If you're weighing up Australia's energy giants, Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) are two heavy hitters you'll almost certainly consider. Both are strong, dividend-paying names in oil and gas, but with quite different businesses and investment profiles. Here's how I think these oil stocks compare for Aussie investors today.

The case for Woodside Energy

Woodside is Australia's largest independent oil and gas company, operating oil fields and gas projects mainly offshore, plus a global portfolio of assets after merging with BHP's oil and gas business. Its history dates to 1954, and today it stands as a pillar of the ASX energy sector. The company generates big cashflows from oil and LNG production, and returns much of that to shareholders.

Some standout fundamentals for Woodside:

• Market cap of $60.3 billion makes it a true blue-chip, offering stability and scale.
• Dividend yield sits at a solid 5.14%, fully franked—an important benefit for income-seekers at tax time.
• Reliable track record on dividends, paying fully franked distributions twice a year going back decades, with consistency that's hard to fault.
• The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is 13.9, reflecting a moderate earnings multiple for a sector leader.

Woodside is also Australia's biggest offshore oil and gas operator, and its assets span both domestic and international markets. The recent BHP petroleum merger has only added to its production scale and diversification.

The case for Ampol

Ampol is best known to most Aussies as the country's largest petrol station owner and operator, with about 2,000 branded sites nationally. But it's more than retail fuel: Ampol refines oil at Lytton, supplies fuels, lubricants and chemicals, and operates a growing business in New Zealand and the Philippines.

Here's what stands out for Ampol:

• Dividend yield of 5.51%—a touch higher than Woodside's—also fully franked and paid regularly, with a long history of distribution growth.
• A current P/E ratio of just 7.41, suggesting the market is pricing Ampol's earnings more conservatively than it does for Woodside.
• Year to date, Ampol shares have returned an impressive 46.95%, slightly ahead of Woodside's 41.37%.
• With a market cap of $10.6 billion, Ampol is mid-cap sized—smaller than Woodside by some margin but still a leader in its patch.

Ampol (formerly Caltex Australia) is unique in that it combines refining and fuel retailing. It's also moving into low-carbon fuels and international markets, diversifying its traditional business.

Valuation comparison

There are some clear differences in valuation and dividend metrics between these oil stocks. Here's how they stack up:

Note: When comparing P/E and EPS, Ampol's much lower P/E stands out even with a higher reported EPS. This suggests the market is more cautious on Ampol, perhaps reflecting its integrated refiner-retailer model, or possible future earnings volatility. Also, please note that the reported P/E ratios may use differing earnings measures to the stated EPS, which could explain any minor inconsistencies.

Recent share price performance

Comparing recent share price activity until 25 September 2026:

• Woodside closed at $31.72, up 0.35% from the previous day. Over the past month, the general trend has seen some volatility, but its year-to-date return is a strong 41.4%.
• Ampol closed at $44.47 on the same date, dipping 0.74% that day, with a standout year-to-date return of 47.0%—even stronger recent momentum than Woodside.

Which is the better buy?

If I had to pick just one oil stock today based strictly on these numbers, my choice would be Ampol. Here's why: it has a lower P/E ratio, meaning investors are paying less for every dollar of the company's earnings—an appealing starting point if you want value. Its dividend yield is a touch higher than Woodside's, with a fully franked payout supported by solid profits. Most impressively, Ampol's share price has outpaced even Woodside's in 2026 so far.

Yes, Woodside offers much greater scale, and its business is heavily weighted to upstream oil and LNG, which could mean bigger swings if energy prices spike or slump. But for now, Ampol looks cheaper on fundamental multiples, pays out more in dividends per share, and has delivered even greater price returns this year. Unless I saw something in the news that changed the picture, my pick would be Ampol shares for their blend of income and value right now.

The post Woodside Energy vs Ampol: Which ASX oil stock looks better this week? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

With energy prices a big topic for Aussie investors and global themes front of mind, both Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) land in the spotlight. As two of the largest names in oil and gas, yet with different business models, many will be wondering which company's shares are the better buy today. Here's how they stack up across their core businesses, fundamentals, value, dividend payouts, and recent momentum.

The case for Woodside Energy Group

Woodside Energy Group is Australia's largest dedicated oil and gas operator. Producing mainly LNG, oil, and gas from a range of large offshore assets, Woodside is seen as a heavyweight in the sector. After merging with BHP's oil and gas business, Woodside further cemented its status as a truly global energy player. The company, founded in 1954 and listed on the ASX since 1971, holds big production scale and a broad asset base spanning Australia and international waters.

Looking at key fundamentals:

• Market Cap: $61.63 billion – one of the top 20 listed companies in Australia
• P/E Ratio: 14.32 – not far from the broader ASX average for a large energy producer
• Dividend Yield: 5.03% (fully franked, as per its most recent figures)
• Year To Date Return: 44.3% – a hefty share price run over the current calendar

Woodside has a long, consistent track record of large, fully franked dividends for shareholders stretching back decades, with its last payment at $0.57 per share (fully franked). The company's scale and resources offer stability, even as it faces the long-term headwinds familiar in fossil fuels.

The case for Ampol

Ampol is better known to most Aussies as the brand behind roughly 2,000 service stations nation-wide. As Australia's only listed refiner and one of the largest distributors of petroleum products, Ampol's business is all about refining (primarily from its Lytton plant in Brisbane) and big-volume fuel retail and distribution. The company trades on history – it's well over a century old, formerly operated as Caltex, and has more recently focused on retailing and logistics (while also maintaining a presence in New Zealand via Z Energy and a significant stake in Philippine fuel company Seaoil).

Ampol's standout numbers:

• Market Cap: $10.28 billion – much smaller than Woodside, but still substantial
• P/E Ratio: 7.18 – sitting well below both Woodside and the broader market average for large caps
• Dividend Yield: 5.68% (fully franked, per latest figures)
• Year To Date Return: 42.8% – almost matching Woodside's strong gains

Consistent, fully franked dividends are a feature here as well, with Ampol's last interim dividend coming in at $1.85 per share (fully franked). Its lower P/E ratio draws attention for value hunters, though its business is more exposed to the ups and downs of retail volumes and margins.

Valuation comparison

Both Woodside and Ampol offer eye-catching yields and have strong profit track records, but a few numbers really stand out when viewed side-by-side:

Ampol's much lower P/E signals a potentially cheaper earnings valuation compared to Woodside, at least based on recent profits. Its higher (and also fully franked) dividend yield adds to the appeal for income seekers. Do note: the reported EPS and P/E for Ampol line up mathematically, but Woodside's numbers appear less in sync, possibly due to differences in the basis of the earnings measurement shown.

Recent share price performance

Both companies have delivered big gains for shareholders recently, but their price histories reveal a bit more detail. Comparing the past month:

• Woodside Energy: Rose from $33.78 (21 Aug) to $32.42 (18 Sep), actually showing a small drop over this period despite a strong YTD number. Its year to date return is up 44.3%.
• Ampol: Climbed from $39.85 (21 Aug) to $43.13 (18 Sep), reflecting a net gain for the span, and a 42.8% year to date return.

The momentum is strong for both, but Ampol's recent month shows steadier progress.

Which is the better buy?

On a pure numbers basis, I'd lean toward Ampol right now. It trades on a much lower P/E than Woodside Energy (7.18 versus 14.32), offers a higher fully franked yield (5.68%), and has kept pace with Woodside's strong share price run so far this year. While Woodside's scale gives it stability and huge assets, that's already reflected in its rich $61 billion market cap. Ampol's business is more retail-facing, but its valuation and income look appealing for everyday investors. That said, Woodside's larger projects and global reach do offer defensive qualities if you're chasing blue chip exposure and long-term oil and gas. For value and income at today's prices, my pick would be Ampol – but both names deserve a spot on any energy watchlist.

The post Woodside vs Ampol: Which ASX energy stock should you buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

And, depending on your lifetime salary and whether you make additional voluntary contributions to your super over time, it's certainly an achievable figure.

As for how much passive income you can earn from that $1 million balance, that will, of course, depend on the yield that you're earning.

Now, for the purposes of this article, we'll assume you have a sizeable amount of additional assets, as well as other liquid savings and investments to cover any unexpected costs. If not, it's generally not advisable to invest all of your superannuation into the stock market.

But if that is the case, it could enable you to invest the full $1 million in quality S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) dividend stocks. With history as our guide, this is a great means to achieve a reliable annual passive income stream.

We'll look at a few of those quality ASX 200 dividend stocks below, as well as calculate how much passive income you might expect to receive from that $1 million in superannuation.

But first…

Inflation and trailing yields

The idea behind this $1 million superannuation investment is to earn an annual passive income stream without drawing down on the balance. You'll also want to at least match inflation levels to ensure the real (inflation-adjusted) income you're earning isn't eroded over time.

Now, the S&P/ASX 200 Gross Total Return Index (ASX: XJT), which includes all cash dividends reinvested on the ex-dividend date, has gained 42.2% over the past five years. That works out to an annualised return of about 7.3% per year.

Remember that figure.

Also, remember that the dividend yields you usually see quoted are trailing yields. Future yields may be higher or lower depending on a number of company-specific and macroeconomic factors.

With that said…

How much passive income from a $1 million superannuation investment

We'll look at three ASX 200 dividend stocks to give you some idea of the yield you might receive from that superannuation investment (based on market prices on 10 September).

First, Aussie fuel supplier Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) shares trade on a fully-franked trailing dividend yield of 5.7%.

Then we have big four ASX 200 bank stock Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC). Westpac shares trade on a fully-franked 4.4% trailing dividend yield.

And third, ASX 200 telco Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) shares trade on a 4.3% trailing dividend yield, franked at 90%.

If you were to invest the same amount into each of the above ASX 200 dividend stocks, you could then expect a yield of 4.8%.

So, your $1 million superannuation should see you earning $48,000 a year in passive income, with tax benefits from those franking credits.

Now remember the 7.3% annualised gains posted by the S&P/ASX 200 Gross Total Return Index? That extra 2.5% in annual growth over the passive income yield should be enough to mitigate the eroding effects of inflation over time.

The post I'm planning to retire with $1 million in superannuation. How much passive income can I earn?  appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

But if your aim is to invest $400,000 of your superannuation into ASX shares, then how much passive income might you reasonably expect to earn from that super investment each year?

We'll have a look at three quality S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) dividend stocks below to get a handle on that answer.

But first, some important reminders.

Dividend traps, diversity and trailing yields

How much passive income you can earn from your $400,000 superannuation investment will depend on the yield you receive, with the idea being you don't draw down your initial capital investment.

Now, it's tempting to chase the top yielding stocks. But beware you don't fall into the dividend trap. A lot of the top yielding ASX stocks you'll see listed have also suffered large share price falls. This could signal further troubles ahead as well as lower future dividend payouts.

Also, bear in mind that while we'll look at three ASX dividend shares below, a properly diversified passive income portfolio will contain a lot more than just three ASX stocks. There's no magic number, but 15 is a decent target. Ideally, these companies will operate in various sectors and locations. This will reduce the risk of a material decline in your passive income if any single company or sector takes a hit.

And finally, remember that the 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…

Investing $400,000 of superannuation in ASX passive income shares

The first ASX 200 dividend stock I'd consider investing some of my $400,000 of superannuation savings into is Aussie fuel supplier Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD).

Recently trading for $42.04 each, Ampol shares have gained 40.3% in 12 months. So, no dividend trap here.

As for that passive income, Ampol paid (or will shortly pay) two fully franked dividends over the last year, totalling $2.45 a share. That sees Ampol shares trading on a fully franked trailing dividend yield of 5.8%.

Next, I'd invest some of my super into Australian fitout and construction services specialist Shape Australia Corporation Ltd (ASX: SHA).

Recently trading for $6.99 a share, Shape stock has gained 43.7% in 12 months.

Shape also paid (or shortly will pay) two fully franked dividends over the year, totalling 32 cents a share. This sees Shape trading on a fully franked dividend yield of 4.8%.

And the third ASX dividend share I'd target is big four Aussie bank stock ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ).

Recently trading for $37.47, the ANZ share price is up 13.6% in 12 months.

Over this time, ANZ paid two partly franked dividends totalling $1.66 per share. ANZ trades on a partly franked trailing dividend yield of 4.4%.

To the maths!

If you were to invest an equal amount of your $400,000 superannuation allotment to each of the above ASX 200 dividend stocks, you could expect to earn a yield of 5.0%.

Atop potential future share price gains, you could then expect to earn an extra $20,000 a year in passive income from that super investment.

The post How much passive income can I earn investing $400,000 of my superannuation buying ASX shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

After a bouncy day, which saw the ASX 200 spend time in both positive and negative territory this session, the index ended up recording a rise of 0.1% to 8,749.9 points.

This tentative start to the week's trading for ASX investors followed an even more bullish end to the American trading week last Friday night (our time).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) staged a strong recovery, rising 0.98%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) performed almost identically, gaining 0.96%.

But let's return to this week and the local markets now for a look at what the different ASX sectors were up to this Monday.

Winners and losers

Despite the broader market's lift, we still saw a handful of sectors lose steam.

The most prominent of those red sectors was tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) lost an early lead to slump 1.14%.

Mining shares weren't in favour either, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) cratering 0.55%.

Industrial stocks suffered a drop, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) retreated 0.35% today.

But it was all smiles everywhere else.

Leading the green sectors this session were healthcare shares, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 1.52% surge higher.

Consumer staples stocks also thrived. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) enjoyed a 0.61% bounce.

Financial shares attracted buyers as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) banking a 0.43% jump.

Energy stocks didn't miss out. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) added 0.38% to its total today.

We could say the same for gold shares, evidenced by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 0.34% advance.

Utilities stocks got some attention, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) lifted 0.33% this Monday.

Communications shares got over the line, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) adding 0.06% to its total.

Consumer discretionary stocks were in that ballpark, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) put on another 0.03%.

Finally, real estate investment trusts (REITs) ended the day where they started, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s movement of 0.00%.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Today's index winner came down to gold stock Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL). Catalyst stock jumped a healthy 6.11% today to close at $6.77.

This came after the company gave investors a revised (to the upside) reserve estimate for one of its projects.

Here's the rest of today's best:

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.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) dropped 2.94% and closed at a 10-week low of 8,741.2 points.

Nine of the 11 market sectors fell into the red.

Let's review.

Brent crude oil price jumps 12%

Brent crude, the international benchmark oil price, jumped 12% last week to above US$108 per barrel on Friday.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil also leapt 12% to above US$103 per barrel.

US heating oil rose 12% and gasoline increased 5%.

The UK gas price jumped 15%, German gas rose 14%, and European gas increased 13%.

This occurred as the Iran-backed Houthis sought to take control of Saudi Arabia's alternative oil export route.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world's oil and gas is shipped, has been effectively shut down since March.

Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter and a US ally, has been exporting via the Red Sea and Strait of Bab el-Mandeb instead.

The Red Sea and the strait run alongside Yemen, where the Houthis are based.

The rebels seized a Yemeni port city called Mocha, and are now advancing toward other cities closer to Bab el-Mandeb.

While all this was happening, Iran and the US continued to exchange fire with no hope of a peace deal in sight.

The US-Iran conflict has helped push up inflation in Australia, the US, and other nations.

Last week's oil price spike raised the chances of an interest rate rise in Australia and the US this month.

Traders rate the likelihood of a rate rise in both countries in September at 70%.

The US stock market also slumped last week, and American bond yields hit multi-year highs.

Australia's 3-year government bond yield rose above 5% on Friday, the highest level in 15 years.

These were among the factors contributing to the ASX 200's slump last week.

Energy shares led amid broader market downturn

The Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) share price gained 3.24% to close at $32.86 on Friday.

The Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) share price ascended 4.63% to $8.59.

Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) shares edged 1.38% higher to $41.21.

The Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA) share price jumped 4.83% to $3.04.

Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) shares ripped 5.17% to close the week at $1.83.

Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) shares rose 2.33% to 88 cents apiece.

The Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) share price increased 2.5% to $8.60.

Whitehaven shares were one of 9 ASX stocks upgraded by experts last week.

The New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) share price gained 3.77% to $6.33.

Uranium miner Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) tumbled 12.14% to $10.28 per share.

The Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) share price fell 3% to $1.46.

ASX 200 market sector snapshot

Here's how the 11 market sectors stacked up last week, according to CommSec data.

Over the five trading days:

Next week 33 ASX shares are set to trade ex-dividend.

The post Energy shares rose while the ASX 200 slumped last week. Here's why appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Remember, the exchange rate really prices the value of our currency, which naturally has far-reaching consequences across our economy. There are countless factors that pay into what one currency trades at compared to another. I won't pretend to know everything that has caused our dollar to appreciate by close to 5% over the past two months or so. But there's little doubt that inflation (and interest rate) expectations, the ongoing wars in the Middle East and Europe, as well as concerns about the mounting levels of debt in the United States, are all playing a part.

What moves a dollar?

So what does a higher dollar mean for ASX investors, aside from the odd case of a healthy bout of nationalistic pride?

Well, at a simple level, the primary outcome from an increase in the value of the Aussie dollar is that exporting goods or services becomes cheaper for consumers and companies, while importing becomes more expensive. To illustrate, let's say an agricultural company has to buy fertiliser every month for US$100 a bag. Back in July, that bag would have cost roughly $144.50. Today, that same bag would only set the buyer back by $138.90.

However, let's say that a bushel of wheat that could be grown using that fertiliser costs US$700. Back in July, our company would have received over $1,000 in our local currency. Today, they would get just over $972.

Which ASX shares prosper from a higher Aussie dollar?

A higher Aussie dollar benefits companies that import more goods or services than they export, and punishes companies that export more than they import.

As such, it's clear that the biggest losers from a higher Aussie dollar are our major exporters. Namely, our largest mining stocks. The likes of BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG), Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS), and Northern Star Ltd (ASX: NST) are arguably some of the companies most exposed. So to are companies that report their earnings in US dollars. That includes CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) and WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC).

Conversely, net importers will be lining up to enjoy the benefits of a higher Aussie dollar. That might be Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD), which imports petroleum products to refine or on-sell. It could be Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), which receives a huge amount of its stock for Bunnings and OfficeWorks from overseas. Ditto with JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) or Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN). It could even give Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) and Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) a bit of a margin boost on any food or drinks that are grown or manufactured beyond our shores.

Not all companies are winners or losers, though. Changes in our currency would have little to no impact on the earnings of something like Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) or Transurban Group (ASX: TCL).

Changes in the Aussie dollar can have a tangible impact on one's ASX share portfolio. Keep that in mind if you're wondering why one of your investments has been a bit of a laggard of late, or has jumped in value with no other obvious catalysts.

The post These ASX shares benefit from a high Aussie dollar appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

With reporting season now over, brokers have downgraded a series of ASX stocks after reviewing their financial results.

Let's take a look at some of them.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

The Wisetech share price is $37.65, up 2.4% today.

Over the past month, this ASX tech share has fallen 1%.

Jefferies downgraded WiseTech shares to a hold rating following its FY26 results.

The broker reduced its 12-month price target from $60 to $45.

This still implies a potential 20% upside ahead.

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN)

The Harvey Norman share price is $4.31, up 2.1% today.

Over the past month, this ASX retail share has descended 13%.

Jarden downgraded Harvey Norman shares to a hold rating following its FY26 results.

The broker has a 12-month price target of $4.50.

This implies a potential 4% upside ahead.

Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD)

Ampol shares are $41.20, down 0.5% today after going ex-dividend.

Over the past month, this ASX energy share has risen 6%.

Jefferies downgraded Ampol shares to a hold rating following its FY26 results.

The broker has a 12-month price target of $45.

This implies a potential 9% upside ahead.

Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN)

The Paladin Energy share price is $11.49, up 2% on Friday.

JP Morgan downgraded this ASX uranium share to a sell call after Paladin's FY26 results.

The broker has a 12-month price target of $9.10.

This suggests a 20% downside from here.

South32 Ltd (ASX: S32)

The South32 share price is $5.18, down 0.6% today.

Morgans downgraded South32 shares from accumulate to hold after reviewing its FY26 numbers.

The broker raised its price target from $4.70 to $4.90.

This implies a potential 6% downside over the next year.

Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU)

The Perseus Mining share price is $6.73, up 1.3% today.

Over the past month, this ASX gold share has ripped 37%.

JP Morgan downgraded Perseus Mining shares to a hold rating following its FY26 results.

The broker has a 12-month price target of $6.30.

This implies a potential 6% downside ahead.

Perseus Mining is among 40 ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week.

Objective Corporation Ltd (ASX: OCL)

The Objective Corporation share price is $6.60, up 3.6% on Friday.

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

Morgan Stanley downgraded Objective Corporation shares to a hold call after its FY26 report.

The broker slashed its 12-month price target by more than half, from $16 to $7.25.

This still implies a potential 10% upside ahead.

Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP)

The Domino's Pizza share price is $20.34, up 1% today.

Over the past month, this ASX consumer discretionary share has lifted 2%.

Jarden downgraded Domino's Pizza shares to a sell rating following its FY26 results.

The broker has a 12-month price target of $14, suggesting a 31% downside ahead.

Regis Healthcare Ltd (ASX: REG)

The Regis Healthcare share price is $4.41, up 2.6% today.

Over the past month, this ASX healthcare share has tumbled 29%.

RBC Capital downgraded Regis Healthcare shares to a hold call following its FY26 results.

The broker reduced its 12-month price target from $7.50 to $5.

This implies a potential 13% upside ahead.

The post 9 ASX shares downgraded by experts post-results this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Will the market be able to build on this on Friday and end the week on a high? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to rise

The Australian share market looks set for a positive session on Friday following a strong night of trade in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 22 points or 0.25% higher this morning. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones was up 1.2%, the S&P 500 rose 1.1%, and the Nasdaq jumped 1.4%.

Oil prices rise

ASX 200 energy shares including Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) could have a good finish to the week after oil prices rose again overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 0.8% to US$91.69 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 0.2% to US$95.81 a barrel. Traders have been bidding oil prices higher this week following an escalation in Middle East tensions.

Shares going ex-dividend

Another group of ASX 200 shares will be going ex-dividend this morning and could trade lower. This includes auto retailer Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE), fuel retailers Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) and Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA), and broadband provider Aussie Broadband Ltd (ASX: ABB). The latter will be paying a 3.6 cents per share fully franked dividend on 21 September.

Gold price jumps

ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) could have a strong finish to the week after the gold price charged higher overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 2.4% to US$4,520.1 an ounce. Softer US dollar and bond yields gave the precious metal a lift.

Buy Paladin Energy shares

The team at Bell Potter thinks investors should be buying Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) shares. This morning, the broker has retained its buy rating and $14.80 price target on  the uranium producer's shares. It said: "We retain our Buy recommendation. We have a positive medium- to long-term outlook for the uranium market, supported by barriers to new supply and demand growth linked to electrification, energy security and AI-related power requirements. PDN has ~56% exposure to market prices out to 2030. Production at LH continues to improve with higher-grade mined ore feeding the processing plant. PDN continues to derisk its key growth project at Paterson Lake South in Canada's Athabasca Basin."

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

Reporting season closed on Monday, and final dividends declared through August are now flowing.

Eleven ASX 200 names go ex-dividend this week alone.

Miss an ex-dividend date by a single day, and you miss the payment entirely.

With that in mind, here are three worth knowing about.

Why these ASX dividend shares are worth the timing

Energy and resources did the heavy lifting for income investors in FY26.

Utilities shares paid an average yield of 5.98% across the year, with energy at 5.14% and materials at 4.63%.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) averaged 4.23%.

All three companies below are in that first group, and each has lifted its payout on the back of strong commodity prices.

1. Origin Energy: Ex-dividend Wednesday

Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) is the first of the three we'll discuss.

The company's shares trade ex-dividend on 2 September, so you need to own them before today's close.

The company declared a fully-franked final dividend of 30 cents per share, taking FY26 distributions to 60 cents, with payment landing on 2 October.

The FY26 result was a mixed one.

Statutory profit rose to $1,574 million, but underlying profit fell to $1,159 million from $1,490 million a year earlier.

The far more encouraging number was adjusted free cash flow, which jumped to $2,074 million from $1,207 million.

Chief executive Frank Calabria pointed to the build-out behind that cash.

Our portfolio is increasingly well positioned for a changing energy market, with new battery capacity brought into commercial operation on time and on budget.

2. Woodside Energy: Ex-dividend Thursday

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) goes ex-dividend on 3 September, with payment on 25 September.

The interim dividend is 57 US cents per share, fully franked, or roughly 79.5 Australian cents, which represents an 80% payout ratio and a yield of about 5.9%.

Woodside's half-year numbers were solid.

Operating revenue rose 13% to US$7,446 million, net profit after tax climbed 27% to US$1,672 million, and free cash flow more than doubled to US$352 million.

Production actually fell 13% to 86.5 million barrels of oil equivalent, held back by planned maintenance and cyclone disruption.

The larger story is the company's Scarborough project, now 98% complete and on track for its first LNG cargo in the fourth quarter of 2026.

One caution for income investors: the dividend reinvestment plan remains suspended.

3. Ampol: The monster payout

Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) is the biggest cheque of the three by a wide margin.

The fuel retailer and refiner declared an interim dividend of $1.85 per share, fully franked, up 362.5% on last year's equivalent payment.

The company's shares trade ex-dividend on 4 September, with money arriving on 30 September.

The driver was an extraordinary refining result.

Group earnings rose 152% to $1.64 billion, and net profit excluding significant items jumped 376% to $857 million, while statutory profit of $1.36 billion compared with a $25 million loss a year earlier.

The forward yield sits near 6%, and Ampol does not offer a dividend reinvestment plan either.

Refining margins are deeply cyclical, and this half was helped enormously by conflict-driven disruption to global supply.

The catch with buying ASX dividend shares this way

Buying purely to capture a payment rarely works as neatly as it looks on paper.

Share prices typically fall by roughly the dividend amount on the ex-dividend date.

You are moving money from one pocket to another and paying tax on the way through, and while franking credits soften that, they do not eliminate it.

The strategy makes far more sense when you wanted to own the business anyway.

Foolish takeaway

I would not buy any of these three purely to collect a cheque three weeks from now.

Ampol offers the largest payment and the most cyclical earnings behind it.

Woodside has the clearest growth catalyst in Scarborough.

Origin has the weakest earnings momentum but the most improved cash flow.

For income investors, ASX dividend shares will be doing a great deal of the heavy lifting this month.

The post Top 3 ASX dividend shares to buy before they go ex-dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Investors seemed to lose all of the optimism that defined the end of last week's trading, with the index opening sharply lower this morning. Although investors did have a temporary change of heart around lunchtime, sending the ASX 200 briefly back into positive territory, it wasn't to last. By the time the market closed, the index had lost 0.18% and closed at a flat 9,076 points.

This Garfield-esque start to the Australian trading week came after a similarly negative end to the American trading week on Friday night (our time).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) gave up an early lead to finish down 0.018%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was more decisive, losing 0.52%.

But let's return to this week and our local markets now for a closer look at how the broader market's pessimism affected the different ASX sectors this Monday.

Winners and losers

Despite the market's overall falls, we saw a few sectors make some hay.

But first, it was gold stocks that were hit the hardest this session. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) was smashed down 4.33% by the closing bell.

Broader mining shares were also punished, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) plunging 2.02%.

Tech stocks were also shunned. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) cratered 1.39% today.

Healthcare shares didn't have a healthy time either, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.61% dive.

Our final losers this Monday were consumer discretionary stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) shrank 0.37%.

Let's turn to the winners now. It was financial shares that took the glory, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) soaring 1.14% higher.

Consumer staples stocks ran hot, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) bounced 0.91% higher this session.

Communications shares were also in high demand, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.78% jump.

Energy stocks found plenty of buyers as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) got a 0.54% bump.

Industrial shares got a reprieve as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) putting on 0.38%.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) also got out with a win. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) ended up adding 0.18% to its total today.

Finally, utilities shares got over the line, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 0.07% improvement.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Property stock PEXA Group Ltd (ASX: PXA) was our top-performing stock on the index this Monday. Pexa shares surged 9.43% this session to close at $7.31 each. This leap higher came after Pexa reported its latest earnings, which investors clearly took a shine to.

Here's the rest of today's best:

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.

As we previously reported, utilities shares paid a 5.98% dividend yield, energy paid 5.14%, and materials paid 4.63%.

Those yields were well above the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) average dividend yield for FY26 of 4.23%.

Energy and mining shares paid higher dividends in FY26 due to elevated earnings from stronger commodity prices.

Now remember, the dividends paid in the FY26 period mainly reflected final dividends for FY25 and interim dividends for FY26.

Over the next two months, the final dividends for FY26 are being paid following the end of the August reporting season today.

And we're seeing the same trend play out.

That is, big ASX resources shares are paying generous dividends again due to those strong commodity prices.

Take ASX 200 iron ore and copper miner, BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), for example.

BHP declared a final dividend for FY26 of US 99 cents, which is equivalent to A$1.40 on today's exchange rate.

That's 65% higher than the final BHP dividend for FY25 of 91.9 AU cents.

That's a major lift in income for BHP shares investors.

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

If you want to snatch the next BHP dividend, you need to buy BHP shares before they go ex-dividend this Thursday.

BHP is among 11 big names in the high-paying utilities, mining, and energy sectors scheduled to go ex-dividend this week.

If you're chasing dividend income, here are the dates you need to know.

ASX shares going ex-dividend this week

View more ASX shares going ex-dividend this week.

The post Chasing dividends? 11 ASX shares in top-paying sectors going ex-dividend this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Hundreds of S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) companies have announced their next dividends this month.

We're helping you keep track of ex-dividend dates with an article every Friday.

Here are the ASX shares going ex-dividend next week.

We've listed the dividend amounts investors will receive and when they'll receive them.

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

ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week

The post 37 ASX shares going ex-dividend next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Income investors have long looked to energy, banks and insurance because these industries tend to generate substantial, recurring cash flows that can support attractive dividend payouts. 

Energy companies can benefit from strong cash generation when commodity prices are favourable, while banks and insurers typically return a meaningful share of their earnings to shareholders once capital requirements are met. 

Their established business models, mature markets and history of shareholder distributions have made all three sectors longstanding sources of dividend income.

Right now, there are three dividend stocks from these industries providing strong yields. 

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN)

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank has been making headlines this week after releasing its FY26 results. 

The bank delivered cash earnings of $530.2 million for FY26, up 3.0%, with a fully franked final dividend of 33 cents per share.

This means Bendigo Bank shares are currently trading on a trailing dividend yield of roughly 6%. 

This is outpacing the big four banks, as well as much of the ASX financials sector. 

For prospective investors, the shares are scheduled to trade ex-dividend on 1 September. 

This means you will need to own shares by the end of August to be eligible to receive this payout.

Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD)

Ampol is the largest, and only Australian-listed, petroleum refiner and distributor in the country, with around 2,000 branded Ampol service stations across all states and territories.

It has also been turning heads this week after delivering a strong first half for 2026, with a 245% jump in RCOP EBIT to $1,392 million. 

Even more exciting for income investors was the announcement that the interim dividend more than quadrupled to 185 cents per share.

This significantly increased new dividend now gives the company a much-improved forward yield of 6%.

Medibank Pvt Ltd (ASX: MPL)

Turning attention to Australia's largest health insurance provider, MediBank. Last week, the dividend stock announced that its full-year dividend will increase by 6.7% to 19.2 cents per share, fully franked.

While the yield is enticing, the most attractive aspect of this dividend stock may be its consistency. 

It has increased its dividend every financial year (except for FY20) since its listing in FY15.

Based on the current share price, it has a FY26 grossed-up dividend yield of 6%, including franking credits. 

The post 3 great dividend stocks with 6% yields to boost passive income in FY27 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Below we'll look at three quality S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) dividend stocks I'd buy today to form the bedrock of a $4,000 monthly passive income portfolio.

And we'll see how much superannuation you'd need to invest in these ASX shares to earn that income without drawing down your super balance over time.

Do be aware that a properly diversified passive income portfolio will hold more than just three ASX dividend stocks. There's no magic number. But somewhere in the range of 10 to 15 is a decent ballpark figure.

Ideally these companies will operate across a range of sectors and locations. This will reduce the risk of your passive income stream taking a big hit if a single sector or company runs into a rough patch.

With that said…

Three ASX 200 income shares to buy

The first stock I'd buy with my superannuation for $4,000 a month in retirement income is Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD).

Ampol just reported its half-year (H1 2026) results on Monday. The Aussie fuel supplier swung from a $25 million loss in H1 2025 to a statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) of $1.36 billion this year.

With profits surging, Ampol declared a fully franked interim dividend of $1.85 per share. If you want to bank that payout, you'll need to own shares at market close on 3 September.

Now, if we add in the 60 cents per share final dividend, Ampol has paid, or shortly will, pay $2.45 a share in dividends over 12 months. At the recent Ampol share price of $41.46, this ASX 200 stock trades on a fully franked 5.9% dividend yield.

The second ASX 200 stock I'd target for passive income in retirement is Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN).

Bendigo Bank paid a fully franked interim dividend of 30 cents per share and on Monday declared a final dividend of 30 cents per share. To bank that passive income, you'll need to own Bendigo Bank shares at market close on 31 August.

At the recent share price of $10.58, Bendigo Bank shares trade on a 5.7% dividend yield.

And the third ASX dividend share I'd buy with my superannuation for reliable passive income is Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS).

Telstra paid an interim dividend of 10.5 cents per share and will shortly pay a final dividend of 10.5 cents per share, both franked at 90%. If you want to grab the final dividend, you'll need to own shares at market close today.

At the recent Telstra share price of $4.70, the ASX 200 telco trades on a dividend yield of 4.5%.

Which brings us back to our headline question.

How much superannuation do I need for a $4,000 monthly passive income?

Based on the recent yields, and assuming you invest the same amount in each stock, you could expect to earn an average yield of 5.4%.

So, for $4,000 a month – or $48,000 a year – in passive income, you'd need $888,889 in superannuation today in order not to draw down that super balance over time.

The post How much superannuation do I need to earn $4,000 a month in passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

At the time of writing, the petroleum company's shares are up around 4% and trading at an all-time high of $41.42 a piece.

Today's hike means the shares are now up 29% for the year to date, and have rallied 40% higher over the past 12 months.

The latest increase comes off the back of Ampol's first-half FY26 results, which it posted to the ASX ahead of the market open this morning.

Investors are clearly thrilled with the update, and many are rushing to snap up its shares while they're still trading for cheap. 

Ampol announced that its Group replacement cost operating profit (RCOP) came in 152% higher versus the first half of FY25, RCOP NPAT surged a huge 376% compared to the prior corresponding period, and statutory NPAT came to $1,363 million, compared to a loss of $25 million last year.

The strong result also meant Ampol was able to raise its fully-franked interim dividend to 185 cents per share, more than four times the prior year.

Ongoing concerns around global oil supply have also helped drive the shares higher over the past 12 months. 

Ampol is Australia's largest transport energy distributor and retailer, with more than 1,800 Ampol-branded service stations across the country. 

The company has also posted a few updates that have gathered investor attention. In June, Ampol received the green light, with conditions, from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for a proposed acquisition of fuel and convenience store operator, EG Australia. 

It also previously confirmed a 10% increase in refinery production, higher refiner margins, and increased production in its Q1 FY26 trading update.

What do brokers tip next for Ampol shares?

Brokers have a very positive stance on Ampol shares, but after today's price increase, the average target price now implies a downside ahead.

I expect to see the experts revise their forecast for Ampol shares in the coming days, but at the time of writing, Market Index data shows that the majority of brokers have a buy rating on the shares, and the $41.25 average target price implies a potential 0.5% downside.

TradingView data shows something similar. Out of 10 analysts, five have a buy/strong buy rating on the stock. Four more rate Ampol shares as a hold and one as a sell.

The average $41.78 target price implies a potential 1% upside over the next 12 months, at the time of writing. But the more bullish of the bunch think there is potential for the shares to climb another 19% to $49.25.

So, if I invest $5,000 into Ampol shares today, what could they be worth in 12 months?

These forecasts suggest that a $5,000 investment in Ampol shares today could rise slightly to somewhere around $5,050 within the next 12 months. 

Or if the more bearish broker forecasts are correct, we could see the same investment climb as high as $5,950 by this time next year.

The post By August 2027, $5,000 invested in Ampol shares could turn into… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

As we covered this morning, it was a bumper set of numbers that Ampol dropped for the first half of its FY2026. The company reported group earnings of $1.64 billion, up a whopping 152% on what it reported for the first half of FY2025. Net profit after tax (NPAT) (excluding significant Items) roared 376% higher to $857 million, while the company reported a statutory NPAT of $1.36 billion. That was up from a loss of $25 million last year.

But let's get down to the dividends.

Over the past 12 months, Ampol has doled out a total of $1 per share in dividend payments to its investors. That $1 broke down into an interim dividend of 40 cents per share from last September. As well as a 60 cents per share final dividend from April. As is Ampol's habit, both of these payments came with full franking credits attached.

Ampol shares lift as new monster dividend unveiled

However, what Ampol unveiled this morning puts those payments to shame. Investors just found out that they can expect an interim dividend of $1.85 per share in 2026, up an astonishing 362.5% over the equivalent payout from 2025. It will come fully franked as well.

Together with that final April dividend, this takes Ampol's 2026 payouts to a hefty $2.45 per share.

Ampol has nominated 4 September next month as its ex-dividend date for this latest payout. So if investors want to receive this monster Ampol dividend, but don't yet own shares, they will need to buy some before the close of trade on 3 September. Payment day will then roll aorund on 30 September.

Ampol does not currently offer a dividend reinvestment plan (DRP). As such, shareholders will have no option but to accept this dividend as a cash payment.

At the time of writing, the market has reacted positively to Ampol's earnings, giving the company's shares a 2.5% boost up to $40.85 each. At this share price, Ampol is trading on a trailing dividend yield of 2.45%. However, this dramatically increased new dividend now gives the company a much-improved forward yield of 6%.

That's certainly worthy of a closer look if you are a dividend investor looking for income on the ASX today.

The post Everything you need to know about the monster Ampol dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Two of the high-profile S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) are charging ahead of the 0.3% gains posted by the benchmark index in late morning trade on Monday, while one is in the red.

Here's what's grabbing investor interest.

Ampol shares jump on dividend boost

Ampol shares are up 2.5% at time of writing, changing hands for $40.85 apiece.

This follows the release of the Aussie fuel supplier's half year results (H1 2026).

Highlights for the six months include a 152% year-on-year increase in Replacement Cost Operating Profit (RCOP) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) to $1.64 billion (excluding significant items).

And on the bottom line, Ampol shares are getting a boost with the company reporting a statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) of $1.36 billion, up from a loss of $25 million in H1 2025.

And with profits surging, management declared a fully franked interim dividend of $1.85 per share, up a whopping 362.5% from last year's interim payout.

Bendigo Bank shares slide on economic growth outlook

Unlike Ampol shares, Bendigo Bank shares are in the red today, down 1.1% at $10.38 each.

That comes as investors study the ASX 200 bank stock's full year results release.

On the positive front, Bendigo Bank reported a 3.0% year-on-year increase in cash earnings to $530 million for the year. The bank also achieved a statutory net profit after tax of $375 million.

The fully franked final Bendigo Bank dividend of 33 cents per share was in line with last year's final payout.

However, as with the other ASX 200 banks, investors may be favouring their sell buttons with an eye on a potentially slowing Aussie economy dragging on the Bendigo's growth outlook.

The company noted:

Cost-of-living pressures due to higher inflation (especially since the Middle East conflict) have led to a sharp fall in consumer sentiment. Three RBA rate hikes, softening property prices and geopolitical events are expected to result in more modest economic growth this financial year.

Which bring us to…

PLS shares leap on return to profit

Joining Bendigo Bank and Ampol shares in the financial headlines on Monday, we find PLS, formerly known as Pilbara Minerals.

At the time of writing, shares in the ASX 200 lithium stock are up 7.3%, swapping hands for $5.44 apiece.

That strong performance follows the release of PLS own FY 2026 results.

Investors are responding positively, with PLS reporting a 152% year-on-year increase in revenue to $1.93 billion. PLS achieved a NPAT of $526 million, up from a net loss of $196 million last year.

And passive income investors will be celebrating the return of the PLS dividend. Management declared a final fully franked dividend of 5 cents per share.

PLS suspended its dividend payouts in 2024 amid cratering global lithium prices.

The post Why PLS, Bendigo Bank and Ampol shares are turning heads on Monday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Ampol Ltd report?

• Group RCOP EBITDA (excluding Significant Items) rose to $1,637 million, up 152% on 1H 2025
• RCOP Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) (excluding Significant Items) surged to $857 million, up 376%
• Statutory NPAT at $1,363 million, compared to a loss of $25 million last year
• Fully franked interim dividend of 185 cents per share, more than four times the prior year
• EG Australia acquisition completed, supporting retail growth strategy

What else do investors need to know?

Ampol's strong result was delivered despite global market disruptions from conflict in the Middle East, with reliable supply chains and trading capabilities helping to capture opportunities across its operations. Notably, its refinery performance improved, with Lytton Refiner Margin per barrel reaching a robust US$28.26 and total production up 8.7%.

The company's Energy Solutions division continued to progress, narrowing losses and increasing public EV charging network bays to 356 across Australia. Ampol also reported sturdy balance sheet metrics, even after settling the EG Australia acquisition, with committed liquidity facilities of $5.8 billion and leverage at 1.8 times.

What did Ampol Ltd management say?

Matt Halliday, Managing Director and CEO, commented:

The first half of 2026 was marked by the Middle East conflict and the consequential impact on the flow of oil and refined products around the world, including Australia and New Zealand which were not immune. Against that backdrop, Ampol's primary focus was to secure fuel and minimise the impact to our customers. I could not be more proud of the resilience of our business and the capabilities our people demonstrated during this period.

What's next for Ampol Ltd?

Ampol is expecting ongoing volatility in oil markets due to geopolitical uncertainty, but its physical supply arrangements and recent acquisition of EG Australia are expected to underpin growth. Management is confident in delivering between $65 million and $80 million of annual cost synergies from EG Australia within two years.

The outlook for the second half also includes continued benefits from strong refinery margins, contribution from newly acquired assets, and ongoing investment in the Lytton Ultra Low Sulfur Fuels Project, which is on track to start up later in 2026.

Ampol share price snapshot

The Ampol share price has outperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the past 12 months with a gain of 34%, supported by strong earnings momentum and resilient refining operations.

View Original Announcement

The post Ampol profit and dividend surge in first-half 2026 results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

WAM Leaders is a listed investment company (LIC) that targets large, quality businesses for its portfolio.

While BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) may be two of the biggest companies on the ASX, they're not necessarily the two that WAM is optimistic about. Let's look at two that WAM holds.

Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD)

WAM described Ampol as an integrated fuel and energy company with refining, distribution and retail operations across Australia and international markets.

The fund manager said that renewed tensions between the US and Iran during the month disrupted crude and refined oil supply, keeping the ASX blue-chip share's refining margins elevated.

WAM noted that Ampol recently gave the market a trading update which highlighted stronger earnings, supported by the heightened volatility over the period.

It was suggested by the investment team that the improved earnings outlook should support further debt reduction and a gradual strengthening of the balance sheet.

WAM said:

We remain constructive on the company's outlook given favourable trading conditions and following the recent acquisition of EG Group's Australian service station network (EG Australia), which significantly expands Ampol's convenience retail footprint?

Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR)

Another ASX blue-chip share that WAM likes is Mirvac, a diversified Australian property group with exposure to residential development, office and retail assets.

WAM noted that the Mirvac share price was supported in July following the inflation number for the three months to June 2026 being lower than expected. This reinforced the fund manager's view that Australian interest rates are likely near their peak.

This dynamic has lifted sentiment towards real estate investment trusts (REITs), given their high sensitivity to interest rate expectations.

The WAM Leaders team believe the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will soon enter a rate-cutting cycle.

The fund manager notes that companies with residential exposure, including ASX blue-chip shares Mirvac and Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX: SGP), continue to trade at discounts to their net tangible assets (NTA). This valuation gap is "expected to gradually close as sentiment toward the real estate sector recovers and underlying conditions in the housing market continue to improve".

The post 2 ASX blue-chip shares experts rate as compelling appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.