Tag: Stock pick

Global X Copper Miners ETF (ASX: WIRE) closed at $24.93 per unit yesterday, up 0.12%, and hit a record of $25.92 on Tuesday.

This ASX ETF is having a tremendous run on the back of rising global demand for copper.

The copper price soared 42% in 2025 and hit a new record above US$6 per pound last week.

Copper is essential for electrification and is a key ingredient in much of the new infrastructure being built for the green energy transition.

It offers high ductility, malleability, and thermal and electrical conductivity, and is resistant to corrosion.

Copper is used in wiring, electric vehicles (EVs), wind turbines, solar energy systems, telecommunications, and electronic products.

The red metal was added to the US Critical Minerals List in November 2025.

Surging demand for copper has provided tremendous support to ASX copper shares, as well as two of our diversified major miners.

The market’s largest pure-play copper share, Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR), reached a record $19.61 per share yesterday.

Develop Global Ltd (ASX: DVP) shares also hit a record high of $5.46 this week.

Capstone Copper Corp CDI (ASX: CSC) shares reached a record of $15.89 last week.

The Aeris Resources Ltd (ASX: AIS) share price rose to a two-year high of 68 cents last week, too.

Shares in BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), the world’s largest producer, hit a 52-week high of $49.75 yesterday.

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), which began life 150 years ago as a copper miner in Spain, hit a record $154.75 per share last week.

All these price milestones bode well for WIRE ETF, which invests in most of these ASX copper stocks.

BHP shares make up 4% of investments and Sandfire Resources comprises about 3.2%.

Capstone Copper provides another 3%, and Develop Global makes up 0.36%.

What is $10,000 invested a year ago now worth?

On 16 January 2025, WIRE ETF closed at $12.91 apiece.

If you had put $10,000 into this ASX ETF then, it would have bought you 774 units (for $9,992.34).

There’s been capital growth of $12.02 per unit since then, which equates to $9,303.48.

Therefore, your $10,000 investment in WIRE ETF a year ago would be worth $19,295.82 today.

Woah.

Total returns…

WIRE ETF also pays dividends (called ‘distributions’ with ETFs).

Global X paid 14.29 cents per unit in July 2025 and will pay 6.21 cents per unit today.

So, you will have received $158.67 in income over the past year.

Your capital gain of $9,303.48 plus your distributions of $158.67 gives you a total annual return, in dollar terms, of $9,462.15.

Remember, you invested $9,992.34 in WIRE this time last year.

This means you have received a total return, in percentage terms, of 95% over 12 months.

Ripper!

The post $10,000 invested in WIRE ETF a year ago is now worth… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Fortescue shares vs. BHP: Which delivered superior returns in 2025?
• Why BHP, BlueScope, Catalyst Metals, and Ryman shares are storming higher today
• 5 ASX 200 mining stocks including Mineral Resources and BHP shares smashing new 52-week highs today
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in BHP Group and Global X Copper Miners ETF. 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.

If you are lucky enough to have $10,000 available to invest this month, then it could be worth considering the three ASX 200 shares listed below.

They have quality business models, positive growth outlooks, and analysts recommending them as buys.

Here’s what you need to know about them:

Life360 Ltd (ASX: 360)

Life360 offers investors exposure to a global consumer technology platform that is still early in its monetisation journey.

The company’s app is used by millions of families worldwide for location sharing and safety features. What makes the business compelling is the combination of a large free user base and a growing subscription model, which gives it multiple levers for long-term growth.

As the ASX 200 share continues to convert free users into paying subscribers and expand the range of services it offers, its revenue and earnings can grow faster than the user base itself. With strong network effects and high engagement, Life360 has the potential to become more deeply embedded in everyday family life over time.

Bell Potter has a buy rating and $52.50 price target on its shares.

Light & Wonder Inc. (ASX: LNW)

Light and Wonder is a diversified global gaming technology business with multiple earnings streams.

The company operates across land-based gaming machines, digital gaming, and lottery systems, giving it exposure to both traditional and online gaming markets. This diversification helps smooth earnings and reduces reliance on any single segment.

In addition, as digital gaming continues to grow alongside traditional gaming venues, Light and Wonder is well positioned to benefit.

Another positive is that the ASX 200 share has just settled its litigation with a key rival. This removes a dark cloud that was weighing on investor sentiment.

UBS has a buy rating and $206.00 price target on Light & Wonder shares.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

Woolworths could be an ASX 200 share to buy. After all, it is the kind of business that rarely grabs headlines but quietly compounds value over time.

The supermarket giant’s scale gives it influence across pricing, sourcing, and distribution that smaller competitors simply cannot match. That advantage shows up in consistent earnings, strong cash generation, and the ability to absorb cost pressures without losing relevance to customers.

What is often overlooked is how central Woolworths has become to daily household behaviour. The business sits at the heart of food, convenience, and increasingly, digital engagement through online shopping and loyalty platforms. That makes it less about chasing growth and more about steadily expanding its role in a customer’s weekly routine. This all bodes well for the future.

Ord Minnett has a buy rating and $33.00 price target on Woolworths’ shares.

The post Where to invest $10,000 in ASX 200 shares this month appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 reasons to buy Woolworths shares in 2026
• DIY investors: How to build a stable income portfolio starting with $50,000
• I’d buy this ASX dividend stock in any market
• 3 strong ASX dividend shares to buy for your SMSF
• 3 ASX 200 blue chip shares built for the long term

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

The VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL) currently has the distinction of being the most popular exchange-traded fund (ETF) on the ASX that isn’t a traditionally-styled index fund.

With more than $8 billion in assets under management, QUAL is currently the fifth most popular ASX ETF on our markets. It comes in behind the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS), the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS), the iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) and the BetaShares Australia 200 ETF (ASX: A200).

Unlike those four ETFs, though, QUAL isn’t a market-wide index fund that blindly invests in companies according to their market capitalisation, with few other considerations.

Instead, it tracks an index that actively screens companies to identify their quality. These screens include factors like a stock’s return on equity, earnings stability and financial leverage.

After applying these screens to a range of internationally listed shares, the VanEck International Quality ETF settles on a portfolio of around 300 different stocks, hailing from more than a dozen different countries. These countries range from Switzerland, Japan and the United Kingdom to China, Denmark and Ireland.

However, the vast majority of QUAL’s portfolio is drawn from the United States of America, which commands more than three-quarters of this ETF’s weighted holdings.

So, let’s get into what you’re actually buying when purchasing QUAL units in 2026.

QUAL: What’s in this ASX ETF’s box?

Here are the current top ten holdings of the VanEck International Quality ETF, as well as their respective weightings in the QUAL portfolio:

1. Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG)(NASDAQ: GOOGL) at 5.67% of the total QUAL portfolio
2. Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ: META) at 5.02%
3. NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) at 4.64%
4. Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) at 4.62%
5. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) at 4.46%
6. Eli Lilly & Co (NYSE: LLY) at 3.44%
7. Visa Inc (NYSE: V) at 2.92%
8. ASML Holding N.V. (AMS: ASML) at 2.52%
9. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) at 1.86%
10. Walmart Inc (NYSE: WMT) at 1.77%

Some other significant QUAL holdings include Mastercard Inc (NYSE: MA), Netflix Inc (NASDAQ: NFLX), Costco Wholesale Corp (NASDAQ: COST) and Caterpillar Inc (NYSE: CAT).

Not only does this list reveal how dominant the US is in this ASX ETF, but it shows how similar its holdings are to a broad-market US index fund like the iShares S&P 500 ETF. We discussed that ETF just the other day, so check out how its holdings compare to QUAL’s here.

This methodology seems to have worked quite well for the VanEck International Quality ETF, though. As of 31 December, QUAL units have returned an average of 14.8% per annum over the past ten years, and 22.85% per annum over the past three. It will be interesting to see if this performance keeps up in 2026.

This ASX ETF charges a management fee of 0.4% per annum.

The post Investing in the VanEck International Quality ETF (QUAL)? Here’s what you’re really buying appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX ETFs that could be perfect for beginner investors in 2026
• Investing in the Vangaurd International Shares ETF (VGS)? Here’s what you’re really buying
• 1 Vanguard ETF I’m buying in 2026 and holding forever
• Why the IVV ETF and these funds could be top buys in 2026
• Investing in the iShares S&P 500 ETF (IVV)? Here’s what you’re really buying

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Alphabet, Apple, Caterpillar, Costco Wholesale, Mastercard, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Netflix, Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF, and Visa. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended ASML, Alphabet, Apple, Costco Wholesale, Mastercard, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Netflix, Nvidia, Visa, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Johnson & Johnson and 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 ASML, Alphabet, Apple, Mastercard, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Netflix, Nvidia, Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF, Visa, 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.

On Thursday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was on form and pushed higher. The benchmark index rose 0.5% to 8,861.7 points.

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

ASX 200 expected to ease

The Australian share market looks set to ease on Friday despite a good session in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 5 points lower this morning. In late trade on Wall Street, the Dow Jones is up 0.75%, the S&P 500 is up 0.45% and the Nasdaq is up 0.5%.

Oil prices sink

It could be a tough finish to the week for ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) after oil prices sank overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 4.6% to US$59.18 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 4.15% to US$63.75 a barrel. This was driven by easing US-Iran tensions.

Buy Boss Energy shares

Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) shares could be cheap according to analysts at Bell Potter. It has put a buy rating and $1.95 price target on the uranium producer’s shares. The broker said: “We believe the stock is bubbling along the bottom of its trading range at the moment, creating an asymmetric risk profile should the review pan out positively. Alternatively, BOE may become a takeover target at current levels, with global uranium producer Orano seeking to diversify exposure from Niger and having experience in operating ISR projects in Kazakhstan.”

Gold price softens

ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) could have a relatively subdued finish to the week after the gold price edged lower overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 0.3% to US$4,622 an ounce. The precious metal eased after the US dollar strengthened and Donald Trump softened his tone on Iran.

Buy Monadelphous shares

Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND) shares have been on fire over the past 12 months but Bell Potter doesn’t think it is too late to invest. It has upgraded the diversified services company’s shares to a buy rating with an improved price target of $33.00. It said: “MND’s contract award streak has exceeded our expectation, reflecting a stronger development pipeline in the Mining and Energy sectors than we had anticipated. […] Importantly, MND’s current orderbook builds a strong foundation for earnings growth in the near-term that is not reflected in consensus expectations.”

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

More reading

• Why I think ASX 200 gold shares like Newmont and Northern Star will keep surging higher in 2026
• Bell Potter names the best ASX uranium stocks to buy now
• 3 ASX 200 shares that doubled in value in 2025
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• After 5 days of straight gains, is oil setting up for its next move?

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woodside Energy Group. 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.

Dividends are often seen as something you take and spend.

But for long-term investors, dividends can be far more powerful when they are treated as a tool for compounding rather than income.

Used correctly, they can accelerate portfolio growth, reduce reliance on new savings, and quietly build wealth over time.

Here is how I would approach turning dividends into long-term wealth.

Start with dividends that are built to last

The foundation of dividend-driven wealth is sustainability.

High yields can be tempting, but they are not always reliable. What matters more is whether a company generates enough cash to support its dividends while still reinvesting in the business.

Companies with stable earnings, strong balance sheets, and disciplined capital management are far more likely to keep paying dividends through different market conditions. This might include APA Group (ASX: APA), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), and Transurban Group (ASX: TCL).

Over time, dividend growth is often more important than yield. A modest dividend that rises steadily year after year can end up delivering far more value than a higher payout that stalls or is cut.

Reinvest early and consistently

The most important step in turning dividends into wealth is reinvestment.

When dividends are reinvested, they buy additional shares. Those shares then generate their own dividends, which are reinvested again. This compounding effect can be slow at first, but it becomes increasingly powerful as the portfolio grows.

In the early and middle stages of investing, reinvesting dividends usually delivers a better long-term outcome than taking the cash. It allows the portfolio to grow without requiring extra contributions and removes the need to time new investments.

Time and compounding

Dividend compounding rewards patience. In the first few years, dividends may feel insignificant relative to contributions. But over longer periods, the income stream often grows to a point where it becomes meaningful on its own. At that stage, dividends are no longer just a bonus. They become a driver of portfolio growth.

This is why time matters more than perfection. Starting early and staying invested usually has a far greater impact than finding the perfect ASX dividend stock.

Use dividends to strengthen the portfolio

As a portfolio grows, dividends can be used strategically.

Instead of automatically reinvesting into the same ASX share, dividends can be directed toward areas that you are underweight or offer better value at the time. This allows investors to rebalance gradually without selling assets or adding new capital.

Over time, this approach can improve diversification and reduce risk while still benefiting from compounding.

Foolish takeaway

Dividends are not just about income today. When reinvested and combined with patience, they can become one of the most effective drivers of long-term wealth.

By focusing on sustainable dividends, reinvesting early, and giving compounding time to work, investors can turn regular cash payments into a powerful engine for building wealth over the long run.

The post How to turn ASX dividends into long-term wealth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here’s my top ASX dividend stock for 2026
• DIY investors: How to build a stable income portfolio starting with $50,000
• Why Telstra and these ASX dividend shares could be top buys
• Why I think Telstra shares are a strong blue-chip buy
• Why I look at past performance of ASX shares to help think about the future performance outlook

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

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gold shares, including Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) and Newmont Corp (ASX: NEM) shares absolutely shot the lights out in 2025.

And I think the top Aussie gold miners are well-placed to deliver another year of strong outperformance in 2026.

We’ll take a look at what the year ahead may bring in a tick.

But first…

What’s been sending ASX 200 gold shares rocketing?

Atop their own mining and exploration successes, the big Aussie gold stocks have enjoyed strong tailwinds from a rocketing gold price.

On Thursday, gold was trading near its all-time highs at US$4,627 per ounce. This sees the gold price is up a whopping 72% over the last 12 months.

Over those 12 months, the ASX 200 has gained 7.7%.

Here’s how these leading ASX 200 gold shares have performed over this period as at market close yesterday:

• Newmont shares are up 161.4%
• Northern Star shares are up 57.6%
• Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) shares are up 105.4%
• Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) shares are up 142.7%
• Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) shares are up 53.4%
• Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) shares are up 168.1%
• Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU) shares are up 117.3%
• Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) shares are up 155.4%
• Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) shares are up151.7%
• Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX: OBM) shares are up 108.1%

Why Newmont and Northern Star shares can outshine again in 2026

You’re unlikely to find any investors complaining about the past 12 months performance delivered by the above gold miners.

And amid growing analyst consensus that gold’s bull run is far from over, I think ASX 200 gold shares including Evolution Mining, Northern Star and Newmont should deliver another year of outsized gains in 2026.

“Unlike [surging] equity indices or AI stocks … the dynamics driving the gold price are driven by fear, not greed,” Webull Securities Australia CEO Rob Talevski said.

According to Talevski:

This fear and greed dichotomy characterises the nature of financial market dynamics today: private investors are chasing returns fuelled by favourable US politics for capital markets, driving the top end of equity indices to new highs; at the same time, central banks as well as global macro investors are expanding allocations to gold, given the potential fallout associated with a breakdown between Wall Street and Main Street, as well as central bank independence.

Talevski concluded, “The global-uncertainty dynamics that prompted these trends toward the end of 2025 have only risen in 2026, creating a perfect storm for ongoing gold demand.”

And he’s far from alone on his bullish assessment on the gold price outlook.

Sebastian Mullins, head of multi-asset and fixed income at Schroders, noted (quoted by The Australian Financial Review):

Gold is benefiting from continued worries over currency debasement along with rising geopolitical risk. In the US, Trump continues to pressure the Federal Reserve … at the same time, geopolitical uncertainty in both Venezuela and now Iran are causing further demand for the safe haven.

And in what would be welcome news for ASX 200 gold shares, the analysts at Global X expect the gold price will top US$5,000 per ounce in 2026.

According to Global X investment strategist Justin Lin:

We see gold as one of the most attractive investments of 2026. The key drivers of gold’s strength are still in play. Central banks are set to continue purchasing gold, geopolitical risks remain elevated, and activity in exchange-traded funds is strong.

The post Why I think ASX 200 gold shares like Newmont and Northern Star will keep surging higher in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX 200 shares that doubled in value in 2025
• Up 154% since August, Ora Banda shares jumping again today on ‘exciting’ gold results
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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.

There are plenty of options on the Australian share market for investors that want exposure to the uranium industry.

But which ASX uranium stocks are in the buy zone now?

Let’s take a look at three that Bell Potter rates as buys:

Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE)

Bell Potter rates this beaten down ASX uranium stock as a buy with a $1.95 price target.

The broker feels that the market is being too negative on the uranium producer following its recent production update. Especially given how it could become a takeover target at current levels. It said:

We believe the stock is bubbling along the bottom of its trading range at the moment, creating an asymmetric risk profile should the review pan out positively. Alternatively, BOE may become a takeover target at current levels, with global uranium producer Orano seeking to diversify exposure from Niger and having experience in operating ISR projects in Kazakhstan.

Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN)

Another ASX uranium stock that Bell Potter is positive on is Paladin Energy. The broker has a buy rating and $12.50 on its shares.

Bell Potter thinks the market is overlooking its Patterson Lakes South project. It explains:

PDN is entering a period of relative stability, with rising uranium spot and term prices. As LHM production steadies, the market should gain comfort around performance. We believe the market is ascribing very little value to Patterson Lakes South (PLS), which provides upside as the project is de-risked. EPS changes in this report are: FY26 -69%, FY27 -29% and FY28 -6%

Lotus Resources Ltd (ASX: LOT)

Finally, Bell Potter has a buy rating and 30 cents price target on this ASX uranium stock.

While the broker acknowledges that uranium restarts have been troublesome in recent years, Lotus has been doing well so far. And if this continues, it thinks it would be due a significant re-rating. It said:

If we have learnt anything about Uranium project restarts in the past 3-years, it’s that anything that can go wrong, generally will. In the case of LOT, whilst we accept there may be teething issues, so far the business appears to be doing well. Our concerns around the cash conversion cycle remain. However, with A$74m in cash as of Nov-25 we anticipate the business can manage through this period. Should LOT make it through the next 6 months of operations unscathed, and buck the trend for Uranium restarts, we believe the market will warrant a re-rate in the business.

The post Bell Potter names the best ASX uranium stocks to buy now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Down 67% since June, why Goldman Sachs thinks Boss Energy shares are still overvalued
• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares
• 5 best ASX 200 energy shares of 2025
• Why Core Lithium, Paladin Energy, Pro Medicus, and Rio Tinto shares are dropping today
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares 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 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.

If I had to nominate just one ASX dividend stock for 2026, Transurban Group (ASX: TCL) would be right at the top of my list.

This is not just about chasing income. For me, Transurban stands out because it combines a growing dividend, resilient cash flows, and tangible infrastructure assets that are becoming more valuable as Australia’s cities grow and congestion increases.

Here are three reasons why it is my top dividend pick for the year ahead.

A growing and attractive dividend yield

The most obvious starting point is income.

Transurban has guided to a FY26 distribution of 69 cents per security, up from 65 cents in FY25. At current prices, that equates to a dividend yield of around 5%, which I think is compelling for a business with long-duration assets and inflation-linked revenue streams.

Importantly, this is not a case of a high yield masking underlying weakness. Transurban’s distributions are supported by operating cash flow generated from essential transport infrastructure, rather than short-term earnings volatility.

For income-focused investors who still want some growth, that combination is increasingly hard to find on the ASX.

Traffic growth is proving resilient

A key risk investors often worry about with toll road operators is traffic volumes. The latest data suggests those concerns may be overstated.

In the September quarter of 2025, Transurban recorded average daily traffic growth of 2.7% across the group, with increases in every major region. Melbourne traffic rose 3.2%, Brisbane increased 2.6%, and North America was particularly strong with growth of 6.8%.

Across the network, Transurban is now carrying roughly 2.6 million trips per day. These are not abstract numbers. They translate directly into steady toll revenue that underpins distributions.

Large vehicle traffic has also been growing in several markets, supported by freight activity and port volumes. That matters because freight tends to be less discretionary and more resilient during economic slowdowns.

City-shaping projects strengthen long-term value

What really reinforces my confidence in Transurban as a long-term dividend stock is the quality of its asset base and development pipeline.

A good example is the West Gate Tunnel Project in Melbourne, which opened in December. The project includes almost 6.8 kilometres of twin tunnels and is expected to save motorists up to 20 minutes per trip between the city and Melbourne’s west.

Beyond time savings, the project is expected to remove more than 9,000 trucks per day from residential streets and improve freight access to the Port of Melbourne.

Those kinds of benefits help entrench toll roads as essential infrastructure, rather than optional services.

For Transurban, projects like this do more than lift traffic. They extend asset lives, deepen relationships with governments, and create long-term visibility over cash flows. That visibility is exactly what dividend investors should be looking for.

Foolish takeaway

Transurban is not a flashy stock, and it is unlikely to double overnight. But for 2026, I think it offers something far more valuable.

A growing dividend, resilient traffic trends, and infrastructure assets that save time, reduce congestion, and support economic activity across major cities.

For investors looking to build reliable income into their portfolios without sacrificing quality, Transurban stands out to me as the top ASX dividend stock for the year ahead.

The post Here’s my top ASX dividend stock for 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX 200 shares I’d trust if I couldn’t check my portfolio for a year
• 3 defensive ASX dividend shares to buy with $10,000
• Expecting a down year for the ASX? Here’s 3 ASX defensive shares to target
• 3 no-brainer ASX stocks to buy with $1,000 right now for the New Year
• Here are my top 3 ASX shares to buy in January

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 Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Transurban Group. 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) rose 6.8% and gave investors a total return, including dividends, of 10.32% last year.

As always, some ASX 200 shares shot the lights out, delivering far more capital growth than the market average.

In fact, some even doubled their market capitalisation.

Here are three examples.

Newmont Corporation CDI (ASX: NEM)

ASX 200 large-cap gold mining share Newmont Corporation soared 152% to finish 2025 at $150.20 apiece.

The Newmont share price ripped on the back of a 65% rally in the gold price, the strongest year of gains since 1979.

Citi reiterated its buy rating on Newmont shares this week.

The broker raised its share price target from $160 to $177.

Goldman Sachs also reiterated its buy rating and lifted its price target from $154.50 to $185.10.

Ord Minnett also has a buy rating with a price target of $160.

Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE)

Eagers Automotive shares were among the fastest risers of the ASX 200 retail sector in 2025, up 113% to $24.64 apiece.

Jefferies upgraded its rating on Eagers Automotive shares to a buy this month.

The broker has a 12-month share price target of $29.50 on the car retailer.

Canaccord Genuity also has a buy rating on Eagers with a share price target of $33.60.

MA Financial rates the ASX 200 retail share a hold with a price target of $35.90.

Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB)

ASX 200 defence share, Austal, increased 116% to close at $6.69 per share on 31 December.

Austal shares actually went much higher than this, hitting a 52-week peak of $8.60 in October.

The shipbuilder is Australia’s largest defence industry exporter.

Austal’s customers include the Australian Navy and the US Navy, and it owns shipyards in the US, Australia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

Last year, Austal won several new contracts, including a $1.029 billion design and construct contract for the Australian Army.

Last month, Treasurer Jim Chalmers and the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approved an application lodged by South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Corp to buy up to a 19.9% stake in Austal.

Hanwha is a Fortune 500 company that offered to buy Austal for $2.825 per share in cash in 2024.

Since the approval, Hanwha has not purchased any further shares.

Bell Potter has a hold rating on this ASX 200 share with a 12-month target price of $8.

Citi also has a hold rating on Austal with a price target of $7.86.

Petra Capital also has a hold rating with a price target of $7.07.

The post 3 ASX 200 shares that doubled in value in 2025 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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 Goldman Sachs Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Eagers Automotive Ltd and Ma Financial Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

If you are in the market for some new investments, then read on.

That’s because Morgans has just picked out two ASX shares that it rates as a buy and one that it thinks is a hold.

Here’s what the broker is saying:

Intelligent Monitoring Group Ltd (ASX: IMB)

This security, monitoring and risk management services provider has caught the eye of Morgans after announcing new acquisitions.

In response to the news and an accompanying capital raising, the broker has retained its buy rating and $1.00 price target on the ASX share. It said:

Following the agreement to acquire Tyco NZ and Red Wolf on 12/12 (Hungry Caterpillar), IMB raised $20m on 16/12/25 at $0.58/share via an institutional placement to return leverage back to pre-acquisition levels (1.6x net debt/pro forma EBITDA). We incorporate the equity raise, though our price target is unchanged ($1.00) as a re-rating in peer multiples offsets the dilution.

Regal Partners Ltd (ASX: RPL)

Another ASX share that has been given a buy rating is Regal Partners.

Morgans has been impressed with the fund manager’s recent trading update and particularly its performance fees. The latter has seen the broker upgrade its estimates for the coming years.

As a result, it has retained its buy rating and lifted its price target to $4.25. It said:

RPL continues to demonstrate its ability to generate performance fees through equity market cycles, with 2HCY25 performance fees of $130m being c.3x times the performance fee booked in 1HCY25. Increased confidence in the recurring nature of the performance fees has seen us increase our expectations over the forecast period, to be within the target range of 40-60 bps of FUM. Despite a solid upgrade to our CY25 earnings forecasts, the valuation impact is relatively muted, a result of the modest earnings multiple applied to average ‘through the cycle’ performance fees. On this basis we retain our BUY rating, increasing our target price to $4.25/sh (previously $4.00/sh).

Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV)

Morgans notes that this alcohol drinks giant has delivered an improved sales performance in the second quarter of FY 2026. However, this was achieved at the expense of margins.

As a result, it hasn’t seen enough to change its rating and retained its hold recommendation and $3.70 price target. Commenting on the Dan Murphy’s owner, the broker said:

EDV’s Retail segment delivered an improved sales performance in 2Q26 (+1.8%) following a decline in 1Q26 (-1.4%). However, this growth was driven by sharper pricing and increased promotions, with 1H26 margins expected to be materially lower than the pcp. With the retail liquor market remaining subdued, management said the changes to its pricing strategy were aimed at reinforcing the group’s customer value proposition (underpinned by Dan Murphy’s lowest liquor price guarantee), reignite top-line growth, and respond to an increasingly competitive landscape, particularly online. Management has guided to 1H26 group EBIT of between $555-566m.

At the mid-point, this was 5% below both our previous forecast and Visible Alpha consensus. We adjust FY26/27/28 group EBIT forecasts by -5%/-6%/-6%. Our target price remains unchanged at $3.70, with downgrades to earnings forecasts offset by a roll-forward of our model to FY27 forecasts. HOLD rating maintained.

The post Morgans names 2 ASX shares to buy and 1 to hold appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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