Stock Pick

  • Is the Zip share price a buy after falling 33% in less than 2 months?

    Buy, hold, and sell ratings written on signs on a wooden pole.

    The Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) share price has seen enormous volatility over the last few years (as the chart below shows), which can open up a major opportunity for investors willing to buy low when the valuation drops. Despite an 8% rise during Wednesday’s trading, the Zip share price is still down 33% in less than two months.

    The buy now, pay later business continues to deliver rapid top-line growth, and it’s becoming increasingly profitable.

    In the first quarter of FY26, the company said that its total transaction value (TTV) grew by 38.7% to $3.9 billion, income rose 32.8% to $321.5 million, net bad debts were flat at 1.6% of TTV, and the cash operating profit (EBTDA) grew by 98.1% to $62.8 million.

    Two of the most pleasing figures from the company’s quarterly report were 5.3% growth of active customers to 6.4 million and the cash net transaction margin (NTM) improving to 4% (up from 3.9% in the first quarter of FY25).

    While growth will fluctuate quarter to quarter, virtually all the numbers were pleasing to see, in my view.

    I also think it’s a good vote of confidence in the company’s future that the buy now, pay later business has been utilising its share buyback, suggesting management believes the Zip share price was undervalued.

    Is the Zip share price a buy?

    UBS currently has a buy rating on Zip shares, with a price target of $5.40. That implies a possible rise of approximately 66% over the next year, if UBS analysts are correct.

    The broker was impressed by the pace of cash EBTDA growth last quarter, which was stronger than expected.

    UBS noted that the US saw a loss rate that’s trending higher, but that makes sense because of the growth of new customers, but it’s “still at a comfortable level balancing growth and profitability”.

    For Australia and New Zealand, UBS noted strong metrics. While ANZ’s receivables growth continues to lag stronger TTV growth, the broker is forecasting a catch-up from here.

    Following the release of those numbers for the first quarter, UBS increased its forecasts for TTV and revenue by 3% for the medium term. This led to cash EBITDA upgrades of 9% and 6% for FY26 and FY27, respectively, while earnings per share (EPS) projections were hiked by 19% and 4%, respectively, for FY26 and FY27.

    UBS predicts that Zip’s net profit could reach $86 million in FY26 and $154 million in FY27. By FY30, the broker expects that Zip could reach $385 million in net profit.

    Taking that all into account, the Zip share price is valued at 27x FY27’s estimated earnings, which doesn’t seem expensive to me at all.

    The post Is the Zip share price a buy after falling 33% in less than 2 months? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Zip Co right now?

    Before you buy Zip Co 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 Zip Co 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…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has 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.

  • Alibaba’s CEO says he doesn’t see ‘much of an issue’ with an AI bubble and plans to invest ‘aggressively’

    Eddie Wu Alibaba
    Alibaba's CEO, Eddie Wu, brushed off AI bubble fears and said that the Chinese tech giant plans to invest aggressively in AI.

    XU KANGPING / Feature China/Future Publishing via Getty Images

    • Alibaba CEO Eddie Wu says he doesn't see "much of an issue" with an AI bubble.
    • Wu said AI demand is outpacing global chip supply, and the company plans to invest "aggressively."
    • The Chinese tech giant posted a 5% increase in revenue year-over-year for its September quarter.

    Alibaba's CEO brushed off talk of an AI bubble and said he's doubling down on spending.

    The CEO of the Chinese tech giant, Eddie Wu, said on Alibaba's second-quarter earnings call on Tuesday that the company "doesn't really see much of an issue in terms of a so-called AI bubble."

    "We're not even able to keep pace with the growth in customer demand," Wu said, adding that the pace at which Alibaba can deploy new servers is insufficient.

    "In the next three years to come, AI resources will continue to be under supply," he said.

    Wu said that the surge in demand isn't coming from hype but from real-world AI adoption across the economy, such as across product development, manufacturing processes, and supporting companies.

    He said that Alibaba's Qwen app, launched just last week, surpassed 10 million downloads in its first week.

    On Tuesday, Alibaba Group posted 247.8 billion yuan, or $34.8 billion, in revenue for the quarter ending September 30, a 5% increase from last year.

    Profits were hit by heavy spending on AI and commerce. Net income fell 53% from a year earlier to 20.6 billion yuan due to a "decrease in income from operations." Sales and marketing expenses surged, more than doubling from a year ago.

    The cloud division, which includes Alibaba's Qwen platform, led the company's growth. The cloud business grew 34% to 39.8 billion yuan, driven by "public cloud revenue growth, including the increasing adoption of AI-related products."

    Wu said on the call that the company is planning to invest "aggressively" in AI infrastructure to meet demand.

    Alibaba announced in February that it would invest 380 billion yuan in AI infrastructure over the next three years.

    "In big picture terms, I would say that the 380 billion figure we had mentioned previously might be on the small side," Wu said on Tuesday.

    The company's stock is up more than 86% this year.

    AI bubble chatter

    Wu's remarks contrast with those of Alibaba's chairman, Joe Tsai.

    Tsai said at the HSBC Global Investment Summit in March that he's starting to "see the beginning of some kind of bubble," pointing to the rush to build data centers.

    Big Tech firms, including Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Meta, are collectively expected to spend $320 billion on capital expenditures this year as they race to expand their AI infrastructure.

    The AI bubble debate has split tech leaders across the industry.

    Some executives have rejected the idea that the AI boom is overheating. Last week, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang dismissed fears of an AI bubble on his company's latest earnings call.

    "There's been a lot of talk about an AI bubble," Huang said. "From our vantage point, we see something very different."

    Others have been more cautious. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said in August that investor enthusiasm has run ahead of reality.

    "Are we in a phase where investors as a whole are overexcited about AI? My opinion is yes. Is AI the most important thing to happen in a very long time? My opinion is also yes," he said.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • 3 top ASX ETFs to buy for your SMSF in December

    a man leans back in his chair with his arms supporting his head as he smiles a satisfied smile while sitting at his desk with his laptop computer open in front of him.

    Self-managed super funds (SMSFs) have grown rapidly in popularity in recent years, and for good reason. They give investors more control, more flexibility and, for those willing to manage their own portfolios, the ability to tailor investments to long-term retirement goals.

    One of the simplest and most effective ways to build an SMSF portfolio is through exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

    They offer instant diversification, low fees and access to global opportunities without the need to pick individual winners.

    With that in mind, here are three ASX ETFs that could make strong additions to an SMSF next month.

    iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

    For long-term retirement investing, very few options beat broad exposure to the US share market. The iShares S&P 500 ETF gives SMSFs access to 500 of America’s largest listed stocks.

    This includes a diverse range of giants such as Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), JPMorgan (NYSE: JPM) and Home Depot (NYSE: HD).

    The US market has historically been one of the world’s strongest performers, driven by innovation, global competitiveness, and deep corporate profitability.

    And with the US economy proving more resilient than expected and rate cuts likely in 2026, this ASX ETF could continue to compound strongly through the next market cycle.

    Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF (ASX: QLTY)

    For SMSFs looking to focus on quality, the Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF is well worth considering.

    Its portfolio leans heavily into global leaders such as Mastercard (NYSE: MA), ASML (NASDAQ: ASML) and Adobe (NASDAQ: ADBE), with the fund selecting companies that meet strict criteria around profitability and stability.

    This makes the Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF a useful complement to broader index funds, offering exposure to high-performing businesses that tend to hold up better during market downturns.

    For SMSF owners who want long-term growth without taking on unnecessary risk, this ASX ETF ticks a lot of boxes. It was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

    Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

    For SMSFs willing to allocate a portion of their portfolio to higher-growth opportunities, the Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF could be worth a look.

    It provides exposure to Asia’s most powerful tech companies. Its holdings include Tencent (SEHK: 700), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (NYSE: TSM) and Baidu (NASDAQ: BIDU).

    Asia’s technology sector remains one of the world’s fastest-growing, fuelled by rising digital adoption, a huge emerging middle class and innovation across cloud computing, semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

    While more volatile than the US market, the long-term potential is significant, making this fund an attractive option.

    The post 3 top ASX ETFs to buy for your SMSF in December appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Betashares Capital Ltd – Asia Technology Tigers Etf right now?

    Before you buy Betashares Capital Ltd – Asia Technology Tigers Etf 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 Betashares Capital Ltd – Asia Technology Tigers Etf 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…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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    JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Betashares Capital – Asia Technology Tigers Etf. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended ASML, Adobe, Amazon, Baidu, Home Depot, JPMorgan Chase, Mastercard, Microsoft, Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Tencent, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft, long January 2028 $330 calls on Adobe, short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft, and short January 2028 $340 calls on Adobe. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended ASML, Adobe, Amazon, Mastercard, Microsoft, Nvidia, 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.

  • David Beckham credits his dad’s parenting style for helping him through his career’s toughest moments

    David Beckham.
    David Beckham.

    Gareth Cattermole/Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

    • David Beckham says his father's tough love helped him get through some of the low moments in his career.
    • "All of those moments where my dad was hard on me as a kid, there was a reason for it," he said.
    • Beckham added that his dad only acknowledged his success when he received his 100th cap in 2008.

    David Beckham, 50, says he weathered the toughest parts of his career thanks to his dad's strict parenting style.

    During an appearance on Tuesday's episode of "This Life of Mine with James Corden" podcast, the soccer icon spoke about his upbringing and his own approach to raising kids.

    Despite excelling in soccer, Beckham said he never considered himself an especially talented player when he was younger.

    "No, because my dad was so tough on me as a young kid," Beckham told host James Corden.

    "I have two sisters, and we lived in a household with a lot of love in it, but my dad was so tough on me with my Sunday league football team that he very rarely turned around to me and said, 'Well done, boy. You did well today, you played well,'" Beckham said.

    "He'd say it, but then he'd say, 'But this is what you can do better,' and, 'This is what you should be doing,' and, 'If you just did that, you would be able to score or cross those balls like that,'" Beckham said.

    He added that his father's strict feedback kept him from ever considering himself a great player.

    It wasn't until much later in his career that his father finally expressed approval, Beckham said.

    "But my dad never told me I'd done well, really, until my 100th cap. That was the first time my dad turned around to me and said, 'You've made it, boy,'" Beckham said. "That was the first time. Not even when I got into the United First team, not even when I won the Premiership, not even when I won the Champions League."

    In soccer, a 100th cap represents a player's 100th appearance for their national team.

    Beckham added that the compliment from his father came during dinner in Paris in 2008, after the match.

    "And that was the first time he really kind of acknowledged the career that I'd had," Beckham said.

    Sir David Beckham poses with his wife Lady Victoria and parents Ted and Sandra Beckham after he was made a Knight Bachelor at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on November 4, 2025 in Windsor, England.
    David Beckham with his wife, Victoria Beckham, and his parents, Ted Beckham and Sandra West.

    Pool/Getty Images

    He also credited his father's tough love for fueling the relentless work ethic he became known for.

    Beckham added he "might not have been able to get through" some of the hardest moments in his career if his dad "wasn't as tough" with him as he was during his youth-club days.

    "All of those moments where my dad was hard on me as a kid, there was a reason for it. Those tough moments that I had in my career, all I knew was to put my head down and work hard," Beckham said.

    But as a father of four, Beckham said he is "definitely not as tough" on his own children.

    "I am different with my kids. I'm a lot softer than my dad was, but there's certain traits that I do have the same as my dad," Beckham said, adding that he can be strict with his sons when it comes to how they play soccer.

    In early November, Beckham was knighted by King Charles III for his services to sport and charity.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • I tried China’s hot new vibe coding app. One feature is light-years ahead of ChatGPT.

    LingGuang
    China's new vibecoding app, LingGuang, has real-time camera analysis and instant mini-apps.

    Lee Chong Ming/LingGuang

    • China's new vibe-coding app LingGuang got so hot it briefly crashed from demand.
    • Its AI camera can analyze scenes in real time and generate videos on the fly.
    • I tried LingGuang and stacked it against ChatGPT.

    A new Chinese vibe-coding tool exploded in popularity last week, so of course, I had to test it.

    LingGuang, an AI app for building apps using plain-language prompts, launched on November 18. By Monday, it had racked up over 2 million downloads.

    Chinese tech group Ant Group, which built the tool, said the surge of users briefly crashed the app's flash program feature.

    To see what the hype was about, I took LingGuang for a spin — and stacked it against OpenAI's ChatGPT.

    The AGI camera stole the show

    I logged in with my Alibaba account (Ant Group is an affiliate company of the Chinese conglomerate Alibaba Group) and landed on a moving mountain landscape paired with a Chinese tagline: "Let the complex be simple."

    Compared with ChatGPT's plain backdrop, LingGuang looked like it was beamed in from 2030.

    LingGuang offers a feature that caught my eye: an artificial general intelligence camera. Ant Group said it can understand scenes in real time and help users analyze or edit what they're looking at without uploading a photo.

    I first tested it at work, with wild results. I pointed my phone camera at a startup founder speaking in a podcast video clip, and LingGuang instantly recognized him and named the company he started.

    I took it to my local supermarket to see what else it could do.

    I was hunting for a post-workout protein smoothie, and I pointed the AGI camera at three brands on the shelf. The app immediately identified the English-labeled products and surfaced essential information, including protein levels, flavor, whether it contained sweetener, and what it was suitable for. The information checked out, although I needed to make sure the camera had a clear shot of the product.

    LingGuang AGI camera shopping
    The AGI camera identified the product and surfaced essential information.

    Lee Chong Ming/LingGuang

    To determine which one was the smartest buy, I activated voice mode and asked in Chinese. LingGuang compared protein, brand speciality, and price, pulling data from the image and the web. Then it gave recommendations: most nutritious, best value, and a lactose-free pick.

    I tried the same thing with ChatGPT. Because it can't analyze scenes in real time, I took a photo of the shakes and uploaded it manually — a process that felt outdated after using LingGuang.

    ChatGPT's comparison was detailed and on par with LingGuang's, but the experience lacked the immediacy and visual cues that made LingGuang feel seamless.

    One user interface difference also stood out. When LingGuang captures an image, it surfaces tappable prompt bubbles that guide you through the next steps.

    AGI camera tappable prompts
    Tappable prompt bubbles appear to guide the user to the next prompt.

    Lee Chong Ming/LingGuang

    ChatGPT suggests prompts as well, but they sit below the chatbox and still require typing. LingGuang felt like an AR companion, while ChatGPT felt like, well, chat.

    The Chinese app had one drawback: Nothing from the AGI session saves. I couldn't revisit any photos or responses afterward, which makes it hard to reference anything later. ChatGPT saves every uploaded image in the chat, something I rely on.

    Generating videos on the fly

    LingGuang also offers something ChatGPT doesn't: on-the-fly video and image generation directly from its AGI camera.

    Users can snap a photo, tap into the edit tab, and turn the image into a video or edit it with prompts.

    I snapped a photo of my Labubu on the AGI camera and asked LingGuang to make it smile and dance.

    Twenty seconds later, it spat out a clip, including a cute soundtrack, of my Labubu grinning and flapping around like a tiny bat, synced to the movement of my hand in the frame.

    ChatGPT has no equivalent feature. To animate an image, I had to switch to Sora, upload a photo I took of Hong Kong's harbor, and ask it to "bring it to life." The result was stunning and a little dramatic.

    LingGuang handled the same image differently. Its output was strong, with softer waves and a more realistic feel — almost as if I were on a boat.

    chatgpt vs LingGuang photos
    Screenshots of the AI-generated Hong Kong harbour videos by Sora (left) and LingGuang (right).

    Lee Chong Ming/Sora; LingGuang

    Visual style comes down to personal preference, but LingGuang allows me to capture, edit, and generate a video in a single, continuous workflow. On user experience, it wins.

    I built a flash app in a minute

    LingGuang's flash app feature — the one that crashed from overuse — promised to build mini-apps in 30 seconds.

    When I opened it, LingGuang suggested app ideas. One of them was a "meal decision" generator that works like a food lottery.

    My friends and I regularly spend more time deciding what to eat than actually eating, so I tapped it. The screen started "thinking." It wasn't 30 seconds, but about a minute later, a fully formed mini-app appeared.

    The instructions from the bot were clear: include the dish names, their origins, and a brief description of why they're recommended. The flash app added food emojis and sound effects to mimic the drumroll-and-reveal vibe of a lottery. All I did was click a prompt. It felt like sorcery.

    The generator recommended food like curry rice and Japanese ramen. Wanting to push the app further, I asked it to tailor the mini-app to food from Singapore, where I live.

    Another minute later, it regenerated the entire interface and swapped in local dishes. One of the first picks: Katong laksa. Hyper-specific to where I live. Another: chilli crab. The classic tourist magnet. The flash app nailed the selection of my local cuisine.

    Meal generator flash app
    The "Singaporean" meal generator flash app was built in a minute.

    Lee Chong Ming/LingGuang

    I asked ChatGPT to create a flash app that could "help me choose what to eat on a daily basis." It generated the full code, explained how to build it, and even suggested ways to customize it.

    There was no instant app, but I appreciated having actual code to work with, something LingGuang never surfaced. LingGuang's flash feature works for simple, everyday use cases. For anything more complex, I'd still turn to ChatGPT or other vibe-coding tools.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

    A panel of four judges hold up cards all showing the perfect score of ten out of ten

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoyed another rosy recovery day this Wednesday, as investors continue to shake off the negativity that dominated much of last week. By the time the markets wrapped up trading today, the ASX 200 had added 0.81% to its total. That leaves the index back over 8,600 points at 8,606.5.

    This happy hump day for the local markets comes after a euphoric session on Wall Street in the early hours of this morning.

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in a jubilant mood, rocketing 1.43% higher.

    The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was quite upbeat as well, gaining 0.67%.

    But let’s return to the ASX now, and take stock of how the different ASX sectors fared amid today’s pleasant conditions.

    Winners and losers

    There were far more green sectors than red ones today, although the gains weren’t universal.

    Leading the red sectors were utilities stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) missed out today, tanking by 0.84%.

    Tech shares were also left out in the cold, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) sinking 0.68%.

    Communications stocks were unlucky as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) ended up sliding 0.49% lower.

    It was all smiles everywhere, though.

    At the front of the pack, we found mining shares, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)’s 1.84% push higher.

    Consumer discretionary stocks had a day to remember, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) saw its value soar 1.22%.

    Healthcare shares ran hot, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) surging 1.18%.

    Gold stocks had a similar experience. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) galloped up 0.95% today.

    Energy shares saw some demand as well, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)’s 0.87% lift.

    Industrial stocks also had a strong session. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) added 0.83% to its total by the closing bell.

    Consumer staples shares found plenty of buyers, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) jumping 0.72%.

    Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were a little more muted. Even so, the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) bounced up 0.48%.

    Finally, financial stocks comfortably made the winner’s cut, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)’s 0.39% rise.

    Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

    This hump day’s index winner was National Storage REIT (ASX: NSR), which exploded 19.47% higher today despite being put in a trading halt. It seems this is a result of a potential takeover offer.

    Here’s how the rest of today’s top stocks tied up at the dock:

    ASX-listed company Share price Price change
    National Storage REIT (ASX: NSR) $2.70 19.47%
    Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB) $2.72 14.29%
    DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) $2.17 8.50%
    Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) $21.81 7.86%
    Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) $4.04 7.16%
    Perenti Ltd (ASX: PRN) $2.88 7.06%
    Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) $3.20 6.67%
    Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) $5.05 6.54%
    IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) $6.73 5.49%
    Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd (ASX: FPH) $33.35 4.78%

    Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

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

    Should you invest $1,000 in National Storage REIT right now?

    Before you buy National Storage REIT 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 National Storage REIT 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…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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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 DroneShield. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Are QBE shares a buy for passive income in 2026?

    Middle age caucasian man smiling confident drinking coffee at home.

    QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE) shares are a popular option for income investors.

    But would they be a good pick if you were looking to generate passive income in 2026? Let’s see what one leading broker is saying.

    Are QBE shares a buy for passive income in 2026?

    According to a note out of Bell Potter, its analysts think that investors should be waiting for a better entry point.

    Ahead of the release of its quarterly update this week, a note reveals that the broker has put a hold rating and $21.20 price target on its shares.

    Based on its current share price of $19.74, this implies potential upside of 7.4% for investors over the next 12 months.

    Commenting on its expectations for this week’s update, the broker said:

    The Q3 update is due on 27 Nov. The quarterly statements usually cover written premium, rating changes, catastrophe claims, and investment returns, as well as the outlook and expectations. We anticipate a relatively benign quarter. Short bond yields have been stable, but H1 saw strong returns on risk assets.

    Premium rate increases remain positive but have been slowing (Q2 rates were +0.8% vs pcp) and we will be watching whether these have flattened out or continued to soften. Inflation remains present and this may be storing up problems for the combined ratio (COR), so there will be a focus on whether the company continues to expect a COR of ~92.5%.

    But what about passive income?

    The broker estimates to QBE’s shares will provide investors with dividend yields of 4.8% in FY 2025 and then 4.7% in FY 2026.

    That would turn a $10,000 investment into passive income of approximately $480 and $470, respectively.

    Commenting on its hold recommendation, Bell Potter said:

    At the half year results, we felt the company could be seen to be growing into a softening environment. With a PCA capital ratio of 1.81 (after interim dividend), the company’s capital is at the top of its target range (1.6-1.8x). This capital is being valued by the equity market at a premium to book value and the company is looking for ways to utilise its capital and grow into attractive areas.

    We have not changed our assumptions and any change to our forecasts is driven by changing fx rates (we use spot rates as a forecast). We will review our forecasts post the Q3 update, noting the upside with the shares below $20/sh. For now, we maintain our target price at $21.20/sh and keep our HOLD recommendation.

    The post Are QBE shares a buy for passive income in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in QBE Insurance right now?

    Before you buy QBE Insurance 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 QBE Insurance 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…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * 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 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.

  • Ina Garten says one simple practice has kept her nearly 6-decade marriage strong

    Ina Garten
    Ina Garten says one simple practice is the reason her marriage has lasted nearly 60 years.

    Nathan Congleton/NBC

    • Ina Garten says her almost 60-year marriage works because of one simple rule.
    • Every decision she and her husband make has to work for both of them, the Food Network star said.
    • She said that principle applies to "big things," like careers, and "small things," like choosing a movie.

    Celebrity chef Ina Garten says her nearly 60-year marriage still works because of one small practice.

    During an appearance on Tuesday's episode of "Good Hang with Amy Poehler," Garten, 77, spoke about the mindset that's shaped her relationship with her husband over the years.

    The Food Network star and her husband, Jeffrey Garten, first met as teenagers at Dartmouth College, where he was a student and she was visiting her older brother. They married in 1968, when Garten was 20.

    "We keep it very simple. We have a very different kind of life than we expected to. I mean, we don't have kids. We don't have cats and dogs. We don't have gerbils," Garten told host Amy Poehler. "It's just the two of us. And if we're trying to figure out what to do, we figure out what he wants to do and what I want to do."

    Their rule is simple: every decision they make together has to work for both of them, she said.

    "And this is what Jeffrey taught me: Let's figure out how we can both do what we want to do. It's not about whether we get to do what you want to do or I want to do," Garten said.

    She added that it applies to "big things," such as career choices, and "small things," like which movie to watch together.

    "I love that about him. He's so respectful, and it's pretty hard not to, you know, to return that," Garten said.

    Garten also recalled a conversation her husband once had with a friend of theirs about what makes a good partner.

    "Jeffrey said to her, 'What do you look for in somebody that you're fixing up with a friend of yours?' And she said, 'Three things. Are they a good person? Do they want to take care of you?'" Garten said.

    "And the third one really shocked me because it was so simple: 'Does he want to be with you?'" she said.

    Garten added that it made her appreciate how much her husband embodied those qualities.

    "So many people want a wife, but they want to go play golf. But that's the thing about Jeffrey. There's nothing. I mean, he just follows me around the house," Garten said.

    Their relationship has only deepened as they've grown over the years, she said. In particular, their roles within the marriage have changed significantly.

    "Well, I think when we were married at 20, we each had, like, roles. You know, he was the husband, I was the wife," Garten said.

    She said that even though they both had jobs, it was "assumed" she'd come home and make dinner, which she found "incredibly annoying."

    "I just didn't want to have the 'girl role,' and him have the 'boy role.' And so, we just threw the whole thing away and started all over again," she said.

    Garten isn't the only celebrity who has spoken about the principles that guide their marriage.

    In August 2024, Rob Lowe, who has been married to Sheryl Berkoff for over 30 years, said they go to couples therapy regularly, even when they "didn't need it."

    "It's like taking your car in and making sure the engine's running great," he said.

    In May, Jay Shetty said he avoids talking about work to his wife over dinner, even though they have a joint business venture.

    "That's not because I don't love what I do. I love what I do, but when I'm with her, I just want to be with her," Shetty said.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • 1 reason now is a great time to buy Berkshire Hathaway stock

    Smiling man sits in front of a graph on computer while using his mobile phone.

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    Key Points

    • Warren Buffett is retiring at the end of the year.

    • He’s leaving the company in great shape.

    • Incoming CEO Greg Abel will have numerous options to grow shareholder value.

    Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A)(NYSE: BRK.B) is nearing the end of an era. Long-time CEO Warren Buffett is retiring at the end of this year. That adds some uncertainty about what’s ahead for the conglomerate.

    Despite that uncertainty, now is a great time to invest in Berkshire Hathaway. Here’s one reason why investors shouldn’t hesitate to buy the stock right now.

    In a great position

    Berkshire Hathaway reported its third-quarter financial results earlier this month, the last time before Warren Buffett’s retirement as the CEO. The company reported a robust 34% increase in its operating profit, which rose to $13.5 billion on lower insurance losses in the period. Berkshire also posted a 17% increase in its net income, which rose to $30.8 billion.

    The company continued to retain all of its earnings. Berkshire didn’t repurchase any of its shares during the quarter (it hasn’t bought back stock for five straight quarters) and hasn’t paid a dividend since 1967. Additionally, the company continued to be a net seller of stocks out of its investment portfolio. It has sold more stocks than it bought for 12 straight quarters. As a result, Berkshire ended the period with a record $381.7 billion in cash.

    While Buffett’s company has been a net seller of stocks, including continuing to trim its positions in Apple and Bank of America, the company has a more than $306 billion investment portfolio. Berkshire Hathaway recently added a meaningful new position, purchasing $4.3 billion of shares in Alphabet during the third quarter. The technology giant is currently its 13th largest holding at 1.8% of its investment portfolio.

    In addition to its cash position and stock portfolio, Berkshire owns nearly 200 operating businesses, including BNSF railroad, Dairy Queen, and GEICO. With its market capitalization currently over $1 trillion, these operating businesses are worth nearly $400 billion after subtracting Berkshire’s cash position and the value of its investment portfolio. The company is bolstering its operating portfolio after recently agreeing to acquire the chemicals business of Occidental Petroleum (one of its largest stock holdings) in a $9.7 billion deal. The acquisition will expand Berkshire’s chemicals portfolio (it previously bought Lubrizol for $9.7 billion in 2011), while providing it with another strong operating business that should generate relatively stable and growing earnings.

    Tremendous optionality

    Warren Buffett is handing over a tremendous company to his successor, Greg Abel. It has a record cash position, a strong portfolio of operating companies, and a massive investment portfolio. That gives Abel an extraordinary amount of flexibility to guide the company in the future.

    With a record $381 billion in cash, Abel could buy nearly any company he wanted to expand Berkshire’s operating portfolio. He could easily top Buffett’s biggest deal, which was the 2016 acquisition of Precision Castparts for $37 billion. However, going for a big splashy deal might not make the most sense, as Buffett eventually lamented the price his company paid for Precision Castparts after writing off nearly $10 billion of that company’s value in 2011. More than likely, Abel will remain disciplined and only pursue a sizable acquisition if it’s too good to pass up.

    Abel can also use the company’s massive cash position to add to Berkshire’s investment portfolio. He likely had some say in Berkshire’s recent decision to make a sizable investment in Alphabet.

    Finally, Abel will have the flexibility to return more cash to investors. For example, while Warren Buffett has been reluctant to pay a dividend, Abel might opt to initiate a quarterly payment to return some cash to investors, given the strength of its operating cash flows and size of its cash position. He could also start making more routine share repurchases compared to his value-oriented predecessor. Unless the company starts putting more cash to work in new investments, it might need to return more money to shareholders. It will become increasingly difficult for the company to justify retaining such a large amount of cash on its balance sheet, especially given the expected decline in interest rates as the Federal Reserve continues to lower them.

    Starting an exciting new chapter

    Berkshire Hathaway is about to turn the page on an illustrious part of its history with Warren Buffett’s upcoming retirement. He’s leaving the company in great shape and capable hands, which makes the next chapter look exciting. That’s why right now looks like a great time to buy shares of Berkshire.

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    The post 1 reason now is a great time to buy Berkshire Hathaway stock appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Berkshire Hathaway Inc. right now?

    Before you buy Berkshire Hathaway Inc. 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 Berkshire Hathaway Inc. 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…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    More reading

    Bank of America is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Matt DiLallo has positions in Alphabet, Apple, and Berkshire Hathaway and has the following options: short January 2026 $265 calls on Apple. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Apple, and Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Occidental Petroleum. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Apple, and Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Should you buy Netflix before 2026?

    Netflix logo.

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    Key Points

    • Netflix continues to report strong revenue growth with impressive profitability.
    • Despite shares being 21% off their peak, they trade at an elevated valuation.
    Netflix‘s (NASDAQ: NFLX) stock performance certainly has momentum on its side. Share prices are up 17% this year (as of Nov. 22), outpacing the broader market. The business continues to post strong financial results. This makes it easy for investors to remain bullish. And yet, despite that bullish take, the streaming stock currently trades 22% off its early July 2025 peak. Should you buy Netflix stock before the calendar turns to 2026?

    Netflix continues to dominate the streaming landscape

    Despite the stock’s recent dip, Netflix as a company is firing on all cylinders. While the company stopped reporting subscriber numbers at the end of last year, it’s likely that the membership base continues to expand. Revenue through the first nine months of 2025 increased by 15% year over year, indicating greater adoption of the streaming platform. Profits are soaring as well. Operating income is expected to rise by 26% in 2025, according to the management team.

    Market expectations are high

    This is a high-quality business. But investors shouldn’t rush to buy the stock just yet. That’s because it’s expensive, trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 46. The market continues to view the company in an extremely favorable light, which is no surprise given that Netflix dominates the industry. Can Netflix shares keep marching higher? Of course they can. However, I don’t think there’s any margin of safety for prospective investors who buy in right now. A wait-and-see approach might be the better option with this stock right now.

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    The post Should you buy Netflix before 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

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

    Before you buy Netflix 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 Netflix 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…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    More reading

    Neil Patel 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 Netflix. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Netflix. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.