But the shares remain about a third lower over the past 12 months, and the question remains: where to from here for the share price?

I've had a look at two brokers' reports issued following the release of Lovisa's results, and the good news is that both rate the shares highly, with bullish share price targets from each.

I'll get to that shortly. Firstly, let's look at the results in more depth.

Strong uplift in profits

Lovisa this week reported revenue of $938.8 million, up 17.6%, while net profit was up 10.7% to $95.6 million.

The company also bolstered its final dividend by 22.2% to 33 cents per share, 50% franked.

Chief Executive Officer John Cheston said:

Lovisa has once again been able to deliver strong global sales and profit growth, with the highlights being continued growth in the Americas and Europe and another exceptional Gross Margin performance. I would like to share my appreciation to the global team for their hard work in delivering these outstanding results and continuing the global momentum of the business.

The company's gross profit was 18.4% higher in FY26, while gross margin was up 60 basis points to 82.6%, "representing a 270 basis point improvement on FY23 following multiple years of gross margin expansion''.

In terms of the start of the current financial year, Lovisa said total sales for the first eight weeks were up 16.4% while comparable same-store sales were up 3%.

The company added:

We continue to focus on opportunities for expanding both our physical and digital store network, with structures in place to drive this growth in existing and new markets and formats, with a long new store runway supporting continued store rollout momentum. Our balance sheet remains strong with available cash and debt facilities supporting continued investment in growth.

Lovisa shares looking cheap according to brokers

Morgans said the results were strong, with net profit coming in ahead of consensus estimates.

The broker added:

Lovisa has ambitious expansion plans, with significant white space opportunity for continued network expansion. Ongoing investment will be needed to expand Lovisa's multinational network, but the company has the capacity to fund this, and we expect strong returns. We have an accumulate rating and $31.00 target price.

Morgan Stanley is even more bullish on the stock, with a $33.50 target price, compared to the price of $26.98 at the time of writing.

They said they saw a compelling bull case for the stock based on expansion in the total addressable market, extended store roll-outs, and an increasingly diversified business.

Lovisa is valued at $3.06 billion.

The post After a big jump this week, what are brokers saying about the Lovisa share price? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

After reviewing companies' results, brokers have reduced their ratings on numerous ASX shares.

Let's see a sample.

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)

The PLS Group share price is $5.23, down 1.2% today and up 123% over 12 months. 

Over the past month, this ASX 200 lithium share has ripped 23% higher.

Morgans downgraded PLS shares from hold to trim after the miner's FY26 results.

The broker commented:

PLS delivered an in-line FY26 Underlying EBITDA result and surprised with a maiden 5cps fully franked final dividend (22% FCF payout).

We view PLS as fairly valued at current levels, with its premium to peers already reflecting the company's best-in-class execution, balance sheet and growth optionality.

Depleted lithium inventories leave scope for short-term upside, though we see the medium-term outlook as more volatile given uncertainty around supply and demand drivers.

The broker retained its 12-month price target of $4.60, which implies a 12% downside ahead.

Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN)

The Paladin Energy share price is $12.31, down 2.1% today and up 64% over 12 months. 

Over the past month, this ASX 200 energy share has jumped 29%.

Morgans downgraded Paladin Energy shares from buy to accumulate due to recent share price strength.

Following the uranium miner's FY26 report, the broker increased its target price to $14.10.

This suggests a potential 15% upside ahead.

Morgans said:

Cash is starting to flow — PDN delivered positive operating cash flow for the first full year since the restart, generating US$38m in FY26 and marking the transition from ramp-up story to steady-state and cash-generating producer.

Guidance beaten across the board — Langer Heinrich Mine (LHM) exceeded FY26 production, sales and cost guidance, providing further evidence that the operation can sustainably deliver and continues to build momentum as it enters more steady state operations.

Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) 

The Lovisa share price is $27.14, down 1.7% today and down 34% over 12 months. 

Over the past month, this ASX retail share has soared 27%.

Morgans downgraded Lovisa shares, on valuation grounds, from buy to accumulate after the retailer's FY26 report.

The broker reduced its 12-month price target to $31.

This implies a potential 14% upside ahead.

Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX: ORA)

The Ora Banda share price is $1.59, down 1.9% today and up 84% over 12 months. 

Over the past month, this ASX 200 gold share has ripped 42% higher.

MA Financial Group downgraded Ora Banda shares to a hold rating after the miner's FY26 report.

The broker raised its 12-month price target from $1.40 to $1.60.

This implies a potential 1% upside ahead.

Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR)

The Sandfire Resources share price is $23.47, down 2.8% today and up 85% over 12 months. 

Over the past month, this ASX 200 copper share has leapt 22%.

The Sandfire Resources share price struck a new record of $25 on the back of its FY26 report yesterday.

Morgans downgraded Sandfire Resources shares from accumulate to hold with a $23 target.

This indicates the stock is fully valued now.

The broker commented:

SFR resumed dividends with a 35cps final dividend (+86% vs expectations) and we see scope for this to build further as its cash balance continues to grow with no drawn debt, supported by a favourable base metals price environment.

SFR's asset quality, management quality and balance sheet strength, alongside emerging growth optionality, underpin its case as a core copper exposure for long-term investors, though the stock appears fully valued at current prices.

Scentre Group (ASX: SCG)

The Scentre share price is $3.57, down 1.4% today and down 12% over 12 months. 

Over the past month, this ASX 200 real estate investment trust (REIT) has fallen 8%.

Jarden downgraded Scentre shares to a hold rating after reviewing the property group's 1H FY26 results.

The broker has a $4.05 target, which suggests a potential 13% upside ahead.

Inghams Group Ltd (ASX: ING)

The Inghams share price is $2.05, up 2.3% today and down 26% over 12 months.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 consumer staples share has fallen 9%.

Jarden downgraded Inghams shares to a hold rating after the company's FY26 results.

The broker's target is $2.50, which implies a potential 22% upside ahead.

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

Lovisa is a global retailer of affordable jewellery across numerous countries worldwide. Impressively, it has stores on every continent and has an excellent outlook, in my view.

Lovisa may not be a tech stock, but few names on the ASX have such a wide geographic reach, with plenty of growth potential to come.

Lots of store growth

The company continues to expand its global store network at an impressive pace, which is driving the overall business.

In FY26, the company reported a 10.2% year-over-year rise of its global store count to 1,136.

There was a net increase in stores over the year in Australia, Vietnam, South Africa, Zambia, the UK, Ireland, Spain, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the USA, Canada and the Middle East and Africa franchise.

It's growing in a number of markets, and this is helping increase its presence and scale there.

The business actually closed 43 underperforming stores during the financial year, as well as relocating a further 12 stores. It's continuing to focus on store profitability – where landlords don't provide a profitable rent, it is willing to close that store.

Its FY26 comparable store sales grew by 2%, with an acceleration to 3% growth in the first eight weeks of FY27. I think this shows the business can continue to expand, while maintaining profitability with its existing stores.

Impressive financial growth

Compounding is a very powerful force, and if Lovisa continues growing its store count by around 10% (or more) a year, it's on course for a very profitable future.

In FY26, Lovisa's revenue grew 17.6%, gross profit rose 18.4%, operating profit (EBITDA) climbed 20.9%, and net profit after tax (NPAT) increased 10.7%. Net profit rose more slowly than EBITDA because of store rollout costs.

But I think the benefits of the store rollout will be reflected in the bottom line in the coming years.

I believe that Lovisa's net profit can continue growing at a double-digit compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the coming years, which will help increase the value of Lovisa's shares.

I'm optimistic the company can grow strongly in Europe and North America in the coming years.

Rewarding cash payouts

The company is steadily increasing its payout to investors, which is helping boost cash returns, even before considering what could happen to the Lovisa share price over the next few years.

In the FY26 result, Lovisa hiked its annual dividend per share by 11.7% to 86 cents. That translates into a dividend yield of 3.1%, excluding any franking credits.

I expect the dividend will continue to grow alongside net profit in the coming years, so the yield for today's investors could grow significantly by the end of the decade.

The post Why I think the Lovisa share price is an excellent long-term buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Your super offers the bonus of concessional tax rates, and you can grow your balance through compounding.

But that's not all.

Did you know that you can also earn a passive income off your balance once you transition to retirement?

But how much superannuation do you need to accumulate to target the passive income amount that you want to receive?

Here's a breakdown, using a target of $50,000 per year in passive income as an example.

How much do I need in my superannuation to get $50,000 per year in passive income?

The calculation is straightforward. 

You need to divide your annual passive income by the dividend yield of your overall portfolio and it'll tell you how much you need to invest.

For example, $50,000 ÷ 3% = $1.66 million (that's the superannuation portfolio size you'd need).

The catch is that the answer varies significantly depending on what yield you pick.

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

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

Break it down for me by yield

We already know what portfolio size you'd need to earn $50,000 per year off a 3% yielding account.

But if your overall portfolio has a slightly higher dividend yield of around 4%, you'll need a balance of around $1.25 million to earn the same $50,000 per year in passive income.

If the yield of your portfolio is higher still, at around 5% for example, your balance would need to be closer to $1 million to earn the same dividend income.

For a 6% yielding portfolio, you'd need a balance of closer to $834,000 to earn the same amount again.

Increase that to a 7%, 8%, or 9% dividend yield, and you're looking at closer to $714,000, $625,000 or $556,000, respectively. 

And so on…

You'd still earn $50,000 per year in passive income from each of these superannuation balance sizes.

What ASX shares can I buy with my superannuation around a 3-4% yield?

There are plenty of options, but here are some good options to get you started.

Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV), Lottery Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLC), Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), and National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) all yield around 3% to 4% at the time of writing.

What about the middle ground, closer to a 5-6% yield?

If you're looking for a higher yield, something like long-standing ASX dividend stock APA Group (ASX: APA) is a good option, as is Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL) and Metcash Ltd (ASX: MTS). These ASX shares all yield between 5% and 6% at the time of writing.

And what are my options for high-yielding shares?

There are also some higher-yielding shares around the 8% level, or even higher. However, it's worth noting that these come with more risk. For high-yielding options, I'd stick with something like the BetaShares Australian Top 20 Equities Yield Maximiser Complex ETF (ASX: YMAX), or a defensive ASX share like IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH).

The post How much superannuation is needed to target a $50,000 annual passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

That may have been a result of today's inflation figures. Either way, the index ended up closing 0.4% lower at 9,127.8 points.

This tantalising hump day for the ASX followed a more robust night of trading over on the American markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) continued to push higher, gaining another 0.3%.

Over on the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC), the mood was even more upbeat, with the index rising 0.66%.

But let us return to the local markets now and dive a little deeper into what was happening amongst the various ASX sectors this Wednesday.

Winners and losers

Despite the market's choke today, we still had a few sectors that pushed higher.

But first, the standout losers this hump day were tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) was hit hard, crashing 3.47%.

Energy shares had a day to forget as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) plunging 1.52%.

Communications stocks were also on the nose. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) took a 1.38% dive today.

As were healthcare shares, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 1.21% tanking.

Industrial stocks fared a little better. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) still lost 0.6%, though.

Financial shares were right behind that, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) dipping 0.57%.

Our final losers today were mining stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) slid 0.01% lower.

Let's get to the winners now. Leading the pack were consumer staples shares, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 1.83% surge.

Gold stocks were also a safe haven. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) had lifted 0.83% by the closing bell.

Utilities shares didn't miss out, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) jumping 0.53%.

We can say the same for real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) jumped up 0.35% this session.

Finally, consumer discretionary shares managed to stick a landing, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.07% crawl higher.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Today's top stock was retailer Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV). Lovisa shares were hot property today, rocketing up 12.73% to close at $27.62.

This big leap came after the company reported its latest earnings, which seemed to have exceeded expectations.

Here's how the other winners pulled up at the kerb:

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

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

Despite the surge, the jewellery retailer remains 22% lower over the past 12 months, while the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has gained around 2%.

So, what's driving today's dramatic rebound?

Lovisa delivers another strong year

Investors are responding to a solid full-year result, with Lovisa delivering growth across its key financial metrics. Total revenue increased 17.6% to $938.8 million, while comparable-store sales rose 2.0%.

The ASX retail stock also lifted earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) by 14.1% to $158.2 million. Net profit after tax climbed 10.7% to $95.6 million.

Lovisa generated $294.5 million in operating cash flow, up 21.0%, demonstrating the company's ability to fund its expansion while continuing to generate substantial cash.

Shareholders also received a boost, with the full-year dividend increasing 11.7% to 86 cents per share.

Global expansion remains a key growth driver

Lovisa continued its aggressive international expansion during the year, opening 160 new stores and finishing with 1,136 stores across more than 50 markets. Europe was the standout region for store growth, with 76 new locations added, including 34 in the UK and 20 in Germany.

However, management isn't simply opening stores for the sake of growth. Lovisa closed 43 underperforming locations and relocated another 12, highlighting its focus on improving store profitability and optimising its global network.

The ASX retail stock also continued investing in technology, its supply chain, and global retail operations. Importantly, Lovisa said these investments were fully funded by existing cash flows.

What did Lovisa management say?

Lovisa Global Chief Executive Officer John Cheston said:

Lovisa has once again been able to deliver strong global sales and profit growth, with the highlights being continued growth in the Americas and Europe and another exceptional Gross Margin performance.

What's next for Lovisa shares?

The early signs from FY27 are encouraging. Lovisa reported total sales growth of 16.4% on a constant-currency basis during the first eight weeks, while comparable-store sales increased 3.0%.

The retailer plans to continue expanding its physical and digital presence, supported by its strong balance sheet and steady cash generation.

After a 22% decline over the past year, today's 19% rally of the ASX retail stock suggests investors are reassessing Lovisa's growth prospects.

Whether the recovery can continue, however, will depend on the company maintaining strong comparable-store growth while successfully scaling its rapidly expanding international footprint.

The post Why is this $3 billion ASX retail stock rocketing 19% today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Lovisa Holdings Limited report?

• Total revenue increased 17.6% to $938.8 million
• Comparable store sales rose 2.0%
• EBIT grew 14.1% to $158.2 million
• Net profit after tax climbed 10.7% to $95.6 million
• Operating cash flow up 21.0% to $294.5 million
• Full year dividend increased 11.7% to 86 cents per share

What else do investors need to know?

Lovisa opened 160 new stores during the period, finishing the year with a total of 1,136 stores across more than 50 markets. Store expansion was strongest in Europe, with 76 new stores including 34 in the UK and 20 in Germany.

The company closed 43 underperforming stores and relocated 12, signalling ongoing focus on store profitability and optimisation. Investment continued in technology, supply chain, and global retail operations to support expansion, all fully funded by existing cash flows.

What did Lovisa Holdings management say?

Lovisa's Global Chief Executive Officer, John Cheston, said:

Lovisa has once again been able to deliver strong global sales and profit growth, with the highlights being continued growth in the Americas and Europe and another exceptional Gross Margin performance. I would like to share my appreciation to the global team for their hard work in delivering these outstanding results and continuing the global momentum of the business.

What's next for Lovisa Holdings?

Looking ahead to FY27, Lovisa reported a solid start with total sales up 16.4% (on a constant currency basis) and comparable store sales up 3.0% in the first 8 weeks. The company aims to keep expanding its physical and digital presence, supported by a strong balance sheet and steady cash flows.

Management says they remain focused on store rollout momentum, particularly in both established and new markets, with structures in place to drive growth and enhance shareholder returns.

Lovisa Holdings share price snapshot

The Lovisa share price has been among the worst performers on the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the past 12 months with a decline of 33%.

View Original Announcement

The post Lovisa Holdings FY26 earnings: Profit and sales keep growing appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

As the chart above shows, the Lovisa share price has dropped 46% since August 2025 and it's down 15% from 7 August 2026.

After such a sizeable fall in a relatively small period of time, this could be the right time to consider one of the ASX's leading retailers. Let's look at why the jewellery retailer is so appealing.

Significant global growth plans

I think leading ASX growth shares need to have the potential to grow significantly in size today to unlock strong shareholder returns.

Lovisa already has around 1,100 global stores, but I think it can add significantly more. At the end of the FY26 half-year result, 219 of its global network was in Australia and New Zealand, with another 237 in the US.

It also has at least one store in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, the UK, Ireland, Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Poland, Italy, Hungary, Romania, UAE, USA, Canada, Mexico, a franchise in the Middle East and Africa, and a franchise in South America.

As you can see, it's in numerous markets and this allows it to choose where to invest for new stores and earn the best return. The global network makes it one of Australia's top shares, in my opinion.

Its expanding store count is a key growth tailwind. In HY26, the company reported its store count rose 15.5%. Combine that with positive comparable sales growth, and you've got a great revenue growth story.

In HY26, the company reported that Lovisa achieved revenue growth of 22.7%, with comparable sales growth of 2.2%.

Lovisa has also launched a new business called Jewells in the UK, which could add to earnings in the coming years.

Rapidly rising profit

The business is investing a fair amount into expanding its store network each year, yet its profit is also growing at an impressive pace, which is driving the underlying value of one of Australia's top shares.

Lovisa reported that, excluding Jewells, operating profit (EBIT) grew 20.4% to $109.1 million and net profit grew 21.5% to $69.6 million.

I think if any business can grow its earnings regularly by more than 20% per year, then its intrinsic value will compound strongly.

As the business becomes larger, I think scale benefits will continue to strengthen, and this should help its profit margins improve.

Compelling valuation for one of Australia's top shares

According to the forecast on Commsec, the Lovisa share price is valued at 28x FY26's estimated earnings, with projections that earnings per share (EPS) could climb by another 27% in FY27.

I think the Lovisa share price is undervalued for how much its store network could increase in the coming years. At the current valuation, I think it's one of Australia's top share opportunities, though there could be volatility over certain periods.

The post A rare buying opportunity in 1 of Australia's top shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Investing for passive income through superannuation makes sense for various reasons, with the low tax rate being a key benefit.

Keep in mind that the net income we receive from our investments is what we receive after taxes. It's possible that an Australian working full-time could lose a third of their passive income to tax, or more, depending on their tax rate.

Based on that, investing in superannuation is a more appealing prospect due to that lower tax rate.

Super has a lower tax rate in the accumulation phase compared to normal individual tax rates for a full-time earner. In retirement, the tax rate could be 0%.

Every Australian's tax position is different, so I'll just talk about targeting a certain income level, without mentioning tax any further.

How much is needed in superannuation for $5,500 of monthly passive income?

Receiving $5,500 per month of dividends translates into $66,000 annually. I'm sure most Australians would love to receive that level of dividends each year without needing to do any ongoing work for it, assuming they don't already receive that much each year.

A key question is deciding what sort of investments Australians want to own and the dividend yield attached to those stocks.

For example, a portfolio with a dividend yield of 6.6% can be half the size of a portfolio with a dividend yield of 3.3%.

For example, if a portfolio is $1 million in size with a 6.6% dividend yield, it would create $66,000 of annual passive income. If a portfolio had a dividend yield of 3.3%, the portfolio would need to be $2 million in size to make the same level of income.

If the portfolio had a dividend yield of 5%, the portfolio would need to be $1.32 million in size to generate an average of $5,500 per month of monthly passive income.

The final dividend yield we'll look at is 4%. It would take a portfolio value of $1.65 million to unlock $66,000 of annual dividends.

The sorts of ASX dividend shares I'd look at

There is a wide range of ASX dividend shares available for superannuation investments, investing in our own name or other structures.

Some of the lower-yielding stocks I'd look at are Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL), L1 Long Short Fund Ltd (ASX: LSF) and Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV).

Some of the mid-range yielding stocks I'd consider for passive income include WCM Quality Global Growth Fund (ASX: WCMQ), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF) and Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP).

Among the higher-yielding ASX dividend shares I'd consider are WCM Global Growth Ltd (ASX: WQG), Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW), Dexus Industria REIT (ASX: DXI), Future Generation Australia Ltd (ASX: FGX), Future Generation Global Ltd (ASX: FGG) and PM Capital Global Opportunities Fund Ltd (ASX: PGF).

The post How much is needed in superannuation to target a $5,500 monthly passive income? 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.

I'm going to talk about two businesses that could deliver great returns over time, particularly if their revenue and profit margins improve in the short-term and long-term.

While they're not two of the biggest businesses right now, I think they could grow significantly in the years ahead.

Propel Funeral Partners Ltd (ASX: PFP)

Propel is the second-largest funeral operator on the ASX. It currently operates from 209 locations, including 41 cremation facilities and nine cemeteries.

The company said that the number of deaths is the most significant driver of revenue in the death care industry.

According to Propel, death volumes are expected to increased by 2.9% between 2026 to 2035 and then grow by a further 2.4% per year between 2036 to 2045. That's not the strongest growth rate in the world, but it's a very long-term tailwind which could mean two decades of industry growth, not just one decade.

The company has scale advantages compared to many others in the industry, and it could gain even more market share if it continues its acquisition strategy. In 2025, it had a market share of around 10%, and I think this can continue to grow in the coming years. For example, it recently announced three acquisitions that generate a total of $4 million of annual revenue.

According to the forecast on CMC Markets, the ASX share is trading at 23x FY26's estimated earnings, and it's projected to increase its earnings per share (EPS) by 4.8% in FY27 and pay a grossed-up dividend yield of 5.5%, including franking credits, at the time of writing.

Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV)

Lovisa is a leading global retailer of affordable jewellery, which I believe has a very attractive future.

I think that all the business needs to do is keep expanding its global store network. The company already has at least one store in dozens of countries. As long as the company maintains positive comparable store growth, then its financials could continue to be compelling.

In the FY26 half-year result, Lovisa reported that its store count grew 15.5% year-over-year, underlying revenue grew 22.7% (supported by comparable revenue growth of 2.2%), and net profit grew 21.5%.

I think the business can continue to grow its store count in countries like Australia, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, the USA, Canada, South Africa and plenty more markets.

I don't know at what rate the company's store count will continue to grow, but I think it could continue to grow at high single digits (or better) for a number of years into the future.

According to Commsec's projections, the Lovisa share price is valued at 33x FY26's estimated earnings and is expected to see earnings grow by 27% in FY27.

The post 2 top ASX shares to buy and hold for the next decade appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Despite a negative start this morning, the index broke into positive territory in afternoon trading and ended up closing 0.47% higher. That leaves the index back over 9,000 points at 9,019.3.

This happy start to the Australian trading week came after a similarly upbeat end to the American trading week on Friday night (our time).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) overcame some early jitters to record a 0.53% rise.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was even more upbeat, gaining a solid 1%.

But let's return to this week and our local share market now, and dig deeper into what was happening across the different ASX sectors today.

Winners and losers

Today's good mood was almost universal, with only two sectors missing out on a rise.

The first, and worst, of those red sectors was energy shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) had a tough one, slumping 1.19%.

The other unlucky corner of the markets was communications stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) slipping 0.01%.

Let's get to the green sectors now. Leading the winners were utilities shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) was on fire, zooming up 2.1%.

Industrial stocks ran hot too, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 1.36% surge.

Consumer discretionary shares didn't miss out either. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) soared up 1.1% today.

Its consumer staples counterpart was in the same ballpark, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) spiking 1.03%.

Healthcare shares almost matched that gain. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) galloped up 102% this Monday.

Next came tech stocks, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 0.8% jump.

Gold shares snatched a win too. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) added 0.7% to its total this session.

Financial stocks were also popular, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) leaping 0.41%.

We could say the same for mining shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) saw a 0.3% improvement.

Finally, real estate investment trusts (REITs) squeaked in over the line, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 0.04% uptick.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Healthcare stock 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) once again topped the index this Monday. 4DMedical shares roared another 9.09% higher to hit $3.96 each by the closing bell. This seems to be a continuation of the momentum we saw last week following the company's quarterly activity report.

Here's the rest of today's best: 

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

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

After remaining in green territory all day, the ASX ended up finishing 1.01% higher at 9,038.6 points. We haven't seen the index that high since late February.

This rather epic Wednesday for the Australian markets followed a mixed Tuesday for the US markets overnight.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) didn't hold back, rising 1.03%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did, though, dropping 0.22%.

But let's get back to ASX shares now and take a closer look at what was happening amongst the various ASX sectors today.

Winners and losers

It was a uniform show of optimism on the ASX boards this Wednesday, with not one sector recording a loss.

The least enthusiastic corner of the markets was financial stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) crawled 0.19% higher this session.

Utilities shares were relatively muted as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) advancing 0.25%.

Then we had industrial stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) was up 0.48% this session.

Gold shares didn't miss out either, as you can see by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 0.59% bump.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were a little more enthusiastic. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) ended up lifting 0.75%.

Energy stocks did better again, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) shooting 0.92% higher.

Tech shares managed to hit the triple-digits. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) galloped up 1.08% this hump day.

It was a similar story with mining stocks, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 1.13% jump.

Communications stocks came after miners. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) added 1.5% to its total.

Consumer staples stocks really stepped on the gas though, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) vaulting 1.98% higher.

Its consumer discretionary counterpart did even better. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) soared up 2.37% today.

Finally, healthcare stocks topped the charts this Wednesday, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 4.24% surge.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Retailer Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) was our top stock today. Lovisa shares roared 7.88% higher this hump day to close at $24.64 each.

This jump came despite no news or announcements from the company itself.

Here's how the top shares pulled up at the kerb: 

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

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

Once the tax changes kick in, superannuation may have a lower tax rate than what many individuals, trusts and companies experience.

Another benefit of superannuation is how effective it is for long-term investing. That's because we're typically not going to access that money for a very long time.

I love investing for passive income by owning shares. My money is working in the share market for me year-round and unlocking cash payments to my bank account.

Superannuation is important for this endeavour because of how we lose less of the income return to tax.

If a full-time working Australian receives passive income in their own name, they're likely to lose a third (or more) of the passive income to tax, significantly reducing the appeal of the passive income return.

In my view, superannuation can be the most appealing place to invest because of the better tax rate in the accumulation phase of life, compared to an individual's tax rate if they work full-time.

Impressively, an Australian's superannuation tax rate could be 0% in retirement, which is as good as it gets. 

Each Australian's tax rate is different, so I'll focus on targeting a specific income goal from here on, ignoring tax rates.  

How much is needed in superannuation for $80,000 of annual passive income?

Receiving $80,000 in dividends each year sounds good to me, although I'm certainly a long way from that goal. I hope I can reach that target in the future.

I think it's a wise idea for investors to think about what sorts of investments they want to own and the attached dividend yield that comes with that.

There are many different options for investors to consider, but I view ASX shares as the clear leader because of the appealing dividend yields and the fact that company payouts can come with franking credits.

The required portfolio size to reach $80,000 annually depends on the portfolio's dividend yield.

For example, if the portfolio had a 5% dividend yield, it would need to be $1.6 million in size. A 4% dividend yield would require a $2 million portfolio, and a 7% dividend yield would require a $1.15 million portfolio.

Every dividend yield requires a different portfolio size to reach the desired target. As a result, the ASX shares we choose play an essential part in the portfolio's dividend yield. 

Which ASX dividend shares I'd buy

Pleasingly, there are a number of ASX shares that can provide good dividend yields to retiree investors (and anyone else).

There are compelling companies, quality real estate investment trusts (REITs) and compelling listed investment companies (LICs).

Some of the businesses I like include Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV), Propel Funeral Partners Ltd (ASX: PFP) and Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI).

Some of the fund-based investments that pay attractive dividends include MFF Capital Investments Ltd (ASX: MFF), WCM Quality Global Growth Fund (ASX: WCMQ), Future Generation Global Ltd (ASX: FGG) and Future Generation Australia Ltd (ASX: FGX).

In terms of property investments, I think some of the undervalued names with useful organic rental income growth are Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF), Dexus Industria REIT (ASX: DXI), Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP) and Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW).

The post How much is needed in superannuation to target a $80,000 annual passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

After a downbeat start to trading this morning, investors regained confidence after lunchtime, and ended up sending the ASX 200 up a healthy 0.6% by the time the markets closed. That leaves the index at 8.974.8 points.

This happy Tuesday for the local markets comes after the more nuanced start to the American trading week that we saw play out last night (our time).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in a good mood, gaining a solid 0.51%

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) wasn't so fortunate, though, dropping 0.18%.

But let's return to the Australian markets now and take stock of how the different ASX sectors navigated today's trading.

Winners and losers

Despite today's buoyant showing from the broader market, we still had a few corners that went backwards.

Leading those losers were gold stocks. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) was punished today, slumping 1.51%.

Broader mining shares were on the nose too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) dipping 1.36%.

Our other red sector today was utilities stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) saw its value slide 0.06% lower this session.

It was all smiles everywhere else though. Leading the charge higher were consumer discretionary shares, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 2.68% surge.

Communications stocks also had a day to remember. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) roared 2.55% this Tuesday.

Healthcare shares were in that ballpark too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) soaring up 2.26%.

Energy stocks recovered from an early slump. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) ended up banking a 1.6% improvement.

Consumer staples shares saw decent demand, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 1.31% jump.

We could say the same for tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) lifted 1.2% this session.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) didn't miss out either, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) leaping up 1.13%.

Financial shares ran hot as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) advanced 1.19% today.

Finally, industrial stocks didn't miss out on the positive sentiment, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.43% rise.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Energy stock Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA) was our best share on the index this Tuesday. Viva stock rallied 8.61% this session to finish at $2.65.

This jump came after the company delivered a well-received earnings update to investors.

Here's how the other winners landed their planes: 

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

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

The chart of the last 12 months looks rough. It's down 35% in the last year, and it has fallen 50% from late August 2025.

When such a promising business falls so much, I think it gives brave investors an appealing chance to invest at a cheaper price.  

For me, there are three great reasons to own Lovisa that can drive shareholder returns from the business.

Store rollout

Lovisa is an affordable jewellery retailing business with a global store network. I'd describe it as one of the most international businesses on the ASX.

There are at least five stores in the following markets: Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Africa, the UK, Ireland, Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Italy, the UAE, the USA, Canada, Mexico, its franchise in the Middle East and Africa, and its franchise in South America.

The company has expanded its presence significantly over the last decade, and I think it bodes well for future growth that it has so many markets to expand into.

Every year, Lovisa reports strong store count growth. At the end of the FY26 half-year result, the company ended with 1,089 stores. That represented growth of 6.4% since the end of FY25 and 15.5% from the FY25 first half.

If the business kept growing its store count by 15% per year, it could double in size in five years. It may not grow at that pace in the future, but with such a large addressable market, it could grow by an average of at least 10% per year for some time, in my view.

Strong growth of financials

It's one thing for the store count to grow, but the business is delivering strong growth with the most important financial metrics.

For starters, the existing store network is delivering comparable revenue growth, which is a good sign of its organic performance. In the FY26 first half, comparable store sales grew by 2.2%. Excluding any new stores, we can see the business is growing.

But thanks to the new store growth, its financials are performing strongly.

In the FY26 first half, Lovisa's underlying revenue grew 22.7%, and net profit grew 21.5%. Those figures ignore its new business in the UK called Jewells, which sells slightly higher-priced products than Lovisa.

If its revenue can continue growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of at least 15%, then it will double in size in five years or less.

All the business needs to do is continue rolling out more stores and maintaining positive comparable store sales growth, which should lead to solid returns over the long term.

According to CommSec's projections, the Lovisa share price is valued at 26 times FY26's estimated earnings. The forecast then suggests earnings per share (EPS) could climb by 27% in FY27 and another 6% in FY28.

Growing dividend payouts

Not only is profit steadily growing – a key tailwind for the Lovisa share price – but the dividend could grow in the future too.

Bigger dividends mean stronger shareholder returns, regardless of what happens with the Lovisa share price.

According to CommSec's projection, the Lovisa dividend is forecast to rise to 88.6 cents per share in FY27 (a 4.1% dividend yield) and increase again to 94.8 cents per share in FY28 (a 4.4% dividend yield).

I believe Lovisa is one of the most attractive ASX shares to buy right now, though it's not the only appealing idea out there.

The post 3 reasons why the Lovisa share price is a buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Pleasingly, superannuation has a lower tax rate than many individuals, trusts and companies. The way that superannuation works, and the nature of how we access the money, means it's very easy to invest for the long term inside the super system.

In my view, being paid passive income is one of the best elements of owning shares. Receiving money into our bank account every year for no effort sounds good to me.

How does superannuation play into passive income? Investors lose less of the passive income payments to tax.

Superannuation looks comparatively much more appealing because if a full-time working Aussie receives passive income in their own name, they could lose a third (or more) of that passive income to tax, significantly reducing the effectiveness of the passive income return.

In my opinion, superannuation is therefore a more appealing place to invest because of the lower tax rate in the accumulation phase of life, compared to an individual's tax rate if they're a full-time earner.

In retirement, a person's superannuation tax rate could be 0%. You can't get any better than that.

Of course, each Australia's tax position is different, so I'll just look at targeting a particular income goal from here and ignore the tax rates.

How much is needed in superannuation for $100,000 of annual passive income?

Receiving $100,000 in dividends each year sounds excellent to me. I'm definitely a long way from that target, but I'd love to receive that much in dividends each year.

Australians need to consider what types of investments they want to own and what size dividend yield comes with those investments.

I think ASX shares are the best choice for passive income. The attached franking credits are an excellent bonus.

How much is needed to earn $100,000 annually depends on the dividend yield of the portfolio.

For example, a portfolio with a 6% dividend yield would require $1.67 million. Meanwhile, a 4% dividend yield would require a $2.5 million portfolio.

As you can see, different dividend yields require different-sized portfolios to reach the target. Therefore, the numbers are heavily influenced by what ASX shares superannuation investors choose.

The types of ASX dividend shares I'd buy

There are various options on the ASX that can provide good yields to investors. Aussies could choose quality companies, real estate investment trusts (REITs) or listed investment companies (LICs).

Some of my favourite ideas for dividend growth and a solid starting yield include Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI), Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV), Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL), Propel Funeral Partners Ltd (ASX: PFP) and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL).

On the commercial property side of things, I like names such as Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF), Dexus Industria REIT (ASX: DXI), Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP) and Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW).

Finally, the LICs that I really like include MFF Capital Investments Ltd (ASX: MFF), L1 Long Short Fund Ltd (ASX: LSF), Future Generation Global Ltd (ASX: FGG) and Future Generation Australia Ltd (ASX: FGX).

These aren't the only attractive ASX dividend shares for superannuation investors, but I think they're an excellent starting point.

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

After some initial volatility at market open this morning, the ASX 200 spent most of the session deep in red territory. A late-afternoon rally couldn't quite save the markets, and the index ended up closing 0.0045% lower at 8,840.7 points.

This sulky session for the ASX comes despite a more confident day over on the American markets last night.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) did well, rising 0.29%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did even better, gaining 0.62%.

But let's return to the local markets now and check out how the different ASX sectors navigated today's lethargic trading conditions.

Winners and losers

Fitting with the market's small drop, we saw a fairly even split between winners and losers this Thursday.

Leading the latter were mining shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) was hit hard today, cratering 1.58%.

Energy stocks had another rough one as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) plunging 1.53%.

Continuing the commodities theme, gold shares came next. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) saw its value dive 0.82%.

Consumer staples stocks were on the nose too, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.31% dip.

Utilities shares joined the losing team, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) slid down 0.21% this session.

That's it for the losers, though, so let's get to the green sectors. Leading the winners were communications stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) enjoying a 1.1% surge.

Consumer discretionary shares also ran hot. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) added 1.09% to its total this Thursday.

Financial shares proved popular as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) roared 0.88% higher.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) fared half as well, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 0.44% bounce.

Healthcare stocks were right behind REITs. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) lifted 0.39% today.

Tech shares were in that ballpark as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) advancing 0.38%.

Finally, industrial stocks had a lucky finish, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.08% bump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

This Thursday's index winner was financial stock AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP). AMP shares soared 9.83% higher today to close at $1.90 each.

This big jump followed a well-received earnings update from the company.

Here's how the other winners landed their planes: 

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

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

But the amount investors receive each year can vary significantly depending on the dividend yield they target and the types of shares they own.

A portfolio built around lower-yielding growth shares may produce less income today, while a higher-yielding portfolio may come with extra risks if the payouts are stretched.

That is why I think investors need to look beyond the headline yield and think carefully about the balance between income, quality, and growth.

So, how much could a $500,000 ASX share portfolio realistically pay in dividends?

Understanding the yield

A dividend yield shows how much income a share or portfolio pays each year compared with its value.

For an ASX dividend portfolio, the yield investors target can make a big difference to the income they receive. It can also change the type of shares they end up owning.

A 4% yield may sound modest, but it could come from businesses with stronger balance sheets, steadier earnings, or better long-term growth prospects. A 6% yield can produce more income upfront, although it may push investors toward shares with slower growth, higher debt, or less reliable payouts.

That is why I think 5% can be a good middle ground. It is high enough to generate meaningful passive income, while still leaving room to focus on quality and diversification.

On a $500,000 portfolio, a 4% yield would generate around $20,000 a year in dividends before tax and franking credits. While at 5%, the annual income would rise to about $25,000, and at 6% it would be around $30,000.

For me, the 5% option feels like a sensible target for many income investors because it balances income today with the need to own ASX dividend shares that can keep performing over time.

What could sit in the portfolio?

I would want a mix of defensive dividend shares, property income, and businesses that can grow dividends over time.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) could play a useful role because connectivity is woven into daily life. Mobile data, payments, work, entertainment, and communication all rely on reliable networks.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) is another defensive name to consider. Grocery demand is more stable than many discretionary categories, which can help support dividends through different economic conditions.

For property income, HomeCo Daily Needs REIT (ASX: HDN) could be attractive because its portfolio is focused on everyday-needs retail, including assets linked to supermarkets, pharmacies, and essential services.

I would also leave room for dividend growth. Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI) and Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) are more growth-focused retail shares, so they can be more volatile. But if their earnings continue to grow, their dividends could become more valuable over time.

Why growth still counts

Ideally, a dividend portfolio should grow as the years pass.

If a $500,000 portfolio grew by 5% per annum over 10 years, while dividends were banked separately, it could increase to around $815,000.

That larger portfolio could then produce much higher income. A 4% yield on $815,000 would generate around $32,600 a year, while a 5% yield would generate around $40,750 a year.

I think that shows why capital growth can be so meaningful for passive income investors.

Foolish takeaway

A $500,000 ASX share portfolio could produce a compelling income stream if it is built carefully.

I think a 5% yield is a sensible target because it could generate about $25,000 a year today while still leaving room to focus on quality, diversification, and dividend growth.

The best dividend portfolios can pay income now and become more valuable over time. That combination is what can turn a strong ASX portfolio into a much larger passive income stream in the years ahead.

The post How much could a $500,000 ASX share portfolio pay in dividends? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

After opening sharply lower at the start of morning trading, the ASX 200 did recover a little over the day. But it wasn't nearly enough to save investors from a loss. By the time trading finished, the index had lost 0.26% and closed at 8,762.5 points.

This depressing Thursday for the local markets came after a mixed night over on the US markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) wasn't in a good place, dropping 1.09%.

However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared far better, rising 0.2%.

Let's get back to the local markets now and check out how today's tough trading conditions have percolated down into the various ASX sectors.

Winners and losers

Despite the market's bad mood this Thursday, there were plenty of sectors that were spared from a sell-down.

But first, it was mining stocks that got slammed the hardest today. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) ended up crashing 1.48% lower.

Gold shares had another rough one too, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) tumbling 1.24%.

We can say the same for real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) sank 1.1% by the closing bell.

Financial stocks were a little better, though, as illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.15% slip.

Turning to the green sectors now, energy shares had a blowout. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) ended up surging 1.67% higher.

Utilities stocks also ran hot, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) soaring 1.28%.

Consumer staples shares were solid. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) galloped 0.97% higher this session.

Tech stocks were in demand too, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 0.92% bounce.

Communications shares fared decently. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) added 0.89% to its total today.

As did consumer discretionary stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) advancing 0.58%.

Healthcare shares stayed afloat. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) lifted 0.13% this Thursday.

Finally, industrial stocks got over the line, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.12% bump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Today's top stock was building supplies company Fletcher Building Ltd (ASX: FBU). Fletcher shares rocketed 7.55% this session to $2.99 each.

This followed the stock releasing some updated earnings guidance, which investors clearly appreciated.

Here's how the other winners pulled up at the kerb: 

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

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