The recent jump in inflation is certainly leading to expectations of a rise in interest rates. The prospects are good for Aussies interested in term deposits.

However, despite that, I think it's an even better time to look at ASX dividend shares.

I'm expecting inflation to reduce in the future back to a more normal level, even if that takes a while, which could mean the lower share prices (and higher yield) today are worth jumping on whilst they're still available.

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

One of the main reasons I prefer ASX dividend shares to term deposits is the organic growth that businesses can deliver.

Companies can grow their earnings over time, enabling them to deliver rising dividend payments (offsetting inflation) and achieve capital growth.

I think Soul Patts is one of the best examples of this because the business has increased its dividend each year for the past 28 years in a row. There is no other company on the ASX with that history of dividend increases.

The only organic way a term deposit delivers any material income growth is when the RBA cash rate goes up. But interest rates can go down too, as we saw in 2025, hurting the interest rate on offer.

Dividend growth is not guaranteed, but I like the odds of this ASX dividend share hiking its payout this year and next year.

It has been able to deliver such consistent growth because of how it operates. It's an investment conglomerate that owns a portfolio of ASX shares, international shares, private businesses, property, and credit.

The company has deliberately built its asset base to be defensive and provide resilient cash flow, while also having growth potential. As it receives its portfolio's investment cash flow (mainly dividends), it enables Soul Patts to pay a higher dividend each year and retain a minority of that money to reinvest in more opportunities.

It currently has a grossed-up dividend yield of 3.6%, including franking credits. The somewhat low yield is partly a function of it having a very sustainable dividend payout ratio.

WCM Global Growth Ltd (ASX: WQG)

For investors looking for an ASX dividend share that can provide a stronger yield than a term deposit, I'd definitely look at this option.

It's a listed investment company (LIC) – its job is to invest in other shares on behalf of shareholders to generate good investment returns.

The LIC looks across the globe for opportunities, so it's a great option for Australians looking for diversification. Its ideas come from across the world, including the Americas, Europe, and Asia, as well as various sectors.

WCM Global Growth wants to find businesses with expanding economic moats (or improving competitive advantages), and these businesses must have a culture that supports a strengthening of the competitive advantages.

As a LIC, the business is able to decide on the level of dividends it wants to pay to shareholders. The ASX dividend share has been steadily increasing its payout over the last several years, and it has guided that its quarterly dividend will continue rising each quarter over the next year.

The LIC's guidance for the next four dividends to be declared comes to a grossed-up dividend yield of 7.7%, including franking credits, at the time of writing. I expect the payout will continue rising for the foreseeable future.

The post Forget term deposits! I'd buy these ASX dividend shares instead! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Let's see if the broker is bullish or bearish on these names. Here's what it is recommending:

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

Morgans was pleased with the company's recent half-year results, which were the first since the merger with Brickworks.

Commenting on the result, the broker said:

SOL has recently released its 1H26 result, which represents the first reporting period post the completion of the Brickworks (BKW) merger (Sep-25). It was another strong period for SOL, with Pre-tax NAV increasing ~15% on pcp to ~A$13.8bn. The portfolio delivered a 9.7% increase in NAV per share in the period (versus the ASX200 total return index returning 3.1%).

Net cash flow from investments (NCFI) grew ~15% on pcp to ~A$334m, supported by strong contributions from the private, credit and real asset portfolios. Regular NPAT from the portfolio was up ~21% on pcp to ~A$397m. A 48cps fully-franked interim dividend was declared (28 consecutive years of dividend increases).

However, despite being pleased with Soul Patts' results, due to the outperformance of its shares, it isn't enough for a buy rating. The broker has put a hold rating and $41.85 price target on them. It said:

Our DDM/SOTP-derived price target is now A$41.85 following the BKW merger, which materially changed the portfolio composition and tax base. We also remove the associated premium we had applied to our prior valuation to factor in index upweighting post the merger. Our updated forecasts are overleaf. We continue to like the SOL story, particularly its track record of growing distributions and history of uncorrelated and above market returns. We maintain our Hold recommendation.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

Another ASX 200 stock that the broker has been looking at is energy giant Woodside.

After removing its 10% conflict premium that was applied to Woodside shares, but upgrading its oil and gas assumptions, the broker has come to a valuation of $33.40. And with its shares racing beyond this price target, it has downgraded its shares to a hold rating (from accumulate). It explains:

We downgrade our rating on WDS to HOLD (from ACCUMULATE). Owning WDS has been powerful insurance (as a hedge against supply disruption) but now trading above A$35/share and above our NAV, it has crossed over into an active wager that the crisis is more permanent than we estimate, which sadly is possible, but should this be our base case steering our strategy? No. We remove our 10% conflict premium and apply our upgraded oil/LNG deck, for a small net change in our target price, now at A$33.40 (was A$33.55).

The post What is Morgans saying about these massively popular ASX 200 stocks? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The two I'm going to highlight are ones I have a double-digit allocation to (in percentage terms).

I expect the second ASX dividend share, if not both, will remain as large holdings for decades to come.

MFF Capital Investments Ltd (ASX: MFF)

This business is best known as a listed investment company (LIC) – I have liked this business and written about it for almost a decade. There's still a lot to like for dividend investors.

Firstly, it provides exposure to high-quality businesses from across the world, which should mean it can benefit from long-term compounding of earnings. MFF wants to invest in a portfolio of competitively advantaged businesses while avoiding permanent capital loss.

The investment returns have allowed the business to deliver impressive capital growth. Over the past five years, the MFF share price has risen by around 70%, excluding dividends. The total shareholder return (TSR) has been an average of 14.9% per year over the past five years.

One of its other main goals is to grow the dividend.

The ASX dividend share has increased its annual regular dividend each year over the past several years. It's expecting to increase its annual payout to 21 cents per share in FY26. I wouldn't be surprised to see the payout rise to at least 23 cents in FY27.

But the guided FY26 payout translates into a grossed-up dividend yield of 6.5%, including franking credits, at the time of writing.

I expect to buy more of this ASX dividend share in the coming weeks, particularly if it stays at around the current valuation.

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

Soul Patts is the largest position in my portfolio, and I'm planning to buy more if the share price dips.

The investment conglomerate has proven itself yet again during the last month as a leading business for stability. Since the end of February 2026, the Soul Patts share price has risen by 7%, compared to a fall of more than 6% by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

I think one of the key reasons for this performance has been its large stake in ASX energy share New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC), which has risen more than 20% since the end of February 2026.

But the ASX dividend share is invested in a variety of other defensive industries, including swimming schools, telecommunications, agriculture, water entitlements, and industrial properties.

Together, its portfolio can provide resilient cash flow, enabling the business to generate stable profit and pay a consistent (and growing) dividend.

It's impressive to think that the business has increased its regular annual dividend per share every year for 28 years in a row. The company has also paid a dividend each year since it listed more than 120 years ago.

I think the business is on course for a very compelling future as its portfolio continues to evolve and find greater investment opportunities. At the time of writing, it has a grossed-up dividend yield of 3.7%, including franking credits.

The post 2 ASX dividend shares I'm betting on big-time to fund my retirement appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Each state has a different school holiday period, with NSW, Queensland, and Victoria among the states commencing holidays today.

Tasmania has the latest school holiday schedule this Easter season. The school break in our smallest state runs from 18 April to 3 May.

So, here's a list of all the ASX shares due to go ex-dividend over the coming weeks through to 3 May.

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

Ex-dividend dates give ASX investors two opportunities.

Either buy before the date to receive the dividend, or wait until ex-dividend day, when the share price will likely drop, to buy then.

ASX shares with ex-dividend dates this month

The post 21 ASX shares going ex-dividend over the school holidays appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

If you're hunting for reliable income or high-growth potential, these two ASX shares stand out: Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Ltd (ASX: SOL) for dependable dividends and Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) for long-term capital growth.

Let's take a closer look.

Soul Pattinson: Over 120 years of payouts

This ASX Share isn't your average dividend play. Washington H. Soul Pattinson has been around for over 120 years and has paid a dividend every single year, through wars, pandemics, and recessions. Its track record of 28 consecutive years of dividend growth is unmatched on the ASX.

Originally a pharmacy business — hence the "Chemist" name — Soul Patts has since divested that arm and transformed into a diversified investment company. Its portfolio of investments generates strong, recurring cash flow, supporting both its regular payouts and long-term capital growth.

The company recently increased its HY26 interim dividend by 9.1% to 48 cents per share, giving it a grossed-up yield of 3.8% including franking credits.

With a combination of consistent income and an expanding investment portfolio, shareholders can reasonably expect both reliable dividends and gradual capital appreciation. The price of the ASX share has gained 9% in 2026 and 17% over 12 months.

Xero: Deep sell-off sparks opportunity

If income isn't your priority, this ASX share offers growth. This cloud-based accounting platform powers small and medium-sized businesses, handling invoicing, payroll, and financial reporting all in one place.

Xero's global footprint – Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and beyond – is a major strength, an its subscription model provides recurring revenue that grows as its customer base expands.

Xero hasn't been smooth sailing. The recent tech sell-off hit the ASX share hard, amplified by fears Artificial Intelligence could disrupt traditional software and higher interest rates pressuring valuations. But that's creating opportunity.

After months of heavy selling, the ASX share is trading at a significant discount to prior highs, attracting bargain hunters looking for high-quality growth at lower entry points.

Analyst sentiment is overwhelmingly positive. According to TradingView, 13 out of 14 analysts rate Xero as a buy or strong buy. Price targets suggest upside of up to 210%, with Citi's $144.80 target implying a 92% potential gain from current levels.

Its sticky ecosystem, scalable business model, and ongoing global expansion make the $12 billion ASX share a compelling long-term growth story.

Foolish Takeaway

Together, these ASX shares represent two sides of a balanced portfolio: income today and growth tomorrow. Soul Patts offers stability and dependable dividends backed by a century-long track record, while Xero offers high-growth potential for investors willing to ride the ups and downs of tech.

These ASX stocks show that whether you're chasing reliable payouts or explosive upside, there are opportunities waiting for investors willing to buy quality at the right time.

The post 1 ASX dividend share and 1 ASX growth stock to buy in April appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

When it comes to choosing the best ones for your portfolio, you should be looking for a history of consistent payouts, and ones which are able to steadily increase over time.

Here are three reliable and robust ASX dividend shares which I think should be in every investor's portfolio.

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

Soul Patts is widely regarded as Australian dividend royalty. The diversified Australian investment house pays its fully-franked dividends twice per year.

For the first half of FY26, the ASX dividend share paid a fully-franked interim dividend of 48 cents per share. That's a 9.1% increase on the prior corresponding period and represents the 28th consecutive year of increasing dividends. It also implies a trailing dividend yield of 2.69% at the time of writing.

In FY25, it paid a total $1.03 per share, 100% fully franked. All Australian investors should consider having Soul Patts shares in their portfolio.

At the close of the ASX on Tuesday afternoon, the shares were $40.40 a piece.

APA Group (ASX: APA)

APA is one of the most stable ASX dividend shares listed on the ASX. The energy infrastructure business is well-known for paying strong, consistent dividends, with revenue derived from long-term contracted infrastructure assets. 

APA has hiked its payout every year for the last 20 years. Its yield is usually much higher than the wider market, too, which makes it an appealing option for investors seeking an ongoing passive income.

The company paid an interim dividend of 27.5 cents in the first half of FY26 and is guiding a full-year dividend of 58 cents per security. That translates to a forward distribution yield of 6.07%, partially franked.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) 

As a textbook defensive asset, Telstra shares are likely to perform steadily regardless of what part of the economic cycle we're in. The telco has a predictable cash flow, reliable earnings, and a dividend payout ratio close to 100% of its earnings. That unlocks a great dividend yield for its shareholders. 

Telstra pays investors two dividends every year, in March and September. Last month, investors received an interim 10.5 cent dividend, 90.48% franked.

In FY25 the company paid investors an annual dividend of 19 cents per share, which translates to a 3.9% dividend yield at the time of writing. The telco is expected to pay an even larger 20-cent final dividend for FY26, which represents a 5.25% increase year-on-year. 

At the close of the ASX on Tuesday, Telstra shares were $5.33 a piece.

The post 3 must-own ASX dividend shares which belong in every portfolio appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The first thing to know is that the business has already displayed excellent longevity in that it's more than 120 years old and has been listed on the ASX for all those years.

It started as a pharmacy business, which is where the Soul Pattinson Chemist chain got its name. However, Soul Patts divested its stake in the chemist business a few years ago.

There are a few reasons why I think it's a wonderful pick for retirees, so let's get into those.

Great diversification

Many of the largest ASX dividend shares we can invest in generate most/all of their earnings from a specific sector, such as banking, mining, telecommunications, and so on.

Soul Patts has built a very diversified portfolio after making numerous investments over the decades. Now it's invested in a number of different areas such as sizeable listed companies, 'real assets' (real estate, agriculture, water, and data centres), emerging companies, credit and private companies.

Some of the main sectors it has exposure to through its company investments include energy, communication services, mining, financials, industrials, retail, healthcare, building products, swimming schools, and electrification.

Soul Patts shares can give retirees a significant level of uncorrelated asset diversification, while also enabling the business to search far and wide (including internationally) for great investment opportunities.

As the years go by, I expect the Soul Patts portfolio will continue to modernise and become even more growth focused.

Incredible dividend record

I'm sure most retirees reading this want to know about the dividend, so let's talk about its incredible record.

Soul Patts has grown its regular annual payout every year for 28 years in a row. No other business on the ASX has the same track record of consistent dividend growth. I'm expecting the company to reach 30 years of consistent dividend growth and more.

Another fact worth knowing is that it has paid a dividend every single year of its existence, going back 120 years, including through the wars, pandemics, and recessions.

This business is very committed to paying dividends to shareholders.

It recently grew its HY26 interim dividend by 9.1% to 48 cents per share. It now has a grossed-up dividend yield of 3.8%, including franking credits.

If the ASX dividend share continues to generate cash flow from its own investments, I'd say shareholders have a great chance of seeing growth for the foreseeable future.

Long-term capital growth

Soul Patts is not just a dividend machine, but it is also growing its share price over time thanks to the increasing value of its portfolio.

The portfolio is growing organically as its business investments naturally grow in size as they deliver on their own plans.

Soul Patts is also able to make new buys with some of the investment cash flow from its portfolio that it retains (after paying for operating expenses and giving shareholders a larger dividend).

With its HY26 result, Soul Patts noted that in the past 25 years, it has delivered an average total shareholder return (that's capital growth plus dividends) of 12.9% per year, outperforming the total return of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) by 4.6% per year. Those returns show plenty of capital growth for investors.

I think this is one of the most effective investments retirees can buy for their portfolio for the long term.

The post Why Soul Patts shares are a retiree's dream appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Here are three worth considering for your set-and-forget investing portfolio.

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

While the name is often thought of in terms of the pharmacies, the company divested its last remaining interests in the retail chain in 2020. Today, it is an investment company that owns a portfolio designed to build wealth steadily over time.

In 2025, it completed a merger with building materials manufacturer Brickworks Limited, ending five decades of cross-shareholdings between the companies. The new arrangement created a $14 billion investment powerhouse, further improving liquidity and transparency.

Why is Washington H. Soul Pattinson a solid ASX dividend share?  

Soul Patts' diversification across multiple uncorrelated sectors is its defensive moat. Diversification on this scale smooths earnings, reduces volatility, and allows long-term capital allocation.

The model is a simple one – a long-running investment conglomerate that invests in high-quality businesses and compounds capital, and it is in a robust financial position. Soul Patts holds pre-tax net assets of $13.5 billion as at 1H26, up 14.6% on the prior corresponding period (PCP). And cash holdings of $427 million, providing resiliency if things go wrong. However, the scale of its diversification also gives it ample coverage here.

As for its growth runway, Soul Patts invests in both listed and unlisted businesses across the globe, providing almost limitless investment opportunity. And it remains a family-run enterprise, despite its scale, so management skin in the game is apparent too.

And when it comes to returns, Soul Patts comes through here too. It has paid dividends every year since it listed on the ASX over a century ago. And every year for the last 27 years, the dividend has grown year on year.

You will pay a premium, but the valuation is justified for set-and-forget investors given its solid track record and high-quality balance sheet.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

Cochlear is a global leader in implantable hearing solutions, with a market share of around 60% in developed markets. It has solid recurring revenue streams too, with patients returning for upgrades or device accessories.

Why is Cochlear a solid ASX dividend share?

A quality, trusted healthcare product that makes meaningful change in people's lives creates customer stickiness — patients often stay in the Cochlear ecosystem. Its global reputation and position in a tightly regulated market give it a solid defensive moat, and its balance sheet remains resilient despite some challenges of late.

Its business model is easy to understand — we all know what Cochlear does. Today, more than 1 million people across the globe use a Cochlear device. And with an aging population, the demand for hearing devices is set to increase in the coming years, creating a growth runway. It is also a known innovator, consistently investing in Research & Development. As technology advances, I believe Cochlear will remain at the forefront.

However, it has faced some setbacks of late, which has seen the share price fall 37% in the last twelve months. Delays in transitioning patients to its new Nucleus Nexa device have contributed to underlying net profits falling 9%, missing analysts' expectations.

That said, it retains strong cash holdings, with operating cash flow increasing by $26.9 million to $136.8 million and free cash flow up by $24 million to $82.7 million in its 1H26 reporting.

It also recently announced a dividend of $2.15, flat against the prior corresponding period. While this has some worried that it might signal the end of steadily increasing dividends for the healthcare leader, I think it will bounce back in the second half as the Nucleus Nexa rollout regains momentum.

For me, recent conditions have created an opportunity for set-and-forget investors to get in on a market leader at an attractive price.

Brambles Ltd (ASX: BXB)

Brambles operates CHEP, the world's largest pallet-pooling network, providing reusable pallets, crates, and containers used across the globe. Its model creates a cost-effective and efficient circular logistics solution for manufacturers and retailers, and its service is widely considered the benchmark in pallet pooling.  

Why is Brambles a solid ASX dividend share?

Brambles has a classic defensive moat built on scale, network effect, and customer stickiness. The scale of its services means it is disruptive and difficult for customers to switch, and given the quality of its service, they have little incentive to consider a move.

While global logistics is complex, its business is relatively simple. Brambles rents shipping pallets to its customers, collects, repairs, reissues, and repeats. This circular model gives it largely predictable cash flows.

Brambles 1H26 reporting showed a resilient balance sheet with sales revenue and underlying profit increasing, and free cash holdings of US$481.7 million, up $52.5 million on 2025. It also reported an interim dividend of US$0.23 per share, up 21% on FY25.  

These results are particularly strong in the current global climate, with demand headwinds in some markets and increasing inflation-driven cost pressures. 

While it has a moderate to high price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, I think you are paying for quality here. With solid dividends, a wide defensive moat, and a resilient balance sheet, the current share price represents fair value for set-and-forget investors, in my view.  

The post 3 reliable ASX dividend shares for set-and-forget investing appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

In the short-term, market confidence is being tested by events in the Middle East and the subsequent impacts. But, in the long-term, there are plenty of great reasons to like the business. It's already one of my largest holdings and I'm planning to buy more because of the following reasons.

Ever rising dividend

One of the best attributes for Aussie investors is the passive income from this ASX share. It has increased its payout for 28 years in a row!

The business decided to increase the interim dividend per share by around 9% to 48 cents per share. Soul Patts was able to fund that dividend announcement thanks to a 12.5% increase in the net cash flow from investments (NCFI) to 89 cents per share. Impressively, the NCFI has increased at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1% over the prior three years.

The business could continue to deliver rising dividends for shareholders over the long-term thanks to its sturdy and expanding portfolio.

At the current Soul Patts share price, it offers a grossed-up dividend yield of 3.8%, including franking credits.

Improving portfolio balance

In the last few years, the business has been looking to protect capital through increased diversification and uncorrelated returns. It's looking to seek out mis-priced risk and it's prepared to be counter-cyclical or contrarian.

The idea is that its capital is invested in the highest-conviction ideas, while balancing growth and yield within the business.

Areas of its portfolio that it has been putting a significant portion of new investing money in recent times has been 'real' assets, private equity, emerging companies and credit.

Real assets include things like industrial and manufacturing properties, data centres, land for development, agriculture, water rights and retirement living.

The private companies are long-term investments in unlisted companies with growth opportunities. Soul Patts has the ability to hold minority, majority or control these investments, helping them grow into long-term growth platforms.

The emerging companies segment relates to investments in high-growth companies with structural tailwinds and potential capital gain potential. It has an increasing exposure to global investments in this segment.

With the credit segment, it's looking to invest in businesses targeting income and strong risk-adjusted returns across domestic and global credit markets.

I like that the company is reducing its reliance on significant investments in large, listed businesses and building out its portfolio into other areas.

Focus on defensive growth

The business has deliberately built its portfolio to balance growth, yield and resilience across a range of industries and asset classes.

Looking at the past 25 years of ASX down months, Soul Patts has outperformed the ASX share market on average by 1.9%, which is an impressive track record and part of the reason why it has been able to outperform the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) over the long-term.

Soul Patts noted in its recent result that its HY26 net asset value (NAV) return was 9.7%, outperforming the market by 6.6%. The 12-month NAV return (including dividends) was 14.3%.

Pleasingly, the NAV has compounded by 11.1% per year over the last three years (adjusted for dividends). While that's not the fastest growth rate in the world, it is helping justify a long-term rise in the Soul Patts share price.

The post 3 reasons why I think Soul Patts shares are a better buy than ever appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

As such, we head into the weekend with the ASX 200 at 8,516.3 points.

This disappointing conclusion to the week's trading for Australian investors was preceded by an even more downbeat morning on the American markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) gave up an early lead to finish at a significant 1.01% loss.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was hit even harder, falling by 2.38%.

But let's return to the local markets now and dive a little deeper into how the various ASX sectors fared amid today's tough trading conditions.

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

Soul Patts has an illustrious history of paying dividends. It has been listed on the ASX for 120 years, and has paid a dividend every year in that time.

The company has just announced its latest payout.

Soul Patts dividend

For the half-year period to 31 January 2026, the company decided to declare an interim dividend of 48 cents per share, representing a year over year increase of 9.1%.

The business funds its payout from net cash flow from its investments, i.e., the money it receives from its portfolio.

Soul Patts reported that its net cash flow from investments grew by 15.4% to $334 million, driven by strong trading gains and its recent efforts to build a larger capital base following the Brickworks merger. On a per-share basis, the cash flow grew 12.5% to 89 cents.

The investment house said that total dividends as a percentage of net cash flow from investments was 54.6%, representing a very sustainable dividend payout ratio.

When will it be paid?

Shareholders have less than two months to wait for the cash to hit their bank accounts. This interim dividend will be paid on 14 May 2026.

But any investors who want to receive entitlement to this Soul Patts dividend will need to ensure they own Soul Patts shares before the ex-dividend date of 20 April 2026.

The ex-dividend date is the cut-off date when investors will miss out on the payment. Therefore, interested investors must have bought shares before the end of trading on Friday, 17 April 2026.

Investors can also choose to participate in the dividend reinvestment plan (DRP) to receive new Soul Patts shares instead of receiving cash. The DRP price for the new shares will be determined over the next several weeks.

Soul Patts dividend yield

The company doesn't have the biggest dividend yield on the ASX, but its consistency is one of the most impressive elements.

It has now increased its dividend every year for the past 28 years, a stunning record for an ASX share.

The dividend announced today represents a dividend yield of 1.25%, or a grossed-up dividend yield of 1.8% including franking credits (at the time of writing).

Adding the final dividend from FY25 and the HY26 interim dividend, Soul Patts now has an annual dividend yield of 2.8%, or 4% including franking credits. I think it's likely the company intends to increase its FY26 final dividend too, so the FY26 yield is likely to grow.

The post Everything you need to know about the latest Soul Patts dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

At the time of writing, the investment company's shares are up over 2% to $39.11.

Why are Soul Patts shares rising today?

Investors have been buying the company's shares this morning following the release of its half-year results for FY 2026, which mark the first set of results since its merger with Brickworks.

According to the release, Soul Patts delivered strong growth in key investment metrics, supported by its diversified portfolio and increased activity during the period.

Soul Patts reported a 14.6% increase in pre-tax net asset value (NAV) to $13.8 billion for the half. Net cash flow from investments rose 15.4% to $334 million, highlighting the strength of its portfolio in generating income.

Management also noted that the portfolio delivered a 9.7% return for the period, outperforming its benchmark by 6.6%.

Importantly, this performance was achieved following a transformational period for the company, including the completion of the Brickworks merger.

Profit boosted by one-offs

On a statutory basis, Soul Patts reported net profit after tax of $2.3 billion, which represents a whopping 604% increase on the prior corresponding period.

However, this result was driven largely by one-off items, including the Brickworks merger and asset sales.

On a more comparable basis, group regular net profit after tax rose 6.7% to $304 million. This reflects higher trading gains and contributions from its expanded portfolio.

Dividend growth continues

In positive news for income investors, Soul Patts declared a fully franked interim dividend of 48 cents per share.

This represents a 9.1% increase on the prior corresponding period and continues the company's remarkable track record of dividend growth.

Management highlights that 2026 marks the 28th consecutive year of increasing dividends, underlining Soul Patts' reputation as one of the most consistent dividend payers on the ASX.

Management commentary

Soul Patts' managing director and CEO, Todd Barlow, was pleased with the half. He said:

Our 1H26 result reflects a landmark period of portfolio transformation, increased activity and value creation. The breadth and resilience of the portfolio, with strong cash generation and capital growth across the majority of asset classes, delivered a solid performance against our three key investment measures.

Outlook

While no guidance was given for FY 2026, management spoke positively about its prospects in the second half. It stated:

The breadth and resilience of our multi-asset portfolio ensures Soul Patts is well positioned to navigate market volatility and protect shareholder capital. Our strong balance sheet and ample liquidity means we have increased capacity to act on new investment opportunities, with the flexibility to deploy capital selectively in a rapidly changing macroeconomic environment.

With a constant focus on risk management, cash generation, and diversification, we are committed to delivering long-term value creation for shareholders.

The post Soul Patts shares push higher on profit jump and 28th dividend increase in a row appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Washington H. Soul Pattinson report?

• Net Asset Value (pre-tax) rose 9.7% to $13.8 billion versus the prior corresponding period (pcp).
• Statutory NPAT surged to $2,303 million (up 604.3% vs pcp), while regular NPAT increased 6.7% to $304 million.
• Net Cash Flow From Investments (NCFI) jumped 15.4% to $334 million.
• Interim dividend increased 9.1% to 48 cents per share, fully franked.
• Strong balance sheet with available cash of $472 million and $1.2 billion in liquidity.

What else do investors need to know?

Soul Patts continues its shift towards a more diversified portfolio, with significant investment growth in emerging companies, credit, private companies, and real assets. The recent Brickworks merger has delivered both financial upside and enhanced portfolio flexibility, resetting tax positions and boosting post-tax NAV per share by 26.8% during the half.

The company's disciplined deployment of $2.1 billion into new public and private investments was matched by a broad range of exits and loan repayments, keeping liquidity robust. The team now manages a portfolio distributed widely across listed companies, private investments, property, and sector-diverse credit holdings.

What's next for Washington H. Soul Pattinson?

Looking ahead, Soul Patts plans to actively manage liquidity and risk, reposition the portfolio to capture new opportunities, and continue allocating capital in a counter-cyclical fashion. The focus remains on balancing growth, yield, and capital protection for long-term shareholder value.
Management is also prioritising increased deployment into international and defensive assets and stands ready to capitalise on mispriced risk as markets evolve.

Washington H. Soul Pattinson share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Soul Patts shares have risen 9%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 7% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Soul Patts 1H26 earnings: Strong growth, dividend up again appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Will the market be able to build on this on Thursday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 set to rise

The Australian share market looks set to rise again on Thursday following a good night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 22 points or 0.25% higher this morning. In late trade in the United States, the Dow Jones is up 0.6%, the S&P 500 is up 0.55% and the Nasdaq is 0.75% higher.

Soul Patts shares on watch

Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL) shares will be on watch on Thursday. That's because the investment house will be releasing its half-year results before the market open. These will be the company's first results since the transformational $14 billion merger with Brickworks. That deal was stated to be "cash flow and post-tax NAV accretion on a per share basis."

Oil prices fall

ASX 200 energy shares including Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a subdued session on Thursday after oil prices fell overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 1.7% to US$90.81 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 1.8% to US$102.57 a barrel. This has been driven by optimism that a US-Iran peace deal could be on the horizon.

Shares named as buys

The team at Wilsons has identified a number of shares that it thinks are buys after being oversold. They include Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI), Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB), and Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH). It said: "Pinnacle (PNI) and HUB24 (HUB) trade below five-year average P/E multiples while retaining strong structural growth and offering meaningful leverage to an eventual equity market recovery. Cochlear (COH) trades at a decade-low P/E, with its Nexa product cycle supporting medium-term earnings acceleration."

Gold price rises

ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a good session on Thursday after the gold price pushed higher overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 2.4% to US$4,508.8 an ounce. A pullback in oil prices has eased inflation and higher interest rate fears.

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

There are not many businesses that I'm confidently expecting to deliver rising dividends in the coming results. A weaker economic environment could lead to some businesses deciding to maintain (or even cut) their payouts.

However, the below three names are ones I'm feeling confident about for dividend growth in the foreseeable future.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Telstra is one the ASX blue-chip shares I'm most optimistic will deliver dividend growth because of the nature of the service of what it provides. Many households, businesses and organisations seem to put an important value on having a mobile connection. I think that means the business has defensive earnings.

Telecommunications is important for numerous reasons these days such as work, education, entertainment, communication, shopping and so on.

Telstra has been steadily increasing its dividend payout in the last few years, including the FY26 half-year result. That report saw earnings per share (EPS) rise by 11.2% and the dividend per share was hiked by 10.5% to 10.5 cents.

I think it's very likely that the business will want to pay another 10.5 cents per share with its FY26 annual report.

With Australia's growing population and the prevalence of digitalisation, I think Telstra's mobile subscriber base and average revenue per user (ARPU) are set to continue rising in the coming years, which will be a useful tailwind for earnings and the dividend.

PM Capital Global Opportunities Fund Ltd (ASX: PGF)

This is a listed investment company (LIC), which means it invests in shares to try to make returns for shareholders. The board of directors have the flexibility to declare the size of dividend they want to, assuming they have the profit reserve to do so.

The LIC looks at a global portfolio of shares to find the right undervalued opportunities that could deliver market-beating returns.

At 31 December 2025, the business reported it had retained earnings and profit reserves of $584 million, which is enough to maintain the minimum intended dividend rate for nine years.

Management have provided guidance that the business intends to deliver a minimum dividend per share of 13.5 cents in FY26. That'd be a year-over-year increase of 17%.

Of the last decade, FY23 is the only year that it hasn't increased its payout. That's thanks to an average portfolio return of 16.8% per year since inception in December 2013. That's an excellent track record, I'd say, though it's not guaranteed to continue at that level.

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

I view Soul Patts as the best option of all on the ASX for consistent growth.

It already holds the record for regular dividend growth – it has increased its payout each year since 1998 and it's set up to continue that impressive dividend growth, in my view.

The businesses operates as an investment house, which means it has the flexibility to make investment buys (and sell investments) to adjust its portfolio to own assets that it thinks will provide good returns for investors.

Soul Patts is invested in a number of different areas such as resources, telecommunications, industrial property, building products, swimming schools, agriculture, credit and plenty more. I expect the portfolio to change in the coming years.

By retaining some of its investment cash flow each year, the company is able to steadily invest in expanding in its portfolio and unlock the next generation of growing assets which could fund larger dividends.

I like how the ASX dividend share has made growing its dividend one of the main objectives and I think management have done it very well so far. As a bonus, a growing portfolio also helps increase the underlying value of Soul Patts shares to help drive the share price higher over time.

The post 3 ASX dividend shares raising dividends like clockwork appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Currently, a good coffee could cost around $7 per cup in one of Australia's major cities, which translates into $49 per week and approximately $2,550 per year.

That doesn't sound like a lot compared to the current Age Pension of $1,100.30 per fortnight, or $28,600 annually, for a single person.

But, compounding is a great ally to assist with wealth building. Compounding can help a small number grow into a much larger figure over time as interest earns interest.

The power of a coffee and compounding

The numbers I'm about to outline are based on what daily coffee typically would cost, but it doesn't need to be a coffee exactly, it could be another relatively small expense that is replaced. Or even just what can happen when someone regularly invests a limited amount each year. I'll base the number on someone who's currently 30 years old, with 40 years to retirement. Someone older may have less time to retirement, but more financial capability to invest bigger sums each year.

Simply putting $2,550 each year under the mattress would mean $102,000 after 40 years. That wouldn't be enough to outperform the Age Pension. Stashing money under the mattress would not mean any protection from inflation over those years.

If someone earned 4% interest during those years from a bank acount, the $102,000 would actually grow into $242,315. With a 4% interest rate, that would generate $9,692.6 of annual interest, which still doesn't match the current income from the Age Pension.

If we choose great (ASX) share investments, that could lead to very strong wealth creation.

For example, up until February 2026, the VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL) had returned an average of 15.3% per year since its inception in October 2014.

If our daily coffee figure achieved that same return over the next 40 years – remembering that past performance is not a guarantee of future performance – then it would grow into $4.94 million. That's how powerful compounding is.

Withdrawing 4% per year from that balance would mean annual cash flow of $197,523. In my view, that's likely to be (far) more than what the Age Pension will be in 40 years from now.

I'd invest more than that

Of course, we don't know how shares will perform over the next 40 years, and it's also hard to say what inflation will do to the value of a dollar.

So, I think it'd be a wise idea to invest more than $2,500 per year into shares, if a household's finances allow.

I'm currently building my non-super share portfolio to provide a mixture of both capital growth and dividend income, with the dividends adding to my regular income from names like Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL). I like that strategy to help both my shorter-term and long-term finances.

The post You can aim to beat the Age Pension for the price of a daily coffee! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What sorts of ASX shares would make good investments for this objective? I'd go for businesses that have a clear objective to pay and grow dividends for shareholders.

I think there are a few names that are very appealing because of how they're set up.

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

This is my favourite ASX share option for a second income because of its commitment to increasing payouts.

It's the business with the longest record of dividend growth on the ASX – it has increased its regular annual payout each year since 1998, which is a great record of stability.

The business is an investment house that has been operating for over 120 years and has paid a dividend every year during that period, through wars, pandemics, recessions, and so on.

It has built its portfolio to include a range of sectors, including resources, telecommunications, agriculture, water entitlements, energy, swimming schools, financial services, industrial property, credit, and much more.

Soul Patts has invested in numerous assets that can deliver earnings growth and enhance the portfolio's underlying value. That's a powerful combination for long-term investors who want income. The ASX share receives cash flow from its portfolio in the form of dividends, distributions and interest, which it uses to pay its own expenses, deliver a growing dividend and reinvest the rest in other opportunities for its portfolio.

Since 1998, the company's ordinary dividend has increased at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.5% (excluding $1.09 per share of special dividends). That's a strong growth rate for building a second income.

At the time of writing, Soul Patts has a grossed-up dividend yield of 3.75%, including franking credits.

PM Capital Global Opportunities Fund Ltd (ASX: PGF)

This is a listed investment company (LIC) that focuses on international shares to build a diversified and strong-performing portfolio.

LICs are great options for dividends because it's up to the board of directors to decide the level of payment, which can be useful for a stable, growing second income.

But this LIC doesn't usually invest in tech giants, which means we get different investment exposure than other typical internationally focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs) (and LICs).

PM Capital Global Opportunities Fund is invested in areas like European banking, resources, healthcare, industrials, US banks, leisure and entertainment, consumer staples, Irish and Spanish housing, and more. It's an interesting mix of investments,

The LIC has performed strongly – in the last seven years, its portfolio has returned an average of 21% per year. But, past performance is not a guarantee of future returns.

The strength of the performance over the years has enabled the LIC to steadily increase its payout – dividends are paid from investment returns. Impressively, it grew its FY26 half-year payout by 27%. Since 2016, FY23 was the only year it didn't increase its payout (when it was maintained).

It expects to pay an annual dividend per share of at least 13.5 cents in FY26, which translates into a grossed-up dividend yield of 6.5% at the time of writing, including franking credits. That's a solid starting yield for building a second income, in my eyes.

The post Don't want to rely on your wage? Build a second income with these ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Market volatility can shake investor confidence. But it can also highlight the value of defensive shares – businesses with steady earnings, resilient demand, and reliable dividends.

For income-focused investors, that combination matters. When share prices swing, dividend income can help smooth returns and provide a reason to stay invested.

Let's have a closer look at 3 of the best defensive ASX shares.

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

Coles is one of Australia's largest supermarket chains. That gives it a key advantage — people still need groceries regardless of economic conditions.

Coles benefits from defensive earnings and strong market positioning. Its scale allows it to manage costs and maintain margins, even when consumers tighten spending.

The company also generates consistent cash flow, which supports its dividend payments.

Coles has a history of paying fully franked dividends, typically targeting a high payout ratio. This makes it attractive for income investors seeking reliability.

In its FY26 half-year result, the ASX share lifted its interim dividend by more than 10%. Coles now offers a grossed-up yield of around 5.1% and has grown its payout every year since 2019.

While growth may be modest, dividends are expected to remain stable, supported by steady supermarket demand.

Margins can come under pressure from competition and rising costs, particularly in labour and supply chains. Price wars with rivals could also weigh on profitability.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Telstra has been a standout performer, with its share price pushing higher even as markets remain volatile.

The telecom giant offers resilient earnings thanks to its essential services. Mobile and broadband connectivity remain in demand regardless of the economic cycle.

Telstra also benefits from its dominant market position and ongoing investment in network quality.

Having said that, competition remains intense, and ongoing capital expenditure is required to maintain network leadership. After a strong share price run, valuation could also limit short-term upside. Over 12 months, the ASX share is up 29% at the time of writing.

Dividends are a key attraction. Telstra pays fully franked dividends and has recently been growing its payouts. If current trends continue, it could deliver another year of dividend growth.

Last month, Telstra lifted its FY2026 interim dividend by 10.5% to 10.5 cents per share. If that momentum continues, it could deliver a fourth straight year of dividend growth.

That means Telstra offers a solid yield of around 4% at the current price.

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

Soul Patts is a diversified investment company with stakes across multiple sectors, including resources, telecommunications, and industrials.

Diversification is its biggest strength. Earnings are spread across different industries, which helps reduce volatility.

The company also has a long track record of disciplined capital allocation and value creation.

Soul Pattinson is known for its remarkable dividend history, having increased or maintained dividends for decades. This consistency makes it a standout for income-focused investors.

Dividends are typically steady and supported by a diversified earnings base. The ASX share recently delivered a total dividend of about $1.03 per share for FY2025, representing another year of growth.

The stock typically offers a yield of around 3% to 4%, with fully franked payments.

The post Why these ASX shares could be buys in today's volatile market appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

But, the ASX bank share is not particularly attractive to me at the current valuation. That's because of two key reasons – the relatively low dividend yield and the slow growth rate.

According to the (independent) forecast on Commsec, the business is projected to pay an annual dividend per share of $5.20 on FY26 and then $5.50 per share in FY27.

At the current CBA share price, that translates into a fully franked dividend yield of 3%.

In percentage terms, the business is only expected to grow its payout by 5.7% in FY27. That's not exactly a huge growth rate.

For me, there are other ASX dividend shares that make more sense.

WCM Quality Global Growth Fund – Active ETF (ASX: WCMQ)

CBA essentially makes all of its profit from Australia and New Zealand, which is only a small corner of the global economy. There's not a significant growth runway for CBA because of how large the bank already is.

This exchange-traded fund (ETF) aims to give investors exposure to a global portfolio from across the world. The portfolio is invested in shares from the Americas, Europe, Asia and more. That's excellent diversification, in my book.

The WCMQ aims to find businesses that have strengthening competitive advantages which is helping them become increasingly profitable.

The WCM investment team also want to see that the businesses have a corporate culture that fosters an improving economic moat.

The strategy has helped the fund deliver a net return of 15.1% per year to February 2026 since inception in August 2018. Past performance is not a guarantee of future returns, of course.

The ASX dividend share targets a distribution yield of 5% on the net asset value (NAV), which I think is a solid starting point. The distribution payout in dollar terms can grow in line with the NAV growth.

I'm planning to invest in the WCMQ ETF later this month for a combination of passive income and hopefully capital growth.

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

Soul Patts doesn't have a stronger dividend yield than CBA, but it does offer a couple of things that the ASX bank share can't match.

Firstly, the dividend growth record by the ASX dividend share is truly impressive.

CBA has only increased its dividend each year since 2021, following a dividend cut in the COVID-affected year of 2020. Soul Patts has increased its regular annual dividend per share every year since 1998. That's getting close to 30 years in a row of dividend growth!

The other reason to really like the ASX dividend share is that it has a diversified across multiple asset classes including listed businesses, private businesses, industrial property, other property and credit.

CBA is stuck being a bank, while Soul Patts already has a diversified portfolio and it has the flexibility to buy and sell assets as it sees fit to make good long-term returns.

The post Forget CBA shares! Buy these ASX dividend shares instead for passive income appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Regular readers will know how much I admire this business. It's an investment conglomerate that has been operating for 120 years.

It started out as a pharmacy company, but has since divested that a business which is now owned by Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES). There's a lot to like about Soul Patts right now, which is why I'm especially pleased that I invested at a lower price than it's currently trading at.

Defensive and good cash flow

Soul Patts has deliberately built its portfolio to be defensive and focus on ones that can provide reliable cash flow through the economic cycle.

The business is invested in areas like telecommunications, swimming pools, agriculture, financial services, credit, electrification, resources, industrial property and plenty more.

By having a diversified portfolio, the business is exposed to a variety of opportunities and risks, but this also means its portfolio's assets are largely uncorrelated to each other.

The sectors it's invested in are good options for cash flow, which can help fund a growing dividend (a key attraction for me) and can also be put towards additional investments.

Recent investments include taking over Brickworks, agriculture and water entitlements, acquiring the rest of Ampcontrol (the electrification business), and reportedly investing in a fast-growing US coffee shop.  

The ASX share has energy investments

The ASX share market is seeing volatility amid the oil price pain, but there are a few businesses that are rising likely because of the market view of where energy prices could go.

Soul Patts is invested in the coal miner New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC), which is capable of producing big dividends when the coal price increases. New Hope currently plays an important part in funding the Soul Patts dividend because the investment conglomerate is a large minority shareholder of New Hope.

The business is also invested in the Canadian-based uranium miner Nexgen Energy (ASX: NXG). This business could make very pleasing levels of cash flow once the project is fully operational, though that could take several years. It's also possible that further uranium deposits could be identified and utilise the existing mine infrastructure.

Dividend yield

While the consistently growing dividend is the most appealing part of the passive income picture, I think the dividend yield is a solid starting point too.

My estimate for what annual dividend it will pay in FY26 puts the projected grossed-up dividend yield at 4%, including franking credits, at the time of writing.

Overall, I think the ASX share has an attractive future. That's why I was happy to invest $3,000 at a slightly lower lower valuation than its trading at today.

The post Why I invested $3,000 into this great ASX share last week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.