ASX shares typically pay out just two dividends a year. That's the case for most of the ASX's famous blue chips, whether it be Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW), or Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS).

Some ASX shares and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) fork out quarterly dividends, but these are uncommon. Rarer still are monthly dividend payers. Yet many investors appreciate the regularity of a monthly dividend.

Those investors currently have only a few options, including Plato Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: PL8) and the BetaShares S&P Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: HYLD). But they will soon have one more to consider.

This month, fund manager Solaris Investment Management revealed plans to float a listed investment company (LIC) that will follow the strategy of its existing Solaris Australian Equity Income Fund, an unlisted managed fund.

A new monthly ASX dividend stock

This fund invests in a basket of underlying ASX dividend shares. The fund's latest update tells us that these include Nine Entertainment Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC), BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) and Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM).

The Solaris Australian Equity Income Fund has been around since 2016. Since that time, it has delivered some robust results for investors. As of 28 February, investors have enjoyed an average return of 11.21% per annum. Of that 11.21%, 8.33% per annum came from dividend income distributions, including the value of franking credits. The other 2.88% came from capital growth.

As we speak, Solaris is undertaking a capital raising, at $2 a share, from investors to launch the listed version of the Solaris Australian Equity Income Fund. It will be known as Solaris Australian Equity Income Plus Ltd, and will trade with the ASX ticker code 'SET'. Solaris has nominated 17 April 2026 as the day that shares of this new ASX dividend stock are expected to commence trading.

Upon listing, Solaris has stated that the new company will have three objectives:

• generate income, inclusive of franking credits, that exceeds the income of the S&P/ASX 200 Franking Credit Adjusted Daily Total Return Index (Tax-Exempt) (Benchmark) annually
• generate total returns that are broadly in line with, or exceed, the Benchmark over the medium to long term
• deliver regular monthly income in the form of franked dividends

The fund manager expects Solaris Australian Equity Income Plus Ltd to pay the first of its monthly dividends in August this year. While there's no guarantee (as with any ASX dividend stock) that investors will receive an 8%-plus dividend yield going forward, the company's successful track record in delivering income will be reassuring for many.

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

As we've reported, some of the biggest dividend increases among ASX mining shares this season came from the gold miners.

Next week, two of them go ex-dividend.

Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) shares will pay a fully-franked interim dividend of 3 cents per share on 15 April.

This exceeds the company's commitment to pay a minimum annual dividend of 2 cents per share for FY26.

Ramelius Resources reported a 13% increase in EBITDA to $347.7 million but a 6% fall in net profit after tax (NPAT) to $160 million.

The ASX gold share goes ex-dividend on Monday.

Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) shares will pay a maiden fully franked interim dividend of 5 cents per share.

The gold miner reported a 130% jump in underlying NPAT to $144.8 million for 1H FY26.

The ASX gold share also goes ex-dividend on Monday.

Here is a sample of the other ASX All Ords shares with ex-dividend dates next week.

ASX shares about to go ex-dividend

The post 26 ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Saying that, there are a few stocks in my portfolio whose sole purpose is providing a stream of dividend income. This cash flow is useful for a few reasons. Firstly, it provides ballast. If there is a stock market correction or crash, the income that I receive from these shares helps buttress my portfolio. Secondly, this cash flow can be deployed to buy other stocks for the portfolio. This means I don't have to constantly rely on fresh capital injections, or sales of other positions, to fund new stock buys. 

One of the ASX dividend stocks I lean on to provide this cash flow is Plato Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: PL8).

Plato Income Maximiser is a listed investment company (LIC) that is specifically designed to deliver high levels of fully-franked dividends to its investors. Like most LICs, it owns an underlying portfolio of investments that it manages on behalf of its shareholders. 

This ASX dividend stock pours cash into my portfolio every month

This portfolio consists of blue-chip dividend stocks. As of the most recent data, these included Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT), National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB), BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES).

These portfolio holdings pour dividend cash flow into Plato's coffers, which the LIC passes on to its shareholders in monthly dividend payments. These monthly payments represent highly beneficial cash flow for my portfolio thanks to this regularity. 

In recent years, Plato's monthly dividends have come in at 0.55 cents per share, always with full franking credits attached. The annual total of 6.6 cents per share gives this ASX dividend stock a trailing dividend yield of 4.55% at the $1.45 share price at the time of writing.

However, I was fortunate enough to pick up my Plato shares at a price much closer to $1 per share. This means that my cash flow yield-on-cost is sitting closer to 6%. The benefits of that yield to my portfolio and ability to keep adding shares to it are obvious.

Although the cash flow that this ASX dividend stock provides is enormously valuable to my investing, it's not the only reason I own Plato shares. High dividends are fantastic, but they are not worth buying a share for if they come at the expense of my capital, as payouts from some other popular ASX income stocks can.

Fortunately, in Plato's case, this LIC has actually outperformed the broader market since its inception in 2017. As of 31 January, Plato shares have delivered an overall return (growth plus dividends) of 10.3% per annum. That's 0.1% higher than its S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) benchmark.

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The market is limping towards the finish line after an interest rate rise seriously dampened the 'vibe' this week.

ASX All Ords shares are down 2.1% since Monday.

Earnings season officially began this week, and as the half-year (and some full-year) reports come in, dividends are being announced.

Next week, a small group of ASX shares will go ex-dividend.

That means they will start trading without the latest dividend attached.

On the ex-dividend date, it is very common for share prices to fall.

This happens because stocks are simply less valuable without their next dividends attached.

So, keep an eye out for sudden dips in some of your portfolio stocks over the next month or so.

Going ex-dividend will likely be the reason.

Why watch the ex-dividend date?

If you've researched an ASX share and are ready to buy, you might want to do so before the ex-dividend date to pick up some income.

Alternatively, you might prefer to wait until the ex-dividend date, when the stock price is likely to fall.

Either option presents an opportunity.

Here are several ASX shares going ex-dividend next week.

The biggest name is ASX All Ords heavyweight ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD), which makes sleep apnoea devices.

We also recap how much these companies will pay investors and when they will deposit the money into their accounts.

5 ASX shares about to go ex-dividend

Which companies are reporting next week?

The calendar is pretty busy next week.

On Monday, we'll hear from Argo Investments Ltd (ASX: ARG) and CAR Group Ltd (ASX: CAR).

Then on Tuesday, Amotiv Ltd (ASX: AOV), Arena REIT (ASX: ARF), and Region Group (ASX: RGN) will be up.

On Wednesday, investors will hear from Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL).

There will be strong interest in these earnings reports, given that both stocks have endured significant sell-offs over the past year.

We'll also hear from ASX gold miner, Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN).

Investors will be curious to see how one of the market's largest miners has leveraged the soaring gold price to maximise profits.

We'll also hear from AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGL), James Hardie Industries Plc (ASX: JHX), and investment house SGH Ltd (ASX: SGH).

On Thursday, 3 ASX financial shares will be in the spotlight.

AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP), ASX Ltd (ASX: ASX), and Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG) will release their earnings.

We'll also hear from Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG), Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME), and Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW).

On Friday, Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) and Nick Scali Ltd (ASX: NCK) will be in the spotlight.

The post ASX shares going ex-dividend next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The thing is, it's pretty easy to pin down good dividend-paying stocks which hand out cash to investors every six or 12 months. But finding one which pays a lot more regularly is more difficult.

The good news is that I've done the hard work for you. Here's a roundup of the top three ASX dividend stocks which pay a monthly dividend. Find out which one might work best for you.

BetaShares Dividend Harvester Active ETF (ASX: HVST) 

HVST is an ASX-listed exchange-traded fund (ETF) that gives its investors exposure to a large portfolio of up to 60 dividend-paying shares. These are drawn from the 100 largest ASX-listed companies and selected based on forecasts of high dividends and franking credits, and expected future gross dividend payments. Its portfolio is weighted towards the financial sector (24.2%), with materials accounting for another 10.7%. 

The fund is created in a way that it allows it to own a dividend share until it trades ex-dividend. At this point, the fund sells the shares and reinvests the proceeds into its next passive income-generating shares.

HVST pays investors a regular, franked dividend income that is around double the annual income yield of the broader ASX. As of the 31st December 2025, its 12-month gross distribution (dividend) yield is 7.4%, and the net yield is 5.8%. The franking level is 66%. The fund's annual management fee and costs are 0.72%.

The fund paid out $0.06 per share to investors in late January with another $0.06 per share due to be paid later this month. 

At the time of writing on Wednesday morning, HVST shares are $13.50 a piece. For the year to date, the shares have climbed 0.07%.

Plato Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: PL8)

Plato is a  listed investment company (LIC) which targets income-focused investors like retirees and SMSF investors who need a dependable income stream. 

The ASX dividend stock holds a portfolio of mature ASX-listed equities, cash, and listed futures. It mostly focuses on Australian companies with strong dividend payouts, such as major banks, mining giants, and energy firms. Its goal is to generate a high, franked income stream for investors and to consistently deliver above-market dividends and total returns, including franking credits. 

Plato has consistently paid fully franked dividends of 0.55 cents per share every month since April 2022. That equates to an annual running total of 6.6 cents per share in full franked passive income and gives a dividend yield of around 4%.

At the time of writing on Thursday morning, Plato shares are trading at $1.46 each, down around 1% for the year-to-date.

Metrics Master Income Trust (ASX: MXT)

The Metrics Master Income Trust is a listed investment trust (LIT) which has a portfolio of corporate loans and private credit investments rather than a portfolio of other ASX dividend shares. 

This means it can give its investors direct exposure to the Australian corporate loan market, which is currently dominated by regulated banks. The LIT is able to offer diversity-seeking investors an alternative investment that prioritises income stability and pays out monthly dividends. Metrics Master Income Trust targets a return of the Reserve Bank cash rate plus 3.25% p.a. (net of fees) through the economic cycle. 

Its latest payout was 1.36 cents per share unfranked in January, which is payable next week. That means that over the past 12 months, Metrics Master Income Trust has paid out 12 dividends totalling 15.8 cents per share. At the time of writing, this gives the LIT a dividend yield of 8.16%.

At the time of writing, Metrics Master Income Trust's shares are $1.98 a piece. This is down 0.25% for the year-to-date.

The post 3 ASX dividend stocks which pay their investors every single month appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Well, Plato Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: PL8) is a stock that ticks all of those boxes. This listed investment company (LIC) is also inherently diversified, going above and beyond our initial checklist.

Let's dive into why this ASX dividend stock might be the perfect buy for income investors for 2026.

Like most LICs, Plato owns and manages a portfolio of underlying investments on behalf of its shareholders. In this case, the portfolio consists of other ASX shares. These shares are mostly blue-chip stocks with strong track records of paying substantial, sustainable dividends.

As of the latest data, these stocks included ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ), Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT), Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG), Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN), APA Group Ltd (ASX: APA) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA).

An ASX dividend stock paying a 4.5% monthly yield

Plato draws the dividend income it receives from this portfolio and channels it to its investors as monthly dividends, which also carry full franking credits.

Over the past 12 months, Plato has paid out 12 dividends. Each of those monthly dividends was worth 0.55 cents per share. Adding that up, we get an annual dividend of 6.6 cents per share. At the current Plato share price of $1.48 (at the time of writing), this ASX dividend stock has a trailing yield of 4.46%.

That's all well and good. But, as the more jaded investors out there might tell you, a high dividend yield doesn't mean an ASX dividend share will be a good investment. Fortunately, Plato has plenty of data to potentially convince investors otherwise in its case.

The company's latest performance figures confirm that, since this ASX dividend stock's inception in April 2017, its shares have returned (share price growth plus dividends and franking) an average of 10.3% per annum (as of 31 December). That's slightly above what the broader S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has delivered over the same period.

With a monthly dividend, a diversified portfolio of underlying investments, and a stellar track record of delivering returns for shareholders, I think Plato is the perfect ASX dividend stock for income investors to consider this January.

The post A perfect January ASX dividend stock with a 4.5% monthly payout appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

A diversified earnings base would also help, as would payouts on a more frequent interval than the six-month gap that is common on the ASX.

Plato Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: PL8) arguably ticks all of these boxes. Let's go through them.

Plato Income Maximiser is a listed investment company (LIC) that specialises in catering to the financial needs of retirees. Like most LICs, Plato runs its own underlying investment portfolio that it manages on behalf of its investors. In Plato's case, this portfolio consists of a wide variety of other ASX dividend-paying shares.

These shares are all selected on their ability to fund large but sustainable dividends. Some of these holdings currently include BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB), Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS). So that's diversity ticked off.

How does this ASX retirement stock measure up?

Plato uses the dividends it receives from this underlying portfolio to pay out its own dividends. This dividend comes every single month, meaning investors enjoy 12 paycheques a year from this retirement stock. Those dividends usually come with full franking credits attached too. Tick, tick.

Over the past 12 months, Plato has funded 12 dividends, each worth 0.55 cents per share. The annual total of 6.6 cents per share in fully franked dividends gives this retirement stock a trailing dividend yield of 4.44%. That's at yesterday's closing share price of $1.48. Another box ticked.  Bear in mind that this yield comes after Plato's 18.8% rise over the past 12 months, which has reduced the trailing dividend yield on his company substantially.

But what about Plato's track record?

Well, since launching in 2017, Plato has only cut its dividend once. That was over 2020, when the pandemic crushed the dividends many ASX shares were able to pay out. Plato did cut its monthly dividend from the then-0.5 cents per share per month down to 0.4 cents per share. But that lasted about a year, and investors have seen their payouts rise back and then exceed 2020's levels since.

In terms of overall returns, Plato investors have enjoyed an average total return (share price growth plus dividends) of 10.2% per annum since inception. That just beats out the broader market, which has averaged 10% per annum over the same period.

Our final box gets a tick, and as such, I would be happy to recommend Plato Income Maximiser to any income investor looking for the perfect retirement stock today.

The post The perfect retirement stock with a 4.4% payout each month appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

Xero shares have faced a couple of headwinds in 2025, but I think the latest investor sell-off was unwarranted and overdone. The New Zealand-based cloud-based accounting software company looks like a great buying opportunity at the current trading price. Analysts also expect the shares to double in value next year. Seems like a no-brainer to me.

Weebit Nano Ltd (ASX: WBT) 

Weebit develops and licenses a new memory technology (Resistive Random-Access Memory, or ReRAM), which is designed to replace traditional Flash memory. The company has had an exceptionally strong start to the financial year, and given that there are very few businesses that can replicate its technology in-house, it looks like Weebit could quickly become a dominant market player. 

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

It's no secret that CSL shares have been through the wringer this year, suffering not one, but two brutal sell-offs. But I think we could be beginning to see green shoots of recovery. But CSL's core business remains robust, and demand for its products continues to grow globally. I think there is now an opportunity to buy the biotech company's shares at a rare discount.

Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB)

If you're unsure about CSL shares, Mesoblast is another Australian clinical-stage biotech company that has exceptional potential for strong growth. The company is also well-funded and won't be subject to the US 100% tariff on pharmaceuticals. What's not to like?

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

Flight Centre shares have stormed higher over the past 6 weeks following a promising trading update in November. The company said it is off to a positive start for FY26 and expects more growth over the next 12 months. I think that the current share price dip presents a great opportunity for investors to buy into the stock for cheap.

Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO)

The outlook for ASX bank stocks doesn't look very promising right now, with the exception of Judo Bank, of course. Unlike its larger peers, the bank has had a strong start to FY26, and it looks set to continue. At its latest AGM, it said lending momentum was strong over the first quarter and that it's confident it can achieve FY26 guidance of $180-$190 million.

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

The software-defined network (SDN) service provider is another favourite of mine. The ASX stock has suffered amid the tech-sector-wide investor sell-off over the past couple of months, but I'm very optimistic that there is a huge share price upside ahead. Megaport is rapidly expanding and reinvesting into growth plans.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

Woolworths' oligopoly, with supermarket rival Coles, means the two ASX stocks have significant power over the Australian grocery sector. It's this dominance that gives Woolworths a competitive advantage in the retail space. The business is huge, it is defensive, and Woolworths is well-known for its lengthy history of paying consistent, and sometimes generous, dividends.

Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL)

Soul Patts is Australian dividend royalty. The diversified Australian investment house pays its fully-franked dividends twice per year and has offered a consistent yield of 2.3% to 2.4% since 2016. In FY25, it paid a total $1.03 per share, 100% fully franked. Any investors which don't have Soul Patts in their portfolio should buy the ASX stock in 2026.

Plato Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: PL8) 

Investors looking for a reliable passive income but want the payouts to be more regular should look into Plato. It's a perfect ASX retirement stock that pays out around 4.58% every single month. The ASX dividend stock is focused on delivering high, reliable monthly income with franking credits from an actively managed, diversified portfolio of Australian shares.

The post My top 10 ASX stocks to buy for 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

If an investor were bent on just investing in individual companies, we at the Motley Fool would recommend a highly diversified portfolio of retirement stocks that covers most corners of the ASX.

But that is not the only path that would-be retirees can take with their ASX dividend shares. There's a rather unique stock out there right now that arguably fulfils every need a retiree might have. It is inherently diversified, offers a strong, fully-franked dividend yield, and pays out that dividend every single month. What's more, it is specifically tailored to cater to a retired investor.

This retirement stock is Plato Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: PL8).

What makes Plato a top ASX retirement stock?

Plato Income Maximiser is a listed investment company (LIC). LICs are companies that, instead of making goods or marketing a service, are investors themselves. A LIC typically owns an underlying portfolio of investments that it manages on behalf of its shareholders. As such, buying shares of a LIC is akin to buying a share of that underlying portfolio.

In Plato's case, that underlying portfolio is made up of a variety of ASX dividend stocks, all selected based on their dividend yield, as well as the perceived sustainability of that yield going forward.

These shares hail from across the ASX. Recently, they included Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT), BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), Metcash Ltd (ASX: MTS), and Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN), amongst others.

So what makes Plato a strong candidate for the ideal retirement stock? Well, its yield is a good start. Over the past 12 months, Plato shares have paid out 12 dividends, each worth 0.55 cents per share, fully franked. That 6.6 cents in annual dividends per share gives Plato a trailing yield of 4.56% at the current stock price (at the time of writing).

That's a fair bit of upfront cash flow every month. But Plato doesn't just deliver dividend returns. Its overall performance (share price growth plus dividends) has come in at 10.2% per annum since its inception in 2017. That's as of 30 November. Unlike many other would-be retirement stocks, that shows a track record of providing real capital growth alongside meaningful dividend income.

As such, I think this makes Plato a fantastic retirement stock to consider today.

The post The ideal retirement stock: 4.6% yield paying cash out every month appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB)

Mesoblast is a clinical-stage biotech company which develops and commercialises allogeneic cellular medicines to treat complex diseases. Its FDA-approved Ryoncil® product is in the market and the company is also in the process of developing other cellular medicines to treat other complex conditions. Some are already in the latter stages of their clinical trial pipelines. 

The company is well-positioned for growth and said it can draw additional capital from its convertible note facility as it continues to grow sales and broaden its cell therapy pipeline for other inflammatory conditions.

At the time of writing Mesoblast shares are up 2.89% for the day at $2.85 a piece. Analyst consensus is that there is a strong upside ahead for Mesoblast shares, with some forecasting a target price of $5.25. This implies the shares could hike another 84.11% over the next 12 months.

Plato Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: PL8) 

When it comes to income-generating stocks, I like the look of Plato right now. The ASX dividend share holds a portfolio of mature ASX-listed equities, cash, and listed futures. Its portfolio is mostly Australian companies with strong dividend payouts, which is very well diversified and liquid by design. 

Plato has consistently paid fully franked dividends of 0.55 cents per share every month since April 2022. The company said that it plans to keep its dividends steady going forward too, even amid market uncertainty. Plato is currently trading at $1.45 per share.

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX)

The beaten-down stock has suffered multiple setbacks this year. Regulatory issues and broker downgrades have dampened investor sentiment. At the time of writing the ASX biotech company's shares have plunged another 7.56% to $11.61 a piece.

I think the tide is about to turn Telix though. The company has already had huge success with its flagship prostate cancer imaging product, Illuccix. Once it receives approval for Zircaix, it has the potential to open the door to another long road of growth. 

Analysts are very bullish too. Most have a buy or strong buy rating on the shares and think the shares could climb as high as $34.30 over the next 12 months. That's a huge potential 195.53% upside. It looks like today's crash could be a great buying opportunity.

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP)

It's been a year of ups and downs for the Australian financial technology company. But Zip has shown strong and improved earnings this year, and the company is continually pushing for even more growth. The business is actively broadening its product range and is also looking at ways to scale its US presence.

I think there is still some good momentum ahead for Zip shares. Analysts are mostly bullish on the stock and think the share price could climb as high as $6.20 in 2026. Using the $3.01 share price at the time of writing, that implies a massive potential 106.32% upside.

Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Telstra has been in the spotlight for a while now, and triple-0 concerns and buyback programs have dented its share price recently. At the time of writing the shares are $4.81 a piece.

But I like that Telstra is a defensive stock. The company tends to perform steadily, regardless of the stage of the economic cycle. And this is great news for investors who want to hedge against potential volatility elsewhere. 

The company has performed well this year and has outlined some great growth plans for 2026. I'm optimistic that these can be executed. Analysts are also mostly bullish. They expect the share price could rise as high as $5.40, which implies a potential 12.38% upside for investors at the time of writing.

The post 5 ASX shares I'd buy with $10,000 this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

It's easy to find a great dividend-paying ASX stock, but most of those only pay their investors every 6 or 12 months. Retirees want one that pays money every single month.

I've previously written about the fantastic benefits of BetaShares Dividend Harvester Active ETF (ASX: HVST) and the Metrics Master Income Trust (ASX: MXT). Both are dividend stocks that pay cash every single month. 

But there's another great monthly-paying retirement stock which I think all Aussies should have in their portfolio.

Plato Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: PL8) 

Plato is a listed investment company (LIC) on the ASX that is focused on delivering high, reliable monthly income with franking credits from an actively managed, diversified portfolio of Australian shares. It is the first Australian listed investment company targeting to pay monthly dividends.

Its investment strategy targets income-focused investors, specifically SMSF and pension-phase investors who want a reliable and consistent income stream. Its objective is to outperform (after fees) the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) in total return terms, including franking credits, over the investment cycle, which is typically 3 to 5 years.

The ASX dividend stock holds a portfolio of mature ASX-listed equities, cash, and listed futures. Its portfolio is mostly comprised of Australian companies with strong dividend payouts, including major banks, mining giants, and energy companies.

As of 31 October this year, its portfolio included holdings in major stocks such as BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), CSL (ASX: CSL), Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL), and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA). 

At the time of writing, Plato's top yielding stock, with a portfolio weight greater than 0.5% and an annual yield of 10.4%, is Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT).

What does the retirement stock pay its investors each month?

Plato has consistently paid fully franked dividends of 0.55 cents per share every month since April 2022. The stock's dividend payment history dates back to October 2017, when it paid out a slightly lower 0.45 cents per share.

That equates to an annual running total of 6.6 cents per share in full franked passive income.

At the current price of $1.44 per share (at the time of writing), that gives a trailing dividend yield of 4.58%.

Plato plans to keep its dividend yield steady too

In October, Plato told its investors that although franked dividend yields on Australian shares continue to modestly decline, it was able to increase the dividends it collected during the September quarter in order to hold the dividend steady at 0.55 cents for the remainder of the year.

In an ASX note, the company explained that markets have continued their rally to all-time highs, spurred by interest rate cuts earlier in the year. But the outlook for the cash rate is uncertain.

"Dividends declared during the August reporting season fell 2.2%, driven by cuts from mining and energy companies in contrast to dividend increases from the financial and industrial sectors. This has led to a further fall in the historical yield of the Australian market. Despite the uncertainty in the global economy, we expect to continue to receive solid dividends from a diversified portfolio of Australian companies in FY26," the listed investment company said in its ASX note. 

"One of the benefits of a closed-end listed investment company focused on income, such as PL8, is the ability to manage capital amidst uncertainty so as to provide regular dividend distributions over time. In the ongoing environment of economic uncertainty, liquidity and diversification are very important. By design, PL8's underlying portfolio is well diversified and very liquid. PL8's investment portfolio is well positioned to capture dividends from Australian companies."

The post 1 perfect retirement stock with a 4.58% payout each month appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Think of Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) or Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN). These aren't just stock ticker codes; they are businesses we've known and occasionally visited all our lives.

But not all great investments are household names. One of my favourite Australian stocks is one that most people haven't even heard of.

However, it does invest in the likes of CBA, Woolworths and Telstra itself. Let me explain.

The Australian stock goes by the name of Plato Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: PL8). Plato is a listed investment company (LIC), which essentially means it is a company that invests in other companies. 

In Plato's case, it does so by owning an underlying portfolio of ASX shares, which are owned and managed on behalf of Plato's shareholders. As the name implies, Plato constructs this portfolio with the aim of maximising dividend income for shareholders. You can see this in action with the company's holdings.

These currently include the likes of Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL), BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG), Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), and Metcash Ltd (ASX: MTS). That's amongst many others, including most of the names we touched on above.

Not only does this dividend stock utilise its holdings to pay out a relatively high dividend, with full franking credits attached, but it does so on a monthly basis. Yes, this is one of the ASX's rare monthly dividend payers.

What makes Plato a top Australian stock?

I was lucky enough to pick up shares of this Australian stock when it was trading with a dividend yield of close to 6%. Today, recent share price appreciation has reduced this yield to a still-respectable 4.65% or so.

However, I don't invest in Australian stocks solely for the purpose of generating income. Overall returns matter more to me than a high upfront dividend yield. But Plato shines in this arena as well. The company's portfolio returns have been 10.7% per annum since its inception in 2017 (as of 31 October), outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO)'s 10.5%. 

As such, I regard Plato as a top income investment on the ASX, and put it forward as quite possibly the best Australian stock you've never heard of. 

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Many income investors would argue it does. It certainly leaves little to be desired.

That's exactly what listed investment company (LIC) Plato Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: PL8) has on the table today.

Plato is a LIC that specialises in providing dividend investors with a healthy stream of passive income, paid out in 12 dividend payments throughout the year.

It works, as most LICs do, by holding an underlying portfolio of ASX dividend stocks. This it owns and manages on behalf of its shareholders.

These ASX dividend stocks are selected based on both their dividend income potential, and an assessment of how sustainable and reliable that dividend income stream is likely to be into the future.

As of the company's most recent update, some of the largest positions in the Plato portfolio include BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL), Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS), Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) and Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG).

As you can see, these holdings, plus others in the portfolio, represent a wide cross-section of the ASX's best dividend stocks. This arguably lends strength and income stability to Plato's income stream through diversity.

But let's go through some numbers.

A perfect ASX dividend stock for passive income?

So over the past 12 months, this ASX dividend stock has paid out an annual total of 6.6 cents per share, divided into 12 payments of 0.55 cents per share.

At the current Plato share price of $1.42 (at the time of writing), that gives Plato Income Maximiser a trailing dividend yield of 4.66%.

Considering each and every one of these payments comes with full franking credits attached, that yield is worth even more to many Australian investors. Particularly those who are retired or are in superannuation pension phase.

No dividend stock offers a completely safe stream of income, of course. That's what term deposits or government bonds are for. However, this company has rarely cut its dividends in its eight-year history on the ASX. The last (and to date only) time it did so was during the COVID crash of 2020.

So, although no ASX dividend stock can really be called perfect, I think this one comes pretty close for investors seeking meaningful and reliable income.

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While most ASX dividend stocks pay out annually or every six months, there are a handful that distribute money to investors on a monthly basis.

The Plato Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: PL8) is one such stock. And the best part is its stock price has dipped slightly today, which means it is an opportune time for investors to get in on the action.

At the time of writing on Wednesday afternoon, the PL8 share price is down 1.05% to $1.42 per share. It's not a significant decline, but given the PL8 share price has seen consistently steady growth over the past six months, it's a rare opportunity.

Since a dip in early April, the PL8 share price has climbed 20.9% at the time of writing. For the year, it is 12.2% higher.

The ASX dividend stock has paid monthly dividends consistently since March 2018. Over the past 12 months, it has paid investors 0.55 cents per share, per month, totalling 6.6 cents over the year, fully franked. At the current price of $1.42 per share, PL8 gives a trailing dividend yield of 4.6%.

What is PL8, and what does its portfolio look like?

PL8 is a listed investment company (LIC) that holds a portfolio of underlying investments, which it manages on behalf of its shareholders.

PL8 is designed specifically with SMSF and pension-phase investors in mind. Its investment strategy targets these income-focused investors who need a dependable income stream, with the goal of outperforming a benchmark index over a 3 to 5-year investment cycle.  

The ASX dividend stock holds a portfolio of mature ASX-listed shares that have been selected for their income-paying abilities, including major banks, mining giants, and energy firms. It aims to consistently deliver above-market dividends and total returns, including franking credits. 

For example, as of 31 August this year, its portfolio includes holdings in heavyweights such as ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) and CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL). It also includes high-yielding stocks such as Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL), Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG), and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES).

To me, it appears that PL8 has a strong portfolio of high-yielding shares poised for growth. And its consistently reliable monthly payout is an asset to any investor's portfolio, which is why I think the ASX dividend stock is a must-buy today. 

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While most ASX dividend stocks make you wait six months (or even a year) between payment dates, some pay out dividends month after month. For income-focused investors, it's like putting your portfolio on a regular paycheck.

If you want real monthly income like clockwork, Plato Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: PL8) ticks many boxes.

What is Plato Income Maximiser?

Plato is a listed investment company (LIC) on the ASX focused on delivering high, reliable monthly income with franking credits from an actively managed, diversified portfolio of Australian shares.

Its investment strategy targets income-focused investors, specifically retirees and SMSF investors who need a dependable income stream, with the goal of outperforming a benchmark index over a 3-5 year investment cycle.  

What does its portfolio look like?

The ASX dividend stock holds a portfolio of mature ASX-listed equities, cash, and listed futures with the goal of generating a high, franked income stream for investors. 

Its portfolio holdings mostly focus on Australian companies with strong dividend payouts, such as major banks, mining giants, and energy firms. It aims to consistently deliver above-market dividends and total returns, including franking credits. 

For example, as of 31 July this year, its portfolio included holdings in stocks such as Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL), Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG), Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), and Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE).

What about its payouts?

Most importantly, the ASX dividend stock has consistently paid fully franked dividends of 0.55 cents per share every month since April 2022. The stock's dividend payment history dates back to March 2018, when it paid out a slightly lower 0.45 cents per share.

Plato also announced in its FY25 financial results that the board will pay three additional full-franked monthly dividends of 0.55 cents per share for the September 2025 quarter, the first of which was paid on 31 July.

That equates to an annual running total of 6.6 cents per share in full franked passive income.

At the current price of $1.415 per share (at the time of writing), that gives a trailing dividend yield of 4.78%.

"At 30 June 2025, the value of the Company's franking account was $9.0m, or $0.012 per share. This is equivalent to $0.028 per share in fully-franked dividends at a company tax rate of 30% and the Company presently maintains sufficient profit reserves for this value of dividends," the company explained in its recent results announcement.

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I had a virtual tie between two investments when it came to my largest source of dividends.

If we include the value of franking credits, the clear winner would be Plato Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: PL8). Plato is a listed investment company (LIC) which I've written about a few times here at the Fool. It holds a portfolio of mature dividend-paying ASX blue chips, and pays large, fully franked dividends every single month. This makes it a wonderful source of passive income.

However, if we don't include franking credits, my largest passive income payer is actually an exchange-traded fund (ETF). Not an ASX ETF, though, this one hails from the United States of America.

It is none other than the Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (NYSE: SCHD).

Why this US dividend ETF is my top passive income stock

This is a relatively new investment for me, but one I have been enthusiastically buying up over the past year or two. This is already, if you would pardon the pun, paying dividends.

The Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF is a fund that holds around 100 US stocks within its underlying portfolio. These stocks are selected based not only on their current dividend yields, but also on whether their ability to keep paying those dividends is sustainable. It can be thought of as a 'dividend growth ETF'.

These passive income stocks range from Coca-Cola Co, Chevron and Altria to PepsiCo, Texas Instruments and Lockheed Martin. Other prominent holdings include Ford Motor Co, UPS and Kleenex-owner Kimberly-Clark.

I like this dividend-focused ETF because of its impressive track record.

SCHD ETF has increased its annual dividend payments (which are paid out quarterly) every year for 13 years in a row. Those dividend increases have averaged 10.87% per annum over the past five years. Despite this impressive growth, the ETF trades on a bulky 3.7% trailing dividend yield today.

That's all while charging a management fee of 0.06% per annum, which is minuscule by ASX standards.

Given I'm not exactly approaching retirement age, I think this dividend-focused ETF is a great long-term investment.  I am hoping, and expecting, to enjoy an even larger stream of passive income from it in the years ahead. Let's see how I go.

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While most dividend-paying ASX shares only reward investors twice a year, there are a handful of options that pay distributions monthly — turning your portfolio into a true cash machine.

Here are two picks for investors chasing regular income in 2025 and beyond to consider.

Plato Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: PL8)

The first ASX share to consider is the Plato Income Maximiser. It has carved out a reputation as one of the ASX's most reliable income-focused listed investment companies (LICs). Managed by Plato Investment Management, the fund is specifically designed for income-seeking investors who value regular, fully franked dividends.

The Plato Income Maximiser invests in a diversified portfolio of Australian shares, with a strategy that actively seeks out opportunities to maximise after-tax income. This includes dividend rotation, franking credit capture, and tilting towards shares with the strongest dividend outlooks.

It is fair to say that management has delivered on this. In its recently released FY 2025 results, the company reported a profit of $83.6 million, up 27% or $17.7 million on the prior year.

It also comfortably beat its objectives, exceeding its income benchmark by 3% and its total return benchmark by 0.4%. And this isn't a one off. Since inception, it has delivered 7.6% per annum gross income, well above the benchmark's 5.2%, while generating a solid total return of 10.3% a year.

Importantly for income investors, the ASX share has stayed true to its word on monthly dividends, paying $0.0055 per share each month throughout FY 2025. At today's share price, this means it offers a trailing dividend yield of approximately 4.8%. Its dividend stream is backed by positions in companies like BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), and Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN), which continue to generate hefty cash flows.

Overall,, the Plato Income Maximiser is one of the few ways to gain monthly, franked income directly from Australian shares — and management is confident that an improving dividend environment in FY 2026 will only strengthen its outlook.

Betashares S&P Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: HYLD)

For those who prefer exchange traded funds (ETFs), the Betashares S&P Australian Shares High Yield ETF is a new but powerful option for generating monthly passive income.

The fund invests in 50 high-yielding Australian shares, but with an intelligent rules-based approach that screens out potential dividend traps. These are businesses with unsustainably high yields or excessive volatility that might threaten payouts.

This makes the Betashares S&P Australian Shares High Yield ETF more than just a high-dividend grab. It is designed to be a sustainable core holding for income investors.

Currently, the fund trades with a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 4.5%, and unlike most ETFs which distribute quarterly or semi-annually, it pays investors every month.

Its top holdings feature some of the ASX's most established dividend names: National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ), and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP). It was recently named as one for income investors to consider buying by Betashares.

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Earnings season is well underway, and ASX companies are preparing to pay out millions in dividends to investors soon.

Next week, a bunch of ASX shares will go ex-dividend.

That means they will commence trading without the upcoming dividend attached from a specified date.

If you're interested in buying any of these ASX shares and picking up that next payment, you'll need to do it before the 'ex-div' date.

Of course, here at The Fool we do not recommend buying ASX shares just to get the next dividend payment.

Our market experts say the decision to buy should be more thoughtful than that, and based on fundamental analysis.

It's important to know that a stock's share price will typically fall on the ex-dividend date.

That's simply because the dividend is no longer attached, which makes the stock less valuable.

Here are a number of ASX shares going ex-dividend next week, and how much these companies intend to pay to investors and when.

8 ASX shares about to go ex-dividend

Are dividends lower than usual?

If you're getting the feeling that dividend yields are lower than usual, your instincts are right.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is one of the highest-yielding share markets in the world, with long-run average annual dividends of 4% to 4.5% per annum.

As we reported earlier today, this has changed.

Betashares says the trailing cash dividend yield of the ASX 200 has dropped to 3.34% per year.

This is largely because the miners are paying lower dividend yields due to weakened commodity prices.

Additionally, the banks are paying lower dividend yields following strong share price growth between late 2023 and 2025.

Betashares senior investment strategist, Cameron Gleeson, says:

Australia's reputation as a high dividend-market rests heavily on the shoulders of the big banks and miners.

Recently, this dependence has started to threaten the sustainability of the overall market dividend yield.

Over the last two years, dividends at an index level have been falling as the earnings yield has taken a hit.

The post 8 ASX shares going ex-dividend next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Almost.

Whilst extremely hard to find, there are some ASX dividend stocks that pay their investors 12 times a year. I happen to own one in my own ASX portfolio, and it's my most frequent and prolific income payer. So much so that I could even call it my own personal ATM.

This ASX dividend stock is none other than Plato Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: PL8).

Plato Income Maximiser is a listed investment company (LIC), meaning it is a company that doesn't itself produce goods or services. Instead, it holds a portfolio of other underlying investments that it manages on behalf of its shareholders.

In this case, that portfolio is made up of other ASX dividend shares, selected for their income potential. As of 30 June, these include the classic heavy-hitters like ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), as well as Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) and QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE).

This ASX dividend stock is my portfolio ATM

Plato is able to fund its 12 dividends per year from the income that this portfolio produces.

And it's substantial income too. Over the past 12 months, investors have bagged 12 payments from this ASX dividend stock, each worth 0.55 cents per share. That adds up to an annual total of 6.6 cents per share in dividends. At the current Plato share price of $1.40, that gives this LIC a trailing dividend yield of 4.71%.

Those dividends all came with full franking credits attached too.

So a 4.71% fully franked yield isn't too bad, right? Well, no. However, I was fortunate enough to establish my Plato position when the company was well below its current share price, thanks in part to a generous capital raising scheme a few years ago. As such, my yield on cost for this ASX dividend stock is more like 6.05%.

With a yield of that size, you can see how this LIC could be described as a personal ATM for my portfolio. I love having this regular cash flow, which allows me the flexibility to redeploy it into other dividend positions or just build up in my brokerage account.

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We could even say monthly dividend shares are as rare as hens' teeth. That would be misleading, though, as they actually do exist.

Most of these aren't worth bothering with, at least in my opinion. But there's one that I own in my personal stock portfolio, and that I regard as a cash flow machine. This particular stock spent most of last year trading on a dividend yield north of 5%, although you can only buy shares today on a yield of 4.82%.

This stock is none other than Plato Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: PL8).

Plato Income Maximiser is a listed investment company (LIC) that specialises in providing monthly dividend cash flow. It does so by owning an underlying portfolio of the ASX's best dividend shares on behalf of its investors, and passing through the income it receives from said shares to shareholders through those regular dividends.

An ASX dividend stock that pays you every month

As you might expect, Plato owns famous dividend payers like Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and the other big four banks, BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS). But it also currently owns other income stocks like Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL), Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN) and Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN).

Over the past 12 months, Plato has doled out 12 dividends, each worth 0.55 cents per share. That annual total of 6.6 cents in dividends gives Plato shares that 4.82% yield we touched on earlier. That's at the current stock price of $1.37 that we see today.

Each of those monthly dividend payments also came with full franking credits attached too.

Normally, I don't go for investments that prioritise dividend income in my own portfolio, seeing as I'm (sadly) nowhere near being able to retire. However, I make an exception for Plato. For one, I enjoy the regular cash flow it gives me, which I can routinely direct into other ASX investments.

But more importantly, Plato has outperformed its ASX 200 benchmark over the past one, three, and five years (as of 30 April). Since its inception in 2017, Plato shares have averaged a return of 9.8% per annum (including those monthly dividends and franking).

So that's why this monthly cash flow machine finds a place in my portfolio today. I would recommend a look for anyone who wants to buff up their passive income in 2025.

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