Qantas Airways (ASX: QAN) shares closed 2% lower on Tuesday afternoon, at $9.21 a piece. 

The airline has faced significant headwinds so far in 2026 as conflict in the Middle East and rising fuel prices put airlines under pressure. The shares are now down 12% for the year-to-date and 14% lower than a year ago.

The airline’s shares might be tumbling, but I think now is a great time for investors to snap up the shares for cheap. Here’s why.

5 reasons to buy Qantas shares

1. It is a dominant airline stock

The aviation heavyweight has dominated the Australian domestic aviation market for decades. The company currently has a duopoly in the market alongside rival Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd (ASX: VGN). Together the two companies control around 99% of Australia’s aviation market. However, Qantas’ share of the domestic market currently accounts for around 60%, and it’s still growing.

2. Its fuel exposure are hedged in H2 FY26

Tensions in the Middle East are ongoing and each time it looks like the US and Iran are about to reach a peace agreement, something shifts. The uncertainty continues to severely restrict the supply of oil out of the region, and given jet fuel is Qantas’ largest operating expense, it could affect the company’s earnings. But the good news is that Qantas is working effectively to minimise costs. The company said that around 90% of its second-half fuel exposure is already hedged. Its plan to increase fares and make some route changes will also help to recover part of the fuel price pressure.

3. Travel demand is stronger than expected

Despite cost-of-living pressures and higher airfares, demand for domestic, international, and corporate travel remains high. In fact, in April, Qantas significantly upgraded its second-half FY26 revenue guidance off the back of strong demand and capacity shifts despite higher fuel costs. The airline said its international and domestic unit revenues are currently running ahead of expectations.

4. It pays shareholders a passive income

Qantas resumed its twice-yearly payment dividends to shareholders in April 2025. The airline previously paused its dividend payments in 2019 when the Covid-19 pandemic forced the airline to halt payouts and conserve cash. Qantas most recently paid its shareholders a 19.8 cents per share interim dividend, fully franked, in March. The business is forecast to pay an annual dividend per share of 39.6 cents per share. At the time of writing, that translates into a forecast grossed-up dividend yield of around 4.3%, including franking credits.

5. Analysts tip a strong upside ahead

TradingView data shows that the majority of analysts (13 out of 14) have a buy or strong buy rating on Qantas shares. They tip a 20% upside to an average $11.01 target price, or a 40% upside to a maximum $12.80 target price.

The post 5 reasons to buy Qantas shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• My 3 best ASX 200 blue-chip shares to buy in June
• How high could Virgin Australia shares fly? RBC Capital Markets weighs in
• Why brokers are turning bullish on Qantas shares after a strong May performance
• How Qantas shares soared ahead of the ASX 200 in May
• 3 reasons I would buy Qantas shares under $10

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.

Australia needs sovereign AI infrastructure. The federal government has made that clear.

And in March 2026, the government has put its money where its mouth is.

Macquarie Technology Group Ltd (ASX: MAQ) secured a $200 million hybrid investment from the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation. This is the largest single technology sector investment the NRF has made to date.

The funding will help ensure that critical digital infrastructure and information, including the data of everyday Australians, remains securely onshore.

This is a bet by Australia’s sovereign investment fund on the most important digital infrastructure company many Australian investors have never heard of.

What Macquarie Technology actually does

Macquarie Technology is not a household name, but its customers are.

The company provides sovereign cloud, cybersecurity, data centre, and telecommunications services to Australian businesses, critical infrastructure operators, and government agencies.

Its data centre in Canberra is home to some of Australia’s most sensitive government data. The company’s cloud platform hosts critical workloads for departments that cannot risk their information residing on offshore servers.

Unlike many speculative AI stocks, Macquarie Technology already generates meaningful earnings and has very visible demand drivers.

The company has now delivered 20 consecutive half-years of operating income growth, an impressive track record in any market environment.

The $200 million investment and what it funds

The NRF investment is structured as a hybrid note, part debt and part equity, making it the first of its kind from the NRF.

Management plans to draw down the first $100 million by this month and the second tranche by March 2027.

The capital will fund the expansion of Macquarie Technology’s IC3 Super West data centre in Sydney. This facility is designed specifically for AI infrastructure workloads requiring the highest levels of security and sovereignty.

The investment will create 140 high-skilled jobs in cybersecurity, AI and software engineering.

CEO David Tudehope said at the time of the announcement:

This investment will accelerate our ability to provide the most secure, sovereign AI infrastructure in Australia, allowing our customers to harness the rapid growth of AI while ensuring their critical data never leaves Australian shores.

The broker view on MAQ shares

The broker community responded positively to the NRF investment.

Canaccord Genuity upgraded MAQ shares following the announcement, with an upgraded price target predicting significant upside from current levels.

The broker noted the NRF investment validates Macquarie Technology’s unique position in the Australian market and dramatically improves its capacity to fund growth without relying on traditional equity raisings.

The ASX AI share has now delivered 20 consecutive half-years of operating income growth. This metric has given Canaccord confidence the momentum will continue as the IC3 Super West expansion comes online.

The risks worth knowing

Macquarie Technology is not the most liquid stock on the ASX, with a market capitalisation of approximately $1.96 billion placing it firmly in mid-cap territory.

That means institutional buying can move the price significantly in either direction.

The company operates in a competitive market for cloud and data centre services, even if the sovereign angle provides some insulation from hyperscale competition.

Furthermore, the government contract market can be lumpy, with large tenders taking time to convert to revenue.

Foolish takeaway

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) and NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) attract most of the data centre headlines on the ASX.

But Macquarie Technology is quietly something different and arguably more defensible: the sovereign AI infrastructure layer that Australian government agencies and critical industries cannot outsource offshore.

The NRF investment provides $200 million of growth capital at favourable terms, 20 consecutive half-years of earnings growth provide the track record, and Canaccord’s upgraded price target provides the broker conviction.

For investors who have not yet discovered Macquarie Technology shares, now may be the time to look more closely.

The post Why Macquarie Technology is one of the most interesting AI infrastructure plays on the ASX appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• 10 ASX shares given buy ratings this week
• I’d aim for $1 million in retirement buying just 10 ASX 200 shares
• 9 ASX 200 shares with renewed buy ratings this week
• I’d buy these ASX 200 shares if I wanted to invest for the next 20 years

Motley Fool contributor Mark Verhoeven 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 Goodman Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) shares have been on fire over the past year.

In afternoon trade on Tuesday, shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) lithium stock– formerly known as Pilbara Minerals – were trading for $6.54 each.

While shares lost ground on Tuesday, that sees the PLS share price up a blistering 473.3% over the past 12 months, smashing the 3.4% one-year gains posted by the benchmark index.

To put this performance in some perspective, if you’d bought $10,000 worth of the ASX lithium stock on 2 June 2025, you’d be sitting on $57,325 today.

Atop its own operational successes above and below the ground, the Aussie miner has enjoyed strong tailwinds from the ongoing global resurgence in lithium demand.

With only limited new supplies coming into play over the past year, this has sent spodumene (a lithium bearing ore) prices up around 196% in 12 months.

Which brings us back to our headline question.

With the stock having surged so much in the past year…

Should I buy PLS shares now?

Catapult Wealth’s Dylan Evans recently analysed the growth outlook for the Aussie lithium miner (courtesy of The Bull).

“PLS is an Australian lithium producer, with its primary operation in Western Australia,” he noted.

Commenting on the company’s recent performance, Evans said:

PLS has a solid balance sheet. Revenue of $624 million in the first half of 2026 was up 47% on the prior corresponding period. Driving growth is a combination of increasing demand for lithium and near-term supply constraints.

As for that solid balance sheet, as at 31 March PLS reported a cash balance of $1.45 billion. That was up 52% from 31 December.

Connecting the dots, Evans issued a hold recommendation on PLS shares following their huge run higher.

He concluded:

Demand is fuelled by growing battery and electric vehicle adoption, which has been boosted by the conflict in Iran and crude oil disruptions. The strong balance sheet and free cash flow should enable PLS to fund its expansion plans.

What’s the latest from the ASX 200 lithium stock?

PLS released its third quarter update on 24 April.

Highlights for the three months included an impressive 52% quarter on quarter increase in revenue to $567 million.

That revenue boost was driven by a 61% increase in the average realised spodumene price PLS received over the quarter.

The ASX 200 lithium miner also increased its quarterly spodumene production by 12% to 232,400 tonnes, and it sold 195,700 tonnes over the three months.

PLS shares closed up 1.6% on the day of the results release.

The post Up 473% in a year, should I buy PLS shares today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How ASX 200 lithium stocks like Liontown, Mineral Resources and PLS shares again beat the benchmark in May
• Which ASX lithium shares to buy as the market recovers: 2 brokers weigh in
• Buy, hold, sell: 3 very popular ASX mining stocks
• Top 10 ASX shares bought and sold by investors in May
• Buy, hold, sell: BHP, PLS Group, CBA shares

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.

Thematic investing is on the rise amongst ASX ETF investors. 

ETF providers are consistently coming up with newly designed funds to track niche areas of the market. 

For examples of this, look no further than the recently listed Betashares Space Industry ETF (ASX: RCKT). 

After listing in mid-May, the fund has already rocketed (excuse the pun) 13%. 

However it wasn’t the only thematic fund to perform well during May. 

Why target thematic ASX ETFs?

Thematic ASX ETFs can offer investors a simple way to back powerful long-term trends. 

Popular themes include artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to clean energy and biotech.

Rather than picking individual winners, investors gain exposure to a basket of companies positioned to benefit from a particular theme. 

This can help diversify and spread risk while capturing broad industry growth. 

These funds can also provide valuable insight into market sentiment, as strong inflows often signal growing investor confidence in a sector or economic trend. 

However, thematic investing is not without risks. 

Popular themes can become crowded, valuations may become detached from fundamentals, and trends that appear transformative today may fail to deliver the expected returns. 

With that in mind, here were three of the top performing funds during May. 

Global X Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: BUGG)

This ASX ETF was a market winner during the month of May. 

In the last four weeks, it has risen an astonishing 42%. 

The fund seeks to invest in companies that stand to benefit from the increased adoption of cybersecurity technology, particularly those whose principal business is in the development and management of security protocols preventing intrusion and attacks on systems, networks, applications, computers, and mobile devices.

At the time of writing, it is made up of roughly 28 holdings, with the majority based in the US. 

Global X China Tech ETF (ASX: DRGN)

Another high performing ASX ETF during May was the China focussed fund from Global X. 

It has risen more than 13% over the last 4 weeks, driven by semiconductor and AI tailwinds. 

The fund offers access to 20 leading Chinese technology companies listed in Hong Kong and Mainland. With a rules-based selection process across 15 core sectors including semiconductors, robotics, software, and internet platforms, DRGN captures China’s strategic push into self-sufficient innovation.

Global X Semiconductor ETF (ASX: SEMI)

It has been a similar story for this Semiconductor focussed ASX ETF. 

It has risen by more than 25% in the last month. 

The fund seeks to invest in companies that stand to potentially benefit from the broader adoption of tech-enabled devices that require semiconductors. This includes the development and manufacturing of semiconductors.

The post What are the best performing thematic ASX ETFs right now? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• This ASX ETF has soared because of the upcoming SpaceX IPO
• The growing case for this semiconductor ASX ETF
• SpaceX IPO buzz grows as ASX investors eye global tech giants
• Best 3 ASX ETFs to leverage massive artificial intelligence buildout
• Here are 3 ASX ETFs for smart investors to buy

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 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 Fair Work Commission handed down its 2026 Annual Wage Review decision yesterday, and it came in above most forecasts.

Australia’s 2.8 million lower-paid workers will receive a 4.75% pay rise from 1 July 2026, lifting the national minimum wage to A$1,004.90 per week, or A$26.44 per hour.

That is the first time the weekly minimum wage has crossed $1,000 in Australian history.

The increase was higher than last year’s 3.5% rise and 3.75% rise in 2024, but lower than the 5% to 6% increase sought by trade unions.

For ASX consumer stocks, the decision creates tension.

Higher wages for workers mean higher spending power for consumers. But they also mean higher labour costs for the large employers who dominate the retail sector.

Here is how the three biggest consumer names on the ASX are likely to navigate that tension.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

Woolworths employs more than 100,000 team members across Australia, the vast majority of whom are covered by enterprise agreements or modern award rates.

A 4.75% increase in award wages flows directly into Woolworths’ cost base. This already came under pressure in FY2026 as the company invested heavily in price competitiveness to win back market share.

The positive offset is that Woolworths’ customers are also among the workers receiving the wage increase.

Every dollar added to the weekly pay packet of a lower-income Australian household tends to flow quickly into grocery spending, which is exactly the category Woolworths dominates.

Woolworths CEO Amanda Bardwell has previously flagged that the company is navigating a “more cautious consumer” heading into the second half of FY2026.

A wage increase that puts more money in the pockets of the lowest-income households could be precisely the stimulus that reverses that caution for grocery spending, even if it simultaneously pressures the supermarket’s own wages bill.

Additionally, Westpac flagged today that the 4.75% increase was bigger than their expected 4.25% rise and implied some upside risk to wage growth. The bank flagged that there is risk inflation expectations remain elevated for longer, making the RBA’s job harder.

RBA risk cuts negatively for Woolworths, as further rate hikes would squeeze mortgage-holding households and reduce discretionary spending.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers faces the wage increase across a far more diverse set of businesses than Woolworths.

Bunnings, Kmart, Officeworks, and Target each employ significant numbers of award-covered workers, meaning the 4.75% increase flows through a wide cost base.

However, Wesfarmers has a meaningful advantage over most of its retail peers: pricing power.

In the first half of FY2026, Wesfarmers delivered NPAT of $1,603 million, up 9.3% year-on-year, with Bunnings and Kmart both delivering strong earnings growth despite a tough consumer environment.

That track record suggests Wesfarmers has the pricing discipline and operational efficiency to absorb a meaningful cost increase without sacrificing profitability.

Kmart in particular, with its low-price value proposition, stands to benefit if lower-income households use their wage increase to trade up from pure discount retailers while remaining value-conscious.

Morgans recently upgraded Wesfarmers to accumulate with an $81.10 price target. The broker cited the quality of the business and improving valuation after a 9% pullback over the past twelve months.

The wage increase is unlikely to change that broadly positive view on the stock’s medium-term trajectory.

JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH)

JB Hi-Fi occupies the most interesting position of the three in the context of a minimum wage increase.

The consumer electronics retailer draws its customers disproportionately from households in the middle-income bracket, not the very lowest incomes most directly affected by a minimum wage increase.

That means the direct spending boost from today’s decision is likely smaller for JB Hi-Fi than for Woolworths or Kmart.

However, there are tangible indirect benefits. A rising wage floor supports broader household income growth across the economy. This tends to increase consumer confidence and discretionary spending over time.

JB Hi-Fi delivered a strong first half of FY2026 with gross sales rising 13.2%, as the company benefited from strong demand for consumer electronics and the ongoing rollout of AI-capable devices.

For JB Hi-Fi, the wage increase is a secondary factor compared to the trajectory of interest rates and consumer confidence.

If the 4.75% increase adds to RBA concerns about inflation and increases the probability of another rate hike, that would be net negative for JB Hi-Fi’s customer base.

The inflationary risk

Today’s announcement carries a broader risk.

The Fair Work Commission noted it would not be practicable or responsible to award an increase sufficient to fully close the real wage gap that has opened since July 2021. This would have required a rise of more than 5%.

Nevertheless, a 4.75% increase on top of three consecutive RBA rate hikes creates a risk of a wage-price spiral if businesses pass through the cost increase in the form of higher consumer prices.

That is the scenario the RBA most fears, and it is the kind of development that could tip the June hold into an August hike.

Markets are currently pricing in a 7% chance of a fourth rate hike at the June meeting, but that probability could shift if this week’s wage decision is interpreted as adding to inflationary pressure.

Foolish takeaway

A minimum wage increase is not inherently good or bad for ASX consumer stocks.

For Woolworths it is both a cost headwind and a demand stimulus.

With Wesfarmers, it is a cost to manage but one its operational strength can absorb.

For JB Hi-Fi it is largely a sideshow to the interest rate story.

For all three, the more important variable in the months ahead remains what the RBA does next with rates, and whether today’s wage decision gives the board reason to keep the hiking cycle going.

The post Australia’s minimum wage just rose 4.75%. Here is what it means for ASX consumer stocks appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Are Woolworths shares a good buy for passive income?
• Why’s the ASX 200 falling today despite another tech rally?
• My 3 best ASX 200 blue-chip shares to buy in June
• Wesfarmers shares: Buy, hold or sell?
• Why Evolution Mining, JB Hi-Fi, Scentre Group, and TPG Telecom shares are falling today

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

4DMedical (ASX: 4DX) shares have been hotly covered over the past year. 

4DMedical is a medical technology company working in the field of respiratory imaging and ventilation analysis. It operates in the treatment of lung and respiratory diseases.

The company’s non-invasive lung imaging technology emanates from research work undertaken at Monash University. 

The medical technology company rocketed more than 2,000% higher between April 2025 and April 2026. 

However since reaching almost $7 per share, it has since fallen significantly and closed yesterday at $3.85. 

A new report from Bell Potter indicates that it could be set to rebound close to these record highs. This comes after the company announced its plans for a post approval study. 

What did the company announce?

4D Medical announced the launch of the CLEAR clinical study. The study is a major research program designed to demonstrate that its FDA-approved CT:VQ lung imaging technology can be used in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs).

The company will compare its CT:VQ scan directly against the current standard test. The current test requires patients to receive an injected contrast dye. 

CT:VQ uses routine CT scans and software to assess airflow and blood flow in the lungs without the need for contrast dye.

CT:VQ already received FDA clearance in 2025. However that approval was based primarily on patients undergoing traditional nuclear medicine ventilation-perfusion scans. 

The new CLEAR study is intended to generate evidence in the much larger population of patients.

4D Medical believes this is a significant commercial opportunity because around five million CTPA scans are performed each year in the United States for suspected pulmonary embolism, while only a small percentage of those scans ultimately confirm the disease. 

If the CLEAR study shows CT:VQ can deliver comparable clinical outcomes, it could encourage hospitals and physicians to adopt CT:VQ more broadly as a contrast-free alternative.

In practical terms, 4D Medical is not seeking another FDA approval. Instead, it is conducting the CLEAR study to build the clinical evidence needed to drive adoption of CT:VQ in emergency and acute-care settings, potentially expanding its addressable U.S. market to around US$3 billion annually.

What is Bell Potter saying about 4DMedical shares?

The team at Bell Potter has increased its share price target to $6.00 (previously $4.50). This is largely due to optimism surrounding the CLEAR study. 

The broker retained its speculative buy recommendation on 4DMedical shares. 

Bell Potter said The CLEAR study is essential to accelerate adoption of CTVQ in front line emergency departments and for inpatient use.

4D Medical is not required to seek further FDA approval or a label expansion to the current 510K approval, however, the clinical data from the CLEAR study will provide the necessary evidence to further support broad adoption for diagnosis of PE. Outpatient reimbursement will continue under the existing category III CPTA codes paid at US$650/scan.

The new share price target indicates an upside potential of approximately 56% from current levels. 

The post Why 4DMedical shares can return to record highs: Expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why are 4DMedical shares charging higher today?
• Top 10 ASX shares bought and sold by investors in May
• Why 4DMedical, IperionX, Pro Medicus, and Ventia shaares are storming higher today
• This ASX healthcare rocket is up 14% in a week. Here’s why investors are still buying
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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 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.

A $20,000 investment has the potential to become a much larger amount over time.

I think the key is approaching it the right way. Trying to turn $20,000 into $100,000 quickly can push investors towards risky choices, overhyped and speculative stocks, or businesses they do not really understand.

I would rather think about the question through the lens of compounding.

The target is a fivefold return. That sounds ambitious, but it does not require a miracle if the investor has enough time and owns the right types of assets.

What to target

If an investor achieved an average annual return of 9%, a $20,000 investment could grow to $100,000 in roughly 19 years.

That return is not guaranteed. Some years could be excellent, some flat, and some negative. But I think a 9% annual return is a useful long-term assumption for understanding how wealth can be built through ASX shares.

What stands out to me is that the investor does not need to find a stock that rises fivefold next year.

They need a sensible return, repeated over a long period.

That is the part of investing that often gets overlooked. Wealth is not only built by spotting one spectacular winner. It can also come from owning quality businesses, reinvesting returns, and giving the market enough time to work.

What I’d buy

If I were trying to turn $20,000 into $100,000, I would focus on quality and growth.

That could include a broad ASX exchange-traded fund (ETF) for simple market exposure, such as the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) or the iShares S&P 500 AUD ETF (ASX: IVV). This would give investors exposure to a wide range of Australian and US stocks in one investment.

But I would also want exposure to individual businesses that could grow earnings at a good rate over time.

For example, REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) has one of the strongest digital platforms in Australia through realestate.com.au. Its market position offers several avenues for growth through premium listings, data, agent tools, property insights, and finance leads.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) is another type of long-term compounder I like. It has exposure to asset management, infrastructure, commodities, private capital, and global markets. Its earnings can move around, but its ability to adapt has been a major strength over time.

I would also look at businesses with strong brands and global opportunities. Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG) is a good example. It has built a premium appliance brand with growth potential across coffee and kitchen products, as well as international markets.

Patience is the hard part

The biggest challenge is not the calculation. It is staying invested.

A 19-year journey will almost certainly include market sell-offs, recessions, disappointing company updates, and periods where investors feel like nothing is happening.

That is normal. The danger is giving up too early, selling quality shares during weak periods, or constantly jumping between ideas in search of faster returns.

If the investment case remains intact, I think time can be a powerful advantage.

Foolish Takeaway

Turning $20,000 into $100,000 with ASX shares is possible, but I think investors need the right mindset.

The goal is not to force a quick fivefold return. It is to own assets that can compound steadily and give them enough time to grow.

A 9% annual return could get the job done in roughly 19 years. That may not sound exciting at first, but I think that is the point. Successful investing often looks ordinary in the early years before the results become impressive later on.

The post Can you turn $20,000 into $100,000 with ASX shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• How to get wealthy investing $300 a month into ASX shares
• 2 ASX 200 shares I think could beat the market over 10 years
• Top 10 ASX shares bought and sold by investors in May
• Are ASX 200 bank shares a buy in June?

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended 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 big four banks are popular options for many Australian investors. But are Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) shares worth buying this week?

To find out, let’s take a look at what analysts are saying about these two big four bank shares courtesy of The Bull. Here’s what you need to know about them:

CBA shares

Red Leaf Securities has named Australia’s largest bank as a hold this week.

It highlights that CBA is the highest quality franchise in Australian banking and has resilient earnings.

However, with its growth moderating and mortgage competition intensifying, Red Leaf Securities has concerns. This is especially the case given the significant premium that CBA shares trade on compared to both local and international peers.

Commenting on its hold rating, Red Leaf Securities said:

CBA remains the highest quality franchise in Australian banking, supported by its dominant deposit base, strong digital ecosystem and industry leading profitability. Earnings remain resilient, but growth is moderating as mortgage competition intensifies and credit expansion normalises.

Credit quality is stable and dividends remain highly reliable, reinforcing its defensive appeal. However, the key issue is valuation, with the stock trading at a significant premium to domestic and global peers. Much of the quality and stability is already priced in, leaving limited upside without a material macro or earnings surprise to the upside.

NAB shares

The team at Catapult Wealth isn’t feeling upbeat on the investment opportunity with NAB shares.

With NAB recently delivering a disappointing half-year result for FY 2026 and Federal Budget policies potentially weighing on loan and property price growth, Catapult Wealth thinks that NAB could struggle to deliver on the market’s expectations in the near term.

As a result, the financial services company has named NAB as a sell this week.

Commenting on the big four bank, Catapult Wealth said:

The bank’s first half result in fiscal year 2026 was underwhelming, in our view. Investment loans account for about a third of residential lending. Proposed changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax are likely to reduce loan and property price growth, in our view. Given higher interest rates and affordability pressures, NAB may struggle to deliver the growth needed to support current expectations.

The post Should you buy CBA and NAB shares this week? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Brokers rate these 5 ASX 200 shares as a sell!
• Buy, hold, sell: Origin Energy, Megaport, NAB shares
• 3 ASX 200 shares to sell this week according to experts
• Buy, hold, sell: Wesfarmers, Saluda Medical, CBA shares
• Top 10 ASX shares bought and sold by investors in May

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 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) endured another lacklustre session this Tuesday. After starting the week on a negative note yesterday, investors didn’t exactly come back to the markets with a renewed sense of optimism today.

The ASX 200 spent the entire session in red territory, and ended up closing with a 0.057% loss. That drags the index down to 8,724.4 points.

This rather uninspiring Tuesday session for the local markets comes after a more positive start to the American trading week up on the US markets last night.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a wild ride, but managed to pull off a win, gaining 0.091%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was a little more decisive, rising 0.42%.

But let’s return to the ASX boards now and take stock of what the different ASX sectors were up to amid today’s challenging trading conditions.

Winners and losers

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Which tech share is the ‘most defensively positioned software business’ on the ASX?
• Why’s the ASX 200 falling today despite another tech rally?
• Why has the gold price fallen 17% since the Iran war began?
• WiseTech, Cochlear, CSL shares: Can these beaten down stocks rebound in 2026?
• Northern Star shares just rocketed 12%. Is a takeover battle brewing?

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 Life360, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CAR Group Ltd, Pro Medicus, and Srg Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares have slumped lower in Tuesday afternoon trade. At the time of writing, the supermarket giant’s shares are down around 2% to $34.30 a piece.

It’s been a rocky road for Woolworths shares this year, with its value swinging anywhere between $28.84 and a multi-year high of $38.15. After today’s decline, the shares are now around 17% higher year to date and 7% higher than 12 months ago.

A key catalyst was the company’s third-quarter sales update in early May. For the 13 weeks to the 5th of April, Woolworths reported total sales of $18.1 billion, up 4.5% from Q3 in FY25. Its Australian Food sales were up 5.9% year on year to $13.8 billion. 

The company said that underlying trading momentum remained solid, but management noted they have seen “some signs of increased customer caution”.

Investors were spooked and quickly offloaded their shares.

Analysts are mostly neutral on the outlook for Woolworths shares. 

TradingView data shows that 11 of 18 analysts have a hold rating on Woolworths shares, another 6 have a buy or strong buy rating, and 1 has a sell rating.

The average target price is $34.94, which implies a 2% upside at the time of writing.

But some more bullish analysts think there is still potential for the supermarket’s shares to return to the multi-year highs seen earlier this year. The $39 maximum target price implies a potential 14% upside over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

While the outlook for Woolworths shares may seem unclear, there are reasons investors should consider adding them to their portfolios.

Are Woolworths shares a good buy for passive income?

Supermarkets are inherently defensive stocks. Even if confidence and customer sentiment fall, inflation keeps rising, and purse strings get even tighter, Australians still need to buy groceries. 

The main benefit of Woolworths is its scale. This gives the company strong buying power, an extensive supply chain, and the ability to invest in efficiency over time.

Combined with its defensive nature, Woolworths can generate a relatively stable cash flow regardless of economic conditions. And this means it can continue to pay its shareholders.

How much passive income does the supermarket giant pay its shareholders?

Woolworths typically pays its investors twice-yearly dividends: an interim dividend in April and a final dividend in October.

Woolworths’ latest dividend payment in April was 45 cents per security, fully franked.

CommSec’s consensus estimates suggest Woolworths could pay a total dividend per share of 99.5 cents in FY26. Based on the current share price of $34.30, that would yield around 2.9%.

The supermarket giant is then forecast to pay shareholders $1.13 in FY27, and $1.28 in FY28.

The post Are Woolworths shares a good buy for passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why’s the ASX 200 falling today despite another tech rally?
• Here’s how Coles and Woolworths shares stacked up in May
• 6 ASX 200 shares just upgraded by the experts
• 2 ASX dividend shares I’d buy for reliable passive income
• 3 reasons to buy Woolworths shares at $34

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 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.