Tag: Stock pick

Fortescue vs National Australia Bank shares: Which blue chip is the better buy?

When it comes to ASX blue chips, Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) and National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) are two household names that regularly appear on investor watchlists. Both deliver fully-franked dividends, boast huge market caps, and are pillars of the local stock market—yet they couldn’t be more different in what they do or how they’ve performed recently. With volatility hitting miners and banks alike, here’s my take on Fortescue vs National Australia Bank shares today.

The case for Fortescue

Fortescue is a mining powerhouse, best known for its iron ore operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The company operates major mining hubs and some of the most efficient rail and port infrastructure in the game. According to its most recent public description, Fortescue is now ranked as the world’s fourth largest iron ore producer, which gives it serious scale and bargaining power.

Three fundamentals really stand out to me for Fortescue shares right now:

• Dividend yield: It boasts a fat 6.64% yield (fully franked), one of the highest among ASX blue chips.
• P/E ratio: At 12.25, Fortescue trades on a much lower price-to-earnings multiple than most large ASX companies.
• YTD performance: Its year-to-date return is a disappointing -21.2%, showing it’s faced real headwinds in 2026 so far.

Fortescue’s dividends have been consistently fully franked, and the company has a history of paying out special dividends when iron ore prices have been strong. However, as a miner, its fortunes are closely tied to iron ore prices and China’s demand for steel.

The case for National Australia Bank

National Australia Bank is one of the “Big Four” banks, with a huge network across Australia and New Zealand. NAB delivers a broad suite of banking services, from retail and business banking to wealth management and institutional finance. Thanks to its established brand and extensive branch network, NAB is a pillar of the local financial system and a favourite with steady-income investors.

Here are the top points for NAB:

• Dividend reliability: Its current yield is 4.35% (fully franked), not as high as Fortescue but underpinned by a long track record of steady and uninterrupted payouts.
• P/E ratio: NAB trades on a P/E of 19.56, which is meaningfully higher than Fortescue’s but still reasonable for a major bank.
• Market cap: It dwarfs Fortescue with a $122.05 billion market cap, reflecting NAB’s position as one of the largest companies on the ASX.
• YTD performance: NAB shares are only down 5.6% so far in 2026, which is much steadier than what we’ve seen from Fortescue.

NAB’s dividends are fully franked, and the payout has been remarkably consistent over the past decade-plus, weathering economic turbulence and regulatory changes much better than most cyclical stocks.

Valuation comparison

Here’s how these giants stack up on the key numbers:

	Fortescue	National Australia Bank
Market Cap	$50.62 billion	$122.05 billion
P/E Ratio	12.25	19.56
Dividend Yield	6.64% (100% franked)	4.35% (100% franked)
Earnings Per Share (EPS)	0.931	2.000
Dividend Per Share	1.08	1.70
YTD Return	-21.2%	-5.6%

Note: National Australia Bank’s P/E ratio is quite a bit higher than Fortescue’s, but keep in mind that mining and banking are completely different sectors with different typical valuations. Also, Fortescue’s reported P/E and EPS figures suggest a lower implied share price than spot prices, possibly reflecting the difference between underlying or forward earnings and reported EPS.

Recent share price momentum

Comparing recent share price performance up to 30 September 2026:

• Fortescue: Closed at $16.44, up 1.04% on the day but still down 21.2% for the year to date.
• National Australia Bank: Closed at $39.15, up 0.10% on the day and down just 5.6% year to date.

Over the past few weeks, both stocks have seen short bursts of volatility, with Fortescue buffeted by commodity swings and NAB supported by steady, if unspectacular, trading.

Which is the better buy?

If I had to pick one blue chip from these two today, I’d lean toward National Australia Bank. Yes, Fortescue’s dividend yield is higher and its valuation appears cheaper on a P/E basis, but that hefty yield comes at the price of much greater volatility—and its share price shows it, down over 21% for the year so far. NAB, in contrast, offers a steadier ride with fully franked dividends, strong brand strength, and much less price downside over 2026.

Fortescue is attractive if you believe iron ore has further to run or want maximum yield while accepting serious swings along the way. But for my money—and especially for investors focused on stability, income reliability, and blue chip defensiveness—NAB looks the safer bet for the current market environment.

The post Fortescue vs National Australia Bank: Which ASX blue chip is the better buy this month? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Is the Fortescue share price a cheap buy?
• If I invest $10,000 in ANZ shares, what passive income could I receive in FY27?
• Regis Resources vs Fortescue: Which ASX miner is the better buy?
• Are ASX 200 bank stocks a buy in October?
• If I invest $10,000 in Fortescue shares, how much passive income could I earn in FY27?

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 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.

Looking to put $10,000 to work on the ASX this October but not sure where to invest?

Exchange traded funds (ETFs) could be worth considering. They offer an easy way to invest in a collection of stocks without having to pick individual shares.

Here are four ASX ETFs that could be worth a closer look this month.

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

The iShares S&P 500 ETF could be an excellent option for investors wanting exposure to the US share market.

This fund tracks the famous S&P 500 Index, giving investors access to 500 of America’s largest listed companies.

Its holdings include Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), and Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), alongside major businesses operating in healthcare, financial services, consumer goods, and other industries.

Many of these companies generate significant revenue internationally, which means investors are gaining exposure to businesses that operate across the global economy.

With a long investment horizon, this ASX ETF could be well worth considering.

Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY)

Another ASX ETF to consider buying in October is the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF.

This fund focuses on Australian stocks that are forecast to provide higher dividend yields than the broader share market.

Its portfolio includes businesses from sectors such as banking, resources, telecommunications, and consumer goods.

This could be particularly attractive for investors looking to generate passive income while retaining exposure to potential capital growth.

Another positive is the fund’s distributions also include some franking credits, which can provide additional benefits to eligible Australian investors.

Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAE)

The Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF invests in companies across major Asian markets, including China, Taiwan, South Korea, India, and Singapore.

This gives investors access to businesses operating in technology, manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, and consumer markets.

Asia is home to some of the world’s largest economies and most important technology companies. It also has growing consumer markets and a rising middle class that could support economic growth over the long term.

This makes the Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF an option to consider for investors seeking opportunities outside Australia and the United States.

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

A final ASX ETF worth considering in October is the Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF.

This fund invests in stocks involved in robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, and related technologies.

From manufacturing and logistics to healthcare and agriculture, robotics and intelligent machines have the potential to change how numerous industries operate.

As technology improves and adoption increases, the companies developing these solutions could enjoy significant growth.

This could make the Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF an attractive option for investors seeking exposure to a long-term technology theme.

The post Where to invest $10,000 in ASX ETFs in October appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• My top 3 Vanguard ETFs for October
• 5 excellent ASX ETFs to buy in October
• VGS vs IVV: Which ETF would I buy with $10,000?
• How much must I invest in IVV ETF shares to earn a $1,000 passive income in 2027?
• Own US ETFs like IVV or NDQ? Here’s why your dividends are so low

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 Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

I’m backing ASX dividend stock WCM Global Growth Ltd (ASX: WQG) as one of the best picks for passive income on the ASX.

In my own portfolio, I’m building positions in businesses that pay strong dividends and have a track record of returns. I’m utilising dividend income to pay for certain discretionary expenses in life, and that’s helping boost my household’s finances.

Thankfully, WCM Global Growth is also delivering dividend growth and long-term capital growth, which means it’s giving me a trifecta of what I’m looking for financially – dividend yield, payout growth, and capital growth.

Let’s run through why the listed investment company (LIC) is a strong pick with a $3,000 investment for passive income.

Compelling investment strategy

WCM Global Growth is a California-based investment manager that specialises in global and emerging market shares. WCM specialises in global shares and emerging market shares.

The fund manager looks for two key criteria to be considered for inclusion in the WCM Global Growth portfolio.

First, it wants to see a rising competitive advantage (or expanding economic moat).

Second, WCM wants to see that the company has a corporate culture that supports the expansion of this moat.

The WCM investment team believe that the ‘direction’ of a company’s economic moat is of more importance than its absolute size. The research focuses on identifying companies with a positive moat trajectory, as measured by rising return on invested capital, rather than those with a large but static or declining economic moat.

Since its inception in June 2017, the LIC has delivered net returns of 15.6% per year, after fees, and is more than 2% per year stronger than the global share market benchmark return.

Those good returns allow the business to pay a rewarding dividend.

Large dividend yield

The ASX dividend stock has provided guidance that it will pay an annual dividend per share of 10.1 cents over the next 12 months.

At the time of writing, that means it’s going to deliver a dividend yield of 4.9% excluding franking credits and 7% including franking credits.

In my view, there are few businesses that are going to pay a dividend yield as good as that over the next 12 months and deliver growth.

Passive income growth

The LIC has a “progressive quarterly dividend policy”. In other words, it delivers a payout every quarter, and that dividend is growing every three months.  

Its latest quarterly dividend payment was 2.35 cents per share, paid on 30 September 2026. The LIC has shown how the dividend will progress over the next 12 months.

It plans to pay a quarterly dividend of 2.45 cents per share in December 2026 – that’s 4.25% higher than the September payment.

WCM Global Growth expects to pay a quarterly dividend of 2.5 cents per share in March 2027 – that’s 6.4% more than the September payment.

The LIC has guided that it will pay 2.55 cents per share in June 2027 – that’s an 8.5% increase compared to the September payout.

The ASX dividend stock plans to pay a quarterly dividend of 2.6 cents per share in September 2027 – that’s a year-over-year increase of 10.6%.

Its dividend has regularly grown over the last several years. I expect the business will be able to continue hiking its dividend at an inflation-beating rate in the coming years.

Capital growth

When LICs generate investment profits, they can decide to pay some of it as a dividend and smooth out the passive income returns for shareholders.

How much of the profit they pay will decide how much is retained to generate more returns. Retained profits help deliver capital growth as the LIC’s net tangible assets (NTA) grow.

The bigger the dividend yield LICs deliver, the less that’s retained for future growth. So, LICs need to strike the right balance between short-term dividends and retaining some profits for long-term performance.

Thankfully, WCM Global Growth’s investment returns have been sufficient to deliver a good dividend and add to its NTA over time. Over the past three years, the WCM Global Growth share price has risen by around 70%. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance, of course.

$3,000 investment

By investing $3,000 at the time of writing, an investor can buy 1,463 shares of this ASX dividend stock, which I think would be a smart choice for passive income investors.

But, it’s not the only business I’d be willing to put $3,000 (or more) into to generate returns.

The post $3,000 buys 1,463 shares in an impressively reliable ASX dividend stock appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much do I need to retire on $110,000 a year at 65?
• How much is needed in superannuation to target a $10,000 monthly passive income?
• I’d buy 99,010 shares of this ASX stock to aim for $10,000 of annual passive income
• How much do I need to retire on $75,000 a year at 45?
• 33 ASX shares going ex-dividend next week

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

It’s been an important week for the Australian economy.

Usually, in this space, I pick one issue and try to do it justice.

But today, I’m going to do something different.

Because three things happened that are worth talking about: the Reserve Bank raised interest rates again; we got another uncomfortable inflation number; and Trade Minister Don Farrell made some interesting comments about the role of our Superannuation savings.

They’re different issues.

But there are some threads running through all three.

So, let’s take them in turn.

First, interest rates.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that on Tuesday, the RBA lifted the cash rate by another 0.25 percentage points, to 4.60%.

It was the fourth increase this year, taking the cumulative increase in 2026 to a full percentage point.

That hurts. 

For someone with a $500,000 mortgage, the four increases together mean roughly an extra $300 a month in repayments. On a $1 million mortgage, it’s more than $600.

Now, it’s tempting to blame the RBA.

But I think that risks missing the bigger issue.

The RBA has a job to do. Inflation is too high, and its mandate requires it to do something about that.

The problem is that we’ve effectively decided that the Reserve Bank should do almost all or just ‘all’?) of the heavy lifting.

And its primary tool – the official cash rate – is incredibly blunt.

It disproportionately hits people with mortgages. Renters can get caught in the crossfire. Savers can actually benefit.

Meanwhile, plenty of other Australians barely notice.

That’s why I keep coming back to fiscal policy.

A structurally-balanced Budget – where deficits in some years and offset by surpluses in other years – should act as what the boffins call an ‘automatic stabiliser’.

When the economy is weak, tax receipts fall and welfare spending rises, supporting demand.

When the economy is running hot, the reverse should happen: tax receipts rise, spending growth moderates and the Budget takes some heat out of the economy.

If that second half was working more effectively today, monetary policy wouldn’t have to do quite as much.

Which brings me to inflation.

On Wednesday we learned that annual headline inflation had risen from 3.5% to 4.0% in August. Trimmed-mean inflation – which removes some of the more volatile price movements – remained at 3.6%.

Some of that is coming from things largely outside Australia’s control.

Energy prices have risen sharply. The RBA itself pointed this week to global oil disruptions and the Middle East conflict.

But that’s not the whole story. The central bank also says there are still domestic capacity pressures, and businesses are reporting higher costs and raising prices.

There’s a temptation, whenever inflation comes from something we don’t particularly like or can’t easily control, to say: “Well, the RBA can’t fix that.”

And strictly speaking, that’s true.

Higher interest rates won’t produce another barrel of oil.

But that doesn’t mean we can simply ignore inflation.

Because higher rates can reduce demand, and hence price pressures.

Why does that matter?

Well, one of the nasty things about inflation is that the price rises tend to stick.

If inflation falls from 4% to 2%, prices don’t go back to where they were. They simply increase more slowly from the new, higher level.

That’s why getting inflation under control matters. The longer it remains too high, the more permanent damage it does.

But it also reinforces the earlier point: if inflation is important enough to fight – and it is! – surely we should be making sure we’re using all of the available tools rather than repeatedly reaching for the same, imperfect, inexact and blunt, one.

And that brings me, slightly unexpectedly, to superannuation.

Trade Minister Don Farrell reportedly suggested this week that Australian Super funds could invest in the US lamb industry as part of Australia’s efforts to head off additional American tariffs on our lamb exports.

In doing so, he said Australian superannuation funds had an obligation to the “national interest”.

There’s an important distinction worth making here.

Governments clearly have a responsibility to act in the national interest. That’s why they have powers over taxation, spending, regulation and trade policy.

Superannuation trustees operate under a different set of responsibilities. Among them is a legal obligation to act in members’ best financial interests. APRA has repeatedly reinforced the importance of that duty.

That doesn’t mean super funds shouldn’t invest in Australian infrastructure, housing, businesses – or, for that matter, American agriculture.

They should assess whatever opportunities are available.

And sometimes an investment that is attractive for members will also produce a desirable public-policy outcome.

Wonderful.

The important question is which way around the decision is made.

Does an investment stack up on its merits for members, with a national benefit as a welcome consequence?

Or does government first identify a national objective and then expect trustees to use members’ retirement savings to help achieve it?

Because that’s a very different thing.

And maybe that’s the thread running through all three issues this week.

Institutions have jobs.

The RBA has a job. Government fiscal policy has a job. Superannuation trustees have a job.

Those responsibilities sometimes overlap, and sensible policymakers should absolutely understand how they interact.

But accountability becomes harder when we blur them. Throw in a chunk of politics and self-interest and that blurring gets much worse.

We shouldn’t expect one mob to carry an unfair share of a problem simply because it has a convenient lever to pull.

Nor should we casually ask another group to take responsibility for an objective it wasn’t created to pursue.

Sometimes good economic policy isn’t about finding a clever new tool.

It’s about making sure the tools – and institutions – we already have are doing the jobs they are supposed to do. And not those they weren’t.

More bluntly?

I was pretty blunt in a TV interview this week. We can waste time trying to work out who is to ‘blame’ for inflation and higher interest rates. Or we can turn our minds to the best tools to use to get us out of the mess we find ourselves in.

Yes, the war in Iran has made inflation worse. But there are things that can be done, locally, to make it better.

Yes, interest rates are part of that. So is government taxation and spending policy. 

Yes, the national interest is important, but so are retirement savings. Government shouldn’t be leaning on private savings to replace their own responsibilities and actions.

(And that’s before we consider yet another smelter bailout, this time the Bell Bay smelter in Tasmania. Apparently it’s taxpayers’ money for smelters, but Super for trade disputes…)

And lest you think I’m being partisan, we’ve had leaders from both sides of politics throwing money at bailouts, calling for subsidies and, yes, trying to use Super for their own ends.

What we need, is respect for institutions, and commitment to use the tools at our disposal for the purposes they were intended – that includes interest rates, fiscal policy and Superannuation.

Have a great weekend!

Fool on!

The post A big week: Rates, Inflation and Super appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why is the ASX down 176 points today?
• Which were the best-performing ASX 200 shares in September?

Zip vs Megaport Ltd shares: Which should you buy in October?

Are you tossing up between Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) and Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) shares this month? Both have made plenty of headlines, but they’re cut from very different cloths. With one riding the buy-now, pay-later wave, and the other connecting the digital world as a network heavyweight, I’m digging into the numbers and stories behind both to help decide which might be the smarter October buy.

The case for Zip

Zip is a homegrown fintech player best known for providing interest-free buy-now, pay-later (BNPL) services like Zip Pay and Zip Money. From its Aussie origins in 2013, Zip has spread its wings to 12 countries, aiming to shake up the credit card game with digital, flexible payment smarts for both shoppers and merchants. While its ambitions are big, Zip’s focus remains on providing simple alternative finance products at the point of sale.

What stands out from the current figures? First up, Zip’s market cap sits at $2.53 billion. It’s trading on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 22.30, which suggests the market’s factoring in some earnings growth but not getting carried away like with the more speculative tech darlings. The past year hasn’t been kind, with a hefty year-to-date (YTD) return of -38.6% — that’s a bruising ride for investors. Despite finally posting positive earnings per share (EPS) of $0.091, Zip doesn’t pay a dividend, so no direct income for holders here.

The case for Megaport

Megaport is all about helping businesses connect seamlessly to the global cloud. It operates a network-as-a-service (NaaS) platform, linking more than 1,100 data centres across 31 countries, and plugging customers in with major cloud providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. Megaport’s rapid, flexible connectivity model lets clients spin up virtual networks on the fly — no long-term contracts needed. Late in 2025, Megaport expanded into AI compute infrastructure with its acquisition of Latitude.sh, adding on-demand GPU cloud services into its growing toolbox. Its business spans the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and EMEA regions, plus an emerging Compute division.

On the numbers, Megaport’s market cap is a much chunkier $4.91 billion. Its P/E ratio is sky-high at 370.00, reflecting its negative EPS of -$0.218 (so the “E” here isn’t positive yet). This suggests the current P/E is calculated on some forecast or underlying basis — which may not line up exactly with the standard historical measure. Worth noting: Megaport’s YTD return is glowing at 75.5%, showing the market’s excitement about its recent momentum and expansion moves. Like Zip, there’s no dividend attached.

Valuation comparison

With both companies firmly in the tech camp but playing very different games, here’s how they stack up on key numbers:

Metric	Zip	Megaport
Market Cap	$2.53 billion	$4.91 billion
P/E Ratio	22.30	370.00
Earnings per Share	0.091	-0.218
Dividend Yield	0.00%	0.00%
YTD Return	-38.6%	75.5%

A couple of important notes: Megaport’s P/E ratio is 370.00, but with negative EPS of -0.218. This suggests the P/E is based on a different earnings measure (perhaps forecast or underlying), so the headline figure isn’t quite apples-to-apples with Zip’s standard P/E calculation.

Neither company is paying a dividend, so yields won’t swing your decision.

Recent share price performance

Comparing recent share price activity up to 30 September 2026:

• As of 30 September 2026, Zip closed at $2.03, nudging up just 0.5% for the day.
• Megaport finished at $20.65, rising 0.1% from the previous session.
• Looking at the bigger picture, Zip is down an eye-catching 38.6% year-to-date, while Megaport has surged 75.5% YTD.

So, in terms of share price movement over 2026 so far, Megaport has delivered a major rally, while Zip’s investors have endured a punishing decline.

Which is the better buy?

If I had to pick between the two for October, I’d lean toward Megaport. Megaport has a clear growth runway, building essential infrastructure for cloud and AI adoption worldwide. Yes, its P/E ratio looks steep, especially with reported negative EPS, but its 75.5% YTD share price gain and expansion into AI compute show serious momentum. Zip has finally turned an earnings profit but is still licking its wounds after a harsh share price fall. Neither name pays a dividend, so income isn’t a factor here.

For me, the stronger recent performance, global presence, and future-facing business model tip the scales in Megaport’s favour — even if its valuation looks a touch spicy. If you’re after growth exposure in tech, Megaport would be my pick for October.

The post Zip vs Megaport: Which ASX tech share is the better buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Bell Potter just put a buy rating on Megaport shares with 33% upside
• Which were the best-performing ASX 200 shares in September?
• How high does Macquarie think Megaport shares will go?

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 Alphabet, Amazon, Megaport, and Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, and Microsoft. 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.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoyed a happy end to the trading week this Friday, recording a solid rise that erased some of the nasty falls that we saw yesterday.

It was clear from market open that investors were feeling a renewed sense of optimism, with the ASX 200 opening in green territory and staying there all day. By the time the markets closed, the index had lifted 0.79% to 8,682.1 points as we head into the weekend.

This pleasant end to the Australian trading week followed a tentatively positive night over on the American markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) managed to record a slight rise of 0.04%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared almost identically, gaining 0.039%.

Let’s return to the local markets now though, and take a closer look at how the different ASX sectors fared amid today’s trading.

Winners and losers

There were only a couple of sectors that weren’t lifted by the tide of optimism that we saw today.

The first, and worst, of those sectors were real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) was hit hard, slumping 1.63%.

Healthcare stocks were the other unlucky corner of the markets, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) sliding 1.1%.

It was all smiles everywhere else, though.

Leading the charge higher this Friday were tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) certainly had a day to remember, rocketing by 4.45%.

Energy stocks also ran hot, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)’s 1.48% surge.

Mining shares were in demand too. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) soared 1.14% today.

Next came consumer staples stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) shooting up 1.05%.

Financial shares were in that ballpark as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) galloped 1.03% higher.

Consumer discretionary stocks weren’t left out, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)’s 0.85% jump.

Nor were utilities shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) lifted 0.73% this session.

Communications stocks proved popular, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) adding 0.54% to its ledger.

Industrial shares put on a decent show. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) advanced 0.45% today.

Finally, gold stocks held their value, as you can see by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)’s 0.45% bump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

High-flying tech Stock Elsight Ltd (ASX: ELS) took out today’s top spot on the index charts. Elsight shares exploded 12.95% higher this session to finish the week at $5.32 each. That was despite no fresh news or announcements out from the company recently.

Here’s the rest of today’s best:

ASX-listed company	Share price	Price change
Elsight Ltd (ASX: ELS)	$5.32	12.95%
Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)	$22.34	10.32%
Data#3 Ltd (ASX: DTL)	$13.61	7.76%
Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)	$20.40	7.03%
WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)	$33.43	6.67%
DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO)	$1.83	6.41%
Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)	$57.85	4.59%
Technology One Ltd (ASX: TNE)	$30.52	4.45%
QBE Insurance Ltd (ASX: QBE)	$23.81	4.20%
IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX)	$2.40	3.90%

Enjoy the weekend!

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

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

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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield, Life360, Megaport, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Data#3. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Several ASX real estate investment trusts (REITs) have hit 52-week lows as the property sector underperforms the market on Friday.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is rallying 0.5% after experiencing its worst one-day fall in six months yesterday.

However, the real estate sector is in the red and the worst performer of the bourse today, down 1.6%.

ASX REIT share prices are being weighed down by expectations of further interest rate rises in Australia, the US, and elsewhere.

Higher rates can affect REITs’ financing, drag property values down, and make cash and fixed income investments more appealing.

Strong bond yields are also a headwind because they can raise financing costs and attract investment away from REITs.

With all that said, some brokers maintain buy recommendations on ASX REITs, while others recommend caution.

Let’s investigate.

1. Arena REIT No 1 (ASX: ARF)

The Arena REIT No 1 share price is $2.02, down 0.5% today and down 43% in 2026. 

Over the past month, this REIT has fallen 10%.

Ord Minnett upgraded Arena REIT No 1 shares to a buy rating on 9 September.

The broker trimmed its 12-month price target from $2.85 to $2.75.

This implies 36% potential growth ahead.

2. Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW)

The Charter Hall Long WALE REIT share price is $3.20, down 1.1% today and down 22% in 2026. 

Over the past month, this ASX REIT has declined 9%.

Morgan Stanley reiterated its hold call with a price target of $4.06 on 22 September.

This implies 27% potential upside ahead.

3. BWP Group (ASX: BWP)

The BWP Trust share price is $3.51, down 0.7% today and down 11% in 2026. 

Over the past month, this ASX REIT has dipped 5%.

UBS reaffirmed its hold rating with a 12-month price target of $3.80 on 9 September.

This implies an 8% potential upside ahead.

4. Charter Hall Retail REIT (ASX: CQR)

The Charter Hall Retail REIT share price is $3.44, down 1.3% today and down 16% in 2026. 

Over the past month, this REIT has fallen 13%.

Macquarie upgraded Charter Hall Retail REIT shares to a buy call on 30 September.

The broker has a 12-month price target of $4.18.

This implies 22% potential upside ahead.

5. Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP)

The Centuria Industrial REIT share price is $2.74, down 1.3% today and down 17% in 2026. 

Over the past month, this ASX REIT has fallen 8%.

Macquarie upgraded Centuria Industrial REIT shares to a buy rating on 30 September.

The broker’s target is $3.02, implying a potential 10% upside ahead.

6. Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT (ASX: CQE)

Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT shares are $2.20, down 0.5% today and down 28% in 2026. 

Over the past month, this ASX REIT has lost 7%.

Ord Minnett reiterated its buy call on Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT shares on 9 September.

The broker lowered its 12-month price target slightly from $3.05 to $3.

This implies 36% potential upside ahead.

The post 6 ASX REITs just hit 52-week lows. Do any brokers say buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Charter Hall Retail REIT. 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.

PLS Group Ltd vs Mineral Resources shares

Looking to invest in a major ASX miner, but torn between PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) and Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN)? It’s a fair dilemma. Both companies sit at the heart of Australia’s mining boom and have big ambitions in lithium—a commodity crucial to clean energy and electrification. Yet, when it comes down to fundamentals, recent performance, and dividends, these two miners take noticeably different routes to delivering shareholder returns. Here’s how I see the strengths and weaknesses stack up between PLS Group and Mineral Resources shares.

The case for PLS Group

PLS (formerly Pilbara Minerals) has carved out a position as one of Australia’s most prominent pure-play lithium producers. Its flagship Pilgangoora mine in Western Australia is among the world’s largest hard-rock lithium-tantalum projects, while a 2025 move into Brazil’s Colina lithium reserve highlights its appetite for global expansion. The company’s laser-focus on lithium could appeal to investors banking on strong long-term demand for battery metals.

Looking at the fundamentals, PLS Group currently trades on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 23.98 and sports a fully franked dividend yield of 1.29%. Earnings per share stand at $0.161, with a market cap of $12.45 billion. The company has paid out fully franked dividends, with the most recent being $0.14 and $0.11 per share in 2023, according to its published dividend history. The shares have struggled so far this year, with a year-to-date (YTD) return of -7.1%. For those with conviction in a lithium-led recovery, PLS stands out as a focused, growth-oriented operator.

The case for Mineral Resources

Mineral Resources offers a different proposition. It’s not just a miner—it’s a mining services provider and a significant player in both lithium and iron ore. Its operations range from mining its own resources in the Pilbara and Goldfields to offering pit-to-port logistics and infrastructure services to third parties. This business model gives it more earnings diversity than a pure-play lithium miner like PLS. Mineral Resources has also laid out bold plans to become a leading lithium hydroxide and battery producer, leveraging vertical integration for cost advantage.

On the numbers, Mineral Resources currently trades on a significantly lower P/E ratio of 9.81, which reflects a much higher earnings per share figure at $5.338. Its dividend yield is 1.58% (fully franked), and its market cap comes in at $10.38 billion. The company has a lengthy track record of paying fully franked dividends, with the most recent totalling $0.90 per share across two payments in 2024. Despite a negative YTD return of -2.1%, this is a much gentler slide than PLS Group over the same period.

Valuation comparison

There are some clear contrasts in the key figures:

Metric	PLS Group	Mineral Resources
Market Cap	$12.45 billion	$10.38 billion
P/E Ratio	23.98	9.81
Earnings per Share (EPS)	$0.161	$5.338
Dividend Yield	1.29%	1.58%
Year to Date Return	-7.1%	-2.1%
Franking	100%	100%

Recent share price performance

Comparing recent share price action up to 30 September:

• PLS Group Ltd closed at $3.86, down 0.26% on the day, and has lost 7.1% year-to-date.
• Mineral Resources Ltd closed at $52.29, down 0.19% on the day, and is down 2.1% for the year to date.

So far in 2026, both have underperformed, but Mineral Resources shares have held up better than PLS Group on a year-to-date basis.

Which is the better buy?

If I had to pick between the two today, I’d lean toward Mineral Resources. Here’s why: Its P/E ratio is much lower than PLS Group’s, suggesting the market is either underpricing its earnings or sees more stability and less risk in its diversified business. Mineral Resources also offers a slightly higher, fully franked dividend yield and a proven record of returning cash to shareholders. The earnings per share difference is striking, and its year-to-date performance has held up better in a tough environment. While PLS Group has explosive potential if lithium prices soar (and a strong focus for those after pure lithium exposure), I think Mineral Resources’ mix of mining and services gives it the resilience and income I personally prefer in volatile cycles.

The post PLS Group vs Mineral Resources: ASX mining shares compared appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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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 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.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are up 0.4% to 8,651 points on Friday.

Let’s take a look at some new ratings from the experts.

Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA)

The Codan share price is $67.64, up 0.2% today and up 111% over six months. 

Bell Potter has a buy rating on this ASX 200 tech share. 

In a new note, the broker said:

CDA has provided a 1H27 trading update which reflects an acceleration in the strong momentum seen at the August 20, 2026 result.

Communications: Elevated demand is expected to drive substantial operating leverage, resulting in a 1H27 EBIT margin of 40% (2H26 34.3%). CDA has upgraded full year FY27 Communications revenue growth target range to 30-40% from 20%.

Metal detection: Minelab 1H27 revenue run-rate is now slightly above 2H26 levels an improvement from August 20 where it was tracking in line. The strong momentum is driven by recently launched GPZ 8000 and Gold Monster 2000 detectors, a favourable gold price and the continued expansion of ROW.

Group: CDA continues to actively seek ways to mitigate potential supply chain related constraints resulting from the order momentum in both the Communications and Minelab businesses. CDA currently expects to achieve NPAT for 1H27 of not less than $160m.

Capstone Copper Corp CDI (ASX: CSC)

The Capstone Copper share price is $14.08, up 0.1% today and up 28% over six months. 

Ord Minnett downgraded the ASX 200 copper share from hold to buy this week.

In a new note, the broker said:

Capstone Copper (CSC) has agreed to sell its Cozamin mine to Luca Mining Corp. in a transaction worthup to US$385 million, with completion expected in the December quarter 2026.

While the sale of the asset was widely anticipated, the final consideration was below market expectations of around US$530 million. 

Importantly, the transaction strengthens CSC’s balance sheet and improves its ability to fund the large Santo Domingo copper project, where a final investment decision is targeted for late 2026. 

With the upside more limited from here, we lower our recommendation on CSC to Hold from Buy, but note that copper prices are currently stronger than our long-term assumption of US$5.50/lb which should provide valuation support.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

The CBA share price is $150.57, up 0.6% today and down 13% over six months.

John Athanasiou from Red Leaf Securities has a sell rating on this ASX 200 bank share. 

He explained (courtesy of The Bull): 

CBA is Australia’s highest quality major bank, but, in my view, quality doesn’t always represent value.

Its premium valuation leaves limited room for disappointment as rising interest rates potentially slow credit growth and increase borrower stress.

Investors could use the opportunity to take profits and consider better-value alternatives elsewhere in the banking sector.

The post Buy, hold, sell: CBA, Capstone Copper, Codan shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Codan vs Xero: Which ASX tech stock is the better buy in October?

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 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.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are 0.6% higher at 8,668.6 points on Friday.

The ASX 200 fell to a four-month low yesterday amid falling oil prices and rising bond yields.

While expectations of another interest rate rise next month have cooled, many experts say a hike in 1Q FY27 is likely.

Amid the market weakness, experts are offering their advice on buy-the-dip opportunities.

They reckon the following stocks have great upside potential over the next 12 months.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

The Goodman Group share price is $25.86, down 2.8% today.

Over the past six months, this ASX 200 property share has declined 1%.

Citi reiterated its buy rating on Goodman shares with a price target of $40.

This implies potential capital gains of 54% ahead.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

The WiseTech share price is $33.08, up 5.6% today.

Over the past six months, this ASX 200 tech share has fallen 13%.

Citi renewed its buy rating on WiseTech shares with a $58.75 price target.

This implies a potential 77% upside ahead.

Minerals 260 Ltd (ASX: MI6)

The Minerals 260 share price is 87 cents, up 1.8% today.

Over the past six months, this ASX 200 gold share has risen 28%.

Bell Potter reaffirmed its speculative buy rating on Minerals 260 shares with a 12-month target of $1.40.

This suggests a potential 67% upside ahead.

Analyst David Coates said:

MI6 has released an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE), Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) and maiden Ore Reserve Estimate (ORE) for its 100% owned, 6.2Moz Bullabulling Gold Project (BGP), 25km west of Coolgardie in WA.

These mark the delivery of key catalysts in line with MI6 guidance and major milestones in the advancement of the BGP towards development.

MI6 offers gold exposure via the 6.2Moz Bullabulling MRE, valuation uplift through discovery success, project advancement and de-risking as the BGP progresses towards production.

MI6 holds ~$250m cash, sufficient to fund to Final Investment Decision (FID) in early CY27, long-lead items and early site works.

Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN)

The Mineral Resources share price is $50.89, up 2% today.

This ASX 200 mining share has fallen 3% over the past six months.

UBS renewed its buy rating on the stock with a $74 target.

This implies potential capital growth of 45% over the next year.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

The REA share price is $154.62, up 0.3% today.

Over the past six months, this ASX 200 communications share has traded steady.

Jefferies reiterated its buy call on REA shares with a $194 price target.

This suggests a potential 25% upside ahead.

The post 5 ASX 200 shares brokers tip to rocket 25% to 77% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Should I buy WiseTech Global shares in October?
• Goodman Group vs Charter Hall: Which ASX REIT pays better income?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 7 ASX mining shares with 11% to 158% upside ahead: experts
• 6 ASX shares upgraded by experts amid a weak market 

Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goodman Group, Jefferies Financial Group, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.