The question is, how do you work out what to invest to get the passive income you want.

It's actually more straightforward than you'd think.

For example, let's assume you want to earn $1,000 in passive income every month by investing in ASX shares.

That totals $12,000 per year in dividend payments.

The easy way to work out the investment you need is to divide your annual passive income by the dividend yield.

The tricky part is that the answer varies widely depending on the dividend yield of the ASX shares you'd be buying. 

How much you'd need depending on the ASX share's dividend yield

Here's a breakdown of how much you can expect to invest depending on the dividend yield of the shares.

The average dividend yield on the Australian share market is traditionally around 4%. These are usually blue chip companies and major heavyweights which are considered low-risk but long-growth. For example, major banks like National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) and defensive stocks like Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS).

An investor would need to invest $300,000 into shares with a 4% dividend yield in order to earn a passive income of $1,000 per month (or $12,000 per year).

If the yield is higher, at around 6%, you're looking at a $200,000 investment. These are typically companies with a stronger cash flow, which operate in more cyclical industries, which comes with additional risk. For example, ASX infrastructure shares such as APA Group (ASX: APA) or energy companies like Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG).

Then there's high-yielding companies, which come with even greater risk, and are usually highly cyclical. ASX shares like intellectual property (IP) services company IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH) and media giant Nine Entertainment Co. Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC) yield around 10%, or even more. You'd only need to invest $120,000 in order to earn $1,000 in passive income.

The catch…

While it can be tempting to buy the shares with the highest yield with the view of lowering the initial investment amount, it's not usually a wise financial decision.

As I mentioned above, the higher the yield, the higher the level of risk. Rather than fast short-term growth, your focus should always be on earning a sustainable passive income over a long period of time.

The post How much would I need to invest in ASX shares to earn $1,000 in passive income every month? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The analyst team at Macquarie took the opportunity to run the ruler over the company following the deal being bedded down, and has a bullish stock price on Nine Entertainment shares, which we'll get to later. Firstly, what did Nine buy?

Major new business division

Nine said, on announcing the deal in January, that:

QMS is a leading digital outdoor media platform with operations in Australia and New Zealand. With a footprint concentrated in metro areas, QMS adds a digitally focused and growing media platform that complements Nine's existing media assets, whilst also benefiting from being part of the broader Nine Group.

They also noted that the outdoor advertising category had been a "standout performer" in the Australian advertising market, growing by about 9% annually from 2014 through to 2025, and expanding its share of the market from 10% to 18% over that period.

QMS itself was also estimated to have grown its share of the market from about 10% in 2019 to about 15% in 2025, Nine said, "through a combination of high-profile tender wins, new site builds and digitisation of billboards".

Nine said this week that it expects the acquisition of QMS to hit the bottom line immediately.

The company said:

Nine continues to expect QMS to contribute $92m of EBITDA in FY26 on a pro forma … basis (inclusive of outdoor lease expenses). Inclusive of full run-rate cost synergies of $20m, and adjusted for current interest rates, this equates to mid single digit earnings per share accretion. Following completion, Nine's digital growth assets (Stan, 9Now, digital mastheads and Outdoor) are estimated to contribute more than 60% of Group revenue in FY27, up from approximately 45% in FY25.

Nine Chief Executive Officer Matt Stanton said it was a "defining moment'' for Nine.

QMS is a high-growth, digitally-led business that complements our existing premium content and data capabilities. With the addition of QMS, we can offer advertisers an unparalleled cross-platform reach, while diversifying our revenue streams towards structural growth areas. Now the acquisition is complete, we are finalising the alignment of the Nine and QMS go to market sales strategies which will allow clients to capitalise on this powerful combination.

Nine Entertainment shares looking cheap

The Macquarie team said following the QMS acquisition, that Nine "should be better placed to deliver more consistent growth, although broadcast challenges need to be tamed with cost-out''.

Macquarie has a price target of  $1.15 per share on Nine shares, compared with 97 cents currently.

Nine is also expected to pay a dividend yield of 6.3% this year. The company is valued at $1.51 billion.

The post After a big acquisition what are Nine Entertainment shares worth? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The problem is working out how to narrow it down to the ones that suit your portfolio best.

Here are three high-yield ASX dividend shares that could offer a great passive income.

Atlas Arteria (ASX: ALX)

Atlas Arteria is a global owner, operator, and developer of toll roads, with a portfolio of five toll roads in France, Germany, and the United States.

The defensive-style asset benefits from long-term, predictable, and recurring cash flow, enabling it to pay consistently high dividends to shareholders.

Atlas is due to pay its second-half FY25 dividend to investors next month. It will pay 20 cents per security, unfranked, which equates to a trailing 9.1% dividend yield using the $4.355 share price at the time of writing. 

IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH)

IPH provides intellectual property (IP) services through a network of global brands. The group operates across ten jurisdictions in 25 countries, making it the largest IP services provider in the Asia-Pacific region. Its services cover everything from patent filing and trademarks to prosecution, portfolio management, and enforcement. A significant share of its revenue comes from the Asia-Pacific market.

The ASX dividend company consistently generates a strong cash flow from its operations. The company reported cash conversion of 101% in its first-half FY26 results.

It is this strong cash flow that has enabled the company to be an established, reliable dividend payer. It also gradually increases its dividend over time.

IPH paid an interim dividend of 10 cents per share yesterday, up 11.8% on the prior period. The company is expected to pay fully-franked dividends of 38 cents per share in FY26, translating to a dividend yield of 11.7% at IPH's $3.245 share price at the time of writing.

Nine Entertainment Co. Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC)

Media giant Nine Entertainment underwent a strategic reshape of its business during the first half of FY26. The shift included a broad portfolio restructure involving acquisitions and asset sales, enhancing its digital and streaming revenue.

The ASX dividend company acquired QMS Media, sold Nine Radio, and restructured its NBN and Darwin TV operations. It also sold its controlling stake in property platform Domain. 

The $1.4 billion Domain deal allowed Nine to reduce debt, boost its balance sheet, and return roughly $777 million (paying a special dividend at a rate of 49 cents per share) to investors in late 2025. 

Nine is due to pay investors an unfranked interim dividend of 4.5 cents per share next month. The company is expected to pay 9 cents per share for the full year, which translates to a dividend yield of 9.88% at its current share price of 89.5 cents a piece.

The post 3 ASX dividend shares yielding 9% (or more) appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Here are five ASX stable dividend shares I think are a great opportunity for passive-income-seeking investors, all paying yields between 6% and 10%.

APA Group (ASX: APA)

APA is one of the most stable income stocks listed on the ASX. The energy infrastructure business is well-known for paying strong, consistent dividends, with revenue derived from long-term contracted infrastructure assets. The company paid an interim dividend of 27.5 cents in the first half of FY26 and is guiding a full-year dividend of 58 cents per share. Its current dividend yield is 6.23%, partially franked.

Inghams Group Ltd (ASX: ING)

Food producer Inghams is a reasonably stable income stock. As a customer staple company with steady demand, its dividends are linked directly to food prices. And as everyone needs to eat, it's a business that is relatively defensive. In the first half of FY26, Inghams paid a fully-franked interim dividend of 4 cents per share, down from 11 cents previously. Its yield is pretty high, though, at 9.36%.

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG)

The miner's stock is historically volatile because it closely tracks changes in iron ore prices. The material's price is expected to remain relatively stable through 2026, but gradually decline through to 2030 as supply increases. But Fortescue is a low-cost producer, which means it can remain profitable even when prices fall, though its dividends may fluctuate. The ASX dividend stock paid investors 62 cents per share for the first half of FY26. Broker UBS predicts that Fortescue could pay an annual dividend per share of $1.22.  Fortescue's current dividend yield is 6.23%, fully franked.

New Hope Corporation (ASX: NHC)

The thermal coal miner's shares have climbed over 21% in the past 12 months as improving coal prices and strong production figures boosted investor confidence. New Hope paid 15 cents per share in October. At current levels, the miner is offering a dividend yield of roughly 6.75%, fully franked. 

Nine Entertainment Co. Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC)

The media giant underwent a strategic reshape of its business during the first half of FY26. It acquired QMS Media, sold Nine Radio, restructured its NBN and Darwin TV operations, and sold its controlling stake in property platform Domain. The deal allowed Nine to reduce debt, boost its balance sheet, and return roughly $777 million to investors. Nine is due to pay investors an interim dividend of 4.5 cents per share, unfranked, next month. The company is expected to pay 9 cents per share for the full year. Its current dividend yield is 7.54%.

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

ASX 200 expected to sink

The Australian share market looks set for a disappointing start to the week following declines on Wall Street on Friday. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 156 points or 1.75% lower. In the United States, the Dow Jones was down 0.95%, the S&P 500 dropped 1.3%, and the Nasdaq tumbled 1.6%.

Oil prices surge

It could be a very positive start to the week for ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) after oil prices surged on Friday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price was up 12.2% to US$90.90 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price was up 8.5% to US$92.69 a barrel. This meant that oil futures rallied 35% for the week, which is the biggest gain in futures trading history.

ASX 200 shares going ex-div

A couple of ASX 200 shares are going ex-dividend this morning and could trade lower. These are entertainment giant Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC) and private hospital operator Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC). The latter will be paying its shareholders a fully franked 42.5 cents per share interim dividend later this month on 26 March.

Gold price rises

ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a good start to the week after the gold price pushed higher on Friday night. According to CNBC, the gold futures price was up 1.6% to US$5,158.7 an ounce. The precious metal rose after US economic data wasn't supportive of rate hikes.

ASX 200 rebalance

S&P Dow Jones Indices has announced changes in the S&P/ASX Indices, effective prior to the open of trade on March 23 following its quarterly review. Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT), DigiCo Infrastructure REIT (ASX: DGT), and EBOS Group Ltd (ASX: EBO) shares are being dumped from the index. Replacing them will be Predictive Discovery Ltd (ASX: PDI), SRG Global Ltd (ASX: SRG), and Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: VUL).

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

For you to be entitled to a stock's next dividend, you must own it before its ex-dividend date.

Here are some of the ASX shares going ex-dividend next week.

ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week

The post 32 ASX shares about to go ex-dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The market took a breather yesterday to assess the impact of the US and Israel attack on Iran, with energy the only sector to rise.

Meanwhile, the following three ASX 200 shares hit new 52-week lows yesterday.

Are they a buying opportunity?

Let's ask the experts.

3 ASX 200 shares at 52-week lows

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)

This ASX 200 healthcare share fell to a 52-week low of $2.70 on Tuesday.

The stock has come off by 7.5% after reaching heady levels last year due to the Chemist Warehouse merger.

Morgans thinks Sigma Healthcare shares are still worth buying, but cautiously.

The broker downgraded its rating from buy to accumulate after going through Sigma's 1H FY26 report.

In a note, Morgans said:

SIG posted a solid 1H26, which was in line with consensus.

The highlights included solid CW LFL sales growth (up 15%), revenue growth higher than cost growth by 4.5%, and synergy targets on track.

We move to an ACCUMULATE (was Buy) due to YTD share price strength.

Morgans reduced its 12-month price target from $3.39 to $3.36.

Reliance Worldwide Corp Ltd (ASX: RWC)

The Reliance Worldwide share price fell to a 52-week low of $3.13 on Tuesday.

The ASX 200 industrial share has pulled back 35% over the past 12 months.

Morgans maintained a hold rating on the stock after reviewing the company's 1H FY26 report.

The broker commented:

RWC's 1H26 result was below expectations, impacted by ongoing subdued housing conditions in all regions and higher costs, particularly in relation to US tariffs.

Management anticipates trading conditions in 2H26 to remain broadly consistent with 1H26, albeit US tariff mitigation strategies and the roll-off of some costs should see an uplift in margins.

Longer term, RWC aims to reduce its exposure to copper price volatility by substituting copper with alternative materials such as plastic and stainless steel.

The company's new operations in Poland and Mexico will also help lower costs and provide manufacturing flexibility.

Morgans said it prefers "to wait for clearer signs of an improvement in housing conditions before reconsidering our view".

The broker slashed its 12-month price target from $4.50 to $3.65.

Nine Entertainment Co. Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC)

This ASX 200 communications share fell to a 52-week low of 99 cents yesterday.

That's a 40% fall over 12 months.

Following the media giant's 1H FY26 report, Morgan Stanley reiterated its buy rating on Nine Entertainment shares with a $1.40 target.

UBS kept its hold rating on the stock and lowered its price target from $1.22 to $1.13.

The post 3 ASX 200 shares at 52-week lows: Buy, hold, or sell? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Despite revenue softness in broadcast television, investors appeared encouraged by profit growth, margin expansion and improving balance sheet strength following the sale of Domain.

What did Nine report?

On a continuing business basis, Nine reported revenue of $1.06 billion for the six months to 31 December 2025, down 5% on the prior corresponding period.

However, Group EBITDA before specific items rose 6% to $192 million, with the EBITDA margin expanding from 16% to 18%. Net profit after tax (before specific items) increased 30% to $95 million, while statutory net profit rose 42% to $81 million.

Earnings per share lifted 30% to 6.0 cents. The board declared an interim dividend of 4.5 cents per share, unfranked.

Nine ended the half in a net cash position of $158 million following the Domain disposal, a significant shift from prior leverage.

What else do investors need to know?

The standout performer was Stan.

Stan revenue increased 15% to $282.7 million, underpinned by strong subscriber growth and a 6% lift in average revenue per user (ARPU). Paying subscribers are now around 2.4 million. Importantly, average Stan Sport subscribers rose 40% year-on-year, driven primarily by the addition of the English Premier League and FA Cup rights.

Stan EBITDA rose 24% to $36.6 million, even as sport-related costs increased due to the new Premier League contract.

In contrast, Total Television revenue fell 14% against a strong Olympic comparison and a soft advertising market. However, disciplined cost management meant Total TV EBITDA was broadly flat at $99 million, with margins improving.

Publishing delivered stable EBITDA of $73.7 million. Digital subscription revenue grew 17%, with total subscribers exceeding 516,000 and ARPU up 14%, more than offsetting print declines.

Across the group, around $43 million of cost efficiencies were delivered during the half, with approximately $32 million ongoing.

What did management say?

CEO Matt Stanton said the result reflected strong audience reach, growing subscription revenue and disciplined cost management despite macro uncertainty.

He highlighted strategic progress including the announced acquisition of outdoor media business QMS and the sale of Nine Radio, positioning Nine toward higher-growth digital assets.

What's next for Nine?

Nine expects Total TV revenue in the third quarter to be broadly flat against a strong prior-year comparator. Strong EBITDA growth is expected to continue at Stan, with subscription growth anticipated to more than offset higher sport costs.

With digital and subscription businesses now driving a growing share of earnings, investors appear to be backing Nine's strategic pivot toward streaming, publishing and outdoor growth platforms.

The post Nine shares jump 4% as Stan and Premier League power profit growth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Nine Entertainment report?

• Group revenue (continuing operations): $1.06 billion, down 5% on the prior year
• Group EBITDA (continuing operations): $192 million, up 6% on H1 FY25
• Net Profit After Tax (NPAT, continuing operations): $95 million, up 30%
• Statutory net profit: $81 million, up 42% on pcp
• Interim dividend: 4.5 cents per share, unfranked, payable 23 April 2026
• Underlying subscription revenues grew 13% and group EBITDA margin improved from 16.2% to 18.2%

What else do investors need to know?

Nine delivered its second consecutive half of EBITDA growth, despite a subdued advertising market, as streaming service Stan and the group's mastheads led the way. The company executed significant cost reduction, delivering about $43 million in efficiencies during the half, with $32 million of these savings expected to continue.

Strategic reshaping of the business saw Nine announce the acquisition of QMS Media and the sale of Nine Radio. The restructuring of its NBN and Darwin TV operations as affiliates will bring in additional proceeds and tax benefits, supporting the shift to a more digital, scalable business. The Domain sale generated cash used for a special dividend and strengthened Nine's balance sheet, leaving the group in a net cash position of $158 million at period end.

What did Nine Entertainment management say?

CEO Matt Stanton said:

Nine's second consecutive half of EBITDA growth was achieved against the backdrop of a soft advertising market – with growth from Stan, the metro mastheads and the AFR, as well as a resilient result from Total TV. Our business continues to be defined by strong audience reach and engagement, coupled with disciplined cost management.

Over the past six months, there have been material strategic and operational achievements that will cement Nine's path for the future.

These transactions will create a higher-growth, digitally powered and resilient Nine Group for our consumers, advertisers, people and shareholders. This positions Nine well for the future, enabling the Group to withstand industry disruption and deliver long-term sustainable value to our shareholders. The strategic transformation represents a step change in Nine's asset portfolio, with digital growth businesses expected to account for 60% of revenue from FY27, up from 45% in FY25.

What's next for Nine Entertainment?

Looking ahead, Nine expects to complete the QMS Media acquisition and finalise recent divestments by mid-2026, pending approvals. The company is forecasting ongoing audience and subscriber growth in its digital and streaming businesses, with cost discipline and selective investment in technology and content across all divisions.

Total Television revenues for Q3 FY26 are expected to hold steady, with ongoing cost-cutting initiatives offsetting inflationary pressures. The business remains focused on shifting further toward digital growth, aiming for 60% of group revenue from digital sources by FY27. Investment in data capabilities and content is aimed at supporting Nine's future earnings and connecting more deeply with audiences and advertisers.

Nine Entertainment share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, the Nine Entertainment shares have declined 35%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 9% over the same period. 

View Original Announcement

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Both News Corporation (ASX: NWS) and Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC) shares have lost about 30% of their value in the past 6 months.

With the ASX media shares well below their highs, is this a buying opportunity, or are tougher times still ahead?

News Corp

News Corp remains one of the world's most influential media companies. The heavyweight ASX media share owns mastheads such as The Wall Street Journal and The Australian, alongside book publisher HarperCollins and digital platforms like Dow Jones.

The company's strength lies in its premium content and subscription-led model. Paid digital news and data services have helped insulate News Corp from the worst of the advertising downturn.

Last week, the company reported net income of US$242 million, down 21% on the prior corresponding quarter, which had been boosted by a one-off gain from REA Group's sale of PropertyGuru.

Total segment EBITDA rose 9% to US$521 million, though this included a US$16 million one-off inventory write-down at HarperCollins.

But weaknesses persist. Traditional print remains in structural decline, and the business is still exposed to cyclical advertising markets. News Corp also faces ongoing reputational, regulatory scrutiny, and past political and governance controversies.

The ASX media share trades at $37.26 apiece at the time of writing, having lost 27% of its value in the past 6 months. Most analysts see this as a good entry level and rate News Corp as a buy. Their average 12-month price target is $54.07, which implies a 43% upside.  

Analysts at Macquarie said News Corp's latest results beat expectations across revenue, EBITDA, and net profit, while profitability had continued to improve. The broker has a price target of $44.40 on the shares. Factoring in the company's modest dividend yield, Macquarie is expecting a total shareholder return of 16.4% over 12 months.

UBS is more bullish on News Corp shares, with a price target of $65.50, pointing to a 75% upside.

Nine Entertainment

The ASX media share has been under heavy pressure for much of the past year, sliding around 32% in the past 6 months. Slowing TV advertising, structural shifts in media consumption, and capital management concerns have weighed on the sentiment of the Nine Entertainment share.

Despite cost discipline and occasional earnings resilience, Nine's share price remained anchored well below its highs. It reflects deep caution toward traditional broadcasters. The business remains heavily exposed to free-to-air television, a segment under pressure from softer advertising markets.

That caution cracked when the ASX media stock unveiled plans to acquire QMS Media for roughly $850 million while exiting radio and reshaping its regional television footprint.

QMS is expected to generate about $105 million in EBITDA in calendar year 2026, which would be a double-digit increase over the previous year, Nine said. The merger should also deliver about $20 million in annual cost savings by FY29, according to the board of Nine Entertainment.

The market responded swiftly, pushing the ASX share higher as investors reassessed the company's direction. The share price recovered slightly and is now up 4% for the year, hovering just above the 52-week low at $1.15 at the time of writing.

The focus now shifts to execution. Nine must stabilise earnings from traditional media while accelerating growth across digital assets such as Stan.

Most brokers continue to rate the ASX media stock a buy following its sharp decline. The average 12-month price target sits at $1.29, suggesting potential upside of about 11%.

The post Near 52-week lows: Which ASX media share is the smarter buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The media group's shares posted their strongest jump in months. It followed a decisive portfolio shake-up built around a major acquisition and a clean break from legacy assets.

The ASX media stock gained another 6.55% on Monday to finish the day at $1.22. Nine Entertainment is still 29% down over the last 6 months, though, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which is up 1.33% over the same period.

Slowing advertising, capital concerns

The ASX media stock has been under heavy pressure for much of the past year, sliding around 30% from mid-2025 levels. Slowing TV advertising, structural shifts in media consumption, and capital management concerns have weighed on sentiment of the Nine Entertainment share.

Despite cost discipline and occasional earnings resilience, Nine's share price remained anchored well below its highs, reflecting deep caution toward traditional broadcasters.

That caution cracked when the ASX media stock unveiled plans to acquire QMS Media for roughly $850 million while exiting radio and reshaping its regional television footprint. QMS is expected to generate about $105 million in EBITDA in calendar year 2026, which would be a double-digit increase over the previous year, Nine said.

The merger should also deliver about $20 million in annual cost savings by FY29, according to the board of Nine Entertainment.

The market responded swiftly, pushing the stock sharply higher as investors reassessed the company's direction.

Clear shift outdoor advertising

The QMS deal signals a clear pivot away from legacy broadcasting toward a broader, digitally driven advertising platform. Outdoor advertising — one of the faster-growing segments of the ad market — adds scale and diversification to Nine's existing TV, streaming, and publishing assets.

Nine Entertainment thinks the takeover strengthens its "sofa-to-street" reach. Management of the ASX media stock expects digital-led businesses to generate more than 60% of revenue by FY27, underscoring the urgency of the transformation.

Exit radio, digital focus

Risks remain. Higher leverage, integration challenges, and pressure on dividend franking credits temper enthusiasm, while free-to-air advertising continues to face long-term headwinds. Still, the exit from radio and renewed focus on scalable digital assets highlight how aggressively Nine is repositioning itself.

For long-suffering shareholders, the recent rally offered something rare. It could be evidence that the ASX media share's multi-year reset may finally be translating into market confidence, even if the hard work is far from over.

Most brokers continue to rate the media stock a buy following its sharp decline in the past 6 months. The average 12-month price target sits at $1.27, suggesting potential upside of 4%.

Nine was valued at $1.93 billion at the close of trade on Monday.

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

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Four ASX shares that are not letting that hold them back today are listed below. Here's why they are rising:

4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX)

The 4DMedical share price is up 3% to $3.53. This follows news that the respiratory imaging technology has expanded its partnership with University of Chicago Medicine to include commercial deployment of CT:VQ. 4DMedical's founder CEO, Andreas Fouras, said: "University of Chicago Medicine is one of the nation's most respected AMCs and a pioneer in medical innovation. Their expansion of our partnership to include CT:VQ represents powerful validation of both the clinical value our technology delivers and the strength of our commercialisation approach."

Appen Ltd (ASX: APX)

The Appen share price is up a further 24% to $1.75. This artificial intelligence data services company's shares have been on fire this week following the release of a strong quarterly update. Appen reported revenue of $73.4 million. This was a 10% lift on the prior corresponding period and a 33% increase on the third quarter of FY 2025. Appen's CEO, Ryan Kolln, said: "Q4 was a strong finish to the year for both our China and Global businesses. Appen China exited the quarter with an annualised revenue run-rate growing to over $135 million – a pleasing result, providing strong momentum heading into FY26."

Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC)

The Nine Entertainment share price is up 4.5% to $1.14. This morning, the media company announced a major strategic shake-up. This includes acquiring digital outdoor media platform QMS Media for $850 million. In addition, it is offloading its radio assets and transitioning its regional TV station NBN to affiliate status. Nine's CEO, Matt Stanton, said: "Today's announcements mark a critical milestone in our Nine2028 transformation. These transactions will create a more efficient, higher-growth, and digitally powered Nine Group for our consumers, advertisers, shareholders and people."

ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD)

The ResMed share price is up 3.5% to $37.66. Investors have been buying this sleep disorder treatment company's shares following the release of another strong quarterly update. ResMed reported an 11% increase in revenue US$1.4 billion thanks to increased demand for its portfolio of sleep devices, masks, and accessories. And thanks to further margin expansion, ResMed posted an 18% increase in income from operations. ResMed's chairman and CEO, Mick Farrell, said: "Our second quarter results demonstrate the strength and resilience of our global business as we continue advancing our mission to help people sleep better, breathe better, and live longer and healthier lives in the comfort of their own home."

The post Why 4DMedical, Appen, Nine Entertainment, and ResMed shares are storming higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

It's a welcome turnaround for the company's shares, which closed on Thursday at $1.09, not far off their 12-month low of $1.07, and well below the high for the same period of $1.90. They were changing hands for $1.12, up 3.4% on Friday morning.

Major foray into outdoor

One of the key pillars of the restructure announced on Friday was the $850 million acquisition of digital outdoor media platform QMS Media from Quadrant Private Equity.

Nine said the deal would be funded by existing debt facilities and cash reserves and would be completed by the end of June.

The company said further:

QMS is a leading digital outdoor media platform with operations in Australia and New Zealand. With a footprint concentrated in metro areas, QMS adds a digitally focused and growing media platform that complements Nine's existing media assets, whilst also benefiting from being part of the broader Nine Group.

Nine said the outdoor advertising category had been growing by about 9% annually over the past decade, "expanding its share of the Australian advertising market from 10% to 18% over that period''.

Nine added:

Outdoor is expected to remain resilient to the impact of the global digital platforms and the impact of AI, both of which represent challenges to other segments of the media marketplace.

QMS was expected to generate about $105 million in EBITDA in calendar year 2026, which would be a double-digit increase over the previous year, Nine said.

The merger was also expected to deliver about $20 million in annual cost savings by FY29, "driven by the consolidation of back-office functions, technology infrastructure, procurement efficiencies and the switching of marketing spend into QMS''.

Legacy radio to be sold

On the radio front, Nine said it would sell its broadcast assets, including 2GB and 3AW, to the Laundy Family Office for $56 million.

Despite selling its broadcast assets, Nine said it would retain a "growing presence" in the digital audio market, "leveraging the group's video production and distribution capabilities, through podcasts, text-to-audio and vodcast (the convergence of digital audio and video)''.

The result of the restructures announced on Friday would be that digital growth businesses were expected to account for more than 60% of revenue from FY27, compared with about 45% in FY25.

Nine Chief Executive Officer Matt Stanton said:

Today's announcements mark a critical milestone in our Nine2028 transformation. These transactions will create a more efficient, higher-growth, and digitally powered Nine group for our consumers, advertisers, shareholders and people. This positions Nine well for the future, enabling the group to withstand industry disruption and deliver long-term sustainable value to our shareholders.

Nine was valued at $1.72 billion at the close of trade on Thursday.

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What did Nine report?

• Acquisition of QMS Media for $850 million (cash and debt free basis), with completion targeted before 30 June 2026.
• Sale of Nine's radio assets for $56 million and conversion of NBN to affiliate under WIN Network for $15 million.
• Net one-off cash tax loss benefits of approximately $178 million, offsetting tax from a previous Domain stake sale.
• Pro forma EBITDA contribution of $113 million from these transactions in CY26, with an implied multiple of 5.3x.
• EPS accretion forecast: marginally positive pre-synergies and low double-digit percent including synergies in FY26.
• Expected unfranked dividends for FY26 and part of FY27 due to tax loss utilisation reducing available franking credits.

What else do investors need to know?

Nine's asset reshuffle means future growth will be more heavily anchored in fast-growing, resilient digital segments, including Streaming, Outdoor and Publishing. The acquisition of QMS, a digital outdoor market leader, adds significant scale and a complementary revenue stream to Nine's portfolio.

The Group expects cost savings of up to $20 million a year from integrating QMS, particularly through shared back-end operations and procurement. On the flip side, the sale of the lower-growth radio and regional TV businesses will allow Nine to focus on its core metro and digital assets. Nine's leverage will rise temporarily to about 1.8x but is anticipated to revert to its target range (1.0x–1.5x) by the end of FY27.

What did Nine management say?

Matt Stanton, CEO, said:

Today's announcements mark a critical milestone in our Nine2028 transformation. These transactions will create a more efficient, higher-growth, and digitally powered Nine Group for our consumers, advertisers, shareholders and people. This positions Nine well for the future, enabling the Group to withstand industry disruption and deliver long-term sustainable value to our shareholders.

What's next for Nine?

Nine is accelerating its transition into a digital-first media business. Management sees significant opportunities from cross-platform advertising, greater operational efficiency, and bundled offerings for advertisers. The addition of QMS is expected to add new capabilities and help Nine diversify revenue further.

Nine continues to guide to EBITDA growth in H1 FY26 and expects its balance sheet to strengthen post-2027 after realising transaction-related tax benefits. Investors should note dividends will temporarily be unfranked due to reduced franking credits, but the company remains committed to a 60–80% payout ratio of net profit before significant items.

Nine share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Nine Entertainment shares have declined 20%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Nine Entertainment shakes up portfolio: QMS buy, radio sale, and digital focus appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Over the past six months, the prices of the three ASX 200 media shares have tumbled between 15% and 30%. The sell-off reflects a mix of structural pressures, regulatory scrutiny, and shifting sentiment, rather than a single common trigger.

However, most analysts see upside for the media stocks. Let's find out who they see as the winner.

News Corp

News Corp remains one of the world's most influential media companies. The heavyweight ASX media share owns mastheads such as The Wall Street Journal and The Australian, alongside book publisher HarperCollins and digital platforms like Dow Jones.

The company's strength lies in its premium content and subscription-led model. Paid digital news and data services have helped insulate News Corp from the worst of the advertising downturn. Its global reach and political influence also give it a unique position in public debate and policymaking.

But weaknesses persist. Traditional print remains in structural decline, and the business is still exposed to cyclical advertising markets. News Corp also faces ongoing reputational, regulatory scrutiny, and past political and governance controversies.

Strategically, News Corp is betting that trusted journalism, data-driven services, and digital marketplaces can offset legacy declines. In a fragmented media landscape, scale and trust remain News Corp's biggest assets and its biggest tests.

The ASX media share trades at $45.77 per share at the time of writing, having lost 15% of its value in the past 6 months. Most analysts see News Corp as a buy. Their average 12-month price target is $57.38, which implies a 25% upside.   

REA Group

REA Group's decline in 2025 has been driven more by growth concerns than by any clear deterioration in its business. The ASX media share continues to dominate Australia's online property market through realestate.com.au, retaining strong pricing power and delivering earnings growth.

Even though the share price has fallen, REA's latest results show the business continues to grow. In the first quarter of FY26, revenue rose about 4% year on year, while profit increased roughly 5%, supported by resilient demand across its core markets.

However, caution has crept in. A fall in new national property listings has raised questions about near-term momentum, while an ACCC investigation into REA's pricing practices, launched in May, has added regulatory uncertainty.

Even so, analysts remain largely constructive. Macquarie rates the stock neutral with a $220 price target, while UBS sees stronger upside with a $255 target. On average, broker forecasts still point to 32% upside over the next 12 months.

Nine Entertainment

Nine's share price fall has been steeper, and not entirely for operational reasons. In May, the company sold its 60% stake in Domain and returned capital via a special dividend. When the stock went ex-dividend in September, the share price dropped 34% to reflect that payout.

Beyond the technical impact, the ASX 200 media share faces genuine challenges. The business remains heavily exposed to free-to-air television, a segment under pressure from softer advertising markets. Brokers have responded by trimming 2026 revenue forecasts from about $2.7 billion to closer to $2.3 billion.

The focus now shifts to execution. Nine must stabilise earnings from traditional media while accelerating growth across digital assets such as Stan.

Most brokers continue to rate the media stock a buy following its sharp decline. The average 12-month price target sits at $1.31, suggesting potential upside of about 16%.

The post Which ASX media share to buy: News Corp, Nine or REA Group? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

REA shares are down 20.5% to $186.49 over 6 months, while Nine Entertainment has tumbled 32% over the same period to $1.13, at the time of writing.

Although the reasons behind the fall differ, both companies are under pressure from a combination of structural challenges, regulatory scrutiny, and shifting investor sentiment.

With share prices well off their highs, investors are now asking the question: does this sell-off present a buying opportunity, or are there more headwinds ahead?

Let's take a closer look at the ASX media shares and see how analysts are reading the situation.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

REA Group shares, which give investors exposure to property platform realestate.com.au, have taken a noticeable hit in 2025.

Importantly, the sell-off appears to be driven more by sentiment and concerns around future growth than by any major deterioration in the underlying business.

The ASX media share continues to dominate its market, benefits from strong pricing power, and is still delivering earnings growth. Even though the share price has fallen, REA's latest results show the business continues to grow.

In the first quarter of FY26, revenue rose by about 4% compared with last year, while profits increased by roughly 5%, supported by steady demand in REA's key markets.

That said, several factors have made investors more cautious. The ASX media share reported a decline in new national property listings, which has raised questions about near-term growth. Adding to the uncertainty, the ACCC launched an investigation into the company's pricing practices in May.

Despite these concerns, analysts have not turned overly bearish. Macquarie has a neutral rating and a price target of $220. Other brokers are more optimistic. UBS has a price target of $255, which points to a 37% upside.

While some targets have been trimmed recently, the average 12-month price target for the ASX 200 media stock still sits 11% above the current price.

Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC)

Nine Entertainment's share price decline has been more dramatic in the past 6 months. Part of the drop was technical rather than purely fundamental.

In May, the company sold its 60% stake in Domain, returning capital to shareholders via a special dividend. When the stock went ex-dividend on 11 September, the share price fell sharply by 34% to reflect that payout.

However, the ASX media share is facing genuine operational challenges. Analysts are increasingly wary of the company's heavy reliance on its free-to-air television business, which remains highly exposed to a softer advertising market.

As a result, some brokers have downgraded revenue forecasts for 2026 from around $2.7 billion to closer to $2.3 billion.

Looking ahead, Nine's key challenge will be stabilising earnings from its traditional television and radio assets. The ASX media share will have to achieve meaningful growth through its digital platforms such as Stan.

Macquarie's research team has expressed continued caution, pointing to uncertainty around free-to-air advertising spending and the need for disciplined cost management to support earnings.

Even so, analyst expectations have not collapsed. Most brokers have trimmed their price targets recently, with the 12-month price average now sitting at $1.31. That suggests potential upside of 16% from current levels.

The majority of analysts continue to rate the stock as a (strong) buy, largely reflecting the significantly lower share price.

The post Are these 2 ASX 200 media shares a bargain? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

But as we turn the page on a new year, do either of these media companies offer upside for investors?

Here's what analysts are saying. 

Nine Entertainment

Nine Entertainment is the company behind the 9Network on free to air TV. 

However it also owns newspaper mastheads like Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and the Australian Financial Review. 

Additionally, its digital assets include the Stan streaming service. 

Its share price is down about 13.8% in the last 12 months. 

For comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX:XTJ) is up roughly 4% in the same period. 

Its stock price may be catching the attention of those looking to scoop up an undervalued company, as its share price sits close to a 5-year low. 

The outlook for Nine Entertainment shares might be risky due to the challenges faced by traditional, advertisement reliant, free-to-air media. 

However it is worth noting that the company's ownership of streaming services Stan and 9Now shows the company is adapting to the new media landscape.

Management said in its 2025 AGM, it expects EBITDA growth in H1 FY26 over H1 FY25, with further cost efficiencies. 

So are Nine Entertainment shares a buy?

It appears that while expectations should be realistic, it has now fallen below fair value. 

The average analyst rating courtesy of TradingView projects a 16% rise in the next 12 months. 

News Corp

While many Australians would be familiar with News Corp's media ownership here in Australia, it also has a significant presence in the US, and the UK.

The company's key newspaper mastheads include The Wall Street Journal, The Times, and the Daily Telegraph and Herald Sun.

News Corp shares have also fallen significantly in the last year. 

The share price has fallen by approximately 7% in the last 12 months and currently sits close to it 52-week low.

This is despite the company reporting modest growth in Q1FY25.

The company reported a 2% increase in revenue, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased 5%. 

It seems buying low on News Corp shares could bring upside in the coming year. 

Last November, Jarden adjusted its price target to $51.70 on News Corp shares. 

Additionally, TradingView has an average one year price target of $57.38. 

From yesterday's closing price of $45.22, this indicates an upside between 14% and 27% for News Corp shares. 

The post Are Nine Entertainment or News Corp shares a better buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

While the drivers are different, both ASX 200 media shares are facing a mix of structural headwinds, regulatory pressure, and investor re-rating.

Let's take a closer look at both media companies and find out whether analysts consider the recent downturn a chance to buy at lower prices.

REA Group Ltd 

The share price of REA Group, the owner of realestate.com.au, has tumbled 20% in the past six months and 9.7% in the past month to $192.41 at the time of writing.

The decrease appears to be more about sentiment and future growth expectations than a collapse in fundamentals. On paper, the long-term business of this ASX 200 media share remains operationally strong. REA Group dominates its market, the pricing model is powerful, and earnings are still growing.

However, there are a few reasons why investors are selling their REA Group shares. The company recently reported a decline in new national listings, and in May, the ACCC launched a probe into REA's pricing practices.

Competition for REA could also be fiercer after competitor Domain was acquired by CoStar Group Inc (NASDAQ: CSGP) in August. 

Analysts remain cautiously optimistic. Morgans recently cut its target price for the next 12 months to $247. This is a little higher than the average price target set by analysts and indicates a 28% upside from its current share price. 

Analysts at Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) recently sliced their 12-month target to $220 because of uncertainty around AI, increased competition, and the ACCC regulatory investigation.

Macquarie's target is on the low side, suggesting an upside of 14%.  

Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd

Nine Entertainment's share price drop was mainly technical, linked to a special dividend paid after selling its 60% stake in Domain in May. On the ex-dividend date (11 September), the ASX 200 media share fell sharply by 34% to reflect this payout.  

Beyond the special dividend, the media company is also battling a weaker business outlook. Analysts are particularly concerned about Nine's reliance on its television business, which is vulnerable to a softer advertising market. That has been a reason for some brokers to cut revenue estimates for 2026 from $2.7 billion to $2.3 billion.

In the past 6 months, Nine Entertainment shares have lost 30.5% in value. At the time of writing, the media stock trades at $1.11 per share, almost 11% lower than a year ago.

The main challenge for Nine Entertainment will be to stabilise earnings with its core television and radio assets and deliver growth through digital platforms, such as Stan.

The research team at Macquarie said they remained cautious with regard to free-to-air television advertising spending, "and the need to constantly manage costs to support earnings".

In recent weeks, most analysts have downgraded their price targets to an average of $1.44, suggesting a 28% upside at the current share price. The majority of analysts still rate the media stock a hold or buy, mainly due to the weaker share price.

The post Where to from here for these 2 ASX 200 media shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.