Some ASX bank stocks experienced a pullback over the past month, while others started trending higher. 

It looks like investors aren't sure what to make of rising inflation, higher interest rates, a weakening housing market, all against a backdrop of macroeconomic pressures and broad-based uncertainty.

What happened to the ASX 200 big four major banks in September?

Australia's banking sector is dominated by the big four banks: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB), and ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ).  

Together, they make up around a quarter of the ASX 200 by market capitalisation. 

There wasn't any price sensitive news out of any of the big four banks in September, so share price fluctuations were due to shifts in investor sentiment.

At the close of the last day of the month, CBA shares were around 0.5% higher to $151.01 each. But the ASX 200 major bank's shares have dropped around 6% over the course of September. 

NAB shares also ended the month in the green, up slightly by around 0.1% for the day on Wednesday, at $39.15 a piece. NAB shares have been relatively stable over the past month, and ended around 1% higher than they started. 

ANZ shares, however, ended the last day of the month in the red. The shares fell around 0.5% to $38.31 on Wednesday afternoon. But over the past month, the bank stock has climbed around 3% higher.

Meanwhile, Westpac shares ended around 0.2% higher on Wednesday afternoon, at $35.07 each. Over the past month, the shares have risen around 1.5%.

What about the ASX 200 mid-tier banks?

It was a similar story among the ASX 200 mid-tier banks, too.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN) closed around 0.5% higher on the last day of September, at $10.36 each. Over the month, the shares fell around 3%.

Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ) shares climbed slightly into the green, up around 0.2% to $6.61. They were also up around 1% over the course of September. 

While Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) also tumbled around 0.5% on Wednesday, closing the month at $246.10 a piece. The bank shares were also down around 2% over the month.

Which ASX bank shares are a buy for October?

Macquarie shares were one of the poorest performing ASX bank shares in September. But it's still the only stock that brokers are bullish about going forward. Market Index data shows that the majority have a strong buy rating on Macquarie shares. The average $270.89 target price implies the shares have the potential to climb another 10% higher, at the time of writing.

Which ones have been rated as a sell?

The experts have had a strong sell rating on CBA shares for some time now. And there hasn't been a change in sentiment this month either. Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have a strong sell rating, and the $125.20 target price implies a downside of around 17%, at the time of writing. That's the largest forecasted downside of any of the ASX banks.

The experts also have a sell rating on Westpac shares. Market Index data shows the average $34.18 target price implies a downside of around 3%, at the time of writing.

Brokers are also bearish on the outlook for Bendigo and Adelaide Bank shares. Market Index data shows the majority have a sell rating, and the $10.06 average target price also implies a downside of around 3%.

And what shares do brokers rate as a hold?

The data also shows that the majority have a hold rating on NAB shares. The $39.88 average target price implies the shares have the potential to climb slightly, by around 2%, over the next 12 months.

It's a similar story for ANZ shares. Most brokers also have a hold stance on the major bank. But after a slightly stronger September, the $36.05 average target price now suggests the shares could fall by up to 6% over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

BOQ shares are the last on the list. Again, the majority have a hold rating, and the $6.06 average target price implies a downside of around 8%, at the time of writing.

The post Are ASX 200 bank stocks a buy in October? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Macquarie tipped for steady growth

The broker has issued a new research note on Macquarie, and said they expected the company to deliver mid-to-high single-digit earnings growth into FY29, "underpinned by operating leverage across asset management and personal banking''.

RBC said on the outlook for Macquarie:

Our ~6.5% FY26-29 earnings compound annual growth rate (CAGR) sees us ahead of consensus. What's more, we think earnings risks are skewed to the upside given ongoing volatility in commodity markets, and potential for large asset sales. Macquarie is reinventing itself – pivoting towards recurring private markets asset management and domestic banking growth, while building out global energy trading and capital markets capabilities that provide earnings upside. The shift is away from balance sheet-intensive asset development and towards capital-light private credit and funds management.

RBC said the recent changes at Macquarie had been substantial, with the company refocusing on higher return on equity divisions and prioritising recurring revenue growth.

The commodities and global markets division would account for 39% of FY27 profit, RBC said, with the broker expecting about 8% commodity revenue CAGR from FY26 to FY29.

RBC said:

Near-term potential catalysts include the historically low EU gas storage levels and Qatar LNG outages, and longer-term potential catalysts include 1.5 million tonnes per annum of LNG offtake agreements (Texas LNG and AMIGO LNG) coming online from FY28E and data centre energy demand across constrained US power grids. We estimate every additional 10% commodity revenue growth adds ~3.5% to group FY27 earnings.

Macquarie Asset Management, which will account for about 28% of FY27 profit, "has lagged other divisions", but is pivoting to private credit to unlock growth, RBC said.

Meanwhile, banking and financial services had been the most consistent compounder in the group, RBC said.

They added:

We forecast BFS divisional profit contribution to grow 15% in FY27E and then ease to 8-10% in FY28-29E as Australian mortgage system growth slows. However, given options to further reduce it cost-to-income ratio (54% in FY26, potentially heading 40% over time), we think BFS earnings growth may be able to surprise on the upside. MQG holds just 7.1% of Australian housing loans and 6.5% of deposits.

Macquarie shares looking like good value

RBC said the release of Macquarie's first-half results on November 6 should be a catalyst for the stock, "as we see upside risks to consensus forecasts''.

RBC has a price target of $300 on Macquarie shares, compared with $244.60 at the time of writing.

Macquarie is valued at $91.89 billion.

The post How high could Macquarie shares go? RBC Capital Markets has its say appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

After a bumpy week last week, investors seemed to come back from the weekend with a bit of pep in their steps. The ASX 200 stayed in green territory all session, and ended up closing 0.17% higher today. That leaves the index at 8,679.7 points.

This happy start to the week for the Australian markets followed an even bubblier close to the American trading week on Friday night (our time).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) put on a heck of a show, gaining 0.93%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) wasn't quite as euphoric, but still managed a 0.48% rise.

But let's return to this week and our local markets now for a closer look at what was happening amongst the different ASX sectors this Monday.

Winners and losers

Despite the broader market's lift, there were still a few corners of the market that went backwards today.

Leading those losers were gold shares. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) was hit hard today, plunging 1.57%.

Broader mining stocks weren't much better, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) tanking by 1.34%.

Tech shares were also unlucky. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) saw its value cut by 0.74% today.

Energy stocks weren't finding buyers either, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 0.22% dip.

Industrial shares didn't find much love. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) slid 0.19% lower this session.

We could say something similar for consumer discretionary stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) slipping 0.02%.

That's it for the losers, though.

Turning to the green sectors now, it was healthcare shares that played the starring role today. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) saw a 1.49% surge this Monday.

Utilities stocks ran hot as well, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 1.17% jump.

Financial shares were also in demand. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) had roared 1.16% higher by the closing bell.

Consumer staples stocks didn't miss out, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) vaulting up 0.83%.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) saw some comfortable gains, too. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) added 0.57% to its tally.

Finally, communications shares slid home unscathed, evident by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.32% bump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Our top stock this Monday was gold miner Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST). Northern Star shares soared 56.15% higher this session to finish at $23.47 each.

This came after news that the company was approached for a takeover.

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.

If you're a retiree thinking about income and stability, two blue-chip ASX names might be sitting on your shortlist: Washington H Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL) and Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG). They're both stalwarts, well-regarded for diversified holdings and consistent dividends—but which one really deserves a place in a retiree's portfolio? Here's how they compare on yield, franking, and all-important reliability.

The case for Washington H Soul Pattinson and Co

Washington H Soul Pattinson—often known as Soul Patts—has its roots in Australian pharmacy, but these days is best described as a diversified investment house. Over its long history (listed since 1903), Soul Patts has built a portfolio spanning listed and private companies, real assets, and emerging ventures. Some of its largest stakes, according to its most recent public description, are in TPG Telecom and New Hope Corporation. The 2025 merger with Brickworks has also made Brickworks a subsidiary under the Soul Patts umbrella.

From a fundamentals viewpoint, several things stand out. Soul Patts has a market cap of $17.29 billion and sports a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 7.08, which is much lower than Macquarie's. The dividend yield clocks in at 2.36%, but perhaps most attractive for retirees, dividends come fully franked—at a rate of 100%. That means shareholders can potentially claim the full benefit of franking credits. Soul Patts has a long streak of consistently increasing dividends, rarely missing an opportunity to reward shareholders with reliable, tax-effective income.

The case for Macquarie Group

Macquarie Group is one of Australia's financial powerhouses, providing banking, funds management, advisory, and investment services in more than 30 countries. While technically a bank, Macquarie differs from the "big four," with much of its money made from asset management, infrastructure, and investment banking rather than traditional retail banking.

Looking at the numbers, Macquarie is a much larger company, with a $92.97 billion market cap and a significantly higher P/E ratio of 19.12. The dividend yield is a touch higher at 2.89%. A big plus is the generous dollar amount per share—for this year, $7.00 per share in dividends. However, only 35% of those dividends are franked, which means Australian retirees won't get the maximum tax benefit from those payments. Macquarie's size and global reputation add a layer of strength, and its dividends tend to be relatively predictable, but they may be less tax-effective compared to Soul Patts.

Valuation comparison

Here's how the two stack up side-by-side on key metrics:

Note: Dividend yields are relatively close, but Macquarie's dividends are only partially franked, while Soul Patts offers fully franked dividends—often a priority for income-focused investors. It's also notable that Soul Patts' P/E suggests a much lower valuation relative to current earnings. If you notice the gap between EPS and P/E, keep in mind that reported P/E ratios may sometimes be based on underlying or future earnings rather than trailing or statutory EPS, which can create apparent inconsistencies.

Recent share price performance

Let's consider recent share price action (up until 23 September):

• Washington H Soul Pattinson closed at $45.51 on 23 Sept 2026, up slightly by 0.2% from the previous day.
• Year-to-date return for SOL shares sits at 23.6%—a strong showing.
• Macquarie Group closed at $242.35 on 23 Sept 2026, barely changed from the day prior (+0.03%).
• Year-to-date return for MQG shares is 21.3%, also very healthy.

That's robust price momentum for both, with Soul Patts very slightly ahead on total return as of the latest figures.

Which is the better buy?

For my money, if I were a retiree primarily after dividends, my pick would be Washington H Soul Pattinson. Here's why: even though its headline yield is a tad lower than Macquarie's, Soul Patts' commitment to 100% franking maximises the after-tax cash flow for most Australian retirees, especially those who can use franking credits to reduce or eliminate tax. Soul Patts also carries a much lower P/E ratio, which suggests either a lower price relative to earnings or simply a market expectation of steadier but less spectacular growth. Its history of consistent—and growing—dividends gives me extra confidence for dependable income.

That's not to say Macquarie isn't impressive; it's a massive institution offering higher absolute dividend dollars, a slightly higher yield, and global stability. However, the lower franking cuts into the tax advantage, which is often a make-or-break factor in retirement income streams. Both are excellent businesses, but for franked, tax-effective dividends and reliable track record, I'd lean towards Washington H Soul Pattinson in a retiree-focused portfolio.

The post Soul Patts vs Macquarie Group: Best ASX dividend stock for retirees? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

SMSF investors have more flexibility than other superannuation investors about where to put their money. ASX shares have the biggest allocation, followed by owned property, cash and term deposits, managed funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), unlisted trusts, 'other', international shares and finally debt securities.

Let's see which ASX shares are the most popular within SMSF portfolios.

The most popular ASX shares

SMSF cloud accounting software provider Class recently released its 2026 annual benchmark report, which gave a lot of insights into the SMSF landscape. Class is owned by Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB).

At 30 June 2026, there were 12 ASX shares that were held in at least 20% of SMSF portfolios:

• BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) – 46.6% of all SMSF portfolios
• Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) – 37.2%
• National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) – 34.4%
• Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) – 34.1%
• ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) – 34.1%
• Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) – 31.9%
• CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) – 31.4%
• Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) – 31.4%
• Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) – 29.4%
• Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) – 29.5%
• Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) – 24.1%
• Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) – 21.8%

It makes sense that these ASX shares have been chosen by SMSF investors. Almost all of them have a solid dividend yield. Passive income may be exactly what investors in retirement are looking for.

I think it's interesting that BHP and Woodside appear in the most portfolios. But it's also intriguing that NAB, Westpac and ANZ all feature in more portfolios than CBA. Commonwealth Bank also has the lowest dividend yield of the big four banks.

However, while they are in more portfolios, things look different when looking at which ASX shares have the most overall SMSF dollars invested in them.

According to Class data, order of most dollars allocated to ASX shares (with a weighting of more than 2%):

• CBA – 5.9%
• BHP – 5.5%
• Westpac – 3.6%
• NAB – 3.4%
• ANZ – 3.2%
• Wesfarmers – 3.2%
• Macquarie – 3.1%
• Telstra – 2%

ASX bank shares still have a very large place in SMSF portfolios, though BHP has significant SMSF dollars invested in it too.

What about exchange-traded funds (ETFs)?

ETFs are becoming increasingly popular investors as a way to gain exposure to certain sectors or geographies for a low cost.

According to the Class SMSF benchmark report, 35.5% of SMSFs now own at least one ETF, though they only account for a 7.2% allocation of overall SMSF dollars.

The ASX ETFs that are the most widely held include:

• Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS)
• iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)
• VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL)
• Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)
• Vanguard All-World ex-US Shares Index ETF (ASX: VEU)
• Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

If SMSF investors use a mix of investments, they can build an ASX share portfolio that delivers strong returns and diversification.

The post Here are the most popular ASX share superannuation investments in SMSFs appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Everyday Aussie investors often find themselves weighing up Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) against Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA). Both have a long pedigree, blue-chip status, and deliver reliable dividends, but their businesses and profiles are starkly different. With current market conditions in mind, let's see how Macquarie and CommBank stack up and which could be the better buy.

The case for Macquarie Group

Macquarie Group is a global powerhouse headquartered in Australia, best known for its investment banking, asset management, and specialist expertise in areas like infrastructure, resources and commodities. While it's sometimes referred to as Australia's fifth-largest bank by market cap, retail banking is only a small piece of Macquarie's business. According to its most recent public description, Macquarie operates in 34 markets worldwide, offering everything from banking to investment and advisory services, and ranks within the world's top 50 asset managers.

A few standouts in the latest numbers:

• Market cap: $91.54 billion
• P/E ratio: 18.83, notably lower than CommBank's
• Dividend yield: 2.93% (unfranked portion may matter for some investors)
• EPS: 12.669
• Partial franking: 35%
• Year to date return: 19.5%

Dividends have grown over time, with the most recent final and interim payouts at $4.20 and $2.80 per share, both franked at 35%. Macquarie's more global and diversified earnings base could appeal if you want exposure beyond Aussie retail banking.

The case for Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Commonwealth Bank (or CommBank) is a household name and part of Australia's "big four" banking club. Its business is all about integrated financial services, spanning retail and business banking, funds management, super, insurance, and more. CommBank operates mainly in Australia and New Zealand, but its reach extends to several international markets too.

Here's what stands out from the data:

• Market cap: $255.09 billion, making it much larger than Macquarie
• P/E ratio: 23.39
• Dividend yield: 3.31%, slightly higher than Macquarie's
• EPS: 6.517
• Franking: a full 100%
• Year to date return: -1.92%

CommBank's dividend history is a thing of beauty for income lovers. Payouts are fully franked, and dividends have remained consistent, with the last final and interim payments coming in at $2.70 and $2.35 per share. For those who value steady, reliable yield with maximum franking credits, CommBank is hard to go past.

Valuation comparison

These two banks share the same broad sector but look quite different through a value lens. Here's how some core numbers compare:

Note: Macquarie Group's reported P/E and EPS figures align, but when comparing across such different business models—even within the banking sector—it's not always apples-to-apples. CommBank's full franking on its higher yield may also make its dividends more attractive to some investors, especially those in higher tax brackets.

Recent share price performance

Comparing 21 August to 18 September 2026:

• Macquarie Group shares fell from $248.43 to $238.62, a drop of roughly 3.9% in that time.
• Commonwealth Bank shares slipped from $157.99 to $152.43, down around 3.5% over the same period.

On a year-to-date basis, the difference is sharper:

• Macquarie Group is up 19.5% YTD.
• Commonwealth Bank is down 1.9% YTD.

Which is the better buy?

If I'm weighing Macquarie Group against Commonwealth Bank today, my pick would be Macquarie Group. Its momentum stands out, with an impressive 19.5% year-to-date return, which easily trumps CommBank's negative move for 2026 so far. Macquarie also looks meaningfully cheaper on a P/E basis (18.8 vs 23.4), giving you more earnings for every dollar invested.

While CommBank pays a higher headline yield (3.31% vs 2.93%) and offers the full benefit of 100% franking, which is unbeatable for franked income lovers, Macquarie's growth-style profile and sector diversification appeal to me more in the current market. Its slightly lower dividend and franking rate may disappoint some, but that's balanced by capital gains and global exposure.

For investors seeking a combination of growth potential and a decent, partly franked dividend, I think Macquarie looks like the more compelling opportunity right now. Of course, if fully franked, reliable income is your absolute priority, you might still lean towards CommBank.

The post Macquarie Group vs Commonwealth Bank: Which ASX bank is the better buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The recent trend hasn't been kind either. Xero shares finished the week as one of the big losers with a loss of 4% on Friday. The stock is down 9% over the past five trading days, 24% over the past month, and a painful 45% so far in 2026.

And yet, through all of that, brokers remain stubbornly bullish. Here's why.

Betting bigger than just accounting software

Xero isn't just trying to sell more accounting subscriptions anymore. The team at Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) has flagged US growth and AI monetisation as key catalysts for Xero shares to watch.

The company estimates the US small-business payments market alone represents a US$29 billion opportunity. The acquisition of Melio has dramatically expanded what Xero can chase. The ambition now is bigger than bookkeeping. Xero wants to put accounting, payments, payroll and expenses under a single roof.

It effectively tries to become the financial operating system for millions of US small businesses. Xero says the Melio deal delivered an approximately threefold increase in North American revenue from day one.

It's also stretching its reach beyond small businesses into self-employed customers and medium-sized businesses too. With Melio, pro forma FY26 US revenue reached NZ$530 million, up 50%, and pro forma gross profit rose 36% to NZ$186 million.

Melio supplies the payments engine, Xero adds payroll and other financial tools, and a new US leadership structure is being built specifically to accelerate customer acquisition and integrate the two businesses.

Enter Artificial Intelligence

Layer artificial intelligence on top, and the strategy gets considerably more interesting. Xero is developing JAX, its agentic AI platform, aiming to move beyond simply reporting financial information toward actually automating financial work.

AI-powered analytics are also being embedded across the platform, with the long-term goal of shifting Xero from a system of record into a system of action.

Put it together, and the bull case for Xero shares becomes a simple formula: win more US customers, sell more products to each one, grab a slice of a massive payments market, and use AI to make the whole platform more valuable.

If Xero pulls this off, the upside case stops being about accounting software altogether. It becomes about owning a much bigger slice of the small-business financial stack.

What are brokers saying?

Despite the carnage in the share price, broker's sentiment hasn't cracked.

TradingView's poll of the past three months shows a buy consensus. There are 6 buy or strong buy ratings, just 1 hold, and zero sells on Xero shares. The average 12-month target sits at $111.24. That suggest roughly 76% upside from current levels. The most bullish target implies potential upside of 130%.

Individual calls back that up. Citi has reiterated its buy call with a $113.60 target, implying around 81% upside. Morgan Stanley sees $130, and UBS sits at $127.

Ord Minnett and Morgans are more conservative at $110 and $111, while RBC Capital and Jefferies bring up the cautious end at $85 and $77. Even so, these targets imply upside of 35% and 23%, respectively, from the current share price.

The post Why brokers think Xero shares could surge 130% from here appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This comes despite another legal headache returning to investors' radar after appearing largely settled.

At the time of writing, the investment bank's stock is up 0.81% to $241.76.

That still leaves the stock down almost 8% over the past month, although it remains around 19% higher in 2026.

So, what's going on?

What is the new claim about?

According to The Australian, Gordon Legal has launched a class action in the Supreme Court of Victoria against Macquarie Investment Management.

The action involves Rachelle Dessent and around 2,800 account holders who invested in the Shield Master Fund through Macquarie's platform.

Macquarie agreed last September to compensate affected investors for the money they had put into Shield.

Around $480 million was invested in the fund between 2022 and its closure in 2024, with roughly $321 million coming through Macquarie's platform.

But Gordon Legal says getting the original investment back doesn't necessarily cover everything investors lost.

It says some investors potentially missed out on returns their superannuation could have earned if the money had been invested elsewhere.

Furthermore, the claim is also seeking compensation for the distress investors allegedly suffered.

Gordon Legal partner James Naughton told The Australian that some investors "have not been fully compensated for all their losses, even if they have already received payouts".

Why is Shield still causing problems?

Shield was available through Macquarie's superannuation platform from early 2022 until investments were stopped in 2023.

The fund later collapsed and was put into liquidation, leaving thousands of investors facing losses.

That ultimately left Macquarie facing regulatory action over the issue.

Last year, ASIC took Macquarie Investment Management to court after the company admitted it failed to place Shield on a watch list for extra monitoring.

Macquarie later agreed to pay around $321 million to roughly 3,000 affected investors.

What should investors watch?

At this stage, there's no telling how much more this could end up costing Macquarie.

Gordon Legal is seeking further compensation, but no dollar figure has been put on the claim just yet.

Evidently, that makes it hard to know whether this could become another sizeable cost or something Macquarie can absorb easily.

Nonetheless, investors don't seem too worried today, with the shares still trading slightly higher.

I'd be watching how the case develops and whether Macquarie ends up facing another sizeable payout over the Shield collapse.

The post Why Macquarie's $321 million Shield problem is back in court appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

For a beginner, I would keep things fairly simple and focus on established businesses that are easy to understand and have strong long-term prospects.

These five would be high on my list.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Macquarie would be one of the first shares I would consider.

The company operates across areas including asset management, infrastructure, commodities, financial markets, banking, and advisory.

For a beginner, I think that provides an interesting introduction to a financial business that looks quite different from the major Australian banks.

Macquarie earns money from managing assets for clients, helping businesses manage commodity and financial risks, lending, and providing other financial services around the world.

That gives the company several ways to grow as its operations expand.

Earnings can move around from year to year, so I would not expect a perfectly smooth ride. But for someone investing with a long-term view, I think Macquarie is a high-quality business with plenty of opportunity still ahead of it.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

Woolworths is another ASX share I think beginners should consider.

Most Australians are familiar with its supermarkets and the role they play in everyday spending.

Grocery demand is also fairly dependable. People may cut back on discretionary purchases when budgets become tighter, but they still need food and household essentials.

I think Woolworths also has opportunities to grow through population growth, online shopping, and continued improvements across its stores and supply chain.

The company pays dividends as well, which can give new investors another way to see how owning shares can generate returns over time.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Telstra would add a more defensive element.

Mobile phones and internet connections have become essential services for households and businesses, giving Telstra recurring demand through different economic conditions.

The company has also made sustainable dividend growth an important part of its plans.

I would not expect Telstra to deliver spectacular growth every year. But I think there is value in owning a business with dependable demand, established infrastructure, and regular cash returns to shareholders.

ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD)

ResMed would give beginners stronger growth potential.

The company develops devices, masks, and software for sleep apnoea and respiratory care.

I like how large the opportunity remains. Sleep apnoea is significantly underdiagnosed and undertreated globally, leaving ResMed with plenty of potential patients still to reach.

There is also recurring demand after someone begins treatment because masks and other accessories need replacing over time.

For a beginner, I think ResMed offers a good introduction to owning an ASX share with a genuinely global business.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

BHP would round out my five picks.

The mining giant gives investors exposure to commodities including iron ore and copper, which remain important to construction, manufacturing, electrification, and infrastructure.

BHP's earnings can change significantly as commodity prices move, which is worth understanding before investing.

At the same time, its scale, strong balance sheet, and long-life assets make it one of the more established ways to gain exposure to the resources sector.

The company can also return substantial cash to shareholders when conditions are strong.

Foolish takeaway

I think all five companies give beginners something different to learn about investing.

Macquarie provides exposure to global financial markets, Woolworths and Telstra have businesses built around regular household demand, ResMed brings international healthcare growth, and BHP introduces the commodity cycle.

For someone researching their first few ASX shares, I think each is a sensible place to start.

The post 5 ASX shares I'd recommend to beginners appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

If I knew I had to hold an investment for the next decade, I would want businesses that could keep finding new ways to grow long after the initial purchase.

These three ASX 200 shares would make my shortlist.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

Xero would be one of my first choices.

Its accounting software has become an important part of how millions of small businesses manage invoicing, payroll, payments, reporting, and other financial tasks.

I like the position that creates. Once a business has moved its financial records onto Xero, connected its accountant, and added other applications, changing platforms can become increasingly inconvenient.

That can help Xero retain customers while gradually offering them more services.

The company also still has a surprisingly large market left to target. Xero had around 4.9 million customers in FY26, while management has previously pointed to a global addressable market of around 100 million small businesses.

Payments, payroll, artificial intelligence, and its acquisition of Melio could also allow Xero to play a larger role in the financial lives of those customers.

Over 10 years, I think there is plenty of room for both the customer base and the amount each customer spends with Xero to increase.

HUB24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

HUB24 would give me exposure to another long-term change happening in Australia.

The ASX 200 share provides investment and administration technology used by financial advisers to manage client portfolios.

What I like here is the opportunity for more wealth to move onto modern platforms as advisers look for better technology, greater flexibility, and more efficient ways to manage client money.

HUB24 can benefit as its existing advisers bring more client assets onto the platform, while new advisers provide another source of growth.

The wider group also owns businesses including Class and myprosperity, giving it technology that reaches accountants and wealth-management clients beyond the core investment platform.

Australia's pool of superannuation and investment savings should continue growing for many years. I think HUB24 has a good chance of capturing an increasing share of the activity surrounding that wealth.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Macquarie would be my third ASX 200 share pick.

The company has built businesses across asset management, infrastructure, commodities, energy, financial markets, advisory, and banking.

That gives Macquarie plenty of places to look for opportunities as the world changes.

Over the coming decade, enormous amounts of capital will likely be required for energy infrastructure, transport, digital networks, and other major projects. Macquarie has spent decades building the expertise and relationships needed to participate in those areas.

Its earnings can be up and down, and some years will inevitably be much stronger than others.

But if I were forced to ignore the share price for 10 years, that would bother me less. I would be backing Macquarie's ability to keep finding attractive opportunities and allocating capital effectively over a full market cycle.

Foolish takeaway

A 10-year restriction would change the way I thought about buying ASX 200 shares.

Short-term catalysts would become far less important. I would spend much more time asking whether the business could still have a larger customer base, stronger competitive position, and higher earnings a decade from now.

For Xero, HUB24, and Macquarie, I think the answer could be yes.

The post 3 ASX 200 shares I'd buy if I couldn't sell for 10 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

In fact, the biotech giant's shares have been on an absolute tear, rising almost 90% since hitting a multi-year low of $90.00 in June.

Those gains are not too surprising given the dirt cheap valuation at the time, but what about the future? 

Do analysts think CSL shares are going higher or lower from here? Let's dig deeper into things and find out.

Where next for CSL shares?

Before looking at where the company's shares could be heading, let's have a quick reminder of why they have rallied.

As I mentioned at the top, the CSL share price was well and truly down in the doldrums at just $90.00.

This was a level that investors hadn't seen in over a decade. Not even during the COVID market crash did its shares get anywhere near that level.

The market was essentially valuing CSL like it was broken and without a fix. 

However, a much better than expected FY 2026 result and improving confidence in its outlook helped change the narrative and investors came flooding back.

Which is why CSL shares are suddenly trading at $169.50 today.

Though, it is worth noting that this is still well short of its record high, so we are only in the early stages of a full recovery.

What are brokers predicting?

The good news is that a number of top brokers still see value in the company's shares despite its strong gains over the past three months.

For example, the team at UBS has a buy rating and $181.00 price target on them. This implies potential upside of around 7% over the next 12 months.

Elsewhere, Morgan Stanley has an overweight rating and slightly higher price target of $182.00.

And over at Morgans, its analysts have a buy rating and $187.71 price target, which offers potential upside of approximately 11%. It said:

The FY26 result was broadly in line with expectations, with revenue of US$15.8bn (+3% vs guidance) and underlying NPATA of US$3.1bn. Importantly, underlying Ig demand remains strong, Seqirus delivered seasonal influenza growth despite lower US immunisation rates and transformation savings reached US$176m ahead of target, although Vifor continues to face challenges. 

While FY27 targets flat top line growth, as Vifor remains a significant drag, the earnings trajectory is becoming increasingly skewed towards recovery, supported by stabilising plasma economics, cost-outs and improved commercial execution. We make modest changes to FY27-28 estimates and increase our blended DCF, PE and EV/EBITDA-based target price to A$187.71 on a multiple roll forward. BUY.

It is worth noting that not everyone is positive. Macquarie has a neutral rating and $133.00 price target and Bell Potter is sitting at hold with a $150.00 price target.

The post Higher or lower: Where are CSL shares going next? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The bank still offers an attractive dividend and remains one of the largest financial institutions in Australia.

But if I were investing fresh money today, I think there are two ASX shares with better prospects for long-term total returns.

Why I am cautious on Westpac

My issue with Westpac is not the quality of the bank. It is the amount of growth I can see from here.

Consensus forecasts point to only modest earnings per share growth over the next couple of years, while the dividend is expected to remain broadly flat.

At the same time, Westpac operates in a highly competitive mortgage and deposit market. Winning more home loans does not necessarily translate into strong profit growth if margins are being squeezed in the process.

That leaves me wondering where a substantial increase in shareholder returns would come from.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Macquarie would be one of my alternatives to Westpac shares. Its opportunity is much broader than traditional Australian banking.

Macquarie operates across asset management, commodities, infrastructure, energy, financial markets, and banking. That gives the group exposure to investment trends happening around the world.

I particularly like its ability to deploy capital into areas such as infrastructure, renewable energy, and transport when attractive opportunities appear.

Earnings can be uneven from year to year, and Macquarie will always be influenced by market conditions.

But over a longer timeframe, I think the company has more ways to grow than Westpac.

If Macquarie continues expanding its global businesses and finding attractive places to invest, I can see earnings becoming considerably larger over the next decade.

ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD)

ResMed is the other ASX share I would choose ahead of Westpac.

The company develops devices, masks, and software for sleep apnoea and respiratory care.

What I like is how much of the potential market remains untreated.

More than one billion people globally are estimated to have sleep apnoea, yet diagnosis and treatment rates remain relatively low. That leaves ResMed with a substantial pool of potential patients still to reach.

The business also benefits after a patient starts treatment. Masks and other accessories need replacing over time, giving ResMed recurring revenue alongside sales to new patients.

Its recent decision to sell the MatrixCare software business should also allow management to concentrate more closely on its core sleep and respiratory operations.

I think that combination of a large underserved market, recurring demand, and continued innovation gives ResMed a long runway.

Foolish takeaway

Westpac shares could still be a sensible choice for investors prioritising dividends.

But I think its future returns are likely to rely more heavily on income and modest earnings growth.

Macquarie and ResMed give me clearer opportunities for the underlying businesses to become substantially larger over time.

For that reason, I would back both to deliver stronger total returns than Westpac over the long term.

The post 2 ASX shares I think could return more than Westpac appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Once retirement arrives, though, the size of the balance is only part of the picture. The next question becomes what sort of lifestyle that money could support and how long it might need to last.

For someone hoping to draw $50,000 a year, there are a few things I would think about before assuming the numbers will work.

Start with the withdrawal rate

Taking $50,000 from a $1 million super balance represents a 5% annual withdrawal.

On the surface, that does not look unreasonable. If the portfolio earned an average return of 5% after fees, a $50,000 withdrawal would roughly match those returns in the first year. Stronger investment returns could allow the balance to grow, while weaker years could see it fall.

Of course, markets do not deliver the same return every year.

A portfolio might rise strongly one year and fall the next. That means the sustainability of a $50,000 annual income would depend on what the investments earn over many years, rather than whether they happen to generate 5% in any individual year.

Which ASX shares would I buy?

One way to generate $50,000 of income a year would be to build a portfolio averaging a dividend yield of 5%.

There are certainly ASX shares capable of contributing meaningful dividend income, but I would not force the entire portfolio into high-yield investments just to hit that figure.

I would rather own a mixture of income and growth investments.

APA Group (ASX: APA), for example, could provide exposure to infrastructure and regular dividends. Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) offers another source of income while retaining opportunities to grow across its global businesses.

I would also want investments with stronger capital growth potential, potentially including international shares through an exchange-traded fund (ETF) such as the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS).

Some years, dividends might cover much of the $50,000. In others, I would be comfortable selling a small portion of the portfolio to cover the balance.

Retirement income does not have to come entirely from dividends.

Inflation changes the calculation

Inflation is another challenge if retirement lasts 20 or 30 years.

A $50,000 annual income today will not buy the same amount decades from now.

If living costs rise by 2.5% each year, for example, an investor would eventually need considerably more than $50,000 just to maintain the same spending power.

That is one reason I would keep a meaningful allocation to growth assets after retiring.

If the portfolio can continue increasing in value over time, withdrawals may also be able to rise without putting as much pressure on the remaining balance.

Foolish takeaway

So, could $1 million in superannuation provide $50,000 a year in retirement?

I think it could.

A 5% starting withdrawal is not an extreme figure, but I would want the portfolio to keep working well beyond the first few years of retirement.

For me, the stronger approach would combine income, long-term growth, diversification, and some flexibility around withdrawals. That gives the $1 million balance a good chance of supporting a comfortable income while still having plenty left to fund the years ahead.

The post Could a $1 million superannuation balance provide $50,000 a year in retirement? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

It's the middle ground which can act as a solid base, but it's not quite enough to live off.

But what if you didn't need to live off your superannuation balance alone? What if your superannuation generated enough passive income to partially, or even fully, support you when you quit work?

So, how much passive income could a $550,000 super balance realistically generate each month?

Let's take a look.

What passive income can I earn off a $550,000 superannuation balance?

To calculate your passive income, you need to multiply your total superannuation balance by the overall dividend yield of your portfolio.

The tricky part is that the answer varies widely depending on what dividend yield you pick.

So, as your dividend yield increases, the passive income you can earn off your $550,000 superannuation balance also goes up.  

Also note, the figures are based on cash dividends before any tax or franking credit benefits.

What can I earn off a 2% to 3% yielding portfolio?

If your portfolio yields 2% or 3%, you'll earn around $11,000 or $16,500, respectively.

That's because $550,000 x 2% = $11,000 per year in dividend payments, and $550,000 x 3% = $16,500 in dividends.

Around this level, you could invest in major long-standing ASX blue-chip companies like Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), or Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG). These all yield around the 2% to 3% level at the time of writing.

What can I earn if my portfolio yields around 4% or 5%?

If your portfolio has a slightly higher dividend yield, closer to 4% or 5%, you could earn a much higher dividend income of around $22,000 or $27,500, respectively.

There are still plenty of good-quality stocks yielding around this level. For example, mining giants BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO). Major banks National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) also yield around the 4% to 5% range. As do energy majors Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and APA Group (ASX: APA). 

What if I want to invest my superannuation in high-yielding shares around 10% or even higher?

If you have the stomach to withstand the volatility and elevated risk, you could earn a much higher passive income from high-yielding stocks.

At a 10% yield, a $550,000 balance could earn about $55,000.

And there are still several options paying around this level too. If you're after a single stock, then GQG Partners Inc (ASX: GQG) and IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH) both yield above 11% at the time of writing.

Another option is to invest your super into an ETF like the BetaShares Australian Top 20 Equities Yield Maximiser Complex ETF (ASX: YMAX), the BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK), or the iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV). These all yield 10% or higher at the time of writing.

The post How much passive income can I earn off a $550,000 superannuation balance? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

All four major banks now expect the Reserve Bank to tighten again this year.

A term deposit paying close to 5% becomes a competitor for income money.

The three companies below each deal with that problem in different ways.

1. Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Macquarie Group is the one of the few companies that benefits from higher rates.

The company earns on client cash balances, and its markets businesses tend to do better when volatility rises.

FY26 net profit rose 30% to $4.85 billion and earnings per share climbed 30% to $12.77.

Return on equity recovered to 14.0% and assets under management reached $748 billion.

The full-year dividend was $7.00 per share, though franked at only 35%.

Today, the shares trade on a price-to-earnings ratio near 19.9 with a 2.78% yield.

The trade-off is a dividend that grows with earnings.

2. Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

Transurban Group is the classic rate-sensitive income stock, and it has been treated accordingly.

The shares closed at $13.63, within a few cents of a 52-week low, and are down 4.82% over twelve months.

The trailing yield is 5.01%.

Despite all of this, the company's operating result was solid.

Proportional toll revenue rose 6.7% to $3,982 million and proportional EBITDA rose 7.5% to $3,063 million.

Free cash increased 5.1% to $2,111 million.

The FY26 distribution was 69.0 cents per security, up 6.2%, and management has guided to 72 cents in FY27.

Proportional drawn debt sits at $27.1 billion with gearing of 37.4%.

The weighted average cost of Australian dollar debt is 4.8% and 87.8% of debt is hedged.

That hedging is what buys the company time if rates keep climbing.

Toll escalation is linked to inflation, so the same forces pushing rates higher also lift Transurban's revenue.

Chief executive Michelle Jablko noted that despite the macroeconomic backdrop the group's roads proved relatively resilient through the year.

3. APA Group (ASX: APA)

APA Group has been the best performer of the three, rising 22.23% over twelve months to $10.83.

The company's dividend yield is 5.32%, though franked at only about 31%.

FY26 underlying EBITDA rose 8.3% to $2,183 million, above the midpoint of guidance.

Free cash flow rose 3.2% to $1,118 million and the distribution lifted 1.8% to 58.0 cents per security.

FY27 guidance calls for EBITDA of $2,260 million to $2,340 million and a 59.0 cent distribution.

The organic growth pipeline has expanded to roughly $3.5 billion.

Chief executive Adam Watson summed it up.

Our underlying earnings were up 8.3% and above the mid-point of guidance, supported by new assets and ongoing strong operational performance.

The catch is the price.

Brokers are split between hold and sell ratings, with an average target below the current share price.

Foolish takeaway

The instinct when rates rise is to sell every yield stock in sight.

That is too blunt, because these three respond to the same cash rate in opposite directions.

I would rather own a 5% distribution that grows with inflation than a term deposit that does not.

Transurban is the ASX dividend shares idea I find most interesting today, purely because the market has already marked it down.

Macquarie is the one I would be happiest holding if the Reserve Bank continues to look to increase rates.

The post Top 3 ASX dividend shares to buy if interest rates go up appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The important element to focus on is diversification.

The three companies below are chosen to do different jobs.

One pays you now, one is geared to markets, and one is as close to defensive as our market gets.

1. Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

Woodside is the income anchor.

The shares trade near $32.33 on a price-to-earnings ratio of about 14.5 and a fully franked yield close to 5%.

That is the cheapest multiple and the highest yield of the three by a wide margin.

However, the company is still performing. The first half of calendar 2026 demonstrated this.

Operating revenue rose 13% to US$7.45 billion and net profit after tax reached US$1.67 billion.

Production came in at 86.5 million barrels of oil equivalent, and the interim dividend was 57 US cents fully franked at an 80% payout ratio.

Gearing is at 20.6%, marginally above the target range, which is the one number worth watching.

There are many things to like about this company.

2. Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Macquarie Group is the geared exposure to markets.

FY26 net profit rose 30% to $4.85 billion, return on equity recovered to 14.0%, and earnings per share climbed 30% to $12.77.

The company's full-year dividend was $7.00, though only 35% franked, which is important if you are buying this stock for income.

Importantly, assets under management reached $748 billion at 30 June, up 4% in a quarter.

Chief executive Shemara Wikramanayake described the year in characteristically measured terms:

Each of our businesses used its specialist expertise in navigating the current environment, identifying opportunities that support long-term growth and delivering positive outcomes for our clients and communities.

At current levels the shares trade on a price-to-earnings ratio near 19.7, which is not obviously cheap.

The future investment case depends on Commodities and Global Markets and Macquarie Capital both still running hot.

3. Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers is the awkward stock in this list.

Results were good: FY26 revenue rose 3.4% to $47.3 billion and net profit excluding significant items rose 8.3% to $2.87 billion.

Bunnings lifted earnings before tax 5.1% to $2.46 billion and Kmart Group added 6.0% to $1.11 billion.

The company's full-year dividend rose 7.8% to $2.22 fully franked.

The problem however is the price.

At $77.30 the shares trade on a price-to-earnings ratio above 30 for a business growing revenue at 3.4%, and the broker consensus sits at a modest sell.

I still want it here, because a strong Australian dollar is lowering Kmart's landed costs and the shares are already down more than 13% over twelve months.

Managing director Rob Scott pointed to the operating discipline behind the result:

Our businesses focused on mitigating cost pressures through productivity initiatives and were able to deliver more value, better service and increased convenience for our retail and business customers.

Why these ASX shares work together

They barely overlap.

Woodside is leveraged to LNG prices and a project starting up this quarter.

Macquarie rises and falls with market activity and deal flow.

Wesfarmers depends on Australian households and imported goods.

A poor year for one does not mean a poor year for the others.

Foolish takeaway

None of these three ASX shares are bargains, and only Woodside looks cheap.

What the current package gives you is a 5% franked yield, exposure to global markets, and a defensive retailer bought after a 13% fall.

Woodside is the one I would size largest, because the dividend is paid whether or not the share price cooperates.

Wesfarmers is the one that needs the most patience, given where the multiple sits.

Three thousand dollars invested this September will not change your life, and that has never been the point of buying ASX shares.

The post Top 3 ASX shares to buy with $3,000 in September appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Meanwhile, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) sank 0.95% to finish at 9,005.9 points.

It's likely that investors buying the dip on bank shares were responsible for last week's sector rebound after a difficult August.

Three of the four major banks were smashed last month after all of them reported significantly lower mortgage applications since May.

That followed the Federal Government announcing changes to capital gains tax (CGT) and negative gearing in the FY27 Budget.

James Gruber, CommSec Equity Market Strategist, said the financial sector was the worst performer of the August earnings season. 

ASX 200 financial shares lost 6.13% of their value over the month.

That performance left investors feeling wary of how the housing market downturn now underway may impact the banks' profitability.

Then last week, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released economic news that changed the outlook for the banks.

Resilient economy benefits bank stocks

The ABS revealed that gross domestic product (GDP) rose 0.4% in the June quarter and 2.1% over 12 months.

That was stronger than consensus expectations of 0.3% growth in June and 1.8% annual growth, and ahead of the Reserve Bank's forecast of 1.9% annual growth.

The data raised the chances of another interest rate rise as early as next month, and higher rates can be supportive for bank earnings.

If the banks' lending rates stay above deposit rates, which is the norm, then a higher cash rate can boost their net interest margins (NIMs).

A stronger economy can also be positive for banks because it typically means stable employment and resilient household spending.

That means people can keep up their repayments on their home loans and other debts with the banks.

Expectations of another rate hike pushed the 3-year government bond yield to 4.82%, and 10-year yields rose to levels not seen since 2011.

This is why the broader ASX 200 had its worst day in three months on the day the GDP data was released, and why it finished the week in the red.

Higher bond yields aren't great for shares.

When investors can get a pretty high and virtually 'risk-free' return from defensive assets like cash or bonds, they can go 'risk-off'.

That means they are less inclined to invest in shares, which carry a higher risk of capital losses.

Or they might rotate out of growth shares into dividend stocks or blue-chips with reliable earnings (such as the banks!)

This may have also supported ASX 200 bank share prices last week.

As for the rest of the market, 6 of the 11 sectors finished the week in the red.

Let's recap.

Financial shares led the ASX sectors last week

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares rose 2.02% to $160.42, recovering some of their 9.9% tumble during August.

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) shares lifted 3.13% to $34.96, taking back some of their 8.8% decline last month.

National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) shares increased 2.51% to $39.25, pulling back some of their 6.5% loss during earning season.

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ASX: ANZ) shares closed 3.32% higher at $37.95.

The ANZ share price fell just 0.3% last month as investors were impressed with the fruits of a continued reset under CEO Nuno Matos.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) shares lifted 0.04% to $251.87, recovering a little of their 1% decline last month.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN) shares rose 0.47% to $10.63, taking back some of their 6.4% fall in August.

Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ) shares lifted 3.89% to $6.68, wiping out their 1.66% dip last month.

Among the investment companies and wealth managers, Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) shares fell 3.43% to $8.74.

Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL) shares fell 0.25% to $44.22.

Among the financial services providers, AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP) shares jumped 5.08% to $2.48.

Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB) shares fell 3.58% to $73.81 and Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL) dropped 5.03% to $20.37.

Buy now, pay later company Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) fell 3.94% to $2.44 per share.

Among the ASX 200 insurance shares, Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG) rose 2.55% to $8.05.

The Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN) share price leapt 5.04% to $19.37.

Financial companies are among 40 ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week.

ASX 200 market sector snapshot

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

Over the five trading days:

The post ASX 200 bank shares led a financial sector rebound last week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Here are some new ratings from the experts this week. 

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

The Wesfarmers share price is $77.74, up 1.1% today and down 14% over 12 months.

Morgans reaffirmed its accumulate rating on this ASX 200 consumer discretionary share after the company's FY26 results.

The broker said: 

WES's FY26 result was broadly in line with expectations, although trading in early FY27 was slightly softer, with management also flagging higher capex in FY27.

Management noted that while consumer demand remains resilient, cost-of-living pressures persist and customers continue to be value-conscious.

… our target price rises to $85.00 (from $81.10) as we believe the increased investments WES is making in the near term will drive sustainable growth over the long term.

This is particularly evident across its retail businesses (Bunnings, Kmart Group, Officeworks and Priceline), where investment should strengthen customer value propositions in a subdued consumer environment and position the divisions to capture stronger growth when economic conditions improve.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

The Macquarie share price is $252.66, up 1.3% today and up 14% over 12 months. 

Morgans has a hold rating on this ASX 200 bank share.

Analyst Damien Nguyen said (courtesy The Bull): 

Macquarie benefits from a diversified global business spanning asset management, infrastructure, commodities and investment markets.

Earnings momentum has improved as transaction activity and market conditions have stabilised, while long term growth opportunities remain attractive.

However, a stronger share price and a cyclical earnings profile suggest much of the recovery is already reflected in its valuation.

We view the stock as fairly valued and maintain a hold recommendation.

The shares have risen from $196.47 on March 3 to trade at $251.01 on August 27.

Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV)

The Endeavour share price is $3.24, down 0.8% today and down 13% over 12 months.

Morgans kept a trim rating on this ASX 200 consumer staples share after Endeavour's FY26 report.

Morgans said:

There were no major surprises in EDV's FY26 result after the company pre-announced its key numbers (sales, underlying EBIT and underlying NPAT) in early August.

However, the outlook for costs was greater than anticipated as EDV increases investment to execute its new strategy.

Management noted that competition remains intense in the Retail segment, particularly in the online channel, while Hotels sales growth softened in early 1H27 across all key categories (food & beverage, gaming and accommodation).

We expect FY27 to be a disruptive year as EDV implements its transformation initiatives.

Liquor demand also remains under pressure from elevated interest rates, ongoing cost-of-living pressures and a subdued consumer environment.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Wesfarmers, Endeavour, Macquarie shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

But when the markets look weary, it's worth looking for shares which are tipped to outperform. Here are three ASX shares that brokers are tipping to outperform the index, and they're forecast to grow by up to 174% or more over the next 12 months.

Resmed Inc (ASX: RMD)

At the time of writing, Resmed shares have rebounded around 25% from a multi-year low in early June. But they're still down around 11% year-to-date, and trading at $32.28 each.

The ASX healthcare sector came under fire through early 2026 as macroeconomic pressures, rising inflation, higher cost of living, and regulatory uncertainty created a sector-wide downturn. 

And ResMed was one of many ASX 200 healthcare shares caught up in the sell-off.

And the sleep disorder treatment company's soft third-quarter earnings update in May didn't help either. ResMed delivered an 11% (8% in constant currency) increase in revenue to US$1.4 billion. This was driven by increased demand for its portfolio of sleep devices, masks, and accessories.

But ResMed shares have bounced higher recently off the back of improved confidence around healthcare shares and a stronger fourth-quarter result last month. 

ResMed's revenue has continued to grow at a healthy pace, and its margins have continued expanding. The company has also generated strong free cash flow. 

It looks like the ASX 200 shares are now significantly oversold and trading below fair value.

TradingView data shows the majority of brokers have a buy/strong buy rating on ResMed shares. The maximum $46.13 target price implies the shares could increase up to 43% over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Macquarie shares have stormed higher in 2026, rallying strongly in April and reaching an all-time high in early August.

At the time of writing, the shares are up around 22% for the year-to-date following a series of good-news announcements.

In late July, the investment bank posted its first-quarter FY27 update, held an AGM, and announced that Greg Ward will take over Shemara Wikramanayake as Macquarie Group CEO.

As part of its results update, Macquarie described trading conditions during the first quarter as "satisfactory". It reported that its Banking and Financial Services segment increased its profit contribution compared with the same period last year. Deposits rose by 4% during the quarter, while home loans grew by 6% and business banking loans increased by 3%.

The results followed the company's positive earnings results back in May. At the time, Macquarie reported a full-year FY26 net profit of $4.85 billion, up 30% from FY25. It also confirmed growth across all four of its operating divisions.

Investors are thrilled with Macquarie this year, and many are still rushing to snap up the ASX 200 shares.

And brokers see lots of potential going forward, too.

Market Index data shows that the majority of brokers have a buy/strong buy rating. The maximum $290.40 target price implies the shares could jump by up to 17% over the next 12 months.

The post 2 ASX 200 shares tipped by brokers to return 17% to 43% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

As have the company's shareholders.

On Wednesday afternoon, shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) diversified financial stock were changing hands for $248.46 apiece.

That sees Macquarie stock up 22.0% year to date, smashing the 2.7% returns delivered by the benchmark index over this same period.

And we shouldn't leave out the partly franked $4.20 per share dividend Macquarie paid out on 2 July. If we add that back in, then the accumulated value of Macquarie shares is up 24.0% this calendar year.

Which brings us back to our headline question.

After such a strong run, is it too late to buy the ASX 200 financial stock today?

Macquarie shares: Buy, hold or sell?

Morgans' Damien Nguyen recently analysed the outlook for the surging stock (courtesy of The Bull).

"Macquarie benefits from a diversified global business spanning asset management, infrastructure, commodities and investment markets," Nguyen said.

"Earnings momentum has improved as transaction activity and market conditions have stabilised, while long term growth opportunities remain attractive," he added.

But following the strong gains this year, Nguyen issued a hold recommendation on Macquarie shares.

He concluded:

However, a stronger share price and a cyclical earnings profile suggest much of the recovery is already reflected in its valuation. We view the stock as fairly valued and maintain a hold recommendation. The shares have risen from $196.47 on March 3 to trade at $251.01 on August 27.

What's been happening with the ASX 200 financial stock?

Macquarie shares were in focus when the ASX 200 stock reported its FY 2026 results on 8 May.

With the company achieving year on year growth across all of its operating groups, Macquarie reported a 30% increase in net profit after tax (NPAT) to $4.85 billion.

Commenting on the strong results on the day, Macquarie CEO Shemara Wikramanayake said:

Each of our businesses used its specialist expertise in navigating the current environment, identifying opportunities that support long-term growth and delivering positive outcomes for our clients and communities.

On 23 July, Macquarie again made financial news headlines when the company announced that Wikramanayake will step down as CEO in November. Wikramanayake has held the top post for eight years.

Greg Ward – currently Macquarie's head of banking and financial services – will take over the reins following Wikramanayake's retirement.

Macquarie shares set a new record closing high of $267.25 apiece on 6 August.

The post Up 24%! Are Macquarie shares still a good buy today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.