Tag: Stock pick

BHP Group vs Rio Tinto shares: Which is better for passive income investors today?

If you’re searching for steady dividends and long-term portfolio strength, two giants often come into focus: BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO). Both are titans in global mining with reputations for pumping out franked cashflows to shareholders, and their scale makes them regulars in most Aussie blue-chip portfolios. But when it comes to passive income—reliable, chunky dividend streams—how do the shares stack up for investors today? Here’s my breakdown comparing BHP Group vs Rio Tinto shares, with a focus on the numbers that matter most for income seekers.

The case for BHP Group

BHP Group is a world-spanning mining powerhouse, headquartered in Melbourne and known for steelmaking ingredients like iron ore and copper, as well as coal, nickel, and potash. Following a restructure in 2022, it now sports a primary ASX listing, keeping things simpler for local shareholders. BHP’s earnings and share price can swing with commodity cycles, but it’s famed for its size, diversification, and disciplined capital returns.

A few key takeaways:

• Market cap: At $310.39 billion, BHP dwarfs most local peers and brings both scale and global reach.
• Dividend yield: Currently 3.96%, and crucially, with full 100% franking—the kind of income profile many Australian retirees crave.
• Dividend consistency: BHP’s dividend history shows regular twice-yearly payments, typically fully franked, with occasional special dividends sprinkled in.
• YTD return: The shares have surged 39.5% year to date, indicating strong momentum, likely helped by resource price moves.

According to its company profile, BHP boasts a formidable global footprint with operations reaching from Australia to South America and across various high-demand commodities.

The case for Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is another Australian mining icon, originally founded in 1873 and now one of the largest metals and mining corporations worldwide. Its core businesses are iron ore, aluminium and lithium, and copper—products right at the heart of global electrification and decarbonisation trends. Like BHP, it benefits from scale and commodity diversification.

Here’s what stands out:

• Market cap: Rio Tinto’s value sits at $62.28 billion—substantial, though well below BHP’s heft.
• Dividend yield: Also at 3.96%, and like BHP, fully franked, which is a major plus for Aussie income investors.
• Dividend per share: $6.63, higher than BHP’s $2.42 per share (though both have different share prices and outstanding shares, so yield is what counts).
• Earnings per share: At $7.382, Rio has a higher reported EPS than BHP, reflecting mining cycles and possibly a leaner capital base.
• YTD return: Shares are up 18.6% in the year to date—a strong but more modest lift compared to BHP.

Rio Tinto’s latest business description highlights a focus on growth areas like lithium and copper, putting it front and centre for big trends like electric vehicles, even as iron ore remains its engine room.

Valuation comparison

For passive income investors, yield and valuation are top-of-mind. Let’s look at direct fundamentals:

Metric	BHP Group	Rio Tinto
Market Cap	$310.39 billion	$62.28 billion
P/E Ratio	22.40	16.08
Dividend Yield	3.96% (100% franked)	3.96% (100% franked)
Earnings per Share	1.932	7.382
Dividend per Share	2.42	6.63
Year To Date Return	39.5%	18.6%

A few nuances: Rio Tinto’s lower P/E ratio could suggest it’s trading on more cautious earnings expectations, relative to BHP. Both offer identical dividend yields (and franking), but Rio’s higher dividend per share simply reflects its higher share price, not greater yield.

Note: BHP’s reported P/E ratio and EPS combination suggests its P/E is calculated using a different earnings measure than the simple EPS figure, which is why they may appear inconsistent. The same logic applies to Rio Tinto.

Recent share price performance

Comparing the past month (21 August to 18 September 2026):

• BHP Group: Rose from $65.16 (21 Aug) to $61.05 (18 Sep), a decline of about 6.3% over the period, despite a strong YTD gain of 39.5%.
• Rio Tinto: Rose from $175.38 (21 Aug) to $167.49 (18 Sep), also down approximately 4.5% over the same period, with a YTD gain of 18.6%.
• Both showed volatility typical of diversified miners, driven by swings in commodity prices and broader market mood.
• These prices are as at September 18, 2026, and may have shifted since.

Which is the better buy?

With income in mind, here’s how I see it: Both BHP Group and Rio Tinto currently offer a healthy 3.96% fully franked dividend yield, which will put a smile on most passive income seekers’ faces. BHP is by far the bigger beast, with a greater global reach and a much fatter market cap, but size alone doesn’t make BHP the better buy for dividend collectors.

The most meaningful real difference right now is in valuation and share price performance. BHP’s shares have smashed out a bigger YTD gain (39.5% versus Rio’s 18.6%), suggesting a stronger run of late and perhaps higher investor confidence. But that means BHP now trades on a higher P/E (22.4 vs. 16.08), so Rio looks the more “value-priced” choice for those worried about buying in at a peak.

Each company has a well-established record of fully franked dividends and a diversified mining footprint. In this context, with yields identical and both offering franking, I’d lean toward Rio Tinto as my passive income pick today: it’s trading on a lower price-to-earnings multiple, offers the same headline yield, and has a strong track record. If BHP’s valuation pulled back or its dividend yield moved ahead, I’d reconsider—but for now, Rio’s combination of income and sensible valuation wins the day for me.

The post BHP Group vs Rio Tinto shares: Which pays better dividends? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Up 52% and paying dividends: Are BHP shares a buy, hold, or sell today?
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• Buy, hold, sell: Orica, GQG Partners, BHP shares
• If I invest $15,000 in BHP shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2027?
• Rio Tinto vs APA Group: Which is better for passive income?

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial draft. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

If you’d invested $10,000 in Air New Zealand Ltd (ASX: AIZ) and Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) shares three years ago, which investment would have returned more?

And would either of the ASX travel stocks have beaten the 23.5% gains delivered by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) since 22 September 2023 as of Monday afternoon trade?

I’m glad you asked!

Buying $10,000 worth of Qantas shares

Three years ago, you could have bought Qantas shares for $5.31 apiece.

So, for $10,000, you could have picked up 1,883 shares in the ASX 200 airline stock.

On Monday, shares were changing hands for $8.80 each.

Meaning the 1,883 shares you bought on 22 September 2023 are worth $16,570 today.

But wait. There’s more!

As you may recall, Qantas suspended its dividend payouts in 2020 after the global pandemic slammed the door on air travel and saw Qantas’ profits dry up. However, as COVID came under control and air travel lifted off again, Qantas recommenced its twice-yearly dividend payments, starting in April 2025.

If you’d owned Qantas shares for the last three years, you would have received (or shortly will) the past four dividend payments, totalling 92.4 cents a share.

If we add that back into Monday’s share price, then the accumulated value of the Qantas shares you bought three years ago is now worth $18,310. Or a gain of more than 83%, with some tax benefits from those franking credits.

So, we know that Qantas flew ahead of the ASX 200 over the last 36 months. But how about Air New Zealand stock?

How have Air New Zealand shares fared over three years?

Air New Zealand has had a more difficult time of it since 2023.

Three years ago, you could have bought shares in the Kiwi airline for 68 cents apiece. So, your $10,000 investment would have netted you 14,705 Air New Zealand shares.

On Monday, shares were swapping hands for 33 cents each.

Meaning the 14,705 shares you bought for $10,000 are worth $4,853 today.

Now Air New Zealand also suspended its dividend payments in 2020, resuming them in 2023.

If you’d owned the shares for the last three years, you would have received the past four unfranked dividend payments, totalling 4.7 cents a share.

Adding that back to the recent share price, the accumulated value of the Air New Zealand shares purchased on 22 September 2023 for $10,000 is now $5,544. Or a loss of 44.6%.

Which makes Qantas shares the clear winner in the three-year returns delivered from the two ASX airline stocks.

The post $10,000 invested in Air New Zealand and Qantas shares 3 years ago is now worth… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Looking to bank the final Qantas dividend? You’d better hurry!
• How many Qantas shares do I need to buy for $5,000 of passive income in FY27?

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.

While many international technology companies have enjoyed big gains in 2026 on the back of the AI buildout, ASX technology shares have struggled. 

Year-to-date, the S&P ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) has fallen almost 20%. 

There have been a couple major headwinds that have put pressure on the sector. 

Higher interest rates and bond yields have impacted sentiment on future growth, while concerns about AI disrupting traditional software business models have also hit valuations. 

The sell-off has been amplified because many Australian tech stocks entered 2026 on relatively high valuations, so even companies reporting solid earnings growth have experienced sharp share-price declines.

However these factors have now created an enticing value opportunity for several ASX technology shares. 

Here are three worth considering. 

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

WiseTech shares are currently trading near 52-week lows at around $31 per share. 

The company provides logistics software that aims to improve the world’s supply chains. WiseTech’s software solutions, including its flagship CargoWise One solution, are now used by the top 25 global freight forwarders, including Toll and DHL.

The share price is down a significant 68% in the last 12 months. 

However, there is reason to be optimistic. 

The bull case for a WiseTech bounceback is that the market may be underestimating the durability and profitability of CargoWise. 

Morgans currently has a price target of $62.50. 

That would be a 100% rise from current levels for the ASX technology stock. 

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

Xero is another ASX technology stock that may have been oversold.

It offers cloud-based, accounting software for small to medium businesses. It is a subscription-based service offering monthly plans at various price points.

After being hit hard by AI replacement fears, it now sits at around $60 per share, down 60% from a year ago. 

Brokers targets are hovering around an average price of $111 per share. 

If this ASX technology stock were to reach this figure, it would be a rise of 85%. 

Betashares S&P ASX Australian Technology ETF (ASX: ATEC)

Another option for investors aiming to buy low on the Australian technology sector is this ASX ETF. 

It has fallen by 36% in the last 12 months.

The ETF provides exposure to leading ASX-listed companies across tech-related market segments such as information technology, consumer electronics, online retail, and medical technology.

It offers a more diversified option for investors looking to buy low, without having to pick individual bounce-back candidates. 

The post Do these ASX technology shares have too much upside to ignore? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Xero shares crash to a 7-year low after a brutal sell-off
• Why brokers think Xero shares could surge 130% from here
• 3 ASX 200 shares I’d buy and hold for a decade
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• Downgrade alert! 5 ASX 200 shares downgraded by experts this week

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

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) shares have a lengthy track record of paying two fully franked dividends a year.

But is the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) supermarket giant a good buy for passive income today?

We’ll look at Catapult Wealth’s Dylan Evans recommendation below (courtesy of The Bull).

But first, a little background.

Atop the passive income on offer, Coles stock has outperformed in 2026.

On Monday, shares were changing hands for $23.07 each, up 8.1% year to date. That compares to the 0.1% loss posted by the ASX 200 this calendar year.

As for the latest round of passive income, when Coles released its FY 2026 results on 25 August, the company declared a fully franked final dividend of 37 cents per share. That’s an increase of 15.6% from the FY 2025 final Coles dividend.

If you held the stock at market close on 2 September, you can expect to see that income hit your bank account tomorrow, on 22 September.

Adding in the 41 cent per share interim dividend, paid on 30 March, and at the recent share price, Coles shares trade on a fully franked trailing dividend yield of 3.4%.

Which brings us back to…

Are Coles shares are good passive income buy?

“The supermarket industry structure remains favourable, with Coles and competitor Woolworths dominating market share,” Catapult Wealth’s Evans said.

Commenting on Coles FY 2026 results, he noted:

Coles posted group sales revenue of $45.580 billion in full year 2026, up 2.8 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Excluding significant items, group earnings before interest and tax of $2.322 billion was up 9.9 per cent. Supermarket eCommerce sales was a highlight, growing 26.4 per cent.

Summarising his buy recommendation on Coles shares, Evans concluded, “Coles offers a reliable dividend yield, backed by defensive earnings. Catalysts for growth include online expansion, population growth and supply chain automation.”

Bonus ASX 200 stock tip

Atop his buy recommendation on Coles shares, in part for the company’s reliable passive income payouts, Evans also issued a buy recommendation for Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL).

“Netwealth operates a leading investment management platform used by financial advisers in Australia,” he said.

As for his bullish outlook on the ASX 200 finance stock, Evans noted:

The company’s full year 2026 results continued to deliver strong growth, with the platform’s funds under administration increasing 20.3 per cent to $135.7 billion and earnings per share growing 16 per cent to 55.2 cents.

Despite these strong results, the share price has fallen significantly, most likely and partially in response to a compensation payout of about $101 million to members in the collapsed First Guardian Master Fund.

Share price weakness presents an opportunity, as Netwealth still holds a net cash position and is poised to generate strong revenue growth moving forward.

I’ll add that Netwealth also provides some passive income, with the ASX 200 stock trading on a 2.2% fully franked trailing dividend yield.

The post Should I buy Coles shares for passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: Coles, NAB, CSL shares
• 2 ASX 200 shares to buy and 1 to sell now
• Here’s the dividend forecast out to 2029 for Coles shares
• Netwealth Group vs HUB24: Which financial platform is better from an investor’s perspective?
• How much do I need in superannuation to receive $1,000 passive income per week?

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

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) investors have been strapped into quite the roller coaster. And the ride isn’t over yet.

After a brutal plunge over the past year, Treasury Wine shares have staged a sharp comeback. The ASX wine stock kicked off the new week around 4% higher at $5.36, pushing its six-month gain to roughly 50%.

Impressive stuff, until you zoom out. Over the past 12 months, Treasury Wine shares are still down about 28%.

So which is it: genuine turnaround, or a rebound that’s got ahead of itself?

A radical reset or a radical gamble?

The company’s June strategy reset is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. Treasury Wine is ripping up its old playbook, slashing its brand count from 76 down to fewer than 30 over five years and throwing its weight behind flagship label Penfolds.

The troubled Americas business is under review, and management is chasing roughly $100 million in annualised cost savings by FY29.

The stated goal: fatter margins, a simpler business, and capital funneled toward the brands that can actually move the needle. Treasury Wine is now targeting a long-term EBITS margin above 25%.

The market went wild for it, shares have jumped more than 25% since the day the reset strategy dropped. But strip away the enthusiasm, and there’s a much less comfortable story underneath.

Not so fast, this isn’t a turnaround yet

A share-price rally doesn’t magically erase the problems that caused the crash in the first place. Treasury Wine has already booked a further $558.4 million post-tax non-cash impairment on its US assets — a brutal reminder of just how badly the Americas business has gone off the rails.

FY27 is shaping up as a transition year for Treasury Wine shares, not a victory lap. The entire bull case hinges on management nailing a portfolio overhaul, fixing bloated inventory, actually banking those promised cost savings, and keeping Penfolds growing through it all.

That’s a lot of moving parts, and a lot can still go wrong. The uncomfortable read is that the recent rebound might just be the market getting ahead of itself, pricing in a turnaround before any of those benefits have actually shown up in the numbers.

What do the brokers think?

Analysts are warming up to Treasury Wine shares, but nobody’s fully sold. Morgans has a buy rating and a $7.30 target, recently lifted from $5.95. That suggests a 36% upside from current price levels.

Citi is bullish too, with a buy rating and $6.95 target. UBS sits more cautiously at hold with $6.50, and JPMorgan mirrors that with a $6.00 hold.

Across 16 analysts, the average target lands around $6.25, 17% above Treasury Wine’s current $5.36 price. On paper, that’s real upside if the transformation actually delivers.

Foolish takeaway

After one of the wildest years in Treasury Wine’s history, a 50% six-month rally isn’t proof of anything. It’s a promissory note. Brokers see potential for Treasury Wine shares, but potential and delivery are two very different things.

Until the wine company actually executes on cost cuts, inventory discipline and Penfolds growth, calling this a turnaround might be jumping the gun. Investors watching from the sidelines are right to want to see results before believing the story.

The post Treasury Wine shares: turnaround or trap? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther 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 JPMorgan Chase and Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

You have to go all the way back to June 2019 to find the last time Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) shares were trading below the $60 mark.

Xero finished Monday at $60.08 after dropping another 4.30%, having touched an intraday low of $59.65.

The last time Xero closed below $60 was 28 June 2019, when the shares finished at $59.94.

That’s pretty remarkable when you consider Xero was trading as high as $196.52 in late June last year.

The selling has been relentless recently as well.

Xero shares are now down almost 30% over the past month and around 47% since the start of 2026.

September has been brutal

What makes the latest slide a little harder to pin down is that Xero hasn’t released any bad news to the market.

There has been no profit warning, earnings downgrade or major operational update behind the recent selling.

Instead, a few things seem to be working against the stock at the same time.

ASX tech shares had another tough session on Monday as expectations for another RBA rate rise increased.

Australian 10-year bond yields were also sitting around 5.3%, which hasn’t helped high-growth tech stocks either.

Xero has also been caught in the software sell-off as investors question what AI could mean for the sector over the next few years.

And then there’s Melio.

The acquisition pushed Xero further into US payments, while bringing extra costs and lower-margin revenue into the business as well.

This isn’t the same Xero as 2019

That’s what makes the current share price hard to ignore.

Xero may be back around its 2019 share price, but the business is now much larger.

In FY26, operating revenue rose 31% to NZ$2.75 billion, while adjusted EBITDA increased 18% to NZ$757.4 million.

Free cash flow reached NZ$554 million, while Xero added another 506,000 customers to finish the year with 4.92 million.

The numbers weren’t all heading in the right direction though.

Net profit fell 27% to NZ$167.4 million, while gross margin dropped from 89% to 83.9% as Melio started contributing to the group.

Xero has also flagged up to NZ$55 million of additional US brand spending during FY27.

Analysts value Xero much higher

The other thing worth watching is just how far Xero has fallen below some analyst valuations.

Morningstar has a fair value estimate of $97.87, although it also gives the stock a high uncertainty rating.

TipRanks shows Citi with a $113.60 price target, while RBC Capital has a more conservative target of $85.

Even the lowest of those figures is still well above yesterday’s close of $60.08.

That doesn’t mean Xero shares can’t keep falling, particularly after the way they’ve traded through September.

But it shows just how quickly the market has changed its view of the stock.

The post Xero shares crash to a 7-year low after a brutal sell-off appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Why brokers think Xero shares could surge 130% from here
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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) shares got smashed on Monday, plunging 12% to $15.76 after a blockbuster merger announcement. Zoom out, though, and the nuclear healthcare stock is still up 40% year to date — though that gain has shrunk to just 12% over 12 months.

So did the market overreact, or is this the start of something worse?

The deal

Here’s the short version: Telix just agreed to buy Germany’s ITM, one of the biggest players in radioisotope production, for US$1.65 billion.

And Telix isn’t paying with cash. It’s paying with shares – 105.8 million of them, worth about US$1.25 billion. On top of that, it’s taking on US$302 million of ITM’s debt, plus another US$96 million in transaction costs and management payouts.

That’s not all. Telix could end up paying a further US$700 million down the track. That will depend on how ITM’s cancer drug ITM-11 performs — up to US$250 million if it clears FDA approval across three indications, and up to US$450 million if sales blow past US$150 million by 2030.

Once the dust settles, current Telix shareholders will own about 76% of the combined company. ITM’s shareholders will get the other 24%.

Why the market panicked

In plain terms: Telix just diluted itself, big time. Issuing 105.8 million new Telix shares is a serious jump in shares on issue, and that’s really what was crushing the price on Monday. Not doubts about the strategy itself.

The deal still needs shareholder approval at a meeting expected in November, which adds a layer of ‘wait and see’. And the combined company’s 2026 revenue guidance of just over US$1.3 billion isn’t exactly blowing anyone away relative to the price tag. So investors are left weighing genuine strategic upside against real, near-term dilution.

CEO Christian Behrenbruch made the case for why it’s worth it:

ITM is the leader in radioisotope production, with deep scientific expertise and a track record of value-adding innovation. By combining our complementary strengths, we will create a company with commercial scale, world-leading supply and the most exciting theranostic drug portfolio in the sector.

What do brokers think?

Brokers, for the most part, aren’t panicking. Five of the latest broker ratings are a buy — Canaccord Genuity, Citi, JPMorgan, UBS and Jarden, while RBC Capital is the lone hold.

Where they disagree is on price. Targets range from $19 all the way to $31, suggesting upsides between 21% and 97%. Canaccord just lifted its target to $30.25, Citi sits at $31 and JPMorgan is at $25.58. Jarden nudged up to $21, while UBS trimmed its target to $22 but kept its buy rating intact.

Foolish takeaway

Every one of those price targets sits well above where Telix shares trade today. Brokers clearly like the story, but they just can’t agree on the price tag.

The real test isn’t whether the ITM deal makes strategic sense. It probably does. It’s whether Telix can actually integrate a US$1.65 billion acquisition, hit ITM-11’s regulatory milestones, and prove the dilution was worth it.

Until then, this drop looks more like nerves than a verdict.

The post Telix shares just crashed 12% on merger news. Time to buy the dip? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther 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 JPMorgan Chase and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares have handed investors some fantastic gains over the past 12 months.

On Monday, shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) mining giant were trading for $60.71 apiece. That sees the share price up an impressive 51.7% since this time last year, smashing the ASX 200’s 0.9% 12-month loss.

And that’s not including the two fully-franked interim dividends BHP paid out over this time.

Amid rising revenue and profits, BHP’s FY 2026 dividend payouts, totalling $2.419 a share, were up 41.6% from FY 2025. If you owned BHP shares at market close on 2 September, you can expect to see the final FY 2026 passive income payout hit your bank account this Wednesday, 23 September.

At Monday’s prices, BHP shares trade on a fully-franked trailing dividend yield of 4%.

So, after this stellar 12-month run, is the Aussie mining giant still a good buy today?

BHP shares: Buy, hold, or sell?

Catapult Wealth’s Dylan Evans recently analysed the outlook for the booming miner, which now counts as the biggest stock by market cap on the ASX (courtesy of The Bull).

“The global miner’s full year results were impressive, with the company increasing revenue and profit,” he said.

Evans noted:

Growth was driven by the copper division, which is now the primary revenue generator for BHP. As a result, future earnings will be influenced by the copper price, but the price should be underpinned by several long-term themes, including electrification and growing digital infrastructure.

But, following on the strong one-year run, Evans issued a hold recommendation on BHP shares for now.

“BHP is a core holding. However, the share price has risen substantially in the past 12 months to the point where it can appear expensive,” he concluded.

What’s the latest copper news from the ASX 200 mining stock?

As Evans mentioned above, FY 2026 marked the first year in which copper surpassed iron ore in driving BHP’s earnings and supporting BHP’s share price growth.

Commenting on its copper operations, the ASX 200 mining stock noted:

Spot copper prices on average were 26% higher in FY26, with H2 FY26 experiencing increases of nearly 40% as copper moved to >US$13,000/t (US$5.90/lb). The copper price continues to be supported by strong fundamentals on the demand and supply side, driven by a compelling narrative for copper-intensive sectors, particularly electrification and data centres and the risk of future supply deficits.

BHP reported a 48% year-on-year increase in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) from its copper division to US$18.2 billion. That saw copper production contribute 54% of BHP’s total underlying EBITDA in FY 2026.

The post Up 52% and paying dividends: Are BHP shares a buy, hold, or sell today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• BHP shares are up 53%. Here are 5 reasons why they may not be done yet
• Buy, hold, sell: Orica, GQG Partners, BHP shares
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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 recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Origin Energy vs AGL Energy shares: Which is better for income investors?

Choosing between Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) and AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGL) is a classic income investor’s dilemma. Both are household names powering millions of Australian homes and businesses, with long histories and significant roles in the nation’s energy mix. If you’re seeking reliable, fully franked dividends and are keen to understand which business stands out in the current market, here’s what I found as I weighed up the two.

The case for Origin Energy

Origin Energy is one of Australia’s largest integrated energy companies, spanning electricity generation, natural gas supply, renewables, and retailing energy to homes and businesses. Alongside a strong presence across Australia, it also has operations in the Pacific and PNG. Origin’s company profile points to a diverse energy mix and a focus on both traditional and renewable energy sources.

Looking at the numbers, a few strengths pop out for income investors:

• A market capitalisation of $20.23 billion signals a large, stable business.
• A healthy 5.07% dividend yield, with the all-important 100% franking, means eligible shareholders receive the full tax credit benefit.
• A recent dividend per share of $0.60 is supported by an earnings per share figure of $0.912 and a P/E ratio of 12.97, indicating solid earnings coverage for those dividends.

Origin has a history of consistent, fully franked dividends. In 2023, 100% franking returned after a period of lower or nil franking seen in previous years. Its year-to-date return is also up 8.2%, providing a hint of positive sentiment.

The case for AGL Energy

AGL Energy is one of Australia’s oldest and most well-known energy brands, with operations dating back to 1837. Today, it generates, trades, and retails electricity and gas, with assets ranging from coal and gas generation to wind farms and hydro. Its retail business is a major player in both residential and business power markets.

Some notable figures for AGL right now:

• Market cap is $5.64 billion; much smaller than Origin, but still within the ASX100.
• Dividend yield sits at 6.00% – even higher than Origin’s – and likewise is now 100% franked.
• Despite paying a slightly lower dividend per share than Origin ($0.52 vs $0.60), AGL’s earnings per share is a solid $1.122. Its P/E ratio is 7.42, which is lower than Origin’s.

AGL’s dividend history has been more volatile in terms of franking — recently, franking has flipped back to 100% for the 2026 payments after several years of unfranked dividends. Its share price, however, has struggled year-to-date, down 5.2%.

Valuation comparison

Here’s how two stack up on key valuation and dividend numbers:

Metric	Origin Energy	AGL Energy
Market Cap	$20.23 billion	$5.64 billion
P/E Ratio	12.97	7.42
Dividend Yield	5.07% (100% franked)	6.00% (100% franked)
Dividend per Share	$0.60	$0.52
Earnings per Share	0.912	1.122
YTD Return	8.2%	-5.2%

Both companies now offer fully franked dividends, but AGL nudges ahead on yield. Origin, though, commands a premium on size and has outperformed AGL sharply over the year. Also, note: While AGL’s EPS is higher, its P/E is much lower than Origin’s, suggesting the market is less optimistic about its future growth or is factoring in other risks.

Recent share price performance

For the fortnight ending 17 September 2026, both Origin and AGL saw modest day-to-day moves:

• Origin shares finished at $11.74 on 17 Sep 2026, climbing from $11.57 on 11 Sep (a 1.5% rise), with a YTD return of 8.2%.
• AGL shares ended at $8.39 on 17 Sep 2026, down from $8.40 on 11 Sep (virtually flat), and have fallen 5.2% year-to-date.
• Over this period, Origin showed steadier resilience and mild upward bias, while AGL shares have softened both short-term and YTD.

Which is the better buy?

Looking at the numbers, I’m leaning toward Origin Energy as the better bet for income-focused investors. The reasons? While AGL offers a slightly higher dividend yield (6.0% vs 5.1%), I’m encouraged by Origin’s combination of steadier share price gains, greater market heft, and a fully franked, consistently paid dividend that looks well-covered by earnings. AGL’s low P/E might tempt value hunters, but its negative year-to-date return and bounce-back to full franking only very recently leave me a bit cautious on dividend reliability.

Importantly, both companies now pay 100% franked dividends, and both earnings and dividend payout levels look sustainable at present. But if I had to pick one to tuck away for dividend income and sleep soundly, my choice today would be Origin Energy — a larger flagbearer showing better price momentum and a reliable, franked payout for income seekers.

The post Origin Energy vs AGL Energy: Which ASX dividend stock is better for income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial draft. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

Macquarie Group vs Commonwealth Bank shares: Which bank is best on the ASX?

Everyday Aussie investors often find themselves weighing up Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) against Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA). Both have a long pedigree, blue-chip status, and deliver reliable dividends, but their businesses and profiles are starkly different. With current market conditions in mind, let’s see how Macquarie and CommBank stack up and which could be the better buy.

The case for Macquarie Group

Macquarie Group is a global powerhouse headquartered in Australia, best known for its investment banking, asset management, and specialist expertise in areas like infrastructure, resources and commodities. While it’s sometimes referred to as Australia’s fifth-largest bank by market cap, retail banking is only a small piece of Macquarie’s business. According to its most recent public description, Macquarie operates in 34 markets worldwide, offering everything from banking to investment and advisory services, and ranks within the world’s top 50 asset managers.

A few standouts in the latest numbers:

• Market cap: $91.54 billion
• P/E ratio: 18.83, notably lower than CommBank’s
• Dividend yield: 2.93% (unfranked portion may matter for some investors)
• EPS: 12.669
• Partial franking: 35%
• Year to date return: 19.5%

Dividends have grown over time, with the most recent final and interim payouts at $4.20 and $2.80 per share, both franked at 35%. Macquarie’s more global and diversified earnings base could appeal if you want exposure beyond Aussie retail banking.

The case for Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Commonwealth Bank (or CommBank) is a household name and part of Australia’s “big four” banking club. Its business is all about integrated financial services, spanning retail and business banking, funds management, super, insurance, and more. CommBank operates mainly in Australia and New Zealand, but its reach extends to several international markets too.

Here’s what stands out from the data:

• Market cap: $255.09 billion, making it much larger than Macquarie
• P/E ratio: 23.39
• Dividend yield: 3.31%, slightly higher than Macquarie’s
• EPS: 6.517
• Franking: a full 100%
• Year to date return: -1.92%

CommBank’s dividend history is a thing of beauty for income lovers. Payouts are fully franked, and dividends have remained consistent, with the last final and interim payments coming in at $2.70 and $2.35 per share. For those who value steady, reliable yield with maximum franking credits, CommBank is hard to go past.

Valuation comparison

These two banks share the same broad sector but look quite different through a value lens. Here’s how some core numbers compare:

	Macquarie Group	Commonwealth Bank
Market Cap	$91.54b	$255.09b
P/E Ratio	18.83	23.39
Dividend Yield	2.93%	3.31%
Dividend Franking	35%	100%
EPS	12.669	6.517

Note: Macquarie Group’s reported P/E and EPS figures align, but when comparing across such different business models—even within the banking sector—it’s not always apples-to-apples. CommBank’s full franking on its higher yield may also make its dividends more attractive to some investors, especially those in higher tax brackets.

Recent share price performance

Comparing 21 August to 18 September 2026:

• Macquarie Group shares fell from $248.43 to $238.62, a drop of roughly 3.9% in that time.
• Commonwealth Bank shares slipped from $157.99 to $152.43, down around 3.5% over the same period.

On a year-to-date basis, the difference is sharper:

• Macquarie Group is up 19.5% YTD.
• Commonwealth Bank is down 1.9% YTD.

Which is the better buy?

If I’m weighing Macquarie Group against Commonwealth Bank today, my pick would be Macquarie Group. Its momentum stands out, with an impressive 19.5% year-to-date return, which easily trumps CommBank’s negative move for 2026 so far. Macquarie also looks meaningfully cheaper on a P/E basis (18.8 vs 23.4), giving you more earnings for every dollar invested.

While CommBank pays a higher headline yield (3.31% vs 2.93%) and offers the full benefit of 100% franking, which is unbeatable for franked income lovers, Macquarie’s growth-style profile and sector diversification appeal to me more in the current market. Its slightly lower dividend and franking rate may disappoint some, but that’s balanced by capital gains and global exposure.

For investors seeking a combination of growth potential and a decent, partly franked dividend, I think Macquarie looks like the more compelling opportunity right now. Of course, if fully franked, reliable income is your absolute priority, you might still lean towards CommBank.

The post Macquarie Group vs Commonwealth Bank: Which ASX bank is the better buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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 Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial draft. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.