Tag: Stock pick

S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) uranium share Bannerman Energy Ltd (ASX: BMN) has made some very happy investors over the past year.

How happy?

Well, a year ago, you could have picked up Bannerman Energy shares for $2.24. At Friday’s close, those shares were changing hands for $4.21 each. That sees the ASX 300 uranium share up a very impressive 87.95% over 12 months.

For context, the ASX 300 has gained 9.52% over the same period.

But if you think the ship has sailed on the potential outsized gains from the Aussie uranium company, you might want to have another look.

That’s according to Fairmont Equities’ Michael Gable, who expects the stars are aligning to deliver more outperformance from Bannerman Energy shares (courtesy of The Bull).

Should you buy the ASX 300 uranium share today?

“Bannerman is a uranium development company,” said Gable, who has a buy recommendation on the ASX 300 uranium share. “Its flagship Etango project is based in Namibia.”

One of the reasons for Gable’s bullish outlook on Bannerman Energy shares is the potential looming shortfall in global uranium supplies.

“The uranium sector continues to appeal because demand should continue to outpace supply for the next several years,” he said.

Indeed, in Shaw and Partners’ new Uranium Super-Cycle report, the broker said it expects that structural supply deficits, accelerating nuclear demand, and tightening fuel contracting cycles will see the uranium spot price hit US$175 per pound in 2027. Uranium was trading for around US$88 per pound this past week.

Fairmont Equities Gable is also encouraged by Bannerman’s JV deal with the China National Nuclear Corporation.

According to Gable:

The company recently announced a joint venture with the China National Nuclear Corporation. The deal de-risks the Etango project and reduces funding risk involving development. BMN is exposed to potential upside in uranium prices. The shares have risen from $2.35 on August 20, 2025 to trade at $4.50 on February 26, 2026.

The ASX 300 uranium share announced its JV deal on 13 February.

Commenting on the JV Etango funding deal on the day, Bannerman Energy executive chairman Brandon Munro said:

By enabling the debt-free construction of Etango, this solution maximises flexibility and dramatically derisks the construction and ramp-up phases of project execution.

It also delivers us a Tier-1 cornerstone offtake partner on genuine and market terms, ensuring Bannerman remains strongly exposed to future uranium price upside potential.

The post Up 88% in a year, why this ASX 300 uranium share is forecast to keep running hot appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why ASX uranium shares like Paladin and Boss Energy could be set to rocket
• One uranium stock to buy and one to sell, according to Macquarie
• Buy, hold, sell: Bannerman, CBA, and Telstra shares
• Why is this outperforming ASX 300 uranium stock crashing 12% on Friday?

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has 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 you’re starting out in the share market, it can feel overwhelming. There are thousands of shares, ETFs, and strategies to choose from.

But investing does not need to be complicated.

If I were starting with $10,000 in 2026, I would focus on building a simple portfolio that provides exposure to global growth, the Australian market, and assets that can help during uncertain times.

Here is a straightforward way to do it.

$5,000 – Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

If there is one place in the world where innovation is moving fast, it is the United States tech sector.

The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index (NASDAQ: NDX), which includes many of the world’s most influential technology companies.

Its holdings include global giants such as Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia, alongside major consumer and technology businesses that dominate the digital economy.

These companies sit at the centre of powerful long-term trends, including artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, semiconductors, and digital infrastructure.

Over time, these growth drivers have helped technology stocks deliver some of the strongest returns in global markets.

For investors looking for long-term capital growth, the NDQ ETF can act as the growth engine of a portfolio.

By allocating $5,000, investors gain exposure to many of the world’s most innovative companies through a single ASX-listed ETF.

$3,000 – ASX 200 Index

While global technology offers strong growth potential, investors should not ignore the strength of the Australian share market.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) represents the 200 largest companies listed on the ASX, covering around 77% of Australia’s share market capitalisation.

The index includes major banks such as Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), resource giants like BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), and leading companies across sectors, including healthcare, retail, and telecommunications.

The ASX is also well known for producing reliable dividend income, particularly from banks and mining companies.

That makes the ASX 200 an ideal foundation for stability and income within a portfolio.

Allocating $3,000 to an ASX 200 ETF gives investors exposure to Australia’s largest companies while also benefiting from long-term growth and dividends.

$2,000 – Precious metals

No portfolio is complete without some diversification.

Precious metals can play an important role as a hedge against inflation, currency debasement, and global economic uncertainty.

The Global X Physical Silver ETF (ASX: ETPMAG) gives investors direct exposure to the price of physical silver held in vaults.

Silver is particularly interesting because it acts both as a precious metal and an industrial metal, with growing demand from sectors such as solar panels, electronics, and electric vehicles.

Another option is the Global X Physical Precious Metal Basket ETF (ASX: ETPMPM), which provides exposure to a mix of metals, including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.

Allocating $2,000 to precious metals can help balance a portfolio during periods of market volatility.

Foolish Takeaway

With $10,000, a mix of global tech growth, Australian market exposure, and precious metals diversification can provide a simple starting portfolio.

This approach spreads risk across different markets, industries, and asset classes while keeping the strategy easy to understand.

The post Don’t overthink it: The best $10,000 approach to start investing in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Centuria Industrial REIT declares quarterly distribution for March 2026
• Is the ASX 200 ok?
• Superannuation check up: Here’s how much you should have saved by age 40, 50 and 60
• Passive income: How much would I need to invest in ASX shares to earn $1,000 every month?

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 Apple, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Microsoft, and Nvidia and is short shares of Apple and BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple, BHP Group, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Huge ASX dividend yields are rare to find on the ASX, particularly ones that are able to maintain/grow that payout each year.

I think there are some businesses that can deliver yields of more than 9%, or even 10%, and sustain those payouts year after year.

Large dividend yields aren’t necessarily always the right pick for investors if they’re in a high tax bracket, because it can mean losing a fair bit of the return to tax each year. But, for investors who do want a large payout, I think the listed investment company (LIC) Hearts and Minds Investments Ltd (ASX: HM1) could be the right call for a few reasons.

Large and growing dividend

The business is on track to deliver a very high dividend yield in 2026, with further growth expected in the subsequent financial years.

In its recent FY26 half-year results, it declared an interim dividend of 9.5 cents per share. It said it’s “confident in the company’s ability to maintain its dividend policy, and its stated intention of increasing fully franked dividends by 0.5 cents every six months for the foreseeable future.”

That suggests the next dividends to be declared will be 10 cents and 10.5 cents, which amounts to an annual grossed-up ASX dividend yield of 10.75%, including franking credits.

At the time of writing, the ASX dividend share has a profit reserve of 83 cents per share, so there is ample room (in accounting terms) to continue increasing the payout for a few years.

Diversification

The ASX share is not just managed by one fund management outfit like many other LICs. Instead, its portfolio is constructed by multiple investment professionals.

Some of the portfolio is decided by a group of core portfolio managers who contribute ideas. Other portfolio picks come from an annual investment conference, where various investment professionals pitch a stock they believe could be a good investment for the next year.

Therefore, the overall portfolio isn’t following any particular strategy, theme, or industry; it results in a portfolio that’s quite diversified across industries and countries. I think it’s a good option to ensure that we’re not too exposed to one company or industry.  

These fund managers and investment professionals work for free so that the business can donate 1.5% of its net assets each year to medical research.

Solid returns

Past performance is not a guarantee of future returns, of course.

However, it’s the LIC’s investment returns that make the accounting profits, which then fund the ASX dividend yield.

At the end of January, Hearts & Minds reported that its investment returns over the prior three years had been an average of 12.4% per year. Recent volatility may have dampened its returns in recent weeks, though.

I think it looks good value, trading at an 18% discount (at the time of writing) to the pre-tax net tangible assets (NTA) per share value of $3.33, at 27 February 2026.

The post A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to snap up this 10.75% ASX dividend yield? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• A once-in-a-decade chance to get a 10%+ yield from ASX 200 income shares?
• Get paid huge amounts of cash to own these ASX dividend shares
• This 10% yield is one I’m comfortable holding for the long-term

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Hearts And Minds Investments. 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.

Some ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) dominate headlines and investor portfolios.

For example, funds tracking the S&P 500 or the Nasdaq 100 indices are widely discussed and heavily owned.

But the Australian ETF market is far broader than those familiar names. In fact, a number of lesser-known funds provide exposure to interesting strategies, sectors, and regions that could play an important role in a diversified portfolio.

Here are five ASX ETFs that may not always grab the spotlight but could still be worth a closer look.

Betashares Global Cash Flow Kings ETF (ASX: CFLO)

The Betashares Global Cash Flow Kings ETF focuses on a metric that many investors overlook: free cash flow.

Instead of simply selecting companies based on size or revenue growth, this fund targets businesses that generate large amounts of cash relative to their market value. That cash can be reinvested into growth, used for acquisitions, or returned to shareholders.

Its holdings include companies such as ASML (NASDAQ: ASML), Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL), and Visa (NYSE: V). These are businesses with strong competitive positions and the ability to generate significant cash flows year after year.

By focusing on this financial strength, the Betashares Global Cash Flow Kings ETF aims to capture companies that combine quality with shareholder-friendly economics.

Betashares India Quality ETF (ASX: IIND)

India is one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world, but it remains underrepresented in many global portfolios.

The Betashares India Quality ETF gives investors exposure to leading Indian companies that meet strict quality and profitability criteria.

The portfolio includes businesses such as Infosys (NYSE: INFY), which is a global IT services leader, and HDFC Bank (NSEI: HDFCBANK), one of India’s largest private sector banks.

With a young population, rising middle-class consumption, and increasing digital adoption, India’s economy could expand significantly over the coming decades. This ETF provides a focused way to participate in that growth.

VanEck Global Defence ETF (ASX: ARMR)

Defence spending is rising around the world as governments increase military investment and modernise their capabilities.

The VanEck Global Defence ETF provides exposure to companies that supply equipment, technology, and services to defence organisations.

Its holdings include major defence contractors such as Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC), and BAE Systems (LSE: BA).

These businesses often operate under long-term government contracts, which can provide stable revenues and strong visibility over future earnings.

iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF (ASX: IXI)

While many ETFs focus on high-growth industries, the iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF takes a different approach.

This fund invests in companies that produce everyday goods such as food, beverages, and household products. These businesses tend to benefit from steady demand regardless of economic conditions.

Holdings include global giants like Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG), Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO), and Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST).

Although they may not deliver explosive growth, these companies often provide reliable earnings and strong brand power that can endure for decades.

Global X Battery Tech & Lithium ETF (ASX: ACDC)

The shift toward electrification and renewable energy is driving strong demand for battery technology and lithium.

The Global X Battery Tech & Lithium ETF focuses on companies involved in battery production, electric vehicles, and lithium mining.

Its portfolio includes companies such as Contemporary Amperex Technology, which is one of the world’s largest battery manufacturers, and Albemarle (NYSE: ALB), a major lithium producer.

As electric vehicles, energy storage, and clean energy infrastructure continue expanding, companies linked to this supply chain could play an increasingly important role in the global economy.

The post 5 excellent ASX ETFs flying under the radar appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 simple ASX ETFs to build a long-term portfolio around
• Which ASX ETFs are investors flocking to amidst volatility?
• 3 of the best ASX ETFs to buy in March
• What is the best global defence ASX ETF?
• 5 fantastic ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years

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 ASML, Alphabet, Costco Wholesale, and Visa. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended BAE Systems, HDFC Bank, and Lockheed Martin. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended iShares International Equity ETFs – iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended ASML, Alphabet, and Visa. 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) endured another nasty sell-off this Friday, capping off what has been one of the index’s worst weeks in years. After dropping heavily on both Tuesday and Wednesday’s sessions, the ASX 200 gave up the modest recovery we saw yesterday to once again plunge this session.

By the time the market’s closed, the index had lost another 1%, leaving it at a flat 8,851 points as we head into the weekend.

This rather horrid end to the trading week for Australian investors follows a similarly rough morning on the American markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) suffered a horrendous day, dropping 1.61%.

However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared much better, ‘only’ falling 0.26%.

But let’s get back to the local markets and take a closer look at how today’s sell-off affected the different ASX sectors this session.

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

More reading

• Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• 7 ASX 200 stocks racing higher in this week’s sinking market
• Centuria Industrial REIT declares quarterly distribution for March 2026
• Why Catapult, DroneShield, Karoon Energy, and WiseTech shares are charging higher
• Is the ASX 200 ok?

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 Catapult Sports, Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, DroneShield, SiteMinder, Telix Pharmaceuticals, and WiseTech Global and is short shares of DroneShield. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports, SiteMinder, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, Pro Medicus, and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

There are plenty of ASX shares to choose from on the Australian market.

To narrow things down, let’s take a look at a few that Morgans has been running the rule over recently.

Does it rate them buys, holds, or sells? Let’s find out:

Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG)

Morgans remains positive on this quick service restaurant operator despite its poor performance in the US market.

It continues to believe that the burrito seller can make a success of its global expansion. As a result, it has a buy rating and $24.00 price target on its shares. It said:

GYG came to market with a strategy for global expansion that was breathtakingly ambitious. The first big opportunity was the US. Unfortunately, the pace of network expansion in the US so far has been pedestrian and the restaurants it has opened have lost more money than expected. It was a further step-up in US losses that disappointed investors most today and caused group EBITDA to fall 7% short of our forecast.

We do believe global growth will click into gear at some point to complement a very healthy Australian business. We maintain a BUY rating, though our revised 12-month target sees the share price recovering to $24.00 rather than the $32.30 we had before. GYG has a bit to prove, but we can be certain it is going to give it all it’s got to ultimately realise its growth ambitions.

Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV)

Another expanding ASX share that Morgans has been looking at is fashion jewellery retailer Lovisa.

It was pleased with its performance in the first half of FY 2026. As a result, it has retained its buy rating on its shares with a $36.80 price target. It commented:

LOV reported a strong underlying 1H26 result with EBIT up 20.4%, ~6% ahead of our expectations, driven by store network growth and strong gross margins. During the period, the pace of store rollout continued with a net of 64 new stores in the period, bringing the total count to 1,095. We have increased our EBIT by 3%/1% respectively in FY26/27, driven by higher sales and gross margin offset by higher costs and D&A. We see the pull back in share price as a buying opportunity at ~23x FY27 PE. Our valuation lowers to $36.80 (from $40) and we retain our BUY recommendation.

Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM)

This gold miner has caught the eye of Morgans. However, due to its current valuation, it has only put an accumulate rating and $187.00 price target on Newmont’s shares. It explains:

4Q25 earnings result was a material beat. Key positives: earnings well ahead of expectations and 2026 guidance in-line with expectations. Key negatives: no increase in per share dividend, elevated spend over next few years, limited clarity on when NEM intends to reach its 6Mozpa target. Move to an ACCUMULATE rating with a A$187ps Target Price.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Guzman Y Gomez, Lovisa, and Newmont shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• If gold is a safe haven, why are ASX 200 gold stocks like Northern Star and Evolution Mining getting smashed this week?
• How I’d invest $20,000 in the ASX share market right now
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• 32 ASX shares about to go ex-dividend
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Lovisa. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Lovisa. 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.

Income investors looking at Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) shares today might be a little surprised to see this S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) telco’s dividend. Telstra has long been an ASX income stock famous for its fat dividend yield. However, the Telstra dividend that’s on offer today looks a little different to what investors might have become used to over recent years.

Ever since its ASX listing back in the 1990s, Telstra shares have been a favourite of ASX income investors. The telco has funded massive, and fully franked, dividends for decades. Thanks to a seemingly impenetrable dominance of the Australian telecommunications industry – both in mobile and fixed-line services – this company has long enjoyed wide profit margins, enabled by a wide economic moat. This, in turn, has enabled a stream of relatively dependable dividends.

But looking at Telstra shares today, two things might stand out to long-time watchers of this income stock when it comes to the Telstra dividend.

Where’s the rest of it?

Firstly, it’s not very high, at least by Telstra’s standards. At the time of writing, Telstra is trading at $5.22 a share. At this price, the company sports a trailing dividend yield of 3.84%. That might seem decent, but keep in mind that, as recently as 15 months ago, Telstra shares were trading with a dividend yield over 4.5%.

That’s not exactly Telstra’s fault. The telco increased its annual dividends in 2025, and again with its interim dividend just last month. In fact, Tesltra has delivered an annual dividend rise every year since 2021.

We can blame this reduction in dividend yield on Telstra’s galloping share price.

Telstra shares have been on fire over the past couple of years. It was only in mid 2024 that the company was trading at under $3.50 a share. Last month, the company hit a multi-year high of $5.26 a share. Between May 2024 and today, Telstra stock has jumped an impressive 51% or so.

That has been great for existing investors, but it has also had the deleterious effect of lowering the company’s dividend yield.

Telstra dividend: Fully franked no more?

The other thing that might stand out with the Telstra dividend today is its franking, or lack thereof.

Before 2026, Telstra was well-known for its habit of always attaching full franking credits to its dividends, much to the delight of income investors. However, that trend came to an end last month when the telco revealed its latest interim dividend. While there was much to like in Telstra’s 10.5% dividend increase to 10.5 cents per share, Telstra surprised the market by announcing that this payout would only come partially franked at 90.5%. It was the company’s first non-fully franked dividend in almost three decades.

As we dove into at the time, Telstra didn’t really tell us why it had changed the franking status of this latest payout. It will be interesting to see if the company’s final dividend later this year comes partially franked too.

The post What’s happening with Telstra’s dividend? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• The easiest way to earn $1,000 a month in ASX dividends
• Passive income: How much would I need to invest in ASX shares to earn $1,000 every month?
• Are Telstra shares a buy for their ‘dependable dividends’
• Aussie Broadband vs Telstra: Which telco stock deserves your dollar?
• Here’s the latest earnings forecast out to 2030 for Telstra shares

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

The Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) share price is moving higher on Friday. This comes despite news that the company’s chief executive has sold a sizeable parcel of shares.

At the time of writing, Santos shares are up 1.71% to $7.445. The energy giant’s stock has now climbed more than 20% in 2026, reflecting strong momentum across the oil and gas sector.

So why are investors looking past the insider sale?

Santos CEO offloads shares

According to a recent director’s interest notice, Santos CEO Kevin Gallagher sold 830,132 shares on market on 27 February.

The shares were sold at an average price of $6.75 each, generating proceeds of roughly $5.6 million.

The filing states the sale was mainly to fund personal tax obligations, with the remaining proceeds to be used as part of a reorganisation of his personal financial affairs.

Despite the transaction, Gallagher still maintains a sizeable exposure to Santos.

Following the sale, his direct and indirect holdings total about 2.7 million shares through family entities and employee share plans. He also holds more than 1.5 million performance rights under the company’s executive incentive scheme.

Strategic review speculation grows

Santos has also been in the spotlight after reports the company is reviewing parts of its asset portfolio.

Media reports suggest the energy producer is considering whether to separate or sell some underperforming assets as part of a broader strategic review.

Assets in Western Australia, the Cooper Basin, and the Narrabri gas project in New South Wales have been mentioned as potential candidates.

The goal would be to streamline the business and focus more heavily on its core LNG operations, which include major projects in Australia and Alaska.

Any portfolio changes could also revive takeover interest in Santos. The company has previously attracted approaches from global energy players, including a failed $30 billion bid from a consortium led by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.

Strong oil and gas markets support the share price

Another factor helping Santos shares has been the strength in global energy markets.

Oil prices have climbed in recent weeks as rising tensions in the Middle East raise concerns about possible supply disruptions.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most important shipping routes for global energy supplies, with a large portion of the world’s oil passing through the narrow waterway.

Stronger oil and gas prices translate into improved revenue and cash flow for Santos.

Foolish bottom line

Insider selling can sometimes make investors nervous, but the market appears to be largely brushing off the news.

Gallagher’s share sale was linked to personal tax obligations rather than any shift in confidence about the company.

With energy prices strengthening, takeover speculation still lingering, and the share price already up more than 20% in 2026, Santos continues to attract investor interest.

The post Santos shares rise despite CEO selling $5.6 million worth of stock appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 7 ASX 200 stocks racing higher in this week’s sinking market
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Why Woodside and Santos shares are in focus as oil prices surge
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday

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 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.

It has been another busy week for many of Australia’s top brokers. This has led to the release of a number of broker notes.

Three broker buy ratings that you might want to know more about are summarised below. Here’s why brokers think these ASX shares are in the buy zone right now:

Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT)

According to a note out of Bell Potter, its analysts have retained their buy rating on this sports technology company’s shares with a trimmed price target of $4.85. The broker has named Catapult as one of its preferred tech stocks amongst the mid caps. It highlights that the company is exposed to the pro sports technology market which was valued at US$36 billion in 2025 and is forecast to double to US$72 billion by 2030. In addition, the broker doesn’t believe that AI is going to disrupt its business. Overall, if tech stocks rally, Bell Potter would expect Catapult to follow suit and be one of the better performers. This is because it believes there is a lack of other good quality tech stocks in the mid cap space. One slight negative is the potential for its shares to be kicked out of the ASX 200 index at the next rebalance. However, it believes this is largely priced in now. The Catapult share price is trading at $3.95 on Friday afternoon.

Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

A note out of Morgan Stanley reveals that its analysts have retained their overweight rating and $50.00 price target on this family safety technology company’s shares. The broker believes that Life360 is well-placed for strong long-term growth. It also highlights that the Life360 platform has defensive qualities and generates proprietary data from its user base of almost 100 million people. In light of this, it feels it would be difficult for AI to disrupt or replace the company’s business model. The Life360 share price is fetching $22.01 at the time of writing.

Nufarm Ltd (ASX: NUF)

Another note out of Bell Potter reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating and $3.60 price target on this agricultural chemicals company’s shares. The broker has been looking at industry data and believes it is favourable. As a result, it expects Nufarm’s upcoming half-year results to demonstrate a continuation of the margin recovery story that became evident last year in the crop protection business. It is also anticipating a material turnaround in omega-3 earnings based on improved pricing indicators. So, with its shares trading at 6x forward EBITDA, compared to 8x for peers, Bell Potter sees a lot of value on offer here. The Nufarm share price is trading at $2.11 this afternoon.

The post Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Catapult, DroneShield, Karoon Energy, and WiseTech shares are charging higher
• Looking for big returns? This ASX 200 share could rise 70%
• Bell Potter says this ASX 200 tech stock is a top buy
• 3 buy-rated ASX growth shares tipped to rise 30% to 125%
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Life360. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports and Life360. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Catapult Sports and Life360. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

One of the most popular goals for investors in the share market is building a steady stream of passive income.

Imagine receiving $1,000 every month without needing to sell any shares. That kind of income can help cover everyday expenses, supplement a salary, or support a more comfortable retirement.

The good news is that the Australian share market has a long history of producing reliable dividend income. In fact, the ASX is one of the most income-friendly markets in the world thanks to the strong dividend culture among Australian companies.

So how could you aim to earn $1,000 per month from ASX dividends?

Where to begin

The first step is converting the monthly goal into an annual income target.

If you want to earn $1,000 per month in dividends, that works out to $12,000 per year.

From there, the next step is estimating the dividend yield your portfolio could reasonably produce. Many diversified ASX income portfolios aim for a yield somewhere around 4%.

Using that figure, you can estimate how much capital might be required.

At a 4% dividend yield, generating $12,000 per year would require an investment of roughly $300,000.

Of course, dividend yields vary across companies and the share market changes over time, so this figure should be viewed as a rough guide rather than a guarantee.

Building the ASX dividend portfolio

Once the income target is clear, the focus shifts to building a portfolio capable of generating that yield while remaining diversified.

A common approach is combining reliable ASX dividend-paying shares with diversified income exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

For example, large Australian banks such as Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) have historically been strong dividend payers.

Infrastructure businesses like Transurban Group (ASX: TCL) and APA Group (ASX: APA) can also contribute steady income thanks to the predictable cash flow generated by long-life assets such as toll roads and energy infrastructure.

Defensive companies like supermarket operator Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) and telecommunications provider Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) can add further stability to an income-focused portfolio.

Some investors may also include a dividend-focused ETF such as the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY). This type of ETF provides exposure to a broad portfolio of high-yielding Australian shares in a single investment.

The benefit of combining individual dividend stocks with ETFs is that it spreads risk across multiple sectors while still providing exposure to the ASX’s income potential.

Let dividends compound

One important thing to remember is that most investors don’t start with $300,000 ready to invest.

Instead, many people gradually build their dividend portfolio over time.

In the early years, reinvesting dividends and continuing to add new capital can help the portfolio grow much faster. Over time, the compounding effect of reinvested dividends can make a significant difference to both the size of the portfolio and the income it generates.

Eventually, that growing stream of dividends can begin to cover meaningful expenses.

Foolish takeaway

Earning $1,000 per month in ASX dividends may sound ambitious, but it becomes much more achievable when you break the goal down.

By building a diversified portfolio of dividend-paying companies and income-focused ETFs and giving the portfolio time to grow, investors can steadily work toward creating a reliable passive income stream from the share market.

The post The easiest way to earn $1,000 a month in ASX dividends appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX dividend shares to hold for the next decade
• Are Coles or Woolworths shares a better buy right now?
• Passive income: How much would I need to invest in ASX shares to earn $1,000 every month?
• 2 ASX dividend shares raising dividends like clockwork
• What next for CBA shares after expectations-busting results?

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Commonwealth Bank Of Australia and Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group, Telstra Group, Transurban Group, and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.