    Marriott guests staying in Sonder facilities received an eleventh-hour notice to vacate the properties, resulting in travel chaos. Previously loyal Marriott guests told Business Insider that the hotel's poor customer service had upended their trip and broken their trust with the brand.

    Evan Nierman, the founder of Florida-based crisis public relations firm Red Banyan, told Business Insider last month that Marriott should have solved problems for affected customers rather than making them deal with rebookings and processing refunds themselves.

    "The lesson is that hospitality companies earn goodwill when they take the burden off the customer," Nierman said. "Relocation, refunds, and clear guidance are essentials, not perks, during a crisis."

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • Elon Musk says AI will end America’s debt crisis within 3 years

    Elon Musk at the US-Saudi Investment Forum at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC on November 19, 2025.
    Elon Musk bought Twitter in 2022 and created a system seemingly designed to reward posters who excelled at rage bait.

    BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

    • Elon Musk says AI and robotics are the only way to solve the US debt crisis.
    • He predicted that growth in goods and services would outpace inflation within three years.
    • Musk said last month that his Optimus robot could eliminate poverty and the need for human labor.

    Elon Musk says the US debt problem has only one escape hatch: AI.

    Musk, in a conversation with investor and podcaster Nikhil Kamath published on Sunday, said that the only way out of America's deepening fiscal hole is productivity driven by AI and robotics.

    "That's pretty much the only thing that's going to solve for the US debt crisis," said Musk. "It probably would cause significant deflation," he added.

    The national debt reached $38.34 trillion as of November 26 — more than double its value a decade ago, per data from the US Treasury.

    AI has not yet boosted productivity enough to push economic output above the pace of inflation — but that's about to change, Musk said.

    "In three years or less, my guess is goods and services output will exceed the rate of inflation," he added.

    Musk said the advancements in AI and robotics would bring humans to "the point where working is optional," likely in the next two decades.

    Musk described this outcome as "universal high income," a world where productivity is so high, and goods and services so abundant, that people don't have to work to meet their basic needs.

    Over the past few weeks, Musk has outlined his vision for how AI could remake the global economy.

    At a Tesla shareholder event last month, the CEO said its Optimus robot could eliminate poverty and the need for human labor.

    "People often talk about eliminating poverty, giving everyone amazing medical care," Musk said at the shareholder event. "There's actually only one way to do that, and that's with the Optimus robot."

    Musk also said at the US-Saudi Investment Forum last month that money would "stop being relevant" in the future of AI.

    "There will still be constraints on power like electricity and mass," Musk said. "But I think at some point currency becomes irrelevant."

    Economists have long touted shorter workweeks from tech-enabled productivity boosts. John Maynard Keynes predicted in 1930 that future generations would work just 15 hours a week thanks to technological progress.

    AI will transform the economy

    Tech leaders have been vocal about AI's power to reshape the global economy.

    Google CEO Sundar Pichai told the BBC in an interview last month that AI carries the "potential for extraordinary benefits" but will also spark "societal disruptions."

    "It will create new opportunities," said Pichai. "It will evolve and transition certain jobs, and people will need to adapt. And then there will be areas where it will impact some jobs, so as a society, I think we need to have that conversation."

    Investor Vinod Khosla said in September that AI will eventually handle 80% of the work in 80% of jobs, a shift he said will erode the value of human labor and give people more free time. To avoid a spike in inequality, Khosla said governments will need to adopt a universal basic income.

    Not everyone believes the benefits of AI are positive and equally distributed. Geoffrey Hinton, often referred to as the "godfather of AI," said in an interview with the Financial Times that while AI will generate a "huge rise in profits," most of that wealth will flow to a small group of people at the top.

    "It will make a few people much richer and most people poorer," Hinton said in September, adding that AI is likely to create "massive unemployment."

    He said the problem isn't the technology itself, but the "capitalist system" that determines who captures the value AI creates.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • Buy, hold, sell: CSL, DroneShield, and Northern Star shares

    Young man with a laptop in hand watching stocks and trends on a digital chart.

    There are a lot of options for Aussie investors to choose from on the local share market.

    But which ones could be buys today? Let’s see what analysts are saying about these popular options, courtesy of The Bull. Here’s what you need to know:

    CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

    The team at Red Leaf Securities thinks that this biotech giant has been oversold and have named it as an ASX share to buy this week.

    It highlights CSL’s buyback, transformational restructuring, and demand tailwinds as reasons to be positive. Red Leaf said:

    This biotechnology company is massively oversold, in our view. CSL offers a rare chance to buy a global plasma therapy powerhouse at a discount. Its $1.5 billion US investment strengthens the core Behring business and secures long term immunoglobulin supply. Its planned transformational restructuring is expected to unlock between $500 million and $550 million over three years, turbocharging cash flow. Share buy-backs, a rising dividend and secular demand tailwinds for chronic therapies point to significant upside if management can successfully execute its strategy.

    DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO)

    Red Leaf Securities isn’t in a hurry to recommend this counter drone technology company’s shares despite its significant share price weakness. This morning, it has named DroneShield as an ASX share to sell.

    Its analysts are expecting DroneShield shares to remain under pressure in the near term amid governance and confidence concerns among investors. They explain:

    The company provides artificial intelligence based platforms for protection against advanced threats, such as drones and autonomous systems. The stock plunged after disclosures to the ASX revealed DRO directors had been selling their holdings. The company announced that November contracts were inadvertently marked as new ones rather than revised contracts due to an administrative error. In our view, such an error raises governance and confidence concerns among investors. The shares have fallen from $6.60 on October 9 to trade at $1.997 on November 27. We believe the shares will remain under pressure.

    Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST)

    Finally, this gold miner has been named as a hold by Red Leaf Securities. While it acknowledges its quality, it believes that Northern Star’s upside is being limited by key risks. Red Leaf explains:

    This gold miner has solid fundamentals, strong cash flows and a growing project pipeline, but upside is tempered by key risks. Major growth projects, including KCGM (Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines) mill expansion and the Hemi development are capital intensive with execution uncertainty. Costs are under pressure, and earnings remain exposed to volatile gold prices, which increases uncertainty. Until a clearer picture emerges in relation to project delivery and commodity stability, a hold position is prudent.

    The post Buy, hold, sell: CSL, DroneShield, and Northern Star shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy CSL 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 CSL wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL and DroneShield. 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.

  • Here’s how much the new Metcash dividend is worth

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

    Although the last official ASX earnings season is well behind us now, some ASX 200 shares like to report their latest numbers fashionably late. Grocery and hardware supply stock Metcash Ltd (ASX: MTS) is one of those ASX 200 stocks, with investors finding out this morning just how much the next Metcash dividend will be worth.

    As we covered earlier today, it was an interesting set of numbers for investors to digest.

    Metcash reported a 0.1% rise in revenues to $8.48 billion for the six months to 31 October, compared to the same period in 2024. That was helped by growth in food, liquor, and hardware. However, they were significantly hindered by tobacco sales, which continue to haemorrhage. Without tobacco, revenues were up 4.5%.

    Meanwhile, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) lifted 2% to $367.2 million. But total earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) dropped 2.4% to $240.2 million.

    On the bottom line, Metcash revealed a reported profit after tax of $142.2 million. That’s up 0.3% from last year’s half.

    It seems the market wasn’t impressed with what Metcash had to show for itself today, though. At present, Metcash shares are down a nasty 9.2% to $3.36. That perhaps indicates that the market was expecting to see better numbers. Saying that, the stock has been significantly impacted by the ASX’s issues today. As such, investors may wish to take that with a grain of salt.

    But let’s talk Metcash dividends.

    Metcash holds its dividend steady

    This morning, the company revealed that its latest dividend will be worth 8.5 cents per share. It will come fully franked, as the payouts from Metcash tend to do.

    This dividend matches last year’s interim payout exactly. However, it is lower than the 9.5 cents per share final dividend investors enjoyed back in August.

    This latest interim dividend will find its way to shareholders’ bank accounts on 28 January next year. To be eligible, though, investors will need to have Metcash shares against their name by the close of trading on 11 December next week. That’s before the company trades ex-dividend on 12 December.

    Eligible investors also have the choice to opt in to Metcash’s dividend reinvestment plan (DRP) if they wish to receive additional shares in lieu of the traditional cash payment (at zero discount). The cut-off for the DRP is close-of-business on 16 December.

    Since Metcash’s dividend is flat year-on-year, its current (at the time of writing) dividend yield of 5.36% holds steady going forward.

    The post Here’s how much the new Metcash dividend is worth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Metcash 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 Metcash 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

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    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen 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.

  • Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today

    Broker written in white with a man drawing a yellow underline.

    With so many shares to choose from on the Australian share market, it can be difficult to decide which ones to buy. The good news is that brokers across the country are doing a lot of the hard work for you.

    Three top ASX shares that leading brokers have named as buys this week are listed below. Here’s why they are bullish on them:

    AGL Energy Limited (ASX: AGL)

    According to a note out of Ord Minnett, its analysts have retained their buy rating on this energy company’s shares with an improved price target of $13.00. This follows an investor day event which has given the broker increased confidence in Bayswater Power Station and Liddell Battery assets. It expects Bayswater to become the lowest cost generator in New South Wales and has boosted its earnings forecasts. Overall, with major upside and an attractive dividend yield on offer here, Ord Minnett thinks it could be a good time to invest. The AGL share price is trading at $9.31 on Monday afternoon.

    Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

    A note out of Bell Potter reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating on this investment platform provider’s shares with a trimmed price target of $125.00. This follows the release of an investor day update, which had both positives and negatives. The main positive was that it sees upside risk to funds under administration (FUA) guidance as Hub24 continues to broaden its offering and lift volumes. The negative was that management has increased its expense growth guidance to 18% to 20%. However, this reflects a deliberate move to outpace peers and bring forward investment. Overall, the broker left the event feeling confident in its growth outlook and cadence over peers. The Hub24 share price is fetching $98.70 at the time of writing.

    QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE)

    Another note out of Bell Potter reveals that its analysts have upgraded this insurance giant’s shares to a buy rating with an improved price target of $21.80. This follows the release of the company’s third quarter update, which was largely in line with expectations. Bell Potter points out that management has reiterated its combined operating ratio guidance of 92.5% in FY 2025 and is expecting this to continue in FY 2026. In light of this and its attractive valuation, the broker feels that QBE’s shares are now in buy territory. The QBE share price is trading at $19.31 on Monday.

    The post Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy AGL Energy 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 AGL Energy 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

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Hub24. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Hub24. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Own Woolworths shares? Here are the dividend dates for 2026

    Man with down syndrome working in supermarket.

    Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares are $29.24, down 0.27% while the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 0.37%.

    It’s been a tough year for Woolworths investors, who have watched the market’s largest consumer staples share fall 4% this year.

    Meantime, the share price of chief rival Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) has soared 17.8%.

    As a forgettable year for Woolworths shareholders draws to a close, here are the key dates to mark in your diary for the new year.

    When will Woolworths pay dividends in 2026?

    Woolworths will announce its 1H FY26 results and the interim dividend on 25 February.

    The record date for the interim dividend will be 5 March.

    Woolworths will pay the dividend to investors on 2 April.

    The supermarket giant will release its third-quarter FY26 sales update on 30 April.

    On 26 August, investors will learn of Woollies’ full-year FY26 results and how much the final dividend will be.

    Should you buy Woolworths shares?

    Top broker Bell Potter says Woolworths shares are a buy for the new year.

    Bell Potter has a 12-month price target of $30.70 on Woolworths shares.

    In relation to dividends, the broker is tipping Woolworths to pay a fully franked annual dividend of 91 cents per share in FY26.

    In FY27, Bell Potter forecasts an annual dividend of 100 cents per share.

    Based on today’s Woolworths share price, these forecasts equate to dividend yields of 3.1% in FY26 and 3.4% in FY27.

    Morgans is less optimistic and has a hold rating on Woolworths.

    After the company released its 1Q FY26 sales update in October, the broker noted “some early signs of modest improvement”.

    The broker commented:

    WOW’s 1Q26 sales growth overall was broadly in line with our expectations but weaker than consensus estimates.

    Management acknowledged the performance fell short of their aspirations.

    The quarter began with challenges, but following increased investment in the customer value proposition, management noted signs of modest improvement in item and transaction volumes in the early part of 2Q26, with sales up ~3.2%.

    Looking ahead, Morgans says the Christmas period will be a critical trading period for Woolworths.

    While the modest pick-up in operating performance in early 2Q26 and indications from customer surveys that cost-of-living pressures may be easing are encouraging, the group’s performance during the key upcoming festive period will be critical.

    The impact on margins from the increased investment will also be important to monitor.

    As for dividends, Morgans says Woolworths is trading on a forward FY26 dividend yield of about 3.5%.

    The broker views Woolworths as fully valued with a price target of $28.25.

    This implies a potential downside of 3.5% ahead.

    … we think the stock remains fully valued and prefer to wait for further evidence of improvement before reassessing our view.

    The post Own Woolworths shares? Here are the dividend dates for 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Woolworths Group 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 Woolworths Group 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

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

  • Are Transurban shares a buy for dividend income right now?

    interchanging highways with light traffic

    Amongst the ASX dividend shares typically chosen by income-seeking investors on the ASX, Transurban Group (ASX: TCL) shares are a perennially popular choice.

    Alongside the major ASX banks like Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), Transurban is often bought for its income potential for those investors seeking to build up a stream of passive income to one day retire on.

    However, Transurban is a rather unique ASX share in the top echelons of the ASX. So today, let’s discuss this company and what kind of role it can play in a dividend portfolio in 2026 and beyond.

    If you weren’t aware, Transurban is a toll-road operator. It has extensive operations across Australia, owning many (if not most) of the major tolled arterial roads in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. It also owns roads in North America. In Sydney alone, Transurban operates no fewer than 11 motorways, meaning motorists in Australia’s largest city are very familiar with doing business with this company.

    It’s largely due to this business model that ASX dividend investors are so attracted to Transurban shares.

    Transurban shares: An ASX dividend favourite

    Road traffic is highly predictable and relatively insensitive to what happens in the broader economy. As such, it is a lucrative and reliable source of revenue for Transurban.

    The company has decades-long contracts covering most of its roads, many of which allow Transurban to increase its tolls every quarter by at least the rate of inflation (usually by more).

    This translates into a dependable dividend for income investors. Prior to the 2020 pandemic, Transurban was famous for increasing its annual dividend almost every year. The disruption of the pandemic did (understandably) dent this company’s payouts.

    But since 2021, the company’s dividends have been increasing annually. 2025 saw the company pay out a 32-cent per share dividend in February. That was followed by a 33-cent-per-share payout in August. Both payments represented increases over their 2024 equivalents.

    At today’s (at the time of writing) share price of $14.94, these dividends give Transurban shares a trailing dividend yield of 4.35%.

    There is one major caveat to note with this company, though. Due to its unique business model, Transurban does not normally attach significant franking credits to its dividends.

    To illustrate, February’s dividend came completely unfranked, while August’s payout was partially franked but at just 0.05%.

    Foolish Takeaway

    Considering the hefty upfront yield and steady track record, I regard Transurban shares as a useful source of income and worthy of a place in a diversified, dividend-focused portfolio. However, this is not a growth stock. As such, someone looking to beat the market over the long term might want to look elsewhere.

    The post Are Transurban shares a buy for dividend income right now? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Transurban 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 Transurban 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.*

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    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group and Transurban Group. 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.

  • Why did CBA shares get smashed in November?

    A man in a business suit slides down the handrails of a bank of steel escalators, clutching his documents and telephone.

    The first few trading days of November started off well enough for Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares.

    Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) bank stock closed out October trading for $171.64. On 6 November, shares closed the day changing hands for $178.57, putting the stock up 4% early in the month.

    But things took a turn for the worse from there.

    When the closing bell sounded on 28 November, shares were trading for $152.51.

    That saw CBA shares down a sharp 11.2% over the month, significantly underperforming the 3% one-month loss posted by the ASX 200.

    Here’s what’s been happening.

    CBA shares slump on missed expectations

    The biggest down day of the month for stockholders came on 11 November. That followed the release of CBA’s September quarter results (Q1 FY 2026), with CBA shares closing the day down 6.6%.

    Now Australia’s biggest bank still reported some solid results.

    Highlights included a 2% year-on-year increase in CBA’s unaudited cash net profit after tax (NPAT), which came in at $2.6 billion.

    The bank also reported a $17.8 billion increase in household deposits over the three-month period, with home loans increasing by $9.3 billion.

    Unfortunately, costs were also up materially.

    The ASX 200 bank reported a 4% increase in its operating expenses, excluding restructuring/notable items. Management said rising costs were primarily driven by wage and IT vendor inflation.

    On the passive income front, CBA paid out $4.4 billion in fully franked dividends in the September quarter.

    But with CBA shares trading at a price to earnings (P/E) ratio of around 25 times, the highest of all the big Aussie banks, market expectations for the bank are high. And the September quarterly results look to have fallen short of those expectations.

    “We remain focused on supporting our customers, disciplined execution of our strategy, investing in technology to deliver exceptional customer experiences and delivering strong financial outcomes for our shareholders,” CommBank CEO Matt Comyn said on the day.

    What about the other big four ASX 200 bank stocks?

    So, how did the other three big ASX 200 bank stocks compare with the 11.2% losses posted by CBA shares in November?

    Well, National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) shares fell 8.1% over the month. NAB shares trade on a P/E ratio of around 18 times.

    ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) shares slipped 5.5% in November. ANZ shares trade on a P/E ratio of around 15 times.

    Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) shares were the best performers among the big four ASX 200 bank stocks. Shares closed down 3% in November, mirroring the losses posted by the benchmark index. Westpac shares trade on a P/E ratio of around 18 times.

    The post Why did CBA shares get smashed in November? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Commonwealth Bank of Australia 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 Commonwealth Bank of Australia wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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    Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has 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.