Whether your retirement is just around the corner or decades over the horizon, it's never too early or too late to work on boosting your superannuation income.

While there are a number of ways you can go about that, my preference is to invest in quality ASX dividend stocks.

When it comes to those stocks, I prefer ASX shares that pay fully franked dividends. This gives me credit for the 30% in corporate taxes the companies I've invested in have already paid to the ATO on their profits.

With that in mind, an ASX dividend stock trading at a fully franked 5% yield is equivalent to a grossed-up yield of 7.1%.

So, you can see how that can make a big difference to that superannuation boosting passive income stream we're after.

I also lean towards ASX stocks that have a track record of making reliable dividend payouts. And companies that I believe will see their share price and dividend payouts go up over time.

Now, before we dig in, do keep in mind that the dividend yields you generally see quoted are trailing yields Future yields may be higher or lower depending on a range of company specific and macroeconomic factors.

With that said…

Three ASX dividend stocks for a $5,000 a year superannuation lift

The first company I'd look at for that welcome superannuation lift is Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS).

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) stock ticks all of the key passive income boxes I mentioned above.

Over the last 12 months Woodside paid out two fully franked dividends totalling $1.653 per share.

At the recent Woodside share price of $31.54, that sees Woodside trading on a fully franked trailing dividend yield of 5.2%.

Next up, and with a littler diversification in mind, we have ASX 200 bank stock Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC).

If you'd held Westpac shares over the last year, you would have received two fully franked dividends totalling $1.54 a share. At the recent Westpac share price of $38.73, the big four Aussie bank trades on a fully franked trailing dividend yield of 4.0%.

Which brings to our third superannuation boosting passive income stock, Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN).

With gold prices surging, Evolution Mining just lifted its interim dividend payout by a whopping 186%. And I expect this trend could have legs.

Taking into account the smaller final dividend payout, Evolution Mining has delivered 33 cents a share in fully franked dividends over the past year. At the recent share price of $13.27, the ASX 200 miner trades on a fully franked trailing dividend yield of 2.5%.

To the maths

Assuming I invest an equal amount in all three of the above ASX 200 dividend stocks, just how much will I need to lift my superannuation income by $5,000 a year?

Well, as they deliver an average yield of 3.9%, you'd need to invest $128,205 today.

Or you can always invest a smaller amount on a regular basis, and you'll reach that passive income goal in good time.

The post 3 ASX dividend stocks I'd buy for a $5,000 annual superannuation income boost appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• The ASX 200 hit record highs this week, so why are Woodside shares stumbling?
• Buy, hold, sell: Coles, Woodside & Telstra shares
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Should I buy NextDC, Westpac, and Wesfarmers shares today?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

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

Superannuation is a very effective investment structure for Aussie investors to make passive income returns at a lower tax rate.

The tax rate of investment earnings for individuals, trusts and companies may be higher than the tax rate of investment returns inside superannuation.

Another bonus of the super set-up is that, in most cases, we won't access the money for many years, promoting the idea of long-term investing inside superannuation. Investing for the long-term gives us the best chance that an investment will play out positively.

I'd say that receiving passive income is one of the best elements of owning shares. It requires virtually no additional effort to receive money into our bank account once we hold that investment.

Why is superannuation important for passive income? Less tax in super means losing less of the passive income return to tax.

Outside of super, a full-time working Australian could lose a third (or more) of the passive income return to tax, which makes that type of return less appealing.

Superannuation looks significantly more appealing, in my view, given how much lower the tax rate is during the asset accumulation phase of life when compared to a full-time individual's tax rate.

It could get even better in retirement, where a person's superannuation tax rate may be 0%. You can't get a tax rate lower than that!

Of course, every Australian's tax position is different, so we'll just look at the particular income goal from here and ignore the tax rates.

How much is needed in superannuation for $90,000 of annual passive income?

Being paid $90,000 in dividends each year sounds amazing to me. I'm a very long way from that goal, but I would like to reach that annual dividend target eventually.

Australians need to think about what sorts of investments they want to own and the dividend yield those investments provide.

I believe ASX shares are the best pick for passive income. That's partly because the franking credits attached to dividends from Australian companies are an excellent addition to the return.

What's actually required to earn $90,000 annually depends on the dividend yield of the portfolio.

For example, a portfolio with a 5% dividend yield would need to be $1.8 million in size, while a dividend yield of 7% would need to be $1.29 million in size.

The required portfolio size varies significantly in size, so it depends on the sorts of investments we make in our portfolio.

The types of ASX dividend shares I'd buy

There are a number of high-quality ASX dividend shares that Aussies can buy for yield, such as quality operating companies, listed investment companies (LICs) or real estate investment trusts (REITs).

In my view, Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL) may be the strongest choice for reliable and rising dividends, but it has a relatively low dividend yield.

Some of the businesses I like with a dividend yield around 5% includes Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), APA Group (ASX: APA), Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF), Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP), MFF Capital Investments Ltd (ASX: MFF) and L1 Long Short Fund Ltd (ASX: LSF).

My favourite ideas with an expected dividend yield of around 7% (or more) include WCM Global Growth Ltd (ASX: WQG), Future Generation Australia Ltd (ASX: FGX), Future Generation Global Ltd (ASX: FGG), Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW), Dexus Industria REIT (ASX: DXI), WAM Microcap Ltd (ASX: WMI), WAM Leaders Ltd (ASX: WLE) and Hearts and Minds Investments Ltd (ASX: HM1).

These aren't the only compelling ASX dividend shares for superannuation investors to consider, but I think they're a great place to start.

The post How much is needed in superannuation to target a $90,000 annual passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Top 3 ASX shares to invest your first $5,000 in
• How to build a $100,000 passive income with ASX shares
• Buy, hold, sell: Coles, Woodside & Telstra shares
• 2 Australian income stocks perfect for retirement
• This ASX dividend stock is growing its payouts like clockwork

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Future Generation Australia, Future Generation Global, Hearts And Minds Investments, L1 Long Short Fund, Mff Capital Investments, Rural Funds Group, Wam Microcap, Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited, and Wcm Global Growth. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group, Mff Capital Investments, Rural Funds Group, Telstra Group, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

CBA shares face perhaps their biggest test of the year on Wednesday.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) hands down its FY26 result on the 12^th of August.

It may even be the largest single earnings event of the August reporting calendar.

As one of the two biggest companies on the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), the bank's numbers can even serve as a broader read on the domestic economy.

What Wednesday's earnigns means for CBA shares

Three things will move the stock.

The first is the net interest margin.

The second is credit quality, particularly across the mortgage book.

The third is the size of the final dividend.

What's more, the macroeconomic backdrop is particularly relevant this year. The cash rate sits at 4.35% after three increases in 2026, with the Reserve Bank of Australia meeting on the 11^th of August, the day before CBA reports.

Higher rates can be both a positive and a negative for a bank.

They support deposit margins, but they also squeeze borrowers and eventually lift arrears, so management commentary on that trade-off will be an important thing to watch during CBA's earnings call.

Recent earnings: where the bank stood at the half

The first-half result in February was strong: Cash net profit after tax rose 6% to a record $5.445 billion, while statutory net profit climbed 5% to $5,412 million.

Home lending grew 6.6% over the 12 months to December, broadly in line with the system, while business lending rose 12.3% against system growth of 9.8%.

Deposits were a key standout: balances increased $44 billion over the half, the strongest domestic deposit and lending balance growth the bank has recorded in a single half since 2008.

The common equity tier 1 ratio finished at 12.3%.

On the negatives, margins were the soft spot.

Net interest margin came in at 2.04%, down four basis points, though the board still lifted the interim dividend 4% to $2.35 per share, fully franked.

Beyond that, CBA's March quarter update showed unaudited cash profit of roughly $2.7 billion.

That was up 4% year on year but down 1% on the first-half quarterly average, which suggests momentum had flattened as the year wore on.

The dividend question for CBA shares

Income investors will focus primarily on the final payout. The bank has paid a dividend every year since 1992.

This time around, the CommSec consensus points to a full-year dividend near $5.15 per share for FY26.

That works out at around 4.5% on a grossed-up basis once franking credits are included, which is respectable without being spectacular.

The interim payout ratio was near 74% on a normalised basis, which leaves reasonable room for future expansion.

However, valuation remains the sticking point for CBA shares.

Morgans holds a sell rating with a $117.63 price target, mostly on valuation grounds, which sits a long way below where the shares have been trading.

Foolish takeaway

The result itself is unlikely to shock anyone.

CBA is a well-run bank with a fortress balance sheet and a long dividend record. The interesting part of these results will be the guidance and the commentary on credit quality.

Watch what management says about arrears in the mortgage book, and watch the margin trajectory as the replicating portfolio tailwind gradually fades.

Putting things into perspective, for long-term holders, a single result rarely changes the long-term investment case. Time in the market is much more important than timing the market.

The post CBA shares: What to expect from Wednesday's FY26 earnings appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why is the ASX 200 at record highs?
• Investing $10,000 into ASX shares at record highs: does timing matter?
• How to start investing in ASX shares with $1,000
• Should I invest $5,000 in CBA shares in August?
• If I invest $10,000 in ANZ shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2027?

Motley Fool contributor Mark Verhoeven 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.

Choosing your first ASX shares is difficult, mostly because there is so much choice.

With $5,000 to deploy, the goal is not to find the next rocketship.

The goal is to own a handful of quality businesses, understand why you own them, and start the compounding process.

Here are three I would consider.

1. The core of a first ASX shares portfolio: Betashares Australia 200 ETF

The first of my three ASX shares is not a company at all.

The Betashares Australia 200 ETF (ASX: A200) holds the 200 largest businesses listed on the ASX in a single trade.

That includes the banks, the big miners, the supermarkets, and everything in between.

The ETF's management fee is 0.04% per year. On a $2,000 holding, that works out to roughly 80 cents annually.

Distributions are paid quarterly and typically arrive with franking credits attached.

For a first portfolio, this ETF does the heavy lifting on diversification and takes the guesswork out of stock picking.

2. The blue chip: Wesfarmers

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) owns Bunnings, Kmart, Officeworks and a chemicals and fertilisers division.

It is a business most Australians are familiar with. Sometimes, familiarity is useful when learning how to analyse companies.

The conglomerate has also kept growing through a difficult stretch for household budgets.

Many of its businesses are defensive, meaning consumers continue to buy products even during a downturn. For example, Bunnings and Kmart both run everyday low-price models, which tends to help when shoppers tighten their purse strings.

In its most recent earnings, its FY26 half-year result in February, Wesfarmers managed to grow revenue 3.1% to $24.2 billion, while growing statutory net profit after tax 9.3% to $1,603 million.

The board declared a fully franked interim dividend of $1.02 per share, an increase of 7.4%.

Return on equity excluding significant items came in at 32.7%, which is an outstanding figure for a business of this size.

Wesfarmers is scheduled to report its full-year result in late August.

3. The income leg of your ASX shares portfolio: Telstra

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) rounds out my three ASX shares.

The telco is about as defensive as the local market gets. Australians keep paying their phone bills regardless of what interest rates do.

In its first-half result, Telstra grew mobile services revenue 5.6% and declared an interim dividend of 10.5 cents per share.

The company also expanded its stock buy-back from up to $1 billion to up to $1.25 billion for FY26.

Telstra may not be a growth company, but it is a steady, cash-generative business that pays you while you wait.

Foolish takeaway

A reasonable split might be $2,000 into A200 and $1,500 into each of the two companies.

That gives you broad market exposure, a quality operator, and a reliable income payer.

None of these ASX shares will double overnight, and so for investors looking to get rich quick these may not be the right picks.

But for investors serious about creating long-term wealth, these three are a good starting point.

The post Top 3 ASX shares to invest your first $5,000 in appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much is needed in superannuation to target a $90,000 annual passive income?
• 3 ASX ETFs to buy in FY27 and hold for life 
• Buy, hold, sell: Coles, Woodside & Telstra shares
• 2 Australian income stocks perfect for retirement
• Should I buy NextDC, Westpac, and Wesfarmers shares today?

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

Building a $100,000 passive income from ASX shares is a serious long-term goal.

It is not something most investors can create quickly from scratch.

But with time, discipline, and regular investing, it is possible.

Start with the end number

If an investor eventually wants $100,000 a year in passive income and their ASX portfolio yields 5%, the required portfolio size would be $2 million.

But the biggest mistake would be trying to build this portfolio by chasing high dividend yields from day one.

Early in the journey, the priority should usually be capital growth. A portfolio needs to become large before it can produce a large income stream.

That means investors may want to focus first on ASX shares that can compound over time.

These could include global growth shares such as Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO), Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME), Goodman Group (ASX: GMG), REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA), and ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD).

These companies are not necessarily the highest-yielding shares on the ASX. Xero doesn't even pay a dividend. But they have the potential to grow earnings, expand markets, and increase shareholder value over many years.

If the portfolio can generate an average annual return of 10%, which is not guaranteed but a fair target historically, investing $1,000 a month could grow to $2 million in about 30 years.

Alternatively, at $2,000 a month, the timeframe falls to around 23 years. At $3,000 a month, it could be closer to 19 and a half years.

The shift toward passive income

Once the portfolio becomes larger, the focus can gradually move toward dividends.

That does not necessarily mean selling every growth share. It means reshaping the portfolio so that income becomes more important as retirement or financial independence gets closer.

A 5% dividend yield across the portfolio could be achieved through a blend of income-focused investments.

If it were today, it might include a dividend ETF such as the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY), alongside individual ASX dividend shares such as APA Group (ASX: APA), Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW), Transurban Group (ASX: TCL), Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW), and Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN).

The aim is not to own only the highest-yielding shares. It is to build an income stream supported by different sectors, business models, and cash flow sources.

The real plan

A $100,000 passive income from ASX shares requires a large portfolio, but it is possible.

It can start with regular investing into quality compounders and patience.

Then, as the portfolio grows, investors can slowly shift toward higher-yielding ASX shares and ETFs.

The post How to build a $100,000 passive income with ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much is needed in superannuation to target a $90,000 annual passive income?
• Why ResMed shares are tumbling 6% today despite strong results
• Why James Hardie, Avita Medical and ResMed shares are turning heads on Friday
• ResMed posts strong Q4 earnings, lifts dividend
• Why this broker thinks REA Group shares are a sell right now

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Goodman Group, Pro Medicus, REA Group, ResMed, Woolworths Group, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goodman Group, ResMed, Transurban Group, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group, Harvey Norman, ResMed, Transurban Group, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group, Pro Medicus, and Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

As we begin the new financial year, many Aussies will be looking to restructure and reposition their portfolios. 

Other investors may be looking to allocate savings to shares or ASX ETFs for the first time. 

If you fall into either basket, there are several ways to build lifetime wealth. 

Here at The Motley Fool, we advocate for a long-term, diversified portfolio.

ASX ETFs offer a simple and effective way to achieve this in just one or two trades. 

The magic of compounding 

One of the core reasons we advocate for long-term investing is the impact of compounding returns.

A simple way to think about compounding is that your money earns returns, and then those returns earn returns too.

For example, if you invest $10,000 in an ASX ETF and it earns an average 10% per year with all dividends reinvested:

• After 10 years: $25,900
• After 20 years: $67,300
• After 30 years: $174,500
• After 40 years: $452,600

You only invested $10,000, but by staying invested and reinvesting your returns, compounding does the heavy lifting over time. 

While this is just a hypothetical example, there are ASX ETFs that have brought annualised returns around this mark. 

This is why long-term investing in ASX ETFs can build significant wealth.

Here are three examples that are built for the long-term. 

BetaShares Australia 200 ETF (ASX: A200)

As the name suggests, this fund from Betashares provides exposure to the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO). 

The ASX 200 is an index that tracks the 200 largest companies listed on the Australian market. 

It represents around 80% of the total value of the Australian share market, making it a good snapshot of how the Australian economy and share market are performing.

Over the last five years, it has brought an annualised return of almost 8% according to Betashares. 

This kind of fund can be a great starting point for an Aussie investor trying to capture the broader Australian market. 

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

Turning our attention to the US market, this iShares fund applies the same concept to the largest US stocks. 

It tracks the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX), which is 500 of the largest publicly traded companies in the United States.

Over the last five years, it has brought an annualised return of over 13%. 

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

Another great set and forget option is this fund from Vanguard. 

One of the most popular ASX ETFs, it invests in over 1,000 companies from around 23 countries, including the U.S., Japan, the U.K., Canada, France, and Switzerland.

It is a great way to diversify your portfolio in just one trade. 

Over the last five years, it has returned over 10% per annum. 

The post 3 ASX ETFs to buy in FY27 and hold for life  appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Top 3 ASX shares to invest your first $5,000 in
• 5 excellent ASX ETFs to buy with $5,000 in August
• Which Vanguard ETFs could be strong buys now?
• Want to retire at 60? Here are 3 superannuation tricks to achieve the dream
• 3 money moves to help your kids build an ASX portfolio for life

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has positions in Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Vanguard Msci Index International Shares 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.

Defence-related ASX shares surged in 2025 as investors anticipated sustained growth in global military spending. 

This increased spending came amid heightened geopolitical tensions and evolving security threats. 

Governments across Europe, the United States, and the Indo-Pacific committed to larger defence budgets. This was in response to ongoing conflicts, strategic competition, and the increasing importance of national security. 

This supported expectations of stronger demand for defence equipment, cybersecurity, surveillance systems, and advanced military technologies. 

Investors were also attracted by the sector's defensive characteristics. Many defence companies operate under long-term government contracts that provide relatively stable revenues. 

However, over the last six months, this sector has cooled off as investors have largely exited their positions. 

This has come despite continued defence investment from governments. 

A new Betashares report outlined the major reasons for these trends and explored what might come next for the sector. 

Soft Q2

According to the report from Betashares, global defence has been one of the market's standout themes in recent years. This has been powered by a structural step-up in spending across NATO and its allies. 

Yet after a strong run, defence stocks have fallen over 2026, even as the spending story has grown stronger. Contractor order books have pushed past US$1 trillion for the first time, and the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran continue to reinforce the case for sustained investment in defence.

The quarter's defining theme was a shift in the type of defence spend. Conflicts in Ukraine and now Iran are increasingly being fought with cheap, mass-produced drones rather than expensive fighter jets and large missile programs. That has investors reassessing the traditional primes, and rotating toward autonomy, AI and space.

Much of the recent softness has come from Europe, where valuations have reset after last year's surge.

Continued investment 

Despite the market pause, the spending backdrop only strengthened. 

According to the report, at the recent NATO Summit (Ankara) members were pressed to deliver "clear, concrete and credible" plans toward the new 5% of GDP target, with the alliance already averaging roughly 4% just one year in. 

Over €50 billion of new procurement was announced, alongside a "NATO Drone Edge" initiative to invest US$40 billion in uncrewed systems over five years.14

In the United States, Congress approved over US$1 trillion for 2026, and the FY27 budget proposes a record US$1.5 trillion (a ~40% increase), including US$53.6 billion for a "Drone Dominance" program.

The clear message from the quarter is that spending continues to ramp to record levels, but the target of that spend is shifting toward cheaper, nimbler, technology-led solutions. For long-term investors, the pullback has reset valuations in a sector with multi-year earnings visibility and growing relevance as a geopolitical hedge.

Profit taking 

Despite the increased government spending, it appears that investors are now rotating into other sectors. 

The Betashares Global Defence ETF – Beta Global Defence ETF (ASX: ARMR) has now fallen 20% since January. 

However for investors looking to buy the dip, ARMR remains well placed to capture shifts in the landscape. 

It has globally diversified defence exposure holding 60 leading companies which derive 50% or more of their revenues from the development and manufacturing of military and defence equipment, as well as defence technology.

It currently holds 13 of the top 20 defence contractors in the world by defence revenue.

The post Why investors are rotating out of defence stocks: Expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX dividend stocks I'd buy for a $5,000 annual superannuation income boost
• How much is needed in superannuation to target a $90,000 annual passive income?
• CBA shares: What to expect from Wednesday's FY26 earnings
• Top 3 ASX shares to invest your first $5,000 in
• How to build a $100,000 passive income with ASX shares

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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.

Australia's first quantum computing ETF began trading on the ASX this week, and the timing could hardly have been better.

Hours earlier, US-listed IonQ Inc (NYSE: IONQ) delivered the biggest quarter in its history.

Now, the VanEck Quantum ETF (ASX: QNTM) now gives local investors direct access to the theme.

What the new quantum computing ETF actually holds

QNTM tracks the MarketVector Quantum Computing Ecosystem Index.

The index targets businesses building quantum hardware, quantum software, and the components that support both.

That is a wide net that captures early-stage pure plays alongside far larger technology companies running quantum research programs.

The fund charges a management fee of 0.65% per year, which is expensive next to a broad index fund, though not unusual for a narrow thematic product.

QNTM listed alongside two siblings on 6 August.

One covers global semiconductors at 0.35%, while the other holds rare earths and strategic metals at 0.59%.

VanEck's Asia-Pacific chief executive Arian Neiron pitched the trio on their thematic appeal rather than their breadth.

The launches land in a record year for Australian ETFs, with the local industry closing the financial year at $372 billion in funds under management.

Recent earnings: inside IonQ's record quarter

IonQ is the most visible pure-play name in the sector, and its second-quarter numbers were astounding.

Revenue reached US$80.1 million, up 287% year-on-year, and came in a full 20% ahead of the company's own guidance. Encouragingly, organic revenue growth (revenue growth outside of acquisitions) was 132%.

Chief executive Niccolo de Masi described it as "the strongest quarter in our company's history".

Management also lifted full-year 2026 revenue guidance to a range of US$280 million to US$290 million, while remaining performance obligations climbed to US$485 million, up from US$122 million a year earlier.

Yet despite all of this, IonQ reported a GAAP net loss of US$1.9 billion for the quarter.

Most of that was a US$1.6 billion non-cash movement on warrant valuations, so the headline figure overstates the operating position. But adjusted EBITDA was still negative US$120.3 million.

Record revenue and heavy losses are arriving together, which is entirely normal for an industry at this stage of its life.

The catch with this quantum computing ETF

Quantum computing is a technology still waiting for its commercial breakthrough.

Revenue growth of 287% sounds spectacular, and it is, but it is also growth from a very small base funded by shareholders rather than by profits.

A quantum computing ETF does spread that risk across many companies, but it does not remove it.

If the commercial breakthrough takes another decade, a diversified basket of loss-making innovators will still struggle.

QNTM is also brand new, so there is no performance record to assess.

This is where position sizing comes into play.

Something like the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) does a very different job in a portfolio, holding roughly 300 established Australian businesses that are profitable today.

A speculative theme works best as a small satellite around a core like VAS.

Foolish takeaway

IonQ's result is evidence that quantum computing is starting to generate real revenue.

It is not yet evidence that the industry can generate real profits, and the gap between those two things is where thematic investors most often get hurt.

If the theme interests you, the new quantum computing ETF is a reasonable way to access it.

I would size the position as though it may not work.

But I would also keep the bulk of your capital somewhere diversified and, frankly, a little boring.

The post IonQ just posted record revenue. What does it mean for the ASX's newest quantum computing ETF? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX dividend stocks I'd buy for a $5,000 annual superannuation income boost
• How much is needed in superannuation to target a $90,000 annual passive income?
• CBA shares: What to expect from Wednesday's FY26 earnings
• Top 3 ASX shares to invest your first $5,000 in
• How to build a $100,000 passive income with ASX shares

Motley Fool contributor Mark Verhoeven 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 IonQ. 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.

There's a chasm of difference between deciding that you 'want to invest' and actually mapping out an investing strategy and buying your first investment.

Everyone knows that investing in the stock market is probably a good idea for one's long-term wealth potential. However, getting from that stage to your first purchase involves becoming familiar with a whole lot of jargon, opening a brokerage account, finding some money, selecting an investment, and buying it. Many Australians simply get lost along the way and decide it's all a bit much.

That's a real shame, because investing is indeed one of the biggest favours you can do for yourself and the long-term wealth of you and your family.

There are countless paths one can take after deciding that investing in the stock market is a good idea. There's long-term investing in blue-chip stocks, day trading, buying thematic exchange-traded funds (ETFs), buying growth stocks, and buying value stocks. The list goes on. Today, though, I'll outline a simple pathway to building wealth using the share market that anyone can follow and use to become richer over time.

This path involves just one investment. It is the Vanguard Diversified High Growth ETF (ASX: VDHG). You may have come across the term 'index fund' in your investing journey. An index fund is an ETF investment that represents an entire stock market. For example, an Australian index fund typically consists of small investments in the largest 200 or 300 companies listed on our stock exchange. That's everything from Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) to JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) and Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD).

Building wealth with this simple investing strategy

These index funds rebalance themselves over time without any input required from their investors. This makes them great options for investors who want to build wealth but don't want to learn the ins and outs of stock picking.

The Vanguard Diversified High Growth ETF is a collection of index funds, housed under the one VDHG umbrella. One of its index funds is an Australian fund indeed, covering the shares we listed above and more. But it also includes other index funds that cover international share markets (including the US with stocks like Apple, Coca-Cola, and Amazon), smaller international shares, and shares from emerging markets (such as India, Taiwan, and Brazil). It also adds diversification with index funds that track bonds (investment loans to governments and companies)

All in all, investing in VDHG means investing in thousands of individual stocks and bonds, all under one easy roof. Since this index rebalances and refreshes itself over time, it requires no ongoing maintenance from its investors. So you can buy this Vanguard index fund and just 'set and forget'.

The strategy to build wealth with this fund is simple. Buy units through your brokerage account as soon as your finances allow, and then invest as much and as regularly as possible. Never sell if you don't absolutely need the cash, and reinvest any and all dividend distributions you receive. If an investor follows this roadmap, there's a good chance they will make a meaningful difference to their wealth over time.

To illustrate, the Vanguard Diversified High Growth ETF has returned an average of 9.86% per annum (as of 30 June) since its inception in 2017. If we assume that rate of return holds going forward (which is not guaranteed by any means), an investment of $1,000 per month would build to an investment worth more than $2.2 million over 30 years.

Anyone can follow this investing path, and I think it would serve any Australian with the discipline and patience required to hold to this strategy extremely well.

The post The simple investing strategy anyone can use to get rich appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 top ASX ETFs for beginner investors in August
• How much superannuation do I need to retire comfortably at 60?
• What could $500 a month in ASX shares actually turn into?
• Why these Vanguard ETFs could be strong buys
• Own Vanguard ASX ETFs? It's dividend payday!

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Amazon, Apple, and Coca-Cola. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Amazon and Apple. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Amazon and Apple. 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) ended the trading week with a slight pullback this Friday, an arguably understandable move after this week's record-breaking run of new all-time highs for ASX shares.

The index opened sharply lower this morning, but recovered throughout the day to post a loss of just 0.086% for the session. That leaves the ASX 200 at 9,263.6 points as we head into the weekend.

This cooler end to the Australian trading week today comes after a red session up on Wall Street last night.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a rough time of it, losing a hefty 0.85%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared much better, though, dropping by just 0.057%.

But let's return to the local market now and check out how the different ASX sectors traversed today's tepid trading conditions.

Winners and losers

Despite the market's retreat, we still saw plenty of sectors record a rise today.

But first, it was financial shares that led the selling. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) was hit hard this Friday, slumping 0.95%.

Healthcare stocks weren't popular either, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) tanking 0.92%.

Industrial shares were on the nose too. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) took a 0.62% dive this session.

We could say the same for consumer discretionary stocks, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.62% dip.

Utilities shares weren't much better. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) sank 0.43% by the end of the day.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) didn't hold water, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) drifting down 0.09%.

Our last losers this Friday were communications stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) slipped 0.04% lower.

Let's get to the green sectors now. Leading the pack were again gold shares, as you can see from the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 3.45% jump.

Broader mining stocks didn't miss out either. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) soared 1.32% by the closing bell.

Tech shares also ran hot, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) shooting up 0.77%.

Energy stocks were on the winning team today, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) advanced 0.58%.

Finally, consumer staples shares proved to be a safe haven, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.11% rise.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Lithium stock Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) took out our top index spot this Friday. Liontown shares enjoyed a significant 9.26% surge to $1.18 today.

That came despite no news or announcements from the company.

Here's the rest of today's best: 

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.

More reading

• Here's what brokers tip for PLS shares over the next 12 months
• Why ResMed shares are tumbling 6% today despite strong results
• 3 ASX 200 stocks storming higher this week on big news
• Why James Hardie, Avita Medical and ResMed shares are turning heads on Friday
• How much could the BHP share price rise in the next year?

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 Light & Wonder Inc and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Light & Wonder Inc and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) shares are $4.57 apiece, up 6.3% on Friday after lithium prices pushed higher overnight.

The lithium spodumene price rose 0.49% to US$2,055 per tonne, while carbonate lifted 0.89% to US$20,965 per tonne.

Formerly known as Pilbara Minerals, PLS Group is the ASX 200's largest lithium share by market capitalisation.

PLS Group had a fantastic period of share price growth on the back of rapidly rebounding commodity prices in FY26.

The PLS share price soared 275% to $5.02 on 30 June, after hitting a record $6.81 during the month.

The lithium spodumene price soared 278%, and carbonate rose 160% over the financial year.  

Lithium is rebounding after a two-year slump brought about by global oversupply.

Supply/demand finally rebalanced at the start of FY26, and the green energy transition is driving demand for lithium batteries to power new infrastructure and electric vehicles (EVs).

The company's flagship mine is Pilgangoora, the world's largest independent hard-rock lithium operation. 

PLS Group released its 4Q FY26 report last week.

The miner reported full-year production of 879,500 tonnes of spodumene concentrate, up 17% year over year.

FY26 sales volumes totalled 891,600 tonnes, up 17% on FY25.

June quarter revenue was up 31% on the March quarter at $743 million.

The company had a cash balance of $2.29 billion on 30 June, up 57% in the fourth quarter.

PLS Group will release its full-year FY26 results on Monday, 24 August.

In the meantime, several experts have re-rated the ASX 200 lithium share.

What do the experts think about PLS shares?

Over the past week, six brokers have reviewed their ratings and 12-month share price targets for PLS Group.

Ord Minnett reiterated its buy call on PLS shares but lowered its 12-month target from $6.20 to $6.

Canaccord Genuity also kept its buy call in place with a $6.40 target.

This is the highest price target among the six analysts, and suggests a 40% potential upside over the next year.

Macquarie also has a buy rating with a $6.25 target.

Morgan Stanley has a hold rating on PLS shares with a $5.15 target.

Bell Potter also retained a hold rating, but slashed its 12-month target from $6.15 to $4.70.

Analyst James Williamson commented on the miner's FY27 production guidance:

FY27 guidance points to SC production of 1.03-1.10Mt (up 21% YoY midpoint) and unit costs of A$575-625/t (up 5% YoY midpoint) with the higher-cost Nugungaju plant expected to ramp to full ~200kt capacity in October 2026.

Capital expenditure will step up materially to $630-685m (FY26 $328m) with key items including mine development of $250-280m with a major cutback across FY27-28 and P2000 pre-FID spend of $175m.

Williamson added:

At current lithium market prices, PLS will generate substantial earnings and cash flow with the restart of the 200ktpa Ngungaju processing plant.

P2000 and Colina development studies are being progressed, providing substantial organic growth optionality in markets with strong underlying EV and BESS-led long term demand fundamentals.

Any sell recommendations?

Yes, Jarden reckons investors should sell PLS shares ahead of the company's full-year FY26 results.

The broker has a 12-month target of $3.10, which implies a potential 32% downside from here.

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

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why are ASX mining shares so far out in front?
• How high does Macquarie think PLS Group shares will go?
• Is the PLS Group share price a buy in August?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday

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 recommended Macquarie Group. 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 down 0.1% to 9,264.6 points on Friday.

The market is taking a breather after hitting a new record of 9,296.7 points yesterday.

The August earnings season is now underway, which means dividends are being announced.

We'll help you keep track of ex-dividend dates over the next two months.

Next week, only a few ASX shares are going ex-dividend.

We've listed them below, along with the dividend amounts to be paid.

In order to receive a dividend, you must own the ASX share before its ex-dividend date.

On the ex-dividend date, share prices tend to fall because the stock becomes less valuable without the dividend entitlement attached.

Alcoa Corporation (ASX: AAI)

This ASX 200 mining share will pay an unfranked dividend of 10 US cents per share on 27 August.

The ex-dividend date is Monday, 10 August.

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO)

This ASX 200 mining share will pay a fully franked US$2.11 per share on 24 September.

The ex-dividend date is Thursday, 13 August.

BKI Investment Company Ltd (ASX: BKI)

The ASX listed investment company (LIC) is an offshoot of the former company, Brickworks.

The ASX financial stock will pay a dividend of 4 cents per share on 28 August.

The ex-dividend date is Friday, 14 August.

Argo Investments Ltd (ASX: ARG)

This ASX LIC will pay a dividend of 20 cents per share on 18 September.

The ex-dividend date is Friday, 14 August.

Which ASX shares have dividend announcements next week?

On Monday, we'll hear from Car Group Ltd (ASX: CAR).

On Tuesday, we'll see earnings reports from SGH Ltd (ASX: SGH) and Life360 Inc (ASX: 360).

The big one next week is Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares.

CBA will announce its full-year FY26 results and final dividend on Wednesday.

The ex-dividend date for the CBA dividend will be 19 August.

AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGL) and Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN) will announce their results and dividends on Wednesday.

Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG) shares will be in focus on Thursday.

We'll also find out the dividends for Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) and Transurban Group (ASX: TCL) shares on Thursday.

On Friday, QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE) will step up to the plate.

View our reporting calendar for more companies announcing dividends next week.

The post ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Why are ASX mining shares so far out in front?
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• How much superannuation is needed to target $8,000 per month in passive income?

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 Life360 and Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360, Telstra Group, and Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CAR Group Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares have been strong performers this year, but they're not joining in with this week's record-breaking S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) rally.

As you may have heard, Thursday saw the ASX 200 close at a new all-time high of 9,271.6 points.

Today, the benchmark index has slipped from that record, down 0.1% to 9,260.3 points. Still, that sees the ASX 200 up 3.2% since last Friday's close. Meanwhile, Woodside shares are down 2.7% over this time, currently changing hands for $32.07 apiece.

Taking a step back, the ASX 200 oil and gas stock has gained 35.6% in 2026, smashing the 6.2% gains delivered by the benchmark index. And that's not including the fully-franked 83.5 cents per share final dividend Woodside paid out on 27 March.

So, why is the company underperforming this week?

What's holding Woodside shares back from this week's rally?

There's been no concerning news out from the company this week to spook investors.

So, the underperformance of Woodside shares looks to be driven by the decline in global oil prices.

Brent crude oil is currently trading for US$83.39 per barrel, according to data from Bloomberg. That sees the oil price down 7.5% since last Friday, when a barrel of Brent crude was fetching US$90.12.

As you're likely aware, the decline in the oil price this week has been spurred by renewed hopes that a peace deal with Iran may see the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping channel reopen.

However, in the latest twist, Iran has said it wants to bar Israeli and US ships from the strategic waterway.

As I believe that particular stipulation is unlikely to sit well with US President Donald Trump, this week's oil price decline that's throwing up headwinds for Woodside shares may be short lived.

What else is happening with the ASX 200 energy stock?

In a media release after market close on Thursday, and deemed non-price sensitive to Woodside shares, the company revealed that it has entered into an agreement to sell its 70% operated interest in the Calypso Project to United Kingdom-based energy company BP.

This will see BP take a 100% interest in the project, located in Trinidad and Tobago. The companies expect the transaction – which includes an unspecified cash consideration and contingent payments – to close by the end of 2026.

Commenting on the divestment, Woodside CEO Liz Westcott said:

The transaction demonstrates Woodside's clear focus on progressing the right opportunities across our global portfolio that have the best potential to deliver sustained value for Woodside shareholders.

Completion of the divestment will conclude Woodside's decades-long presence in Trinidad and Tobago that has included interests in the Ruby and Angostura offshore oil and gas field operations and associated production facilities.

The post The ASX 200 hit record highs this week, so why are Woodside shares stumbling? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended BP. 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.

ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD) shares are down 6% to $29.64 in afternoon trade on Friday, despite the sleep disorder treatment specialist reporting another year of solid revenue and earnings growth.

The sharp decline adds to an already difficult period for shareholders. Over the past 12 months, ResMed shares have fallen 31%, making the healthcare company one of the worst-performing ASX stocks over that period. By comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has gained around 2%.

Investors appear to be taking profits after ResMed shares gained 5% in the past five trading days. This was despite a strong financial result that included double-digit earnings growth, a higher dividend, and plans to significantly increase capital returns.

Lifting dividend and buyback

For the fourth quarter, revenue rose 9% year-on-year to US$1.46 billion, or 8% on a constant currency basis. GAAP diluted earnings per share increased 2% to US$2.64, while non-GAAP diluted earnings per share jumped 16% to US$2.95.

For the full year, revenue climbed 10% to US$5.7 billion, while non-GAAP diluted earnings per share increased 17% to US$11.17.

ResMed shares also returned US$1 billion to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks during FY26, up 70% from the previous year, and lifted its quarterly dividend by 10% to US$0.66 per share.

What else did investors learn?

The company continued to deliver broad-based growth across its business, with Sleep and Breathing Health revenue increasing between 8% and 10% on a constant currency basis across major markets. Residential Care Software also posted modest growth.

Profitability remained healthy, with non-GAAP gross margin improving to 62.3%, supported by strong product demand and productivity improvements.

Strategically, ResMed agreed to sell its MatrixCare software business for $490 million, with the transaction expected to complete early in FY27. It also completed the acquisition of Noctrix Health, expanding into wearable therapeutics for Restless Leg Syndrome.

The company continued rolling out new products globally, including AirSense 11 in Taiwan and AirCurve 11 ST/ST-A in the United States, while also announcing a partnership with ŌURA to improve sleep health education.

What did management say?

ResMed Chairman and CEO Mick Farrell said:

We closed fiscal year 2026 with strong fourth quarter results, reflecting continued momentum of our global business, sustained demand for our market-leading products, and disciplined execution of our strategy.

As we enter fiscal year 2027, we will leverage our global scale and enhance our digital capabilities to benefit our patients, providers, and customers. We will use our industry-leading portfolio to improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and drive long-term profitable growth for our shareholders.

What's next for ResMed shares?

Looking ahead, ResMed expects to return more than US$1.85 billion to shareholders through dividends and buybacks in FY27.

Friday's weakness of ResMed shares suggests the market was looking for an even stronger result or more upbeat guidance. However, the company remains focused on completing the MatrixCare sale, integrating Noctrix Health, and expanding its portfolio of digital and home-based healthcare solutions to support long-term growth.

The post Why ResMed shares are tumbling 6% today despite strong results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why James Hardie, Avita Medical and ResMed shares are turning heads on Friday
• How much could the BHP share price rise in the next year?
• ResMed posts strong Q4 earnings, lifts dividend

Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended 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) shares are barely in the green on Friday, up 0.03% to 9,274.3 points.

Yesterday, the ASX 200 hit a new all-time high of 9,274.3 points.

Here are some new ratings and 12-month share price targets from the experts this week.  

Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA)

The Viva Energy share price is $2.67, up 1.1% today and up 27% over 12 months. 

Ord Minnett has a buy rating on this ASX 200 energy share. 

The broker raised its 12-month target from $2.85 to $3 after reviewing Viva's unaudited 1H FY26 report.

This implies a potential 12% upside ahead.

In a note, Ord Minnett said:

Viva Energy Group (VEA) flagged first-half CY26 operating earnings (EBITDA) would be 5–8% ahead of Ord Minnett and market expectations, driven by strong performance from its convenience and mobility (C&M) retail operations and its commercial and industrial (C&I) division, which benefitted from supply and hedging deals it had struck prior to the Middle East war.

Guidance for its Geelong refinery fell short of consensus expectations, as the catalytic cracker outage hurt output and increased crude premiums in June squeezed refining margins – the Geelong refining margin (GRM) was US$21.10 a barrel (bbl) in the first half of CY26.‍

That outcome was still more than double the US$8.20/bbl GRM on a year ago, and remain elevated relative to history, which Ord Minnett expects to continue driving upgrades to market earnings forecasts for Viva.

Myer Holdings Ltd (ASX: MYR)

The Myer share price is 22 cents, up 3.3% today and down 65% over 12 months. 

Ord Minnett has a hold rating on this ASX 300 consumer discretionary share. 

The broker cut its price target from 32 cents to 24 cents after Myer's FY27 trading update.

This suggests a potential 8% upside ahead.

Ord Minnett said the update was worse than feared, and commented: 

Myer Holdings (MYR) delivered a weak trading update as the department store and apparel chain warned operating gross profit for FY26 would be down 2.1–2.5% on a pro forma basis, as soft consumer sentiment weighed on sales and increased promotional expenses to spur demand squeezed margins.

The hit to demand from households hurt by higher interest rates and petrol prices was exacerbated by the warmer-than-typical winter, with total sales of $4.1 billion up just 0.3% on a comparable basis.

Somewhat concerningly, Ord Minnett notes the slowdown accelerated in the second half of FY26 (Myer rules its books off in July), with comparable total sales falling 2.1% in the last 19 weeks, including a drop of 5.4% and 4.0% in June and July, respectively.

Looking into the first half of FY27, we expect continued weak consumer confidence and a likely further 25 basis point increase in interest rates to drive a 1.5% fall in total sales.‍

Centuria Office REIT (ASX: COF)

The Centuria Office REIT share price is 90 cents, down 0.3% today and down 31% over 12 months. 

Bell Potter has a sell rating on this ASX All Ords real estate investment trust (REIT).

Analyst Michael Armstrong discussed Centuria Office's FY27 dividend guidance of 9 cents per share, almost 11% below FY26.

The board decided to rebase the payout ratio to 80% of funds from operations (FFO), down from 90%, which they say is sustainable.

Armstrong said that despite the cut, the dividend remained more than 5% above their expectations, and that this implied it would again be topped up with capital.

He kept the 12-month share price target at 85 cents, suggesting a 5% downside from here.

Armstrong wrote:

While we acknowledge the positive leasing outcomes within the QLD market, suburban office markets remain challenged with persistent vacancies in 818 Bourke St. and 201 Pacific Highway.

We see earnings risk to the downside with elevated gearing (43.7%) prompting plans for further divestments.

We see the dividend cut to 9.0c as prudent, however the rebased figure still sits above our estimate of cash earnings – placing further pressure on the balance sheet.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Myer, Centuria Office REIT, Viva Energy shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Centuria Office REIT meets FY26 earnings and distribution guidance
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• 3 ASX 200 stocks flying higher this week on big news

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 recommended Myer and Premier Investments. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

With just a few hours left before the end of trade on Friday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up 3.1% for the week, with these three ASX 200 stocks racing ahead of those gains.

Here's what's been piquing investor interest this week.

Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX)

At time of writing Westgold shares are changing hands for $5.59 apiece, putting this ASX 200 stock up 18.2% for the week.

The Aussie gold miner got a big boost on Wednesday, after announcing it was increasing the processing capacity at its Western Australian Cue processing hub from 1.4 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) to 1.7 Mtpa by FY 2028, representing a 21% boost.

The miner expects this will enable it to increase gold production by some 15,000 ounces per year.

"Bigger mines need bigger mills," Westgold CEO Wayne Bramwell said.

He added:

This simple upgrade and modest capital investment at the Cue hub reflects a deliberate shift towards processing hub optimisation and expansion, with lower operating costs and higher cashflow the objective.

Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI)

The second ASX 200 stock storming higher on big news this week is financial services company Pinnacle Investment.

Pinnacle shares are currently trading for $18.74 each, up 17.3% since last Friday's close.

Investors bid up the Pinnacle share price following on the company's full year FY 2026 results release on Tuesday.

Highlights included a 28% year on year increase in aggregate funds under management (FUM) to $229.4 billion. That was supported by record net inflows of $33.4 billion, including retail and international inflows.

On the bottom line, Pinnacle shares got caught tailwinds with the company reporting FY 2026 underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) of $138.0 million, up 21%.

Commenting on the results, Pinnacle CEO Ian Macoun said:

We continue to build Pinnacle to deliver sustained high rates of growth for many years into the future. Our distinct business model and Three Horizons growth strategy have built a highly diversified platform across asset classes, geographies and product formats.

Which brings us to…

Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU)

Neuren shares are currently trading at $22.39, which sees this ASX 200 stock up an impressive 24.2% for the week.

Shares in the ASX 200 biopharmaceutical company closed up 16.3% on Wednesday following the release of Neuren's second quarter (Q2 2026) update.

Investors were piling into the stock, with Neuren reporting a 24% quarter-on-quarter increase in net sales from its patented prescription drug DAYBUE to US$125 million.

This saw full calendar year 2026 DAYBUE net sales guidance increased to the range of US$480 to US$510 million.

"We are pleased to see an exceptional quarter for DAYBUE, with very strong sales volume growth reflecting the early success of [DAYBUE] STIX in the US," Neuren CEO Jon Pilcher said.

The post 3 ASX 200 stocks storming higher this week on big news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
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• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Macquarie says these 3 ASX 200 stocks can return 38% to 93%

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

James Hardie Industries PLC (ASX: JHX), Avita Medical Inc (ASX: AVH), and ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD) shares are making waves on Friday.

Two of the ASX stocks are racing ahead of the 0.1% losses posted by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) in late morning trade today, while one is taking a tumble.

Here's what's grabbing investor attention.

ResMed shares slide on lower margins

The ASX 200 stock trailing the benchmark today is ResMed. This follows the release of the sleep disorder treatment company's fourth-quarter (Q4 FY 2026) results.

At the time of writing, ResMed shares are down 5.2%, changing hands for $29.84 each.

Overall, the company posted some solid results, including a 9% increase in Q4 revenue, which hit a record US$1.5 billion. Over the full FY 2026 year, ResMed reported revenue of US$5.7 billion, up 10% year on year.

The ASX 200 healthcare share also boosted its quarterly dividend by 10% to 66 US cents per share.

But ResMed shares may be coming under pressure, with the company's gross margin slipping 2.0% year on year to 58.8%. And Q4 free cash flow of US$404 million was down 21% from Q4 FY 2025.

Commenting on the results, ResMed CEO Mick Farrell said:

We closed fiscal year 2026 with strong fourth quarter results, reflecting continued momentum of our global business, sustained demand for our market-leading products, and disciplined execution of our strategy.

Avita Medical shares soar on revenue upgrade

Unlike ResMed shares, Avita Medical shares are going through the roof today after the release of its second-quarter (Q2 2026) results.

Shares in the ASX regenerative medicine company are up 15.6% at the time of writing, trading for $1.48 apiece.

Investors are reacting enthusiastically, with Avita Medical reporting Q2 revenue of US$21.7 million, up 18% year over year and marking a new record.

And on the cost front, operating expenses of US$24.6 million were down 6% from Q2 2025.

The strong quarter saw management increase Avita's full-year 2026 net revenue guidance to the range of US$86 million to US$89 million, reflecting confidence in continued commercial execution.

The company said it expects to reach cash flow breakeven in Q4 2026.

Commenting on the results sending Avita Medical shares soaring today, CEO Cary Vance said:

We delivered a strong second quarter, with revenue growing 18% year-over-year and 13% sequentially. As Avita continues to expand utilisation in the US and build its presence in key international markets, our results reflect the strength of both our acute wound care portfolio and our commercial execution, led by RECELL and supported by Cohealyx and PermeaDerm.

Which brings us to…

James Hardie shares jump on earnings surge

Joining Avita Medical and ResMed shares in the headlines today, we find James Hardie.

Shares in the ASX 200 building materials company are up 3.9% at the time of writing, swapping hands for $42.41 apiece.

James Hardie also reported its June quarterly results today, which marks Q1 FY 2027 for the company.

Highlights for the three months include a 64% year-on-year increase in net sales to US$1.47 billion. And adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of US$422 million were up 79%.

James Hardie shares also look to be getting a boost, with the company increasing its full-year FY 2027 pro forma net sales growth target to 5.9% to 9.0%, with pro forma adjusted EBITDA growth in the range of 7.4% to 13.7%.

James Hardie CEO Aaron Erter noted:

Our strong first-quarter results reflect disciplined execution and continued above-market growth, rather than a meaningful improvement in the underlying U.S. housing market. We are not assuming a housing market improvement, but our performance and growth expectations support raising our full-year outlook.

The post Why James Hardie, Avita Medical and ResMed shares are turning heads on Friday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to build a $100,000 passive income with ASX shares
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why ResMed shares are tumbling 6% today despite strong results
• ResMed posts strong Q4 earnings, lifts dividend
• James Hardie lifts outlook as Q1 sales jump 64%

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

All eyes will be on the Reserve Bank of Australia next Tuesday, when the central bank is set to announce its next interest rate decision.

As you're likely aware, the RBA decided to keep the official cash rate on hold at the current 4.35% when the bank last met on 16 June. And in case you're wondering, you'd have to go back to November 2011 to find the official cash rate at higher levels.

Prior to the June meeting, we saw three consecutive interest rate hikes from the RBA in 2026, with rates having kicked off the new year at a more modest 3.60%.

While June's hold decision was widely expected, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) still rallied on the news.

As for next Tuesday's meeting, the market is pricing in a 0% chance of rate change, according to the RBA Rate Indicator.

But are investors being too complacent?

Is the RBA done with interest rate hikes?

Filip Tortevski, senior analyst at Wealth Within, cautioned that investors waiting for an interest rate cut should pay more attention to underlying inflation, which strips out certain volatile items like automotive fuel.

"While the headline inflation rate fell from 4.0% to 3.8%, much of the improvement came from one factor: petrol prices, which dropped 10.9% during June," he said. "That's good news for households, but fuel prices are heavily influenced by global oil markets and can reverse quickly."

According to Torevski:

The message is simple: headline inflation is improving, but underlying domestic inflation remains persistent.

For interest rates, this report reduces pressure for further rate increases, but on its own it is unlikely to give the Reserve Bank confidence that inflation has been sustainably brought under control.

CreditorWatch chief economist Ivan Colhoun expects we'll see the RBA keep interest rates at the current 4.35% next week. But he believes the bank isn't done with rate hikes quite yet.

Colhoun noted:

The slightly better than expected trimmed mean inflation readings … likely allow the board some further time to observe the impact of previous tightening before deciding whether further policy firming will be required. I still suspect that some modest further tightening will occur later in the year.

And Carl Ang, fixed income research analyst at MFS Investment Management, believes there's a materially higher than 0% chance we'll see the RBA increase interest rates on Tuesday.

Ang said:

Our central expectation is for a hawkish hold at next week's RBA meeting, but the pricing of rate hike risks appears to be on the low side. Whilst not our base case, it is reasonable to factor in a one-in-five chance of a tightening.

We'll leave off with Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) chief economist Luci Ellis, who is backing off from her prediction earlier this year for another RBA rate hike in 2026, and now expects the bank to stay on hold (quoted by the Australian Financial Review).

"Inflation has been more benign than we feared and the RBA forecast. This is welcome; we took no pleasure in our prior hawkish view," she said.

The post Will they hold, or won't they? What experts are saying about Tuesday's RBA interest rate meeting appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has 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 S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has climbed to an all-time high this week, as concerns about inflation and higher interest rates are starting to reverse.

Among the index's largest players by market capitalisation are some of my favourites: Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL), Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS), and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) shares.

Let's find out what brokers tip for these ASX 200 blue-chip shares next.

Buy Coles shares

Coles shares have suffered peaks and troughs throughout the first few months of the year. The shares have traded anywhere between a low of $20.35 a piece and an all-time high of $24.41 in late-June. At the time of writing on Friday morning, the shares are down around 1% and trading at $24.12 a piece. For the year to date, they're now around 13% higher.

Coles shares hit a few headwinds in July. There were concerns about a potential acquisition of Petbarn owner Greencross. News that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has ruled against the supermarket giant's proposed acquisition of a leasehold interest in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Western Australia, also spooked investors. 

It looks like sentiment has reversed for August so far. There hasn't been any price-sensitive news out of the supermarket giant, so it's most likely that investors realised the sell-off was overdone and the shares were trading for cheap.

Brokers are bullish about the outlook for Coles shares over the next 12 months. Market Index data shows that the majority of brokers have a buy rating on the shares. The $24.53 average target price implies a potential 1.5% upside at the time of writing.

Hold Woodside shares

Woodside shares are up around 2% and changing hands for $32.24 a piece. For the year to date, the shares are up 36%.

Oil supply concerns have been a key theme for 2026 so far. 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.

But when the reverse happens and conflict looks like it's moving towards a resolution, Woodside shares generally start to tumble again. We saw this play out through the first few days of August. The shares are now down around 2% for August so far.

But the reality is, the region is highly volatile. The movement of oil from the area will continue to be uncertain until a resolution is reached. And given Woodside shares are so closely tied to oil price sentiment, we can't really tell where the shares will move next.

Market Index data shows that brokers are also hesitant about Woodside shares. The majority have a hold rating but the $29.58 average target price currently implies a downside of around 7%.

Hold Telstra shares

The telco stock is trading around 1% lower in Friday morning trade, at $4.96 a piece. For the year to date, the shares are up around 2%; however, they're 11% lower than a 10-year high recorded in mid-May.

It looks like the shift in sentiment is mostly down to investors taking their gains off the table after a huge rally. But the downturn also accelerated when a flurry of brokers updated their outlooks on the stock.

A broad softening in defensive shares, including telcos, and valuation concerns have also acted as headwinds. Telstra is a classically defensive stock, which means it benefited from a flight to security earlier this year when geopolitical volatility made many other sectors look too risky. And now the reverse is happening.

Market Index data shows brokers are divided between a hold and a buy rating on Telstra shares. The $5.17 average target price implies around a 5% upside, at the time of writing.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Coles, Woodside & Telstra 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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Lycopodium Ltd (ASX: LYL) share price is in focus after the company announced it has won a significant A$93 million EPCM contract for Artemis Gold's Expanded Phase 2 Project at the Blackwater Mine in Canada. The new contract will see Lycopodium ramp up its role as a key delivery partner in one of Canada's largest gold mines.

What did Lycopodium report?

• Awarded a A$93 million Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) contract for Blackwater Expanded Phase 2 (EP2) Project
• EP2 will add 13 Mtpa of throughput, raising the mine's total capacity to 21 Mtpa
• Lycopodium continues its lead role, after delivering Phase 1A and FEED services for EP2
• Early works for EP2 already underway, with major construction recently commenced

What else do investors need to know?

Lycopodium has already played a major part in the Blackwater Mine's development, preparing the feasibility study and providing front end engineering for the new facility. Securing this latest EPCM contract builds on its established relationship with Artemis Gold and broadens the company's international footprint, especially in the North American mining sector.

The Blackwater Mine is located in central British Columbia and is targeting a production capacity that would make it one of Canada's three largest gold mines. Lycopodium's Canadian-based business will play a central role in delivering Phase 2, helping strengthen the company's global presence.

What did Lycopodium management say?

Lycopodium's Managing Director and CEO, Peter De Leo, said:

We are very pleased to be given this opportunity to continue to work with Artemis Gold in the further development of the Blackwater Mine. Blackwater is a world-class facility in a tier-one mining jurisdiction, and our involvement in the mine's expansion is particularly meaningful, given it represents a material domestic project to be delivered by our Canadian-based business.

What's next for Lycopodium?

Looking ahead, Lycopodium will oversee the engineering, procurement and construction management for Blackwater's expanded processing plant. With early works on EP2 already progressing and the main construction phase underway, the project is on track to deliver a major increase in gold production capacity for Artemis Gold.

This international contract strengthens Lycopodium's project pipeline and supports its strategy of expanding in global mining markets. The company also continues to provide integrated engineering services across several industries, with ongoing projects in Australia and worldwide.

Lycopodium share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Lycopodium shares have risen 66%, outperforming the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which has risen 4% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Lycopodium awarded $93m contract for Canadian mine expansion appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Lycopodium. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.