Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) shares have stormed higher over the past two months after a choppy start to 2026.

In mid-July, shares in the conglomerate – whose retail subsidiaries include Bunnings Warehouse, Kmart Australia, Officeworks, and Priceline – jumped to an eight-month high of $92.96, but quickly cooled. 

The business benefited from an uptick in consumer spending and news that interest rates could start falling. Wesfarmers' sheer scale and market dominance across several retail sectors has also helped reinforce the company's competitive advantage.

The company has also been actively expanding. The company has opened five Anko stores in the Philippines and plans to launch another five by the end of FY27. Locally, its Bunnings brand continues to expand into new categories, including pet products and automotive accessories. And also its Kmart segment is testing larger K Home stores in an attempt to break into the furniture retail market.

Now the question is, after the latest rebound, are Wesfarmers shares now too expensive? Or is there more upside to come in August?

Here's what the experts think.

Should I buy Wesfarmers shares in August?

At the time of writing, the Wesfarmers shares are trading for $89.22 a piece.

But it looks like we could see their value slide once again this month.

Analyst sentiment around the outlook for the conglomerate's shares over the next 12 months is pretty bearish, with many tipping large downsides ahead.

Market Index data shows that the majority of brokers have a sell rating on the shares. The $78.90 average target price implies a potential 12% downside at the time of writing.

TradingView data shows something similar. Out of 14 analysts, eight have a strong sell rating on the shares. The average target price is slightly lower at $77.69, implying a 13% downside. But some have forecast that Wesfarmers shares could crash 27% to $65.10 over the next 12 months.

Morgan Stanley recently downgraded the ASX 200 consumer discretionary share to a sell rating but lifted its 12-month price target slightly to $79, from $78.70. The broker warned that the rally in discretionary spend stocks has "run ahead of fundamentals and is unlikely to prove durable".

Tony Locantro from Alto Capital also has a sell rating on Wesfarmers shares. He said that while the company delivered a strong first-half result, much of its quality and long-term growth outlook looks fully reflected in the current valuation. He added that future upside may be constrained by elevated market expectations.

My take on Wesfarmers shares

I wouldn't rush to add Wesfarmers shares to my portfolio in August. But the shares are still valuable from a passive income perspective. The business is forecast to pay its shareholders a dividend of up to $2.33 per share in FY27, representing a 7.9% year-over-year increase. 

At the time of writing, that forecast translates into a forward dividend yield of around 2.6% for FY27. That's not a huge yield, but the payments are consistent for investors who want reliable passive income.

The post Are Wesfarmers shares a buy in August? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Wesfarmers. 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.

ASX dividend-paying shares are a tool for investors to create an extra passive income stream.

Many Aussies think that they need to invest millions of dollars to make it worth it. But those with more experience know that you can earn a good passive income off any-sized portfolio if it's invested wisely.

But how much dividends could you actually earn?

Let's break it down, using a $400,000 portfolio as an example.

How much could I earn off a $400,000 ASX share portfolio?

To calculate your passive income, you need to multiply your total portfolio value by your dividend yield.

The tricky part is that the answer varies widely depending on your portfolio's dividend yield.

For example, $400,000 x 3% = $12,000 per year in dividend payments.

But if you double your portfolio yield to around 6%, your passive income will be double the size too. That's because $400,000 x 6% = $24,000 per year in dividend payments. 

That's some decent passive income!

Then, as your dividend yield increases, the passive income you can earn from your $400,000 portfolio also increases.  

These figures are based on cash dividends before any tax or franking credits.

Of course, this type of money isn't going to become a primary income stream, but it'll certainly help turbocharge your wealth.

Which ASX shares could earn me $12,000 per year in dividends?

To earn an annual passive income of around $12,000, your portfolio will need to yield around 3%.

A 3% dividend yield is very achievable, and there is a huge range of high-quality ASX dividend shares that pay out around that level. 

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) are all stable ASX shares that yield around 3%.

What ASX shares could help me earn around $24,000 per year in dividend payments?

To earn an annual passive income of around $24,000, your portfolio will need to yield around 6%.

This is slightly higher than the index average, but there are still plenty of options available.

I'd look at ASX shares like Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG), Graincorp Ltd (ASX: GNC), or Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN), which all yield around this level.

What about if I wanted to earn $28,000 per year in dividends, or even more? Is that possible?

Yes, it's possible, although your portfolio would need to average a dividend yield of 7% or higher.

There are options around this level, but remember, the higher the yield, the more risk those ASX shares have.

For ASX shares yielding around 7%, I'd look at Orora Ltd (ASX: ORA), Atlas Arteria Ltd (ASX: ALX), and Dexus Industria REIT (ASX: DXI). Abacus Group (ASX: ABG) pays a little higher, closer to 9%.

Of course, it's important to note that, ideally, you want to build a portfolio comprising a mix of different yielding shares for diversification, rather than a portfolio of just one stock.

The post How much could a $400,000 ASX share portfolio pay in dividends? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• I'd generate $1000 in monthly passive income using these three high-yield stocks
• How much passive income would $100,000 of BHP shares make?
• $20,000 of CBA shares can net me this much passive income!

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has positions in BHP Group. 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 Harvey Norman. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

If I had a spare $5,000 to invest in ASX 200 shares in August, these would be my top picks.

ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD)

The sleep disorder treatment company's shares have started rebounding after huge losses were shed over the past year. In May, the company posted a softer-than-expected third-quarter update, but overall, ResMed's revenue has continued to grow at a healthy pace, and its margins have continued expanding. The company has also generated strong free cash flow. I think the ASX 200 healthcare share is now oversold and below fair value.

Market Index data shows brokers are divided between buy and hold ratings on ResMed shares. But the $88.21 average target price now implies a huge 205% upside at the time of writing.

Meteoric Resources Ltd (ASX: MEI)

Meteoric Resources is an Australian mineral exploration and development company focused on rare earth elements. The company's Caldeira Rare Earths project is one of the largest and highest-grade ionic clay rare earth deposits outside China and management thinks it has the potential to become one of the world's lowest-cost producers. The company recently announced that a definitive feasibility study (DFS) would be completed on the project "in the near term". It also announced that drilling at the project had led to a 246% increase in the mineral resource at Caldeira, to 128 million tonnes.

Brokers think the shares are trading for cheap right now, with potential for huge upside ahead. Market Index data shows all brokers have a buy rating on the ASX shares. The 37 cent target price implies a potential 113% upside at the time of writing.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) 

The ASX 200 tech share has been beaten down over the past year after concerns about the company's valuation and earnings outlook. Xero was caught up in a sector-wide sell-off late last year and in early 2026 as investors rotated away from tech stocks amid concerns about AI competition. The shares managed to rebound in late July, but they still look like they're trading for cheap.

The company benefits from an incredibly sticky subscription base and high customer retention rates. This means its revenue is relatively predictable. As a relatively small market player, it also has a lot of growth potential.

Market Index data shows the majority of analysts have a buy rating on the shares. They tip an upside of around 106% to an average target price of $139.26, at the time of writing.

Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB)

Mesoblast is an Australian clinical-stage ASX biotech share that develops and commercialises allogeneic cellular medicines to treat complex diseases. Some products are already in use, and other cell therapies are in the late stages of clinical trials. Its share price has tumbled this year, most likely due to investor caution around clinical timelines and profit-taking after last year's rally. But its products are gaining traction and the business is well-funded. I think there is plenty of growth potential ahead.

Market Index data shows brokers are bullish. They all agree on a buy rating for the biotech shares. The $3.49 target price implies a potential 70% upside at the time of writing. 

Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd (ASX: VGN)

Virgin Australia shares fell to an all-time low of just $2.16 in early May but have since rebounded around 32%. The ASX airline share has struggled with headwinds from conflict in the Middle East and rising fuel prices this year. But it now looks like investors are slowly rotating back into airlines and travel companies after reports of robust travel demand. The company recently confirmed its FY26 guidance, which has helped boost investor confidence.

Market Index data shows that the majority of brokers are also bullish and rate the shares as a buy. They tip a potential upside of 23% to an average $3.48 target price over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

The post 5 ASX shares I'd buy with $5,000 in August appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX mining companies this broker says could more than double in value
• Meteoric Resources releases Caldeira DFS
• My highest-conviction ASX share for August
• Downgrade alert! 6 ASX 200 shares marked down by experts this week
• Mesoblast FY26 earnings: Ryoncil revenue up, new trial milestones for ASX:MSB

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended ResMed and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed and Xero. 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 been relatively stable through July as commodity prices stabilised and investor sentiment improved.

At the time of writing, the ASX mining stock is up around 1% over the past month, and is nearly 50% higher than this time last year.

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up around 2.5% over the past month, and 4% higher than 12 months ago, at the time of writing.

Can BHP shares climb higher in August? Or has the mining stock now reached a ceiling?

What happened to BHP shares in July?

BHP suffered from some investor profit-taking early in July after hitting record highs the month prior, in mid-June, but the BHP share price quickly recovered. 

The mining heavyweight's shares were supported by renewed investor appetite for mining stocks in July. After a period of weakness driven by concerns around geopolitical uncertainty and commodity demand, investors have started to rotate back into diversified miners.

But improved sentiment was offset by an operational update out of the miner mid-month.

In mid-July, the miner posted an operational update. It announced record iron ore production over the year to the end of June, up 1% to 264.7 million tonnes. Copper, however, was 3% lower than the previous year at 1.95 million tonnes.

The company also announced that while the company has several growth projects underway, BHP is guiding lower copper output this year, with a forecast of 1,650,000 to 1,800,000 tonnes of copper. Iron ore is expected to stay largely flat at 260 to 272 million tonnes.

Copper output has been impacted by a conveyor belt failure at the Carrapateena mine, impacting output at the company's South Australian operations for up to eight weeks.

Here's what the experts expect next.

Should I buy BHP shares in August?

If broker analysis is anything to go by, it looks like the shares are now trading around fair value.

Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have a hold rating on BHP shares. The average $62.30 target price implies a potential 3% upside, at the time of writing.

TradingView data shows the same sentiment. The majority of analysts (14 out of 21) have a hold rating on BHP shares. Another five rate the mining stock as a strong buy, and two rate the shares as a sell.

The average $63.06 target price implies a potential 5% upside over the next 12 months, at the time of writing. But the range between the maximum and minimum target prices is huge. Some forecast the shares to fall around 27% to $44.05. Meanwhile, others are bullish that BHP shares could soar 55% higher to $93.42 over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

Morgan Stanley is one of the more bullish brokers among the bunch. The investment bank recently reaffirmed its buy rating on BHP shares and maintained a 12-month price target of $67.50. The broker likes that BHP is exposed to surging copper demand. It also thinks the company's iron ore operations are performing well.

The team at Morgans has a hold rating and $60.20 target price on the miner's shares. The broker said the mining giant ended FY26 on a good note, with an operational result largely in line with consensus and a touch ahead of estimates in places.

BHP is expected to announce its full-year results for FY26 on the 18th of August.

The post Should I buy BHP shares in August? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much could a $400,000 ASX share portfolio pay in dividends?
• How much passive income would $100,000 of BHP shares make?
• Buy, hold, sell: BHP, Wesfarmers, and Westpac shares
• Reporting season starts next week. Here are the ASX shares to watch
• Game on! CBA shares tighten the race with BHP for biggest ASX stock crown

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has positions in BHP Group. 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.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has climbed higher this week after the Reserve Bank pointed to slower spending growth, a weakening labour market, and a softer housing market.

At the time of writing, the index is up over 3% for the week so far.

Improving sentiment could act as a tailwind for some of the most beaten-down ASX 200 stocks on the index, as investors sometimes look towards undervalued shares when volatility starts to ease.

Here's what brokers expect from three of the worst-performing ASX 200 shares next.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

The ASX biotech company's shares have lost around 54% of their value over the past 12 months. 

In May, CSL announced FY26 revenue guidance of around US$15.2 billion and NPAT of around US$3.1 billion. Both of these figures came in below market expectations.

The company also flagged expectations of another US$5 billion of non-cash impairments across FY26 and FY27.

Investors haven't been impressed, and it looks like analyst sentiment has now shifted, too.

A few months ago, brokers were incredibly optimistic about the outlook for CSL shares, with the majority forecasting significant upside.

But now, Market Index data shows that the majority of brokers have downgraded their rating on CSL shares to a hold. The $131.15 average target price implies a potential 4% upside at the time of writing.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

WiseTech shares have suffered a steep, sustained price crash, driven mostly by a tech-sector-wide sell-off and an investor rotation to more stable assets amid global volatility earlier this year. At the time of writing, the shares are the worst-performers on the ASX 200, down 71% over the past 12 months.

Recent headwinds from following media reports that the Australian Federal Police is investigating founder Richard White over alleged trafficking matters haven't helped investor confidence.

Despite the crashing share price, it looks like analyst sentiment around WiseTech shares has barely shifted over the past few months. However, some price forecasts have been reduced.

Market Index data still shows the majority of brokers have a buy rating on the tech stock. At the time of writing, the $70.96 average target price implies a potential 104% upside over the next 12 months.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

The beaten-down ASX healthcare shares are the second-worst performers on the ASX 200 at the time of writing, down around 62% over the past 12 months.

It's been a difficult year for the medical hearing implant device company. Cochlear endured several significant headwinds, including a sector-wide rotation away from ASX healthcare shares this year. 

The shares have recovered around 35% since hitting a 10-year low in late April, but they're still struggling to regain trading levels seen earlier this year.

It looks like the experts are now uncertain that Cochlear shares can recover. Some believe the shares are now above fair value.

Market Index data shows that the majority of brokers have a hold rating on the stock. The $117.07 average target price implies a potential 4% downside ahead, at the time of writing.

The post WiseTech, Cochlear, CSL shares: Buy, sell or hold? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL, Cochlear, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL and Cochlear. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares climbed around 3% higher on Tuesday, ending the day at $119.52 a piece.

Today's uptick means the ASX biotech shares are now up around 4% over the past month and have rebounded around 30% since a 15-year low in early June.

But there is still a long way for CSL shares to go before they've recouped the huge amount of losses shed over the past 18 months.

The shares are still down around 30% year to date and are 56% lower than their trading prices 12 months ago.

The latest rebound is certainly a step in the right direction. The question now is: as we enter the last few days of July, should investors add more CSL shares to their portfolio ahead of further increases in August? Or will the share price dip again?

Here's what the experts expect from the biotech stock over the next 12 months.

What happened to CSL shares so far in July?

CSL shares have yo-yoed over the past month. The shares jumped around 10% higher in the first week of July and then tumbled by around the same amount to a low late last week. Just when it looked like the downward spiral had begun again, the share price began ticking up over the past couple of days. 

There hasn't been any price-sensitive news out of the ASX healthcare shares in July, so it's likely that the fluctuating share price is the result of swinging investor sentiment.

It's not unusual for investors to take their gains off the table after a share price increase, which in turn makes the shares fall in value. And vice versa. 

Should I buy CSL shares before the end of the month?

I think there is a lot of potential for the company to grow over the next few years. CSL is operating in a high-growth market, and its blood plasma division dominates the market for rare blood disorders and immunoglobulin products.

The company has said its growth initiatives are working. But it also recently commented that the financial benefits will take longer than previously expected.

I think we'll see an upside ahead, but I don't think we'll see much material increase in the share price until at least after the company has posted its FY26 results in August. 

At the moment, I don't see any reason for investors to rush to snap up the stock before the end of July unless they're confident that we'll see much more upside over the next couple of weeks.

The experts are on the fence too.

A few months ago, brokers were optimistic about the outlook for CSL shares, and the majority forecast significant upsides ahead.

But today it's a different story.  

Market Index data shows that the majority of brokers have now downgraded their rating on CSL to a hold. But the $131.15 average target price implies a potential 10% upside at the time of writing.

TradingView data also shows some analyst sentiment shifts. Out of 18 analysts, 10 now have a hold stance on the biotech company's shares, and another eight have a buy or strong buy rating.

The average target price is a little higher at $139.68 which implies a potential 17% upside at the time of writing. Although, some think CSL shares could climb 66% to $198.57 over the next 12 months. 

The post Should I buy CSL shares before the end of July? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• WiseTech, Cochlear, CSL shares: Buy, sell or hold?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• CSL launches clinical trials for new plasma manufacturing process
• What to expect from CSL shares this reporting season

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

Superannuation is a popular tool to earn a passive income for your retirement years.

If you can invest wisely, it helps you build wealth for later on in life. And in the meantime, you benefit from low tax rates and long-term compounding.

But what can that passive income actually look like?

Let's break down how much you could earn every single year from a $600,000 superannuation balance.

What passive income can I earn off a $600,000 superannuation balance?

The easiest way to calculate your passive income is by multiplying your total superannuation balance by the overall dividend yield of your portfolio.

The tricky part is that the answer varies widely depending on what dividend yield you pick.

For example, $600,000 x 3% = $18,000 per year in dividend payments.

But if your portfolio has a slightly higher dividend yield of around 4%, your passive income will be higher. That's because $600,000 x 4% = $24,000 per year in dividend payments. 

Raise it again to 5%, and you could earn $30,0000 every year in dividend payments off the same superannuation balance ($600,000 x 5% = $ 30,000).

At a 6% yield, you could earn an annual passive income closer to $36,000 and at 7% that could be even higher, at around $42,000.

And so on… 

As your dividend yield increases, the passive income you can earn off your $600,000 superannuation balance also increases.  

These figures are based on cash dividends before any tax or franking credit benefits.

Which ASX shares should I invest my superannuation in if I want to earn $24,000 per year in passive income?

A 4% yielding portfolio of this size would earn around $24,000 per year in passive income. There are plenty of high-quality ASX shares around this level.

Some of my favourites include Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) and banking giants National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC). Cedar Woods Properties Ltd (ASX: CWP) and Mff Capital Investments (ASX: MFF) also yield around the 4% level at the time of writing.

And, which ASX shares will earn me $48,000 per year in passive income?

To earn $48,000 per year in passive income from a $600,000 superannuation balance, your portfolio will need to yield around 8%.

It's on the high side, and of course, the higher the yield, the more risk the portfolio carries. But it's still achievable.

If you're wanting to focus on high yield ASX shares I'd look at listed investment trusts (LIT)'s like the Metrics Master Income Trust (ASX: MXT) or the Metrics Income Opportunities Trust (ASX: MOT). These both target a return of 7-10%, and currently yield around 8%.

Exchange-traded funds are another good option for high yield investments. Such as the Betashares S&P Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: HYLD) or the Global X S&P/ASX 200 Covered Call ETF (ASX: AYLD). These both yield in the 8-9% range at the time of writing.

The post How much passive income could I earn from a $600,000 superannuation balance? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy in August
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• 5 ASX shares attracting upgraded ratings this week
• 8 ASX 200 shares with strengthened buy ratings this week

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Mff Capital Investments and Telstra Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD) shares are climbing higher this week. 

At the time of writing, the shares are up around 3% for the day, and changing hands for $28.77 a piece.

The increase has barely dented the huge losses shed over the past year, however. At the time of writing, the shares are down around 21% for the year to date and are 31% below trading levels 12 months ago.

Today's uptick is good news for investors. But it begs the question, is the increase temporary? Or is there a chance that we could see a meaningful rebound out of ResMed shares this year?

What happened to ResMed shares this year?

The ASX healthcare sector overall has been under immense pressure throughout 2026 so far, as macroeconomic pressures, rising inflation, higher cost of living, and regulatory uncertainty has created a sector-wide downturn.

ResMed was one of many ASX healthcare shares caught up in the sell-off.

And the sleep disorder treatment company's third-quarter earnings update in May didn't help either. ResMed delivered an 11% (8% in constant currency) increase in revenue to US$1.4 billion, driven by increased demand for its portfolio of sleep devices, masks, and accessories.

The result came in significantly softer than expected, and the share price sell-off accelerated.

ResMed shares bounced higher in early July amid a sector-wide healthcare rebound, but they quickly tumbled lower ahead. 

Is a rebound ahead?

Sleep disorders require long-term management, and as a global leader, ResMed has a powerful position in a large (and growing) market.

ResMed's revenue has continued to grow at a healthy pace, and its margins have continued expanding, and the company is also able to generate strong free cash flow.

But I'm also concerned that the recent boom in interest for GLP-1 weight-loss drugs could reduce the number of people needing treatment for sleep disorders over the long term. 

I think the ASX 200 healthcare share is now oversold and below fair value. 

But as for whether the beaten-down healthcare shares can rebound to the all-time high seen in mid-2025, I'm unsure. 

Let's find out what the experts think.

Here's what brokers tip for ResMed shares next

According to Market Index data, brokers are divided between buy and hold ratings on ResMed shares. But the $88.21 average target price now implies a huge 208% upside at the time of writing. 

TradingView data shows brokers are equally optimistic, but forecasts are lower.

Out of 31 analysts, 19 have a buy or a strong buy rating on ResMed shares. Another 10 rate the stock as a hold. The average $37.58 target price implies a 30% upside ahead. Whereas the $46.92 maximum target price implies the shares could climb up to 63% higher, at the time of writing.

Ord Minnett has a buy rating and $36.60 target price on ResMed shares. The broker said the company's move to sell its MatrixCare unit was strategically sound.

The analyst team at Morgans has a buy recommendation and a $41.72 target price for the ASX healthcare stock. The team said it views ResMed's fundamentals as sound, with consistent execution, strong cash generation, and structural growth tailwinds from expanding diagnosis and resupply.

The post Down 31%: Is there any chance of a rebound from ResMed shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• My highest-conviction ASX share for August
• 5 ASX shares I'd buy with $5,000 in August
• My top ASX 200 stock picks for August
• 3 simple ways to build a $50,000 passive income from ASX shares
• How I would build a strong ASX share portfolio from scratch

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed. 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) bank shares have rebounded through July.

Overall, ASX 200 bank shares have climbed over the past month, though they have yet to rebound to the bumper levels seen earlier this year. 

Slower economic growth, moderating inflation data, and expectations of interest rate cuts later in the year have all helped improve investor sentiment.

Other sectors, such as industrials, materials, and utilities, have tumbled lower, while weaker commodity prices have also pulled down the gold and mining sector. 

The shift saw an increase in investors rotating into more defensive, income-generating sectors such as financials.

However, concerns about overinflated prices, mortgage competition, and slowing credit growth kept share price growth subdued.

What happened to the ASX 200 big four major banks in July?

Australia's banking sector is dominated by the big four banks: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB), and ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ).  

Together, they make up around a quarter of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) by market capitalisation. 

At the time of writing, with only a couple more days left of the month, CBA shares are up around 0.2% for the day and changing hands at $176.34 a piece. The ASX 200 major bank's shares are also around 8% higher over the past month. 

NAB shares are also trending higher on Tuesday morning, up around 0.2% to $41.01 a piece, at the time of writing. NAB shares have risen around 8% over the past month.

ANZ shares are also up 0.2% for the day so far, at $36.94. Over the past month, the bank stock has also climbed higher, up around 5%.

Meanwhile, Westpac shares have dipped slightly into the red this morning, down around 0.1% to $37.66 a piece. But over the past month, the shares have risen around 7%.

What about the mid-tier banks?

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN) shares are up around 0.5% on Tuesday morning, to $11.06 a piece. Over the month, the shares are also up around 6%.

It's a similar story for Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ) shares. They have climbed around 0.5% in early morning trade, to $6.51 a piece. The ASX bank stock is also up roughly 4% over the month. 

But Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) shares have fallen into the red on Tuesday morning, down roughly 1.5% to $254.72. Over the month, the bank was the worst-performing ASX bank stock, although the shares still climbed by around 2% higher.

Which ASX bank shares are a buy for August?

While Macquarie shares are technically the slowest performer so far this July, brokers are very bullish about the outlook over the next 12 months. TradingView data shows the majority have a buy rating on the investment bank's shares, and the $262.77 average target price implies a potential 3% upside ahead.

Which ones are rated a sell?

Brokers still rate CBA shares as a strong sell. The latest $125.51 target price on TradingView now implies a potential 29% downside ahead for investors, at the time of writing. 

The majority also have a sell rating on Westpac shares. The latest $33.35 average target price now implies a potential 12% downside, according to TradingView data.

BOQ shares are also expected to fall over the next 12 months. Most brokers rate the ASX bank as a sell, and the $60.81 average target price on TradingView now implies a 7% downside ahead.

Which ASX bank shares do brokers rate as a hold?

Then there are the ASX 200 bank shares that analysts are on the fence about.

TradingView data shows brokers are divided between a buy and sell rating on ANZ shares. The $34.91 target price, however, implies a potential 6% downside at the time of writing.

The data also shows that the majority have a hold rating on NAB shares. The average $37.94 target price on the ASX bank stock also implies a potential downside of around 7% at the time of writing.

Bendigo shares are also tipped to fall by around 6% to an average target price of $10.44.

The post Are ASX bank shares a buy in August? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much could a $400,000 ASX share portfolio pay in dividends?
• Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy in August
• Chasing $500 a month in passive income? Here's how
• 5 ASX shares attracting upgraded ratings this week
• $20,000 of CBA shares can net me this much passive income!

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Bendigo And Adelaide Bank. 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.

DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) shares have crashed further into the red in Tuesday lunchtime trade.

At the time of writing, the ASX defence stock is down around 11% and trading at just $1.86 a piece.

Today's decline follows a long run of losses over the past couple of months. The shares are now down around 44% year to date and 38% below trading levels this time last year.

What has happened to DroneShield shares today?

The company announced $23.2 million in new European military contracts ahead of the ASX open this morning. 

It also announced that its first-half FY26 revenue is expected to come in at $125.8 million, up 74% on the prior corresponding period (PCP). Recurring revenue is estimated at $14.2 million (11.3% of total) for the same six-month period.

Gross margin for the first half is estimated at 60%, lower than 65% in PCP. DroneShield cites sales mix and other factors.

DroneShield also said it forecasts total FY26 revenue in the range of $250 million to $270 million, up 15 to 25% on FY25.

It looks like, although the update is strong on paper, forecasts are a miss versus market expectations. Clearly, investors aren't impressed with the update, and many have rushed for the exit.

Should I buy DroneShield shares before the end of July? Or is it too late?

The experts are divided in their outlook for DroneShield shares over the next 12 months. But after today's share price crash, all current target prices imply an upside ahead.

TradingView data shows that of the four analysts, two have a strong buy rating and two have a sell or strong sell rating.

There is a huge range in the target prices, too. The minimum $2.05 target price implies a 10% upside at the time of writing. Meanwhile, the average target price of $3.22 implies a potential 73% upside over the next 12 months. And the maximum $4.80 target price suggests that DroneShield shares have the potential to fly 157% higher back to trading levels seen earlier this year.

I expect that brokers could revise their outlooks and target prices on DroneShield shares over the coming days. 

My view on the ASX defence stock?

I think that at the current trading price, DroneShield shares are currently below fair value. If the defence company manages to maintain its guidance figures (or upsize them) for the first half FY26 at its results announcement next month, it could help ignite some confidence back into the stock.

The post DroneShield shares crash 11% today: Should I buy before the end of July? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why these 3 ASX 200 stocks are crashing in this week's surging market
• $10,000 invested in DroneShield shares 5 years ago is now worth…
• 8 ASX 200 shares with strengthened buy ratings this week
• Leading broker on DroneShield shares and rising competition 
• Down 40%, is the DroneShield share price good value?

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield. 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.

ASX healthcare stocks have had a tough time over the past year, after a broad based index-wide sell off drove many investors to sell up their shares. 

A weaker US dollar, higher interest rates, and cost of living pressures all combined to make strong headwinds for the sector.

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) has now shed around 44% of its value over the past 12 months, at the time of writing.

But there is one ASX healthcare stock which is bucking the trend.

The 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) share price has rocketed higher over the past 12 months and is currently the best-performing stock on the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

The share price spiked to an all-time high of $6.80 a piece in April this year. This was when the company joined the ASX 200 Index. 

But the shares quickly shed around 50% after a broad sell-off of ASX 200 healthcare stocks drove many shares across the sector to low levels. It's also likely that many investors rushed to take their gains off the table after an incredible run-up.

At the time of writing, the shares are down around 2% and are changing hands for $3.21 each.

Today's dip means the shares are now down around 29% for the year-to-date. But the decline has barely made a dent in gains made over the past 12 months. For the year-to-date, 4DMedical shares are up an enormous 1,242%.

So, if I'd invested $5,000 in 4D Medical shares 12 months ago, how much would it be worth right now?

This time last year, the ASX healthcare stock was trading around 24 cents a piece. Today they're changing hands for $3.21 each.

That 1,242% increase means a $5,000 investment 12 months ago would be worth $67,100 today!

Can the ASX healthcare shares keep climbing higher?

Since spiking to an all-time high in April, 4DMedical shares have shed around 52% of their value.

But it's worth remembering that the business is still very much in its growth phase. 4DMedical is working hard to expand its commercial footprint. Approvals have been secured in Canada and New Zealand. The company is now actively progressing commercialisation plans in Europe and Australia.

But it looks like we'll need more evidence that this growth can translate into actual earnings growth before investors will jump back on board.

Analysts are also divided about what will happen to the ASX healthcare stock next.

TradingView data shows three experts are split between strong buy, hold, and strong sell ratings. 

Although, the majority agree there will be some element of upside ahead.

The $4.97 average target price implies a 55% upside at the time of writing. But some think the shares have the potential to jump 87% to $6 a piece over the next 12 months.

The post If I invested $5,000 in this ASX healthcare stock 12 months ago, I'd have over $67k today! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• These were the best-performing ASX 200 shares in July
• 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
• 8 ASX 200 shares with strengthened buy ratings this week

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

The Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) share price has fallen into the red on Tuesday. 

At the time of writing, the shares are down around 1.5% and are changing hands at $30.97 a piece.

Despite the decline, the shares are still around 31% higher year to date and about 18% higher than 12 months ago.

What has driven the Woodside share price higher?

Oil supply concerns have been a major theme so far in 2026, and the volatility that comes hand in hand with uncertainty around conflict in the Middle East has been a strong tailwind for Woodside shares over the past six months. 

The US-Iran war has shown signs of cooling, but each time it looks like conflict is calming down, it ramps back up again. The region is highly volatile, and the movement of oil from the area will continue to be uncertain until a resolution is reached. 

Shipping disruptions and production cuts pushed oil prices to a multi-year high of around US$111 per barrel in April. While the price of oil softened in June, it quickly spiked over US$92 per barrel last week. Trading Economics data shows crude oil is now trading around US$82 per barrel. 

For context, Crude oil was trading around the US$55 level in early January.

And it's not just volatile oil prices and market demand driving the company's shares higher, either.

Woodside grabbed headlines in late April after it posted its first-quarter FY26 update. The oil and gas producer reported a 7% quarter-on-quarter increase in operating revenue and an 8% hike in revenue. The company's production figures were lower thanks to weather events, but this was offset by an 11% increase in the average realised price of oil.

The company also confirmed that its Woodside Scarborough Energy Project is nearing completion and its Trion oil project is 56% complete.

What's next for the oil and gas giant's shares?

If broker forecasts are anything to go by, the experts are divided on the outlook for the Woodside share price over the next 12 months.

Market Index data shows that the majority of brokers hold a buy rating. The $33.59 average share price implies a potential 9% upside ahead, at the time of writing.

Sentiment is a little more mixed on TradingView. Out of 15 analysts, seven have a buy or strong buy rating, and seven have a hold rating. One rates Woodside shares as a sell.

The average share price is a little lower at $32.42, but it still implies a potential 4% upside ahead, at the time of writing. But the range between the minimum and maximum target price is huge. The minimum $24.78 target price implies a potential 20% downside. Meanwhile, some expect the shares could surge 44% to $44.92 over the next 12 months.

Michael Gable from Fairmont Equities recently reduced his rating on this ASX energy share to a hold. He said that the US strategic petroleum reserve was recently at a 43-year low, and he is concerned it will be difficult to keep a lid on crude oil prices.

Last week, Macquarie upgraded Woodside shares to a buy rating with a $32.80 price target. However, at the current trading price, this suggests the stock is close to fully valued.

The post Here's what brokers tip for the Woodside share price over the next 12 months appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How many Woodside shares do I need to buy for a $1,000 monthly passive income?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Buying Woodside shares? Here's why it's a BIG week for the ASX 200 energy stock
• Woodside Energy Group Q2 2026: Revenue up 28%, growth projects on track

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended 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.

Your superannuation is your nest egg for retirement. Not only does it help you build wealth for your later years in life, once you stop working, it can also become a great source of passive income.

By investing your superannuation wisely, you might be able to generate a regular cash flow high enough to live the retirement of your dreams.

The question is: How much do you actually need in your super to be able to get the passive income you want when you transition to your pension phase?

Let's investigate, using an annual $100,000 passive income as an example.

How much do I need in my superannuation to get a passive income of $100,000 every year?

To calculate how much you need in your superannuation, you need to divide your annual passive income by the dividend yield of your overall portfolio.

Obviously, the catch is that the answer varies depending on what your dividend yield is.

It means a portfolio with a dividend yield of around 6% only needs to be half the size of one with a dividend yield of around 3% to generate the same level of passive income. 

Say your overall portfolio has a dividend yield of around 3%, you'll need a balance of around $3.3 million to earn $100,000 per year in passive income.

Of course, $3.3 million is a huge figure, and this level of superannuation isn't achievable for everyone.

But the good news is, as your portfolio's dividend yield increases, the superannuation balance required to earn the same passive income decreases. 

So if the yield of your portfolio is around 4%, for example, your balance would need to be closer to $2.5 million to earn the same dividend income.

For a 5% yielding portfolio, you'd need a balance of closer to $2 million to earn the same amount.

Increase that to a 6%, 7%, or 8% dividend yield, and you're looking at closer to $1.6 million, $1.4 million, or $1.25 million, respectively. 

And so on…

You'd still earn $100,000 per year in passive income from each of these portfolio sizes.

What ASX shares can I buy around these dividend yields?

There are a huge range of ASX dividend shares available for your superannuation investment. Here are some of my favourites.

Lower-yielding ASX dividend-paying shares such as Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST), AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP) and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL) are solid and reliable stocks that offer a yield of around 2% to 3%.

For a mid-range yielding ASX dividend option, I'd look at Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN), QBE Insurance Group (ASX: QBE), Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) or defensive assets like Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS). These all pay a yield around 3% to 5%. 

For a higher 5% to 6% dividend yield, I'd look at reliable payers like APA Group (ASX: APA) or Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG).

Lendlease Group (ASX: LLC) and Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW) yield around 7% to 8%.

If you want to take on more risk and go for a much higher-yielding ASX stock, my picks would be something like IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH), Centuria Office REIT (ASX: COF), or the BetaShares Australian Top 20 Equities Yield Maximiser Complex ETF (ASX: YMAX). These typically yield anywhere between 9% and 12%.

The post How much superannuation is needed to target a $100,000 annual passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Chasing early retirement? These ASX shares and ETFs could help
• How much is needed in superannuation to target a $12,000 monthly passive income?
• Buy, hold, sell: Newmont, Rio Tinto, and Santos shares
• Are Wesfarmers shares a buy in August?
• These were the best-performing ASX 200 shares in July

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group, Telstra Group, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended IPH Ltd and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares are a popular choice among passive-income seeking investors.

It's not hard to see why.

The banking giant is the largest ASX bank on the Australian sharemarket, and the second-largest ASX 200 stock behind BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) by market capitalisation.

CBA is a cyclical stock, but it has strong defensive qualities. Scarcity of quality stocks on the ASX also means investors tend to put major players, like CBA, on a pedestal. The bank's sheer size and market dominance means investors generally consider it a safe haven, even when markets are choppy. 

CBA's huge scale and consistent operational performance have enabled the bank to pay regular passive income to its shareholders.

But what if you wanted to generate $12,000 of passive income from CBA shares every year? What exactly would that entail?

Let's investigate.

What passive income does CBA pay its shareholders?

First, we need to understand what dividends the banking giant pays its shareholders.

CBA's huge scale and consistent operational performance have enabled the bank to generate a long history of paying regular fully-franked dividends in March and September every year, dating back to 1992. 

Its latest payment was a fully-franked interim dividend of $2.35 per share in late-March.

Looking ahead, the bank is forecast to pay a total dividend of $5.15 per share to shareholders in FY26. It is then expected to pay around $5.45 per share in FY27.

At the time of writing, this translates to a forward dividend yield of around 3% for FY26. For FY27, the forward dividend yield is about 3.1%.

Ok, so how many CBA shares do I need to buy to generate $12,000 in passive income?

Assuming CBA pays the expected $5.45 per share dividend in FY27, investors would need to buy 2,201 shares in order to generate $12,000 per year in passive income.

How much would that cost?

At the time of writing, CBA shares are changing hands for $173.78 each.

This means that in order to buy the 2,201 shares needed for $12,000 of passive income, you would need to invest around $382,000.

That's certainly not a small amount of money. But it could be worth it in the long run.

Not only could investors earn a nice passive income every six months, but there is potential for capital returns too.

And also don't forget, that entire amount wouldn't need to be invested all in one go. Let compounding do some of the work for you.

The post How many CBA shares do I need to buy for $12,000 of passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much could a $400,000 ASX share portfolio pay in dividends?
• Chasing $500 a month in passive income? Here's how
• How much passive income would $100,000 of BHP shares make?
• $20,000 of CBA shares can net me this much passive income!
• Buy, hold, sell: BHP, Wesfarmers, and Westpac shares

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has positions in BHP Group. 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.

Your superannuation is an essential tool to help you build enough wealth to support you in your retirement years.

Once you reach your 50s, many Aussies start to think about what their retirement might look like, and how much that might cost.

Then, by your early 60s, you're in the home stretch. This is when many Australians start to move from a super accumulation phase to the pension phase.

So, how do you know if you're on track?

Here's a breakdown of what the average Aussie has in their super at 51 versus 61 years old, and what you'd need at each age to have enough for retirement.

Find out how yours compares.

How much superannuation does the average Australian have at age 51?

There isn't an exact figure for the average superannuation balance at age 51, but the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) has a good guideline.

ASFA's data shows that at age 50 to 54, the average Australian male has around $254,071 in superannuation. The average female in the same age bracket has approximately $190,175.

How much superannuation does the average Australian have at age 61?

The average 60 to 64-year-old Australian male has an average superannuation balance of $395,852, and women have around $313,360.

Age 51 versus age 61: Why is the superannuation gap so wide?

The difference between super balances at age 51 versus age 61 is significant. 

Over the 10-year period, average balances increase by up to $142,000.

The difference represents the fact that these individuals have had more time to add additional contributions to their superannuation balance. But it also shows the importance of compounding. 

By accumulating wealth early on, investing in a well-performing fund, and at a risk profile that suits your own, compounding can help to supercharge your balance down the line.

Are these average balances enough to retire on?

No. In fact, the average Australian is quite far behind.

ASFA estimates that it'll cost single Australians around $55,923 per year. It'll cost couples living together closer to $78,566 per year in total.

These figures also assume you'll start your retirement at age 67. It also assumes that you'll receive a part Age Pension around this time and that you own your home outright.

In order to fund this type of comfortable retirement, ASFA calculates that single Australians will need around $630,000 in their superannuation at age 67. Meanwhile, couples will need around $730,000 combined at the same age.

Ok, so how much should Aussies have in their super by ages 51 and 61 to be on track?

Using ASFA's Super Balance Detective tool, I've calculated what you'd need at ages 51 and 61 to reach that sum.

Assuming you're aiming for the $630,000 superannuation balance needed for an individual. At age 51, you need around $329,500 in your superannuation.

At age 61, this should be more like $519,000 to be considered "on track".

How does your superannuation balance compare to others the same age, and what you need to live a comfortable retirement lifestyle later on in life?

The post Average superannuation balance for 51- vs 61-year-olds in Australia. How does yours compare? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Chasing early retirement? These ASX shares and ETFs could help
• How much is needed in superannuation to target a $12,000 monthly passive income?
• 3 excellent Vanguard ETFs I would buy with $10,000
• 4 ASX ETFs invested in mining that delivered 49% to 83% returns in FY26
• Are Wesfarmers shares a buy in August?

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

In Australia, many government or association estimates around retirement are based on the understanding that you'll retire at age 67. 

By this point, you're able to access your superannuation (from age 65) regardless of whether you've stopped working, and eligible Australians can receive Age Pension payments (from age 67).

But did you know that you can actually retire and access your superannuation a lot earlier? 

At age 60, you're officially at preservation age. Which means if you've ceased working, you're eligible to start your retirement and begin drawing down on your superannuation balance.

Why wait another five to seven years if you don't need to?

The only catch is that you'll need to ensure you have enough in your super to fund a comfortable retirement lifestyle from age 60.

Let's investigate what retiring at age 60 might look like. You'll need to know the cost of retirement, how much the average Aussie has at the same age, and how far apart those two figures are.

What is a comfortable retirement?

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) splits retirement into two broad categories: comfortable and modest.

A comfortable retirement is defined as one that enables retirees to maintain a good standard of living well beyond the age pension. It budgets for expenses beyond a modest retirement, including top-tier private health insurance and regular leisure activities. It allocates funds for home repairs or renovations, and perhaps even an annual holiday.

Meanwhile, a modest retirement is defined as being able to cover expenses just slightly above what the full Centrelink Age Pension would provide from age 67.

How much will a comfortable retirement cost?

According to ASFA, a comfortable retirement is expected to cost roughly $55,923 per year for single Australians. A couple living together can expect to spend around $78,566 per year combined.

In order to fund a comfortable retirement, ASFA calculates that at age 67, single Australians will need around $630,000. Meanwhile, couples will need a superannuation balance of around $730,000.

But the catch is that these figures assume you'll be retiring at age 67. The calculation also assumes you will only need to fund around 10 years of retirement, will be eligible to receive a part Age Pension, and you own your home in full.

Which means, at age 60, you'll be looking at very different figures.

I want to start my retirement at age 60. How much superannuation do I need?

You can expect your annual costs to be around the same: $55,923 per year for single Australians and $78,566 per year combined for a couple living together.

But you'll need to fund an additional seven years, so you'll need more in your superannuation.

I've done a quick calculation using ASFA's figures to work out the amount you actually need in your superannuation to retire at age 60 and maintain the same quality of life.

At age 60, singles will need to have closer to $1 million in their superannuation. Meanwhile, couples will need a combined balance of around $1.3 million at age 60. 

These figures assume you'll need to fund the additional seven years of retirement between the ages of 60 and 67.

If you don't own your home outright, you'll also need to consider how you'll pay your mortgage or rent.

So, how does this compare with the average superannuation balance of Aussies the same age?

Again, according to ASFA data, the average male aged 60-64 has $395,852 and the average female the same age has just $313,360.

Concerningly, these aren't even half the balance needed at the same age to retire comfortably. Which means the average Australian is already falling far behind when it comes to their superannuation.

How does yours compare?

The post Average superannuation balance at age 60, versus what you actually need to retire comfortably appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Chasing early retirement? These ASX shares and ETFs could help
• How much is needed in superannuation to target a $12,000 monthly passive income?
• 3 excellent Vanguard ETFs I would buy with $10,000
• 4 ASX ETFs invested in mining that delivered 49% to 83% returns in FY26
• Are Wesfarmers shares a buy in August?

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

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) shares have fallen further into the red in Friday afternoon trade.

At the time of writing, the shares are down over 4% and are changing hands at $61.68 a piece.

Today's decline marks the third consecutive day of losses for the ASX tech business. The shares have now crashed nearly 12% since Tuesday this week, and are 65% lower than this time last year.

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is roughly flat for the year to date at the time of writing, but around 0.5% higher than 12 months ago.

It's not all bad news for Xero shares though. Here are three reasons to add the tech stock to your portfolio this financial year, and three reasons to sell up.

3 reasons to buy Xero shares

1. Xero has a sticky subscriber base

The company has a sticky subscription revenue, which means its customers are likely to keep paying for its services and products over a long time. Switching to an alternative accounting, invoicing, and payroll system would be time-consuming for businesses, so many customers could easily stay subscribed for years. This makes the company's revenue predictable.

2. There are huge growth opportunities 

The company is still a relatively small market player, but there is a huge amount of potential future growth globally. These growth opportunities include expansion in the UK and US, as well as payroll and workflow automation offerings. Xero is also actively expanding its presence and its product suite. The company's latest FY26 result shows the company is growing, too. It posted a 31% hike in operating revenue in mid-May, and its adjusted EBITDA is up 18%.

3. Brokers tip an upside ahead

Market Index data shows that brokers are very bullish about the outlook for Xero shares over the next 12 months. The majority have a buy rating on the shares and the $145.69 average target price implies a potential 137% upside ahead.

3 reasons to sell Xero shares

1. Xero doesn't pay dividends to shareholders

If passive income is your goal, Xero isn't the stock for you. The company is still in the growth phase, which means it is focusing its funds on growing the business rather than distributing products to shareholders.

2. The company is highly sensitive to volatility

Xero is a growth stock, which means that its share price is sensitive to changes in investor sentiment, interest rate movements, and shifts in consumer spending. It's not a defensive asset which means it isn't as resilient as some other alternatives during times of sharemarket volatility.

3. Competition is intensifying

Xero competes with major global players, including MYOB, Reckon Ltd (ASX: RKN), Intuit, and Sage. Increased competition could make it harder for Xero to grow its market share or maintain pricing power.

The post Xero shares: 3 reasons to buy and 3 reasons to sell appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX shares I'd buy with $5,000 in August
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Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Intuit and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Sage Group Plc. 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.

Appen Ltd (ASX: APX) shares have crashed around 8% in Friday afternoon trade, extending the ASX AI stock's 4% share price decline yesterday. 

At the time of writing, the shares are trading at 83 cents each.

The latest decline means the shares are now down around 4% year to date and 34% lower than this time last year.

What is going on with the ASX AI stock today?

There hasn't been any price-sensitive news out of the artificial intelligence (AI) data company this week to explain the share price crash.

The decline is most likely the result of investors taking their gains off the table after a small rally earlier this week, and perhaps a dip in investor confidence. 

Appen is scheduled to announce its first-half 2026 earnings update in late August, so it could also be that investors are getting nervous about the update.

The AI company has suffered a rough start to 2026. The share price flew 71% higher to an annual high of $1.90 each in late January after it posted a strong quarterly update. 

But sentiment shifted quickly in late April when Appen posted its next quarterly update. The company posted a 9% increase in revenue to $54.8 million, but the results showed it is still barely profitable at an EBITDA level. In addition, the performance of its Appen Global business spooked investors. It reported a 37% decline in revenue to $19.9 million. The share price sank 30% as a result. 

With investor confidence lost, the company has struggled to recoup those losses, with the share price tumbling further to the time of writing.

Management confirmed Appen's FY26 revenue guidance in late May, which created a short-lived spike in confidence. But then the sell-off resumed. Guidance is in the range of $270 million to $300 million. That compares to FY25 revenue of $231 million.

Now investors are looking for evidence that the company's turnaround is continuing and that demand for AI training data is translating into stronger financial performance.

Are Appen shares a buy, sell, or hold?

Analysts are mostly bullish about where Appen shares could travel over the next 12 months.

TradingView data shows two (out of three) analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on the ASX AI stock. The remaining expert has a hold rating.

They all agree there will be some element of upside ahead, though. The average $2.26 target price implies a potential 173% upside at the time of writing. Even the minimum $1.96 target price suggests the shares will climb at least another 137%.

The post Why is this ASX AI stock crashing 8% today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Appen. 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.

Australian sharemarkets have been chopping through the past seven months as investors come to terms with global uncertainty, interest rate changes, and soaring inflation.

When times are tough, investors tend to lean towards established ASX shares that have long track records.

Here's what brokers expect from these three well-known ASX shares next.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

Supermarket giant Woolworths has performed well this year. For the year to date, its shares are up around 32%, mostly trending higher over the past seven months. 

It looks like the steady increase was driven by renewed investor confidence. Many are confident that the retailer's earnings are recovering after a difficult period in late 2025.

Earlier this year, in February, Woolworths posted a stronger-than-expected first-half result and confirmed it is actively pursuing cost-cutting initiatives to help support margins and earnings over time. 

It looks like the efforts are coming to fruition, too.

But now, after an incredible run, Woolworths shares look to have reached their peak and are trading around fair value. 

TradingView data shows that nine out of 17 analysts have a hold rating on the supermarket stock. Another four rate the shares as a buy or strong buy, and four rate Woolworths shares as a strong sell. The average $36.33 target price now implies a potential 7% downside over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD)

Elders is a high-quality mid-cap ASX 300 stock that is a leading supplier of fertiliser, agricultural chemicals, and animal health products to rural and regional Australia. It has strong agency positions in livestock, wool, and real estate.

The Elders share price is usually pretty stable, but in May this year it crashed 23% within a day after the release of its half-year results.

The company reported a 25% increase in operating revenue, a 19% increase in EBIT, and a 1% decrease in underlying NPAT. The figures came in well below expectations, and investors quickly sold off the shares.

The ASX shares tumbled even lower in the following few weeks, bottoming at an all-time low of $5 in late June. But they've now started rebounding, up around 12% to the time of writing.

It looks like many brokers think the rebound can keep going too.

TradingView data shows that the majority (five out of eight) have a buy or strong buy rating on the shares. The average $6.52 target price implies a potential 17% upside at the time of writing. 

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers shares had a difficult start to the year and slumped to an annual low in mid-May. But the retail conglomerate quickly recovered, and the shares are now around 24% higher than that point at the time of writing. For the year to date, Wesfarmers shares are around 8% higher.

The business benefited from an uptick in consumer spending and news that interest rates could start falling. Wesfarmers' sheer scale and market dominance across several retail sectors have also helped reinforce the company's competitive advantage.

Wesfarmers has been actively expanding too, including opening new Anko stores in the Philippines, and its Kmart segment is testing larger K Home stores locally.

But now, after a huge share price rebound, Wesfarmers shares look a little overpriced.

TradingView data shows that half (seven out of 14) of analysts have a strong sell rating on the stock. Another six rate Wesfarmers shares as a hold. Only one broker now holds a buy rating. The average $77.53 target price implies a potential 12% downside, at the time of writing.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Woolworths, Elders, Wesfarmers shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) shares are climbing higher into the green today.

At the time of writing, the shares are up around 4% at $55.57 a piece.

The increase is great news for investors after a volatile run so far this year. The shares have swung wildly, ranging from $27.65 to $74.94 over the past 12 months. 

For the year to date, they're roughly flat, and they're around 81% higher than 12 months ago.

So if I bought $1,000 of Minerals Resources shares 12 months ago, what would they be worth today?

This time last year, the miner's shares were close to a multi-year low and trading hands for $30.66 each. Today they're trading 81% higher.

That means your $1,000 investment in July last year would now be worth closer to $1,810.

That's a decent increase!

What's ahead for Mineral Resources shares?

The experts are incredibly bullish about the upside for Mineral Resources shares over the next 12 months.

Market Index data shows that all brokers agree on a buy rating on the ASX mining share. The average $79.83 target price implies an upside of around 50% at the time of writing. 

The data is similar on TradingView. Sentiment is more mixed, but the majority (10 out of 16) have a buy or strong buy rating on the shares.

The average target price is lower at $69.68, implying a potential 26% upside at the time of writing. But more bullish analysts expect the shares to increase 55% to around $86 a piece over the next 12 months.

If analyst forecasts are correct, your $1,000 investment last year could be worth around $2,800 by July 2027.

What could drive the share price higher over the next 12 months?

It looks like the key driver of a share price increase over the next year is that the ASX mining stock is still considered oversold and below fair value.

Mineral Resources suffered a sharp share price crash in mid-2024, before bottoming at a five-year low in early 2025. Since then, there has been an impressive recovery. But it appears that the miner has a lot more to bring to the table.

Mineral Resources has major exposure to lithium and has ridden the wave of soaring lithium carbonate prices through early 2026. 

The miner confirmed plans to restart operations at its 100%-owned Bald Hill lithium mine in May, following a "significant and sustained recovery" in lithium prices.

Later the same month, site activity ramped up, and the first production blast was successfully completed in early June.

The initial shipment is expected to depart through the Port of Esperance in the first quarter of FY27.

The post If I invested $1,000 into Mineral Resources shares 12 months ago, guess what I'd have today! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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