Owning Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares could be an underrated choice for passive income in the coming years. As one of the largest oil and gas businesses in the Asia Pacific region, the business is able to give useful exposure to energy markets.

Woodside has energy projects around the world, including Australia, Africa and North America.

Given the ongoing situation in the Middle East, I think Woodside is an interesting one to consider in the current environment. The ASX energy share could pay large dividend income in the coming reporting periods, so let’s look at the passive income projections.

Upcoming dividends

Higher energy prices could significantly boost the company’s earnings and dividends.

According to the projection on Commsec, the business could deliver pleasing passive income for the next few financial years. Woodside’s annual dividend per share is forecast to be $1.76 in 2026 – the company’s FY26 finishes in December 2026.

That forecast for the 2026 financial year translates into a grossed-up dividend yield of 7.6%, including franking credits, at the time of writing.

The 2027 financial year payout could be even better. According to the estimate on Commsec, Woodside is projected to pay an annual dividend per share of $2.14 in the 2027 financial year. That would be a grossed-up dividend yield of 9.3%, including franking credits.

Not many businesses inside the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) are projected to pay passive income that large in FY27. It looks like a particularly large dividend yield when compared to the yields of other ASX blue-chip shares of Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP).

A $4,000 investment in Woodside shares

With a large dividend yield, it’s clear that investors can unlock significant dividend income. We’re going to look at what a $4,000 investment could unlock for investors.

By investing in $4,000 in the ASX energy share today, an investor may be able to buy 121 Woodside shares, which could unlock around $260 dividend cash and $361.91 dividend income overall (including franking credits).

That’s an impressive level of investment income, in my view.

Is this a good time to invest in the ASX energy share?

Analysts have given their view on the business amid the events in the Middle East.

According to CMC Invest, there have been nine analyst ratings on the business within the last three months. The average price target from those experts is $31.34, implying a possible decline of 4% over the next year.

So, while it may provide significant passive income, the experts seem to think it’s fully priced. Therefore, there could be better ASX share opportunities out there to buy.

The post If I buy $4,000 of Woodside shares, how much dividend income will I receive? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Once a week, I like to look at ASIC’s short position report to find out which ASX shares are being targeted by short sellers.

That’s because I believe it is worth keeping a close eye on short interest levels as high levels can sometimes be a sign that something isn’t quite right with a company.

With that in mind, listed below are the 10 most shorted shares on the ASX this week according to ASIC.

The top 10 most shorted ASX shares

• Lotus Resources Ltd (ASX: LOT) has moved back to the top of the table with short interest of 15.9%, up from 15% last week. Short sellers may still have doubts over the uranium developer’s path to production and whether stronger uranium demand will arrive quickly enough to support its plans.
• DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) has short interest of 15.4%, which is broadly unchanged week on week. The counter-drone technology company remains a favourite with short sellers, possibly due to its valuation and uncertainty surrounding the ASIC investigation.
• 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) has seen its short interest ease to 12.2%. Its valuation remains very high relative to its current revenue base, which appears to be keeping short sellers interested despite its significant commercial potential.
• Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) has short interest of 11.8%, which is down again week on week. Short sellers may still need convincing that its restructuring efforts can deliver the earnings recovery investors are hoping for.
• Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) has seen its short interest ease slightly to 11.7%. Weakness in luxury wine demand and uncertainty around the pace of improvement in the Americas could be keeping short sellers interested.
• Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) has seen its short interest rise to 11.6%. The buy now pay later company’s strong recovery may have prompted some short sellers to question whether its valuation now leaves enough room for disappointment.
• PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) has 11.2% of its shares held short, which is up slightly week on week. Short sellers may be betting that the lithium market remains difficult for longer, delaying a meaningful recovery in margins and cash flow.
• Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) has seen its short interest rise to 11.1%. This may reflect concerns over the strength of consumer travel spending and how quickly the company can improve margins.
• Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) has short interest of 11%, which is up from 10.7% last week. Short sellers may remain cautious over production expectations and whether the uranium price can stay strong enough to support the current outlook.
• IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX) has entered the top ten with short interest of 10.6%. Short sellers may be questioning the company’s valuation and the execution required as it works to scale up its US titanium operations.

The post These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Domino’s Pizza Enterprises and Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, DroneShield, and Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises 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.

It seems to be going from bad to worse for WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares.

The ASX tech stock has fallen 10% in five trading days, 20% over the past month, 52% year to date and 65% over 12 months. At $32.69, it is edging back towards its June low of $28.76 and sits miles below its 52-week high of $99.53.

So, after such a brutal sell-off, do brokers think WiseTech shares have fallen too far?

WiseTech still has something to prove

For much of August, it looked like WiseTech shares might finally be turning a corner.

The stock jumped 25% during the first three weeks of the month, reaching $45.47 on 25 August. Then came the FY26 result, and the recovery quickly ran out of steam.

Since reporting, shares have plunged around 20%, taking them a long way from the $100-plus levels seen just a year ago.

Yet the numbers weren’t exactly disastrous.

WiseTech delivered a 46% increase in EBITDA to US$558.4 million for FY26. While that landed within management’s US$550 million to US$585 million guidance range, it came slightly below the market’s US$569.5 million forecast.

Looking ahead, management expects FY27 revenue to grow 6% to 10%, reaching US$1.48 billion to US$1.54 billion. Underlying EBITDA is forecast to increase 12% to 21%, with margins expanding to between 49% and 51%.

A global leader with a credibility problem

The collapse in WiseTech shares isn’t simply a story about deteriorating demand.

Its CargoWise platform remains a major logistics software system used by the world’s top 25 freight forwarders, including Toll and DHL.

That gives WiseTech exposure to powerful long-term trends, including the digitalisation of global trade and the increasing complexity of international supply chains.

The bigger problems have been investor confidence, governance concerns and regulatory issues.

That’s why FY27 execution could be crucial. If WiseTech can deliver stronger growth and expanding margins while rebuilding investor trust, the current share price could eventually look like an opportunity.

What do brokers think?

Several brokers remain firmly bullish.

Morgans has retained its buy rating with a $62.50 price target, while Morgan Stanley has maintained its buy rating and $70 target. From $32.69, those targets imply potential upside of around 91% and 114%, respectively.

Bell Potter also retains a buy rating, despite cutting its target from $71.75 to $65. Citi lifted its target from $55.05 to $58.75, while UBS reduced its target from $65 to $56 but retained its buy recommendation.

Macquarie is also positive, with an outperform rating and $48.20 target.

However, not everyone is convinced. Jefferies has downgraded WiseTech shares to hold with a $45 target, while JPMorgan also has a hold rating and $40 target.

At $32.69, that enormous spread tells investors something important: the market remains deeply divided.

The bull case is that WiseTech can turn its strong competitive position into faster growth and expanding margins. The bear case is that investor concerns and slower near-term growth warrant a permanently lower valuation.

For now, brokers appear considerably more optimistic than the share price suggests. But WiseTech will need to execute in FY27 before the bulls can claim victory.

The post WiseTech shares are down 65%. Have brokers finally spotted a bargain? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has positions in WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended JPMorgan Chase and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.