Tag: Stock pick

On Thursday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gave back its early gains to finish the day lower. The benchmark index edged a fraction lower to 8,840.7 points.

Will the market be able to bounce back from 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 fall on Friday following a poor night of trade in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 26 points or 0.3% lower this morning. In late trade on Wall Street, the Dow Jones is down 0.3%, the S&P 500 is down 0.6%, and the Nasdaq is 1.5% lower.

Oil prices ease

ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) could have a poor finish to the week after oil prices pulled back overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 0.7% to US$79.05 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 0.75% to US$84.32 a barrel. This is despite rising tensions between the US and Iran.

Buy Netwealth shares

Bell Potter thinks Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL) shares are good value. In response to the investment platform provider’s quarterly update, the broker has retained its buy rating and $30.00 price target. It said: “Our Buy rating and target price are unchanged. NWL remains on track to deliver free cash flow margins in-line with 5Y historical standards, balancing growth investments and profitability. Market share cadence and the current multiple make this attractive.”

Gold price sinks

ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) could have a poor finish to the week after the gold price sank overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 1.8% to US$3,979 an ounce. Increasing US interest rate hike bets are weighing on the precious metal.

Buy Harvey Norman shares

Bell Potter sees a lot of value in Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN) shares. This morning, the broker has retained its buy rating on the retail giant’s shares with a trimmed price target of $6.00. This implies potential upside of 26%. In addition, a dividend yield greater than 6% is expected in FY 2027. It said: “While our views on FY27e sees challenging conditions for retailers with a recovery weighted to 2H, on our revised estimates HVN continues to trade at a 1-year forward P/E of ~13x (as per BPe) which appears attractive.”

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

More reading

• Brokers name 2 ASX dividend shares to buy with 4% to 7% yields
• Buy, hold, sell: Harvey Norman and REA Group shares
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• AMP expects higher 1H26 earnings on China growth
• Netwealth delivers record FUA in June 2026 quarter

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

A new report from Kerry Craig, Global Market Strategist at J.P. Morgan Asset Management has reinforced the importance of targeting growth opportunities outside Australia. 

It’s very normal for investors to focus on equities in their own country, but Australians who only invest in the domestic market could be missing out on emerging themes and sectors internationally. 

Home bias 

According to the report, Australia represents just 1.4% of the global share market. 

However, many local investors allocate a large share of their portfolios to ASX-listed companies. 

This tendency is known as home bias and, while it’s understandable, it can also be limiting.

Investing close to home can feel reassuring: familiar brands, known businesses and local news you can follow. But familiarity is not the same as opportunity. Some of the world’s major growth themes are playing out in markets, sectors and companies that many Australian portfolios may not fully capture.

Craig also highlighted that being a small share of the global market wouldn’t matter as much if Australia was consistently outperforming. 

However, it made 9.4% annualised returns over the past 10 years, which sounds good until you realise that, over that same time period, the US returned 15.5% and Japan 14.5%. 

Major growth themes are global not domestic 

Additionally, it’s important to remember that buying equities is buying expected future earnings growth, and by focusing on Australia you could be missing out on some of the major growth themes in investing today. 

While the Australian market might have ridden high on the mining boom and trade links with China in the past, it has limited exposure to some of today’s key growth drivers.

Take Artificial Intelligence. The opportunity is not only in US technology companies, but in the infrastructure behind them, including semiconductors, memory, data centres, power generation and electricity networks. Much of that spending flows through global supply chains, including markets like Korea, Japan and Taiwan, while Australia has only limited exposure.

Looking past AI 

While AI is perhaps the most obvious example, it is far from the only growth opportunity sitting outside the Australian market. 

For example, Craig highlights that European countries are spending heavily to secure reliable and sustainable energy supplies. 

At the same time, geopolitical tensions are driving higher defence spending across Europe.

As well as missing out on growth opportunities, investors should be aware the Australian share market is relatively concentrated in financials like major banks, and materials/mining. There is nothing inherently wrong with these sectors or businesses, but a well-constructed portfolio often seeks to diversify its sources of return across industries, economies, business models and growth drivers.

How to target international shares

For investors seeking exposure to international equities, there are numerous ASX ETFs that track other markets. 

For example, the Betashares Capital – Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA) targets Asian technology companies. 

It has risen more than 60% in the last 12 months. 

Another popular fund is the BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ) which targets the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq market.

For European exposure, there is the BetaShares Europe ETF – Currency Hedged (ASX: HEUR) which provides exposure to Europe’s largest companies that generate a substantial portion of their revenues outside the Eurozone.

The post Why it’s vital for investors to look to international shares for growth: Expert  appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has positions in BetaShares Europe ETF – Currency Hedged, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, and Betashares Capital – Asia Technology Tigers Etf. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

If you’re looking for good ASX dividend stocks, it can pay to check out the various funds run by Wilson Asset Management.

They have a number of funds listed on the ASX, including WAM Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: WMX), which pays out monthly, WAM Microcap Ltd (ASX: WMI), which is currently paying a trailing dividend of 7.1%, and WAM Active Ltd (ASX: WAA).

Good news for this ASX dividend performer

Today, I’m going to focus on WAM Active because it recently reported strong investment returns, which have translated into a strong final dividend and a special dividend, both of which are still on the table, with record dates much later this year.

WAM said in its recent statement to the ASX that its investment portfolio increased by a record 75.5% in the year to the end of June, outperforming the Bloomberg AusBond Bank Bill Index (Cash) and the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Accumulation Index by 71.6% and 69.8%, respectively.

Chairman Geoff Wilson said regarding the result:

FY2026 is the strongest year in WAM Active’s history since the Company was established in January 2008. This record result reflects the strength of WAM Active’s disciplined and flexible investment strategy, outstanding stock selection and active portfolio management. We remained focused on delivering strong long term returns and a growing stream of fully franked dividends for shareholders.

The WAM board declared a fully-franked final dividend of 3.2 cents per share and a special dividend of 2 cents per share.

The ex-dividend dates for the fund’s ordinary dividend and special dividend are 17 November and 4 December, respectively, meaning there’s plenty of time to buy if you’re keen on those dividends.

So, let’s look at our $1,000 target. In order to reap this from the upcoming dividends, you’d need to hold 19,230 WAM Active shares.

It’s also useful to look at it from a full-year perspective.

WAM Active will pay a total of 9.4 cents per share, fully franked over the full year, including the recently declared dividends.

That would translate to $1807.62 in dividends, or as the company said in its recent statement, a fully-franked dividend yield of 8.6% and a grossed-up dividend yield of 12.3%.

While past performance is not a predictor of future performance where investing is concerned, that’s an impressive effort over the past year by any measure.

Fund invests into major macroeconomic themes

The fund’s lead portfolio manager, Oscar Oberg, explained that the fund’s outperformance was driven by exposure to four key themes: critical minerals, electrification and grid infrastructure, precious metals, and artificial intelligence (AI).

He added:

Equity markets over the 2026 financial year were characterised by elevated volatility, rapid shifts in macroeconomic expectations and pronounced rotation across sectors and themes. Changes to interest rate outlooks, geopolitical developments and the accelerating AI adoption contributed to periods where company fundamentals were often overshadowed by broader market positioning. These conditions created dislocations across parts of the market, particularly in smaller and less well-covered companies, providing opportunities for the investment team to identify mispriced securities using WAM Active’s market-driven approach.

The post This ASX dividend stock could pay me $1,000 this year. Here’s how many shares I’d need appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• This fund’s 75% return smashed its benchmark, and it’s celebrating with a special dividend
• Leading fund manager reveals 2 exciting ASX shares to buy

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

The ASX is well known for its abundance of high-quality dividend shares.

Investors chasing reliable, fully franked income have plenty to choose from on the ASX right now.

Here are three shares worth a look for a passive income portfolio.

National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB)

National Australia Bank is one of the big four lenders and remains a core income holding for many Australian portfolios.

The bank pays a fully franked dividend of 4.3% (not including franking credits). What’s more, its valuation typically sits at a discount to sector leader Commonwealth Bank.

This gives income investors a comparatively attractive entry point among the majors.

NAB’s earnings are underpinned by home lending, business banking, and a large deposit base. All of these support a stable dividend through most parts of the economic cycle.

Bank dividends can come under pressure during a serious credit downturn, so investors should keep an eye on bad debt trends and net interest margins.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Telstra is the classic Australian dividend share, built on the country’s largest mobile and fixed line network.

The telco generates highly predictable, subscription-style revenue from millions of customers. This has historically supported a consistent, largely franked dividend.

Currently, Telstra’s dividend yield stands at 4.10% (not including franking credits).  

Telstra has also been investing in infrastructure monetisation, including its InfraCo assets.

Management has flagged as a way to unlock further shareholder value over time.

The main risks are intense mobile competition from Optus and TPG, and the capital intensity of maintaining and upgrading network infrastructure.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers owns a portfolio of well-known Australian retail and industrial brands, including Bunnings, Kmart, and Officeworks.

Bunnings in particular has proven remarkably resilient through multiple economic cycles, giving the group a defensive earnings base that supports steady dividend growth.

Wesfarmers has also been diversifying into lithium and healthcare, adding growth optionality alongside its retail core.

The shares typically trade at a premium multiple given the quality of the underlying businesses. Investors are therefore paying up for that consistency rather than buying deep value.

Foolish Takeaway for ASX dividend shares

NAB, Telstra, and Wesfarmers each offer a different flavour of passive income, from banking to telecommunications to retail.

Combining shares from different sectors can help smooth out portfolio income if one industry hits a rough patch. Meanwhile, franking credits add a further boost for local investors.

For ASX investors looking to generate substantial passive income through ASX dividend shares, they should look no further than these three Aussie companies.

The post 3 ASX dividend shares I’d buy for passive income right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Qantas Airways (ASX: QAN) shares have been in focus again as Project Sunrise edges closer to reality.

The airline recently unveiled its first purpose-built Airbus A350-1000ULR in Toulouse, France.

Non-stop flights from Sydney to London are now locked in for October 2027, with tickets going on sale from February 2027.

A Sydney to New York route will follow, though a launch date has not yet been confirmed.

What is the new aircraft?

The new aircraft will carry just 238 passengers, well down on the 410 seats found on a standard A350. This will make room for extra fuel tanks and a dedicated wellbeing zone.

Qantas has ordered 12 of the ultra-long-range jets in total.

Management says the intent to book a Project Sunrise flight has climbed sharply among premium leisure travellers since February 2026.

This is a promising signal for a product built around high-margin cabins.

So where does that leave Qantas shares?

Qantas shares are trading on a price to earnings ratio of around 10 times, below the global airline industry average of roughly 9 to 12 times depending on the peer set used.

The stock carries a dividend yield near 3.5%, with the payout covered by earnings.

Analyst sentiment remains firmly positive.

Multiple brokers rate Qantas a buy or outperform, with average 12-month price targets clustering between roughly $11 and $12.

That implies modest to solid upside from current levels, though estimates vary depending on each analyst’s fuel and demand assumptions.

The bull and bear case for Qantas shares

The bull case rests on Qantas converting its domestic duopoly position, its loyalty program, and Project Sunrise into durable earnings growth over the next several years.

The bear case is the one that has dogged all airlines recently.

Fuel costs have risen sharply on the back of the conflict involving Iran, and Qantas has flagged higher near-term jet fuel bills as a result.

Airlines are also inherently cyclical, and a downturn in travel demand can hit margins quickly.

Project Sunrise itself has already been delayed roughly six months from its original schedule, a reminder that execution risk on a genuinely novel aircraft program is real.

For investors comfortable with cyclical risk, Qantas offers a rare combination of a reasonable valuation, a growing loyalty and freight business, and a marquee growth catalyst in Project Sunrise that could open a new premium revenue stream from 2027.

For more conservative investors, the fuel cost backdrop and the airline’s history of guidance resets are worth weighing carefully before buying.

Foolish Takeaway

Project Sunrise gives Qantas a new growth catalyst heading into 2027.

The shares still trade at an undemanding multiple relative to the broader airline sector.

But investors should size any position with the industry’s fuel and demand cyclicality firmly in mind.

The post Project Sunrise incoming: Are Qantas shares a buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

A 10-year investment period gives investors time to think beyond the next market wobble.

With $20,000, ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) can provide exposure to global quality companies, robotics and artificial intelligence, and China’s consumer and technology economy.

Here are three ASX ETFs that could be top long-term picks.

Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF (ASX: QLTY)

The Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF could be worth considering.

This ASX ETF is designed to provide exposure to global companies with quality characteristics. That can include strong profitability, solid balance sheets, and earnings that have shown a degree of resilience over time.

The idea is not to chase the most exciting theme in the market. It is to own companies that have already proven they can make money at a high level and keep doing so through different conditions.

That can be important over a 10-year period because markets never move in a straight line. There will be recessions, inflation scares, rate changes, earnings downgrades, and plenty of volatility along the way.

A quality-focused fund can help anchor the portfolio with businesses that have the financial strength to keep investing, defend margins, and compound over time. It was recently recommended by the team at Betashares.

Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: RBTZ)

Another ASX ETF to look at is the Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF.

This fund gives investors exposure to companies involved in robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, drones, unmanned vehicles, and related technologies. That makes it a more targeted growth holding.

The long-term case is tied to how work is changing. Factories, warehouses, hospitals, farms, logistics networks, and transport systems are all looking for ways to become more efficient, precise, and automated.

Robotics is not just about humanoid machines. It can include industrial equipment, sensors, robotic surgery tools, autonomous systems, and the software that helps machines make better decisions.

Artificial intelligence could increase the opportunity by making machines more capable in real-world settings.

This ASX ETF is likely to be volatile, but as a 10-year holding, it gives the portfolio exposure to a powerful structural theme. It was also recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

VanEck China New Economy ETF (ASX: CNEW)

The final ASX ETF to look at is the VanEck China New Economy ETF.

This is arguably the higher-risk idea in the group.

The fund gives investors exposure to Chinese companies linked to areas such as consumer spending, healthcare, technology, industrial innovation, and other parts of the country’s changing economy.

Over a 10-year period, China’s middle class, domestic consumption, healthcare needs, digital services, and advanced manufacturing ambitions could still create strong investment opportunities.

This fund gives investors a way to access that potential without trying to pick individual Chinese shares. It was recently recommended by analysts at VanEck.

The post Where to invest $20,000 in ASX ETFs for 10 years 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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) experienced a wild, and ultimately negative day of trading this Thursday, in stark contrast to yesterday’s more optimistic showing.

After some initial volatility at market open this morning, the ASX 200 spent most of the session deep in red territory. A late-afternoon rally couldn’t quite save the markets, and the index ended up closing 0.0045% lower at 8,840.7 points.

This sulky session for the ASX comes despite a more confident day over on the American markets last night.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) did well, rising 0.29%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did even better, gaining 0.62%.

But let’s return to the local markets now and check out how the different ASX sectors navigated today’s lethargic trading conditions.

Winners and losers

Fitting with the market’s small drop, we saw a fairly even split between winners and losers this Thursday.

Leading the latter were mining shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) was hit hard today, cratering 1.58%.

Energy stocks had another rough one as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) plunging 1.53%.

Continuing the commodities theme, gold shares came next. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) saw its value dive 0.82%.

Consumer staples stocks were on the nose too, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)’s 0.31% dip.

Utilities shares joined the losing team, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) slid down 0.21% this session.

That’s it for the losers, though, so let’s get to the green sectors. Leading the winners were communications stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) enjoying a 1.1% surge.

Consumer discretionary shares also ran hot. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) added 1.09% to its total this Thursday.

Financial shares proved popular as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) roared 0.88% higher.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) fared half as well, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)’s 0.44% bounce.

Healthcare stocks were right behind REITs. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) lifted 0.39% today.

Tech shares were in that ballpark as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) advancing 0.38%.

Finally, industrial stocks had a lucky finish, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)’s 0.08% bump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

This Thursday’s index winner was financial stock AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP). AMP shares soared 9.83% higher today to close at $1.90 each.

This big jump followed a well-received earnings update from the company.

Here’s how the other winners landed their planes: 

ASX-listed company	Share price	Price change
AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP)	$1.90	9.83%
Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB)	$2.77	6.95%
REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)	$158.71	6.61%
Tabcorp Holdings Ltd (ASX: TAH)	$0.91	5.20%
Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)	$26.52	5.03%
Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV)	$23.63	4.93%
IRESS Ltd (ASX: IRE)	$6.61	3.93%
Fletcher Building Ltd (ASX: FBU)	$3.13	3.64%
Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL)	$45.49	3.32%
PEXA Group Ltd (ASX: PXA)	$7.85	3.15%

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.

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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Life360, Lovisa, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360 and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Lovisa. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Well, it has been just over a month since the much-hyped initial public offering (IPO) of Space Exploration Technologies Corp (NASDAQ: SPCX). The IPO of Space Exploration Technologies Corp, better known as SpaceX, was perhaps the blockbuster investing event of the year. It was the largest IPO in history.

When SpaceX floated at US$135 a share last month, it valued the company at a whopping US$1.75 trillion. Despite valuation concerns, the initial float went exceedingly well for anyone who already owned SpaceX stock, or was able to secure some at US$135. After just a few days of trading, the company had rocketed (no pun intended) more than 67% to a high of US$225.64 on 16 June. That valued SpaceX at a near-inconceivable US$2.93 trillion.

Bear in mind that, as we’ve previously discussed, some investors have noted the disparity between SpaceX’s financials and the value that investors were willing to place on the company. To reiterate, the company generated US$18.7 billion in revenue last year and recorded an operating loss of US$4.2 billion.

That might explain why SpaceX stock hasn’t been doing that well since that 16 June high. In fact, SpaceX shares seem to be going in just one direction since that date a month ago. Last night (our time), the company closed at US$135.27 a share. That’s just a whisker above the initial SpaceX IPO price. What’s more, the company dipped below US$135 a share during intraday trading, hitting a low of US$132.15 (US$1.58 trillion). At that price, only investors who held shares prior to the IPO would not have been sitting on an on-paper loss.

So what’s going wrong with the SpaceX IPO then?

You might be wondering what has gone wrong with SpaceX shares since the IPO. After all, it’s not too often that a company whipsaws between US$1.58 trillion and US$2.93 trillion over just a month.

Well, I think this is a classic case of a hype bubble inflating and then deflating as excitement dies down and profits are taken off the table. We often see this happen with IPOs. The case of Guzman y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) is a good local example. IPOs are, by nature, designed to maximise the profits of insider sellers, brokers, and the company itself, not to enrich retail investors. Once the rush is over, the market tends to revert to normalised valuation. And that is often bad news for those who were first to jump onto the train.

SpaceX was, and arguably still is, being priced on what it might deliver in the future, not what kind of profits it is bringing in the doors today (which were reportedly none last year). Potential is a difficult thing to price. So it’s no surprise to see the shares coming off the boil since the SpaceX IPO. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this stock continue to drift lower until we get a look at the company’s books when it reports its first set of public results. Perhaps even beyond that. Let’s see what happens to the SpaceX share price going forward.

The post What’s gone wrong with the SpaceX IPO? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has 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 retirement, we all want to make sure we have enough superannuation to afford the best lifestyle possible. 

But working out exactly how much money you need is trickier than you’d think. 

After all, the super balance you need depends on your living situation, your expected retirement age, and what type of retirement lifestyle you’re aiming for.

Do you own your own house outright? Are you a single person or living as part of a couple? What type of travel do you expect to do after you finish working? Do you have any debts? What age do you want to retire?

Let’s assume you’re aiming for a comfortable retirement starting at age 67.

Here’s a breakdown of what that could look like, what it could cost you, and how much superannuation you’d need.

What does a comfortable retirement look like?

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) splits retirement into two broad categories: comfortable and modest.

ASFA defines a comfortable retirement as one that gives retirees a good standard of living well beyond the age pension. It budgets for expenses beyond a modest retirement, including top-tier private health insurance and regular leisure activities. It allocates funds for home repairs or renovations, and perhaps even an annual holiday.

Meanwhile, a modest retirement is defined as being able to cover expenses just slightly above what the full Centrelink Age Pension would provide from age 67. 

How much is a comfortable retirement expected to cost?

A comfortable ASFA retirement is expected to cost around $55,923 per year for single Australians, and $78,566 for a couple living together.

These figures also assume you’ll receive a part Age Pension, that you own your home in full, and that you already have an emergency fund set aside.

How much superannuation do I need at age 67 to afford that?

In order to fund a comfortable retirement, ASFA calculates that at age 67, single Australians will need around $630,000. Meanwhile, couples will need a superannuation balance of around $730,000.

How do I know if I’m on track to reach that balance by age 67?

I’ve crunched the numbers using ASFA’s super detective tool to work out what superannuation balance you should have at each age milestone to be able to reach that goal.

At age 40, Australians should have a superannuation balance of around $178,000.

By age 45, this should be closer to $239,000.

At age 50, you’ll want to have around $313,500 in your superannuation.

This should then increase to about $399,000 by age 55.

Aussies aged 60 should have close to $496,500.

By age 65, to remain on track, your total superannuation balance should be around $604,500.

Are you on track?

The post How much superannuation do I need to retire comfortably at age 67 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

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Capital gains tax (CGT) changes should never be a reason to throw a sound investment process in the bin.

A mediocre business does not become attractive because it pays a dividend. Nor should investors abandon companies capable of compounding capital simply because future gains may be taxed differently.

However, the announced CGT reforms could change the after-tax maths behind total shareholder returns.

Under current rules, Australian resident individuals who hold an asset for at least 12 months can generally apply a 50% discount to the taxable capital gain. If implemented as announced, the government will replace that discount from 1 July 2027 with inflation-based cost-base indexation and a minimum 30% tax rate on real gains. The new system would apply only to gains accruing after that date.

Treasury’s examples show low-return investments may pay less tax because inflation is removed from the gain. However, assets delivering strong returns above inflation can face a larger tax bill than under the current discount.

That makes it worth considering how returns are generated. Dividends remain taxable income, so they are not a free lunch. But reliable and growing distributions — particularly when supported by franking credits — may become a more valuable part of the total-return equation. The shift towards income assets is already influencing investor behaviour.

Here are three ASX dividend shares that could fit that framework.

Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL)

Soul Patts is not simply a high-yield stock. It is a diversified investment house designed to build wealth across market cycles.

Its portfolio spans listed companies, private businesses, emerging companies, credit, and real assets. Earlier in 2026, the company reported pre-tax net asset value of $13.8 billion, with no single asset class representing more than one-third of the portfolio.

That flexibility allows management to recycle capital into opportunities offering better risk-adjusted returns.

The dividend record is equally compelling. Soul Patts has paid a dividend every year since listing in 1903 and increased its regular dividend every year since 1998. Its latest interim dividend rose to 48 cents per share, fully franked.

For investors thinking about both capital growth and rising income, Soul Patts may be one of the ASX’s clearest all-rounders.

Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

Transurban offers a different kind of durability.

Its toll roads are essential pieces of urban infrastructure, with revenue supported by traffic volumes and contractual toll increases. More than 90% of revenue is linked to inflation or fixed escalations, providing some protection when costs rise.

The company reported 2.6 million average daily trips in the first half of FY26, up 2.5%. Proportional revenue rose 6%, while proportional operating earnings increased 6.4%.

There are risks. Transurban carries substantial debt, making funding costs important, while toll-road regulation can create uncertainty. Even so, long-life assets, inflation-linked pricing, and growing urban congestion give it a relatively visible income base. It also adds a different income driver to a diversified dividend portfolio.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Macquarie is often grouped with the major banks, but its earnings engine is far broader than Australian mortgages.

The group operates across asset management, commodities, infrastructure, advisory, private credit, and banking. This creates more earnings volatility than a traditional retail bank, but also reduces dependence on one economy and one lending market. It is not necessarily lower risk overall, but its risks are less concentrated in Australian housing.

Macquarie reported FY26 net profit of $4.85 billion, up 30%, and lifted its full-year dividend to $7 per share, 35% franked. The payout represented 55% of earnings, within its stated 50% to 70% policy.

An investment in Macquarie isn’t without risk. Investment banking earnings can move sharply between years. However, Macquarie’s global reach, diversified revenue streams, and conservative capital position make it an appealing dividend grower rather than a simple yield play.

Foolish takeaway

The CGT reforms should not dictate which companies investors own.

Business quality, valuation, balance-sheet strength, and future prospects still matter far more than tax settings.

However, the reforms may encourage investors to look beyond capital growth alone. Companies that can reinvest profit, grow earnings, and steadily lift dividends could offer a more balanced path to total shareholder returns.

Soul Patts, Transurban, and Macquarie each approach that task differently — through diversified capital allocation, infrastructure cash flows, and global financial expertise.

The post 3 ASX dividend shares that look better after CGT reforms appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group, Transurban Group, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Transurban Group and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.