If you have a spare $5,000 and don't know where to invest it before the end of the year, I think these 5 ASX 200 shares are a great option right now.
Image source: Getty Images
APA Group (ASX: APA)
The energy infrastructure group APA is a fantastic option for any investors who want a reliable passive income. The gas and energy infrastructure pipeline owner and operator has hiked its semi-annual dividends consistently for over 20 years. Its yield is usually significantly higher than that of the broader market. This makes it a great option for investors seeking an ongoing passive income. In FY25, the company increased its annual dividend distribution by 1.8% to 57 cents per security.
At the time of writing on Monday, APA shares are down 0.91% to $9.22 a piece.
Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)
It's been a rocky year for the ASX 200 Australian petroleum exploration and production company and its shares. But its latest quarterly update in October showed an uptick in revenue and production. The business thinks the two metrics will keep growing over the next year, too. Woodside upgraded its full-year production guidance to 192–197 MMboe. It also said it plans to progress its pipeline of global projects in 2026. Its Scarborough and Trion energy projects are on schedule.
At the time of writing, Woodside shares are 0.29% higher for the day at $22.86 each.
Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)
The ASX 200 supermarket giant's share price dropped to an all-time low of $25.91 a piece in mid-October. But was saved from any further decline after the company posted a more positive first-quarter sales update. It's one of Australia's most established and dominant retailers, and it's a defensive stock, which means it will always see relatively stable demand for its products. I think it's a pretty safe buy for long-term growth.
At the time of writing, its shares are 0.034% lower for the day at $29.31 a piece.
Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)
Flight Centre shares have stormed higher over the past month following its trading update in November. The company's Managing Director, Graham Turner, revealed that the company is off to a positive start for FY26. I think that the current share price dip presents a great opportunity for investors to buy into the stock for cheap. Analysts are bullish about the shares, too. Some expect an upside as high as 22.3% over the next 12 months.
At the time of writing, the travel group's shares are down 1.43% for the day to $15.19 each.
Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO)
Analysts are pretty pessimistic about the outlook for ASX 200 bank stocks over the next year, with the exception of Judo Bank. Its share price has suffered a significant decline throughout 2025, but Judo Bank has had a strong start to FY26, and it looks set to continue. At its latest annual general meeting (AGM), the bank said lending momentum had remained strong over the first quarter of FY26. The company also said that it was confident it would achieve FY26 guidance of $180-$190 million and meet its net interest margin guidance of 3% to 3.1%.
At the time of writing, its shares are 0.17% lower for the day at $1.73 a piece.
