At the time of writing, the Macquarie share price is up 0.30% to $252.68.

The ASX 200 financial stock earlier touched $253.13, setting a fresh all-time high and pushing its gain since the start of 2026 to around 24%.

While there's been no new announcements from the company today, investors are still loading up after last month's stronger-than-expected full-year result.

Let's take a look.

Record profit keeps investors interested

Macquarie reported a net profit of $4.85 billion for the 12 months ended 31 March 2026, up 30% from a year earlier.

The result came in ahead of market expectations and was the second-highest annual profit in the company's history.

Most of the momentum came in the second half, with profit reaching a record $3.19 billion. By the way, that was 93% higher than the first half.

Commodities and Global Markets did much of the heavy lifting, with profit from the division rising nearly 50% to $4.22 billion.

Volatile energy markets lifted demand for Macquarie's trading, hedging, and financing services, while the sale of its OnStream smart meter platform also gave earnings a boost.

Macquarie Asset Management and Macquarie Capital chipped in with higher profits as well.

Shareholders also received a larger final dividend of $4.20 per share, up 7.7% from the previous year. That took the full-year payout to $7 per share.

Brokers are getting closer to the share price

The recent rally has left Macquarie shares sitting close to several broker price targets.

Morgan Stanley still has a buy rating and a $263 price target on the stock. Based on the current share price, that points to upside of around 4%.

UBS is less bullish, with a $250 target following the full-year result, while Jefferies has the stock valued at $253.73.

Those targets came before today's record high, which means much of the expected earnings growth may already be priced into shares.

Of course, broker targets are only estimates and can change when earnings forecasts or economic outlook shift.

Is it too late to buy?

Macquarie's latest result goes a long way towards explaining why the shares have been constantly climbing.

The company earns money across asset management, commodities, banking, advisory, and capital markets.

On another note, around 68% of its FY26 income came from outside Australia.

That gives Macquarie several ways to make money, although its earnings can still swing around depending on market conditions.

Macquarie is still performing well, but the higher share price leaves very little room if results fall short of expectations.

The post Macquarie shares hit another record high. Has the rally gone too far? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Here's what's happening.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

BHP is cementing its position as the biggest stock on the ASX today.

Shares in the Aussie mining giant are up 0.4% at the time of writing, changing hands for $65.48 apiece.

That's not only a new 52-week high for BHP but, if the ASX 200 share holds these gains to close, it will mark a new all-time closing high.

BHP shares look to be benefiting from an overnight uptick in global copper prices. The red metal is currently fetching US$13,774 per tonne.

Amid the resilient iron ore price and surging copper prices, BHP shares have been on fire over the past 12 months, up 75.6%. And that doesn't include the two fully-franked dividends totalling $1.96 a share the miner paid eligible stockholders over this time.

BHP shares trade on a 3% fully-franked trailing dividend yield.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Macquarie shares are also setting a new high-water mark today.

Shares in the diversified financial stock are up 0.9% at the time of writing, trading for $251.28 each.

If these gains are held to close, that will also mark a new all-time high for this ASX 200 share.

The Macquarie share price is now up 18.5% since this time last year. Atop those capital gains, Macquarie shares also trade on a 2.8% partly franked trailing dividend yield.

Which brings us to…

Sims Ltd (ASX: SGM)

Joining Macquarie and BHP shares in the new 52-week-plus high club is metal and electronics recycler Sims.

Sims shares are up 1.5% in afternoon trade today, swapping hands for $29.87 each.

You'd have to go back to September 2008 to find this ASX 200 share trading at higher levels than that.

The Sims share price has surged 91.4% over the past 12 months. Sims also trades on a 0.9% fully-franked trailing dividend yield.

The stock caught fresh tailwinds today following a positive trading update.

Among the highlights stoking ASX investor interest, Sims lifted its FY 2026 underlying earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) guidance to the range of $420 million to $435 million.

That was up from prior earnings guidance in the range of $350 million to $400 million.

Management credited the improved full-year earnings outlook to strong operating performances across both Sims' North America Metals and SA Recycling businesses.

The post 3 ASX 200 shares, including Macquarie and BHP, smashing new 52-week-plus highs today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The ASX banks are, of course, well known as some of the most generous and consistent payers of franked dividend income on our stock market.

Let's see if Macquarie's income chops make it worthy of this moniker.

Macquarie shares: Are the dividends worthy of an ASX bank stock?

Let's start at the top. At the time of writing, Macquarie Group shares are trading at $248.97 each, down about 0.04% for the day thus far. Incidentally, this came after the company hit a new all-time record high of $250.78 earlier this morning.

At the current share price, Macquarie is trading on a trailing dividend yield of 2.81%. That's based on the two most recent dividends Macquarie has paid out. The first of those was the December interim dividend, worth $2.80 per share. The second, the final dividend of $4.20 per share that is due for distribution next month on 2 July. We will count it because Macquarie shares have already traded ex-dividend for the payment.

That 12-month total of $7 per share that Macquarie is set to deliver works out to be worth that 2.81% yield at the current price.

Macquarie's dividends almost never come fully franked, and these payments are no different. Both are partially franked at 35%.

Macquarie's payouts do tend to fluctuate from year to year. To illustrate, Macquarie paid a total of $6.90 per share in dividends in 2025, $6.45 in 2024, $7.05 in 2023, $6.50 in 2022, and $6.07 in 2021.

In some potentially good news, analysts are pencilling in a total payout of $7.40 in 2027.

So Macquarie is arguably a reliable income payer, albeit slightly less than steady.

Foolish Takeaway

The reality is that Macquarie's nature as a diversified financial stock, not just a bank, combined with its international operations, has arguably always made it less attractive as a pure-play income investment than the other ASX banks. Indeed, Macquarie's trailing yield today is well below all four of the major ASX banks. Even Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA).

The fact that Macquarie is at an all-time high today isn't helping matters either. The higher a share price goes, the lower its dividend yield gets.

Macquarie shares, at least in my view, are a great buy for investors looking for growth and a bit of income on the side. As a centrepiece of an income-focused portfolio? Not so much.

The post Buying Macquarie shares? Here's the dividend yield you'll get today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

At one point this morning, the share price reached an all-time record high of $250.54 a piece.

Macquaire's shares are now around 23% higher for the year to date and 18% higher than this time last year.

Like many of the ASX bank stocks, Macquarie shares slumped through late February and March. But thanks to a strong recovery in early April, it is now the best-performing ASX 200 bank stock by far, and its share price is smashing previous record highs.

Are Macquarie shares a buy, sell, or hold after the latest rally?

Market Index data shows that brokers are mostly bullish on the bank stock's outlook. The majority have a buy rating on the shares, but the $253.75 average target price now implies a small 2% potential upside. 

TradingView shows that some analysts are even more bullish. Again, the majority (nine out of 15) have a buy or strong buy rating on the shares. The average target price of $256.69 implies a potential 3% upside at the time of writing. But the maximum $290.17 target price implies the shares could jump another 16% over the next 12 months.

Morgan Stanley is one of the more bullish brokers. It has a buy rating and a $263 price target on Macquarie shares.

Why are Macquarie shares going from strength to strength?

Macquarie is the fifth-largest bank listed on the ASX by market capitalisation. But it's more than just a bank. Macquarie also provides banking, financial, advisory, investment, and fund management services across 34 markets globally. 

That means it has exposure to a range of sectors and markets, including commodities trading, infrastructure deals, asset management, and capital markets. 

The bank also makes around two-thirds of its money internationally, which reduces the risk of being too focused on one region. It also means that, unlike many of its Australian peers, it isn't reliant on lending margins.

Instead, its diversity means that it can remain stable, or even benefit, when markets are going through periods of volatility as we've endured throughout the first half of 2026. This makes it a very attractive investment option for exposure to financial shares, but without the concentration and risk of the local market.

What about its finances?

The investment bank posted its third-quarter trading update for FY26 in February this year, revealing that the business has experienced strong quarterly growth. 

Macquarie delivered more good news to investors last month when it posted a stronger-than-expected FY26 result and announced growth across all its operating groups.

The company posted a 30% year-on-year increase in NPAT to $4.85 billion. It noted that the second half of the financial year was particularly strong, with H2 NPAT coming in at $3.19 billion, up 93% from the first half.

Management also declared a 7.7% increase in its final partly-franked dividend to $4.20 per share.

There hasn't been any price-sensitive news out of the company since its results announcement, so it's likely that investors are still buying into the shares on the expectation of more growth ahead.

Macquarie's latest results and share price performance certainly demonstrate why its valuation is sitting at an all-time high today.

The post Macquarie shares climb to fresh all-time high: Buy, sell or hold? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

That does not necessarily mean the share price will move smoothly. Macquarie is not the type of business where earnings rise neatly every year.

But I think it has something more valuable for long-term investors: the ability to keep finding attractive places to put capital, people, and expertise to work.

That is why I rate it so highly.

A business built around opportunity

Macquarie is often described as a bank, but I think that label is too narrow.

The group operates across asset management, infrastructure, commodities, markets, specialist finance, advisory, and capital solutions. Those areas can perform differently depending on the cycle.

Some periods may be better for deal activity. Others may favour infrastructure investment, energy, commodities, market volatility, private capital, or asset realisations.

I like that Macquarie is not tied to one narrow growth path.

Over a 10-year period, the world will almost certainly go through different investment cycles. Interest rates will change. Infrastructure needs will evolve. Energy systems will keep shifting. Capital markets will open and close. Investors will move between caution and confidence.

Macquarie's strength is that it has the skills, relationships, and flexibility to respond to those changes.

Entrepreneurial, but disciplined

One of the things I admire about Macquarie is that it has remained entrepreneurial despite becoming a large global financial group.

Many big companies become slower and more rigid as they grow. Macquarie has generally kept a culture that looks for opportunities across markets and geographies.

That can be a powerful advantage. It allows the company to shift attention toward areas where capital is needed and returns look attractive. That could mean infrastructure, renewable energy, data, transport, housing, resources, or specialist lending.

Of course, this approach requires strong risk management. A financial company that takes too much risk can get into trouble quickly.

But Macquarie has built its reputation over many decades by balancing ambition with discipline. That is the sort of culture I would want to back for the long term.

The world needs capital

Another reason I would hold Macquarie shares for 10 years is that the areas it serves should remain important.

The global economy needs more infrastructure. It needs energy investment, transport assets, digital capacity, housing, resources, and capital for businesses to expand.

Those are not short-term themes. They are long-term needs.

Macquarie has a role to play because it can connect investors, companies, governments, and assets. It can manage money, advise on transactions, finance projects, trade commodities, and help structure solutions for complex markets.

That gives the business several ways to create value.

I would not expect every division to fire at the same time. That is not how Macquarie works. But over a decade, I think its range of capabilities gives it more ways to win than many simpler financial businesses.

Patience is required

Macquarie shares are not risk-free. Earnings can be lumpy, and the market can punish the stock when deal activity slows, asset sales are delayed, or investor confidence weakens. Commodities and markets income can also move around.

That is why I think investors need to approach the stock with a long-term mindset.

A 10-year holding period allows investors to look beyond one soft year or one difficult market cycle. It gives Macquarie time to reinvest, redeploy capital, and benefit when conditions improve.

For me, that is the right way to own this business.

Foolish takeaway

I would buy and hold Macquarie shares because I think the company has one of the most adaptable business models on the ASX.

It is not dependent on one product, one country, or one economic trend. It has built a global platform that can move with capital flows and changing market opportunities.

There will be weaker years along the way. But over the next decade, I think Macquarie's culture, expertise, and ability to allocate capital should keep it firmly on my buy-and-hold list.

The post Why I'd buy and hold Macquarie shares for 10 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

There is no large lump sum to put to work and no portfolio quietly compounding in the background.

But that also means the plan can be built properly from day one.

The goal is not to get rich quickly. It is to buy quality ASX shares consistently, give them enough time to compound, and avoid the mistakes that can break the process.

Buy quality businesses

The first step is deciding what kind of ASX shares deserve a place in the portfolio.

For a $1 million target, I would not build around speculative small caps or companies that need everything to go right. I would focus on businesses with sustainable earnings, strong management teams, and the ability to reinvest for growth over many years.

That could include names such as Goodman Group (ASX: GMG), which has exposure to logistics, industrial property, and data centres. Or Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), which has a long record of finding opportunities across global markets.

TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE) is another example of the type of business that can compound over time, thanks to recurring software revenue and a strong position in enterprise software.

The common thread is quality. A long-term portfolio needs companies that can survive difficult markets and still be stronger years later.

Make the monthly investment non-negotiable

The next step is consistency. Investing $1,000 a month works best when it becomes part of the household budget, rather than a decision that has to be made from scratch each time.

That removes a lot of emotion from the process. The market will never feel perfectly safe. There will always be headlines about interest rates, recessions, valuations, elections, or global risks.

But regular investing helps cut through that noise. Some months, the money will buy ASX shares at higher prices. Other months, it will buy them after a pullback. Over time, that steady approach can help investors build positions in quality companies without trying to predict every market move.

This is where dependable compounders can help. A business such as Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) has shown how a strong retail and industrial portfolio can create long-term value. Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) offers a different type of strength, with defensive demand from supermarkets and everyday household spending.

Not every holding needs to be exciting. Some just need to keep producing earnings, paying dividends, and growing steadily.

Time and compounding

Let's assume that an investor starts with nothing, invests $1,000 a month, and achieves an average annual return of 10%.

That return is not guaranteed, but is roughly in line with long-term averages, so is achievable.

At that rate, the portfolio would grow to approximately $1 million in around 23 years.

That is the part many people underestimate. The early years can feel slow because most of the portfolio is built from savings. Later, the balance can start moving more from investment returns than fresh contributions.

That is when compounding becomes obvious.

Foolish takeaway

Building a $1 million ASX share portfolio from zero is not about one perfect stock pick. It is about repeated monthly investing, quality businesses, reinvested returns, and enough patience to let the maths work.

Done well, small beginnings can become serious wealth.

The post How to build a $1 million ASX share portfolio from zero appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

I think it needs businesses that can provide durability, income potential, growth, and exposure to different parts of the economy.

The right mix will depend on an investor's goals. But if I were choosing ASX shares for a retirement portfolio, these five would be high on my list.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

Commonwealth Bank of Australia is the first share I would consider.

CBA offers scale, brand strength, digital leadership, and fully-franked dividends. It is deeply connected to Australian households and businesses through home loans, deposits, transaction accounts, credit cards, business banking, and payments.

That gives it a broad role in the economy and a strong base for long-term earnings.

The valuation is often higher than that of the other major banks, so investors need to be comfortable paying for quality. Bad debts, margins, funding costs, and regulation also need watching.

Even so, I think CBA remains one of the highest-quality financial businesses on the ASX.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

Woolworths Group could add a defensive layer to the portfolio.

Groceries are part of everyday life, which gives the business a level of ongoing demand that many companies would love to have.

I also like the company's scale across stores, supply chains, loyalty, online shopping, and customer data. Supermarket retailing is demanding, and shoppers are sensitive to price, service, range, and availability. Woolworths has to keep earning trust each week.

But for a retirement portfolio, I think the resilience of the category is appealing.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

Goodman Group would bring long-term infrastructure-style growth.

Goodman owns, develops, and manages industrial property in important global locations. These sites are tied to logistics, e-commerce, supply chains, and data centre demand.

I think that mix is attractive. Modern economies need efficient warehouse space close to customers and transport links. Digital economies also need more physical infrastructure to support cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and data-heavy services.

Interest rates, development costs, and valuation can all affect the share price. But Goodman has the scale, relationships, and development skills to keep creating value over time.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Macquarie Group is another ASX share I would include.

It gives a retirement portfolio exposure to a global financial business rather than a traditional domestic bank alone.

Macquarie operates across areas such as asset management, infrastructure, commodities, markets, and specialist finance.

The company has shown an ability to shift capital toward areas where it sees better opportunities. That could be useful over a long retirement horizon as markets, infrastructure needs, energy systems, and private capital flows keep changing.

The share price can be volatile, but I think Macquarie brings a valuable growth angle to a long-term portfolio.

ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD)

ResMed could provide global healthcare exposure.

The company is a leader in sleep apnoea treatment and connected care. Its devices help patients start therapy, while masks, accessories, software, and data tools support ongoing use.

I like that combination because it gives ResMed both product sales and recurring demand.

Sleep health is also a large and underdiagnosed market. As awareness improves and healthcare systems place more focus on chronic conditions, I think ResMed has room to keep growing.

Overall, I believe this means it is the type of healthcare business that can remain highly relevant for decades.

Foolish Takeaway

A winning retirement portfolio should have more than one source of strength.

I would want exposure to businesses that can keep serving customers, reinvest, pay dividends, and adapt as the economy changes. The shares above are not risk-free, and they will not all perform well at the same time. But I think they offer a useful mix of quality, resilience, income potential, and long-term growth.

For investors building a portfolio to last well beyond the next market cycle, that is the kind of balance I would be looking for.

The post 5 ASX shares for a winning retirement portfolio appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The formation? A classic 4-3-3.

That means a dependable goalkeeper, a strong back four, a balanced midfield, and a front three with enough pace and quality to trouble any defence.

Here is the ASX team I would send onto the pitch.

Goalkeeper: Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

Every good team needs a reliable presence in goal, and Transurban fits the role nicely.

Its toll road assets are defensive, essential, and difficult to replicate. It may not produce the flashiest moments, but it can provide the dependable base investors often want from infrastructure shares.

Right back: Car Group Ltd (ASX: CAR)

CAR Group gets the nod at right back. It has enough defensive strength through its powerful marketplace position, but also the ability to get forward through its international growth opportunities.

Buyers go where the listings are, and sellers want to be where the buyers are. That network effect makes it a hard player to beat.

Centre back: Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

Woolworths is an obvious central defender.

It is strong, established, and focused on doing the basics well. Australians need groceries regardless of the economic backdrop, which gives Woolworths a defensive quality many companies cannot match.

Centre back: CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

Alongside it is CSL.

The healthcare giant has had a difficult spell recently, but this is still a high-quality, battle-tested business with global scale.

It brings experience, strength, and long-term pedigree to the back line.

Left back: Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

Goodman takes the left-back role.

It has defensive qualities through its global property platform, but also attacking pace through its exposure to logistics, data centres, and digital infrastructure.

That combination makes it one of the more versatile names in the side.

Midfield: Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Telstra is the veteran holding midfielder and captain.

It may not be the most exciting name on the team sheet, but it brings experience, reliability, and a steady dividend profile.

Every attacking side still needs someone willing to do the unglamorous work.

Midfield: Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Macquarie is the creative playmaker.

The investment bank has a long record of finding opportunities across infrastructure, commodities, green energy, private markets, and global finance.

It is the player most capable of spotting a pass others miss.

Midfield: WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

WiseTech is the energetic box-to-box midfielder.

Its logistics software is used by freight forwarders and supply chain operators around the world, giving it a large global runway.

It has the engine to keep pushing forward.

Right wing: Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

Life360 brings speed on the right wing.

Its family safety platform is growing rapidly globally, with subscriptions and new services giving it room to keep expanding.

This is a high-growth player with plenty of attacking intent.

Left wing: Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

Pro Medicus takes the left wing position.

Its medical imaging software is fast, specialised, and world class. It may come with a premium valuation, but elite attacking talent rarely comes cheap.

Striker: REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

REA leads the line.

Its property platforms hold dominant market positions, giving it pricing power, high margins, and a strong record of scoring for shareholders.

It is the reliable finisher in this ASX attack.

The post The ASX shares I'd pick in a FIFA World Cup first eleven appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Lendlease Group report?

• Nick O'Neil appointed as incoming Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
• Transition period with Joint Interim CEOs Andrew Nieland (CFO) and Penny Ransom (CIO) from 30 June 2026
• Outgoing CEO Tony Lombardo to step down by 30 June 2026 or earlier
• Nick O'Neil's remuneration includes $1.8 million fixed pay plus incentive awards and a $4.5 million sign-on grant in Lendlease securities
• No earnings results were included in this announcement

What else do investors need to know?

Lendlease says Nick O'Neil brings over 25 years of global experience across real assets, markets, and investment strategy, including leadership roles at AustralianSuper and Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG). Lendlease's board described the appointment as marking the next phase following a strategy reset and significant business simplification.

During the transition, the CEO's office will be jointly led by CFO Andrew Nieland and CIO Penny Ransom, who are tasked with ensuring continuity until Mr O'Neil officially steps in. Outgoing CEO Tony Lombardo departs after nearly two decades with the company, having led major strategic shifts and asset divestments.

What's next for Lendlease Group?

Lendlease says it is entering a new phase aimed at revitalising and strengthening the business, following its strategy reset and portfolio simplification. With Nick O'Neil's focus on real asset management and global investment, investors can expect leadership continuity and a strategic push towards growth and long-term value creation for shareholders.

The group's immediate priority will be a smooth CEO transition while delivering ongoing projects. Investors will be watching for further strategy updates as O'Neil takes the helm later in 2026.

Lendlease Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Lendlease shares have declined 55%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 1% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Lendlease Group appoints Nick O'Neil as next CEO and MD appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

It is dealing with too many of them.

There are banks, miners, healthcare shares, retailers, technology companies, dividend shares, growth shares, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Every week brings new broker notes, market moves, and headlines.

So, how should an investor put money to work when they do not know what to buy?

This is how I would think about it.

Start with the job the investment needs to do

Before choosing a share, I would ask a simpler question: What do I want this investment to achieve?

If the goal is broad exposure, an ASX ETF could be the easiest answer. Something like the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) can give investors exposure to a large group of Australian companies in one trade.

If the goal is global growth, an ETF such as the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) could open the door to companies and sectors that are harder to access through the ASX alone.

If the goal is individual stock picking, I would then focus on business quality rather than trying to guess which share will move next week.

That first step matters because not every good investment does the same job.

Look for repeatable strengths

When I look at individual ASX shares, I want to understand why the business might be more valuable in five or 10 years.

That could come from a trusted brand, a powerful market position, recurring revenue, customer loyalty, scale, cost advantages, or a product that is difficult to replace.

For example, ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD) has a strong position in sleep health, with devices, masks, accessories, and software supporting ongoing treatment needs.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) has a very different appeal. It is a global financial group with exposure to infrastructure, asset management, commodities, private capital, and market activity.

Neither business is perfect. But both have qualities that could allow them to keep building value over time.

That is the sort of thinking I would use. I would not ask only whether a share is popular today. I would ask whether the business has strengths that can keep showing up over many years.

Avoid needing one perfect pick

I do not think investors need to find the single best ASX share before getting started.

That can create too much pressure. Instead, I would think in layers. One investment might provide broad market exposure. Another might add global growth. Another might be a high-quality Australian business. Another might be a more ambitious growth idea.

This does not mean making things complicated. It just means accepting that different investments can play different roles, depending on what the investor is trying to achieve.

It also reduces the risk of putting too much weight on one decision.

Foolish Takeaway

Not knowing exactly what to buy is not a reason to stay on the side lines forever.

I think the better approach is to slow the decision down. Work out what the investment needs to do, focus on quality, and avoid making the whole plan depend on one perfect pick.

The share market will always feel uncertain. But investors do not need certainty to begin. They need a sensible process they can keep using, even when the headlines are noisy.

The post How to invest in ASX shares when you don't know what to buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The ASX financial share typically has a decent, but lower, dividend yield compared to competitors like Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC).

Macquarie's dividend has increased in most years since 2013, with there only being a couple of years when the payout was reduced.

In the ASX financial share's recent FY26 result, the business decided to hike its annual dividend per share by 7.7% to $7 per share following a 30% increase of net profit to $4.85 billion.

In this article, we're going to look at the annual FY27 dividend, which will be paid during 2027.

2027 dividend projection for owners of Macquarie shares

According to the projection on CMC Invest, the ASX financial share is projected to pay an annual dividend per share of $7.40 in the 2027 financial year.

At the time of writing, this forecast translates into a dividend yield of 3.1% excluding franking credits and 3.6% including franking credits.

If someone were to invest $8,000 in Macquarie, they would be able to buy 33 Macquarie shares (with a little bit of money left over).

With those 33 Macquarie shares, investors could receive $244.20 of cash and some franking credits, the level of franking credits is not known at this stage because the ASX bank share is only paying partially franked dividends.

Is this a good time to invest in the ASX bank share for passive income?

According to CMC Invest, there have been nine analyst ratings calls on the business in the last three months.

Of those nine ratings, five were buys, three were holds and one was a sell. So, the investment professionals are, on average, more positive on the appeal of the company's valuation right now.

The average price target of those nine ratings is $244.56. That means, collectively, those analysts are predicting the Macquarie share price will (at the time of writing) hardly move over the next year.

Over the past year, the Macquarie share price has been under $200, so analysts seem to think the company will hold onto its 2026 gain.

But, with low returns on offer (at the time of writing), according to the price target, there seem to be more compelling ASX shares out there to buy.

The post If I invest $8,000 in Macquarie shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2027? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Brokers have indicated continuing confidence in several ASX 200 shares this week.

Let's take a look.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

The BHP Group share price is $61.52, down 2% today.

BHP shares hit a new record price of $65.04 on Wednesday.

On Thursday, BHP and other ASX 200 iron ore mining shares fell heavily on news of ramped-up production at Simandou.

The Simandou iron ore project in Africa is the world's largest untapped, high-grade iron ore deposit.

Morgan Stanley reiterated its buy rating on BHP shares on Monday.

The broker has a price target of $67.50, suggesting almost 10% upside remains.

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

Megaport shares are flying on Friday, up 9.6% to $18.18 apiece.

The Megaport share price is the fastest riser of the entire ASX 200 today.

In earlier trading, the ASX 200 tech share reached a new 52-week high of $21.16.

Megaport shares came out of a trading halt today after the company completed the institutional component of a $827.3 million fully underwritten entitlement offer.

Earlier this week, Megaport announced four new AI infrastructure contracts worth approximately $458.9 million.

The contracts require approximately $369.5 million of capital expenditure, hence the capital raise.

UBS renewed its buy rating on Megaport shares today.

The broker raised its 12-month price target from $16.70 to $24.20.

This suggests a potential 33% upside ahead.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) 

The Pro Medicus share price is $165.48, up 3.9% today.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 healthcare share has soared 21%.

Macquarie maintained its buy rating on Pro Medicus shares with a $221 target this week.

This suggest a potential 34% upside ahead.

Find out why another expert considers Pro Medicus shares the 'most defensively positioned software business' on the ASX.

AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP)

The AMP share price is $1.51, up 2.2% today.

This ASX 200 financial share has fallen 17% in the calendar year to date (YTD).

Citi renewed its buy call on AMP shares with a $1.80 target this week.

This implies potential capital growth of 19% over the next year.

IAG Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG)

The IAG share price is $7.55, up 0.1% today and down 5.5% YTD.

UBS reiterated its buy rating on IAG shares with an $8.80 target on Monday.

This implies a potential 17% upside ahead.

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

The Qantas share price is $9.19, up 0.4% today.

This ASX 200 airline share has lifted 9% over the past month.

Goldman Sachs renewed its buy rating on Qantas shares with a $12.25 target.

This implies potential capital growth of 33% over the next year.

South32 Ltd (ASX: S32)

The South32 share price is $4.64, down 2.2% today.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 mining share has ripped 14% higher.

Morgan Stanley reaffirmed its buy rating on South32 shares with a $4.85 target.

This suggests a potential 4% upside ahead.

The post 7 ASX 200 shares with strengthened buy ratings this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

There will always be stories of investors who picked the perfect small-cap ASX stock at the perfect time. But for most people, a more realistic path is much simpler.

It involves investing regularly, owning quality assets, reinvesting dividends, and giving compounding enough time to work.

That may not sound exciting, but it can be extremely powerful.

Start with consistency

The first step is getting money into the market regularly.

This could be $200 a month, $500 a month, or more depending on someone's financial position. The exact amount matters less than the habit.

Regular investing also helps remove some of the pressure of market timing. Investors will buy during strong markets, weak markets, and everything in between. This is known as dollar-cost averaging.

It does not guarantee a profit or protect against losses, but it can make the process easier to stick with.

Own quality businesses

The next step is deciding what to buy.

One approach is to focus on high-quality ASX shares with strong market positions, reliable earnings, and long growth runways. Companies such as Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), and REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) are examples of businesses that have created significant wealth for shareholders over long periods.

Another option is to use exchange traded funds (ETFs). These can provide exposure to hundreds or even thousands of shares in a single trade, which can be helpful for investors who do not want to pick stocks.

The key is diversification. Building wealth should not depend on one company, one sector, or one idea going perfectly.

Let dividends do more work

Dividends can play a role in long-term wealth creation.

Many ASX shares pay dividends, and some also come with franking credits. Investors who do not need the income immediately can reinvest those dividends to buy more shares.

Over time, those extra shares can generate their own dividends. This creates a compounding effect, where returns start producing more returns.

In the early years, the progress can feel slow. But as the portfolio grows, compounding can become much more noticeable.

Time is your friend

The biggest advantage some investors have is time.

If an investor put $500 a month into ASX shares and achieved an average annual return of 10%, they could build a portfolio worth more than $1 million after 30 years.

That return is broadly in line with long-term share market averages, but it is not guaranteed. Some years will be strong, while others will be weak or even negative.

The main thing is staying the course when markets fall. Selling during downturns can interrupt compounding and turn temporary volatility into permanent damage.

Overall, becoming rich from ASX shares is about making sensible decisions repeatedly, staying diversified, and allowing time to do the heavy lifting.

The post How to become rich by investing in ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

But the principles that made him the world's greatest investor apply just as well to the Australian market as to Wall Street.

Buy businesses with wide economic moats. Look for exceptional management with a track record of smart capital allocation. Pay a fair price and hold for the long term.

Apply those principles to the ASX and three names consistently rise to the top.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

Buffett has long favoured dominant financial franchises with irreplaceable market positions.

In Australia, no bank comes closer to that description than Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

CBA holds a large part of Australia's home loans, and an even larger proportion of retail banking relationships. The bank also runs what is widely regarded as the most sophisticated technology platform in Australian banking.

Its CBA app has been ranked Australia's most used financial app for years, with more than 8 million active users. This gives it a consumer engagement moat that its peers have consistently failed to replicate.

In the first half of FY2026, CBA posted statutory net profit of $5.41 billion, up 5% year-on-year, alongside a fully franked interim dividend of $2.35 per share, up 4.4%.

CBA shares are not cheap, trading at approximately 26.5 times forward earnings.

But Buffett has always said he would rather buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price.

CBA has been a wonderful company for decades.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

Buffett is famously wary of commodity businesses, and rightly so.

But he has also invested in businesses with irreplaceable natural resource assets when the price is right and the management is outstanding.

BHP Group is the world's largest listed miner, with a portfolio of copper, iron ore, and potash assets that would take decades and hundreds of billions of dollars to replicate.

What would attract Buffett today is the copper story specifically.

For the first time in the company's 136-year history, copper earnings exceeded iron ore contributions in the first half of FY2026.

This is being driven by global demand from AI data centres, electric vehicles, and grid infrastructure. Consequently, copper has reached record highs above US$13,000 per tonne.

BHP's management has deliberately been building copper exposure for years, allocating capital to Escondida, Olympic Dam, and Carrapateena.

Management has also been returning cash to shareholders through one of the most reliable fully franked dividend streams on the ASX.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Buffett has always admired businesses that earn fee income on other people's capital.

That is precisely what Macquarie Group does.

Macquarie Asset Management now oversees $959.1 billion in funds under management.

This has made it one of the world's largest alternative asset managers specialised in infrastructure, real assets, and private credit.

The nature of Macquarie's fee-generating revenues produces stable, recurring earnings that smooth out the volatility of the commodities and markets divisions.

Macquarie posted a 30% lift in full-year NPAT to $4.85 billion in FY2026, delivering return on equity of 14% and lifting the full-year dividend to $7.00 per share.

What Buffett would particularly appreciate is the management track record.

Macquarie has compounded shareholder value at exceptional rates for more than three decades, adapting to new markets and opportunities while maintaining the capital discipline that defines truly great financial businesses.

Macquarie's management has built a reputation for adapting quickly to new opportunities while maintaining shareholder discipline, a trait Buffett has cited repeatedly as among the most important he looks for in any business.

Foolish takeaway

Buffett will almost certainly never buy CBA, BHP, or Macquarie.

He has a mandate to invest in the US and he has never shown interest in the ASX.

But for Australian investors who want to apply his principles to the stocks available to them, these three ASX shares embody everything he has spent six decades looking for: wide moats, exceptional management, and businesses that compound shareholder value year after year.

The post 3 ASX shares Warren Buffett would probably love right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The key is finding businesses with the cash flows, assets, or market positions to support shareholder returns over time.

With that in mind, here are five ASX dividend shares that could be worth a closer look this month.

Accent Group Ltd (ASX: AX1)

The first ASX dividend share to look at is Accent.

It is one of Australia's leading footwear and lifestyle retailers, with brands and store networks covering sports, streetwear, and casual fashion.

Retail can be a tough place when households are under pressure, but Accent has built a broad portfolio across well-known banners and owned brands. This gives it different ways to reach customers across stores and online.

The company's earnings can be cyclical, but when trading conditions improve, its cash generation can support attractive dividends.

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN)

Another ASX dividend share that could be worth a look is Harvey Norman.

The retailer has been through plenty of consumer cycles before and remains a major player in furniture, electronics, appliances, bedding, and household goods.

What makes Harvey Norman different from many retailers is its property portfolio. This gives the business an extra layer of asset backing and makes the investment case broader than store sales alone.

Consumer spending remains a risk, but its brand, franchise model, and property exposure could continue supporting dividends over time.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

A third ASX dividend share for income investors to consider is Macquarie.

Macquarie is not a traditional income stock, but it has a long record of rewarding shareholders while also reinvesting for growth.

Its operations span asset management, commodities, infrastructure, green energy, banking, and markets. That gives the company several ways to generate earnings across different conditions.

The company's dividends can move with profits, so income may not be perfectly smooth. But Macquarie's global platform and capital allocation record make it a high-quality option for investors seeking both income and growth.

Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF)

A fourth ASX dividend share to look at for the $5,000 investment is Rural Funds.

This agricultural property owner leases farmland and related assets to operators across sectors such as cattle, almonds, macadamias, vineyards, and cropping.

That means it is more focused on rental income than directly running farms. This can provide a more predictable income stream than many agricultural businesses.

Overall, Rural Funds offers exposure to real assets and a dividend profile that stands apart from the usual bank and resource names.

Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI)

A final ASX dividend share for income investors to consider is Universal Store.

The youth fashion retailer operates brands including Universal Store, Perfect Stranger, and Thrills. It serves a clearly defined customer base and has been expanding its store network and online presence.

Fashion retail can be volatile, particularly when consumer confidence weakens. But Universal Store has a strong niche, a clean balance sheet, and room to keep growing its footprint.

If it continues executing well, it could provide both dividend income and long-term growth potential.

The post 5 ASX dividend shares to buy with $5,000 this month appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

I think the key is approaching it the right way. Trying to turn $20,000 into $100,000 quickly can push investors towards risky choices, overhyped and speculative stocks, or businesses they do not really understand.

I would rather think about the question through the lens of compounding.

The target is a fivefold return. That sounds ambitious, but it does not require a miracle if the investor has enough time and owns the right types of assets.

What to target

If an investor achieved an average annual return of 9%, a $20,000 investment could grow to $100,000 in roughly 19 years.

That return is not guaranteed. Some years could be excellent, some flat, and some negative. But I think a 9% annual return is a useful long-term assumption for understanding how wealth can be built through ASX shares.

What stands out to me is that the investor does not need to find a stock that rises fivefold next year.

They need a sensible return, repeated over a long period.

That is the part of investing that often gets overlooked. Wealth is not only built by spotting one spectacular winner. It can also come from owning quality businesses, reinvesting returns, and giving the market enough time to work.

What I'd buy

If I were trying to turn $20,000 into $100,000, I would focus on quality and growth.

That could include a broad ASX exchange-traded fund (ETF) for simple market exposure, such as the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) or the iShares S&P 500 AUD ETF (ASX: IVV). This would give investors exposure to a wide range of Australian and US stocks in one investment.

But I would also want exposure to individual businesses that could grow earnings at a good rate over time.

For example, REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) has one of the strongest digital platforms in Australia through realestate.com.au. Its market position offers several avenues for growth through premium listings, data, agent tools, property insights, and finance leads.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) is another type of long-term compounder I like. It has exposure to asset management, infrastructure, commodities, private capital, and global markets. Its earnings can move around, but its ability to adapt has been a major strength over time.

I would also look at businesses with strong brands and global opportunities. Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG) is a good example. It has built a premium appliance brand with growth potential across coffee and kitchen products, as well as international markets.

Patience is the hard part

The biggest challenge is not the calculation. It is staying invested.

A 19-year journey will almost certainly include market sell-offs, recessions, disappointing company updates, and periods where investors feel like nothing is happening.

That is normal. The danger is giving up too early, selling quality shares during weak periods, or constantly jumping between ideas in search of faster returns.

If the investment case remains intact, I think time can be a powerful advantage.

Foolish Takeaway

Turning $20,000 into $100,000 with ASX shares is possible, but I think investors need the right mindset.

The goal is not to force a quick fivefold return. It is to own assets that can compound steadily and give them enough time to grow.

A 9% annual return could get the job done in roughly 19 years. That may not sound exciting at first, but I think that is the point. Successful investing often looks ordinary in the early years before the results become impressive later on.

The post Can you turn $20,000 into $100,000 with ASX shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The global oil shock continued, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining effectively closed with scores of oil tankers stranded.

The Reserve Bank of Australia raised interest rates for a third time in 2026 last month due to resurgent inflation.

Softer-than-expected inflation data and 18,600 job losses in April suggest the RBA is unlikely to raise rates again this month.

The market expects the RBA to keep interest rates on hold at 4.35% on 16 June.

Changes to capital gains tax (CGT) proposed in the Federal Budget shocked some investors last month.

The 50% CGT discount for assets held for more than a year will be replaced by cost-base indexation and a minimum 30% CGT rate from 1 July 2027.

Existing investments in ASX shares and property will be grandfathered.

That means the 50% CGT discount will continue to apply to gains accrued before 1 July 2027 on those assets.

After 1 July 2027, cost base indexation will apply for future gains on those existing investments.

There is one exception under the changes. Investors who buy new properties will be able to choose between the two CGT methods.

Private wealth and investment advisory firm, Medallion Financial Group, says the changes may encourage more focus on yield.

For example, investors may prefer to accumulate more franked ASX dividend shares over growth investments.

Drew Meredith, a principal adviser at Wattle Partners, provides 5 tips for investors considering topping up their dividend stocks.

Most bought ASX shares in May

The following ASX shares and ETFs were the most bought by investors using the Bell Direct trading platform last month.

The rankings are based on order of net value of buy orders, minus sell orders, placed by Bell Direct clients.

Given the number of experts discussing the enhanced appeal of dividends under the CGT changes, it's interesting to see the market's largest ASX dividend ETF at the top of the buy list.

Source: Bell Direct

Most sold ASX shares last month

Source: Bell Direct

The post Top 10 ASX shares bought and sold by investors in May appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

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 S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) by market capitalisation. 

CBA shares fell 5.6% in May and are trading around 1% lower again for the first day of June. At the time of writing, the ASX 200 bank shares are changing hands for $163.87 a piece.

Westpac shares fell 6.5% throughout the month, and are largely flat at the time of writing on Monday, at $36.02 a piece.

NAB shares also fell by 6.4% in May. At the time of writing, the bank shares are marginally higher, up around 0.4% to $37.48 each.

ANZ shares suffered a slightly smaller slump in May versus its peers. The bank stock fell 4% in May and has continued tumbling into the first day of June. At the time of writing, the shares are down around 0.5% to $35.03 a piece.

What about the mid-tier banks?

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN) shares fell 3.3%, and Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ) dropped nearly 7% in May. 

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) was the best performer by far and the only ASX 200 bank that saw a gain throughout the month. Its shares climbed around 1.5% in May.

It looks like Macquarie largely escaped the May bank sell-off. This is likely because it posted a stronger-than-expected FY26 result in the first week of the month.

Which ASX banks are a buy for June?

Macquarie Group is also the only ASX 200 bank share that brokers think can keep climbing higher.

Market Index data shows brokers have a buy rating on Macquarie Group shares. It tips around a 7% upside to $253.75 at the time of writing. 

Which ASX banks are a sell?

Analysts are concerned that CBA shares are still overvalued versus their peers. Market Index data shows brokers hold a strong sell rating on the ASX 200 bank's shares. They tip a potential average 23.85% downside to $124.20 at the time of writing.

Brokers also rate Westpac shares a strong sell and tip a 6% downside to an average target price of $33.97 over the next 12 months.

NAB shares are a sell, but the average $39.21 target price still implies a potential 5% upside, at the time of writing.

Meanwhile, Bank of Queensland shares are rated a sell and are tipped to fall just over 1% to $6.14 each.

Which ones are a hold?

Brokers rate ANZ shares as a hold, and they tip a 3.2% potential upside to an average $36.20 target price, at the time of writing. 

Bendigo shares are also rated a hold, and brokers tip a 3% upside to an average target price of $10.66.

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

Macquarie is one of the largest ASX financial shares, though it's smaller than the big four banks. I'd much prefer to buy Macquarie over Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) and National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB).

For starters, Macquarie's banking and financial services (BFS) division is growing a lot faster than the majors.

Strong domestic banking performance

Macquarie is growing rapidly in Australia's banking sector – I think it turn the group of big four ASX bank shares into a big five.

In FY26, the BFS segment grew operating income by 9% to $3.5 billion and its net profit contribution increasing by 17% to $1.6 billion.

The home loan portfolio rose by 28% year-over-year to $181.3 billion – it now represents 7.1% of the Australian market. Meanwhile, deposits rose by 25% year over year to $215.3 billion, representing 6.5% of the Australian market.

Business banking grew by 8% year-over-year to $18.1 billion.

If Macquarie continues delivering loan (and deposit) growth like that in the coming financial years, BFS could become one of the biggest competitors in the space. I think this division will become increasingly important for supporting the Macquarie share price.

International exposure

Less than a third of Macquarie's total income comes from Australia and New Zealand. The business is one of the most successful blue-chips at delivering growth overseas.

The Americas represent 31% of total income, EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Asia) represents 28% of total income and Asia represents 9% of total income.

Macquarie has done very well at investing in certain areas to help it generate good profit from different markets and different segments.

For example, Macquarie has worked hard to put its commodities and global markets (CGM) division into a good position to make great profits when conditions allow. In FY26, CGM's operating income grew by 30% to $7.8 billion and the net profit contribution improved by 49% to $4.2 billion.

The CGM division saw increased risk management income, primarily driven by increased client hedging activity across global gas and power businesses and global oil. There was also strong client activity globally across foreign currency and interest rate markets.

Valuation of the Macquarie share price

The Macquarie share price is currently valued at under 18x FY27's estimated earnings. It's not the cheapest business on the ASX, but I think it's well-positioned to grow earnings over the long-term. With how strongly the BFS division is growing, I think Macquarie is definitely one to watch.

But, there are a few other ASX shares then could be even better opportunities.

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

But it is not the end of the road. In fact, it can be the point where better habits, clearer priorities, and a long-term investment plan start to make a real difference.

If I were in that position, I would not try to get rich quickly. I would follow principles often associated with Warren Buffett: spend less than I earn, invest consistently, focus on quality, and let compounding work over time.

Start with the savings habit

The first step would be to create room for regular investing.

That might mean cutting unnecessary expenses, avoiding lifestyle creep, or directing pay rises and bonuses straight into investments. The amount does not need to be huge at the start.

What matters most is building the habit.

An investor who can put $500 a month into the share market is putting $6,000 a year to work. Over 20 years, that is $120,000 of contributions before any investment returns are included.

Once the habit is established, the numbers can become more powerful.

Invest like a business owner

Warren Buffett does not treat shares as flashing prices on a screen. He thinks like a business owner.

That is a useful mindset for anyone starting at 40. Instead of chasing hot tips, the focus should be on owning quality businesses with strong brands, durable earnings, and the ability to grow over many years.

On the ASX, that could mean looking at high-quality companies such as Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA), or Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG).

It could also mean using broad-based ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) to build instant diversification. This can reduce the risk of relying too heavily on one company or sector.

Let compounding do the heavy lifting

The real magic comes from staying invested.

If an investor put $500 a month into the share market and achieved an average annual return of 10%, they could build a portfolio worth more than $360,000 after 20 years.

That return is broadly in line with long-term share market averages, but it is not guaranteed. Some years will be strong, while others could disappoint.

The key is to keep going through the cycle. Selling in a panic after market falls can interrupt compounding just when future returns may become more attractive.

Foolish takeaway

Starting at 40 still leaves plenty of time.

An investor may have 20, 25, or even 30 years to build wealth before and during retirement. That is long enough for regular contributions and reinvested dividends to make a meaningful difference.

The Buffett approach is not exciting in the short term. It is built on patience, discipline, and sensible decisions repeated again and again.

For someone with no savings at 40, that may be just what is needed.

The post With no savings at 40, I'd follow Warren Buffett's approach to build wealth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.