The update contained some disappointing news for investors. But could this be an opportunity to buy?

What did Qantas announce?

The biggest concern in Qantas' update was the rising cost of fuel. Management now expects its fuel bill to reach approximately $3.75 billion in the first half of FY 2027. This is up $150 million from its previous forecast.

And with fuel prices expected to remain elevated throughout the financial year, there's a risk that these additional costs could weigh on profitability.

However, there was also some encouraging news. The Flying Kangaroo revealed that demand for international travel remains strong, while domestic leisure travel is holding up well.

Importantly, the airline maintained its guidance for domestic and international total revenue per available seat kilometre to increase by 8% to 10% during the first half.

This appears to suggest that Qantas is having some success in adjusting airfares and flight capacity to account for higher fuel costs.

The company also reaffirmed its expectation that Qantas Loyalty will deliver underlying earnings growth of 5% to 7% in FY 2027.

Would I buy the dip?

Despite the challenges facing Qantas, I think there is a buying opportunity for long-term investors.

One reason is that the airline has demonstrated an ability to respond to rising costs through pricing and capacity adjustments.

Of course, there's a limit to how much airlines can increase fares before customers start looking for cheaper alternatives or travelling less.

But with demand remaining resilient, I believe Qantas is in a reasonable position to manage the current environment.

I'm also feeling positive about the company's longer-term prospects. Qantas is investing heavily in renewing its aircraft fleet, with newer planes expected to deliver fuel efficiency improvements of up to 15% to 25% per seat on comparable routes.

This could deliver substantial savings over time, while allowing the airline to offer customers new destinations and services.

Its Project Sunrise initiative, which will introduce ultra-long-haul flights, is another opportunity to strengthen its international operations. And with Qantas Loyalty continuing to grow, the company has an additional earnings stream that isn't directly exposed to aviation fuel costs.

Higher fuel prices are certainly a challenge, and I wouldn't rule out further weakness in the company's shares.

Nevertheless, I believe Qantas has attractive long-term growth opportunities that extend well beyond the current financial year.

For that reason, and with its shares down 15% from their high, I'd be happy to take advantage of Friday's weakness and buy Qantas shares for the long term.

The post Qantas shares down on update: Should I buy the dip? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

If a number of brokers think a business is a buy, it could suggest that there's a clear opportunity for investors to take advantage of.

I'll highlight two stocks with some of the most buy ratings on the ASX.

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

Qantas is Australia's largest airline business with its Qantas, Jetstar, Qantas Freight, and loyalty businesses.

According to CMC Invest, there have been 10 analyst ratings on the business within the last three months. All 10 of those experts said the airline is a buy.

A price target indicates where analysts expect the share price to be 12 months from the investment call.

According to CMC Invest, the average price target among those 10 experts is $11.30, implying a possible 20% rise at the time of writing.

The business had a challenging FY26, with underlying profit before tax falling by $330 million to $2.06 billion and statutory profit after tax declining by $316 million to $1.29 billion. It noted a net impact of $420 million due to the Middle East, which was due to higher fuel costs.

Despite an increased cost of travel, Qantas said in August, in its FY26 result outlook commentary, that travel demand "remains resilient" as customers continue to prioritise travel.

International demand across Qantas and Jetstar remained strong, supported by customers redirecting travel away from the Middle East, while domestic demand is tracking broadly in line with the fourth quarter of FY26.

The business said it expects total unit revenue per available seat kilometre (TRASK) for both its domestic and international divisions to increase by between 8% and 10% during FY27. This implies higher airfares to offset the higher cost of fuel.

The ASX share is also steadily renewing its fleet of planes. While that comes at a high capital cost, it does mean better operating costs with better fuel efficiency.

According to the earnings projection on CMC Invest, the Qantas share price is valued at around 8 times FY28's estimated earnings, which looks very cheap and a buy to me considering it traded at an average price-earnings (P/E) ratio of more than 11 during FY26. If it returns to a P/E ratio of 11 by FY28, it could generate a return of more than 30%.

Aussie Broadband Ltd (ASX: ABB)

Another ASX share with strong analyst backing is Aussie Broadband, one of Australia's larger providers of fixed home and business internet connections.

According to CMC Invest, there have been eight ratings on the company in the last three months. Seven of those analyst ratings were a buy rating, and one was a hold. The average price target from those eight analysts was $5.65, implying a possible 29% rise over the next year.

The business held its annual general meeting (AGM) on 23 October 2026 and noted some promising numbers. Revenue rose by 9.2% in FY26, while underlying net profit soared by 25.8%.

It noted that, to date in FY27, it has experienced continued customer momentum, with more than 193,000 broadband connections from organic growth and customer migrations.

Aussie Broadband said that total organic growth, excluding AGL, More, and Tangerine, was 18,800, with residential organic growth of 11,000 connections.

Underlying EBITDA (operating profit) guidance for FY27 was reconfirmed at the AGM, with underlying EBITDA guided to reach $205 million to $215 million. The mid-point of that guidance represents potential year-over-year growth of 27%, which is an impressive growth rate for a telco, and I'd buy it for the growth rate it's sustaining.

The post 2 ASX shares highly recommended to buy: Experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

I've settled on three different businesses whose prospects and valuations give me reasons to be optimistic. I would buy all of them today, although one stands above the others for me.

Here's how I arrived at my decision.

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

My first pick is one I suspect some investors will find surprising. Airlines can be difficult investments. Fuel costs jump, demand weakens when the economy struggles, and aircraft are expensive.

But I think Qantas has more going for it than those challenges alone suggest. Its domestic position is strong, with Qantas serving full-service travellers and Jetstar targeting budget-conscious passengers. The loyalty business also generates earnings beyond selling seats.

As Qantas modernises its fleet, newer aircraft should lower operating costs and improve the passenger experience. Project Sunrise could also open new premium long-haul routes.

And importantly, I don't think Qantas shares are priced as though investors expect much of that to go right.

At current levels, Qantas trades on a P/E ratio of roughly eight times forecast FY27 earnings, falling to less than six times FY29 estimates. Analysts also expect a dividend yield of approximately 4.6% in FY27, potentially rising to 5.7% by FY29.

I wouldn't expect an airline to command the earnings multiples of a software company. But with the potential for stronger earnings as its fleet investment starts paying off, I think Qantas is being undervalued and is a buy.

That's one place on my watchlist filled. My other choices come from different industries, with different ways to grow.

One already dominates a market that millions of Australians use. The other is expanding internationally with technology I believe could become far more important.

And it's the second of those that ultimately wins my vote.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

Anyone who has searched for a home probably knows realestate.com.au. And I think that familiarity is one of REA's greatest strengths.

The platform attracts an enormous audience, reaching 11.8 million Australians in August alone.

That's valuable for real estate agents who want their properties seen by as many potential buyers as possible. And because REA has established such a strong position in the Australian property market, it can charge agents for premium listings and other services that help their properties stand out.

I think there's considerable potential to keep growing earnings from this business, especially as REA introduces new products and gives agents more reasons to spend on its platform.

I'm also interested in its expansion into mortgage services, which could allow the company to generate additional revenue as people move from searching for a property to buying one.

Of course, activity in the housing market will influence its performance. But I believe REA's position gives it an excellent opportunity to grow over the longer term.

The biggest consideration for me is how much to pay for that opportunity. At current levels, REA shares trade on approximately 27 times forecast FY27 earnings, falling to around 22 times FY29 estimates.

That's a premium valuation, but I think it's justified by the company's competitive position and potential for continued earnings growth.

There's also a modest dividend to enjoy along the way, with a potential FY27 yield of around 2.3%.

For me, REA is the kind of ASX share I'd be happy owning for many years. I think its dominance of Australia's online property market could continue rewarding shareholders well beyond 2027.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

My winner is Pro Medicus, even though it's easily the most expensive of the three shares.

The company develops medical imaging software that helps radiologists examine scans and diagnose patients. And I think there's an enormous opportunity for its technology over the coming years.

One of the biggest challenges facing hospitals is the growing demand for medical imaging.

As populations age and doctors increasingly rely on scans to diagnose and monitor diseases, radiology departments are facing heavier workloads.

Unfortunately, the number of radiologists available to interpret those scans hasn't kept pace with demand, creating staffing shortages across many healthcare systems.

That's where Pro Medicus comes in. Its Visage software allows radiologists to access and examine medical images quickly and efficiently, helping them manage larger workloads.

And there's already strong evidence that hospitals want its technology. Pro Medicus signed 10 new contracts worth at least $407 million in FY26 and announced two additional US contracts this month, worth a combined $67 million.

I think those wins are impressive, especially considering the company estimates that it currently holds only around 11% of the US market.

That leaves considerable room to win business from hospitals still using older imaging systems. And as more customers adopt its technology, I think Pro Medicus could become substantially more profitable.

I'm also excited about its expansion into cardiology, which could bring its technology into additional hospital departments. Digital pathology offers another potential growth opportunity.

Despite all this potential, Pro Medicus shares have come under considerable pressure recently.

Concerns about how artificial intelligence (AI) could disrupt software businesses, alongside higher interest rates putting pressure on growth stock valuations, may help explain some of the weakness.

As a result, Pro Medicus shares are now trading around 30% below their 52-week high.

Of course, that doesn't automatically make them cheap. At current levels, the shares trade on approximately 108 times forecast FY27 earnings and 69 times FY29 estimates.

Those are substantial multiples, and there's considerable pressure on management to keep delivering strong growth.

But I'm optimistic about the company's future. I think AI could actually create further opportunities for Pro Medicus as hospitals look to integrate new diagnostic technologies into their existing imaging systems.

And with so much of the US market still available to pursue, I can see plenty of reasons why its earnings could continue growing strongly over the next decade and beyond.

For me, the recent share price weakness has created an opportunity to buy an exceptional business at a more reasonable valuation than investors were paying earlier this year.

That's why Pro Medicus would be my winner.

Foolish takeaway

I think all three ASX shares could reward investors over the coming years, and I'd be happy buying any of them ahead of 2027.

But if I'm choosing just one, Pro Medicus gets my vote. What excites me is how much room the company still has to grow. It's already winning major hospital contracts and generating exceptional profit margins, yet it has only captured a small portion of its potential market.

The valuation means there could be plenty of volatility along the way. But when I think about where Pro Medicus could be in another 10 years, I see a business that could be substantially larger than it is today.

And that's the opportunity I'd most like to own.

The post I narrowed my 2027 ASX watchlist to 3 shares. Then I picked a winner appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The ASX airline shares have had a volatile run so far in 2026, swinging wildly between $8.15 and $10.74. 

The travel shares have now fallen by around 19% over the past three months alone and are 17% lower year-to-date.

What has caused the Qantas share price depression over the past three months?

The latest downturn started in early August, sparked by higher fuel costs and softer travel demand. The selloff then picked up pace after the company posted its FY26 earnings results later in the month.

It looks like investors were spooked by declines across the board. Qantas reported a 13.8% year-on-year decline in underlying profit before tax, to $2.06 billion for FY26.

Statutory profit after tax fell around 29% to $1.3 billion, and underlying earnings fell 12.7% to 96 cents.

Qantas' net debt of $6.2 billion was at the midpoint of its target range of $5.5 billion to $6.9 billion for FY26.

With profits down, management declared a fully-franked final dividend of 19.8 cents per share and a total dividend of 39.6 cents per share, down 25% from last year's final payout.

So, are the shares now a bargain buy, or a risky investment?

The headwinds facing the company this year haven't gone away. Conflict in the Middle East and rising fuel prices continue to put pressure on airline profits.

The latest financial result shows that Qantas came under pressure in FY26. But while the result looks poor on paper, it's worth noting that the company has remained fairly buoyant.

Qantas reported that the impact from the Middle East conflict has cost the airline an estimated $420 million to date, largely driven by higher jet fuel costs.

But while a $420 million profit hit sounds bad, the company managed to execute impressive damage control. 

The airline hedged 90% of its crude oil exposure for the second half of FY26, ahead of the conflict ramp-up. This helped to absorb some of the fuel price increase.

It also swiftly readjusted its operational strategy when the Middle East region closed its airspace, by reallocating some of its fleet to alternative routes and cutting underperforming flights to prevent burning fuel on low-profit routes.

This strategy prevented a much bigger catastrophe and kept the airline functional.

But while Qantas successfully mitigated some fuel damage, the structural issue hasn't gone away. Refining margins for jet fuel remain double their pre-war levels, creating a persistent drag on profit margins. The question is how the airline will manage higher costs going forward.

I'm confident that it's possible. As part of its FY26 results in August, Qantas said it expects unit revenue to grow by 8% to 10% in the first half of FY27, despite higher oil prices.

I expect that robust domestic and international travel demand will also help maintain some stability in the aviation giant's shares going forward.

The shares look cheap, too. Qantas is currently trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of around 9.9x. That's much lower than the ASX 200 average of around 25x.

Experts also agree that the shares are now heavily undervalued. TradingView data shows all analysts have a buy/strong buy rating on Qantas shares. The average $11.53 target price implies around a 33% upside from current trading levels. 

At the current $8.70 share price, I think Qantas shares are a bargain buy.

The post At $8.70: Are Qantas shares a bargain buy, or a risky investment? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Among the 11 market sectors, materials and miners are in the lead, recovering 1.6% of their 7.7% plunge last week.

Healthcare and utilities are the laggards today, down 1.3% each.

ASX shares are underperforming global markets for a variety of reasons this year.

In 2026, the ASX 200 is up 1% while the MSCI ACWI Price Index, a proxy for global equities, is up 11%.

Amid the weakness, brokers see buying opportunities and solid 12-month growth ahead for select ASX 200 companies.

Let's take a look at a few of them.

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

The Qantas share price is $8.36, down 0.7% today and down 20% in 2026.

This ASX 200 travel share has fallen 7% over the past month.

UBS has a buy rating on Qantas with a 12-month share price target of $11.40.

This implies a potential 36% upside ahead.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

The Xero share price is $64.32, up 0.2% today and down 43% in 2026.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 tech share has risen 11%.

UBS has a buy recommendation on Xero shares with a price target of $106.

This suggests potential capital growth of 65% ahead.

Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN)

The Paladin Energy share price is $7.15, up 3.9% today and down 29% in 2026.

This ASX 200 uranium share has declined 24% over the past month.

Morgans has upgraded its rating on PLS shares from accumulate to buy.

The broker has a 12-month price target of $13.10.

This implies a potential 83% upside ahead.

In a new note, Morgans said:

PDN's 1Q27 result reflected the anticipated slow start to FY27, with Langer Heinrich Mine (LHM) uranium production of 1.0Mlbs below consensus expectations of 1.16Mlbs.

Uranium sales of 1.16Mlbs were in line with consensus expectations of 1.13Mlbs.

The result was impacted by the flagged and planned July plant shutdown and weaker recovery rates due to ore characteristics.

Mining momentum and realised pricing – mining performance improved qoq following strong performance in 4Q26 and realised pricing increased 12% to US$79.4/lb, a record at LHM.

Following recent share price weakness, we upgrade our rating to BUY (previously ACCUMULATE) …

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)

The PLS share price is $2.83, up 7.8% on Monday and down 34% in 2026.

This ASX 200 lithium share has descended 26% over the past month.

Canaccord Genuity has renewed its buy rating on PLS shares with a $5.60 target.

This implies potential gains of 98% over the next year.

The post 4 ASX 200 shares with 36% to 98% growth ahead: brokers appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Here are three companies that I think are worth buying at current prices.

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

I think Qantas is a stronger business than its current valuation suggests.

The airline has a powerful position in Australian aviation, with its premium Qantas brand and budget-focused Jetstar business allowing it to serve different types of travellers.

Its loyalty division is another valuable part of the business, generating earnings that aren't entirely dependent on people booking flights.

I also like the opportunity for Qantas to benefit from its ongoing fleet renewal programme, which should gradually improve operating efficiency and the customer experience.

With Qantas shares trading around $8.41, I think investors are getting this business at a very reasonable price.

Consensus forecasts suggest earnings per share (EPS) of $1.04 in FY27, rising to $1.50 by FY29. That puts the shares on a PE ratio of approximately 8 times FY27 earnings and just 5.6 times FY29 earnings.

Airlines typically trade on lower earnings multiples because of their exposure to fuel prices, economic conditions, and substantial capital requirements.

But I think Qantas has emerged as a structurally stronger business, and its current valuation doesn't fully reflect that.

There is also a potential FY27 dividend yield of approximately 4.7%. For me, that's an attractive combination of potential earnings growth and income.

Jumbo Interactive Ltd (ASX: JIN)

Another ASX share I think looks cheap is Jumbo Interactive. The company operates the Oz Lotteries platform, allowing customers to purchase lottery tickets online.

I like its exposure to the ongoing shift towards digital lottery sales, as well as its efforts to build a broader lottery software and services business.

There is, however, an important uncertainty hanging over the company. Its reseller agreements with The Lottery Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLC) expire in August 2030, and there is no guarantee they will be renewed on equally favourable terms.

These agreements represented a significant portion of Jumbo's FY26 revenue, so I certainly wouldn't expect the shares to command a premium valuation.

But I think the current discount looks excessive. At approximately $5.87, Jumbo shares are trading at just 7.7 times forecast FY27 earnings.

They also offer a potential dividend yield of approximately 5.8%, based on consensus estimates. I think that's a low price for an established, profitable business that still has opportunities to expand.

The contract uncertainty deserves attention, but I would be happy buying at this valuation.

Collins Foods Ltd (ASX: CKF)

My final pick is Collins Foods, which operates KFC restaurants across Australia and parts of Europe.

What I like is the potential for earnings to improve as the company works to strengthen its European operations while continuing to grow its Australian business.

Its recent trading update showed encouraging sales momentum in Australia and improving performance in parts of Europe. I think that provides a reasonable foundation for the earnings recovery analysts are expecting.

With Collins Foods shares trading around $8.82, consensus forecasts put the company on approximately 16.5 times FY27 earnings.

That falls to just 12.1 times FY29 earnings, assuming forecasts are achieved. There is also a potential FY29 dividend yield of approximately 4.5%.

Of course, restaurant operators face challenges from rising labour costs, food inflation, and changing consumer spending. But I think Collins Foods has an opportunity to improve profitability and expand its restaurant network over time.

At today's share price, I would be happy giving it that opportunity.

Foolish takeaway

I would be comfortable buying all three ASX shares today.

Each has its own challenges, which helps explain why investors are currently cautious. But I think their valuations leave room for attractive returns if earnings develop broadly as analysts expect.

For patient investors, I believe these could prove to be rewarding investments over the next few years.

The post Why I'd buy Qantas and these cheap ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The benchmark has drifted 5.5% lower since its record high of 9,296.7 points on 6 August.

Private client advisor Dianne Colledge from Morgans says low consumer confidence and sticky inflation are weighing on sentiment.

Amid the weakness, brokers have indicated continued confidence in several ASX shares this week.

Let's take a look.

National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB)

The NAB share price is $40.83, up 2% today.

This ASX 200 bank share has lifted 6% over the past month.

Jefferies reiterated its buy rating on NAB shares on Tuesday.

The broker lowered its 12-month price target from $45.71 to $46.08.

This implies potential capital gains of 13% ahead.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

The CSL share price is $195.62, down 0.3% today.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 healthcare share has risen 9%.

Morgan Stanley renewed its buy rating on CSL shares today.

The broker has a 12-month price target of $200.

This suggests a potential 2% upside ahead.

Maas Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: MGH)

The Maas Group share price is $3.54, down 6.8% today.

Over the past month, this ASX industrials share has tanked 45% due to the Firmus float flop.

Morgans renewed its buy rating on Maas Group shares on Tuesday.

The broker slashed its price target from $7.75 to $5.90.

This implies potential capital growth of 67% over the next year.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

The BHP share price is $55.16, down 3.5% on Friday.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 mining share has fallen 11%.

Morgan Stanley renewed its buy rating on BHP shares on Wednesday.

The broker has a 12-month price target of $69.

This suggests a potential 25% upside ahead.

Official forecasts from the Federal Government show the iron ore price tumbling to US$72 per tonne by FY31. Here's why.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

The Macquarie share price is $246.47, down 1% today.

Over the past month, this ASX financial share has risen 2%.

Morgan Stanley renewed its buy rating on Macquarie shares on Tuesday.

The broker has a $273 target, implying a potential 10% upside ahead.

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

The Qantas share price is $8.41, down 0.5% today.

This ASX travel share has fallen 8% over the past month.

UBS reiterated its buy rating on Qantas shares on Monday.

The broker shaved its 12-month target down from $11.60 to $11.40.

This implies a potential 35% upside ahead.

The post 6 ASX shares experts are backing amid the market downturn appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The airline has been navigating a challenging environment, with higher operating costs and uncertainty surrounding international travel.

But with the share price coming under pressure, could October be a good time to invest?

Here's what I think.

Why have Qantas shares fallen?

Qantas shares are trading around $8.32 on Monday, having fallen more than 20% since late June.

I think one of the biggest reasons for the weakness is the sharp increase in aviation fuel costs.

The conflict in the Middle East has pushed energy prices higher, leaving airlines facing a substantial increase in one of their largest operating expenses.

Qantas has already felt the impact. In FY26, underlying profit before tax declined to approximately $2.06 billion, with management reporting that the Middle East conflict had an estimated $420 million impact on operating earnings during the second half.

That is a significant amount of money, and it helps explain why investors have become more cautious.

Qantas has responded by increasing fares, adjusting capacity, and making changes to its international operations.

But there is a limit to how much additional cost airlines can pass on to passengers before demand starts to weaken.

With Australian households also facing higher living costs and interest rates, I think the next few months could remain challenging.

Why I still like the business

Despite these pressures, I think Qantas has some important strengths.

Its position in the Australian aviation market is particularly valuable. Through Qantas and Jetstar, the company serves different parts of the market, allowing it to cater to business travellers, holidaymakers, and more price-conscious customers.

I also like the contribution from its loyalty division. Qantas Loyalty generated underlying earnings of $625 million in FY26, demonstrating that the group's profitability extends beyond selling airline tickets.

There is also the airline's fleet renewal programme to consider.

Newer aircraft should gradually improve fuel efficiency and the customer experience, potentially helping Qantas become more competitive over time.

Of course, replacing aircraft requires substantial investment, so those benefits will take time to emerge.

Would I buy today?

I think Qantas shares are becoming increasingly interesting after their recent decline.

The business remains profitable, has strong positions in the Australian travel market, and is investing in its long-term future.

My main concern is how long elevated fuel prices could persist. If costs remain high and travellers become more cautious, the earnings recovery could take longer than investors expect.

But if fuel prices eventually moderate and travel demand remains reasonably resilient, I think Qantas could be earning considerably more in a few years.

Foolish takeaway

I would be prepared to buy Qantas shares around $8.32 with a long-term view.

I don't expect an immediate recovery, particularly given the uncertainty surrounding fuel prices.

But I think the company's market position and longer-term growth opportunities make the recent weakness worth considering.

The post Are Qantas shares worth buying in October? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

There was a poor night on Wall Street, oil prices have climbed higher, and several ASX companies are holding their annual general meetings today.

Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN), Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN), and Web Travel Group Ltd (ASX: WEB) are on my radar this week. They're all suffering share price losses on Thursday morning, but brokers are confident they can bounce back over the next 12 months.

Here's the latest out of the ASX shares, and what the experts tip next.

Broker outlook for Paladin Energy shares

Paladin Energy shares have fallen another 3% to a new annual low of $7.07 at the time of writing. The shares have now crashed 26% over the past month, and they're down 30% year to date.

The ASX uranium shares have faced strong headwinds this year due to geopolitical uncertainty and a decline in investor confidence in uranium companies. Renewed conflict in the Middle East, higher inflation data, and concerns about further interest rate rises have also led many investors to reduce their exposure to higher-risk shares like Paladin Energy.

This week, the miner announced that its first-quarter FY27 output had dipped to 1.00 million points, but it maintained full-year FY27 guidance for its Langer Heinrich Mine. 

Paladin Energy is targeting annual uranium production of 5.1 to 5.6 million pounds at a cost of US$44 to US$48 per pound. The company expects production to ramp up in the second half of the year as higher-grade ores are mined. 

Management also said it is continuing to target cost reductions and productivity gains as previously outlined.

Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have a strong buy rating on the ASX shares. And the $13.10 average target price implies an upside of around 85%, at the time of writing.

Broker outlook for Qantas shares

Qantas shares have fallen around 1% to $8.07 at the time of writing on Thursday. The shares have now crashed around 24% since early August, and they're down 23% year to date.

Ahead of the company's FY26 results announcement in late August, there was market anxiety about the ASX-listed airline's upcoming results following several consecutive months of oil supply constraints and higher fuel prices.

And they were right. In late August, Qantas reported a 14% year-on-year decline in its underlying profit before tax, a 29% drop in statutory profit, and a 12.7% decline in underlying earnings.

Oil prices have climbed even higher this week, closing in on the latest US$105 per barrel high in early September, and the rebound is denting Qantas shares.

But it looks like the experts think the business is sound enough to withstand volatile prices, and they expect a turnaround in Qantas shares over the next 12 months.

Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have a strong buy rating on the ASX shares. The $11.38 average target price implies an upside of around 41%, at the time of writing.

Broker outlook for WEB Travel Group shares

WEB Travel Group shares are down around 3% in Thursday morning trade, to $3.32. The shares crashed earlier in the year after investors were spooked by an audit of its Spanish subsidiary, but rebounded in July on renewed investor confidence.

Now, it looks like the share price could be starting to slide lower again. The ASX shares are now down 31% year to date.

But despite external headwinds, the company has demonstrated strong earnings resilience this year, and it continues to deliver strong EBITDA margins and improving total transaction value (TTV). 

The company is guiding H1 underlying EBITDA in the range of AU$80 million and AU$86 million.

It also expects its WebBeds business to deliver an 11% to 15% year-on-year increase in H1 revenue (in euros).

Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have a strong buy rating on the ASX shares. The $4.93 average target price implies an upside of around 48% at the time of writing.

The post 3 ASX shares tipped by brokers to return 41% to 85% in the next 12 months appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

If you're in your sixties and weighing up Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) against Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) shares, you're comparing two iconic names with very different track records and business models. Wesfarmers spans supermarkets to hardware and pharmacies, while Qantas is Australia's airline. With retirement income, steady dividends and relative stability front-of-mind for many, let's spark up the Wesfarmers vs Qantas shares debate for those seeking to balance regular income with resilience.

The case for Wesfarmers

Wesfarmers is one of Australia's largest, longest-standing listed conglomerates. Its household brands include Bunnings, Kmart, Officeworks and Priceline, giving it a retail backbone, plus chemical and fertiliser operations. The group added healthcare in 2022 with the API acquisition, bolstering its "defensive" qualities against economic shocks. As of its company profile, Wesfarmers' portfolio gives it exposure to daily spending habits of Australians from all walks of life.

For investors near or in retirement, several figures stand out:

• Dividend Yield: 2.93%, fully franked – reliable and tax-friendly income.
• P/E Ratio: 29.94 – more of a premium price, reflecting perceived quality and steadiness.
• Dividend track record: Decades of consistent, fully franked payouts. Recent payments have hovered around $2 or more per share each year, often split between interim and final dividends.

Wesfarmers' vast scale ($86.58 billion market cap) and stable business mix could provide peace of mind for retirees who value predictability and steady dividends.

The case for Qantas Airways

Qantas is Australia's flagship airline, with roots stretching back to 1920. Its two main brands, Qantas and Jetstar, connect Australia's dots across domestic and international routes. According to its most recent public description, Qantas prides itself on safety, reliability, and customer service, and it survived the massive turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here's what might appeal to a sixty-something investor:

• Dividend Yield: 4.40%, fully franked – higher cash return than Wesfarmers as of the latest data, and strongly tax-effective.
• P/E Ratio: 10.64 – much lower than Wesfarmers, appealing for those looking for value.
• Dividend payments have resumed since 2025, after being paused during the pandemic. The most recent payouts were around 40 cents per share over the past year.

Qantas's business is more cyclical and sensitive to global shocks, but for investors seeking higher income (and comfortable with travel industry risks), it's worth a look.

Valuation comparison

Let's put the numbers side-by-side:

Note: Qantas's reported P/E ratio and EPS numbers align as expected, but be mindful that in airline cycles, earnings can fluctuate more dramatically than for a diversified retailer. Both companies offer fully franked dividends, boosting net yield for many Australian retirees.

Recent share price momentum

Comparing recent share price performance up to 7 October 2026:

• Wesfarmers closed at $76.30, up 0.58% for that day. Year to date, its return stands at -3.7%.
• Qantas closed at $8.87, down 1.33% for the day. Its year-to-date return is -9.6%.

Both shares are in negative territory for 2026 so far, but Wesfarmers has held up a little better than Qantas.

Which is the better buy?

If I had to pick for a 60 year old investor seeking reliable, tax-effective income and peace of mind, I'd lean towards Wesfarmers. Its business diversity, decades-long dividend consistency and defensive exposure across everyday retail sectors tick the classic retiree boxes. Qantas' dividend yield is higher at present, but the airline game is far more turbulent: it paused dividends during COVID, and earnings remain vulnerable to oil prices, wars, and changing travel habits.

While Wesfarmers trades at a much higher P/E (almost 3x Qantas), I see that as reflecting its more stable earnings and longer-term pedigree as a dividend stock. For retirees focused on sleep-at-night investing, my pick would be Wesfarmers – even if it's less exciting on the income front right now. Qantas could appeal if you believe in a strong, sustained post-pandemic recovery and are happy to take on extra risk for extra yield, but it wouldn't be my primary choice for my own nest egg.

The post Wesfarmers vs Qantas: Which ASX share suits a 60-year-old investor? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

When Aussies weigh up travel shares, two names stand out: Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) and Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT). Both are iconic in the tourism sector but offer very different business models and investment profiles. With both now back paying fully franked dividends and facing unique headwinds post-COVID, which travel stock is the better buy today? Here's what I found digging into the fundamentals, latest prices, and dividend records.

The case for Qantas Airways

Qantas is the national flag carrier, founded in 1920 and today best known for its strong safety record and premium service on regional, domestic, and international flights. Its core operation is flying people and cargo, balanced between its full-service Qantas brand and the value-focused Jetstar arm. Qantas has survived decades of industry shocks, most recently navigating the COVID-19 pandemic's massive hit to global travel demand.

Three key standouts for Qantas right now:

• Dividend comeback: After pausing dividends during COVID, Qantas resumed payouts in 2025 and is now offering a fully franked yield of 4.43% — slightly higher than Flight Centre's, with consistent recent interim and final payments.
• Lower P/E ratio: Qantas trades on a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.57, notably undercutting Flight Centre in the current market snapshot, which could appeal to value-minded investors.
• Market strength: With a market cap of $13.51 billion, Qantas is by far the bigger business, giving it deeper pockets and what I see as stronger resilience if conditions worsen.

Qantas is recognised for safety and reliability and is considered one of the best long-distance carriers globally. Its 100% franked dividends may also appeal to income-seeking shareholders.

The case for Flight Centre Travel Group

Flight Centre, launched in 1982, has grown from a single travel shop to a sprawling, multi-brand operation with stores across Australia and overseas. It's not an airline — it's a travel retailer and agency, connecting consumers to flights, cruises (with its recent Iglu acquisition in the UK), tours, and corporate travel services. Its business is highly sensitive to discretionary travel demand but looks arguably less asset-heavy than Qantas.

Here's what jumped out for Flight Centre:

• Dividend stability: FLT resumed and then lifted dividends since travel bounced back, with $0.42 per share fully franked paid out over the last year, close to Qantas's $0.40, and a yield of 4.13% at current prices.
• Recent M&A activity: Its acquisition of Iglu, a UK cruise specialist in 2026, hints at an active global strategy even as the broader sector remains tricky.
• Smaller size, higher P/E: FLT's market cap is $2.07 billion — much smaller than Qantas — and its P/E ratio stands at 14.65, higher than Qantas's but not unreasonable for a company emerging from major disruption.

Flight Centre's extensive network and global reach are highlighted, but the business remains primarily a travel agent rather than an operator of transport assets.

Valuation comparison

Here's how the two travel giants line up on the numbers that matter:

Recent share price performance

Both Qantas and Flight Centre have had a tough run recently, likely reflecting cost pressures and patchy confidence in the travel sector.

Comparing recent share price action up to 25 September:

• Qantas closed at $8.93, down 1.0% for the day and showing a year-to-date decline of 10.2%.
• Flight Centre closed at $10.18, down 1.3% for the day, but its YTD performance is much worse, with a steep 29.4% fall since the start of the year.

Which is the better buy?

For me, Qantas Airways stands out as the stronger buy right now. It's delivering a slightly higher, fully franked dividend, trades on a lower price-to-earnings multiple, and has seen less share price carnage this year than Flight Centre. While both companies are exposed to the health of the travel sector, Qantas appears more resilient thanks to its scale, operating profits, and core transport assets.

Flight Centre does have merit with its recent move into cruises and persistent dividends, but its combination of a higher P/E and much weaker share price momentum makes me cautious. If you're seeking relatively defensive exposure to the travel rebound, my pick would be Qantas, given its more attractive valuation and better recent performance. I'd be watching Flight Centre for a clearer turnaround and further evidence that earnings can recover.

The post Qantas Airways vs Flight Centre: Which ASX travel stock is the better buy today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The increase marks the third consecutive share price increase in as many days, meaning the ASX airline shares have now rebounded 5% this week.

It's great news for investors after the travel stock tumbled 19% between early August and mid-September. The shares are now down 13% for the year-to-date and 16% lower than 12 months ago.

What caused Qantas shares to fall in August?

Ahead of the company's FY26 results announcement in late August, the market hesitated about what the company might post. Some investors began selling their shares, expecting the results to disappoint and the shares to fall again.

And they were right.

In late August, Qantas reported a 13.8% year-on-year decline in its underlying profit before tax, and revealed that its statutory profit had fallen around 29%.

For the 12-month period, Qantas reported a 12.7% year-on-year drop in underlying earnings per share to 96 cents. And elsewhere, its $6.2 billion of net debt came in at the middle of its target range of $5.5 billion to $6.9 billion for FY26.

With profits down, management declared a fully-franked final Qantas dividend of 19.8 cents per share and a total dividend of 39.6 cents per share, down 25% from last year's final payout.

At the same time, renewed conflict in the Middle East and further oil supply constraints have put pressure back on fuel prices. This has put airlines like Qantas under significant pressure. 

As part of its results, Qantas reported that the impact from the Middle East conflict has cost the airline an estimated $420 million to date, largely driven by higher jet fuel costs.

So, why are the shares climbing higher again now?

There hasn't been any price-sensitive news out of Qantas this week to explain the latest turnaround in investor interest.

It's likely that this week's reprieve in oil prices could be helping to boost the airline's shares higher. Global travel sentiment is also surprisingly resilient.

Trading Economics shows that crude oil fell back below US$89 per barrel on Wednesday from a high of US$105 per barrel last week, driven by progress in the US-Iran peace agreement.

Is it time to snap up the shares before they climb even higher?

It looks like the experts are confident we'll see some sort of turnaround story in Qantas shares over the next 12 months.

TradingView data shows that the majority (14 out of 16) have a buy/strong buy rating on the shares. Another two rate the stock as a hold. But they all forecast an upside from the current trading level.

The $11.70 average target price implies a potential 28% upside over the next 12 months, at the time of writing. Even the minimum $10.40 target price implies the shares could jump 14% higher. 

The post Qantas shares are climbing higher again! Time to buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

And would either of the ASX travel stocks have beaten the 23.5% gains delivered by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) since 22 September 2023 as of Monday afternoon trade?

I'm glad you asked!

Buying $10,000 worth of Qantas shares

Three years ago, you could have bought Qantas shares for $5.31 apiece.

So, for $10,000, you could have picked up 1,883 shares in the ASX 200 airline stock.

On Monday, shares were changing hands for $8.80 each.

Meaning the 1,883 shares you bought on 22 September 2023 are worth $16,570 today.

But wait. There's more!

As you may recall, Qantas suspended its dividend payouts in 2020 after the global pandemic slammed the door on air travel and saw Qantas' profits dry up. However, as COVID came under control and air travel lifted off again, Qantas recommenced its twice-yearly dividend payments, starting in April 2025.

If you'd owned Qantas shares for the last three years, you would have received (or shortly will) the past four dividend payments, totalling 92.4 cents a share.

If we add that back into Monday's share price, then the accumulated value of the Qantas shares you bought three years ago is now worth $18,310. Or a gain of more than 83%, with some tax benefits from those franking credits.

So, we know that Qantas flew ahead of the ASX 200 over the last 36 months. But how about Air New Zealand stock?

How have Air New Zealand shares fared over three years?

Air New Zealand has had a more difficult time of it since 2023.

Three years ago, you could have bought shares in the Kiwi airline for 68 cents apiece. So, your $10,000 investment would have netted you 14,705 Air New Zealand shares.

On Monday, shares were swapping hands for 33 cents each.

Meaning the 14,705 shares you bought for $10,000 are worth $4,853 today.

Now Air New Zealand also suspended its dividend payments in 2020, resuming them in 2023.

If you'd owned the shares for the last three years, you would have received the past four unfranked dividend payments, totalling 4.7 cents a share.

Adding that back to the recent share price, the accumulated value of the Air New Zealand shares purchased on 22 September 2023 for $10,000 is now $5,544. Or a loss of 44.6%.

Which makes Qantas shares the clear winner in the three-year returns delivered from the two ASX airline stocks.

The post $10,000 invested in Air New Zealand and Qantas shares 3 years ago is now worth… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Here are three ASX 200 shares that broker forecasts suggest could jump up to 40% over the next 12 months.

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

The ASX 200 airline shares were smashed lower earlier this year as conflict in the Middle East and rising fuel prices put airlines under pressure. There was a brief rebound around July, but recent renewal of geopolitical tensions has seen the share price tumble again over the past month.

Jet fuel (refined from crude oil) is the highest operating cost for airlines. That means that when oil prices increase amid tight supply and geopolitical tensions, jet fuel prices also jump. And this means that airlines, such as Qantas, face higher operating costs.

But despite the higher fuel costs, the company expects to see unit revenues grow by 8% to 10% in the first half of FY27.

And the experts appear to be bullish that the ASX 200 shares could be a turnaround story for FY27. Market Index data shows all brokers have a strong buy rating on Qantas shares. And the $11.31 average target price implies a potential 30% upside at the time of writing.

Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN)

Paladin Energy shares are rebounding on Thursday after a steep sell-off over the past week.

The decline is likely due to a number of factors. These include geopolitical uncertainty and a drop in confidence for ASX uranium shares.

Renewed conflict in the Middle East, higher inflation data, and concerns about more interest rate rises have seen some investors reduce their exposure to higher-risk shares.

But despite the latest investor loss of confidence and share price declines, it looks like the experts are still very bullish about the outlook for Paladin Energy shares over the next 12 months.

Market Index data shows the majority of brokers still have a buy rating on the ASX 200 shares. The $12.83 average target price implies an upside of around 35% at the time of writing.

CAR Group Ltd (ASX: CAR)

Shares in the ASX 200 technology company, which runs online global marketplaces for cars, motorcycles, boats, and commercial vehicles, have tumbled around 20% over the past month.

The company has been hit by broad market volatility and investors taking their gains off the table after a rally following its FY26 results last month.

CAR Group's FY26 results overall were positive. It reported FY26 revenue of $1.253 billion, up 6%, and NPAT of $314 million, up 14% on the prior year. Reported adjusted EBITDA was up 8% to $667 million. 

And looking ahead to FY27, CAR Group said it expects revenue growth of 11% to 14% and adjusted EBITDA growth of 10% to 13% on a constant currency basis. The company also plans for high single-digit revenue growth in Australia and double-digit growth in North America, Latin America, and Asia.

The shares spiked around 10% on the day of the announcement, but have since tumbled back towards an annual low. 

But broker forecasts suggest the sell-off was overdone and that the shares have the potential to rebound in the near future. Market Index data shows all brokers have a strong buy rating on the ASX 200 shares. And the $33.64 average target price implies an upside of around 40% at the time of writing.

The post 3 ASX 200 shares forecast to fly 30% to 40% higher appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

But retirement could last for 20 or 30 years, and that money may need to cover everything from everyday expenses to travel and unexpected costs.

So, could $800,000 really be enough for a comfortable retirement?

What does a comfortable retirement cost?

One place I would start is the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia's Retirement Standard.

ASFA estimates that a single homeowner aged 65 to 84 needs roughly $56,000 a year for a comfortable retirement, while a couple needs around $79,000.

That budget is designed to cover more than the basics. It allows for things such as private health insurance, leisure activities, eating out, maintaining a car, household repairs, and occasional travel.

Of course, everyone's spending will look different. Someone who enjoys frequent overseas trips with Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) may want considerably more, while another retiree with relatively modest expenses could live comfortably on less.

How does $800,000 compare?

This is where I think an $800,000 balance starts to look encouraging.

ASFA estimates that a single homeowner retiring at age 67 needs around $630,000 in superannuation to fund a comfortable retirement. For a couple, the estimated combined balance is around $730,000.

On those benchmarks, $800,000 sits above both figures.

Importantly, those calculations do not assume someone simply lives off the investment income and leaves the original capital untouched forever.

Retirement savings are there to be used. ASFA's modelling assumes retirees gradually draw down their superannuation and may also receive some Age Pension support as their balance declines.

That means an $800,000 balance does not necessarily need to produce the entire annual spending requirement through dividends or interest alone.

I would still keep investing

If I retired with $800,000, I would not suddenly move the whole balance into cash.

Retirement could still last 20 or 30 years, and inflation will continue increasing the cost of living throughout that period.

I would therefore want part of the portfolio invested in growth assets such as Australian and international shares or exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

The aim would be for investment returns to help replace some of the money being withdrawn and give the balance a better chance of supporting rising expenses over time.

I would also keep some more defensive assets available so I was not forced to sell shares after a major market fall.

That balance between growth and stability would become increasingly important once the portfolio was funding my lifestyle.

There are some important assumptions

Whether $800,000 is enough would depend heavily on personal circumstances.

Owning a home outright makes a substantial difference. A retiree still paying rent or a mortgage would generally need considerably more income.

Retirement age also matters. Someone stopping work at 60 needs their savings to support more years than someone retiring at 67.

Health costs, travel plans, family support, and other major expenses could also change the amount required.

For that reason, I would treat the $800,000 figure as part of the retirement plan rather than the whole plan.

Foolish takeaway

I think $800,000 in superannuation could provide a comfortable retirement for many Australians, particularly homeowners retiring around the traditional retirement age.

It is already above ASFA's current comfortable retirement benchmarks for both singles and couples.

For me, the key would be making sure the money remained invested sensibly, withdrawals were sustainable, and there was enough flexibility to deal with whatever the next few decades brought.

The post Could I retire comfortably with $800,000 in superannuation? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The shares are trading around $9.01 today, well below their 52-week high of $11.39.

I think that weakness has made the valuation more interesting, particularly for investors prepared to look beyond the next few months.

Here's why I would invest $10,000 in Qantas shares today.

The underlying business still looks strong

Qantas remains in a powerful position in Australian aviation.

Its domestic network gives the group strong exposure to business and leisure travel, while Jetstar provides a lower-cost option for customers who are more sensitive to price.

I also like the contribution from Qantas Loyalty. Its Frequent Flyer program gives the company another way to earn from its customer base outside the airline itself, while also encouraging passengers to remain within the wider Qantas ecosystem.

Then there is the fleet renewal program and Project Sunrise, which should gradually modernise the airline and expand what Qantas can offer on long-haul routes.

None of those opportunities depends on the share price recovering quickly. They are reasons I think the business itself can keep improving over the coming years.

Near-term pressure would not put me off

One issue I would watch closely is the oil price. Fuel is a major expense for airlines, so a sustained rise in oil prices could put pressure on Qantas' margins in the near term.

That could make earnings more volatile than investors would like and is one risk I would keep in mind at the current price.

I would not ignore that risk. At the same time, I still think Qantas is well placed to deliver solid earnings over the next few years. The company has significant scale, a strong domestic position, multiple brands, and several sources of revenue beyond simply selling airline seats.

For me, that gives the business more resilience than the share price currently seems to imply.

The valuation looks attractive

I think Qantas shares are looking attractive at current prices.

According to CommSec, consensus forecasts point to earnings per share of $1.04 in FY27, rising to $1.30 in FY28 and $1.50 in FY29.

At $9.01, Qantas is trading on a PE ratio of roughly 8.7 times forecast FY27 earnings.

If the FY29 estimate is achieved, that multiple falls to around six times earnings.

I think that looks cheap enough to compensate for some of the risks that come with owning an airline.

Investors may also receive a growing stream of dividends while waiting.

Consensus forecasts suggest dividends per share of 39.6 cents in FY27, 43.1 cents in FY28, and 49.6 cents in FY29.

At today's share price, those estimates represent forward dividend yields of roughly 4.4%, 4.8%, and 5.5%, respectively.

Foolish takeaway

I would be comfortable investing $10,000 into Qantas shares at current levels.

The airline industry will always bring volatility, but Qantas has several strong businesses underneath the headline brand and a clear path to higher earnings if current expectations are met.

At around $9.01, I think the shares offer enough value to make that risk worthwhile.

The post Why I'd invest $10,000 into Qantas shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

As you're likely aware, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) airline suspended its twice-yearly passive income payments in 2020. That came as the global travel bans initiated during the COVID pandemic saw the company's revenues dry up and profits turn to losses.

But as the pandemic faded into history and global travel resumed, so too did the Qantas dividend in April 2025.

As for the upcoming passive income payout…

What's happening with the final Qantas dividend?

Qantas reported its full year FY 2026 results on 27 August.

Impacted in part by soaring jet fuel costs following the onset of the Iran war, the airline reported a 13.8% year-on-year decline in underlying profit before tax to $2.06 billion.

With profits slipping, management declared a fully franked final Qantas dividend of 19.8 cents per share.

While that's down 25% from last year's final dividend payout, the Qantas share price has also slumped 23.7% in 12 months, recently trading for $8.96.

So, the fully franked 2.2% instant yield you'll be getting from the upcoming final dividend will be broadly in line with what investors received last year. And adding in the benefits of those franking credits, this equates to a grossed-up yield of 3.2%.

Not bad.

Now, if you want to bank that final Qantas dividend, you'll need to own shares at market close today. Qantas trades ex-dividend tomorrow, 15 September. You can then expect to receive that passive income payout on 14 October.

How has the Iran war impacted the Qantas shares?

Qantas shares have caught headwinds from the Middle East conflict on two fronts.

First, the Iran war has negatively impacted the demand for international business and tourist travel.

Second, the virtual closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz oil shipping route has sent jet fuel costs soaring.

Commenting on the impact of the Iran war, which was partly responsible for the lower final Qantas dividend, CEO Vanessa Hudson said:

The final four months of the year saw business and consumer confidence fall as the conflict and economic headwinds created uncertainty, and some large corporates and government responded by managing their costs more tightly, reducing demand for travel.

In response to the surge in fuel prices, we quickly adjusted fares and capacity, and redeployed aircraft to give customers more options to fly to Europe. These actions, along with other mitigations, limited the net impact on earnings to $420 million, despite a $610 million increase in our fuel bill.

The post Looking to bank the final Qantas dividend? You'd better hurry! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

With shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) airline having returned to earth following their record highs in August last year, now could be an opportune entry point to get a market beating yield from those Qantas dividends.

As you may recall, it was only back in April 2025 that Qantas' twice yearly dividend payouts resumed. The airline suspended its passive income payments in 2020 amid the travel crushing impacts of the global pandemic.

But with air travel having resumed, and profits rolling in, the Qantas dividend is back in play.

Tapping into the ASX 200 airline for dividends

Over the past 12 months, Qantas has declared two fully franked dividends, both 19.8 cents per share.

Qantas paid the interim dividend on 15 April.

The final Qantas dividend will be paid out on 14 October.

That passive income payout is still up for grabs, by the way. Qantas shares trade ex-dividend on 15 September. So, you'll need to own stock in the Flying Kangaroo at market close on Monday, 14 September, to claim that payout.

This also means that the yield we're looking at here is partly a trailing yield and partly a pending yield.

Since we know how much the upcoming dividend is and the current Qantas share price, we can calculate the pending yield with certainty.

What we don't know is the amount of the upcoming interim dividend next year. So, we'll base that on this year's interim payout.

Trailing yields, are by their nature, backwards looking. Future Qantas dividend payouts could be higher or lower depending on a range of macroeconomic and company specific factors. For Qantas that includes things like upcoming travel demand, and the trajectory of jet fuel costs, which analysts can only do their best to guess at today.

With that said…

How many Qantas shares do I need to buy for $5,000 in passive income?

Over the past 12 months, Qantas has paid – or shortly will pay – 39.6 cents per share in fully franked dividends.

At the recent share price of $9.05, the ASX 200 airline trades on a fully franked dividend yield (partly trailing, partly pending) of 4.4%.

So, to earn $5,000 of passive income in the 2027 financial year, you'd need to invest $113,636 in the stock today.

Or 12,557 Qantas shares.

The post How many Qantas shares do I need to buy for $5,000 of passive income in FY27? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

We're helping you monitor ex-dividend dates with an article every Friday.

Here are some of the ASX shares due to trade ex-dividend next week.

To be eligible for the dividend, you must own the ASX share before its ex-dividend date.

ASX shares going ex-dividend next week

Check out which ASX shares go ex-dividend today.

The post 33 ASX shares going ex-dividend next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The ASX 200 Index fell 1.68% to 8,762 points, its lowest level in six weeks.

Its 200-day moving average was sitting near 8,816 points before the open.

The index has now dropped through it, which is the sort of thing technical investors notice.

Why so many ASX 200 shares have broken trend

Three forces arrived at once.

Brent crude pushed to US$101.60 a barrel as tensions involving the United States and Iran escalated.

The US 10-year Treasury yield climbed to around 4.84%, its highest since 2023.

Markets now price roughly a 70% chance the Reserve Bank raises rates again on 29 September.

The selling was broad, with 153 shares falling against 36 rising at one point on Thursday.

Here are three stocks that have been particularly hard hit.

1. Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO)

Judo trades at 99.5 cents against a 52-week range of 82 cents to $2.07.

The shares are down almost 40% over twelve months and have not recovered from June's guidance downgrade.

However, the FY26 result did not justify that. Statutory net profit rose 29% to $111.1 million and profit before tax climbed 34% to $168.1 million.

Deposits jumped 24% to $12.2 billion and now fund more than 70% of the balance sheet.

Chief executive Chris Bayliss addressed the credit issue directly.

FY26 has been another year of genuine momentum for Judo. While the increase in specific provisions late in the year was disappointing, the underlying performance of the Bank has remained strong, with record revenue, continued operating leverage, strong deposit growth and lending at the top end of guidance.

FY27 guidance calls for profit before tax of $210 million to $220 million.

2. JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH)

JB Hi-Fi is the most extreme case here.

JB Hi-Fi shares traded at $64.60 on Thursday, below their previous 52-week low of $65.45.

However, like Judo Capital, results remain strong.

FY26 revenue rose 4.8% to $11.06 billion and net profit after tax lifted 6% to $489.9 million.

The total ordinary dividend rose 22.5% to 337 cents per share, fully franked.

JB Hi-Fi ended the year with $206.5 million in net cash and no interest-bearing debt.

However, investors are selling due to potentially higher rates, which would encourage households to pull back spending on discretionary purchases.

3. Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

Qantas sits near $9, close to its 52-week low of $8.03.

Unlike the previous two, earnings have fallen in recent times.

FY26 underlying profit before tax fell $330 million to $2.06 billion.

Almost all of that came from one source, with the Middle East conflict producing a $420 million net impact through record fuel prices and route disruption.

Qantas Loyalty still lifted underlying earnings before interest and tax 12%.

Oil at US$101 is the obvious problem, and it is why this one is among the cheapest ASX 200 shares on an earnings multiple.

Foolish takeaway

I would rather buy a profitable business experiencing a temporary share price downturn than a stock everyone already likes.

The catch is that such stocks can stay below trend for a very long time.

The post Top 3 ASX 200 shares now below their 200-day moving average appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.