Many, though not all, Australian exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are suited to investors who just wish to buy an investment and hold it passively for the rest of their lives. A simple fund that holds, say, the largest 300 stocks listed on the Australian share market, would arguably be aptly suited for such a goal. An ASX ETF that holds oil futures, perhaps less so.

With this in mind, let’s discuss three Australian ETFs that I believe any investor can purchase today and hold for decades to come.

Three Australian ETFs that anyone can buy and hold forever

Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS)

First up, we have this Australian ETF from Vanguard. This fund is one that does indeed hold the largest 300 stocks listed on the Australian markets. That’s everything from Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: TLS) and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) to Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) and Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD).

Decades of data have shown that simply investing in the Australian share market has produced relatively high returns for investors if we use a long-term lens. Australian shares have historically delivered decent capital growth, strong dividend income, and valuable franking credits. Investors can buy VAS units today, safe in the knowledge that while the largest 300 companies in Australia will move over time, this Australian ETF will move with them by watering the winners and weeding out the losers.

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

This next Australian ETF works similarly to VAS. However, instead of holding stakes in the largest 300 Australian shares, it owns stakes in the largest 500 companies listed on the American stock market. That’s everything from Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Microsoft, Mastercard, Walmart, Coca-Cola Co, and ExxonMobil.

The US has also been a historically lucrative market for long-term investors. Even the legendary Warren Buffett has repeatedly stated that he believes an S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) fund like this one is the best choice for most investors.

Given that the US is still home to the vast majority of the world’s most successful businesses, I would be happy to buy and hold this ETF for the rest of my life.

The post 3 Australian ETFs to buy and hold forever appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 excellent ASX ETFs to supercharge your portfolio
• 3 unstoppable Vanguard ETFs to buy even if there’s a stock market sell-off in 2026
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• 5 fantastic ASX ETFs for beginners in 2026
• Keen to invest outside the ASX? UBS reveals 2026 forecast for US, China, and Euro stocks

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Amazon, Apple, Coca-Cola, Mastercard, Microsoft, Netflix, and Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Amazon, Apple, AstraZeneca Plc, Mastercard, Microsoft, Netflix, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Tencent, Vanguard International Equity Index Funds – Vanguard Ftse All-World ex-US ETF, 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 and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Amazon, Apple, Mastercard, Microsoft, Netflix, 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.

Last week, I started off 2026 by discussing five top ASX stocks that I would love to buy this year, as well as five US stocks. In case you missed those ASX stocks, they were:

• Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL)
• REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)
• MFF Capital Investments Ltd (ASX: MFF)
• Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)
• TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE)

My US picks were:

• Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN)
• Doulingo Inc (NASDAQ: DUOL)
• S&P Global Inc (NYSE: SPGI)
• Costco Wholesale Corp (NASDAQ: COST)
• Mastercard Inc (NYSE: MA)

Obviously, not much has changed in a week, and I would still love to own more of all ten of these companies in 12 months’ time.

But we’re not stopping wth those stocks. Today, let’s discuss ten more stocks that I think anyone can buy today to start 2026 off on a strong note. We’ll once again do five ASX shares and five US stocks.

5 top ASX shares to kick off 2026 with a bang

I love consumer staples companies, and Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) is one of my favourites here on the ASX. Coles is a strong dividend payer with a defensive and mature earnings base that can provide protection against both recessions and inflation. It will, in my view, be around for decades to come.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) is another veteran ASX stock I like for 2026. Its dominance of the defensive mobile and internet markets gives it a strong moat and, thus, a reliable dividend. This company’s fully-franked payouts are historically some of the best on the ASX.

Turning to a faster-growing company now, Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) is another top stock looking interesting as we start the new year. Xero has a remarkably sticky product in its cloud-based accounting software. Consumers seem willing to keep paying those monthly fees to use Xero’s platform. The company’s growth plans are very exciting too.

JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) is our fourth pick of the day. JB has proven itself to be one of the ASX’s best retailers, having savvily evolved from selling hi-fi products to becoming an all-out electronics and appliances retailer over the past two decades. Customers love JB’s distinctive marketing tactics and innovative store layouts. With JB having a rare lacklustre year in 2025, this one is looking tempting as we start 2026.

Our final ASX stock worth discussing today is more left-field. It is the gold miner Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM). Normally, I shy away from more speculative investments like Newmont. But Newmont can be viewed as an insurance policy of sorts. If 2026 produces geopolitical or economic uncertainty on the global stage, Newmont could benefit from a rush to the ‘safe haven’ of gold. If some experts are to be believed, it could have another bumper year in 2026.

5 top US stocks to check out too

When I named Mastercard as one of my top US picks last week, it was partly due to my conviction that contactless and electronic payments are in the middle of a powerful long-term tailwind. That’s why I am also happy to own and spruik Mastercard’s arch-rival Visa Inc (NYSE: V). Visa is the largest payments company in the world, and is an extraordinarily profitable stock. However, I think its best days lie ahead.

We can say the same for Magnificent Seven winner Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG)(NASDAQ: GOOGL). Google-owner Alphabet owns several of the world’s best businesses. These include Google Search, YouTube, Google Cloud, and AI-platform Gemini. I’m also excited about the company’s self-driving division.

I would be happy to own Alphabet’s Magnificent 7 sibling, Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT), too. Buying Microsoft stock means buying a share in Windows, Office, Xbox, Teams, Activision Blizzard, LinkedIn, and many other leading digital products and services that Microsoft owns. I rest my case.

Netflix Inc (NASDAQ: NFLX) is another winner that I think will keep on winning. If Netflix manages to acquire the assets of Warner Bros Discovery Inc (NASDAQ: WBD) this year, it will own one of the most extensive and valuable collections of intellectual property on the planet. Even if it doesn’t, Netflix owns a service that is well on its way to becoming an internationally recognised household essential.

Our final stock is a simple one that we all know and may love. McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE: MCD) is one of the most resilient businesses in existence. Its brand is universally recognised, having transcended into popular culture decades ago. As an inflation and recession-resistant stock, I’d be happy to buy more McDonald’s this January.

The post My 10 top stocks to buy to start the New Year off right appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Down 36% in a year, is it time to consider buying shares in this dominant ASX tech company?
• 3 no-brainer ASX stocks to buy with $1,000 right now for the New Year
• How I’d build a growing passive income stream from ASX shares over 15 years
• Forecast: Here’s what $10,000 invested in Telstra shares could be worth next year
• How to turn small ASX share investments into life-changing money

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, Costco Wholesale, Duolingo, Mastercard, McDonald’s, Mff Capital Investments, Microsoft, Netflix, Newmont, Visa, Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Costco Wholesale, Duolingo, Mastercard, Microsoft, Netflix, S&P Global, Technology One, Visa, Warner Bros. Discovery, Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited, Wesfarmers, and Xero. 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 positions in and has recommended Telstra Group, Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Mastercard, Mff Capital Investments, Microsoft, Netflix, Technology One, Visa, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

If you are lucky enough to have $10,000 to invest in the share market this month and don’t like picking stocks, then exchange traded funds (ETFs) could be worth considering.

But which funds could be top picks for investors in January? Let’s take a look at three that stand out for good reason. Here’s what you need to know about them:

Betashares Cloud Computing ETF (ASX: CLDD)

The first ASX ETF for investors to look at is the Betashares Cloud Computing ETF. It offers targeted exposure to one of the most important technology shifts of our time.

Cloud infrastructure and software underpin everything from remote work and ecommerce to artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, and that reliance is only increasing.

The fund holds a range of global cloud leaders, including Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW), Shopify (NASDAQ: SHOP), Salesforce (NYSE: CRM), and Snowflake (NYSE: SNOW). These companies sit at the core of enterprise digital transformation, generating largely recurring revenue from mission-critical services.

Cloud adoption is still expanding globally, and even though tech stocks can be volatile, the underlying demand for cloud services is structural rather than cyclical. This bodes well for the future.

Betashares recently recommended the fund to investors.

VanEck MSCI International Value ETF (ASX: VLUE)

While growth gets most of the headlines, value investing tends to shine over full market cycles.

The VanEck MSCI International Value ETF provides investors with exposure to developed-market stocks that are trading at attractive valuations based on fundamentals such as earnings and cash flow.

At present, this ASX ETF’s portfolio includes well-known global names such as Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO), Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU), and Western Digital (NASDAQ: WDC). It is also less concentrated in mega-cap US tech than many global indices, which can help diversify portfolio risk.

Overall, the VanEck MSCI International Value ETF could be a useful counterbalance to growth-focused ETFs. It provides exposure to businesses that are profitable, established, and often overlooked when markets become fixated on the latest trend. VanEck recently recommended the fund.

VanEck China New Economy ETF (ASX: CNEW)

Lastly, the VanEck China New Economy ETF could be worth a look.

While it is not for the faint-hearted, it offers exposure to an area with enormous long-term potential. Rather than focusing on China’s old-economy giants, this ASX ETF targets stocks aligned with the country’s evolving consumer, healthcare, and technology sectors.

The fund holds a diversified portfolio of 120 China A-share stocks that are operating in areas such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and consumer services. These are businesses benefiting from rising incomes, urbanisation, and domestic consumption trends. This fund was also recommended by VanEck.

The post Where to invest $10,000 in ASX ETFs this month appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Guess how much $10,000 invested in these VanEck ASX ETFs a year ago is worth today?

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 Cisco Systems, Microsoft, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Shopify, and Snowflake. 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 Microsoft, Salesforce, ServiceNow, and Shopify. 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.

More reading

• Scores of ASX mining shares hit 52-week highs
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• With the copper price hitting a new record, how can you get exposure?

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

If you’re in the market for some blue-chip additions to your portfolio, then read on.

That’s because analysts have given their verdicts on the three very popular ASX 200 shares listed below.

Are they buys, holds, or sells? Let’s find out:

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG)

This iron ore giant is a popular option for Aussie investors that are looking for exposure to the mining sector.

However, Morgans thinks investors should be keeping their powder dry for now. It recently upgraded its shares to a hold rating with a $19.30 price target. This compares to its current share price of $22.68. It said:

FMG’s core iron ore operations continue to perform well and have benefitted from a higher iron ore price than forecast. The revised LOM plan for the hematite operations adds substantial value on our initial assumptions and is an impressive extraction of value from a recent acquisition. Our NPV-based target price is up 13%, to $19.30/sh on the higher iron ore price and the revised LOM plan. We upgrade to Hold from Sell.

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

This airline operator’s shares have significantly re-rated over the past two years. The good news is that Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) 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 potential upside of 18% for investors from current levels.

Commenting on its upgrade, Macquarie said:

JQ [Jetstar] continues to be the growth driver, both domestically and internationally, with the redeployment of JSA. Sunrise unlocks the equivalent of ~0.5-1.0 aircraft when flying to London, delivering a significant productivity dividend. U/g to OP (prev N). TP $12.29 (pre $12.00). Outlook is favourable, with strong LCC [low cost carrier] growth and lower oil prices mitigating potential LF [load factor] pressure.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

Finally, the team at Bell Potter thinks that this beaten down logistics solutions technology company could be an ASX 200 share to buy.

It recently put a buy rating and $100.00 price target on its shares. This suggests that upside of more than 50% is possible over the next 12 months.

Bell Potter believes that the worst is now behind WiseTech and now could be an opportune time to invest. It said:

WiseTech has also had a large pullback in its share price but this has been more driven by company specific issues like slowing growth in the core business, management and board upheaval and insider trading allegations against CEO and founder Richard White. These issues, however, are starting to subside and focus is returning to the outlook for the core business which is improving with the launch of new products, a new commercial model and the integration of a large acquisition (e2open).

These initiatives are all expected to help drive a much stronger 2HFY26 result relative to 1HFY26 and then the first full year of benefits will be evident in FY27. All of these changes/initiatives are not without risk and there is still some risk of a soft downgrade to revenue guidance in FY26 at the half year result but the 12-month outlook is positive in our view.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Fortescue, Qantas, and WiseTech shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

ASX mining shares are dominating a long list of stocks hitting 52-week highs following a strong lead from Wall Street overnight.

Materials and energy shares are leading the ASX as the world continues the assess the implications of the US military raid on Venezuela.

Over the weekend, US forces attacked the country, which has the world’s biggest oil reserves.

Soldiers captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who were then flown to New York to face narco-terrorism charges.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) ripped almost 600 points overnight to close at a new record high of 49,209.95 points.

Meanwhile, on the ASX today, materials shares are leading with a 1.6% gain as investors buy more gold, silver, copper, and lithium stocks.

ASX energy shares are up 0.5% as investors ponder the potential rebuilding of Venezuela’s oil infrastructure and boosted production.

Today, the Brent Crude oil price is down 0.2% to US$61.63 per barrel, while gold is up 0.4% to US$4,465 per ounce.

The silver price is up 1.26% to US$78.75 per ounce, and copper reached a new record of US$6 per pound, up 1.3%.

Here is a selection of ASX mining shares hitting new one-year high prices today.

ASX mining shares reaching new price milestones

Several major diversified miners hit new 52-week peaks today.

The BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) share price rose 1.9% to a 52-week high of $47.37.

The Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) share price increased 2.5% to a 52-week high of $153.26.

South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) shares rose 4.1% to a 52-week peak of $3.81.

The Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) share price rose 2.3% to a 52-week high of $57.10.

Several ASX gold shares and silver shares also ascended to new highs today.

The Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) share price increased 2.7% to a 52-week high of $5.76.

Bauxite and alumina producer Alcoa Corporation CDI (ASX: AAI) lifted 8.2% to a 52-week high of $91.50 per share.

Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) shares lifted 4% to a 52-week high of $1.80.

The Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) share price lifted 2.6% to a 52-week high of $7.84.

Silver Mines Ltd (ASX: SVL) shares rose 4.3% to a 52-week high of 24 cents.

ASX lithium shares also hit new price thresholds.

The PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) share price rose 6.3% to a 52-week high of $4.70.

Shares in lithium and nickel producer IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) increased 4.1% to a 52-week high of $8.65.

Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO) shares rose 3.4% to a 52-week peak of 30 cents per share.

ASX copper shares were also in the mix after the red metal hit a record US$6 per pound.

Stock in the market’s largest pure-play copper miner, Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR), rose 5.3% to a 52-week high of $19.43.

The Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) share price lifted 10.7% to a 52-week high of $1.87.

Capstone Copper Corp CDI (ASX: CSC) shares lifted 4.8% to a 52-week high of $15.85.

Hot Chili Ltd (ASX: HCH) shares rose 13.3% to a 52-week high of $1.70.

The post Scores of ASX mining shares hit 52-week highs appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in Alcoa, BHP Group, Core Lithium, and South32. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Are you looking to gain exposure to the booming gold price? If you are, then you may want to look at the two ASX 200 gold stocks listed below.

That’s because Bell Potter has just put buy ratings on them and is tipping strong returns in 2026. Here’s what it is recommending:

Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD)

Bell Potter has resumed coverage on this gold miner with a very positive stance. According to the note, the broker has lifted its recommendation to buy (from hold) and increased its price target to $8.65 (from $4.45).

Based on its current share price of $7.48, this implies potential upside of approximately 16% for investors over the next 12 months.

It likes the ASX 200 gold stock due to its high-quality portfolio, which leaves it well-positioned in the current environment. It said:

We resume coverage of GMD with a $8.65 TP and a Buy recommendation (previously Hold $4.45/sh). We believe GMD to be a high-quality gold producer, expanding production underpinned by a large Mineral Resource portfolio (18.6Moz), into a rising gold price environment (Spot US$4,515/oz). Management’s disciplined approach to counter-cyclical growth has seen shareholders rewarded (12m rolling shareholder return – 194%).

Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST)

Another ASX 200 gold stock that Bell Potter is bullish on is Northern Star.

In response to its sales downgrade last week, the broker reaffirmed its buy rating and $30.00 price target on its shares. Based on its current share price of $25.09, this implies potential upside of 20% for investors between now and this time next year.

The broker feels that the selloff has been an overreaction and created a buying opportunity for investors. It said:

NST closed 8.6% lower on the announcement equating to A$3.3bn in market capitalisation loss. Assuming that these issues are merely one-offs, with production normalizing over 2H, we would argue the response is potentially overdone. On our estimates, we model a -12% impact to EBITDA (A$460m) for FY26. Assuming an EV/EBITDA multiple of 7.8x prior to the announcement, the 8.6% stock price decline is in-line with our EBITDA adjustments however, making a case for the sell-off being warranted.

Looking through the noise, with gold at US$4,392/oz (A$6,555/oz) this implies an AISC margin of A$4,055/oz or 62%, prior to adjusting for the hedgebook (54% after accounting for hedged ounces). Absent a material correction in the gold price, NST will continue to generate above average returns in the current environment.

The post Broker names 2 ASX 200 gold stocks to buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Can Genesis Minerals shares keep running after a 195% surge in a year?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday

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.

When it comes to building a reliable passive income stream, the Australian share market remains one of the most attractive hunting grounds in the world.

Thanks to a mix of yield-focused shares, franked dividends, and favourable payout cultures, ASX investors have access to income opportunities that are hard to replicate offshore.

With that in mind, here are two ASX dividend stocks that brokers currently rate as buys, and which could offer eye-catching dividend yields and capital upside in 2026.

Dexus Convenience Retail REIT (ASX: DXC)

For investors seeking defensive, property-backed income, Dexus Convenience Retail REIT could be worth a closer look.

This real estate investment trust (REIT) owns a nationwide portfolio of service stations and convenience retail sites, leased to high-quality tenants under long-term, inflation-linked contracts. These types of assets are widely regarded as resilient, with demand for fuel and convenience retail proving relatively stable across economic cycles.

Importantly for income investors, the majority of its leases include annual rental increases, helping to support distribution growth and protect purchasing power over time.

Bell Potter is bullish on the REIT and currently has a buy rating with a $3.45 price target. Based on today’s share price of $2.86, that implies potential upside of around 21%.

On the income front, the broker is forecasting dividends of 20.9 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 21.6 cents per share in FY 2027. This represents forecast dividend yields of approximately 7.3% in FY 2026 and 7.6% in FY 2027, which could make it an appealing option for investors seeking dependable cash flow in the current interest rate environment.

IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH)

Another ASX dividend stock that analysts continue to back is global intellectual property services firm IPH.

The company operates a portfolio of well-established IP businesses across Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Asia, including AJ Park, Smart & Biggar, and Spruson & Ferguson.

This gives IPH exposure to a specialised professional services niche characterised by recurring demand, high client retention, and strong industry barriers to entry.

While IPH’s share price performance has been disappointing over the past couple of years, the team at Morgans believes the market may be overlooking its income potential.

Morgans has described the stock’s valuation as undemanding and currently rates it as a buy, with a $6.05 price target. Compared to today’s share price of $3.55, that suggests potential upside of more than 70% if sentiment improves.

Even without a rerating, IPH’s forecast dividends are hard to ignore. Morgans is expecting fully franked dividends of 37 cents per share in both FY 2026 and FY 2027. At its current share price, this equates to dividend yields of over 10% for each year.

The post 2 ASX dividend stocks tipped to deliver 7% to 10% yields in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO), the cloud accounting powerhouse beloved by Aussie small businesses and accountants, has had a rough ride.

After trading near record highs in mid-2025, the share price is now approximately 36% lower than it was this time last year. At the time of writing, Xero shares are up 0.8% to $108.78, suggesting selling pressure may be starting to ease.

So, is this a buying opportunity or a falling knife?

Let’s break it down.

Why Xero shares have fallen

Xero’s share price has fallen sharply over the past year, wiping out gains from prior periods and hitting fresh lows in late 2025. Bearish sentiment has been building as investors digest strategic moves and profit results that didn’t quite hit the market’s expectations.

The US$2.5 billion Melio acquisition in mid-2025 also weighed on sentiment. The deal was partly funded by a $1.85 billion discounted equity raising, which diluted existing shareholders and pressured the share price.

Even with positive financial metrics, such as revenue growth and improving cash flow, Xero’s share price continued to slide, suggesting that investors remain cautious.

The business is still growing

Despite the share price weakness, Xero’s underlying business continues to move in the right direction.

In its FY26 interim results, the company reported revenue growth of approximately 20% year on year, bringing revenue to around NZ$1.19 billion. EBITDA was also higher than the prior year, showing improved profitability even as the company continued to invest in the business.

Xero’s annualised monthly recurring revenue increased strongly, supported by ongoing subscriber growth and improved pricing. The company also made progress on key strategic initiatives, including its Melio acquisition and the rollout of new AI-driven features across the platform.

On paper, these results show Xero is still growing its core business and generating cash, which provides a solid fundamental backdrop. However, some key metrics missed market expectations, particularly earnings per share (EPS), and that disappointment helped push the share price lower.

So, should you buy at these levels?

A 36% fall in a high-quality ASX tech stock is hard to ignore.

Xero remains a dominant player in cloud accounting, with a strong product, loyal customers, and a long runway for growth. While short-term uncertainty remains, the current share price is starting to look far more appealing than it did a year ago.

For long-term investors willing to weather some volatility, Xero remains a stock worth watching closely.

The post Down 36% in a year, is it time to consider buying shares in this dominant ASX tech company? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The start of a new year is often when investors feel the most eager to put money to work in the share market.

But rather than overthinking where to invest, I think the goal should be simplicity.

This means focusing on high-quality ASX stocks that are a cut above the rest, with scale, resilience, and clear long-term relevance.

If I had $1,000 to invest as the New Year begins, these are three ASX stocks I’d consider genuine no-brainers.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

I believe Xero is one of the highest-quality software businesses on the ASX, and currently, the share price tells a very different story to the business itself.

The company has grown from a small New Zealand startup into a global platform with 4.6 million subscribers, serving small businesses across multiple large markets. Its revenue is largely recurring, customer churn is low, and the product is deeply embedded in day-to-day operations.

What makes Xero particularly interesting right now is its valuation. This ASX stock is down more than 40% from its 52-week high, despite the company continuing to grow, generate cash, and execute on its long-term strategy. For long-term investors, that disconnect is hard to ignore.

For someone starting the year with a modest investment, owning a global SaaS leader at a materially lower price than a year ago looks compelling.

Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

Transurban is about as simple as it gets.

It owns and operates toll roads in major cities where population growth, congestion, and commuting are long-term realities. People don’t need to love tolls, they just need to use the roads.

Recent traffic data shows that demand remains resilient, with average daily traffic continuing to grow across all markets. At the same time, Transurban is investing in major projects, including the opening of the West Gate Tunnel, which adds capacity and improves connectivity in Melbourne.

For investors, Transurban also offers predictable income, with distributions expected to grow again this year. That combination of infrastructure stability and income makes it an easy stock to hold through market ups and downs.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Macquarie adds diversification and optional upside to the mix.

Unlike traditional banks, Macquarie operates across asset management, banking, commodities, capital markets, and advisory services. That diversity helps smooth earnings through different market conditions.

The ASX stock’s results highlighted solid underlying performance across multiple divisions, particularly in asset management and capital markets, despite mixed global conditions. Macquarie’s ability to invest patiently, manage risk conservatively, and adapt its business mix has been proven across multiple cycles.

For a New Year investment, I think Macquarie offers exposure to global growth, infrastructure, and financial markets, all through a single, well-managed business.

The post 3 no-brainer ASX stocks to buy with $1,000 right now for the New Year appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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