Getting started in the share market can feel like a big step, but it doesn’t need to be complicated.

For beginners, the focus should be on building a simple, diversified portfolio that can grow over time.

Exchange traded funds (ETFs) can be ideal for this, offering exposure to a wide range of companies or strategies through a single investment.

With $5,000 to invest, here are three ASX ETFs that could help you get started on the right foot.

VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL)

The first ASX ETF that stands out for beginners is the VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF.

Instead of tracking the biggest companies, this fund focuses on businesses with strong fundamentals, such as high returns on equity, low debt levels, and consistent earnings growth. These are often the types of companies that can perform well across different market cycles.

By investing in the VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF, you are effectively gaining exposure to a curated group of global stocks that have demonstrated financial strength and resilience.

For new investors, this can provide a more disciplined approach to global investing compared to traditional index funds.

This fund was recently recommended by analysts at VanEck.

BetaShares Australian Quality ETF (ASX: AQLT)

If you want local exposure, the BetaShares Australian Quality ETF takes a similar approach within the Australian market.

Rather than holding all the major ASX shares, it selects those that score highly on profitability, earnings stability, and financial health.

This results in a portfolio that tilts towards more reliable and consistent performers, rather than simply the largest companies by market value.

Current holdings include BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES).

For beginners, this can be an appealing way to invest in Australian shares while focusing on quality over size, potentially helping to smooth returns over time.

Analysts at Betashares recently recommended this fund.

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

To complement these quality-focused strategies, the iShares S&P 500 ETF offers broad exposure to the US market.

This ASX ETF gives investors access to 500 of the largest companies in the United States, covering sectors such as technology, healthcare, and consumer goods.

Among its holdings are the likes of Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Walmart (NYSE: WMT), and Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL).

This means it provides instant diversification and access to many of the world’s most influential businesses, potentially making it a strong core holding for beginner investors.

The post 3 ASX ETFs for beginners starting with $5,000 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• How to position your ASX portfolio in the current environment – Expert
• 2 ASX ETFs I’d buy for returns and to sleep well at night
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• 3 defensive ASX ETFs to battle through market turmoil
• Why now could be the best time in years to buy NDQ and these ETFs

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 Apple, Microsoft, Wesfarmers, and iShares S&P 500 ETF and is short shares of Apple. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple, BHP Group, Microsoft, 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.

Experts are always on the lookout for ASX share opportunities, and after reporting season there are quite a few businesses that are now trading at attractive valuations.

We’re going to look at two businesses that are investing to capitalise on major opportunities ahead.

One of them is tapping into big increases of demand for AI, while the other is looking at the UK as an exciting growth avenue.

Nextdc Ltd (ASX: NXT)

Broker UBS describes Nextdc as Australia’s leading data centre as a service business, which has locations in a number of cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Darwin, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur and Auckland.

The FY26 half-year result saw ongoing progress by the business. Total revenue grew by 13% to $26.3 million and the underlying operating profit (EBITDA) climbed by 9% to $115.3 million. The net loss after tax improved by 8% to $3.3 million.

Impressively, the contracted utilisation – an important measure for a business selling data centre space – saw 137% growth to 416.6MW. Its forward order book of 296.8MW is projected to ramp into billing across the rest of FY26 to FY29, underpinning future growth of revenue and earnings.

UBS has a buy rating on the ASX share with a price target of $22.55, implying a possible rise of 70% over the next 12 months from where it is, at the time of writing.

The broker wrote in a note:

NXT is experiencing the strongest growth chapter in its history. Not only has it just contracted 172MW, but it will activate 157MW in FY27 – more than the 120MW activated in the entirety since the business started in 2012. We estimate contracted EBITDA of c.$718m (materially higher than the $239m we forecast for FY26).

UBS thinks the business has enough financial funding to deliver on its growth prospects, as well as the ability to secure an associated hyperscaler contract.

UBS thinks Nextdc can grow its revenue to $488 million in FY26 and reach $1.3 billion by FY30. The broker is expecting a net loss of $117 million in FY26, which could turn into net profit of $139 million in FY30.

PEXA Group Ltd (ASX: PXA)

Another buy-rated business is PEXA, which operates the “leading digital property settlement platform” in Australia, according to UBS. It handles property transfers and refinancing transactions.

The ASX share’s FY26 half-year result was promising. Revenue rose 10% to $215.3 million, operating profit (EBITDA) rose 19% to $85.9 million, underlying net profit (NPATA) climbed 33% to $40.3 million and free cash flow jumped 25% to $40.2 million.

UBS noted that HY26 profit was ahead of expectations, though it seems the business will invest much of that into delivering stronger long-term growth.

The broker points out the “critical UK roll-out should support longer-term value upside”. The Natwest remortgage launch is due in April 2026. PEXA is also investing in attracting/onboarding additional lenders and conveyancers.

UBS has a price target of $17.50 on the business, implying a possible rise of 14% over the next year from where it is, at the time of writing.

The broker expects PEXA to generate $50 million of net profit in FY26 and this could grow to $191 million by FY30.

The post Brokers rate these 2 top ASX shares as buys in March appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• 3 ASX growth shares that could benefit from the AI boom
• What are the best ASX 200 shares to consider buying for the next 5 years?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 3 ASX tech shares to buy amid ongoing tech wreck

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

With a rising RBA cash rate, I think ASX dividend shares need to offer a good starting dividend yield to be attractive to investors looking for passive income.

There’s no specific yield that’s the right level – it depends on how much passive income an investor is trying to generate from their portfolio. The higher the yield goes, the riskier/less reliable it may be.

But, there are a few ASX shares that offer a very large dividend yield, but have also offered consistent payouts.

Shaver Shop Group Ltd (ASX: SSG)

Shaver Shop is one of the largest retailers of male and female grooming products including electric shavers, clippers, trimmers and wet shave items. The company has 126 Shaver Shop stores across Australia and New Zealand.

The company has a very steady dividend record. It increased its annual dividend per share every year between 2017 to 2023, maintained it in 2024 and then grew it slightly in FY25.

At the time of writing, it has a grossed-up dividend yield of 10.7%, including franking credits, which is incredibly attractive, in my view.

I think dividend growth looks likely because in the second half of FY26 to 22 February 2026, it reported total sales growth of 3.8% and online sales growth of 12.7%.

With initiatives like growing its store network, increasing online sales, expanding its own brand (Transform-U) and working with additional brands for exclusive products.

Future Generation Global Ltd (ASX: FGG)

I really like listed investment companies (LICs) as passive income options because of how they can determine what size dividend to pay each year, assuming they have the profit reserves to do so.

Future Generation Global has invested in a number of funds that are focused on international shares. I like this strategy because it means being able to hunt for opportunities from across the world, giving great diversification and a good opportunity to find high-performing investments.

Pleasingly, the fund managers don’t charge management fees (or performance fees). Instead the LIC donates 1% of its net assets each year to youth mental health charities.

The ASX share has increased its annual payout each year starting in 2019, which is an impressive record of dividend growth considering everything that has happened between now and then.

Ignoring the recently-announced special dividend of 3 cents per share, its 2025 annual regular dividend came to 8 cents per share, representing a year over year increase of 8.1% year-over-year.

The 8 cents per share payout for FY25 translates into a regular grossed-up dividend yield of 7.3%, including franking credits. I think that’s a great starting point for the dividend income.

The post 2 ASX shares with dividend yields above 8% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to invest $10,000 to aim for a 15% dividend yield
• Get paid huge amounts of cash to own these ASX dividend shares
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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Future Generation Global. 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 Shaver Shop Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Contact Energy Ltd (ASX: CEN) share price is in focus after the company posted higher mass market electricity and gas sales and reported lower generation costs for February 2026.

What did Contact Energy report?

• Mass market electricity and gas sales rose to 295GWh (Feb 2025: 237GWh)
• Average customer netback held steady at $160.23/MWh (Feb 2025: $159.57/MWh)
• Contracted wholesale electricity sales reached 816GWh (Feb 2025: 632GWh)
• Unit generation cost dropped to $41.70/MWh (Feb 2025: $70.95/MWh)
• Electricity generated (or acquired) totalled 809GWh (Feb 2025: 675GWh)
• Average electricity sales price rose to $380.72/MWh (Feb 2025: $341.24/MWh)

What else do investors need to know?

Contact Energy’s wholesale business saw a notable fall in unit generation costs and higher electricity sales, which points to improving operational efficiency. However, electricity and steam net revenue per megawatt hour declined to $122.35 from $133.15 a year ago, reflecting some pricing or mix changes.

Hydro storage on 16 March 2026 was healthy, with South Island at 98% and North Island at 164% of mean levels. February 2026 inflows into the Clutha catchment, though, were 73% of the mean, following strong inflows in previous months.

Contact is progressing with three major renewable projects, including Glenbrook-Ohurua Battery (Q1 CY26), Kōwhai Park Solar (Q2 CY26), and Te Mihi Stage 2 geothermal (Q3 CY27).

What’s next for Contact Energy?

Contact Energy is firmly focused on expansion and transition to renewables, with several large projects under construction and over $1 billion invested in new solar, battery, and geothermal facilities through 2027.

Equity analysts’ FY26 EBITDAF forecasts have been summarised, with consensus in the $965 million to $995 million range, depending on Manawa integration costs. The company is not endorsing individual forecasts.

Contact Energy share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Contact Energy shares have declined 4%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 10% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Contact Energy posts higher sales and lower costs in February 2026 report appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

Some investments are exciting because of what might happen over the next year.

Others are interesting because of what could happen over the next decade.

But the very best businesses often share a different characteristic. They are the types of companies investors can buy, hold, and largely forget about while the business quietly keeps growing in the background.

These are usually companies with competitive advantages, strong management teams, and the ability to adapt as the world changes.

If I were looking for Australian stocks that could potentially be held for decades rather than years, three that immediately come to mind are in this article.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

One reason Wesfarmers stands out as a long-term holding is its ability to evolve.

Over the decades, the company has owned everything from coal mines to fertiliser businesses to hardware stores. Yet management has consistently shown a willingness to reshape the portfolio when better opportunities appear.

Today the group is anchored by high-quality retail businesses such as Bunnings, Kmart, and Officeworks. These are brands with strong market positions and significant scale advantages in their categories.

What makes the company particularly compelling is its disciplined capital allocation. Wesfarmers has a long history of selling businesses when the price is right and reinvesting that capital into new growth opportunities.

That flexibility has allowed the company to keep reinventing itself while continuing to generate attractive returns for shareholders.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Macquarie is another Australian stock that has built a reputation for long-term value creation.

Unlike traditional banks, Macquarie operates across a wide range of financial services including asset management, infrastructure investment, commodities trading, and advisory.

What sets the business apart is its global reach. A large portion of Macquarie’s earnings are generated outside Australia, which gives it exposure to infrastructure, energy, and capital markets opportunities around the world.

Another key strength is its culture of identifying emerging investment themes early. Over the years, the company has built major businesses in areas such as infrastructure funds, renewable energy investment, and commodities trading.

That ability to evolve with global markets has helped Macquarie grow from a relatively small Australian investment bank into one of the most influential financial institutions in the world.

TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE)

TechnologyOne represents a very different type of business but shares one crucial trait with the others: longevity.

The company develops enterprise software used by governments, universities, and large organisations. These systems manage critical functions such as finance, payroll, and operations.

Once these platforms are embedded, they tend to stay in place for many years because switching software systems can be expensive and disruptive.

TechnologyOne has spent years transitioning its business toward a cloud-based software model, which provides annual recurring revenue and stronger long-term customer relationships.

As more organisations migrate their systems to the cloud, the company continues to expand both its customer base and its recurring revenue streams.

That combination of sticky customers and predictable income is one reason the business has delivered consistent growth over many years.

Foolish takeaway

Buying and holding shares for decades requires confidence that a business can adapt, grow, and remain relevant over time.

Wesfarmers, Macquarie Group, and TechnologyOne operate in very different industries, but each has demonstrated an ability to evolve while continuing to deliver strong results.

No company is guaranteed to succeed forever. But I think businesses with competitive advantages, strong leadership, and long-term growth opportunities often give investors the best chance of building wealth over many years.

The post The ideal Australian stocks to buy and hold forever appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX shares that could benefit from rising interest rates
• 3 reasons why the Wesfarmers share price is a buy
• Should I invest $2,000 in the VAS ETF?
• New to investing? Start with ASX ETFs and quality ASX stocks
• Where I’d invest $10,000 in ASX 200 blue-chip shares right now

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group, Technology One, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Technology One and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

It has been a volatile start to the year for Australian shares.

The ASX has already delivered a mix of strong performers and sharp pullbacks. Some sectors look fully valued, while others have become more attractive after recent weakness.

If I had $5,000 to put to work for the remainder of 2026, I’d be thinking about spreading it across a few businesses with different growth drivers rather than relying on a single idea.

Here’s where I’d be looking.

ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD)

ResMed is a business I rate highly. Its core focus on sleep apnoea and respiratory care gives it exposure to a large and growing global market. Demand is being supported by ageing populations, rising awareness of sleep health, and increasing diagnosis rates.

There have been concerns around newer weight-loss drugs and their potential impact on demand. But management has made it clear that these treatments are unlikely to eliminate the need for sleep therapy.

What stands out to me is how consistently the company has executed over time. It continues to invest in digital health platforms, expand its product range, and grow its global footprint.

After a period of share price weakness, I think this Australian share offers a compelling long-term growth opportunity.

Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL)

Netwealth is one of the clearest beneficiaries of a structural shift in financial services.

More Australians are moving toward platform-based investing and seeking professional financial advice. That trend has been driving strong inflows for high-quality providers.

Netwealth has built a reputation for its technology, user experience, and ability to attract advisers. As funds under administration continue to grow, the business benefits from operating leverage, which supports earnings growth.

The opportunity here isn’t about a single year. It’s about a long runway as the wealth management industry continues to evolve. For the rest of 2026 and beyond, I think it remains well positioned to keep taking market share.

Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG)

Breville offers something a little different. It’s a consumer brand with global ambitions.

The company has built a strong position in premium kitchen appliances, particularly in coffee machines. But the real story is its expansion into international markets.

North America and Europe continue to present significant growth opportunities, and Breville has been steadily building brand recognition outside Australia, especially in the coffee vertical.

There may be some short-term pressures from costs and global trade dynamics, but the long-term opportunity looks intact.

If execution continues, I think Breville has the potential to deliver solid growth over the coming years.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

No Australian portfolio feels complete without some exposure to mining.

BHP offers that exposure, but with a clear tilt toward future-facing commodities. Copper is now its largest earnings contributor, and demand for the metal is expected to grow as electrification and renewable energy investment accelerate.

On top of that, its Jansen potash project in Canada adds another long-term growth driver. Potash demand is linked to global food production, which is a structural trend that should play out over decades.

BHP also provides income through dividends, which can help smooth returns during more volatile periods.

While commodity prices will always move in cycles, I think BHP remains a strong core holding.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

REA is one of those businesses that quietly dominates its market.

Its realestate.com.au platform is deeply embedded in Australia’s property ecosystem. Agents rely on it, buyers use it, and vendors ultimately fund it through listing fees.

Even when property markets slow, REA has historically found ways to grow through pricing, premium products, and increased engagement.

It’s a high-quality, high-margin business with a strong competitive position. While this Australian share is rarely cheap, I think it’s the type of company that can keep compounding over long periods.

Foolish takeaway

There’s no single perfect way to invest $5,000. But spreading it across a mix of high-quality businesses with different growth drivers can help balance risk while still providing strong upside potential.

ResMed offers global healthcare growth, Netwealth is benefiting from structural industry shifts, Breville brings international consumer expansion, BHP provides resources exposure, and REA adds a dominant digital platform.

The post Where to invest $5,000 in Australian shares for the rest of 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• 3 things about BHP stock every smart investor knows
• Buy, hold, sell: BHP, CSL, and Woodside shares
• Life360 and two ASX 200 shares for smart investors to buy
• Should you buy the dip on ASX mining 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 Netwealth Group and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Netwealth Group and ResMed. 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.

With plenty of volatility in global markets over the last few weeks, many investors may decide to shift some of their portfolio focus. 

One option is to look for exposure to more defensive shares.

However another option is to start focussing on passive income rather than growth. 

In volatile markets, prices swing unpredictably. If you’re focused on growth, your returns depend heavily on when you buy and sell.

With income investing:

• You’re paid regardless of short-term price movements
• You don’t need to sell assets in a downturn to generate cash. 

For example, if markets drop 20%, a growth investor may decide to sell at a loss.

A dividend investor can live off distributions and wait it out.

It’s important to note that volatility doesn’t mean you suddenly shift your entire portfolio. 

However, allocating some exposure to passive income may be worthwhile. 

One way to do this is through diversified dividend ASX ETFs. 

Here are three to consider. 

Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY)

This ASX ETF is one of the most popular passive income generating funds. 

It seeks to track the return of the FTSE Australia High Dividend Yield Index. 

Essentially, it targets stocks that have higher forecast dividends relative to other ASX-listed companies. 

Security diversification is achieved by restricting the proportion invested in any one industry to 40% of the total ETF and 10% for any one company. 

Australian Real Estate Investment Trusts (A-REITS) are excluded from the index.

It currently provides a dividend yield of approximately 4%, paid quarterly. 

Betashares Australian Dividend Harvester Fund (ASX: HVST)

HVST ETF aims to provide franked income that exceeds the net income yield of the broad Australian sharemarket on an annual basis, along with exposure to a diversified portfolio of Australian shares.

The ETF’s share portfolio is generally selected from the largest 100 Australian shares on the ASX, screened for high dividend and franking outcomes based upon expected future gross dividend payments.

The share portfolio is rebalanced approximately every three months, with the aim of including the shares that are expected, within the next rebalance period, to provide the highest gross yield outcomes.

It pays distributions monthly, and has a 12 month gross distribution yield of 7.0%. 

iShares S&P/ASX Dividend Opportunities ETF (ASX: IHD)

This ASX ETF includes roughly 50 ASX listed stocks that offer high dividend yields while meeting diversification, profitability and tradability requirements as well as being screened for sustainability considerations.

It also tracks an S&P/ASX ESG benchmark. 

According to iShares, it has a 12 month trailing yield of 4.32%. 

Distributions are paid quarterly. 

The post 3 of the best dividend ASX ETFs right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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 Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF. 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 long been one of the ASX’s most popular options in the mining sector.

With its exposure to iron ore, copper, and other key commodities, the mining giant has delivered strong returns for investors over the past two and a half decades during favourable market conditions.

But just how well have BHP shares performed over the past five years? Let’s take a closer look.

$10,000 invested in BHP shares in 2021

If you had invested $10,000 into BHP shares five years ago when they were trading at $39.98, you would have been able to buy approximately 250 shares.

Fast forward to today, and BHP shares are trading at $49.73.

This means your original investment would now be worth around $12,432 based on share price growth alone.

But that’s only part of the story.

Don’t forget the dividends

One of BHP’s biggest attractions is its dividend payments. The Big Australian generates significant free cash flow from its low-cost operations. This has underpinned some very generous dividends to shareholders.

For example, over the past five years (and including next week’s payout), the company has paid a total of $14.92 per share in dividends.

For an investor holding 250 shares, that would amount to $3,730 in dividend income over the period.

When you combine both capital growth and dividends, the total value of the investment rises to approximately $16,162.

That represents a gain of just over 61% on the original $10,000 investment.

It is also worth noting that this does not include the potential benefits of reinvesting dividends, which could have boosted returns even further through compounding. Nor does it account for any of the franking credits that come from its dividends.

In addition, it is worth highlighting that BHP shares have pulled back 16% from their record-high since war broke out in the Middle East, so the returns were even greater just a couple of weeks ago.

Overall, this highlights how a combination of steady share price appreciation and strong dividend payments can deliver solid long-term returns.

And with BHP’s exposure to commodities such as copper, which is expected to play a key role in electrification and renewable energy, the miner could continue to be an important option for long-term investors.

Here’s hoping the next five years will be equally successful for BHP’s shares.

The post $10,000 invested in BHP shares 5 years ago is now worth… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Where to invest $5,000 in Australian shares for the rest of 2026
• 3 things about BHP stock every smart investor knows
• Buy, hold, sell: BHP, CSL, and Woodside shares
• Should you buy the dip on ASX mining shares?
• Rio Tinto shares charge higher on big copper news

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 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.

It doesn’t always feel like it in the moment, but some of the best opportunities in the share market tend to appear after periods of weakness.

While parts of the ASX have held up well this year, a number of high-quality ASX 200 shares have been sold down heavily. In some cases, that weakness looks more sentiment-driven than fundamental.

That’s why I think the setup for a rebound in 2026 is starting to build.

If the mood shifts even slightly and investors begin rotating back into the technology sector, there are a couple of ASX 200 shares that I think could move quickly.

Here are two I’d be watching closely when the bulls return.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

WiseTech has gone from market darling to heavily sold-off growth stock in a relatively short period of time.

Concerns around slowing growth, management and board issues, business model changes, and broader fears about artificial intelligence (AI) disruption have all weighed on sentiment. That has pushed the share price down significantly from its highs.

But when I look at the business itself, I still see a company with a powerful long-term opportunity.

Its CargoWise platform sits at the centre of global logistics operations. These are mission-critical systems that customers rely on every day, which makes them incredibly sticky.

On top of that, the company continues to expand its product offering, integrate acquisitions like e2open, and evolve its commercial model. These initiatives are expected to support stronger growth over time.

There are still risks in the near term, and volatility wouldn’t surprise me. But after such a large pullback, I think the risk-reward profile is becoming more attractive.

If sentiment improves, WiseTech could be one of the first to rebound.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

Xero is another high-quality ASX 200 share that has lost some of its shine in the current environment.

Like many tech names, its shares have been under pressure as investors reassess valuations and growth expectations in the age of AI. But the underlying business continues to move forward.

Xero remains one of the leading cloud accounting platforms globally, with a strong presence across Australia, New Zealand, and growing traction in key international markets.

What stands out to me is the size of the opportunity ahead. Cloud accounting penetration is still well below its long-term potential in many regions, which gives Xero a long runway for growth.

At the same time, the company has been focusing on cost discipline and improving margins, which could support stronger earnings growth as scale increases.

With the share price well below previous highs, I think the current level could represent an attractive entry point for long-term investors.

And if the market starts to favour growth again, Xero could benefit significantly.

Foolish takeaway

Market sentiment can shift quickly.

The same factors that have pushed high-quality ASX 200 shares lower can reverse just as fast when the bulls return.

WiseTech Global and Xero are two businesses that I believe have been oversold relative to their long-term potential. That doesn’t mean the rebound will happen immediately, but the setup for stronger performance over the course of 2026 looks compelling to me.

The post The bulls are coming: 2 of the best ASX 200 shares to buy now to get ahead appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 3 ASX shares tipped to race up to 188% higher
• New to investing? Start with ASX ETFs and quality ASX stocks
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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 WiseTech Global and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global and Xero. 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 have long been seen as a top pick for passive income in terms of the dividends that are provided to shareholders.

But, the ASX bank share is not particularly attractive to me at the current valuation. That’s because of two key reasons – the relatively low dividend yield and the slow growth rate.

According to the (independent) forecast on Commsec, the business is projected to pay an annual dividend per share of $5.20 on FY26 and then $5.50 per share in FY27.

At the current CBA share price, that translates into a fully franked dividend yield of 3%.

In percentage terms, the business is only expected to grow its payout by 5.7% in FY27. That’s not exactly a huge growth rate.

For me, there are other ASX dividend shares that make more sense.

WCM Quality Global Growth Fund – Active ETF (ASX: WCMQ)

CBA essentially makes all of its profit from Australia and New Zealand, which is only a small corner of the global economy. There’s not a significant growth runway for CBA because of how large the bank already is.

This exchange-traded fund (ETF) aims to give investors exposure to a global portfolio from across the world. The portfolio is invested in shares from the Americas, Europe, Asia and more. That’s excellent diversification, in my book.

The WCMQ aims to find businesses that have strengthening competitive advantages which is helping them become increasingly profitable.

The WCM investment team also want to see that the businesses have a corporate culture that fosters an improving economic moat.

The strategy has helped the fund deliver a net return of 15.1% per year to February 2026 since inception in August 2018. Past performance is not a guarantee of future returns, of course.

The ASX dividend share targets a distribution yield of 5% on the net asset value (NAV), which I think is a solid starting point. The distribution payout in dollar terms can grow in line with the NAV growth.

I’m planning to invest in the WCMQ ETF later this month for a combination of passive income and hopefully capital growth.

Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL)

Soul Patts doesn’t have a stronger dividend yield than CBA, but it does offer a couple of things that the ASX bank share can’t match.

Firstly, the dividend growth record by the ASX dividend share is truly impressive.

CBA has only increased its dividend each year since 2021, following a dividend cut in the COVID-affected year of 2020. Soul Patts has increased its regular annual dividend per share every year since 1998. That’s getting close to 30 years in a row of dividend growth!

The other reason to really like the ASX dividend share is that it has a diversified across multiple asset classes including listed businesses, private businesses, industrial property, other property and credit.

CBA is stuck being a bank, while Soul Patts already has a diversified portfolio and it has the flexibility to buy and sell assets as it sees fit to make good long-term returns.

The post Forget CBA shares! Buy these ASX dividend shares instead for passive income appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.