SGH Ltd (ASX: SGH) shares are in focus after the company confirmed it has submitted a proposal to acquire BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX:BSL). 

For a quick refresher, on Monday, it released an announcement the company has submitted a Non-Binding Indicative Offer (NBIO), together with Steel Dynamics Inc. (NASDAQ: STLD).

The offer is to acquire 100% of BlueScope Steel by way of a scheme of arrangement (the Proposal).

In the announcement, the company said if the proposal is implemented and following the transaction close, SGH would on-sell BSL’s North American operations to SDI.

This includes BSL’s North Star Flat Rolled Steel Mill and Building and Coated Products North America businesses. 

SGH would retain the remaining BSL “Australia + Rest of World” operations.

This includes Australian Steel Products, Asia Coated Products, and New Zealand and Pacific Islands businesses.

According to the announcement, the consortium has offered $30.00 cash per BlueScope share. 

What did management say?

Commenting on the proposal, Ryan Stokes, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of SGH said: 

We believe BlueScope’s Australian business is a strong strategic fit for SGH and we have a proven track record of driving performance improvement in domestic industrial businesses. We intend to leverage our disciplined operating model and capital allocation approach to deliver better outcomes for stakeholders.

Bell Potter weighs in

Following the announcement, Broker Bell Potter released a report with analysis on the company following the proposal. 

The broker said an all-cash consideration of A$30.00/sh was offered, representing a 27% premium to BSL’s share price at NBIO submission (12 December 2025). 

This values BSL at 18.6x EV / FY25a EBIT and 9.5x EV / FY25a EBITDA (SGH: 15.2x EV / FY25a EBIT and 11.4x EV / FY25a EBITDA). 

Bell Potter also noted that Steel Dynamics had made three prior offers through a consortium (not with SGH Ltd) and alone, targeting BlueScope Steel’s North American operations. 

However all prior proposals were rejected on the basis they undervalued BSL and presented a significant regulatory hurdle.

Ultimately the broker believes SGH is securing a strong deal. 

We believe SGH is securing a good deal for shareholders, acquiring the Australia and RoW businesses at cycle-lows. These assets will benefit from SGH’s capital-backing and high-performance operating model which has proven successful with the Boral turnaround.

Valuation remains the same

SGH shares have already jumped 6% higher in 2026. 

But following Monday’s announcement, Bell Potter made no material changes to EPS forecasts or valuations.

The broker has maintained its hold recommendation and $52.00 price target. 

This indicates an upside of approximately 6%. 

The post What’s Bell Potter’s view on SGH shares after the BlueScope Steel acquisition proposal? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• BlueScope Steel shares soar 23%: Buy, hold or sell for 2026?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why BlueScope, DroneShield, Monadelphous, and SGH shares are racing higher today
• BlueScope shares jump 20% on takeover news
• SGH confirms $13.2 billion acquisition offer for BlueScope Steel

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 recommended Steel Dynamics. 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.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares may have a reputation for large dividend payouts, but it’s not one of the first ASX dividend shares I’d buy today.

For starters, the ASX mining share has seen its valuation increase by more than 20% over the last six months, which is great for existing shareholders but not for potential investors seeking a large dividend yield.

When the share price of a business increases 10%, it pushes down the dividend yield by around 10%. For example, if the dividend yield was 5% and the share price rises 10%, new investors would only get a 4.5% dividend yield.

I rate the two ASX dividend share below as much more appealing ideas for passive income.

Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI)

Like BHP, Universal Store is exposed to a cyclical sector. Universal Store operates in the retail space, with multiple premium youth fashion brands. Its two most compelling businesses are Universal Store and Perfect Stranger. It aims to sell on-trend apparel products to 16 to 35-year-old fashion-focused customers.

Despite being in retail, the company’s dividend has not been volatile – it has steadily grown since it started paying one in 2021. Owners of BHP shares have seen multiple annual dividend cuts in that time.

In FY25, Universal Store grew its annual payout by 8% to 38.5 cents per share, which translates into a current grossed-up dividend yield of almost 7%, including franking credits.

The prospect of dividend growth in FY26 looks promising, in my view.

In the AGM update in October, overall direct-to-customer sales were up 13.7% year-over-year, with Universal Store total sales up 11.4% and Perfect Stranger sales up 30.5%.

The company said it’s on track to roll out between 11 to 17 new stores in FY26, representing a rise of approximately 10%, which is a good tailwind for further earnings growth.

I think it’s likely the ASX dividend share will pay an annual dividend of at least 40 cents per share in FY26, which could translate into a grossed-up dividend yield of 7.1%.

WCM Quality Global Growth Fund (ASX: WCMQ)

Most index-tracking exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have a relatively low dividend yield because the businesses they’re invested in have a low dividend yield.

But, some ETFs can become an attractive option for passive income if they target a specific dividend yield for investors.

WCM Quality Global Growth Fund is aiming for a minimum annualised cash yield of at least 5% each year, which I’d describe as a very good yield when combined with the overall offering.

The WCM investment team aim for a portfolio of between 20 to 40 stocks that they’d describe as quality global companies that have corporate cultures that promote a strengthening of their economic moats over time.

With that strategy, WCM has delivered an average return per year of almost 16% over the last decade. That leaves room for a good dividend yield, rising dividend and capital growth too from the ASX dividend share. Of course, past performance is not a guarantee of future returns.

Some of the positions in the current portfolio include AppLovin, Taiwan Semiconductor, Siemens Energy and Amazon.

The post Forget BHP 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 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 Amazon and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Siemens Energy Ag. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Amazon, BHP Group, and Universal Store. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

I think it is fair to say that it is rarely comfortable buying ASX 200 shares that have disappointed investors.

Sharp pullbacks often come with negative headlines, downgraded forecasts, and shaken confidence. But history shows that some of the market’s best long-term opportunities emerge when high-quality companies fall out of favour.

With that in mind, here are three ASX 200 shares that have struggled recently but could prove to be among the most rewarding buys looking ahead to 2026.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

CSL shares had a bruising 2025, falling heavily as investors reacted to slower-than-expected earnings growth, weaker demand trends in parts of its plasma business, and uncertainty around its Seqirus vaccine division.

However, the long-term investment case for CSL remains largely intact. The biotech operates in markets with powerful structural tailwinds, including ageing populations, rising diagnosis rates, and increasing global demand for plasma-derived therapies. Few companies can match CSL’s scale, research capability, and global manufacturing footprint.

Importantly, periods of slower growth are not new for CSL. In the past, similar phases have been followed by renewed earnings momentum. If the company regains even a portion of its historical growth profile, today’s valuation could look very cheap.

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX)

Telix Pharmaceuticals has also tested investor patience. After a strong run in earlier years, its shares have pulled back as the market reassessed regulatory milestones and commercialisation expectations.

Despite this, Telix arguably remains one of the ASX’s most compelling healthcare growth stories. Its flagship prostate cancer imaging product is already generating revenue, while a deep pipeline of diagnostic and therapeutic candidates offers significant long-term upside.

Radiopharmaceuticals are still a relatively young field, and successful execution could unlock very large global markets.

If the US FDA approves its Zircaix and Pixclara products in 2026, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Telix thump the market over the next 12 months.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

WiseTech Global was one of the biggest ASX 200 share casualties in 2025. After years of premium valuations, concerns around acquisitions, executive behaviour, insider trading, and product launch delays triggered a sharp derating.

Yet WiseTech still owns one of the most mission-critical software platforms in global logistics. CargoWise is deeply entrenched in customer operations, creating high switching costs and recurring revenue. Global trade volumes may fluctuate year to year, but the long-term trend toward digitalisation and automation in logistics remains strong.

If WiseTech can restore market confidence, I think the combination of earnings growth and valuation recovery could be powerful over the next few years.

The post Could these ASX 200 losers be among the best shares to buy in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL, Telix Pharmaceuticals, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

ASX materials stocks enjoyed a stellar year in 2025. 

The S&P/ASX 200 Materials (ASX: XMJ) sector rose by an impressive 31.7%. 

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) rose approximately 6.3%. 

This success was driven by record commodity prices including gold, silver and platinum. 

However the record run might still not be over. 

A fresh note out of Morgans has reinforced the upside in two ASX materials stocks. 

Here’s what the broker had to say. 

VBX Ltd (ASX: VBX)

VBX is a responsible and near-term producer of high-quality, low-silica Australian bauxite. 

It is focused on the near-term development of high-grade, low-silica bauxite resources at its flagship project, Wuudagu, in Northern Western Australia.

Its share price has fallen 20% in the last 6 months, however Morgans is optimistic on this ASX materials stock.

The broker said the company is continuing to advance its 95.9Mt Wuudagu bauxite project.

Recent drilling at Wuudagu D, E and F confirmed these areas as new discoveries that could significantly increase the project’s size.

With three additional discoveries confirmed, we see scope for an additional 35-55Mt in potential volume, before applying grade parameters. We are encouraged by average in-situ Al2O3 grades of ~40% across the reported drill datasets which may beneficiate in the same manner as the existing reserve.

The broker also said the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) work is progressing well and is on track for a 2026 update, supporting future offtake agreements and financing.

Based on this guidance, Morgans has reiterated its speculative buy recommendation and raised its price target to $2.10 (previously $1.60). 

This indicates an upside of 320% from yesterday’s closing price of $0.50. 

Tesoro Resources Ltd (ASX: TSO)

Tesoro Resources is a gold developer operating in the coastal Cordillera region of Chile.

Its share price already rose more than 300% in the last year, however Morgans believes it can keep soaring. 

The broker said it has maintained its buy recommendation following the company’s share consolidation. 

We update our TSO model, adjusting for the recently implemented 15:1 share consolidation. We maintain our SPECULATIVE BUY rating and price target of A$4.88ps. TSO remains inexpensive, trading at A$96/oz vs. a peer group average of A$220/oz, accompanied by quantum changing exploration potential.

Based on the price target of $4.88, Morgans is expecting an increase of 275% from yesterday’s closing price of $1.30. 

The post Could these ASX materials stocks really be set to triple? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• What’s Bell Potter’s view on SGH shares after the BlueScope Steel acquisition proposal?
• Forget BHP shares! Buy these ASX dividend shares instead for passive income
• Could these ASX 200 losers be among the best shares to buy in 2026?
• Are Qantas shares a buy, hold or sell for 2026?
• 3 reasons to buy Ampol shares now

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.

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) shares ended the day 1.75% higher on Wednesday, at $10.48 a piece.

So far in 2026, the shares have climbed 0.67%. They’re currently trading 12.81% higher than this time last year.

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) closed 0.15% higher on Wednesday, is down 0.06% for 2026 so far, and 4.95% higher than this time last year.

The aviation heavyweight has dominated the Australian domestic aviation market for decades alongside rival Virgin Australia. Qantas’ share of the domestic market currently accounts for around 60%, and it’s still growing.

Qantas is adding capacity to its routes to mainland US, New Zealand, Singapore, and Hawaii. Meanwhile its subsidiary, Jetstar, is adding capacity to its routes to Bali, New Zealand, Thailand, South Korea, and Singapore and executed its first flight direct to the Philippines in late-November.

Qantas is also planning to scale AI usage across the business over the coming year, according to The Australian. The airline company’s CEO said the business is laying the foundations for increased use of AI, and said that he thinks Australia needs to move quickly on the “unprecedented” opportunities it represents.

Just last month the airline appointed its first chief technology, AI and transformation officer, Rachel Yangoyan.

Are the shares a buy, hold or sell for 2026?

While I’m a little concerned about the concentration of Australia’s domestic aviation market, and that the airline has its work cut out to be able to achieve the rate of growth it expects in 2026, analysts are pretty bullish on the outlook for Qantas shares.

TradingView data shows that 11 out of 13 analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on the shares.  

At the time of writing the maximum 12-month target price on the shares is $13.17 each, which implies a 26.62% upside for investors, at the time of writing.

UBS has a buy rating on the business, with a price target of $11.50. 

Macquarie also thinks there’s still plenty more upside to come. The broker recently upgraded Qantas shares to an outperform rating with a $12.29 price target. This implies a potential upside of 17.27% for investors at the time of writing.

The broker said that Jetstar continues to be the growth driver, both domestically and internationally. It added that the outlook for the company is favourable, with strong low cost carrier growth and lower oil prices mitigating potential load factor pressure.

The post Are Qantas shares a buy, hold or sell for 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) shares have been motoring ahead recently, rising 17% in the past 6 months.

To put this in context, the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) tumbled 5.3% over the same period.  

In the past month Ampol shares have lost a bit of ground though, losing 4.7% at $30.39 at the time of writing.  

The lower entry level is one reason to consider the ASX 200 energy stock. Let’s see what else makes Ampol appealing.

Bold billion-dollar bet

Ampol’s planned $1.1 billion acquisition of EG Group’s Australian operations has clearly struck a chord with investors. The deal would add around 500 company-owned fuel and convenience sites to Ampol’s network, dramatically expanding its national footprint and giving it greater control over retail margins.

Investors wasted no time applauding the move, sending Ampol shares nearly 10% higher on the day the deal was announced. Management says the acquisition should boost both earnings and free cash flow, assuming it completes by mid-2026.

To support the transaction, Ampol has also rolled out a $500 million delayed-draw subordinated notes facility. That’s clearly a sign the board is confident in its capital management strategy.

Convenience retail and refining tailwinds

The EG deal isn’t the only reason traders are piling in. Markets are also pricing in improving refining margins and a resilient performance from Ampol’s convenience retail division.

Ampol’s diversified business spans refining, fuel marketing and distribution across Australia and New Zealand, supported by an extensive network of service stations and convenience stores. It also sells lubricants and specialty products and is steadily building exposure to EV charging and low-carbon energy solutions.

These segments have helped cushion the impact of softer global refining conditions. About 60% of Ampol’s earnings are linked to its fuel retail and convenience stores, and roughly 40% to the more cyclical refining business.

Recent quarterly updates have shown stronger refiners’ margins linked to broader crude and product crack improvements, giving Ampol shares another nudge higher.

Brokers still see more upside

Despite the rally in the past 6 months, analysts aren’t hitting the brakes just yet. While refining margins remain cyclical and sensitive to crude price swings — and debt levels still demand discipline — broker sentiment remains broadly positive.

TradingView data shows most analysts rate Ampol a strong buy, with bullish forecasts as high as $37.40, implying 21% upside. The average 12-month price target sits at $35.02, still pointing to a respectable 13% gain from current levels.

For investors hunting an ASX energy stock with momentum, scale, and a clear growth play, Ampol shares look like it’s still got fuel left in the tank.

The post 3 reasons to buy Ampol shares now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ASX 200 energy sector leads the market ahead of OPEC+ meeting
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• Why ASX oil stocks Woodside, Santos and Ampol are sliding today
• What a rising Aussie dollar means for your ASX shares
• Why Ampol shares zoomed to reach a 52-week high

Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther 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.

Last year, the US Magnificent Seven stocks fell short of the extraordinary performance that investors worldwide have come to expect.

Only two Mag 7 shares delivered impressive capital growth, while the other five underperformed the major US indices.

Yep, they underperformed.

The health of the Mag 7 companies matters to Australian investors because we are heavily invested in them, whether we like it or not.

Got a superannuation fund? Chances are a chunk of your retirement savings are invested in these seven high-tech companies.

Own exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tracking the US or global markets?

You’re definitely invested in the Mag 7 stocks.

The Mag 7’s high market caps mean they dominate the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) and the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC).

Therefore, their performance has a direct impact on many Australians’ investments.

Let’s take a look at how the Magnificent 7 stocks performed in 2025, starting with the No. 1 riser.

And no, it’s not the stock you think!

Magnificent Seven stocks in 2025

To set the scene for you, the S&P 500 rose 16.39% and the Nasdaq Composite lifted 20.36% last year. (Compare that to ASX shares here.)

Here’s how the Magnificent Seven stocks compared to the broader market.

1. Alphabet Inc Class A (NASDAQ: GOOGL)

Both Class A and Alphabet Inc Class C (NASDAQ: GOOG) shares lifted 65% in 2025.

Class A stock closed at US$313 per share, and Class C shares closed at $313.80.

Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA)

US stock market darling Nvidia still put in a good performance as it continues to leverage the artificial intelligence megatrend.

Stock in the US graphics and AI chip designer rose 39% to close at US$186.50 per share on 31 December.

In October, Nvidia became the first company in the world to reach a US$5 trillion market cap.

Investment platform Stake reports that Nvidia was one of the five most traded US stocks by Australian traders last year.

According to Stake’s 2025 Retail Investor Report Card:

It beat revenue estimates every quarter in 2025 by an average of 8.9% and is on track to generate US$212B in FY26.

Its earnings have become a global market catalyst: Nvidia’s results serve as a directional signal for traders worldwide.

For Stake investors, the biggest ‘buy-the-dip’ moment came during the DeepSeek moment in January, when Nvidia lost US$260B in market cap but buy orders surged 460%.

Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT)

The Microsoft stock price rose 15% to close 2025 at US$483.62 per share.

Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ: META) 

Meta Platforms shares rose 13% to finish the year at US$660.09.

Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA)

Stock in electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla rose 11% to US$449.72 per share.

Stake analysts said Tesla was the only Magnificent Seven stock not to set a new share price record in 2025.

Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) 

US technology stock Apple rose by 9% to close at US$271.86 per share on 31 December.

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) 

The Amazon share price inched 5% higher to close at US$230.82 on 31 December.

Interesting sidenote

My US Fool colleague Trevor Jennewine recently covered the third-quarter report from Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B).

The report showed that the ‘Oracle of Omaha’, who retired at the end of last year, bought Alphabet stock — the best performer of the Magnificent Seven in 2025 — and continued to sell down Apple — the second-worst performer of the group — during the third quarter.

Berkshire Hathaway purchased 17.8 million shares in Alphabet, which now accounts for 2% of the company’s $267 billion portfolio of 41 stocks.

Berkshire sold 41.7 million Apple shares, and although the company remains Berkshire’s largest holding at 21%, its position has reduced by 74% in just two years.

The post Here’s how the US Magnificent Seven stocks performed in 2025 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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

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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 Domino’s Pizza Enterprises and HMC Capital. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises and HMC Capital. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Getting started in the share market can feel overwhelming. With thousands of shares to choose from, it is easy to fall into analysis paralysis before you even begin!

One simple way to cut through the noise is to build a diversified portfolio using a small number of broad-based exchange traded funds (ETFs). This approach can provide instant exposure to hundreds, or even thousands, of shares, while keeping costs, effort, and complexity low.

If you are new to investing and looking for a straightforward place to start, here is how a three-ETF ASX portfolio could do most of the heavy lifting.

Vanguard Australian Shares ETF (ASX: VAS)

The first building block is exposure to the Australian share market.

To achieve this, the Vanguard Australian Shares ETF would be a natural choice. The hugely popular fund tracks the performance of the largest listed shares on the ASX.

This means investors gain easy access to household names across banking, resources, healthcare, and consumer staples. This includes well-known businesses like Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW), and Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC).

Vanguard MSCI International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

While Australian shares can form a strong foundation, relying solely on the local market can leave portfolios overly concentrated.

The Vanguard MSCI International Shares ETF helps solve this problem by providing exposure to global markets, including the United States, Europe, and parts of Asia. It holds many of the world’s largest and most successful companies across technology, healthcare, consumer goods, and industrials. In fact, at the last count, there were over 1,200 shares in the fund.

For new investors, this ETF adds geographic diversification and reduces reliance on the Australian economy. It also provides access to global growth opportunities that are not well represented on the ASX.

Betashares Diversified All Growth ETF (ASX: DHHF)

This third ASX ETF could act as a simple way to broaden portfolio diversification even further with a single click of the button.

The Betashares Diversified All Growth ETF is an all-in-one growth ETF that invests across Australian shares, international shares, and emerging markets.

While it does overlap somewhat with the first two ETFs, it adds additional exposure to regions and companies that may otherwise be underrepresented. Betashares highlights that it provides exposure to approximately 8,000 shares that are listed on over 60 global exchanges.

For beginners, this type of ETF can help smooth out returns over time and reduce the need to constantly rebalance a portfolio. It was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

The post New to Investing? Here’s a 3-ETF ASX portfolio appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Major oil and gas producers Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) are dominant players on the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

At the time of writing on Wednesday afternoon, Woodside shares are down 2.47% to $22.94 a piece. For 2026 so far, Woodside shares are down 3.53% and they’re currently trading 10.29% lower than this time last year.

Santos shares are also trading in the red at the time of writing, down 2.78% to $5.92 a piece. For 2026 so far, the shares are 4.13% lower, and they’re down 14.97% from this time last year.

For context, the ASX 200 Index is up 0.39% today, up 0.18% for the year to date, and 5.21% above the levels seen this time last year.

What happened to Woodside shares this year?

It was a volatile year for Woodside’s shares. Dwindling oil prices dampened the ASX 200 Australian petroleum exploration and production company’s performance potential throughout most of the year.

Its share price pushed higher on the back of a steep uptick in the crude oil price in late October, climbing nearly 20% over a four-week period. But the shares dropped again, around 7%, in mid-December after it announced the shock exit of its CEO.

In its latest quarterly update, in October, Woodside showed an uptick in revenue and production. The oil and gas producer thinks the two metrics will keep growing in 2026, too. Woodside has upgraded its full-year production guidance to 192–197 MMboe and plans to progress its pipeline of global projects this year.

What happened to Santos shares this year?

Santos shares fell sharply in late August after the company posted its half-year results and a potential takeover proposal by an ADNOC-led group collapsed. The group dropped the takeover bid in mid-August after the process raised concerns about governance and regulatory issues.

Dwindling oil prices also played their part in the latter few months of 2026. WTI crude oil prices fell in late-December following supply concerns, dragging down the independent oil and gas producer’s share price with it.

But there were quite a few positive developments out of the company in late-2025 too. In mid-December, Santos announced it had accelerated the final repayment under the PNG LNG project finance facility, bringing the facility to a close. Santos made its final $363 million payment six months ahead of the June 2026 repayment deadline.

The company also executed a conditional sale and purchase agreement to divest its 42.86% operated interest in the Mahalo Joint Venture to Comet Ridge Ltd (ASX: COI).

Are the ASX 200 oil and gas producers a buy, hold or sell for 2026?

Analysts are split about the outlook for Woodside shares in 2026. TradingView data shows that out of 16 analysts, 7 have a buy or strong buy rating on the shares and the other 9 have a hold rating.

The average 12-month target price for Woodside shares is $26.21, which implies a potential 14.64% upside ahead for investors. But some analysts think the shares could jump as high as $33.49, which implies a 46.54% upside at the time of writing.

It’s a similar story for Santos shares. Data shows that 10 out of 15 analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on Santos shares. Meanwhile 4 have a hold rating and 1 analyst rates Santos shares as a sell.

The average 12-month target price on Santos shares is $7.37, which implies a potential 24.34% upside for investors. However some think the share price could climb up to $8.71, which represents a 46.91% upside at the time of writing.

The post Santos vs Woodside: Are these ASX 200 oil and gas shares a buy, hold or sell for 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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