This is because I believe it is well worth keeping a close eye on short interest levels as high levels can sometimes be a sign that something isn't quite right with a company.

With that in mind, here are the 10 most shorted shares on the ASX this week according to ASIC:

• Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) remains the most shorted ASX share after its short interest rose to 15.4%. This pizza chain operator is undertaking a turnaround strategy and short sellers don't appear confident it will succeed.
• Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) has short interest of 13.9%, which is down since last week. Short sellers may be betting against this radiopharmaceuticals company successfully getting its products approved by the US FDA.
• Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) has short interest of 13.8%, which is up week on week. Short sellers aren't giving up on this quick service restaurant operator despite its shares rocketing this month after reporting a big improvement in its performance.
• Polynovo Ltd (ASX: PNV) has 13.7% of its shares held short, which is down since last week. Short sellers seem to think this medical device company's shares are overvalued. However, both Bell Potter and Morgans believe they could rise approximately 80%.
• Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) has seen its short interest rise to 13%. This is likely to have been driven by concerns that the wine giant will continue to struggle with consumer spending pressures and distributor disruption.
• Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) has short interest of 12.9%, which is up week on week. Short sellers appear to believe that travel demand could be impacted by the Middle East conflict.
• DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) has 12.7% of its shares held short, which is up since last week. This counter drone technology company recently announced the sudden exit of its CEO and chair. This disruption and valuation concerns could be weighing on sentiment.
• Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) has short interest of 12.5%. Unfortunately for short sellers, this buy now pay later provider impressed the market with its quarterly update last week.
• Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) has short interest of 11.5%, which is down since last week. This uranium miner's production outlook is uncertain beyond 2026. Short sellers appear to be betting on production falling more than the market is predicting.
• Lotus Resources Ltd (ASX: LOT) has entered the top ten with short interest of 11%. It is another uranium producer that short sellers are targeting.

The post These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

At the time of writing, the Flight Centre share price is up 2.77% to $11.86, trimming its year-to-date decline to about 21%.

The stock has spent most of the year drifting lower, even as international travel conditions remained broadly supportive.

Today's gain suggests investors are willing to look past the recent weakness and focus on improving financial positioning instead.

Here's what was announced.

Flight Centre completes $200 million buyback

According to the release, Flight Centre has completed its $200 million on-market share buyback, retiring more than 16 million shares.

Management said that represents about 7% of the company's issued capital before the program began.

The buyback was first announced in April 2025 and has now been fully executed, marking one of the group's larger recent shareholder return initiatives.

The company also said it will redeem its 2028 convertible notes next month, extinguishing the roughly $100 million still outstanding from debt raised during the COVID-19 period.

Together, the update leaves the balance sheet looking cleaner ahead of the second half of FY26, with fewer financing overhangs still in place.

A broader portfolio reshuffle is still underway

This latest announcement also reflects a broader reshaping of the business.

Recent deals across the UK events and cruise markets, including Fresh and Iglu, show where management is directing fresh capital.

At the same time, the proposed sale of Flight Centre's 47% stake in the Pedal Group cycling joint venture to the Turner Collective for $61.7 million shows a willingness to exit smaller non-core holdings. In addition, it frees up more capital for areas where returns may be stronger.

That leaves the portfolio tilting further toward higher-return areas such as premium travel experiences, events, and specialist international operations.

Investors have been looking for clearer signs that management is becoming more disciplined with capital. That focus has only grown after the dilution and debt build-up that followed the pandemic in 2020.

Foolish bottom line

Even with today's rise, Flight Centre shares remain well below their February highs and are still down about 21% this calendar year.

The market is still weighing the pace of margin recovery across corporate and leisure travel against softer consumer conditions in some regions.

The announcement does not change earnings guidance directly, but it removes financing overhangs and reduces the share count. That should support earnings per share over time.

The post This ASX travel stock is rising after a major capital management milestone appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

While it doesn't operate as one of the core sectors of the ASX, "travel stocks" refer to companies that operate in the leisure, travel, or tourism sectors.

Fundamentally, travel companies sell goods and services that help people get from one place to another – be it for business or pleasure.

Why are travel stocks struggling in 2026?

Travel is largely a discretionary activity. 

That means it's not an essential need for the everyday consumer. 

A clear comparison can be made between consumer staples and discretionary companies.

Staples are goods and services we can't live without, like groceries, healthcare, or utilities. 

These companies generally have steady, non-cyclical earnings, regardless of economic factors. 

Travel stocks, on the other hand, are highly sensitive to a mix of economic factors that influence people's ability and willingness to travel. 

These factors include: 

• Economic growth (GDP) – Strong growth increases travel demand 
• Disposable income & consumer confidence – Higher income and confidence lead to more spending on travel
• Interest rates – Higher rates reduce spending power and travel budgets
• Fuel prices – Rising fuel costs increase expenses, especially for airlines
• Exchange rates – Currency strength affects affordability of international travel
• Inflation – Higher inflation raises costs and reduces real spending power
• Employment levels – More jobs can mean more people able to afford travel
• Global stability & events – Crises or disruptions can quickly impact travel demand. 

Glancing over this list, you might see why travel stocks have struggled this year, with plenty of these headwinds influencing people's ability to travel. 

However, many travel stocks have now been heavily sold off. 

This means if headwinds subside in the back half of 2026, there could be value. 

Let's look at three options to consider buying low. 

Web Travel Group Ltd (ASX: WEB)

Web Travel Group is an online travel agency that enables customers to search and book domestic and international travel flight deals, travel insurance, car hire, and hotel accommodation worldwide.

Its share price has fallen more than 44% year to date. 

However, 8 analyst forecasts via TradingView place an average price target of $5.86 on this travel stock. 

That indicates an upside of 121% from today's price. 

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

Flight Centre operates a vast network of travel agencies under various brands worldwide, including Student Universe, Travel Money, Corporate Traveller, and Topdeck.

Its share price has tumbled nearly 25% year to date. 

A recent note out of Citi included a $16.75 price target on Flight Centre shares. 

This indicates a potential upside of 48% from today's opening share price of $11.30. 

Helloworld Travel Ltd (ASX: HLO)

Helloworld is an Australian-based travel distribution company. It comprises a wide array of travel brands across three key business pillars: retail, wholesale, and inbound.

Its share price is down more than 17% year to date. 

However, Shaw and Partners placed a 12-month share price target of $2.80 late last month. 

This indicates nearly 80% upside from current levels. 

The post Is it time to buy low on these ASX travel stocks? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This is because I believe it is well worth keeping a close eye on short interest levels as high levels can sometimes be a sign that something isn't quite right with a company.

With that in mind, here are the 10 most shorted shares on the ASX this week according to ASIC:

• Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) continues to be the most shorted ASX share after its short interest remained flat at 15.3%. Short sellers appear to have doubts that the pizza chain operator's turnaround strategy will succeed.
• Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) has short interest of 14.6%, which is up since last week. Unfortunately for short sellers, this radiopharmaceuticals company's shares stormed higher last week after the US FDA accepted its NDA for Pixclara
• Polynovo Ltd (ASX: PNV) has 14% of its shares held short, which is down since last week. This high level of short interest may be due to valuation concerns. The medical device company's shares are trading on high earnings multiples.
• Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) has short interest of 13.7%, which is down week on week. Unfortunately for short sellers, this quick service restaurant operator's shares rocketed last week after it reported a big improvement in its performance.
• Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) has seen its short interest rise to 12.5%. This wine giant is struggling due to consumer spending pressures and distributor disruption.
• Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) has short interest of 12%, which is up slightly week on week. Short sellers may believe that travel demand could be impacted by the Middle East conflict.
• Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) has short interest of 11.7%, which is down since last week. This uranium miner's production outlook beyond 2026 is uncertain and attracting short sellers.
• Nanosonics Ltd (ASX: NAN) has short interest of 11.6%, which is down slightly since last week. This infection prevention technology company's recent performance has been disappointing. Short sellers don't appear confident a change is coming.
• DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) has 11.5% of its shares held short, which is up since last week. Last week, this counter drone technology company announced the sudden exit of its CEO and chair.
• Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) has entered the top ten with short interest of 11.2%. Later this week, the buy now pay later provider will be releasing its third-quarter update. Short sellers appear to believe it could disappoint.

The post These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) travel stock closed yesterday trading for $11.09. In early morning trade on Wednesday, shares are changing hands for $12.03 apiece, up 8.5%.

Here's what grabbing investor interest today.

Flight Centre share price leaps on $61 million deal

The Flight Centre share price is taking off today after the company announced that it had entered into a binding agreement to divest its shareholding in the Pedal Group joint venture (JV).

Flight Centre intends to sell its 47% interest in the JV to the Turner Collective for $61.7 million. If you're unfamiliar with Pedal Group, the company consists of the 99 Bikes retail chain and wholesaler Advance Traders Australia.

The divestment remains subject to Flight Centre shareholder approval and regulatory conditions. However, management expects the deal to complete in May.

Flight Centre's independent directors unanimously support the transaction, stating that it represents a further step in the company's ongoing portfolio simplification and strategic reallocation program.

Should the deal go through, management expects to realise an accounting gain of around $15 million on the sale. They said that the resulting capital gain is likely to be fully offset by existing revenue and capital losses, with no cash tax payable on the sale.

What did management say?

Commenting on the $61.7 million divestment that's helping lift the Flight Centre share price today, non-executive chairman Gary Smith said, "Pedal is a strong business with a loyal and engaged customer base, and we are proud of what has been built through the joint venture."

Smith added, "We believe the Turner Collective is well placed to support Pedal's next phase of growth."

As for the company's broader simplification strategy, Smith concluded:

This divestment follows the sale of our Cross Hotels and Resorts business and reflects FLT's disciplined approach to capital allocation and portfolio simplification. The transaction crystallises a strong return on our investment and enhances our capacity to invest in our core global travel businesses and future growth initiatives.

Flight Centre share price snapshot

Since hitting a one-year closing high of $16.45 on 3 February, the Flight Centre share price has come under heavy selling pressure.

With today's large rebound factored in, shares in the ASX 200 travel stock remain down 20% year to date and down 26.9% since the recent 3 February highs.

The post Why is the Flight Centre share price soaring 9% on Wednesday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Flight Centre Travel Group report?

• Signed a binding agreement to sell its 47% stake in Pedal Group for $61.7 million
• Divestment to the Turner Collective, a consortium linked to co-founder Graham Turner
• One-off accounting gain of about $15 million expected on completion
• No cash tax is anticipated due to existing losses offsetting the gain
• Shareholder vote scheduled for 14 May 2026 with completion expected soon after

What else do investors need to know?

This sale is part of Flight Centre's ongoing strategy to focus on its core travel businesses and streamline its portfolio. The company has recently exited other non-core assets, including Cross Hotels and Resorts, to sharpen growth in key segments such as cruises and meetings.

The deal is subject to shareholder approval, as required under ASX rules, and an independent expert has deemed the terms fair and reasonable. The group expects no significant regulatory headwinds and aims to complete the sale by mid-May.

What did Flight Centre Travel Group management say?

Non-Executive Chairman Gary Smith said:

Pedal is a strong business with a loyal and engaged customer base, and we are proud of what has been built through the joint venture. We believe the Turner Collective is well placed to support Pedal's next phase of growth. This divestment follows the sale of our Cross Hotels and Resorts business and reflects FLT's disciplined approach to capital allocation and portfolio simplification. The transaction crystallises a strong return on our investment and enhances our capacity to invest in our core global travel businesses and future growth initiatives.

What's next for Flight Centre Travel Group?

Flight Centre shareholders (excluding Graham Turner's interests) will vote on the proposal at an Extraordinary General Meeting slated for 14 May 2026. If approved, the capital realised will be used to further invest in its global travel operations and growth strategies.

Looking ahead, management remains focussed on maximising value from its core travel businesses while continuing to assess its investment portfolio for further simplification and enhanced shareholder returns.

Flight Centre Travel Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Flight Centre shares have declined 14%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 16% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Flight Centre Travel Group sells Pedal Group stake for $61.7 million appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This is because I believe it is well worth keeping a close eye on short interest levels as high levels can sometimes be a sign that something isn't quite right with a company.

With that in mind, here are the 10 most shorted shares on the ASX this week according to ASIC:

• Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) continues its run as the most shorted ASX share after its short interest rose slightly to 15.3%. It seems that short sellers are betting against the pizza chain operator's turnaround strategy.
• Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) has short interest of 14.3%, which is down slightly since last week. This radiopharmaceuticals company failed to gain FDA approval for a couple of its therapies last year. Short sellers don't appear confident that 2026 will be any better despite a recent resubmission.
• Polynovo Ltd (ASX: PNV) has short interest of 14.2%, which is flat since last week. This may be due to valuation concerns with the medical device company's shares trading on high earnings multiples.
• Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) has short interest of 14.1%, which is up week on week. This quick service restaurant operator's shares have fallen heavily over the past 12 months due to their premium valuation and concerns that its US expansion could be a failure. The US was supposed to be its largest growth opportunity.
• Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) has short interest of 12.1%, which is up again since last week. There are major concerns over this uranium miner's production outlook beyond 2026.
• Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) has seen its short interest fall again to 11.6%. This wine giant is battling consumer spending pressures and distributor disruption. Short sellers appear to believe it will get worse before it gets better.
• Nanosonics Ltd (ASX: NAN) has entered the top ten with short interest of 11.8%. This infection prevention technology company's performance has underwhelmed in recent times. It seems that short sellers aren't confident a change is coming.
• Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) has short interest of 11.8%, which is up week on week again. Short sellers have been loading up on the travel agent's shares since the Middle East conflict. There are concerns it could have a negative impact on travel markets.
• DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) has 11.4% of its shares held short, which is up since last week. Short sellers appear to think this counter drone technology company's shares are overvalued after surging over the past 12 months.
• Lotus Resources Ltd (ASX: LOT) has short interest of 10.2%. This uranium producer is one of a number of stocks in the industry being targeted by short sellers, with several sitting just outside the top ten.

The post These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This is because I believe it is well worth keeping a close eye on short interest levels as high levels can sometimes be a sign that something isn't quite right with a company.

With that in mind, here are the 10 most shorted shares on the ASX this week according to ASIC:

• Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) remains the most shorted ASX share despite its short interest easing to 15.2%. Short sellers appear to be doubting that the struggling pizza chain operator's turnaround strategy will succeed.
• Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) has short interest of 14.5%, which is down since last week. This radiopharmaceuticals company has faced delays gaining FDA approval for a couple of its therapies recently. Short sellers don't appear to believe a change is coming in 2026.
• Polynovo Ltd (ASX: PNV) has short interest of 14.2%, which is up again since last week. This may have been driven by valuation concerns with the medical device company's shares trading on high multiples.
• Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) has short interest of 13.8%, which is up week on week. This burrito seller's shares have been under significant pressure since the release of its results last month which revealed that it is struggling in the United States market. This was supposed to be its largest growth opportunity.
• Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) has short interest of 12%, which is up since last week. There are concerns over this uranium miner's production outlook beyond 2026.
• Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) has seen its short interest fall meaningfully to 11.9%. It has been a tough period for this wine giant, which is battling consumer spending pressures and distributor disruption.
• Lotus Resources Ltd (ASX: LOT) has entered the top ten with short interest of 11.1%. It is one of a number of ASX uranium stocks being targeted by short sellers.
• Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) has short interest of 10.9%, which is up week on week again. Short sellers may believe the Middle East conflict will impact travel markets.
• DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) has entered the top ten with 10.8% of its shares held short. Short sellers may believe this counter-drone technology company's shares are overvalued after surging over the past 12 months.
• IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) has 10.2% of its shares held short, which is down week on week once again. Short sellers have been targeting this student placement and language testing company due to changes to visa rules in key markets.

The post These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

For me, the focus isn't just on yield. It's about building a mix of businesses and investments that can generate income today, while also giving that income the chance to grow over time.

Here's how I'd approach it.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

I think Macquarie Group could play an important role in an income portfolio.

Macquarie has a strong track record of growing earnings and dividends over time, supported by its global operations across asset management, banking, and infrastructure.

Its dividend yield may not be the highest on the ASX, but it has shown an ability to increase its payout over the long term.

For me, this is about planting the seeds for future income growth.

Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL)

Super Retail brings a different type of exposure. It operates well-known brands across automotive, sports, and outdoor retail, and has a history of paying solid dividends when conditions are supportive.

Retail can be cyclical, which is something to be aware of.

But with strong brands (BCF, Macpac, Rebel, and Supercheap Auto) and a loyal customer base, Super Retail has demonstrated that it can generate meaningful cash flow across the cycle.

I think that could make it an interesting ASX dividend share for an income portfolio.

Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY)

The Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF is one of the simplest ways to access dividend income.

It provides exposure to a diversified portfolio of high-yielding Australian shares, including banks, miners, and other income-focused businesses.

What I like is that it spreads your risk. Instead of relying on a handful of stocks, you're getting income from a broad basket of companies.

That can help smooth out returns over time.

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

I think Flight Centre has a place in an income portfolio.

As a travel business, its earnings can be more volatile. However, when conditions are strong, it has the potential to generate significant profits and return capital to shareholders.

And with its shares down meaningfully from their highs, the potential dividend yield on offer now is much more attractive than it was a year ago.

For example, according to CommSec, the consensus estimate is for fully franked dividends so 49.3 cents per share in FY26 and then 57 cents per share in FY27. This represents dividend yields of 4.3% and 4.95%.

Magellan Infrastructure Fund (ASX: MICH)

Lastly, the Magellan Infrastructure Fund helps round things out. It provides exposure to global infrastructure assets, which typically generate stable and predictable cash flows.

That can translate into more consistent income for investors.

It also adds diversification, which I think is important when building any portfolio.

Foolish takeaway

Investing $10,000 in ASX dividend shares isn't about chasing the highest yield.

For me, it's about combining quality, diversification, and growth potential.

Macquarie adds long-term dividend growth, Super Retail offers retail-driven income, the VHY ETF provides broad exposure, Flight Centre is a recovery play, and Magellan Infrastructure adds diversification.

Together, they show how a mix of different income sources can help build a stronger portfolio over time.

The post How to invest $10,000 in ASX dividend shares in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Trading data shows 248 of the 500 All Ords companies rose yesterday, while 168 shares fell, and 48 held steady.

Among them were four ASX All Ords shares that hit new 52-week lows.

Are they a buy, hold, or sell?

Let's defer to the experts.

Wisetech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

The Wisetech share price touched a near 4-year low of $39 yesterday.

Wisetech shares have fallen 17.6% so far this month amid the broader market sell-off due to the war in Iran.

The Wisetech share price has also more than halved over 12 months amid an ongoing ASX tech sector rout.

On Monday, Citi reiterated its buy rating on this ASX All Ords tech share with a 12-month target of $65.35.

This implies a potential near-70% capital gain ahead.

Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) 

Guzman Y Gomez shares hit an all-time low of $16.30 yesterday.

The ASX All Ords consumer discretionary share has fallen almost 15% this month.

Guzman Y Gomez shares have also more than halved over 12 months, but Morgans is optimistic.

In a new note, the broker maintained its buy rating but slashed its target price from $32.30 to $24.

This still suggests an attractive potential upside of 47% over the next year.

Morgans said:

If it was just about Australia, GYG would be doing just fine right now. In its home market, it continues to outperform the broader QSR industry both in terms of comp sales and network expansion.

Australian earnings were up strongly in 1H26, much as we had expected. But it's not just about Australia.

GYG came to market with a strategy for global expansion that was breathtakingly ambitious. The first big opportunity was the US.

Unfortunately, the pace of network expansion in the US so far has been pedestrian and the restaurants it has opened have lost more money than expected.

GYG has a bit to prove, but we can be certain it is going to give it all it's got to ultimately realise its growth ambitions.

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE)

This ASX All Ords wine share fell to a multi-year low of $3.54 yesterday.

The Treasury Wine share price has fallen by 64% over the past 12 months.

Traders think Treasury Wine shares have further to fall, with the stock among the most shorted ASX shares this week.

Last week, Ord Minnett upgraded the ASX All Ords wine share to a hold rating.

The broker cut its 12-month price target from $5 to $4.50, implying a 27% upside from here.

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

The Flight Centre share price tumbled to a six-year low of $11.03 on Tuesday.

Not surprisingly, the war in Iran is having a direct impact on ASX All Ords travel shares.

Investors are worried about fuel costs and supply, as well as flight cancellations, given the Middle East's role as a major transit hub.

The Flight Centre share price is down 13.8% since 28 February, and down 23% over 12 months.

In a new note released last week, Citi retained a buy rating on Flight Centre shares with a $16.75 price target.

Citi reckons the sell-off has been overdone, presenting a buying opportunity.

The broker's 12-month target suggests a mighty 52% potential upside for the ASX All Ords travel share.

The post 4 ASX All Ords shares at 52-week lows: Buy, hold, or sell? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

ASX 200 to rise

The Australian share market looks set to rise again on Wednesday despite a poor night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 67 points or 0.8% higher. In late trade in the United States, the Dow Jones is down 0.1%, the S&P 500 is down 0.35% and the Nasdaq is 0.8% lower.

Buy Life360 shares

Bell Potter sees significant value in Life360 Inc. (ASX: 360) shares at current levels. According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating on the family safety technology company's shares with a trimmed price target of $37.75. This implies potential upside of 94% for investors. It said: "We see the release of the Q1 result on 12th May as a potential catalyst given the company has already lowered expectations and the potential of a small beat in adjusted EBITDA."

Oil prices rebound

ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a good session on Wednesday after oil prices rebounded overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 4% to US$91.68 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 3.6% to US$103.53 a barrel. Traders were buying oil after optimism faded over a de-escalation in the US-Iran war.

Gold price eases

ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a subdued session on Wednesday after the gold price traded lower overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 0.2% to US$4,399 an ounce. A stronger US dollar and rate hike concerns have weighed on the gold price.

ASX 200 shares going ex-dividend

A number of ASX 200 shares are going ex-dividend this morning and could trade lower. This includes diversified mining services company Perenti Ltd (ASX: PRN), toll road operator Atlas Arteria Group (ASX: ALX) and travel agent Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT). Perenti is paying shareholders a 3.3 cents per share dividend on 9 April, Atlas Arteria is paying 20 cents per share on the same day, and Flight Centre is paying 12 cents per share on 16 April.

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

Be greedy when others are fearful.

Right now, there's definitely a lot of fear in the market.

A number of high-quality ASX shares have been pushed down to 52-week lows or worse, not necessarily because their long-term outlook has changed, but because sentiment has shifted.

That doesn't guarantee anything. But it does create an environment where buying quality at a more-than-fair price becomes possible.

Here are four ASX shares I'm seriously considering adding to my portfolio at current levels.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)

Sigma is a very different business today than it was a few years ago.

The Chemist Warehouse merger has transformed its position, giving it exposure to one of Australia's most recognisable pharmacy brands.

What I find interesting is that the market is still assessing the combined business's earnings power.

There's potential for improved margins, better scale, and stronger earnings, but that story may take time to fully play out.

With the share price under pressure, I think this is one where patience could be rewarded.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

Cochlear isn't usually a stock you see trading at such low levels.

It's a global leader in hearing implants, backed by decades of innovation and a strong reputation in healthcare.

The long-term drivers here haven't changed. Demand for hearing solutions continues to grow, supported by ageing populations and increasing awareness. A new product launch also looks likely to underpin growth and cement its leadership position.

Short-term weakness in the share price doesn't alter that.

For me, this looks like a high-quality business that could catch the eye of Warren Buffett. 

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

WiseTech has been one of the biggest fallers, with its share price down sharply over the past year.

A lot of that seems tied to concerns around artificial intelligence (AI) and how it could impact software companies.

But I see it differently. WiseTech is embedding AI into its platform to automate workflows and improve customer outcomes. That could actually strengthen its position rather than weaken it.

The business still has a global footprint, strong annual recurring revenue (ARR), and a deeply embedded logistics platform.

At current prices, I think the risk-reward is looking compelling for buyers.

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

Flight Centre is another cheap ASX share I'd consider buying.

Travel demand can move with economic conditions, but it's also a business that has shown it can adapt and recover.

What I like is that the company has streamlined its operations and is now operating more efficiently than it did in the past.

If travel demand remains resilient, there could be meaningful upside from here.

It's not without risk, but after a meaningful pullback, I think it's worth considering.

Foolish takeaway

Markets don't often give you the chance to buy multiple high-quality ASX shares at low prices.

But it has done exactly that with Sigma, Cochlear, WiseTech, and Flight Centre shares.

For me, this is one of those moments where Warren Buffett's advice feels especially relevant. When quality shares are trading at prices above fair value, I think it can pay to lean in rather than step back.

The post I'm listening to Warren Buffett and loading up on cheap ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This is because I believe it is well worth keeping a close eye on short interest levels as high levels can sometimes be a sign that something isn't quite right with a company.

With that in mind, here are the 10 most shorted shares on the ASX this week according to ASIC:

• Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) continues to be the most shorted ASX share with short interest of 16%. This is up week on week. Short sellers appear doubtful that the struggling pizza chain operator's turnaround strategy will be a success.
• Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) has short interest of 15.3%, which is up again since last week. This radiopharmaceuticals company has been struggling with FDA approvals. It seems that short sellers don't believe regulators will be approving its therapies any time soon.
• Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) has seen its short interest rise again to 15.1%. This wine giant has been battling very tough trading conditions, with consumers focusing on value rather than its premium wines.
• Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) has short interest of 13.4%, which is down week on week. This may be due to the burrito seller struggling the United States market, which was supposed to be its largest growth opportunity.
• Polynovo Ltd (ASX: PNV) has short interest of 13.3%, which is up again since last week. This medical device company's shares trade with a premium valuation.
• Nanosonics Ltd (ASX: NAN) has 11.7% of its shares held short, which is up week on week again. This infection prevention company's performance has been underwhelming in FY 2026, with profit before tax falling 3% during the first half.
• Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) has short interest of 11.2%, which is down since last week. Short sellers continue to close positions in the uranium producer, which was the most shorted ASX share for much of 2025.
• IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) has 10.7% of its shares held short, which is down week on week again. Short sellers have been targeting this student placement and language testing company due to unfavourable changes to visa rules in key markets.
• Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) has short interest of 10.5%, which is flat week on week. This is likely due to valuation concerns after the rare earths producer's shares rocketed over the past 12 months.
• Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) has short interest of 10.3%, which is up week on week. There are concerns that the travel agent won't deliver on its revenue margin targets, especially given how the war in the Middle East could impact travel markets.

The post These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Three broker buy ratings that you might want to know more about are summarised below. Here's why brokers think these ASX shares are in the buy zone right now:

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

According to a note out of Morgan Stanley, its analysts have retained their overweight rating and $56.00 price target on this mining giant's shares. This follows news that the Big Australian's CEO, Mike Henry, is stepping down after six and a half years in the role. He will be replaced by Brandon Craig on 1 July. Morgan Stanley believes that the appointment of Craig is signalling strategic continuity. The broker highlights that he has significant experience with BHP and has held various leadership roles across the group. This includes strengthening BHP's position in copper and potash in the Americas region. In light of this, Morgan Stanley appears to see the change of leadership as low-risk and expects it to be supportive of execution across key growth projects. The BHP share price is trading at $47.55 on Friday.

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

A note out of Citi reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating and $16.75 price target on this travel agent giant's shares. The broker has been busy looking at travel data to better understand the impact the Middle East conflict is having on Flight Centre's business. While it concedes that estimating the impact to its earnings is very complex, it appears confident it will be less than what the Flight Centre share price decline is implying. As a result, it sees the pullback as a buying opportunity for investors. The Flight Centre share price is fetching $11.51 at the time of writing.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

Another note out of Citi reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating and $199.00 price target on this property listings company's shares. The broker believes that the company's higher-than-forecast price increases will offset any potential downside risk from listings softness caused by interest rate hikes and broad macro weakness. Citi notes that REA Group is expecting to increase prices by 8% to 10%, which is ahead of its 7% forecast. It also believes these strong price increases should ease concerns that competition from Domain could put pressure on pricing. The REA Group share price is trading at $158.65 this afternoon.

The post Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) travel stock closed yesterday trading for $11.54. In early morning trade on Friday, shares are changing hands for $11.62 apiece, up 0.7%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.2% at this same time.

That's today's price action for you.

Now here's how the company is pursuing growth opportunities in the United Kingdom.

Flight Centre shares higher amid UK acquisition

Flight Centre shares are catching investor attention today after the company announced it has acquired Fresh Approach Holdings Limited.

Fresh Approach is a UK brand-experience, creative and meetings and events (M&E) agency. The company was founded in 2004 and employs about 65 people. Fresh Approach CEO Lee Harris and his leadership team will continue to run the business, which has offices in Manchester and Edinburgh.

The company did not divulge how much it is paying to acquire Fresh Approach, but reported it is not material to the company. The ASX 200 travel stock will use cash reserves to fund the acquisition.

Flight Centre shares could catch longer-term tailwinds, with Fresh Approach forecast to deliver about 18 million pounds (AU$34.2 million) in turnover and 1.2 million pounds in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) during the 2026 financial year (FY 2026).

Flight Centre said the acquisition will deliver a more seamless customer experience and expand its addressable markets beyond traditional travel management into M&E and professional services.

What did management say?

Commenting on the acquisition that could offer longer-term support for Flight Centre shares, managing director Graham Turner said, "Fresh is a quality business, with a strong market reputation and blue-chip client roster, that elevates our position in an attractive sector and gives us broader capability to support our corporate customers."

Turner continued:

With Fresh's addition, we can deliver a fully integrated M&E offering in the UK, reduce reliance on external suppliers and capture more value within the group.

This acquisition helps us deepen relationships with our corporate clients by offering more of the services they need in one place – creative, production and travel management delivered seamlessly.

Fresh unlocks meaningful growth opportunities on both sides of the relationship, from cross-selling into our UK corporate customer base to supporting Fresh's clients with our global travel capabilities.

Fresh Approach CEO Lee Harris added, "Our capabilities will work in unison to remove the friction between planning and creation, all underpinned by strategic thinking and world class creative."

With today's intraday gains factored in, Flight Centre shares remain down 18.7% over 12 months.

The post Flight Centre shares lift amid latest UK acquisition news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

If you've had your eye on an ASX share for a while, and you're ready to buy, the ex-dividend date can provide a deadline to act.

Might as well buy and pick up the next dividend payment if the stock is trading at an acceptable price, right?

Alternatively, you could play a longer game, and wait for the ex-dividend date to arrive before buying the stock.

This can be a good strategy because share prices tend to fall on the ex-dividend date.

This happens because the stock is fundamentally worth less without the next dividend payment attached.

Many companies offer dividend reinvestment plans (DRPs).

DRPs allow investors to instruct the company to use their dividends to buy more shares on their behalf, instead of paying cash.

After lodging your DRP form, this process becomes automatic.

It's an easy, passive way for investors increase their shareholdings in a company over time.

And every now and then, a company will offer a discount to shareholders participating in the DRP.

Bonus!

ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week

The post 14 ASX shares about to go ex-dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

In the last 12 months, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has risen a healthy 9%. 

Despite this, many ASX travel shares are hovering close to 12-month lows. 

Is there any value?

Here is what experts are saying. 

Web Travel Group Ltd (ASX: WEB)

Webjet provides online travel booking services. It is an online travel agency, which enables customers to search and book the domestic and international travel flight deals, travel insurance, car hire, and hotel accommodation worldwide.

In the last 12 months, its share price has fallen more than 40%. 

At the time of writing, shares are trading for approximately $2.68. 

Much of the negative sentiment around the travel stock has come from a Spanish tax audit into Web Travel Group. 

The audit is an investigation by Spain's tax authorities into whether one of its local subsidiaries correctly reported and paid corporate and indirect taxes for several recent years. 

This sent its share price down 40% in a single day. 

Management reassured investors that only the company's Spanish subsidiary is being audited and it did not expect any material earnings impact from the Spanish tax review.

It seems with sentiment at an all-time low, there could be upside for this ASX travel stock. 

Based on 9 analyst forecasts via TradingView, Webjet shares have a one year average price target of $5.93. 

This indicates a potential upside of approximately 121%. 

Helloworld Travel Ltd (ASX: HLO)

Helloworld Travel consists of a wide array of travel brands across three key pillars of its business: retail, wholesale, and inbound. 

Its stock price closed yesterday at $1.48, down 28% from yearly highs back in early February. 

However now could be a good time to buy according to recent broker recommendations. 

Following earnings results, Morgans placed a buy recommendation on this ASX travel stock. 

Similarly, Shaw & Partners placed a $2.80 price target on the company. 

From yesterday's closing price, this indicates 89% upside. 

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

Flight Centre operates a vast network of travel agencies, operating under various brands across the world, including Student Universe, Travel Money, Corporate Traveller, and Topdeck.

Its share price is sitting close to 52-week lows at $11.26 per share. 

It's down more than 30% since early February. 

However, according to brokers, its now trading at compelling value.

The team at Canaccord Genuity recently placed a price target of $16 on Flight Centre shares

Meanwhile, Macquarie has a price target of $17.95. 

UBS' recent target sits in the middle at $16.45. 

Morgan's recent target is the highest at $18.05. 

These targets indicate upside of between 42% and 60%. 

The post ASX travel shares are hovering near yearly lows – time to buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This is because I believe it is well worth keeping a close eye on short interest levels as high levels can sometimes be a sign that something isn't quite right with a company.

With that in mind, here are the 10 most shorted shares on the ASX this week according to ASIC:

• Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) is the most shorted ASX share with short interest of 15.6%. It appears that short sellers believe the struggling pizza chain operator's turnaround strategy will not be a success.
• Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) has seen its short interest rise to 14.8%. This wine giant has been battling very tough trading conditions. Short sellers may not believe a change is coming in the near term.
• Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) has short interest of 14.2%, which is up since last week. This radiopharmaceuticals company has been facing delays with FDA approvals. Short sellers don't appear confident that regulators will be approving its therapies any time soon.
• Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) has short interest of 13.8%, which is up week on week. This burrito seller continues to struggle and make a loss in the United States market, which was supposed to be its largest growth opportunity.
• Polynovo Ltd (ASX: PNV) has short interest of 13%, which is up since last week. This medical device company's shares trade on sky-high earnings multiples.
• Nanosonics Ltd (ASX: NAN) has 11.4% of its shares held short, which is up week on week. Last month, this infection prevention company posted a 3% decline in profit before tax during the first half.
• Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) has short interest of 11.4%, which is down significantly since last week. With the uranium producer's shares down 65% since the start of July on production concerns, some short sellers may be buying back shares to lock in their gains.
• IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) has 10.8% of its shares held short, which is down week on week. This student placement and language testing company has been battling changes to visa rules in key markets.
• Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) has short interest of 10.5%, which is up since last week. This may be due to valuation concerns and the rare earths producer's shares rocketed over the past 12 months.
• Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) has short interest of 9.7%, which is down week on week. There are concerns that the travel agent won't deliver on its revenue margin targets.

The post These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

That's because listed below are two ASX dividend shares that Morgans rates as buys. Here's what it is saying about them and what sort of dividend yields it is forecasting:

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

Morgans is bullish on this travel agent giant and sees it as an ASX dividend share to snap up this month. It has a buy rating and $18.05 price target on its shares. It thinks its shares are cheap based on its FY 2027 forecasts. It said:

FLT's 1H26 NBPT was up 4.1%, a beat on guidance for a flat result. The Corporate result was the highlight with NPBT was up 20%, while Leisure was better than feared down only 4%. The 3Q26 is off to a strong start and importantly Leisure is back in growth. FY26 guidance was reiterated. We have made minor upgrades to our forecasts. FLT's fundamentals remain attractive (FY27 PE of 10.6x) and we retain a Buy recommendation with a new A$18.05 price target.

As for income, the broker is forecasting fully franked dividends of 47 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 54 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $11.40, this would mean dividend yields of 4.1% and 4.7%, respectively.

Iress Ltd (ASX: IRE)

Another ASX dividend share that Morgans is positive on is financial technology company Iress. The broker recently upgraded its shares to a buy rating with a $10.95 price target. It said:

IRE delivered a solid FY25 result with underlying EBITDA of A$136.2m, +4.7% ahead of our estimate, and the group's FY25 guidance range. Divisionally each segment delivered solid EBITDA growth half on half, with APAC Wealth up +24.5%, UK Wealth +46%, and GTMD +8.6%. FY26 Cash EBITDA guidance (underlying EBITDA less capex) was provided at A$116-126m (representing 15-26% growth YoY).

IRE flagged that capex for FY26 will remain in line with FY25, which implies further operating leverage is expected. We upgrade our underlying EBITDA forecasts by +5-6%, which sees our price target increase to $10.95 from $10.50. With over 50% implied TSR, we move to a BUY rating from ACCUMULATE.

With respect to income, the broker is forecasting dividends of 28 cents per share in FY 2026 and then 33 cents per share in FY 2027. Based on the current Iress share price of $6.90, this would mean dividend yields of 4.1% and 4.8%, respectively.

The post Morgans names 2 ASX dividend shares to buy now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Here are two ASX stocks that analysts have recently rated as a buy, and one they've recommended to sell.

Why broker says to buy NextDC shares

NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) owns a huge network of data centres for cloud computing, telecommunications, and AI workloads, which it is rapidly expanding. The company also owns power and cooling infrastructure and assists with online security. 

Given that demand for data usage is expected to rise, many analysts are bullish on the outlook for the company's share price.  

Late last month, NextDC posted strong first-half FY26 earnings and said it expects strong demand to support even more growth over the remainder of the year. 

Analysts at EnviroInvest agree that the outlook for the data centre operator is positive and named it as a buy earlier this week.

The investment company was pleased with the company's latest results and said it believes NextDC's structural demand and execution momentum support further upside this year.

At the time of writing, the ASX stock is trading at $12.66 a piece.

Why broker says to buy Flight Centre shares

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) has lost 21.97% of its value so far in 2026, after slower profit growth and geopolitical tensions put pressure on the company's stock.

But the company posted its FY26 half-year report late last month, blowing expectations out of the water.

The team at UBS said the ASX stock's profit before tax came in 5% above market expectations. The broker also said there are a number of positives to come out of the result, which suggests that the company's shares are trading very cheaply. 

The business has seen a strong start to the year for both leisure and corporate, with both segments on track for year-over-year profit growth.

UBS rates Flight Centre shares as a buy with a $16.45 target price.

At the time of writing, the ASX travel stock is trading at $11.71 a piece.

Why broker says to sell Lynas shares

Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) shares rocketed higher on Wednesday, surging 16% to $20.59, off the back of an update to its major long-term supply agreement with Japan Australia Rare Earths (JARE).

Under the revised agreement, which will be in place until 2038, JARE has committed to purchasing 5,000 tonnes per year of NdPr (neodymium and praseodymium) and 50% of all heavy rare earth oxides produced by Lynas for the Japanese market.

Sales will be based on a market-referenced price with a floor of US$110 per kilogram of NdPr. 

Investors were clearly thrilled with the update, but some analysts think that the company's stock is running ahead of its true value.

Bell Potter believes the run has gone too far and that Lynas shares now reflect overly optimistic long-term rare earths prices.

The broker has a sell rating and a 12-month price target of $11.60. 

At the time of writing, the ASX stock is trading at $20.70 a piece.

The post 2 ASX stocks to buy and 1 to sell appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.