Australia's 10-year government bond yield climbed to around 5.19% on Tuesday.

That is its highest level in 15 years.

ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) now expects the Reserve Bank to lift the cash rate to 4.60% in November.

A handful of listed businesses would quietly welcome that outcome.

Why some ASX shares benefit from higher rates

The mechanism is simple and frequently overlooked.

Insurers and financial administrators hold enormous pools of other people's money between the day it arrives and the day it is paid out.

That money lies in cash and short-dated bonds, earning whatever the prevailing rate happens to be.

When rates rise, the income on those balances rises with them, while almost none of the cost base moves in sympathy.

1. QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE)

QBE is the clearest example on the local market.

The company's first-half result delivered adjusted net profit after tax of US$1,033 million, up 4%, with gross written premium rising 10% to US$15.1 billion.

The combined operating ratio held steady at 92.8% and return on equity reached 17.7%, comfortably above the company's medium-term target of 15%.

Management specifically flagged that an improving outlook for interest rates is expected to support investment returns.

The shares closed Monday at $22.48, up 4.51% over twelve months, on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 11.08 and a 5.06% yield.

Franking is only 30%, which matters a great deal for Australian income investors.

The interim dividend rose 6% to 33 cents per share.

2. Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU)

Computershare earns margin income on the client balances it administers, which is the same mechanism.

FY26 revenue rose 4.6% to US$3,257.5 million and net profit after tax edged up 1.9% to US$618.7 million.

Employee Share Plans revenue grew 18%, Corporate Trust rose 9.6%, and Issuer Services added 7.7%.

The interesting part is in the outlook statement.

Management warned that margin income may be constrained by prevailing lower interest rates.

That guidance assumed rates were heading downward.

If bond yields at 15-year highs are telling us anything, the assumption now looks conservative.

The shares closed at $39.72 and have gained 18.54% so far this calendar year.

3. Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL)

Medibank is the most defensive of the three.

Health insurers hold reserves against future claims, and those reserves earn more as yields rise.

FY26 underlying net profit after tax rose 2.9% to $636.8 million on revenue of $9,115.2 million, up 5.9%.

The fully-franked dividend increased 6.7% to 19.2 cents per share.

Chief executive David Koczkar was direct about the environment his customers are living in:

We continued to deliver value for the 6 million people who trust us with their health and wellbeing, as household budgets remain under pressure. Despite this, people continue to prioritise their health.

The shares closed at $4.81, down 3.61% over the year, on a fully-franked yield of 3.87%.

The risks facing these ASX shares

None of the three is a risk-free bet on interest rates.

QBE is an insurer, and a bad catastrophe season would overwhelm any investment income benefit.

Computershare's core revenue depends on corporate activity, which tends to slow when rates rise.

Medibank faces regulated premium increases and rising claims costs, and its FY27 guidance is only for margins broadly consistent with FY26.

In each case, higher rates help the investment line while pressuring the customer.

Foolish takeaway

The case for these three ASX shares is not that they escape higher rates.

It is that higher rates arrive on the revenue side of the income statement rather than the cost side.

QBE offers the most direct leverage and the highest yield.

Computershare has the most conservative guidance to beat.

Medibank is the steadiest and the slowest growing of the three.

If the Reserve Bank does move in November, these are the ASX shares I would look to own.

The post Top 3 ASX shares built for higher-for-longer rates appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Although we are still in the early stages of 2026's second earnings season, we have already heard from quite a few ASX income shares. So today, let's go over two that just announced a big dividend pay rise for their investors.

2 ASX income shares that just hiked their dividends

Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU)

Tech stock Computershare was one of the first companies out of the gate this earnings season. Computershare dropped its full FY2026 earnings last week. As we covered at the time, there were some decent figures, including single-digit increases in revenue, net profits and earnings per share (EPS).

However, the dividend announcement was more impressive. Computershare revealed a final, unfranked dividend of 65 cents per share. That's worth a whopping 35.4% increase over last year's final dividend, which was worth 48 cents per share. Combined with March's interim dividend of 55 cents per share, Computershare's full 2026 dividend tally will now stand at $1.20 per share. That's a healthy 29% rise over 2025's total of 93 cents.

Computershare has long been one of the ASX's best-performing income shares when it comes to dividends. It hasn't cut its dividend in over 15 years.

JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH)

Next up, we have electronics and homewares retailer JB Hi-Fi. JB reported its latest earnings just today. As we covered earlier, they haven't been well-received by the market. Although the company's numbers weren't too concerning, it may have been some cautious commentary that has spooked investors. But there was nothing spooky about JB's dividend announcement.

The company will pay a final dividend worth $1.27 per share, with full franking credits attached. That represents a 21% increase over the 2025 final dividend of $1.05 per share (though that came alongside a special $1-per-share dividend). That has come partly thanks to this ASX income share's new payout policy of distributing 70-80% of its net profits after tax as dividends (up from 65%).

Even so, JB is another ASX stock that has a stellar history of growing its dividends consistently over time. 2026 is just another notch in that belt.

The post Earnings season: 2 ASX income shares that just hiked their dividends appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

As the August earnings season continues, brokers have reduced their ratings on several ASX 200 shares this week.

Let's take a look.

Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG)

The IAG share price is $8.06, up 3.2% today and down 6% over 12 months. 

Jarden downgraded IAG shares to a hold rating after the insurer released its full-year FY26 results yesterday.

IAG reported an underlying insurance profit of $1,578 million, up from $1,542 million in FY25.

Gross Written Premium (GWP) was $18,412 million, up from $17,106 million in FY25.

The IAG share price fell 7.3% to an intraday low of $7.63 as investors digested the report yesterday.

Jarden has a 12-month price target of $8 on IAG shares.

This implies the ASX 200 financial share is already more than fully valued.

Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK)

The Seek share price is $14.63, up 5.2% today and down 42% over 12 months. 

Bell Potter downgraded Seek shares to a hold rating after the company's FY26 report this week.

The broker slashed its 12-month target from $18.60 to $15.20.

This suggests a potential 4% upside ahead.

SGH Ltd (ASX: SGH)

The SGH share price is $40.99, down 0.1% today and down 12% over 12 months. 

This week, the investment and industrial conglomerate reported a flat net profit of $920 million for FY26.

SGH also announced and an on-market buyback of up to $500 million.

Bell Potter downgraded the ASX 200 industrial share to a hold call on Wednesday.

The broker cut its 12-month price target from $51 to $45.

This still implies a potential 10% upside ahead.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

The Woolworths share price is $39.81, up 0.2% today and up 23% over 12 months. 

UBS downgraded the ASX 200's biggest consumer staples share to a sell rating this week.

The broker raised its 12-month price target from $34.50 to $39.

This suggest a potential 2% downside ahead.

Woolworths will release its full-year FY26 results on Wednesday, 26 August.

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

The Coles share price is $23.69, up 0.1% today and up 12% over 12 months. 

UBS downgraded Coles shares to a hold rating with a $25.50 target.

This suggests potential capital growth of 8% over the next year. 

Coles will release its FY26 results on Tuesday, 25 August.

Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV)

The Lovisa share price is $24.59, up 0.1% today and down 30% over 12 months. 

UBS downgraded the ASX 200 consumer discretionary share to a hold rating on Tuesday.

The broker increased its 12-month price target from $26 to $28.

This still implies a potential 14% upside ahead.

Lovisa will release its FY26 results on Wednesday, 26 August.

Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU)

The Computershare share price is $40.34, down 1% today and down 0.3% over 12 months. 

Computershare reported a 1% lift in net profit for FY26.

Jarden downgraded the ASX 200 financial share to a sell rating.

The broker has a price target of $31.10 on Computershare stock.

This suggest a potential 23% downside ahead.

Computershare is among 8 ASX 200 shares with ex-dividend dates next week.

The post 7 ASX 200 shares downgraded by the experts this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

We're midway through this year's second earnings season, in which companies are revealing their results and dividends.

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

Next week, some big names go ex-dividend. We've listed them below, along with the dividend amounts to be paid.

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

ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week

Contact Energy Ltd (ASX: CEN)

The New Zealand electricity supplier will pay an unfranked dividend of 19.4 cents per share on 23 September.

The ex-dividend date for this ASX utilities share is Monday, 17 August.

Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN)

This ASX 200 financial share will pay a 100% franked dividend of 62 cents per share on 22 September.

The ex-dividend date is Monday, 17 August.

US Masters Residential Property Fund (ASX: URF)

This ASX real estate share will pay an unfranked dividend of 4 cents per share on 31 August.

The ex-dividend date is Monday, 17 August.

Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU)

This ASX 200 financial share will pay an unfranked dividend of 65 cents per share on 14 September.

The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, 18 August.

Resmed CDI (ASX: RMD)

This ASX 200 healthcare share will pay an unfranked dividend of 6.6 cents per share on 24 September.

The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, 19 August.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

CBA shares will pay a fully-franked dividend of $2.70 per share on 29 September.

The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, 19 August.

AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP)

AMP shares will pay a 20% franked dividend of 3 cents per share on 25 September.

The ex-dividend date is Thursday, 20 August.

Helia Group Ltd (ASX: HLI)

This ASX 200 financial share will pay a 37% franked dividend of 43 cents per share on 4 September.

The ex-dividend date is Thursday, 20 August.

Which ASX shares have dividend announcements next week?

On Monday, we'll see reports from JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) and A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M).

Tuesday will be a major day.

Healthcare sector heavyweights CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME), and Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) will report.

BHP shares will also be on watch as the ASX 200 mining giant reveals its full-year FY26 earnings on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, energy giants Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) will announce results and dividends.

Also on Wednesday, we'll hear from Temple & Webster Group (ASX: TPW) and Lottery Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLC).

Thursday will be another big day.

Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST), Goodman Group (ASX: GMG), and Brambles Ltd (ASX: BXB) will release their numbers.

Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL), Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP), and Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) will also provide updates.

We'll also hear from the beleaguered SkyCity Entertainment Group (ASX: SKC).

Friday's headline acts will be Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC) and TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPG).

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

The post 8 ASX shares going ex-dividend next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Computershare report?

• Revenue rose 4.6% to US$3,257.5 million
• Net profit after tax increased 1.9% to US$618.7 million
• Basic earnings per share improved to 106.97 US cents (up from 103.45 US cents)
• Final unfranked dividend declared: 65 AU cents per share
• Interim dividend paid: 55 AU cents per share, 30% franked
• Management adjusted EBIT up 3.1% to US$1,210.7 million

What else do investors need to know?

Computershare benefited from strong ongoing growth in its core business segments. Issuer Services revenue rose 7.7%, Corporate Trust revenue was up 9.6%, and Employee Share Plans revenue jumped a healthy 18%. These gains were partly offset by a decline in Corporate & Other revenue, mainly due to selling the German Communication Services business and UK Mortgage Services (UK MS).

The company completed the sale of its UK MS business in February 2026, realising a net loss on disposal of US$46.3 million and associated redundancy costs of US$32 million. This strategic decision allows Computershare to focus on its core, higher-quality businesses.

What's next for Computershare?

Looking ahead, Computershare is sharpening its focus on Issuer Services, Employee Share Plans, and Corporate Trust, with management highlighting further investments in technology and operational resilience. The group expects continued momentum in core business lines, although margin income may be constrained by prevailing lower interest rates.

The final dividend of 65 AU cents will be paid on 14 September 2026, with the dividend reinvestment plan (DRP) available to eligible shareholders. Investors should note only shares acquired by 19 August 2026 will be entitled to the final dividend.

Computershare share price snapshot

The Computershare share price has had a relatively subdued 12 months and recorded a gain of 2.9%. This is a touch softer than the performance of the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Computershare posts higher 2026 profit, boosts final dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The  S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured a rough Tuesday session today, giving up much of the rise we saw yesterday that kicked off the trading week to finish lower.

After an initially optimistic morning of trading, investors lost confidence throughout the session, with the ASX 200 ending the day down 0.51%. That leaves the index at 8,778.7 points. 

This rough session for the local markets follows a much more upbeat beginning to the American trading week on Wall Street last night.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in fine form indeed, gaining a solid 0.59%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did even better, rising a confident 2.07%.

But let's return to ASX shares now and take stock of what the different ASX sectors were up to today.

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

The broker has been busy updating its core portfolio, highlighting three key themes that it is focusing on. These are:

1) Resources and the global capex cycle 2) Inflation and rate cycle beneficiaries 3) Non-cyclical growth with strong competitive positions.

With that in mind, let's look at three ASX 200 shares that it rates as best buys:

Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU)

This share registry company could be an ASX 200 share to buy in June according to Bell Potter.

The broker believes it is well-placed to benefit from interest rates staying higher for longer. It explains:

Computershare offers high-quality, defensive exposure to a "higher for longer" global rate environment through its margin income franchise, layered with cyclical upside from accelerating corporate action and IPO activity. Tokenisation is priced as a structural risk but increasingly looks like an opportunity CPU is positioned to capture.

Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN)

Another ASX 200 share that has been named as a best buy is mining and mining services company Mineral Resources.

Bell Potter likes the company due to its exposure to a tightening lithium market. It also highlights that there are a number of potential catalysts for a re-rating. It said:

Mineral Resources offers leveraged exposure to a tightening lithium market through ramping volumes at Wodgina, Mt Marion, and Bald Hill, with spodumene spot prices sitting well above the long-term assumptions embedded in the current share price. The investment case rests on a three-way path to re-rating: volume growth, consensus catch-up on earnings, and balance-sheet repair through FY27–FY28 de-gearing.

Worley Ltd (ASX: WOR)

A third ASX 200 share that gets the thumbs up from Bell Potter is global professional services company Worley.

The broker believes the company is well-placed to deliver strong earnings growth over the remainder of the decade. It believes this could support a re-rating of its shares. Bell Potter explains:

Worley is set to enter a period of stronger demand for its services driven by rising commodity prices and a structural shift toward energy security, with the recent investor day flagging double-digit EBITA CAGR to FY30 versus consensus at just 3%. Depressed valuation, low earnings expectations, and disciplined capital allocation create a positive risk/reward where investors should benefit from both EPS upgrades and a P/E re-rate.

The post Bell Potter names the best ASX 200 shares to buy in June appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

After ending what was a pretty sad week on a sour note last Friday, investors seemed to come back from the weekend with even colder feet. After opening with a significant drop, the ASX 200 ended the trading day with a nasty 1.45% fall. That leaves the index at just 8,505.3 points.

This horrid start to the Australian trading week follows a similarly pessimistic end to the American week on Friday night (our time).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in a bit of a panic, finishing down 1.07%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared even worse, dropping 1.54%.

But let's get back to this week and the local markets now, with a deeper dive into what was happening amongst the various ASX sectors today.

Winners and losers

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

Since then, the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) has recovered by 12%.

By comparison, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has risen 2.1% over the same period.

Let's look back and see what happened to the share prices of the top 10 ASX tech shares during the downturn.

Then, let's compare that data to the performance of BetaShares S&P/ASX Australian Technology ETF (ASX: ATEC).

Given the popularity of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) these days, I'm curious as to whether the only ASX tech ETF tracking Australian technology shares alone provided any protection against the sector downturn.

One of the appeals of ETFs is that they represent a basket of stocks. This can reduce the impact of a large price drop in a single stock.

But what if a whole sector falls? Does the structure of ASX ETFs provide any protection for investors?

Let's conduct a litmus test.

Top 10 ASX tech shares

As stated earlier, the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index fell 48% between 29 August and 30 March, and has rebounded 12% since.

Let's compare that to the share price falls and recoveries of the top 10 tech shares on the market.

How did ATEC ETF do?

The ATEC ETF fell 42% between 29 August and 30 March compared to the 48% drop for the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index.

Since then, ATEC ETF has recovered 8% compared to a 12% lift for the ASX 200 Info Tech Index.

So, the fall was not as bad with ATEC ETF during the tech rout, but the recovery has not been as fast as the ASX 200 tech sector.

Interesting.

ATEC tracks the S&P/ASX All Technology Index (before fees and expenses).

It's the only option for investors who want exposure to Australian technology through an ASX ETF.

However, it's important to know that the S&P/ASX All Technology Index is different to the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index.

The ASX 200 Info Tech Index is comprised of the top 200 tech companies ranked and weighted by market capitalisation.

The All Tech Index is much smaller, comprised of just 45 companies, and only 56% are technically in the tech sector.

The others are from the communications, industrials, healthcare, and financial sectors, but their operations are heavily tech-related.

For example, the largest holding in ATEC is ASX 200 industrials share, Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU) at 10%.

The fourth biggest holding is Car Group Limited (ASX: CAR), which is a communications sector share, at 8.9%.

The owner of realestate.com.au, REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA), is the sixth biggest holding at 7.5%. REA is also a communications share.

At No. 8 is ASX 200 healthcare share Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) at 6%.

At No. 9 is another communications share, Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK) at 4.2%.

This diversity of sectors, along with the less volatile nature of ETFs, appears to have provided some protection during the tech sector rout.

The post ASX tech shares vs. ATEC ETF: How they fared during sector downturn appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

At the time of writing, the ASX 200 stock is up over 2% to $31.98.

This follows the release of an update from the share registry company after the market close on Tuesday.

ASX 200 stock rises on update

Investors appear to be responding positively to Computershare reaffirming its FY 2026 earnings guidance.

According to the release, the company continues to expect management earnings per share (EPS) of around 144 US cents in FY 2026. This would represent growth of approximately 6% on the prior corresponding period.

This guidance was previously upgraded in February and has now been maintained following its latest trading update.

Margin income guidance upgraded

A key positive in the update was Computershare's outlook for margin income.

The company revealed that client balances have continued to grow in the second half of FY 2026.

Average client balances for the year are now expected to be US$500 million higher than previously forecast, driven by Corporate Actions activity.

As a result, Computershare has upgraded its margin income guidance to around US$740 million for the year.

The average weighted yield for FY 2026 is still expected to be 2.37%, in line with the company's February update.

Core businesses performing well

Computershare also provided updates across several of its divisions.

In Issuer Services, management advised that register maintenance continues to perform consistently, while Corporate Action volumes are broadly in line with expectations. The pipeline is also increasing.

Its Employee Share Plans business is seeing continued growth in recurring client-paid fee revenue, reflecting greater use of equity in employee remuneration.

Trading revenue in that division is also up in the second half compared to the prior corresponding period. This is being supported by more transactions from energy sector clients.

Corporate Trust growth

Management revealed that the Corporate Trust business is also performing well.

It reported that issuance volumes and fee revenues are higher in the second half compared with the prior corresponding period.

The company also noted that Ginnie Mae document custodian approval, secured in March, supports further growth in this business.

Despite today's move higher, Computershare shares are still down approximately 18% over the past 12 months.

The post Guess which ASX 200 stock is charging higher on guidance update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Wednesday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 to rise

The Australian share market looks set to rise on Wednesday following a strong night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 38 points or 0.45% higher. In the United States, the Dow Jones rose 0.75%, the S&P 500 climbed 0.8%, and the Nasdaq jumped 1%. This took the S&P 500 index to a record high close.

Oil prices fall

ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a poor session after oil prices tumbled overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 3.55% to US$102.63 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 3.75% to US$110.14 a barrel. Traders were selling oil after the US-Iran ceasefire remained in place despite rising tensions.

Computershare shares on watch

Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU) shares will be on watch on Wednesday after the share registry company released a second-half trading update. The company revealed that it is performing in-line with its guidance for FY 2026. As a result, it has reaffirmed its upgraded guidance for management earnings per share to be around 144 cents per share. This will be up around 6% on the prior corresponding period.

Gold price rises

ASX 200 gold shares including Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a good session on Wednesday after the gold price pushed higher overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 0.7% to US$4,566.7 an ounce. The gold price rebounded from a one-month low after oil prices pulled back.

Buy WiseTech shares

Bell Potter is tipping WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares as a buy this week. According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating and $78.75 price target on the logistics solutions technology company's shares. It said: "We note our FY27 revenue and EBITDA forecasts of US$1,567m and US$728m imply an EBITDA margin of 46.5% which in our view could be conservative given the underlying guidance for FY26 is b/w 41-46% and the exit margin is likely to be towards the top end of this range."

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

What did Computershare report?

• FY26 Management Earnings Per Share (EPS) guidance affirmed at 144 cents, up approximately 6% on PCP
• Margin income upgraded to about $740 million for FY26
• Issuer Services register maintenance performed consistently, with a growing corporate actions pipeline
• Employee Share Plans fee revenue and trading activity increased, particularly among energy sector clients
• Corporate Trust fee revenues and issuance volumes higher than prior year period
• Client average balances forecast $0.5 billion higher than previously expected

What else do investors need to know?

Computershare says its global operations continue to benefit from structural tailwinds, a high level of recurring revenue, and growing operating leverage. The company highlighted an uplift in margin income as a result of rising client balances, especially from corporate actions.

Approval as a Ginnie Mae document custodian in March 2026 was flagged as a positive step, supporting future growth in the Corporate Trust segment. The business also cited its readiness to adapt to new equity market structures, including possible tokenization developments.

What's next for Computershare?

Looking ahead to FY27, Computershare expects to continue leveraging structural growth and high recurring revenue streams. Management believes the company is well placed to deliver ongoing growth and strong shareholder returns as it takes advantage of developments like tokenization and sector expansion.

The business plans to build on robust performances across Issuer Services, Employee Share Plans, and Corporate Trust, focusing on innovation and operational efficiency to maintain competitiveness in changing markets.

Computershare share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Computershare shares have declined 20%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Computershare affirms FY26 earnings guidance and upgrades outlook appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

ASX 200 tech shares rose 12.96% while the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) dipped 0.15%.

Tech shares had been suffering from plenty of headwinds in 2026, including negative sentiment due to AI disruption fears.

The challenge facing investors now is identifying which companies are realistically in danger of having core products and services replaced, and which are set to benefit from AI integration.

However these fears appear to be disappearing as markets simply can't ignore the discount on offer for technology shares. 

As The Motley Fool's Bronwyn Allen reported last week, these fears drove a near halving in the value of the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) in just seven months.

Between 29 August and 30 March, the tech index experienced an extraordinary 48% sell-off. 

If we have reached rock bottom of this current cycle, much of the sector remains undervalued, even after last week's rebound. 

Here are two ASX ETFs that could be worth targeting. 

Betashares S&P ASX Australian Technology ETF (ASX: ATEC)

This ASX ETF is the only pure-play Australian tech focussed fund. 

It provides exposure to leading ASX-listed companies in a range of tech-related market segments such as information technology, consumer electronics, online retail and medical technology.

In the last week it has risen almost 12%, however remains down 14% year to date. 

At the time of writing it includes 45 holdings, with its largest weighting being towards Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) and Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU) which combine for roughly 20% of the fund. 

BetaShares Australian Ex-20 Portfolio Diversifier ETF (ASX: EX20)

Australia's benchmark index is heavily concentrated on big banks and miners. 

In fact, according to VanEck, the top 5 securities account for 33% of the S&P/ASX 200 Index. 

This means traditional, ASX 200 tracking ASX ETFs will be heavily skewed to these equities. 

That's what makes the EX20 fund intriguing. 

It eliminates this over-saturation by excluding the largest 20 holdings listed on the ASX. 

What's left is the 180 largest stocks listed on the ASX, after excluding the 20 largest, based on their market capitalisation.

No individual holding makes up more than 3.4% of the total fund. 

Subsequently, there is a higher exposure to tech shares than traditional ASX 200 funds. 

For the to date, the fund remains down just over 3%. 

However, it has begun to rally, rising 20% since late March. 

This fund may appeal to investors looking for tech exposure, while still spreading risk across a range of sectors.

The post 2 ASX ETFs that could be a perfect for a tech rally appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four ASX shares that have failed to follow the market higher today are listed below. Here's why they are falling:

Amplitude Energy Ltd (ASX: AEL)

The Amplitude Energy share price is down 35% to $1.72. Investors have been selling the energy company's shares following an update on drilling operations at its Isabella prospect in the Offshore Otway Basin, located in Victoria. Amplitude Energy advised that pressure depletion during the testing period does not support a commercial development of the Isabella field. As a result, the well will now be plugged and abandoned. The company's managing director and CEO, Jane Norman, said: "The result at Isabella is disappointing but geological data from this well will help inform our future exploration prospects."

Atlas Arteria Group (ASX: ALX)

The Atlas Arteria share price is down 4% to $4.34. This has been driven by the toll road operator's shares going ex-dividend this morning for its final dividend for FY 2025. Last month, when Atlas Arteria released its full-year results, it declared a final dividend of 20 cents per share. Eligible shareholders can now look forward to receiving this next month on 9 April.

Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU)

The Computershare share price is down over 2% to $27.75. This may have been caused by a broker note out of Ord Minnett this morning. According to the note, the broker has downgraded the share registry company's shares to a hold rating with a $36.75 price target.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

The Woodside share price is down almost 4% to $33.45. Investors have been selling Woodside shares after oil prices sank overnight and during Asian trade on Wednesday. This has been driven by optimism that a US-Iran peace deal could be on the horizon. It isn't just Woodside shares that are falling today. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy index is down 2.3% at the time of writing.

The post Why Amplitude Energy, Atlas Arteria, Computershare, and Woodside shares are falling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

At the time of writing, the financial administration company's shares are down 0.93% to $27.77, after slipping to a new multi-year low of $27.76 earlier in the session. By comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is also in the red by 0.5%.

The latest move adds to a difficult stretch for investors, with the Computershare stock now trading lower for 7 straight sessions.

Selling pressure continues to build

Looking at the charts, Computershare shares have been trending lower for some time.

Over the past year, the stock has steadily declined, and the move to fresh lows suggests that selling pressure remains in place. The chart shows a clear pattern of lower highs and lower lows, pointing to weak momentum.

Short-term indicators also reflect this. The relative strength index (RSI) has been sitting in the lower range, highlighting a lack of buying support in recent sessions.

While the decline has not been significant on any single day, the steady run of losses indicates sellers remain in control.

Interest rate expectations remain a key factor

One of the main drivers of Computershare's earnings is the interest it earns on client balances.

Recent shifts in central bank expectations seem to be weighing on sentiment. Markets are increasingly factoring in the likelihood of rate cuts across major economies, including the United States.

This change in outlook could reduce support from one of the company's more important earnings streams.

Market conditions also playing a role

Equity markets have been volatile in recent weeks amid ongoing uncertainty over inflation, economic growth, and geopolitical developments.

This has led to a shift in positioning, with investors moving toward more defensive areas of the market.

Computershare delivered strong returns in prior years, so some investors may be taking profits or reducing exposure as conditions change.

A large global platform

Despite the recent share price decline, Computershare remains a major global provider of shareholder and corporate administration services.

The company operates across multiple regions, including Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Its services include share registry operations, corporate trust, employee share plans, and mortgage servicing.

Its global footprint means earnings are tied to corporate activity, market conditions, and interest rate movements.

Foolish Takeaway

The Computershare share price is now trading at multi-year lows, reflecting ongoing weakness in sentiment and economic expectations.

While the business continues to operate across global markets, interest rates and market conditions are likely to remain key drivers from here.

The post Computershare shares just hit a fresh multi-year low. What is going on? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The RBA announced an increase of the cash rate target by 0.25%, bringing Australia's official interest rate to 4.10%.

The decision was largely due to rising inflation according to the board. 

Australia's benchmark index, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) crawled roughly 0.3% higher in Tuesday's trade following the news. 

How does the cash rate impact ASX shares?

The RBA Cash Rate plays a central role in shaping the performance of ASX-listed shares. 

When the cash rate rises, borrowing becomes more expensive for businesses and consumers, which can slow economic activity and reduce company profits, often putting downward pressure on share prices. 

Higher rates also make fixed-income investments like bonds more attractive relative to equities, leading some investors to shift money out of shares. 

Conversely, when the cash rate falls, borrowing is cheaper, encouraging spending and investment, which can boost corporate earnings and generally support higher share prices. 

In this way, changes in the cash rate influence both company fundamentals and investor behavior across the ASX.

For the everyday consumer, changes in the cash rate affect how much they pay on mortgages, loans, and credit cards, influencing their spending power and overall cost of living.

While past performance does not guarantee future returns, here are ASX shares that may benefit from a higher rate environment. 

Insurance companies

Insurers can benefit from interest rate rises because they invest premiums and earn more when yields rise. 

This could be ideal for ASX shares like: 

• QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE)
• Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN)
• Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG)

All three saw share price rises yesterday on the back of the RBA announcement. 

In simple terms, higher interest rates = higher investment returns on premiums, which directly lifts insurers' earnings.

QBE and IAG have also attracted positive analysis from brokers recently, indicating it could outperform markets in the short-term. 

Financial and cash-sensitive businesses

Two other ASX shares that could outperform due to rising interest rates are: 

• Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)
• Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU)

These companies directly earn more income from cash balances or client funds. 

For example, Computershare's profits can rise significantly as interest earned on client balances increases.

Meanwhile, Macquarie Group can benefit from higher interest rates because it earns more income on its large pools of client funds and investments, while also profiting from increased margins in its lending and financial services businesses.

The company also has a long track record of generating strong profits across market cycles.

The post 5 ASX shares that could benefit from rising interest rates appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

On Monday, shares in the financial admin company fell to $29.26, marking the stock's weakest point since 2024.

At the time of writing, the Computershare share price has recovered slightly to $29.60, though it remains down 3.30% for the day.

The decline continues a difficult stretch for investors. Computershare shares are now down more than 13% since the start of 2026 and have fallen roughly 25% over the past 12 months.

So, what could be behind the sell-off?

Interest rate outlook may be weighing on sentiment

One factor that often influences Computershare's performance is the direction of global interest rates.

The company generates a portion of its earnings from interest earned on client balances. When rates are higher, that income tends to rise. When rates begin to fall, the benefit can fade.

In recent months, markets have increasingly priced in potential interest rate cuts across several major economies, including the United States.

If rates move lower over time, it could reduce the tailwind that previously supported parts of Computershare's earnings.

That shift in expectations looks to be contributing to a more cautious view among investors.

Market volatility also playing a role

Broader market conditions could also be affecting sentiment.

Equity markets have been volatile in recent weeks amid geopolitical tensions and uncertainty around the global economic outlook.

During periods of market stress, investors often rotate away from stocks that previously performed strongly and toward more defensive areas.

Computershare delivered strong returns in previous years, so some investors may now be locking in profits as the outlook becomes more uncertain.

A business with global reach

Despite the recent share price decline, Computershare remains one of the largest providers of shareholder services and corporate administration in the world.

The company provides a range of services, including share registry operations, corporate trust administration, employee share plan management, and mortgage servicing.

Its clients include thousands of listed companies across markets such as Australia, the US, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

Computershare's global operations mean its earnings are influenced by several factors, including corporate activity, financial market conditions, and interest rate movements.

Foolish Takeaway

The Computershare share price has fallen sharply over the past year and is now trading near a 2-year low.

Shifting expectations around interest rates and broader market volatility may be weighing on sentiment in the near term.

However, the company still operates a large global platform and generates significant recurring revenue from long-term client relationships.

The key question now is whether the recent decline represents a temporary pullback or a continued downward trend.

The post Computershare shares fall to a 2-year low. Is this the bottom? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

These S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are currently trading at a discount compared to price targets from brokers. 

Lendlease Group (ASX: LLC)

Lendlease is an international property development and construction business operating across Australia, the Americas, the UK, Europe, and Asia.

Its share price has consistently declined over the last 12 months. 

This included a significant fall on the back of February's half-year results.

At the time of writing, the ASX 200 company is down 25.78% year to date and 35.6% over the last year. 

However, based on analysts outlook, it may be a buy low opportunity after the rough start to 2026. 

6 analyst forecasts via TradingView have an average 12 month price target of $5.33 on this ASX 200 stock. 

From last week's closing price of $3.83, this indicates a potential upside of just over 39%. 

Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK)

Seek is a global online employment marketplace, serving Australia, Asia, Latin America, and beyond.

Its share price has recently hit 5-year lows, but has slowly started to turn the corner. 

At the time of writing it is down 27% since the start of the calendar year. 

The ASX 200 company has been one of the many tech shares impacted by rising AI disruption fears. 

Despite this, it posted healthy earnings in February which included revenue growth and a record dividend.

I think the ASX 200 shares might have hit rock bottom, and could be on the way back up. 

It seems brokers agree. 

Following earnings results, Morgans kept its 12-month share price target at $27.50 and upgraded Seek shares to a buy rating. 

From last week's closing price of $16.93, that indicates an upside of 62.4%. 

Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU)

Another ASX 200 stock trading below fair value is Computershare. 

It is an Australian financial administration company offering global services in corporate trusts, stock transfers, and employee share plans.

It was also hit hard during earnings season, but may now be trading at an enticing entry point. 

This ASX 200 stock is down 23% over the last year. 

It closed trading last week at $30.61. 

However, 6 analysts offering one year price targets (via TradingView) have an average target of $36.18. 

That indicates an upside of just over 18%. 

Earlier this year, analysts at Citi placed a one year price target of $39.60. 

If this ASX 200 stock reached this target, it would be a rise of close to 30%. 

The post 3 ASX 200 shares trading well below brokers' targets appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The market is taking a breather after a strong week that saw the ASX All Ords rise to a 14-week high of 9,345.2 points.

Between Monday and Thursday, the ASX All Ords ascended 3.65% on the back of strong results from several major companies.

The stand-out was an unexpected 6% cash profit lift from Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) in 1H FY26.

The result saw the market's biggest ASX 200 bank share reassume the crown as the largest stock by market cap on the All Ords.

CBA declared a fully-franked interim dividend of $2.35 per share, up 4% from 1H FY25, with the ex-dividend date next Wednesday.

ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) also surprised with a $1.94 billion cash profit in 1Q FY26, up 75% on the 2H FY25 quarterly average.

The news sent ANZ shares to a record high (surpassed today at $40.95), alongside several other ASX All Ords large-cap shares.

Meantime, earnings season continues on Friday.

Next week, a small group of ASX All Ords shares will go ex-dividend.

To pick up a dividend payment, you must own the stock before the ex-dividend date.

On the ex-dividend date, share prices tend to fall because the stocks are less valuable without their next dividends attached.

This also presents an opportunity to buy the stock or do some dollar-cost averaging if you're already a shareholder.

ASX shares with ex-dividend dates coming up

Which companies are reporting next week?

According to the calendar, we'll hear from JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) and Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN) on Monday.

On Tuesday, BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares will be on watch as the miner releases its 1H FY26 numbers.

On Wednesday, Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Lottery Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLC) will report.

Thursday will be a huge day for the ASX All Ords.

We'll hear from Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC), Goodman Group (ASX: GMG), and ZIP Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP), as well as Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS), Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES).

On Friday, Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN), Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1), and QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE) will be up.

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

Australia's benchmark index rose a strong 1.66%.

However two ASX 200 stocks that didn't share the success yesterday were Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU) and ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD). 

These ASX 200 shares fell 3.3% and 4.7% respectively. 

Following this sell-off, it could be an opportunity for investors to enter at a more attractive price. 

Here's what experts are saying. 

Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU)

Computershare suffered a 3.3% fall yesterday following the company's 1H FY26 Results.

It is an Australian financial administration company offering global services in corporate trusts, stock transfers, and employee share plans.

The company reported:

• Management revenue up 3.9% compared to 1H FY25
• Management EPS rose 3.9% to 72.2 US cents
• ROIC exceeded 36%
• Margin income of $372.9 million, down 5.4%
• Interim dividend lifted to 55 AU cents per share (30% franked), up 22% on last year

Overall, this appeared to be a strong result. 

Even more positive, is the balance sheet strength and upgraded FY26 guidance from the ASX 200 company. 

However investors were apparently expecting more. 

Following yesterday's drop, it now sits close to its 52-week low at $31.29 per share. 

It is down roughly 25% from this time last year. 

The ASX 200 stock now appears to be undervalued. 

Analysts at Citi placed a buy rating on this battling industrials stock in January. 

This came with a price target of $39.60. 

From yesterday's closing price, that indicates an upside of approximately 26.5%. 

ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD)

ResMed shares also struggled yesterday, falling 4.7%. 

The company develops, manufactures, and distributes medical devices – such as flow generators, CPAP masks, and accessories – and cloud-based software applications that diagnose, treat, and manage a range of respiratory disorders including sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and neuromuscular disease.

It closed yesterday at $36.79, which is well below recent targets from brokers. 

Ord Minnett currently has a buy rating and $43.70 price target on ResMed shares.

Elsewhere, Morgans has a buy rating and price target of $47.73 thanks to the company's second-quarter FY2026 results, which beat expectations across the board. 

ResMed delivered double-digit growth in revenue and earnings, expanded its gross margins, and generated strong cash flow.

Due to improved operating leverage, Morgans has slightly increased its earnings forecasts and valuation for the company. 

From yesterday's closing price, the updated target from Morgans indicates an upside potential of almost 30%. 

The post Bargain buys! – Scoop up these ASX 200 stocks after yesterday's crash appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.