Tag: Stock pick

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) share price has seen ups and downs in the last year, as the chart below shows. I think this is a good time to look at whether the ASX bank share is an attractive buy or not.

Despite recovering some of the early May decline, the bank is still (at the time of writing) approximately 10% lower than it was in April 2026.

I get excited when quality businesses fall because that means we can buy them at a lower price with a larger margin of safety. However, a decline doesn’t necessarily mean it’s great value.

Is this a good time to buy the CBA share price?

It may be 10% cheaper, but its price/earnings (P/E) ratio is still worth contemplating.

According to the forecast on CMC Invest, the ASX bank share is projected to generate $6.48 of earnings per share (EPS) in FY26. That means it’s trading at more than 25x FY26’s estimated earnings.

Of course, the P/E ratio is one thing, but the other part of the equation is considering whether its earnings growth rate is strong enough to make that valuation appealing.

The latest information available to the market is the CBA FY26 third-quarter result. While I wouldn’t base all expectations of the ASX bank share’s future growth on one quarter, I think it’s a good indicator of how the bank is performing and is the latest influence on the CBA share price.

Cash net profit after tax (NPAT) for the three months to 31 March 2026 came to approximately $2.7 billion. This was a rise of 4% year-over-year, though it was a reduction of 1% compared to the quarterly average of the first half of FY26.

It said that business lending grew 12.5% (1.2x as fast as the market), household deposits grew 9.1% (1.1x as fast as the market) and there was 7.1% growth of home lending (approximately the same speed as the market).

But, it also included a $316 million loan impairment expense with higher collective provisions, reflecting heightened geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty.

So, while the bank did see an impressive level of loan volume growth, borrowers also face more uncertainty because of the wider economic picture.

Conclusion on Commonwealth Bank

The investment professional community doesn’t see value here with the CBA share price. According to Commsec, analysts are bearish on the ASX bank share valuation, with 14 sell ratings and just two hold ratings.

Combined with the clouded picture for banks following the Federal budget and the possible impacts on home loan demand, I think there are better opportunities out there on the ASX share market.

The post Is the CBA share price a buy in June? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why CBA, PLS, Resolute Mining, and Silver Mines shares are dropping today
• 3 ASX shares Warren Buffett would probably love right now
• How much super do you actually need to retire in Australia? The answer might surprise you
• 2 ASX income shares I’d buy outside Westpac and the big four banks
• How these 3 headwinds could sink CBA shares in 2026

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

Most Australians think about superannuation once a year: when their annual statement arrives.

That is a costly mistake.

30 June 2026 is less than four weeks away. That date is one of the most important financial deadlines of the year for anyone who wants to maximise their retirement savings.

Here’s what you need to know before the clock runs out.

The concessional contributions cap

The concessional contributions cap for FY2026 is $30,000, including employer contributions.

Concessional contributions are taxed at 15% inside super, compared to marginal tax rates of up to 45% outside it.

For a person earning $100,000 with $12,500 in employer super already contributed, there is room for an additional $17,500 in salary sacrifice contributions before 30 June.

Making those contributions before 30 June saves thousands of dollars in income tax immediately.

Payday super starts 1 July

From 1 July 2026, the payday super rules take effect, requiring employers to pay superannuation at the same time as wages rather than quarterly.

That is good news for workers who have previously waited months for super contributions to arrive.

But it also means that any contributions your employer owes for the current quarter may now need to be reconciled before the new rules take effect.

Checking your super balance and confirming your employer contributions are up to date before 30 June is more important than ever this year.

Non-concessional contributions and the bring-forward rule

For investors who have already maxed their concessional cap, the non-concessional contributions cap for FY2026 is $120,000.

Investors under age 75 with a total super balance below $1.9 million may also be able to use the bring-forward rule. This allows up to $360,000 in non-concessional contributions over three years.

Non-concessional contributions, made from after-tax income, do not attract the 15% tax on entry. Once inside super, they grow in the same tax-advantaged environment as concessional contributions and are drawn down completely tax-free in retirement.

Why what you invest in inside super matters as much as how much you contribute

Getting money into super before 30 June is step one.

Investing it wisely inside super is step two, and it matters just as much over the long term.

The ASX 200 has returned approximately 8.5% per annum including dividends since inception.

Inside a 15% tax environment, this figures translates into one of the best compounding engines available to Australian investors.

Fully franked ASX dividend shares are particularly effective inside super.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), which has grown its fully franked dividend every year since 2020, generates franking credits that inside a super fund taxed at 15% effectively boost the after-tax yield above what most other income investments can offer.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), with its fully franked dividend backed by copper and iron ore earnings, provides both income and exposure to commodity price growth over a long-term holding period.

These ASX stocks are quality, dividend-paying businesses that superannuation funds are designed to hold for decades.

Foolish takeaway

30 June 2026 is an opportunity to lock in meaningful tax savings, maximise the compounding power of one of Australia’s most tax-advantaged investment structures, and set yourself up for a more comfortable retirement than you would otherwise have.

For those interested in maximising the potential of their super, now is the time to act.

The post Why 30 June is the most important date for your superannuation this year appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• BHP and these ASX 200 shares are up 30%+ in 2026
• ASX 200 iron ore shares down 5%: Should you buy the dip?
• BHP shares hit a record high this week. Is the rally about to crack?
• 7 ASX 200 shares with strengthened buy ratings this week
• How to become rich by investing in ASX shares

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

ASX share markets have swung wildly throughout the first half of 2026 as geopolitical tensions, stubbornly high inflation and uncertainty about interest rate hikes weighed on investor sentiment.

Despite extensive volatility, both the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) and S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) are relatively flat for the year to date.

What’s important for investors to understand is that, while market volatility is uncomfortable, it is normal.

In fact, investors who manage to stay disciplined during periods of uncertainty often see some of their best long-term returns.

The trick is knowing how to manage volatile market conditions when they arise.

Here are five tips to help weather the storm.

1. Focus on the business, not the share price

Navigating a volatile ASX share market requires focusing on resilient, fundamentally strong companies

Oracle of Omaha Warren Buffett once famously said that “Charlie and I are not stock-pickers; we are business-pickers”. 

The idea is, investors make smarter investing decisions when they focus on the business, not the share price. That means looking for ASX shares that can handle volatility, rather than looking for the next cheap stock.

These would be defensive assets and blue-chip stocks with strong balance sheets and stable earnings. 

For example, Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) is a classic defensive asset. Regardless of how severe inflation or the cost of living gets, connectivity and telecommunications will remain a high priority for most Australians. That means the business can perform steadily, regardless of what stage of the economic cycle we’re in. 

Transurban Group (ASX: TCL) is another high-grade defensive ASX stock means the toll road operator is able to generate a resilient cash flow regardless of the economic conditions. 

2. Avoid emotional decisions

Surviving volatile ASX shares markets couldn’t be possible if investors react with a knee-jerk decision to every market swing.

This includes panic selling after a sharp fall, or buying into a low-quality stock just because it looks cheap. 

Waiting too long to buy back in is another emotional error that investors make. That’s because by the time things feel safe again, markets may have recovered.

3. Think about the long-term

Many investors forget that short-term volatility doesn’t necessarily affect long-term growth.

For these investors, it would be helpful to focus on the long-term goals of your investments during uncertain periods and block out the short-term market noise.

Resilient investors which can ride short-term fluctuations could be rewarded with positive returns further down the road, especially if they’ve picked a good-quality business.

When markets become choppy, it can be tempting to sell up to avoid further losses. But this could also mean locking losses unnecessarily. 

A better approach is usually to stay calm and stick to the plan. 

4. Focus on diversity

Diversifying ASX share market investments across and within a range of different sectors and businesses is the simplest way to spread risk.

That’s because returns from different assets are rarely affected by (and react to) the same headwinds at the same time.

Australian investors should avoid relying solely on Australian large-cap stocks. Instead, spread capital across different sectors and consider global exposures to dilute domestic risks even further.

5. Keep an eye out for opportunities

Volatile ASX share markets often present once-in-a-blue-moon investment opportunities. 

Rather than keeping a low profile when sentiment is low, and buying back in when markets are rebounding, investors should look for the perfect opportunity.

Ideally, investors should look to buy high-quality assets at a discount when other investors panic and sell, and pull back or sell when market overconfidence drives share prices to unrealistic heights.

The post 5 tips to navigate ASX share market volatility appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 6 ASX 200 shares downgraded by analysts this week
• Why Telstra and these defensive ASX dividend shares could be top buys
• Buy, hold, sell: Transurban, Sonic Healthcare, A2 Milk shares
• Buying Transurban shares? Here’s the dividend yield you’ll get today
• 3 ASX defensive stocks to buy while sharemarkets are volatile

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 positions in and has recommended Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended 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.

There is a big difference between checking your super at 50 and checking it again at 60.

At 50, retirement is close enough to take seriously, but still far enough away that many people feel they have time to make changes. At 60, the conversation changes. Work may still continue for several years, but retirement is no longer some distant future event. It is approaching quickly, and the size of your superannuation balance starts to matter a lot more.

That makes comparing the two ages useful. It shows not only how much Australians typically have in super, but also how much can change during the decade when retirement planning often becomes far more focused.

What does the average 50-year-old have?

Using the surrounding age brackets as a guide, according to data from the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA), the average 50-year-old woman is likely to have approximately $170,000 in superannuation, while the average 50-year-old man is likely to have around $225,000.

These balances are meaningful, but they are also a reminder that most people at 50 are still some distance from where they may want to be at retirement.

That is not necessarily a problem. Age 50 can be a powerful reset point. Many Australians are entering their higher earning years, children may be becoming more financially independent, and mortgage pressure may be starting to ease. This can create room to pay more attention to super after years of competing priorities.

The key point is that at 50, the story is not finished. In fact, for many people, the most important chapter is just beginning.

What does the average 60-year-old have?

By age 60, the picture looks noticeably different.

Once again, based on the nearby age brackets, the average 60-year-old Australian woman is likely to have roughly $280,000 in superannuation, while the average 60-year-old man is likely to have about $360,000.

That is a significant increase from age 50 and shows how powerful the final decade before retirement can be. Continued employer contributions, compounding investment returns, and additional voluntary contributions can all combine to lift balances meaningfully.

It also reflects the reality that super often grows faster later in life. Once the balance is larger, investment returns can have a bigger dollar impact, even if the percentage return is the same.

Is that enough for retirement?

This is where context matters. According to the ASFA, a comfortable retirement requires around $630,000 in super for a single person and $730,000 for a couple, assuming home ownership and some Age Pension support.

A modest retirement requires much less, at around $110,000 for a single person and $120,000 for a couple. This level is designed to sit slightly above the Age Pension and covers the basics, but with limited room for extras.

Compared with those benchmarks, the average superannuation balance at 50 is unlikely to be enough to retire on immediately. That is not surprising. A 50-year-old could need to fund several decades of living expenses, with a long wait before Age Pension eligibility.

At 60, the average balance is stronger, but the answer still depends heavily on circumstances. A single person aiming for a comfortable retirement may still fall short of the ASFA benchmark. A couple combining two average balances may be in a much better position, particularly if they own their home and are willing to keep working a little longer.

Foolish takeaway

The average Australian superannuation balance at 50 is likely to be around $170,000 for women and $225,000 for men. By age 60, that rises to roughly $280,000 and $360,000, respectively.

Those numbers show meaningful progress, but they also highlight why retirement planning cannot be left until the last minute.

At 50, there is still time to influence the outcome. At 60, the focus becomes sharper. Either way, knowing where you stand is the first step toward making better decisions with the years still ahead.

The post The average Australian superannuation balance: 50 vs 60 years old 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.

Well, June is here, and so too is winter, and possible moons and Ferris wheels. Musical imagery aside, I always think the turning of a new month and season is a great chance to scour the markets for a fresh look at potential ASX shares to buy.

It has been a rollercoaster of a year for the markets so far in 2026, with the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) going as high as 9,200 points and as low as 8,282 points over the past five months or so. That’s a difference worth almost 10%. And we’ve still got nearly 7 months of 2026 left.

This volatility might be prompting some investors to hope for a steadier market. I can’t promise that, but I can tell you which ASX shares I think are looking compelling for long-term investors this June amid these uncertain times.

2 ASX shares to buy this June

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

First up, Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co, or Soul Patts, as it is more easily known, is an investing house with more than a century of ASX history. Over its long life, this company has managed a diversified portfolio of underlying investments on behalf of its shareholders. This portfolio contains a range of assets, including private equity, stakes in ASX-listed shares, property, and private credit investments, among others.

Soul Patts has the runs on the board to prove it knows what it is doing here. As I’ve covered previously, this company has comfortably delivered market-crushing returns over the past 25 years. Further, it has the best dividend streak on the ASX (no exaggeration), having given its shareholders an annual pay rise every year since 1998, with no interruptions.

You could do far worse than buying this quality ASX share in June.

MFF Capital Investments Ltd (ASX: MFF)

Next up, we have MFF Capital Investments. MFF is a listed investment company (LIC), meaning, similarly to Soul Patts, it manages an underlying portfolio on behalf of its shareholders. In MFF’s case, this portfolio consists almost entirely of US stocks. These stocks are selected through a value-investing lens, with MFF only looking for the highest-quality compounders trading at prices that make sense. Some of its largest and longest-held positions include Alphabet, Amazon, Visa, American Express, and Mastercard.

MFF also has a formidable dividend policy. It has been growing its annual dividends with a vengeance in recent years. To illustrate, MFF shareholders received an annual dividend of 2 cents per share in 2017, but 17 cents per share in 2025. The company is on track to increase that to 21 cents per share in 2026. These dividends typically come fully franked, too.

MFF shares recently traded on a yield of just under 3.8%. That, together with its quality holdings and long-term outlook, makes MFF another top pick for a June ASX share buy. At least in my view.

The post 2 ASX shares I’d buy in June appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to invest $7,500 for passive income in superannuation?
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American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, American Express, Mastercard, Mff Capital Investments, Visa, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Mastercard, Mff Capital Investments, and Visa. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

I always have my eye open for ASX dividend-paying shares which pay a good passive income to their shareholders.

Most ASX stocks pay their investors twice-yearly dividends, some hand out quarterly payments, and then there are a select few which distribute passive income every single month.

And their dividend yield ranges wildly too. The average dividend yield on the Australian share market currently sits around 3.5%. These are usually blue chip companies and major heavyweights which are considered stable and low-risk. 

These are the companies with a stronger cash flow, which operate in more cyclical industries, but which comes with additional risk. These could yield around 5% or 6%.

Then there’s high-yielding companies, which come with even greater risk, and are usually highly cyclical, which can yield over 10%.

But what if I told you that it’s possible to get the best of both worlds. A stable ASX stock at a good yield, and which pays monthly dividends.

Here’s my passive income pick

The Metrics Income Opportunities Trust (ASX: MOT) is a listed investment trust (LIT) with a diversified portfolio of private credit and other related opportunities. 

It means that investors can get direct exposure to private credit investments. This is becoming an increasingly popular asset class for income-focused investors.

What passive income does it pay its shareholders?

The Metrics Income Opportunities Trust targets a cash yield of 7% per year, paid monthly. It has a total target return of 8% to 10% per year net of fees and expenses.

It also has a distribution reinvestment plan (DRP), which allows unitholders to reinvest monthly income distributions. 

The ASX dividend stock’s most recent payout was 1.16 cents per security, paid in late-May.

The latest payout followed 1.22 cents per unit paid to shareholders in late April. The Fund also paid out 1.09 cents per unit in March, 0.92 cents in February, and 1.22 cents in January. 

Over the past 12 months, the Metrics Income Opportunities Trust has paid out 12 dividends that total 15.4 cents per share (unfranked). Using the $1.70 share price at the time of writing, this means the LIT currently has a dividend yield of around 9%.

How is its share price tracking?

The Metrics Income Opportunities Trust share price is down around 9% for the year-to-date and 14% lower than 12 months ago, at the time of writing.

The annual decline means it has underperformed the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO). Over the same 12-month period, the All Ords Index has risen around 4%, at the time of writing.

The post Passive income investors take note: This monthly-paying ASX stock yields 9% 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.

The Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement has been gaining in popularity in recent years, as increasingly investment-savvy people look to start early on the investing journey.

Break the shackles

The goal is to build a sufficient nest egg to support an early retirement, taking advantage of the significant benefits of compound interest, often coupled with a frugal approach to spending.

A commonly cited savings target is to accrue a portfolio worth 25 times your annual expenses which can then be drawn down over time – this is known as the 4% rule.

One of the main tenets of the FIRE movement is also that rather than picking individual stocks, investors should buy index-tracking exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which remove the volatility of single stocks and if they track the right indices, tend to perform relatively predictably over time.

Once bought, investors are encouraged to regularly invest into the same portfolio of ETFs, and ignore market volatility in favour of a long-term view.

Two of the indices favoured by many in the Australian FIRE community are the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS), and the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS).

Local focus

With regards to VAS, Vanguard says it is Australia’s largest ETF, which gives investors exposure to the top 300 companies listed on the ASX.

Vanguard says on its website:

The ETF provides low-cost, broadly diversified exposure to Australian companies and property trusts listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. It also offers potential long-term capital growth along with dividend income and franking credits.

Not surprisingly, the fund’s largest holdings are in the big four banks, as well as BHP Ltd (ASX: BHP).

According to the Vanguard website, $10,000 invested five years ago would now be worth $14,793.

VAS has a management fee of 0.07%.

Looking further afield

The VGS ETF has a much wider remit than VAS, with exposure to about 1300 companies from developed countries, notably excluding Australia so it doesn’t double up with VAS.

Vanguard says on its website:

Investing internationally offers greater access to sectors such as technology and health care that aren’t as well represented in the Australian share market. The ETF provides exposure to many of the world’s largest companies listed in major developed countries. It offers low-cost access to a broadly diversified range of securities that allows investors to participate in the long-term growth potential of international economies outside Australia.

The ETF’s largest holdings are in US tech companies including Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft.

Vanguard said $10,000 invested five years ago would now be worth $18,450.

The management fee for VGS is 0.18%.

The post Looking to FIRE? Here are 2 ASX ETFs to get your portfolio started appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 3 reasons why this ASX ETF could be an incredible buy-and-hold forever idea
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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 positions in and has recommended Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple, BHP Group, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Australian Government pays an Age Pension payment to eligible Australians aged 67 years and over to help fund basic living costs in retirement.

The payment is paid on a fortnightly basis up to a maximum amount.

As of March this year, the Age Pension is a maximum total payment of $1,200.90 per fortnight for singles and $1,810.40 for couples combined. These sums include the maximum basic rate, the maximum pension supplement, and the energy supplement.

The maximum payment isn’t available to everyone, however. It depends heavily on your income and what assets you own.

The problem is that many Australians look at the income test and miss vital information about the asset test. Overlooking asset limits could reduce your Age Pension significantly. Or you could lose it altogether. 

To help, here are the top five most important things to know about the Age Pension asset test before you reach retirement age.

1. It includes everything, except your home

The asset test literally includes everything you own in full, in part, or have an interest in. 

This includes S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares, other financial investments, home contents, personal effects and vehicles, real estate, annuities, income streams, superannuation, SMSFs, partnerships, private trusts, and private companies. 

It also includes any assets held outside of Australia, and any debts owed to you.

And yes, even your superannuation balance counts.

It does exclude, however, the home that you reside in.

2. Limits and rules vary

In order to receive the full Age Pension, single homeowners can own assets (including superannuation) up to a value of $321,500, and non-homeowners can own assets up to $579,500 in retirement.

But a couple has a different threshold, and it’s not double the amount of one person. A couple combined can own up to $481,500 in total if they own a property, or $739,500 if they don’t.

3. Centrelink has strict rules about gifting money

If you’re aged 60, and you think you’ll be over the threshold for the asset test, it can be tempting to gift a chunk of money to a friend or family member to influence your Age Pension eligibility.

But Centrelink has strict rules around this.

An individual can give away up to $30,000 over a five-year period before it will affect their assets test. Any amount over $30,000 will be counted, for five years, as an asset and included in the asset test.

The good news is, at age 55, Australians can gift any amount of money without immediate penalties from Services Australia, as long as they are at least five years away from Age Pension age (age 65). 

So if you think you’ll be over, act now, at age 55, to make sure you meet asset test requirements. 

4. Downsizing is a bad idea

The property you reside in is not included as part of the Age Pension asset test. But if you decide to downsize to something smaller and free up some cash, it could quickly put you over the limit.

If you sell your $1 million primary residence, for example, and downsize to a $500,000 property, that $500,000 difference then becomes an assessable asset.

5. Age Pension deeming rules apply

Deeming is a calculation centrelink uses to determine how much income you make from your assets. Instead of looking at how much your assets actually earn, deeming rules are used under the assumption that the asset earns a set amount of income.

The financial assets of single Australians have a deeming rate of 1.25% for the first $64,320. Anything over this amount is deemed to earn 3.25%.

Couples have a 1.25% deeming rate on their first $106,200 of combined financial assets (this includes superannuation). Anything over $106,200 is deemed to earn 3.25%.

What happens if I go over the Age Pension asset limits?

It’s not all bad news. 

At age 55, you still have a 10 year window before being eligible for the Age Pension. That’s plenty of time to work out how to ensure you can pass the asset test.

But if you’re over those limits, there is still hope. 

Your assets can total up to $722,000 if you’re a single homeowner, and $980,000 if you’re a non-homeowner. You can’t get the full Age Pension, but you’re still entitled to a part-payment depending on where you fall between the two brackets. 

Couples are also entitled to a part-payment so long as their combined assets aren’t more than $1,085,000 for homeowners. Non-homeowners can own assets totalling up to $1,343,000.

The post Top 5 things Aussies at 55 must know about the Age Pension asset before they retire appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much do I need to invest in ASX shares to earn $100 per week in passive income?
• BHP and these ASX 200 shares are up 30%+ in 2026
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• BHP shares hit a record high this week. Is the rally about to crack?

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.

Passive income is every ASX investor’s dream. By investing the right Aussie shares, savvy investors can supplement their income with a regular dividend payment.

Not only does passive income give you some more financial freedom, it can also help create a buffer against share market volatility, which is particularly valuable right now while markets are choppy.  

But the question is, how much do you need to invest in ASX shares to earn the passive income you want?

Here’s a calculation breakdown to help you understand.

The calculation

Let’s say you want to earn $100 per week in passive income by investing in ASX shares.

The easy calculation is to work out your annual dividend income, and then divide it by the dividend yield of the ASX stock you’re looking to invest in.

For example, $100 per week totals $5,200 per year in dividend payments.

You’d then need to divide that $5,200 sum by the dividend yield of your desired ASX shares to find out how much you’d need to invest.

Note that the majority of ASX dividend paying shares pay their shareholders quarterly or twice per year. Occasionally some ASX stocks pay a monthly dividend. This means a $100 per week dividend payment would be paid in monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual chunks.

Break it down for me

The problem is that the figure will vary wildly depending on the dividend yield of the ASX shares you’d be buying. Overall, as the dividend yield increases, your upfront investment decreases. 

Let’s say you’re looking at buying an ASX blue-chip stock like BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP). The mining giant is forecast to pay fully-franked dividends of $1.91 per share in FY26. Using the $64.88 share price at the time of writing, that translates to a yield around 4%.

Therefore, $5,200 divided by BHP’s 4% dividend yield, equals $130,000.

That $130,000 figure is what you’d need to invest in a 4% yielding stock in order to earn your $100 per week dividend payout.

However, if you’re looking at investing in an ASX share which pays a 5% dividend yield, such as Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG), then you’d need to invest $104,000 to earn the same amount of passive income.

Then for ASX shares yielding 6%, 7%, or even 8%, you’d need to invest around $86,666, $74,285, or $65,000, respectively.

ASX shares which fall into the 6% to 8% yielding bracket are companies like packaging giant Amcor Plc (ASX: AMC), media giant Nine Entertainment Co. Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC), or even an ASX-listed exchange-traded fund (ETF) such as the BetaShares Australian Top 20 Equity Yield Maximiser Fund (ASX: YMAX).

Avoid temptation

It is tempting for investors to concentrate their investments on ASX shares which pay the highest dividend yield. After all, this means you would need to have a lower initial investment amount.

But choosing the right ASX dividend paying shares depends on your current portfolio, your risk profile, and your investment timeline.

Rather than fast short-term growth, investors should concentrate on good-quality businesses with strong balance sheets and stable earnings. These stocks are most likely to stand the test of time and while also building wealth.

If you’re more risk tolerant, then diversity is key. By investing across a range of different ASX sectors and businesses, you can help hedge against risk.

The post How much do I need to invest in ASX shares to earn $100 per week in passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Top 5 things Aussies at 55 must know about the Age Pension asset before they retire
• BHP and these ASX 200 shares are up 30%+ in 2026
• Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy right now
• ASX 200 iron ore shares down 5%: Should you buy the dip?
• BHP shares hit a record high this week. Is the rally about to crack?

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 positions in and has recommended Amcor Plc. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group and Nine Entertainment. 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) may be having a subdued year so far, but that hasn’t stopped some ASX 200 shares from delivering very impressive gains.

For example, the three ASX 200 shares in this article are up over 30% since the start of the year. Here’s why:

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

The BHP share price is up approximately 34% so far in 2026. The main driver of this has been the mining giant’s growing exposure to copper. While iron ore remains important, copper became its largest contributor to earnings during the first half of FY 2026. And with BHP continuing to focus on expanding its production output and copper prices hitting record highs this year, this bodes well for its earnings and ultimately its dividends.

Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA)

The Codan share price is up almost 50% since the start of the year. This technology company’s shares have been on fire in 2026 thanks to a very impressive performance. In April, management revealed that its performance in the second half had been stronger than expected. As a result, it now expects FY 2026 EBIT to hit $235 million and net profit to reach $170 million. This represents an increase of over 60% from last year. It said: “In DTC, strong demand from defence customers for unmanned systems, supported by ongoing geopolitical tensions, continues to drive growth in our software-defined radios (SDRs). As a result, the Communications business is expected to achieve revenue growth at the top end of the 15% to 20% range for the full year FY26.”

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)

The PLS share price has raced almost 40% higher so far this year. Investors have been fighting to get hold of the lithium giant’s shares after the price of the battery-making ingredient increased materially. This has led to PLS generating huge profit growth so far in FY 2026. For example, its third-quarter update revealed a 12% quarter-on-quarter increase in spodumene concentrate production to 232.4kt for the three months. And with its realised price increasing 61% to US$1,867 per tonne, the company reported a 52% jump in revenue to A$567 million. But it gets better. As its costs reduced to A$520 per tonne, this led to a cash margin from operations of A$461 million. This represents a 178% increase quarter-on-quarter. This is quite a turnaround. It wasn’t long ago that lithium prices were in the doldrums and the company was close to operating at a loss.

The post BHP and these ASX 200 shares are up 30%+ in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ASX 200 iron ore shares down 5%: Should you buy the dip?
• BHP shares hit a record high this week. Is the rally about to crack?
• 3 ASX 200 mining shares to buy: experts
• 7 ASX 200 shares with strengthened buy ratings this week
• Why CBA, PLS, Resolute Mining, and Silver Mines shares are dropping 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 recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.