Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Friday and end the week on a high? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to fall

The Australian share market looks set for another poor session on Friday following a mixed night of trade in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 28 points or 0.3% lower this morning. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones was down 0.3%, the S&P 500 edged lower, and the Nasdaq rose slightly.

Oil prices rise

ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) could have a good finish to the week after oil prices rose overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 2.9% to US$94.80 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 3.85% to US$107.06 a barrel. This was despite reports of talks for a phased reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Buy Premier Investments shares

The Premier Investments Ltd (ASX: PMV) share price could be cheap according to Bell Potter. In response to its results release, the broker has retained its buy rating with a trimmed price target of $15.50. It said: "While we expect a period of slow growth for PMV near to medium term, we view PMV's forward multiple as attractive considering the Premier Retail division together with PMV's equity investments, land bank and cash position while retaining a strong balance sheet supportive of M&A. Our SOTP sees an attractive ~$1.6b EV for the key PA brand vs PMV's $1.9b market capitalization."

Gold price edges lower

ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) could have a soft finish to the week after the gold price edged lower overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 0.15% to US$4,310.1 an ounce. A rise in bond yields to fresh highs put pressure on the gold price.

GenusPlus shares given buy rating

The team at Bell Potter is also recommending GenusPlus Group Ltd (ASX: GNP) shares as a buy. This morning, the broker has retained its buy rating and $12.80 price target on the infrastructure services provider's shares. It said: "GNP is working through a record tender pipeline valued at $3.6b (as at FY26; up 50% YoY) across the transmission, BESS, rail and wind farm construction markets. GNP's FY27 PE of 19.1x is undemanding; we see potential for a re-rate towards 22-24x in the near-term, a justified premium to the peer group average. Catalysts to drive this multiple re-rate include: 1) a guidance upgrade (we view the FY27 guidance as conservative); 2) strong conversion of the tender pipeline; and 3) further M&A."

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

But how much do you actually need in your super to generate the passive income you want to live off when you retire?

Let's take a look, using $2,000 per week as an example.

I want to earn $2,000 per week in passive income, what do I need in my superannuation?

First of all, it's important to note that ASX dividend shares don't pay dividends to their shareholders on a weekly basis. Instead, they pay annually, twice per year, or some even pay every month.

That means that while you can strive for a $2,000-per-week income, it'll be paid in chunks.

In that case, it's easiest to calculate by thinking of your $2,000 weekly income as an annual sum.

Over the year, $2,000 per week totals $104,000.

Next, you need to divide that annual sum by the dividend yield of your portfolio.

Of course, the tricky thing is that the answer varies significantly depending on what shares you decide to invest in.

To help, here's a guide for what you'd need in your superannuation if your portfolio had a dividend yield between 3% and 8%.

Breakdown by dividend yield

If your superannuation portfolio has a dividend yield of around 3%, you'll need a balance of around $3.46 million to earn $104,000 in passive income each year.

Of course, a portfolio this size is out of reach for the majority of the population, so you'd either need to revise how much you expect to earn or increase your yield.

Because as the dividend yield of your portfolio goes up, the superannuation balance you'll need to earn the same amount goes down.

For example, if you increase your yield to 4%, you'd need closer to $2.6 million to earn the same passive income. It's still a lot, but it's starting to become a lot more achievable. And remember, this is a passive income that you don't need to do a lot for.

At a 4% yield, you could invest in long-standing blue-chip shares like BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) or ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ).

Then, if your portfolio yields around 5%, your balance would need to be closer to $2.08 million to generate the same dividend income.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) would be my top picks for a 5% yielding stock.

Increase that to a 6% or 7% dividend yield, and you're looking at closer to $1.7 million or $1.4 million.

Amcor PLC (ASX: AMC) and Cash Converters International Ltd (ASX: CCV) yield around the 6% to 7% level.

Then, at an 8% dividend yield, you'd only need around $1.3 million in your superannuation to earn the same $104,000 annual passive income (equivalent of $2,000 per week) in your retirement.

For an ASX share yielding around 8%, I'd go for something like the Metrics Master Income Trust (ASX: MXT) or Betashares S&P Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: HYLD).

Can't I just invest in high-yielding stocks so I can earn the amount I want off a lower balance?

Yes, but it doesn't make good investment sense. 

Generally, the higher the yield, the more risk associated with that investment.

So while you could earn the same passive income off a smaller balance, these stocks are subject to more volatility. And that could risk your entire portfolio.

Ideally, you want to strike a balance between a range of shares at several different yields to hedge against volatility and protect your portfolio from fluctuating prices.

The post How much superannuation do I need to earn $2,000 per week in passive income? 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 expected to sink

It looks set to be a tough session for Australian investors on Thursday following a poor night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 104 points or 1.2% lower this morning. In the United States, the Dow Jones fell 0.7%, the S&P 500 dropped 0.75%, and the Nasdaq was 1.1% lower.

ASX 200 shares paying dividends

A number of ASX 200 shares are rewarding their shareholders with dividends on Thursday. This includes PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD), Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC), and Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO). The latter is paying a fully franked $2.96 per share interim dividend later today.

Oil prices rise

ASX 200 energy shares Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a good session after oil prices rose overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 2.4% to US$92.70 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 4.1% to US$103.35 a barrel. Doubts over a US-Iran peace deal were behind the rise.

Buy Nufarm shares

Nufarm Ltd (ASX: NUF) shares could be a good option for investors according to Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has retained its buy rating on the agricultural chemicals company's shares with an improved price target of $3.90 (from $3.75). It said: "Our Buy rating is unchanged. In FY26e NUF has delivered a result that was consistent with our expectations, while incurring costs related to plant outages that were not expected. The underlying performance looks to be stronger than what is implied at the headline, with material YoY growth in Seeds and the basis of the next leg of cost outs now articulated."

Gold price falls

It could be a poor day for ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) on Thursday after the gold price fell overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 1.2% to US$4,323.9 an ounce. A rebound in oil prices appears to have led to increased US rate hike bets.

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

SMSF investors have more flexibility than other superannuation investors about where to put their money. ASX shares have the biggest allocation, followed by owned property, cash and term deposits, managed funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), unlisted trusts, 'other', international shares and finally debt securities.

Let's see which ASX shares are the most popular within SMSF portfolios.

The most popular ASX shares

SMSF cloud accounting software provider Class recently released its 2026 annual benchmark report, which gave a lot of insights into the SMSF landscape. Class is owned by Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB).

At 30 June 2026, there were 12 ASX shares that were held in at least 20% of SMSF portfolios:

• BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) – 46.6% of all SMSF portfolios
• Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) – 37.2%
• National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) – 34.4%
• Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) – 34.1%
• ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) – 34.1%
• Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) – 31.9%
• CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) – 31.4%
• Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) – 31.4%
• Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) – 29.4%
• Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) – 29.5%
• Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) – 24.1%
• Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) – 21.8%

It makes sense that these ASX shares have been chosen by SMSF investors. Almost all of them have a solid dividend yield. Passive income may be exactly what investors in retirement are looking for.

I think it's interesting that BHP and Woodside appear in the most portfolios. But it's also intriguing that NAB, Westpac and ANZ all feature in more portfolios than CBA. Commonwealth Bank also has the lowest dividend yield of the big four banks.

However, while they are in more portfolios, things look different when looking at which ASX shares have the most overall SMSF dollars invested in them.

According to Class data, order of most dollars allocated to ASX shares (with a weighting of more than 2%):

• CBA – 5.9%
• BHP – 5.5%
• Westpac – 3.6%
• NAB – 3.4%
• ANZ – 3.2%
• Wesfarmers – 3.2%
• Macquarie – 3.1%
• Telstra – 2%

ASX bank shares still have a very large place in SMSF portfolios, though BHP has significant SMSF dollars invested in it too.

What about exchange-traded funds (ETFs)?

ETFs are becoming increasingly popular investors as a way to gain exposure to certain sectors or geographies for a low cost.

According to the Class SMSF benchmark report, 35.5% of SMSFs now own at least one ETF, though they only account for a 7.2% allocation of overall SMSF dollars.

The ASX ETFs that are the most widely held include:

• Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS)
• iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)
• VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL)
• Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)
• Vanguard All-World ex-US Shares Index ETF (ASX: VEU)
• Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

If SMSF investors use a mix of investments, they can build an ASX share portfolio that delivers strong returns and diversification.

The post Here are the most popular ASX share superannuation investments in SMSFs appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Let's find out which of the three major S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares brokers rate as a buy, a sell, and a hold.

Brokers rate AMP shares a BUY

AMP shares are up around 2% to $2.57 at the time of writing on Wednesday morning. The financial services company's shares are now up around 42% for the year to date.

The shares have climbed higher recently off the back of its strong first-half FY26 result in early August. It looks like investors were pleased with the company's 33% increase in underlying NPAT to $174 million. 

The result came within AMP's boosted profit guidance of $170 million to $180 million and is hugely higher than the $131 million reported in the first half of FY25.

Brokers are pleased with the result, too. According to TradingView data, the majority have a buy/strong buy rating on AMP shares. But after today's rally, the $2.57 target price implies around a 2% downside at the time of writing.

Brokers rate Woodside shares a HOLD

Woodside shares have dropped lower this morning, down around 1.5% to $31.22 per share. Despite today's dip, the ASX energy company is still trading around 32% higher than 12 months ago.

The company is likely tracking fluctuations in the price of oil over the past week. On the 15th of September, the price of oil spiked to a four-month high of around US$106 per barrel. The price has slipped below $90 per barrel on Wednesday as signs of a potential peace agreement between the US and Iran look positive once again.

The experts are quite divided, however, about where the share price will travel to next. TradingView data shows the majority (eight out of 17) have a hold rating on Woodside shares, six have a buy/strong buy rating, and three rate the oil and gas stock as a sell.

The average $33.25 target price implies a potential 6% upside, at the time of writing.

Brokers rate Wesfarmers shares a SELL

Wesfarmers shares are climbing higher into the green this morning, up around 1% to $73.80 each at the time of writing. It's been a difficult year of peaks and troughs for the conglomerate, though, and its shares are still around 10% lower for the year to date.

The shares have faced several headwinds this year, including inflation and interest rate pressures, which have put broad pressure on consumer discretionary and retail stocks. There is also a question about how the business can continue growing in a weakening market.

Analysts have lost confidence, too. TradingView data shows half (eight out of 16) have a strong sell rating on Wesfarmers shares. The other eight experts are split between a sell and a buy/strong buy rating.

But after the latest share price decline, the average $76.59 target price implies a potential 4% upside ahead, at the time of writing.

The post Buy, sell, hold: AMP, Wesfarmers, Woodside shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

With energy prices a big topic for Aussie investors and global themes front of mind, both Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) land in the spotlight. As two of the largest names in oil and gas, yet with different business models, many will be wondering which company's shares are the better buy today. Here's how they stack up across their core businesses, fundamentals, value, dividend payouts, and recent momentum.

The case for Woodside Energy Group

Woodside Energy Group is Australia's largest dedicated oil and gas operator. Producing mainly LNG, oil, and gas from a range of large offshore assets, Woodside is seen as a heavyweight in the sector. After merging with BHP's oil and gas business, Woodside further cemented its status as a truly global energy player. The company, founded in 1954 and listed on the ASX since 1971, holds big production scale and a broad asset base spanning Australia and international waters.

Looking at key fundamentals:

• Market Cap: $61.63 billion – one of the top 20 listed companies in Australia
• P/E Ratio: 14.32 – not far from the broader ASX average for a large energy producer
• Dividend Yield: 5.03% (fully franked, as per its most recent figures)
• Year To Date Return: 44.3% – a hefty share price run over the current calendar

Woodside has a long, consistent track record of large, fully franked dividends for shareholders stretching back decades, with its last payment at $0.57 per share (fully franked). The company's scale and resources offer stability, even as it faces the long-term headwinds familiar in fossil fuels.

The case for Ampol

Ampol is better known to most Aussies as the brand behind roughly 2,000 service stations nation-wide. As Australia's only listed refiner and one of the largest distributors of petroleum products, Ampol's business is all about refining (primarily from its Lytton plant in Brisbane) and big-volume fuel retail and distribution. The company trades on history – it's well over a century old, formerly operated as Caltex, and has more recently focused on retailing and logistics (while also maintaining a presence in New Zealand via Z Energy and a significant stake in Philippine fuel company Seaoil).

Ampol's standout numbers:

• Market Cap: $10.28 billion – much smaller than Woodside, but still substantial
• P/E Ratio: 7.18 – sitting well below both Woodside and the broader market average for large caps
• Dividend Yield: 5.68% (fully franked, per latest figures)
• Year To Date Return: 42.8% – almost matching Woodside's strong gains

Consistent, fully franked dividends are a feature here as well, with Ampol's last interim dividend coming in at $1.85 per share (fully franked). Its lower P/E ratio draws attention for value hunters, though its business is more exposed to the ups and downs of retail volumes and margins.

Valuation comparison

Both Woodside and Ampol offer eye-catching yields and have strong profit track records, but a few numbers really stand out when viewed side-by-side:

Ampol's much lower P/E signals a potentially cheaper earnings valuation compared to Woodside, at least based on recent profits. Its higher (and also fully franked) dividend yield adds to the appeal for income seekers. Do note: the reported EPS and P/E for Ampol line up mathematically, but Woodside's numbers appear less in sync, possibly due to differences in the basis of the earnings measurement shown.

Recent share price performance

Both companies have delivered big gains for shareholders recently, but their price histories reveal a bit more detail. Comparing the past month:

• Woodside Energy: Rose from $33.78 (21 Aug) to $32.42 (18 Sep), actually showing a small drop over this period despite a strong YTD number. Its year to date return is up 44.3%.
• Ampol: Climbed from $39.85 (21 Aug) to $43.13 (18 Sep), reflecting a net gain for the span, and a 42.8% year to date return.

The momentum is strong for both, but Ampol's recent month shows steadier progress.

Which is the better buy?

On a pure numbers basis, I'd lean toward Ampol right now. It trades on a much lower P/E than Woodside Energy (7.18 versus 14.32), offers a higher fully franked yield (5.68%), and has kept pace with Woodside's strong share price run so far this year. While Woodside's scale gives it stability and huge assets, that's already reflected in its rich $61 billion market cap. Ampol's business is more retail-facing, but its valuation and income look appealing for everyday investors. That said, Woodside's larger projects and global reach do offer defensive qualities if you're chasing blue chip exposure and long-term oil and gas. For value and income at today's prices, my pick would be Ampol – but both names deserve a spot on any energy watchlist.

The post Woodside vs Ampol: Which ASX energy stock should you buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

ASX 200 expected to fall

The Australian share market looks set for a poor start to the week following a mixed session on Wall Street on Friday. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 57 points or 0.65% lower. In the United States, the Dow Jones was down 0.2%, the S&P 500 rose 0.15%, and the Nasdaq pushed 0.4% higher.

Oil prices drop

ASX 200 energy shares including Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) could have a soft start to the week after oil prices pulled back on Friday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price was down 1.6% to US$100.30 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price was down 0.9% to US$103.87 a barrel. This was driven by optimism over Saudi Arabian oil flows.

Buy Nickel Industries shares

Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC) shares could be worth a look according to Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has retained its buy rating and $1.45 price target on the nickel producer's shares. It said: "NIC is one of the world's largest listed nickel producers and offers exposure across a range of nickel products and markets. It has a track record of maintaining margins through low nickel prices, benefitting from its diversified product suite and margin exposure across an integrated value chain. We retain our Buy recommendation and TP$1.45/sh."

Gold price rises

It could be a positive start to the week for ASX 200 gold shares Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) after the gold price rose on Friday night. According to CNBC, the gold futures price was up 0.55% to US$4,424.9 an ounce. Easing oil prices gave the precious metal a boost.

New Hope shares downgraded

New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) shares are overvalued according to Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has downgraded the coal miner's shares to a sell rating with a $5.00 price target. It said: "We have downgraded our NHC recommendation to Sell on recent share price appreciation. Our $5.00/sh Target Price already incorporates a 14% premium to our sum-of-the-parts valuation, reflecting NHC's leverage to global energy security themes amplified by recent geopolitical tensions. We expect energy markets will normalise over the near-term. Beyond the ramp-up of New Acland Stage 3, NHC has a limited organic production growth pipeline, and we expect earnings will peak in FY27. We expect NHC may participate in further industry consolidation as an acquirer."

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

Oil and gas shares like Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) are among the ASX's most widely held energy stocks. With energy prices in focus and both companies riding strong year-to-date gains, it's fair for investors to wonder: between Santos and Woodside, which share offers better value right now? Here's how they stack up for both growth and income.

The case for Santos

Santos is a leading independent oil and gas producer spanning Australia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Alaska. The company has deep Australian roots and, as of its company profile, boasts one of the largest exploration and production acreages in Australia. Santos supplies natural gas domestically and to Asian markets, and is building towards significant projects like PNG LNG and Barossa LNG.

Looking at the numbers, Santos currently trades with a market cap of $27.83 billion and a P/E ratio of 27.69. It pays a dividend yield of 3.52%, though its dividends are currently unfranked. Earnings per share sit at $0.225, and the company has delivered a very robust year-to-date return of 46.48%. Notably, Santos' dividend payout has generally increased over the years, but franking has diminished — none of the recent dividends have carried franking credits.

The case for Woodside

Woodside Energy Group is the largest independent Australian oil and gas operator, with extensive offshore production facilities and international assets. Its position was recently strengthened through a merger with BHP's oil and gas portfolio, as flagged in its most recent public description. With a long history and global ambition, Woodside remains a heavyweight among ASX energy companies.

Fundamentally, Woodside stands out. Its P/E ratio is 14.79, noticeably lower than Santos, suggesting the market is pricing it more cheaply relative to earnings. Woodside delivers a dividend yield of 4.90%, with dividends fully franked. Its EPS is a much stronger $1.605, and the year-to-date return clocks in at 47.94%. Unlike Santos, all Woodside dividends in recent years have been fully franked, a likely appeal for income investors.

Valuation comparison

Here's a direct head-to-head on key metrics:

Woodside is much larger and offers both a higher and fully franked dividend yield, with a lower P/E and stronger per-share earnings. Santos is priced at a higher earnings multiple and doesn't offer franking at present.

Recent share price performance

The two shares have tracked similar momentum recently. Over the past fortnight, Santos' share price rose from $8.31 (2 Sep) to $8.57 (17 Sep), despite some ups and downs — an overall increase of roughly 3%.

Woodside's share price moved from $33.08 (2 Sep) to $32.98 (17 Sep), showing little net change but with more pronounced swings, including both rallies and dips.

Both shares have delivered impressive year-to-date gains (Santos: 46.48%, Woodside: 47.94%), but in this recent fortnight, Santos has slightly edged up while Woodside has been broadly steady.

Which is the better buy?

Both companies are proven performers in the oil and gas space and have posted strong year-to-date returns. But when it comes to value today, my pick would be Woodside. The reasons are clear: it trades on a far lower P/E (14.79 vs 27.69), offers a higher and fully franked dividend yield (4.90%), and boasts much stronger earnings per share. If income matters — especially for Australian retirees after franking credits — Woodside's 100% franking is a real drawcard. Santos, while delivering credible growth and momentum, simply doesn't match Woodside's combination of earnings power and franked dividends.

Both stocks have upside in an energy-hungry world, but based on the fundamentals and income appeal in front of me, I'd lean to Woodside as better value today.

The post Santos vs Woodside: Which ASX energy share is better value? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

I think the ASX energy share could be one to investigate following all of the uncertainty amid the Middle East conflict.

Woodside is one of the largest oil and gas businesses on the ASX, so what happens with the energy prices has a big impact on its earnings.

We're going to look at what analysts are predicting with Woodside earnings in the next few years, which could give insights as to whether the Woodside share price is undervalued or not.

FY26

We're about three quarters of the way through the Woodside 2026 financial year, as its financial year follows the calendar year.

The company has already reported how it performed in the first half of FY26.

Woodside revealed that operating revenue grew 13% to US$7.4 billion, underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) grew 7% to $1.3 billion, and free cash flow surged 159% to $352 million.

The numbers were driven by a 20% rise in the average realised price to US$74 per barrel of oil equivalent (BOE). That helped offset a 13% reduction in total production volume to 86.5 million barrels of oil equivalent.

One of the biggest future drivers of future earnings may be the completion of the various projects it's working on. In the FY26 half-year result, it reported that Scarborough was 98% complete, Trion was 64% complete, and Louisiana LNG was 28% complete.

As those projects come online, development spending will finish, and the earnings can start flowing, which will be felt in future years.

According to the projection on CommSec, the business is forecast to see earnings per share (EPS) of $2.184. That means it's now valued at 15 times FY26's estimated earnings.

FY27

The ASX energy share could see earnings increase in the 2027 financial year, which would be music to investors' ears.

Its performance in FY27 could be dependent on whether normal energy flows out of the Middle East resume. There doesn't seem to be an end in sight at this stage.

As I mentioned above, completed projects could be a boost for earnings in FY27 and beyond.

EPS is projected to rise by 21.3% to $2.649, implying it's valued at 12 times FY27's estimated earnings.

FY28

You'd hope that by 2028, the Middle East situation will have been resolved for some time. If it is, energy prices could be lower – that'd be good for virtually all Australians, but a headwind for Woodside's earnings.

Energy prices will probably have a sizeable impact on the FY28 result, whatever is happening in that year.

According to the forecast on CommSec, Woodside's EPS could decline by 5% to $2.52. That suggests the Woodside share price is valued at 13 times FY28's estimated earnings.

Is the Woodside share price a buy?

With those future earnings in mind, let's take a look at what experts think of the business.

According to CommSec's collation of analyst opinions, there are currently six buy ratings, eight hold ratings, and three sell ratings on the business. That's a bit of a mixed bag.

I try to invest in cyclical stocks (such as energy) when prices are low rather than high, as is the case now. Therefore, I'd look at other ASX share opportunities first.

The post Here's the earnings forecast out to 2028 for Woodside shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Will the market be able to build on this on Friday and end the week on a high? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to rise

The Australian share market looks set for another good session on Friday following a strong night of trade in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 54 points or 0.6% higher this morning. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones was up 0.6%, the S&P 500 rose 1.15%, and the Nasdaq jumped 1.7%.

Oil prices fall

ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) could have a poor finish to the week after oil prices fell overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 1.15% to US$101.26 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 1.55% to US$104.19 a barrel. This reflects more crude oil being brought to market.

Sell REA shares

The REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) share price could be overvalued according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has retained its sell rating on the property listings company's shares with an improved price target of $148.00. It said: "We retain our Sell recommendation. Despite REA's ability to generate strong results in challenged operating environments, we continue to see significant downside risk to listings volumes/earnings vs. company guidance and consensus and await further data points via lending volumes and market listings before re-considering our thesis."

Gold price softens

ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) could have a subdued finish to the week after the gold price edged lower overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 0.15% to US$4,380.8 an ounce. The precious metal has come under pressure this week after US interest rates were increased.

James Hardie shares upgraded

Morgans was pleased with the investor update from James Hardie Industries PLC (ASX: JHX) this week. In response, the broker has upgraded the building materials company's shares to an accumulate rating with a $43.00 price target. It said: "…management guided to 4% to 7% organic sale growth above market, while stressing the growth did not require a US housing recovery to work. The growth is meant to come from the AZEK combination, synergies running ahead of plan, and a leaner, lower-capex portfolio after the Europe sale."

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

If you're looking to bank reliable passive income from the mining space, two big names on the ASX often get a close look: Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG). Both are true Australian heavyweights, attractively sized, and generous dividend payers—plus, their fully franked dividends can be a real drawcard for savvy local investors. But if you're weighing up Woodside Energy vs Fortescue shares, which is the better bet for building sustainable, hands-off income? Let's break it down.

The case for Woodside Energy Group

Woodside Energy is Australia's largest independent oil and gas company, and the largest operator of oil and gas production in the country. With roots going back to 1954, Woodside's business stretches across offshore platforms and international assets, strengthened by its recent high-profile merger with BHP's oil and gas portfolio. Listed since 1971, it now sits among the largest companies on the ASX.

What stands out about Woodside:

• It boasts a sizeable market cap of $63.25 billion, underscoring its scale and stability.
• The dividend yield is a strong 5.04%, fully franked, making its income stream friendly for local investors.
• Recent performance has been robust, with a 44.04% year to date return—a real contrast against some sector peers.

The case for Fortescue

Fortescue is one of the giants in iron ore production, sitting just behind BHP, Rio Tinto, and Vale globally. Its flagship operations cover major mining hubs in the Pilbara, a major port, and the world's fastest heavy-haul railway. Since debuting on the ASX in 1987, it's grown into a $50.93 billion titan, underpinning a massive chunk of global iron ore supply.

Numbers I'd call out for Fortescue:

• The current dividend yield is a hefty 6.66%, fully franked, comfortably outpacing Woodside.
• A lower P/E ratio of 12.46 could be pointing to better value at these levels.
• However, 2026's year to date return is -21.40%, showing headwinds for the share price.

Valuation comparison

Here's a side-by-side look at the key income and value metrics:

The key takeaway here: Fortescue offers the higher dividend yield for those hunting passive income, and sports a slightly cheaper earnings multiple. But Woodside is the larger company, with a higher earnings per share and a much better share price run lately.

Recent share price performance

All prices quoted are as of 16 September 2026. Woodside closed at $33.27, having climbed 2.84% that day, capping off a strong few weeks—with only minor dips and overall upward price momentum. Year to date, Woodside shares are up a very impressive 44.04%.

Fortescue, meanwhile, finished at $16.54 (up 1.97% that day), but the bigger story is in the negatives: its year to date return is -21.40%. Across the most recent weeks, Fortescue has seen sharper drops and less sustained upward movement than Woodside, reflecting trickier recent trading conditions.

Which is the better buy?

If I'm focused on pure passive income, I think Fortescue has the edge on yield alone—a 6.66% fully franked payout is nothing to sneeze at. That's a good margin above Woodside's 5.04%. But the picture isn't that simple. Woodside brings a larger, arguably more resilient business, higher earnings per share, and absolutely stellar recent share price performance. Fortescue's negative YTD performance, on the other hand, is a yellow flag—it's been a rough run for FMG shareholders lately.

Both stocks have given out big, fully franked dividends for years, but Woodside's price momentum suggests investors have more confidence in its near-term prospects. If my sole priority was maximising present yield, I'd take a good look at Fortescue. But factoring in total return and share price stability, my pick would be Woodside for a smoother and potentially more sustainable passive income ride. The lower headline yield is offset by the capital growth and big-company resilience, which count for a lot in this space.

The post Woodside Energy vs Fortescue: Which ASX mining share is best for passive income? 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 expected to drop

It looks set to be a tough session for Australian investors on Thursday following a disappointing night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 63 points or 0.7% lower this morning. In the United States, the Dow Jones fell 1.2%, the S&P 500 dropped 0.45%, and the Nasdaq was a fraction lower.

ASX 200 shares going ex-dividend

A number of ASX 200 shares are going ex-dividend this morning and could trade lower. This includes A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M), Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT), South32 Ltd (ASX: S32), and West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF). Flight Centre is rewarding its shareholders with a 30 cents per share fully franked dividend next month on 16 October.

Oil prices tumble

ASX 200 energy shares Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a poor session after oil prices pulled back overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 3.5% to US$102.07 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 3% to US$105.62 a barrel. This follows reports that Saudi Arabia's damaged pipeline will restart in the coming days.

Dyno Nobel on watch

Dyno Nobel Ltd (ASX: DNL) shares will be on watch today after the explosives company released an investor update. The company revealed that it is performing positively in FY 2026 and is on track to achieve its group guidance for a net profit after tax (before one-offs) of $325 million to $340 million. It also believes it is on track to deliver on its $600 million EBIT ambition in FY 2028. 

Gold price falls

It could be a subdued day for ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) on Thursday after the gold price fell overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 0.7% to US$4,302.2 an ounce. Traders were selling gold after the US Federal Reserve lifted interest rates.

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

At the time of writing, the Australian petrol exploration and production company's shares are down around 1% and are changing hands for $32.62 each.

But the increase barely dents the gains the shares have made recently. Even after today's dip, the shares are still 38% higher for the year to date and 35% higher than 12 months ago.

Why are Woodside shares flying higher this year?

The oil and gas giant's shares have enjoyed an incredible rally throughout most of 2026 so far.

Conflict in the Middle East, along with consequential major oil supply concerns and ongoing volatility, has been a key driver so far this year.

Every time the US and Iran show new signs of reaching a potential agreement, volatility reignites in the region, and markets are thrown back into chaos. The situation is highly volatile, and the movement of oil from the area will continue to be uncertain until a final resolution is reached. 

Shipping disruptions and production cuts pushed crude oil prices to a multi-year high of around US$113 per barrel in April, according to Trading Economics data. While the price of oil softened in June and early July, it has now risen again to around US$103 per barrel at the time of writing.

According to Trading Economics:

Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline, which provides an alternative route to the Strait of Hormuz, remains shut following drone attacks, with no clear indication of when operations will resume. A diplomatic meeting between Iran and the Gulf Arab states to discuss the situation in Hormuz was also abruptly postponed.

Investment bank Goldman Sachs said it thinks crude oil could rise above US$120 if production remains well below pre-conflict levels. The bank estimates average output next year could still be around 4 million barrels per day below pre-war levels.

And what is bad news for markets is good news for ASX energy shares like Woodside. If oil stays above US$100 a barrel, Woodside could benefit from higher realised prices.

But it's not only geopolitical tensions that have driven the company's share price higher this year. Woodside has also posted strong results recently, which has rallied even more investor attention.

What did the company report last month?

Woodside posted its first-half FY26 results in late August, including a 13% increase in operating revenue, a 27% increase in NPAT, a 7% increase in underlying NPAT, and a huge increase in free cash flow to US$352 million.

The strong result saw management declare a fully-franked interim dividend of 57 US cents per share.

Woodside also reaffirmed its full-year FY26 production and capital expenditure guidance. The company expects to complete key projects, including Scarborough, Trion, and Louisiana LNG, in line with previously announced timelines.

Are Woodside shares a buy, sell, or hold?

After the latest rally, it looks like the oil major's shares are now trading around (or even above) fair value. 

Market Index data shows all brokers have a hold rating on Woodside shares. But the $28.51 average target price now implies a potential 12% downside ahead, at the time of writing.

TradingView data shows something similar. Out of 17 analysts, six have a buy/strong buy rating, eight have a hold rating, and three rate the stock as a sell.

The average $33.25 target price implies a potential 2% upside, at the time of writing. 

But the difference between the maximum and minimum target price is huge. Some forecast the shares to climb about 36% to $44.28 over the next 12 months. But others think Woodside shares could fall by up to 22% to $25.44 at the time of writing.

The post Woodside shares up 38% in 2026: Here's what brokers tip next appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

But Goldman Sachs reckons they could still go a fair bit higher.

The investment bank says Brent crude could rise above US$120 a barrel in early 2027 if problems across the Middle East continue.

Brent is trading at around US$106 a barrel on Tuesday morning, up roughly 57% over the past year.

A big part of that rise has come as attacks around the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea continue to make it harder to get oil out of the region.

And Goldman Sachs thinks prices could stay high for quite some time.

Why could oil reach US$120?

A lot comes down to how quickly Gulf oil supply can recover.

Goldman Sachs believes Brent could rise above US$120 if production stays well below pre-conflict levels.

The bank estimates average output next year could still be around 4 million barrels per day below pre-war levels.

Goldman Sachs global commodities co-head Daan Struyven said:

Markets are increasingly pricing a prolonged Mideast conflict.

The intensity and geographical breadth of tanker attacks … will remain a key driver of whether Gulf oil exports recover and how quickly.

And we're already not that far away.

Crude reached US$109 a barrel last week, its highest level in around 5 months.

China could have a big say in what happens next too.

The country has cut crude imports by around a third while drawing more heavily on its large strategic petroleum reserves.

Goldman Sachs said how long China keeps dipping into those reserves could play a big role in how tight the global oil market becomes.

Why investors should care

Goldman Sachs said LNG markets across Asia and Europe are still tight, with only around 25% to 30% of pre-war Gulf energy exports restored.

If Middle East exports don't improve, the bank believes global LNG prices could rise by around 55%.

Coal demand is holding up too.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) recently forecast that global coal demand would rise 1.2% in 2026 to a record 8.94 billion tonnes.

Goldman Sachs said US coal-fired power plants are also closing more slowly than expected, as electricity demand continues to grow.

Where to from here?

If oil stays above US$100 a barrel, Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS), and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could benefit from higher realised prices.

But there is another side to it.

Fuel is a major cost for transport, manufacturing and plenty of other businesses.

If those costs keep rising, some of them will eventually find their way through to consumers.

That could make inflation even harder to bring down, especially if energy costs continue to stay high.

The post Goldman Sachs says oil could surge past US$120. Could this be the next big market shock? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

And both S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) energy stocks are outperforming again today.

In morning trade on Monday, Santos shares are swapping hands for $8.68 apiece, up 1%. Woodside shares are trading for $33.14 each, up 0.9%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is just about flat at this same time.

Taking a step back, the ASX 200 is up a slender 0.2% so far in 2026. That compares to the 41.2% year-to-date gains for Santos stock and the 40.1% gains posted by Woodside.

Atop those capital gains, both ASX 200 energy stocks have paid (or shortly will pay) two dividends this calendar year, making them appealing passive income plays.

Santos shares currently trade on a 3.5% unfranked dividend yield, while Woodside shares trade on a fully-franked 4.9% dividend yield. That equates to a 7% yield grossed up.

What's been sending the ASX 200 energy stocks flying?

The Aussie oil and gas giants have been clear beneficiaries of surging global oil prices in the wake of the Iran war.

Indeed, on 1 January, Brent crude oil was trading for a mere US$60.85 per barrel. The oil price then topped US$118 per barrel in April, before sinking back to US$72.01 per barrel in July.

But oil has been on the rise again since then, and Brent surged back to US$107.36 per barrel over the weekend as the Middle East conflict heated back up.

That means the vital Strait of Hormuz oil shipping route is unlikely to reopen for normal business anytime soon.

And with Iranian-backed Houthi forces increasing their attacks over the weekend and threatening to block another Red Sea shipping chokepoint, oil supplies could remain restricted for some time.

While that's bad news for inflation and the economy, it could support further gains in Santos and Woodside shares, as well as boost their next round of dividends.

Why Santos and Woodside shares still look like a good buy

Despite their strong outperformance already this year, I think Santos and Woodside shares are well-placed to keep outperforming in the year ahead.

Just how well they perform will depend to a significant extent on global oil prices.

On that front, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) head of commodities Vivek Dhar said (quoted by the Australian Financial Review):

US tolerance to delay any peace deal with Iran … rising Chinese imports and lower supply outside the Middle East in 2026 indicate that Brent oil futures may stay above US$100 a barrel for longer than it did in late July.

RBC Capital Markets head of commodity strategy Helima Croft added, "Maritime traffic … is gravely imperilled by the Houthi advances, bringing into focus our high oil price forecast."

Croft noted that the latest attacks had "reduced the efficacy of one of the key oil release valves for the six-month Iran war".

Croft said that if the conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia escalated, it could see the oil price hit US$118 per barrel in 2026 and potentially reach US$130 per barrel in 2027.

At those levels, both ASX 200 energy stocks would see their profit margins grow, likely supporting higher dividends and spurring further increases in the Santos and Woodside share price.

The post Why I'd buy Santos and Woodside shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Woodside has energy projects around the world, including Australia, Africa and North America.

Given the ongoing situation in the Middle East, I think Woodside is an interesting one to consider in the current environment. The ASX energy share could pay large dividend income in the coming reporting periods, so let's look at the passive income projections.

Upcoming dividends

Higher energy prices could significantly boost the company's earnings and dividends.

According to the projection on Commsec, the business could deliver pleasing passive income for the next few financial years. Woodside's annual dividend per share is forecast to be $1.76 in 2026 – the company's FY26 finishes in December 2026.

That forecast for the 2026 financial year translates into a grossed-up dividend yield of 7.6%, including franking credits, at the time of writing.

The 2027 financial year payout could be even better. According to the estimate on Commsec, Woodside is projected to pay an annual dividend per share of $2.14 in the 2027 financial year. That would be a grossed-up dividend yield of 9.3%, including franking credits.

Not many businesses inside the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) are projected to pay passive income that large in FY27. It looks like a particularly large dividend yield when compared to the yields of other ASX blue-chip shares of Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP).

A $4,000 investment in Woodside shares

With a large dividend yield, it's clear that investors can unlock significant dividend income. We're going to look at what a $4,000 investment could unlock for investors.

By investing in $4,000 in the ASX energy share today, an investor may be able to buy 121 Woodside shares, which could unlock around $260 dividend cash and $361.91 dividend income overall (including franking credits).

That's an impressive level of investment income, in my view.

Is this a good time to invest in the ASX energy share?

Analysts have given their view on the business amid the events in the Middle East.

According to CMC Invest, there have been nine analyst ratings on the business within the last three months. The average price target from those experts is $31.34, implying a possible decline of 4% over the next year.

So, while it may provide significant passive income, the experts seem to think it's fully priced. Therefore, there could be better ASX share opportunities out there to buy.

The post If I buy $4,000 of Woodside shares, how much dividend income will I receive? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

ASX 200 expected to rise

The Australian share market looks set for a decent start to the week following a good session on Wall Street on Friday. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 18 points or 0.2% higher. In the United States, the Dow Jones was up 1%, the S&P 500 rose 0.85%, and the Nasdaq stormed 0.95% higher.

Oil prices fall

ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) will be on watch on Monday after oil prices pulled back on Friday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price was down 2.4% to US$100.05 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price was down 2.8% to US$104.61 a barrel. However, an escalation in the Middle East over the weekend could send oil prices higher when Asian markets open.

Buy NextDC shares

NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) shares could be worth a look according to Shaw and Partners. This morning, according to The Bull, its team has named the data centre operator as a buy. It said: "While investment spending remains elevated, management continues to secure long term customer contracts that provide earnings visibility. With structural growth tailwinds expected to persist for many years, NXT remains well positioned to deliver attractive long term shareholder returns."

Gold price edges higher

It could be a mildly positive start to the week for ASX 200 gold shares Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) after the gold price edged higher on Friday night. According to CNBC, the gold futures price was up slightly to US$4,408.9 an ounce. Traders were buying the dip despite increasing US rate hike bets.

ASX shares going ex-dividend

Another group of ASX shares are going ex-dividend this morning and could trade lower. Among them are debt collector Credit Corp Group Ltd (ASX: CCP), telco Chorus Ltd (ASX: CNU), travel and transport company Kelsian Group Ltd (ASX: KLS), and airline operator Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd (ASX: VGN). The latter is paying a fully franked 7.6 cents per share dividend next month on 15 October.

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

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) dropped 2.94% and closed at a 10-week low of 8,741.2 points.

Nine of the 11 market sectors fell into the red.

Let's review.

Brent crude oil price jumps 12%

Brent crude, the international benchmark oil price, jumped 12% last week to above US$108 per barrel on Friday.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil also leapt 12% to above US$103 per barrel.

US heating oil rose 12% and gasoline increased 5%.

The UK gas price jumped 15%, German gas rose 14%, and European gas increased 13%.

This occurred as the Iran-backed Houthis sought to take control of Saudi Arabia's alternative oil export route.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world's oil and gas is shipped, has been effectively shut down since March.

Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter and a US ally, has been exporting via the Red Sea and Strait of Bab el-Mandeb instead.

The Red Sea and the strait run alongside Yemen, where the Houthis are based.

The rebels seized a Yemeni port city called Mocha, and are now advancing toward other cities closer to Bab el-Mandeb.

While all this was happening, Iran and the US continued to exchange fire with no hope of a peace deal in sight.

The US-Iran conflict has helped push up inflation in Australia, the US, and other nations.

Last week's oil price spike raised the chances of an interest rate rise in Australia and the US this month.

Traders rate the likelihood of a rate rise in both countries in September at 70%.

The US stock market also slumped last week, and American bond yields hit multi-year highs.

Australia's 3-year government bond yield rose above 5% on Friday, the highest level in 15 years.

These were among the factors contributing to the ASX 200's slump last week.

Energy shares led amid broader market downturn

The Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) share price gained 3.24% to close at $32.86 on Friday.

The Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) share price ascended 4.63% to $8.59.

Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) shares edged 1.38% higher to $41.21.

The Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA) share price jumped 4.83% to $3.04.

Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) shares ripped 5.17% to close the week at $1.83.

Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) shares rose 2.33% to 88 cents apiece.

The Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) share price increased 2.5% to $8.60.

Whitehaven shares were one of 9 ASX stocks upgraded by experts last week.

The New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) share price gained 3.77% to $6.33.

Uranium miner Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) tumbled 12.14% to $10.28 per share.

The Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) share price fell 3% to $1.46.

ASX 200 market sector snapshot

Here's how the 11 market sectors stacked up last week, according to CommSec data.

Over the five trading days:

Next week 33 ASX shares are set to trade ex-dividend.

The post Energy shares rose while the ASX 200 slumped last week. Here's why appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

We'll look at two ASX dividend gems below that I think belong in every income investor's portfolio.

But first, some important reminders.

Diversity and trailing yields

While we'll look at two quality ASX 200 dividend stocks below, a properly diversified passive income portfolio will contain a lot more than just two stocks. Though there's no correct number for everyone, around 15 or so is a decent target.

Ideally these companies will operate in various sectors and locations. This will reduce the risk of your income stream taking an outsized hit if any one company or sector runs into headwinds.

Also, bear in mind that the yields you generally see are trailing yields. Future yields may be higher or lower depending on a range of company specific and macroeconomic factors.

Which brings us to…

Two ASX dividend gems for a $10,000 annual passive income

The first ASX dividend gem you may want to buy for passive income is Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS).

Recently trading for $33.00 a share, the ASX 200 oil and gas stock has gained 33% over the past year.

As for that income, Woodside paid (or shortly will pay) $1.63 a share in fully franked dividends over the past year. The stock traded ex-dividend on 3 September. Eligible stockholders can expect to receive that payout on 25 September.

At the recent share price, then, Woodside shares trade on a fully franked 4.9% trailing dividend yield.

The second ASX dividend gem I believe should have a place in every passive income investor's portfolio is Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS).

Recently trading for $4.76 a share, the ASX 200 telco is down 2.7% over the past 12 months.

On the income front, Telstra has paid (or shortly will pay) two dividends totalling 21 cents a share, franked at 90%. Telstra shares traded ex-dividend on 26 August. Eligible stockholders can expect to receive that payout on 24 September.

At the recent share price Telstra shares trade on a partly franked 4.4% trailing dividend yield.

How much to invest?

Assuming you invest the same amount in each ASX dividend gem, you could expect to earn a yield of 4.7%, based on those trailing yields.

To earn $10,000 a year in passive income, you'd need to invest $212,766 today.

Now, that's a sizeable amount to invest in one go.

But that's okay.

Investing is a long game. You can always invest a smaller amount on a regular basis, and you'll reach your passive income goal in good time.

The post 2 ASX dividend gems I'd buy today for $10,000 a year in passive income appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

While the broader index is under pressure amid the re-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, investors are bidding up the ASX 200 energy stocks as oil prices continue to climb.

Brent crude oil topped US$109 per barrel overnight. A barrel of Brent is currently trading for US$108.32, according to data from Bloomberg. That's up 19.7% from US$90.50 per barrel on 1 September.

That's today's price action for you.

But if you'd invested $10,000 in Santos and Woodside shares three years ago, would you have beaten the 20% returns delivered by the ASX 200 since 15 September 2023?

Woodside shares endure long slide before a rebound

Three years ago, when Brent crude oil was on an upward trend at US$94 per barrel, you could have picked up Woodside shares for $38.39 apiece.

So, for $10,000, you could have bought 260 shares in the ASX oil and gas giant. From there, however, the stock was in a lengthy downward trend through to April 2025, when it commenced a strong rebound.

At time of writing, shares are changing hands for $33.14 each, down 13.7% in three years.

Though, thanks to the passive income Woodside pays, the losses are much less.

Here's what I mean.

If you owned Woodside shares for the last three years, you would have received (or shortly will receive) the past six fully-franked Woodside dividends, totalling a rounded $5.24 a share.

Woodside stock traded ex-dividend on 3 September. Eligible stockholders can expect that passive income payout to land in their bank account on 25 September.

Now, if we add that $5.24 back into today's share price, then the accumulated value of the Woodside shares you bought three years ago is worth $38.38 today.

And the 260 shares you bought for $10,000 are worth an accumulated $9,979.

So, how about Santos?

Santos shares lead the three-year race

While not shooting the lights out, Santos outperformed Woodside shares over the last three years.

On 15 September 2023, you could have bought Santos shares for $7.91 each. Meaning your $10,000 investment would have netted you 1,264 shares.

At time of writing, Santos shares are swapping hands for $8.65 apiece, up 9.4% in three years.

If you owned the stock over this period, you'd also have received (or shortly will) the last six Santos dividends, mostly unfranked, totalling a rounded $1.13 a share.

Santos traded ex-dividend on 24 August. Eligible investors can expect to receive that passive income payment on 23 September.

If we add that $1.13 back in to today's share price, then the Santos shares you bought for $7.91 three years ago are now worth an accumulated $9.78 each.

And the 1,264 shares you bought for $10,000 are worth an accumulated $12,362.

How have the ASX 200 energy stocks fared in 2026?

Both ASX 200 energy stocks are enjoying a banner year amid tight global oil markets.

Santos shares have gained 40.6% in 2026, while Woodside shares are up 39.9%, not including their dividends.

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