• 3 ASX stocks I’d trust with $10,000 for the next decade

    A smiling woman sits in a cafe reading a story on her phone about Rio Tinto and drinking a coffee with a laptop open in front of her.

    If you’re investing with a long-term mindset, choosing the right ASX 200 stocks matters.

    Short-term market noise, interest rate movements, and economic cycles all become far less important when you have a 10-year horizon.

    What really counts is owning businesses with sustainable competitive advantages, strong earnings power, and the ability to keep compounding year after year.

    With that in mind, here are three ASX 200 stocks I would feel very comfortable putting $10,000 into and leaving untouched for the next decade.

    REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

    Real estate might rise and fall with the economic cycle, but REA Group has proven again and again that it sits above the noise.

    REA Group’s realestate.com.au website is the dominant digital property platform in Australia. It benefits from unmatched brand power, huge consumer traffic, and long-term relationships with agents and developers. When Australians look for property, they go to REA,  and that behaviour isn’t changing.

    Importantly, the ASX 200 stock continues to find ways to monetise its leadership position. Premium listing upgrades, new adjacent services, data products, and international expansion provide multiple growth levers. Even in softer property markets, the company has maintained strong earnings momentum thanks to its pricing power and operational efficiency.

    With its wide moat, high margins and expanding global footprint, I think REA is one of the most reliable long-term compounders on the ASX.

    TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE)

    Long-term wealth creation is built on consistency, and TechnologyOne might be the most consistent software company in Australia.

    It specialises in enterprise SaaS solutions for government, education, and large organisations. These are customers that value reliability and tend to stick with their software providers for decades. This results in incredibly stable, high-margin recurring revenue and some of the stickiest client relationships in the market.

    The company has delivered 16 consecutive years of record profit and continues to grow strongly as new customers join its platform and existing customers spend more.

    The good news is that its growth is far from over. In fact, management believes that it can double in size every five years. In light of this, its proven management team, huge addressable market, and reliable earnings, TechnologyOne is exactly the type of company I would happily hold for 10 years or more.

    Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

    While Woolworths Group won’t match the hyper-growth of tech stocks, it brings resilience to a decade-long portfolio.

    As Australia’s largest supermarket operator, this ASX 200 stock enjoys steady demand regardless of economic conditions. People always need groceries, household essentials and everyday goods, which gives the business a defensive earnings profile.

    Over a 10-year period, this combination of defensive earnings and robust growth can deliver surprisingly strong compounding. So, for investors wanting stability alongside growth, Woolworths provides a dependable anchor for any long-term portfolio.

    The post 3 ASX stocks I’d trust with $10,000 for the next decade appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy REA Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and REA Group wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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

  • It’s never been easier to AI a Thanksgiving dinner table — just look at social media

    An AI photo of RFK Jr. Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and Elon Musk having Thanksgiving dinner
    RFK Jr. tweeted an AI parody of his famed McDonald's photo.

    • Prominent figures like RFK Jr. and Alex Jones tweeted AI-generated Thanksgiving photos.
    • The trend follows the launch of Google Gemini's Nano Banana Pro a week ago.
    • Nano Banana Pro could make the same jokey photos look indistinguishable from AI by next year.

    Mashed potato recipes aren't the only things being whipped up by AI this Thanksgiving. Digitally altered family portraits are also on the menu — and some are starting to look more realistic.

    RFK Jr., parodying his famed photo dining on McDonald's with President Donald Trump, Donald Trump, Jr., and Elon Musk, swapped the Happy Meals for Brussels sprouts and cranberries. Alex Jones appeared to cook a turkey with Sydney Sweeney. Crypto influencer Tiffany Fong carved hers next to Jackie Chan with the help of AI.

    One of the more lifelike renderings came from Daniel Newman, the CEO of Futurum, a tech research group. Newman shared multiple photos of himself appearing to dine with tech leaders like Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Satya Nadella, Tim Cook, and Jensen Huang (who, appears twice).

    "Seriously…AI is too much," Newman wrote.

    A new AI model launched days before Thanksgiving

    While leading AI generators used the holiday to showcase new updates — OpenAI's Sora shared videos of an animated turkey while Topaz Labs restored 1940s Macy's Day Parade footage — one AI model dominated the discourse this week.

    A week before Thanksgiving, Google Gemini launched Nano Banana Pro, an updated version of its AI image generator. Comparing a similar image created by the older version of Nano Banana, users flagged the hyper-realism of the new model.

    Already, Nano Banana Pro stunned online users with generated photos of tech CEOs partying together (busy week for the AI CEOs!)

    So as you sit with your own relatives this Thanksgiving, now might be a great time to share your tips for spotting AI — while they're still relevant.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Brokers name 3 ASX dividend stocks to buy

    A woman presenting company news to investors looks back at the camera and smiles.

    Do you have room in your income portfolio for some new additions? If you do, then it could be worth considering the three ASX dividend stocks in this article.

    That’s because brokers have put buy ratings on them and are forecasting attractive and growing payouts in the near term.

    Here’s what they are recommending to clients:

    Cedar Woods Properties Limited (ASX: CWP)

    Cedar Woods could be an ASX dividend stock to buy now according to brokers.

    It is one of Australia’s leading property companies with a portfolio diversified by geography, price point, and product type. This leaves Cedar Woods perfectly positioned to be a big winner from Australia’s chronic housing shortage.

    It is for this reason that the team at Bell Potter is so positive on its outlook. The broker expects this to underpin dividends per share of 34 cents in FY 2026 and then 38 cents in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $8.86, this equates to 3.8% and 4.3% dividend yields, respectively.

    The broker currently has a buy rating and $9.70 price target on its shares.

    Jumbo Interactive Ltd (ASX: JIN)

    Another ASX dividend stock that could be a buy for income investors is Jumbo Interactive.

    It is the online lottery ticket seller and lottery platform provider behind the Oz Lotteries app and Powered by Jumbo platform.

    Morgan Stanley thinks it would be a good pick for investors right now. It was pleased with its positive start to the year and believes it is positioned to pay fully franked dividends of 57.7 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 68.4 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $10.62, this would mean dividend yields of 5.4% and 6.4%, respectively.

    It currently has an overweight rating and $16.80 price target on its shares.

    Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI)

    Finally, youth-focused fashion retailer Universal Store could be an ASX dividend stock to buy.

    Bell Potter is positive on the company, highlighting that it is executing very well on its national store rollout strategy.

    The broker believes this strong form will continue and is forecasting fully franked dividends of 37.3 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 41.4 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $8.61, this equates to dividend yields of 4.3% and 4.8%, respectively.

    Bell Potter has a buy rating and $10.50 price target on its shares.

    The post Brokers name 3 ASX dividend stocks to buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Cedar Woods Properties Limited right now?

    Before you buy Cedar Woods Properties Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Cedar Woods Properties Limited wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Universal Store. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Jumbo Interactive. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Jumbo Interactive and Universal Store. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Sell alert! Experts name 3 ASX 200 stocks to unload today

    Buy and sell on yellow paper with pins on them and several share price lines.

    Two leading investment experts say that now is the time to sell these three S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) stocks.

    One of the companies is a fast food operator, the second is an Aussie rare earths miner, and the third is an Australian retail conglomerate.

    Here’s why shares in these three companies could be in for a rough patch in the months ahead (courtesy of The Bull).

    Two ASX 200 stocks still awaiting a confirmed turnaround

    The first company tipped as a sell is Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL).

    Super Retail shares have gained 9% over the past 12 months. Atop those capital gains, the ASX 200 stock also trades on a 5.9% fully franked trailing dividend yield.

    But looking ahead, MPC Markets’ Mark Gardner sees headwinds building.

    “The retail giant’s brands include Supercheap Auto, Macpac, Rebel and BCF,” said Gardner, who has a sell recommendation on Super Retail shares.

    “In our view, Super Retail’s profit outlook is modest, with few signs of accelerating growth amid challenging consumer trends,” he noted.

    Gardner gave a nod to the passive income on offer from Super Retail shares. But he believes there are better opportunities on the ASX for passive income investors.

    “The dividend yield is a bright spot, but overall, retail exposure is better gained through JB Hi Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) or Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), which we believe offer stronger brands, wider margins and better scale advantages,” he said.

    Gardner concluded, “Downside risk outweighs the upside without a near-term turnaround.”

    Gardner also issued a sell recommendation on Collins Foods Ltd (ASX: CKF).

    Collins Food shares have surged 34% over the past 12 months. Atop those gains, the ASX 200 stock trades on a fully franked 2.3% trailing dividend yield.

    “The company operates hundreds of KFC outlets in Australia and Europe. The company announced in April 2025 that it was exiting the underperforming Taco Bell business,” Gardner said.

    And he noted that statutory profits have come under heavy pressure.

    “Revenue growth in Australia in full year 2025 was partially offset by softness in Europe. Statutory net profit after tax of $8.8 million was down 88.5%,” he said.

    Gardner concluded, “In our view, fast food peer Guzman Y Gomez (ASX: GYG) presents as a stronger brand with superior momentum. We recommend switching to category leaders while CKF’s story remains in transition.”

    Which brings us to…

    Calling time on Lynas shares

    Ord Minnett’s Tony Paterno recommends cashing in gains on Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC).

    Lynas shares have soared 110% since this time last year, though they remain well down from the multi-year highs notched on 15 October.

    “Lynas is the only significant producer of separated rare earths materials outside of China,” said Paterno, who has a sell recommendation on the ASX 200 stock.

    He noted:

    Gross sales revenue of $200.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 was up on the prior quarter and the prior corresponding period but missed consensus. The shares have fallen from $21.64 on October 15 to trade at $15.51 on November 19.

    Paterno concluded, “In our view, the shares remain overvalued, so investors may want to consider cashing in some gains.”

    The post Sell alert! Experts name 3 ASX 200 stocks to unload today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Collins Foods Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Collins Foods Limited wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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    Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Super Retail Group and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Super Retail Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Collins Foods and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • The unstoppable ASX stocks powering the AI revolution

    A woman works on an openface tech wall, indicating share price movement for ASX tech shares

    Artificial intelligence isn’t just a buzzword anymore, it is rapidly becoming one of the defining technologies of the decade.

    From cloud computing to logistics to data processing, AI is transforming how businesses operate and creating enormous investment opportunities along the way.

    And while the world’s biggest AI winners tend to come from the US, the ASX is home to several stocks that play critical roles in the infrastructure behind the boom.

    These aren’t speculative AI stocks chasing hype. They are established, essential businesses supplying the digital backbone that AI systems rely on.

    If you’re looking for ASX stocks positioned to thrive as AI adoption accelerates, these three stand out according to analysts.

    Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

    When you think of AI stocks, property developers might not come to mind, but Goodman Group is quietly becoming one of the most important players in the global data economy.

    Goodman develops and owns industrial facilities around the world, and more recently it has been shifting aggressively into large-scale data centre infrastructure. These sites are in massive demand thanks to AI training models, cloud providers, and hyperscale computing companies needing enormous amounts of secure, high-power, high-cooling capacity real estate.

    Global tech giants are now turning to Goodman to build the next generation of AI-ready facilities. With a development pipeline in excess of $12 billion, and 68% of this focused on data centres, Goodman is well-placed to be a big winner from the AI boom.

    It is partly for this reason that UBS has a buy rating and $36.41 price target on its shares.

    Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

    Artificial intelligence requires data to move quickly and reliably across multiple cloud platforms. That’s where Megaport shines.

    Its global software-defined networking platform allows businesses to connect seamlessly to cloud providers like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. As AI workloads increase, so does the need for flexible, high-speed connectivity that traditional networks simply can’t match.

    The company also recently acquired Latitude.sh, which is a globally scalable Compute-as-a-Service platform. It provides automated high-performance compute infrastructure that enables customers to scale their workloads. Management notes that this now means that it has “open[ed] the door to the explosive world of AI inference and training.”

    This week, the team at Morgans put a buy rating and $17.00 price target on its shares.

    NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT)

    NextDC is one of Australia’s leading data centre operators. It continues to expand aggressively, building hyperscale centres designed to support AI-intensive workloads. Its facilities offer industry-leading power capacity, energy efficiency and connectivity, making them attractive to cloud providers and multinational enterprises.

    The company has secured long-term customer contracts and is investing billions into new sites, including major expansions in Sydney, Melbourne and international markets. With AI adoption driving unprecedented demand for compute power, analysts expect NextDC to benefit from a multi-year structural tailwind.

    UBS currently has a buy rating and $21.45 price target on its shares.

    The post The unstoppable ASX stocks powering the AI revolution appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Goodman Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Goodman Group wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Goodman Group, Megaport, and Nextdc. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goodman Group and Megaport. 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.

  • Analysts think BHP and these ASX dividend shares are buys this week

    A man wearing a shirt, tie and hard hat sits in an office and marks dates in his diary.

    If you are on the hunt for income opportunities on the Australian share market, a number of ASX dividend shares are currently catching the attention of analysts.

    As well as being labelled as buys, these shares are expected to deliver attractive dividend yields in the coming years and could be worth a closer look for investors wanting a source of passive income.

    Here are three ASX dividend shares that brokers are rating as buys right now.

    BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

    Mining giant BHP Group remains a favourite for income-focused investors.

    And it isn’t hard to see why. The Big Australian continues to generate strong free cash flow through its world-class iron ore, copper, and metallurgical coal operations.

    It is thanks to these operations that BHP has long been recognised as a dependable payer of large, fully franked dividends.

    And Morgan Stanley believes shareholders can expect another couple of healthy years of income. The broker is forecasting fully franked dividend equivalents of $1.90 per share in FY 2026 and $1.70 per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $41.74, this equates to dividend yields of 4.55% and 4.1%, respectively.

    Morgan Stanley has an overweight rating and $48.00 price target on its shares.

    HomeCo Daily Needs REIT (ASX: HDN)

    Income investors may also want to consider HomeCo Daily Needs REIT. This property trust owns and operates convenience-focused retail centres anchored by essential services. These are properties like supermarkets, pharmacies, large-format retailers, and healthcare centres.

    Its tenant base includes heavyweights such as Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), helping underpin stable rental income.

    UBS is positive on the company, highlighting the discount between its share price and its net tangible asset value.

    It also expects some big distributions over the next two years. The broker is forecasting 9 cents per share in dividends for both FY 2026 and FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $1.35, this equates to dividend yields of 6.7%.

    UBS has a buy rating and $1.53 price target on its shares.

    Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL)

    Another ASX dividend share on brokers’ buy lists is Sonic Healthcare.

    It operates a global network of pathology and diagnostic imaging services, spanning Australia, the US and Europe.

    Bell Potter sees Sonic as a top pick for income investors. The broker believes Sonic is poised for a meaningful improvement in its earnings driven by cost-rightsizing measures, recent acquisitions, and the gradual return to pre-pandemic activity levels across its laboratories and clinics.

    The broker expects this to underpin dividends of $1.09 per share in FY 2026 and $1.11 per share in FY 2027. With Sonic shares trading at $23.35, this equates to dividend yields of 4.7% and 4.8%.

    Bell Potter has a buy rating and a $33.30 price target on its shares..

    The post Analysts think BHP and these ASX dividend shares are buys this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy BHP Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and BHP Group wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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

  • The Warren Buffett golden rule that investors can’t ignore

    a man wearing a gold shirt smiles widely as he is engulfed in a shower of gold confetti falling from the sky. representing a new gold discovery by ASX mining share OzAurum Resources

    Most people know Warren Buffett as one of the world’s greatest investors.

    But very few everyday investors actually follow the golden rule he credits for almost all of his success. A rule so boring and so uncomplicated, but so quietly powerful that most people overlook it.

    Meanwhile, Buffett quietly turned a small investment partnership in the 1950s into a fortune worth an estimated US$160 billion.

    What is Warren Buffett’s rule?

    The rule is very simple. Buy great businesses and hold them for as long as humanly possible.

    This may sound obvious. But many investors don’t actually do it. And that is why so few achieve Buffett-like results.

    Let’s break down what this looks like in practice, and how you can use this mindset to build wealth on the ASX.

    Be patient

    Buffett’s entire strategy boils down to patience, not prediction

    Many investors spend their time trying to guess what the market will do next. Buffett doesn’t. He once said:

    The stock market is designed to transfer money from the active to the patient.

    His edge wasn’t timing. It wasn’t trading. Nor was it chasing hot ideas. It was identifying businesses he understood and holding them long enough for compounding to take over.

    That’s why he avoided speculation and focused on companies with durable advantages.

    If you were to apply that to the ASX, the equivalents might be global compounder ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD), tech leader TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE), and long-term growth machine Goodman Group (ASX: GMG).

    These aren’t get-rich-quick stocks. They’re get-rich-slow stocks. Exactly the kind Buffett prefers.

    Why this works

    The biggest problem most investors face is impatience. They sell too early. They panic on dips. They move from one idea to the next. Buffett does none of that.

    When Buffett buys a company, he asks a simple question: would I be happy owning this business if the stock market shut down for 10 years?

    Imagine applying that question to your own portfolio. Suddenly, the noise disappears. Headlines stop mattering. Instead, the focus shifts to businesses with real earnings power, strong competitive moats, recurring revenue, and positive long-term outlooks.

    Companies like Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) and Life360 Inc. (ASX: 360) arguably fit this mould. They are global platforms with sticky customers and massive addressable markets.

    But it doesn’t have to be stocks. Buffett has openly said that if he were starting today with a small amount of money, he would simply buy an S&P 500 index fund, like the iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV), and hold it forever.

    Foolish takeaway

    Buffett’s rule is simple: buy great businesses, ignore the noise, and hold them for decades. Most investors never do it, and that’s why most investors never achieve Buffett-like returns.

    The good news? There’s nothing stopping you from following in his footsteps.

    The post The Warren Buffett golden rule that investors can’t ignore appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Life360 right now?

    Before you buy Life360 shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Life360 wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Goodman Group, Life360, ResMed, Technology One, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goodman Group, Life360, ResMed, Technology One, Xero, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360, ResMed, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group, Technology One, 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.

  • 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday

    A male investor sits at his desk looking at his laptop screen holding his hand to his chin pondering whether to buy Macquarie shares

    On Thursday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) continued its positive run and carved out a small gain. The benchmark index rose 0.1% to 8,617.3 points.

    Will the market be able to build on this on Friday and end the week on a high? Here are five things to watch:

    ASX 200 expected to fall

    The Australian share market looks set to give back yesterday’s gains on Friday despite a relatively positive night in Europe. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 31 points or 0.35% lower this morning. Wall Street was closed for Thanksgiving but in Europe the DAX was up 0.2%, the CAC rose slightly, and the FTSE edged a fraction higher.

    Oil prices rise

    It could be a good finish to the week for ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) after oil prices pushed higher overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 0.8% to US$59.10 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 0.4% to US$63.39 a barrel. Traders appear to believe that oil prices have been oversold.

    Buy Catapult shares

    The team at Morgans thinks investors should be buying Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT) shares. The broker has initiated coverage on the sports performance technology provider with a buy rating and $6.25 price target. It said: “A scalable platform and strong SaaS metrics should see CAT join the ‘Rule of 40’ club by FY27. We initiate coverage on Catapult Sports (CAT) with a Buy recommendation and a A$6.25 per share price target.”

    Gold price softens

    ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a subdued finish to the week after the gold price fell overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 0.3% to US$4,153.6 an ounce. Traders were taking profit after the precious metal hit a two-week high on rate cut optimism.

    Buy Nick Scali shares

    Nick Scali Limited (ASX: NCK) shares could be in the buy zone according to Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has initiated coverage on the furniture retailer with a buy rating and $27.00 price target. It said: “We initiate coverage of Nick Scali (NCK) with a Buy rating at a $27.00/share Price Target. NCK is one of Australia’s largest furniture retailers competing within the middle to upper end of the Australian furniture market and growing its global presence via the UK entry.”

    The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Catapult Group International shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Catapult Group International wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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

  • Shoppers brace for a tighter holiday season as gift prices keep climbing: BofA survey

    Holiday purchase with a credit card
    Some consumers are frustrated that they're spending more this holiday season only to get less amid rising prices, new Bank of America survey results show.

    • Two new BofA reports warn holiday spending may tighten as prices keep rising.
    • Shoppers may feel the pinch as inflation, tariffs, and higher costs put a strain on their budgets.
    • Electronics and jewelry could see the sharpest pullback as tariffs drive up prices.

    Santa won't be the only one tightening his belt this year — the American consumer is already feeling the pinch, and many haven't even finished digesting their Thanksgiving stuffing. As we head into Black Friday weekend, the forecast for holiday shoppers may be chilly: prices on consumer goods are rising faster than is comfortable for many gift-givers, according to two recent reports by Bank of America.

    Sixty-two percent of the more than 2,000 respondents to Bank of America's holiday survey, conducted in late summer, said they expected financial strain tied to holiday expenses, and 58% say gifts feel more expensive.

    More than half of the respondents pointed to tariffs as a suspected cause. The firm found that tariffs announced this spring likely contributed to price increases in categories such as electronics and jewelry, goods often purchased as holiday gifts.

    Holiday spending per household is up about 6% according to the bank's card data, yet retail transaction volumes have declined slightly over the course of the year. The takeaway: shoppers are shelling out more, only to walk away with less.

    BofA's reports also point to a widening chasm in how those along different income brackets are likely to experience the season's bounty.

    Higher-income households continue to show spending and wage growth that outpace everyone else. Many white-collar professionals, such as Wall Street investment bankers, are expected to have surging bonus years, according to forecasts, which is likely to hand six-figure year-end incentive pay for higher-income earners.

    Buyer's remorse

    For everyone else, the most wonderful time of the year is already fomenting stress at the checkout counter.

    Electronics spending per transaction jumped nearly 8% in a single month after the spring tariffs, and jewelry spending rose about four percentage points after an August tariff announcement, the bank found. Add in record-high gold prices this year — which have made gold-based pieces costlier — and suddenly, holiday gift-giving has relinquished some of its luster.

    With rising prices leaving some shoppers with fewer items to buy, survey respondents say they're getting more selective about who will end up on their "naughty" or "nice" lists.

    Thirty-eight percent say they'll only buy gifts for immediate family and close friends, while 23% have agreed with relatives to scale back their gift-giving.

    Among those feeling financial strain, 87% plan to shop at discount stores to counter rising prices, and 51% say they'd consider gifting a "dupe," a cheaper imitation of a luxury item. More than half said they planned to kick off their shopping sprees earlier than usual to spread out expenses, the survey found.

    Card data showed that spending by high earners increased roughly 3% over the past year, compared with less than 1% for lower-income households. The firm said wage growth followed a similar split — after-tax pay rose about 4% for higher earners, but only about 1% for those at the bottom. Goldman Sachs, meanwhile, is warning that the labor market is softening across tech, manufacturing, and other sectors, which could squeeze those already on the edge.

    That means, with prices climbing and paychecks under pressure, holiday shoppers may be left wondering who's actually going to come down the chimney this year: Santa Claus with a sack of toys, or the Grinch, offering only an inflationary pinch.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Martha Stewart named this maple-bourbon dessert the best pie in America — and the recipe is free

    Martha Stewart
    The Salted Maple Bourbon Pie was crowned by Martha Stewart during the Stissing House x Substack Pie Fest

    • The inaugural Stissing House x Substack Pie Fest took place in November.
    • There were 33 pies entered for 14 judges — including Martha Stewart — to choose from.
    • According to James Beard award-nominated chef Clare de Boer, judges were between two pies.

    I've been living in the US for 15 years, and there's one thing I really look forward to during the holidays: pies.

    I'm always looking forward to having my favorites (apple pie is at the top of the list) and trying new ones brought by friends and family.

    Now I have a new one to add to that list: the salted maple bourbon pie that Martha Stewart chose as the 2025 winner for the Stissing House x Substack Pie Fest.

    The instructions are intimidating, but it sounds delicious

    Nikki Freihofer describes her now-famous pie as "a pancake breakfast that grew up."

    As someone who barely knows how to bake, I find the instructions a bit more intimidating than making pancakes.

    The ingredients include a solid dose of high-quality bourbon, such as Bulleit, to impart a distinctive boozy flavor. (When she announced the winner, Stewart joked that she could've used more booze, but it sounds like plenty to me!)

    The crust is pretty classic, though it has some spoonfuls of vodka in it, and it's all topped off with a vanilla mascarpone whip.

    If you opt to make the whole pie from scratch, it requires starting with the crust the night before, as freezing overnight is recommended. And once all the steps are complete, it's recommended that the pie rest for four to six hours before concluding the process with a generous sprinkle of flaky Maldon sea salt.

    Freihofer also described her pie as "the kind of thing people take one bite of and immediately start plotting their second," and I'm already planning to give it a try.

    Take a look at the recipe, which Substack shared after the event.

    Read the original article on Business Insider