Tag: Stock pick

I believe that buy and hold investing is one of the best ways to build wealth.

But don’t worry if you’re not a fan of stock-picking, because exchange traded funds (ETFs) are here to save the day.

They offer simple access to large groups of stocks in one fell swoop, which removes the need to pick individual stocks.

With that in mind, here are three ASX ETFs that I would buy for the long term:

Betashares Global Cash Flow Kings ETF (ASX: CFLO)

The Betashares Global Cash Flow Kings ETF could be a great buy and hold option.

Rather than focusing on hype or short-term market momentum, this fund focuses on profitability, operational discipline, and financial resilience. It includes stocks like Palantir (NASDAQ: PLTR), Visa (NYSE: V), and Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL).

Companies that consistently generate strong cash flow can reinvest in growth, buy back shares, acquire competitors, or raise dividends. Over decades, that creates an enormous wealth-building effect, making this fund a potentially powerful foundation for generational portfolios.

It was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK)

Cybersecurity has become one of the most essential industries in the digital economy, and the Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF provides simple access to the world leaders in the space.

This includes the likes of CrowdStrike Holdings (NASDAQ: CRWD), Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW), and Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT). These are companies using advanced AI-powered tools to protect governments, corporations, and consumers from increasingly complex cyber threats.

With cyberattacks rising globally and businesses moving more systems into the cloud, cybersecurity spending is expected to grow steadily for years to come.

Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF (ASX: QLTY)

Another top buy and hold option could be the Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF.

This ASX ETF invests in global stocks with strong balance sheets, consistent profitability, and high returns on capital.

Its portfolio currently includes high-quality stocks such as Visa (NYSE: V), Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), Accenture (NYSE: ACN), and L’Oreal (FRA: LOR). These are market leaders with pricing power and resilient earnings.

For buy and hold investors, the Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF could be attractive because it emphasises a focus on quality. It aims to smooth out some of the bumps that come with growth investing, making it a solid core holding for those who want steadier long-term returns.

It was also recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

The post 3 top ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years or more appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX ETFs to buy with $50,000 today
• 3 top ASX ETFs to buy and hold in an SMSF
• 3 ASX ETFs to buy with $30,000 in February
• 5 ASX ETFs for new investors to buy and hold
• 3 ASX ETFs that could beat the market in 2026

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 Accenture Plc, Alphabet, BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF, CrowdStrike, Fortinet, Palantir Technologies, and Visa. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Johnson & Johnson and Palo Alto Networks and has recommended the following options: long January 2028 $260 calls on Accenture Plc and short January 2028 $280 calls on Accenture Plc. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, CrowdStrike, and Visa. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

On Tuesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a subdued session and edged into the red. The benchmark index fell slightly to 9,022.3 points.

Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Wednesday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 to rebound

The Australian share market looks set to rebound on Wednesday after a stronger night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 60 points or 0.65% higher this morning. In late trade in the United States, the Dow Jones is up 0.85%, the S&P 500 is up 0.75% and the Nasdaq is 1% higher.

Oil prices fall

ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a poor session on Wednesday after oil prices fell overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 0.6% to US$65.89 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 0.6% to US$71.06 a barrel. Traders were selling oil after US-Iran talks continued.

WiseTech shares on watch

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares will be on watch on Wednesday when the logistics solutions technology company releases its eagerly anticipated half-year results. According to a note out of Morgans, its analysts are expecting revenue of $660.6 million and EBITDA of $248 million. This will be a 73.4% and 28.9% increase over the prior corresponding period. Underlying NPATA is expected to be down 10.7% to $100.1 million.

Gold price falls

ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a tough session on Wednesday after the gold price fell overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 0.8% to US$5,184 an ounce. This was driven by a stronger US dollar.

Buy Monadelphous shares

Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND) shares could be in the buy zone according to Bell Potter. In response to its half-year results, the broker has retained its buy rating with an improved price target of $37.00. It said: “We retain the Buy recommendation. We expect MND can sustain current strong operating momentum across the Group in the short-term given its contracted position and further work package awards likely to land in 2H FY26. MND’s increasing liquidity gives the company optionality to lean aggressively on M&A or return excess capital to shareholders.”

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

More reading

• Steadfast Group lifts revenue, profit, and dividend in 1H26 earnings update
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Forget term deposits! I’d buy these two ASX 200 shares instead
• Gold price reverses course after 4-day run
• Why Cedar Woods, Clearview, Emerald Resources, and Monadelphous shares are racing higher

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

The Australian share market is a great place to generate an income.

That’s because the ASX boards are filled to the brim with shares that provide investors with dividends every three to six months.

But with so many options to choose from, it can be hard to decide which ones to buy over others.

To narrow things down, I have picked out three ASX dividend shares that analysts are bullish on at present.

Here’s what they are recommending and the sort of dividend yields you can expect from them in the near term:

APA Group (ASX: APA)

The first ASX dividend share to consider is APA Group. It owns and operates critical energy infrastructure across Australia, including gas pipelines, storage facilities, and power assets. These assets are usually long life and regulated or contracted, which helps provide steady and visible cash flows.

Macquarie is positive on APA’s outlook and currently has an outperform rating and $9.58 price target on its shares.

As for income, Macquarie is forecasting dividends of 58 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 59 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $9.15, that equates to very attractive dividend yields of 6.3% and 6.4%, respectively.

Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD)

The team at Macquarie is also positive on Elders and sees it as an ASX dividend stock to buy now.

Elders is an agribusiness company that provides rural and livestock services, agricultural inputs, and real estate services to Australia’s farming sector.

The broker is expecting Elders to pay fully franked dividends of 36 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 37 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $7.13, this would mean dividend yields of 5% and 5.2%, respectively.

Macquarie has an outperform rating and $8.40 price target on its shares.

Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF)

A third ASX dividend share analysts like is Rural Funds Group.

It provides exposure to high-quality Australian agricultural assets, including cattle properties, cropping farms, and almond orchards. These assets are leased to high-quality operators under long-term agreements, which helps smooth income over time.

Bell Potter is forecasting dividends of 11.7 cents per share in both FY 2026 and FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $2.10, this would mean generous dividend yields of 5.6% in each year.

Bell Potter currently has a buy rating and a $2.45 price target on the company’s shares.

The post 3 excellent ASX dividend shares to buy this month appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Forget term deposits! I’d buy these two ASX 200 shares instead
• Why I’d buy this top ASX dividend stock for a 5.5% passive income yield
• 2 ASX dividend shares to buy for passive income
• If I had to build a defensive ASX share portfolio today, I’d start here
• Want to build a second income? I’d buy these ASX 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 positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group, Macquarie Group, and Rural Funds Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Elders. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Yesterday afternoon, Steadfast Group Ltd (ASX: ADF) reported a 14.6% increase in underlying revenue to $1,010.4 million and lifted its interim dividend by 5.1% to 8.2 cents per share for 1H26.

What did Steadfast Group report?

• Underlying diluted EPS (NPAT): 12.4 cps, up 6.9%
• Underlying NPATA: $161.5 million, up 6.3%
• Statutory NPAT: $127.0 million (1H25: $106.4 million)
• Underlying NPAT: $137.5 million, up 7.3%
• Underlying EBITA: $293.6 million, up 12.6%
• Interim fully franked dividend: 8.2 cps, up from 7.8 cps

What else do investors need to know?

Steadfast’s Australasian broker network delivered 4.4% gross written premium (GWP) growth to $6.4 billion, supported by performance improvements, acquisitions, and careful expense management. The underwriting agencies segment contributed $1.2 billion GWP, up 3%, and international businesses recorded a $9.5 million uplift in underlying EBITA thanks to recent acquisitions and organic growth.

The Board is undertaking an independent workplace culture diagnostic with EB&Co to ensure Steadfast’s culture aligns with company values and identify areas for improvement. The company also confirmed the promotion of Hannah Lee to Chief Financial Officer.

What did Steadfast Group management say?

Managing Director & CEO Robert Kelly AM said:

The 1H26 results continued our record of strong growth in revenue and profit and reflects a strong underlying business and the Group’s resilient and adaptable business model. The executive leadership team remains focused on delivering earnings growth and maintaining discipline in the execution of our business strategy to deliver sustainable and solid returns to our shareholders.

What’s next for Steadfast Group?

Looking ahead, Steadfast reaffirmed its FY26 guidance and expects underlying NPATA between $365 million and $375 million, and underlying NPAT between $315 million and $325 million, with diluted EPS growth guidance of 6% to 10%. Management remains committed to its broker hubbing strategy, operational efficiency programs, and exploring further acquisition opportunities.

Key guidance assumptions include modest increases in insurance premium pricing and continued focus on cost and margin discipline across the group.

Steadfast Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Steadfast shares have declined 27%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 9% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Steadfast Group lifts revenue, profit, and dividend in 1H26 earnings update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Forget term deposits! I’d buy these two ASX 200 shares instead
• Why ARB, Austal, Mader, and Steadfast shares are dropping today
• Zip, CSL and BHP among CommSec’s most-traded ASX shares

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 Steadfast Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Steadfast 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 summary of the company announcement. 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.

You can barely buy a coffee in the Melbourne CBD for under $5 these days. Yet on the ASX, there are still shares trading below that price point, making them accessible to many investors.

Here are three ASX shares below $5 that I think have serious long-term potential.

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)

PLS Group has benefited from a strong rebound in lithium prices over the past year, and that recovery is now flowing through to its financial results. This has seen its share price rise to $4.72 this month at the time of writing.

In its FY26 half-year result, the company reported a 40% increase in realised pricing and a 47% lift in revenue to $624 million. Underlying EBITDA jumped to $253 million, with margins expanding to 41%, highlighting the leverage in the business when pricing improves.

Importantly, PLS continues to operate as a low-cost producer, with unit operating costs falling 8% during the half. It also ended the period with $954 million in cash, giving it a strong buffer through the cycle.

Lithium will always be volatile, but with pricing momentum restored and margins recovering, I think PLS offers meaningful exposure to the long-term electrification trend at a sub-$5 share price.

SiteMinder Ltd (ASX: SDR)

SiteMinder is a very different type of opportunity. At the time of writing, it trades at $3, which is down from its high of $7.96.

This is a global hotel distribution and revenue platform with a strong recurring revenue model. It now serves tens of thousands of properties worldwide and continues to expand its Smart Platform offering.

While software stocks have been volatile amid AI disruption fears and valuation resets, SiteMinder has been accelerating annual recurring revenue growth and improving profitability. That combination is not easy to find at this price point.

To me, this looks like a structural growth business trading below $5 due more to market sentiment than a collapse in fundamentals.

DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO)

DroneShield is arguably the highest-risk name on this list, but also potentially the most rewarding. Its shares are trading at $2.99 at the time of writing, down from a high of $6.71.

The company develops counter-drone technology designed to detect and defeat unmanned aerial systems. With geopolitical tensions elevated globally, defence spending is increasing in many regions.

DroneShield has been building its sales pipeline and strengthening its product offering, particularly in radio frequency detection and defeat systems. If large contracts convert from its pipeline, revenue growth could accelerate quickly.

At just a few dollars per share, investors are not paying a blue-chip price for this business. But they are getting exposure to a niche defence technology segment that could expand meaningfully over time.

Foolish Takeaway

A share trading below $5 does not make it cheap in the valuation sense. Market capitalisation and earnings power matter far more than the sticker price.

However, when I see companies like PLS, SiteMinder, and DroneShield trading for less than the price of a Melbourne CBD coffee, I cannot help but think there is potential upside if their respective industries move in their favour.

The post 3 ASX shares below $5 with huge potential appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Zip, CSL and BHP among CommSec’s most-traded ASX shares
• Why I think these ASX 200 growth shares could beat the market
• Should I invest $1,000 in DroneShield shares?
• ASX 200 tech shares lead market sectors with a 7% bounce back

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

The market often focuses on what might happen this quarter. But real wealth is usually built by backing long-term shifts that reshape industries over many years.

By 2030, technology, automation, and digital entertainment could look far larger and more embedded in everyday life than they do today.

With that in mind, here are three ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) that are positioned around trends that could still be in the early stages.

Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

Asia remains a powerhouse of innovation and manufacturing.

The Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF provides investors with exposure to stocks such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE: TSM), Tencent (SEHK: 700), and Baidu (NASDAQ: BIDU).

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company is critical to the global semiconductor ecosystem, producing advanced chips used in artificial intelligence, smartphones, and high-performance computing. Tencent dominates digital payments, gaming, and social platforms across China. Baidu continues to invest heavily in AI and autonomous driving technologies.

As AI adoption accelerates and semiconductor demand expands, Asia’s leading tech firms are likely to remain central players. If those trends deepen, this ASX ETF’s underlying businesses could be substantially larger by 2030.

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

Automation is steadily becoming the backbone of modern industry.

The Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF invests in stocks like Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG), and ABB Ltd (SWX: ABBN).

Nvidia’s chips power AI training and inference in data centres worldwide. Intuitive Surgical’s robotic systems are increasingly used in hospitals, improving surgical precision. ABB develops industrial automation systems that help manufacturers boost productivity.

As businesses seek efficiency gains, robotics and AI could move from competitive advantage to basic necessity. By 2030, automation may be far more deeply embedded in manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. It’s no wonder then that this fund was recently recommended by the team at Betashares.

VanEck Video Gaming and Esports ETF (ASX: ESPO)

Digital entertainment is no longer niche. It is mainstream.

The VanEck Video Gaming and Esports ETF offers investors exposure to stocks such as Nintendo (TYO: 7974), Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD), and Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA).

Nintendo remains a global leader in console gaming and intellectual property. AMD designs chips that power gaming consoles and PCs. Electronic Arts develops popular sports and action franchises that generate recurring revenue through in-game content.

Gaming is increasingly shifting toward digital downloads, online services, and esports competitions. As younger generations grow up with gaming as a core entertainment channel, industry revenues could expand well beyond current levels. This fund was recently recommended by analysts at VanEck.

The post 3 fantastic ASX ETFs that could be much bigger in 2030 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX ETFs to buy with $50,000 today
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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Betashares Capital – Asia Technology Tigers Etf. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Abb, Advanced Micro Devices, Baidu, Intuitive Surgical, Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, and Tencent. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Electronic Arts and Nintendo and has recommended the following options: long January 2028 $520 calls on Intuitive Surgical and short January 2028 $530 calls on Intuitive Surgical. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Advanced Micro Devices and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Listed below are three ASX shares that are popular with investors.

But popular doesn’t necessarily mean they are good investments. So, let’s see what Catapult Wealth is saying about them, courtesy of The Bull. Are they buys, holds, or sells?

AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP)

Although Catapult Wealth acknowledges that this financial services company has made progress with its turnaround strategy, it isn’t enough for a positive rating.

This is especially the case given the increased competition for its platforms business. As a result, the wealth management firm has named AMP as a sell. It said:

This diversified financial services company has been making progress with its turnaround strategy. Simplifying the business is revealing positive outcomes. However, there’s a long road ahead for AMP given its disappointing performance over many years.

Its platform business is exposed to the tailwind of a growing superannuation asset pool, but it lags competitors in a space with rapidly evolving technology. The shares were priced at $1.41 on March 1, 2021. The shares were trading at $1.37 on February 19, 2026. Better options exist elsewhere.

Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP)

This pizza chain operator could be one to avoid according to Catapult Wealth. It thinks Domino’s faces too many headwinds and has named its shares as a sell. It explains:

The fast food giant has been expanding into European and Asian markets with some success. However, in our view, DMP faces too many headwinds. Domino’s is battling cost inflation on raw materials, cost of living pressures among consumers and a long term trend towards healthier options.

Also, Domino’s faces significant competition from an ever-growing list of food choices and home delivery services.

Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL)

One ASX share that Catapult Wealth is positive on is Netwealth. This week, it has named the investment platform provider’s shares as a buy.

While its exposure to the First Guardian collapse was disappointing, the wealth management firm thinks investors should look beyond this and focus on the future. It highlights that Netwealth has a significant growth opportunity with less than 9% market share. It said:

Netwealth agreed in late 2025 to pay compensation of $100.7 million to customers who invested in the First Guardian Master Fund, a collapsed fund that was included on its platform. On February 18, 2026, investors responded positively to the company’s first half results in fiscal year 2026. Platform revenue of $189 million was up 25.3 per cent on the prior corresponding period.

A statutory loss of $2.2 million includes the First Guardian compensation expense. Excluding the expense, net profit after tax of $69 million was up 19.9 per cent. Netwealth is the second fastest growing superannuation and investment platform in Australia, driven in part by technology investment and leadership in a rapidly changing sector. With less than 9 per cent of market share, Netwealth still has plenty of room to continue growing in double digits.

The post Buy, hold, or sell? AMP, Domino’s and Netwealth shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why this expert is calling time on AMP and Domino’s shares
• Up 21% last week, why Netwealth shares are still a buy today
• 3 excellent ASX 200 shares to accumulate right now
• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares
• What is Morgans saying about these popular ASX 200 shares?

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

Fortunately for income investors, there are a lot of ASX dividend shares to choose from on the Australian share market.

To narrow things down, let’s take a look at three that experts are tipping as buys, courtesy of The Bull. Here’s what they are recommending:

Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW)

The team at Catapult Wealth thinks this property company could be an ASX dividend share to buy this week.

It likes the company due to its reliable income stream and generous dividend yield, explaining:

This Australian real estate investment trust reported solid first half results in fiscal year 2026, which were in line with expectations. Statutory earnings of $153.6 million increased 209 per cent compared to the prior corresponding period. Net tangible assets of $4.68 per security were up 2 per cent from June 30, 2025.

CLW’s share price has declined due to the re-emergence of inflation and its impact on interest rates and bond yields. CLW appeals for its reliable income stream. It was recently trading on a dividend yield above 6.5 per cent, supported by a high quality property portfolio with occupancy of 99.9 per cent and a weighted average lease length of more than nine years.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Over at Shaw and Partners, its analysts believe Wesfarmers could be an ASX dividend share to buy.

The broker is a fan of the Bunnings owner and believes it has one of the best management teams around. It believes this leaves it well-placed to continue creating value for investors. It said:

This industrial conglomerate remains one of the best managed companies in Australia. Its management team consistently demonstrates smart capital allocation and a disciplined acquisition strategy amid maintaining a strong oversight on operations across its diverse group of businesses. This quality of leadership gives me confidence that Wesfarmers can continue delivering long term value, even through changing economic conditions.

Its diversified revenue streams across retail, chemicals and industrial operations also provide resilience that few companies can match. The company posted its first half results for fiscal year 2026 on February 19. Revenue of $24.212 billion was up 3.1 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Statutory net profit after tax of $1.603 billion increased 9.3 per cent.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

Another ASX dividend share that is being recommended as a buy by Shaw and Partners is Woolworths.

It likes the supermarket giant due to its defensive qualities and dependable long-term outlook. It said:

The supermarket giant’s revenue base is remarkably consistent, supported by everyday essential spending. Even during softer economic periods, consumers continue to prioritise groceries and household staples, which helps stabilise WOW’s earnings. The company’s ongoing investment in digital shopping, supply chain improvements and customer experience initiatives should continue to support dependable, long term performance.

The post Experts name 3 ASX dividend shares to buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 reasons to buy Woolworths shares today
• Why are Wesfarmers shares tumbling today?
• How to build a $40,000 ASX share portfolio in 5 years
• Is Wesfarmers stock a post-earnings buy?
• If I had to build a defensive ASX share portfolio today, I’d start here

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

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured another negative session this Tuesday, its second slight loss of the trading week thus far.

By the time trading wrapped up today, the ASX 200 had given up a morning lead to close down 0.041%. That small drop leaves the index at 9,022.3 points.

This miserly session for the ASX follows an even nastier start to the American trading week on Wall Street in the early hours of this morning.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was crushed, dropping 1.66%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared slightly better, but still lost 1.13% of its value.

But let’s return to the local markets and take stock of how the different ASX sectors fared amid today’s tough trading conditions.

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

More reading

• Forget term deposits! I’d buy these two ASX 200 shares instead
• Why Cedar Woods, Clearview, Emerald Resources, and Monadelphous shares are racing higher
• Here’s why Viva Energy shares are flying 10% higher today
• Buy, hold, or sell? 3 ASX 200 shares at record highs
• Monadelphous shares surge to a new record as profits trounce expectations

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

Betashares investment strategist, Tom Wickenden, says ‘the great rotation’ into small-cap shares has begun.

Wickenden points out that 2025 was the first year since 2020 that ASX small-cap shares outperformed the rest of the market.

The S&P/ASX Small Ords Index (ASX: XSO), which tracks companies ranked 101 to 300 by market cap, delivered a total return (capital growth plus dividends) of 24.96% last year.

By comparison, the S&P/ASX All Ords Index (ASX: XAO) delivered total returns of 10.56%.

Small-cap shares typically have market caps between a few hundred million dollars and $2 billion.

Wickenden said:

Following years of large cap earnings stability and pricing power during the higher-than-normal interest rate environment, 2025 gave way to a rate cutting cycle supporting mid and small caps. 

Lower interest rates reduce smaller companies’ debt servicing costs and boost their earnings potential.

Wickenden said:

Mid and small caps in Australia also reported much stronger earnings growth throughout 2025, further driving the performance turnaround. 

Lower funding costs and easing input pressures helped to lift margins and free cash flow across these segments. 

Wickenden points to the Betashares Australian Small Companies Select ETF (ASX: SMLL) as an example of the trend.

SMLL ETF delivered a total return of 36.39% last year. It was the second-best-performing ASX ETF holding Aussie shares in 2025.

Here are three ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that provide exposure to small-cap shares both on the ASX and overseas exchanges.

Betashares Australian Small Companies Select ETF (ASX: SMLL)

This ASX-focused ETF seeks to track the returns of the Nasdaq Australia Small Cap Select Index before costs.

Betashares explains the ETF’s strategy:

SMLL invests in a portfolio of ASX-listed companies that are generally within the 91-350 largest by free float market capitalisation. The portfolio will typically consist of 50-100 securities.

SMLL’s index uses screens that aim to identify companies with positive earnings and a strong ability to service debt.

Relative valuation metrics, price momentum and liquidity are also evaluated as part of the selection process.

ASX gold stocks dominate the ETF’s list of top holdings.

There’s Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU) shares at 6.1%, Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) 4.8%, Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) 4.6%, Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) 4.4%, Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) 4%, and Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) 3.9%.

Over the past five years, SMLL ETF has delivered an average annual total return of 9.73% after fees.

Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index ETF (ASX: VISM)

VISM ETF seeks to track the MSCI World ex-Australia Small Cap Index (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars before fees.

This ASX ETF gives investors access to more than 4,000 smaller companies operating in more than 20 developed countries.

The top holdings are flash memory designer and manufacturer Sandisk Corp (NASDAQ: SNDK) 0.82%, US laser and photonics technologies developer, Coherent Corp (NYSE: COHR) 0.39%, and aircraft engine leasing operator, FTAI Aviation Ltd (NASDAQ: FTAI) 0.29%.

VISM ETF has delivered an average annual total return of 9.9% after fees over the past five years.

VanEck MSCI International Small Companies Quality ETF (ASX: QSML)

QSML ETF seeks to mirror the performance of the MSCI World ex Australia Small Cap Quality 150 Index before costs.

This provides exposure to a diversified portfolio of 150 high-quality, small-cap companies in developed countries outside Australia.

Stocks are selected on three key fundamentals: return on equity (ROE); earnings stability; and low financial leverage.

The top holdings are US aerospace industrial company, Curtiss-Wright Corp (NYSE: CW) 1.9%, precious metals royalties company, Royal Gold Inc (NASDAQ: RGLD) 1.8%, and US convenience store operator, Casey’s General Stores Inc (NASDAQ: CASY) 1.65%.

QSML ETF began trading in March 2021.

Over the past three years, the ASX ETF has produced an average annual total return of 14.87% after fees.

The post 3 ASX ETFs capitalising on ‘the great rotation’ into small caps appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 3 VanEck ETFs on the ASX I rate as buys

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 Coherent and Curtiss-Wright. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Casey’s General Stores. 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.