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

ASX 200 expected to edge lower

It looks set to be a soft session for Australian investors on Thursday following a mixed night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 8 points or 0.1% lower this morning. In the United States, the Dow Jones rose 0.5%, but the S&P 500 fell 0.15% and the Nasdaq dropped 0.8%.

ASX 200 results releases

A number of ASX 200 shares will be releasing their results on Thursday. This includes payments giant Block Inc. (ASX: XYZ), financial services company AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP), media behemoth News Corp (ASX: NWS), and property listings leader REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA). With respect to the latter, Bell Potter expects REA Group to report group revenue of $1,808 million and adjusted NPAT of $626 million. This represents 8% and 11% growth, respectively.

Oil prices soften

ASX 200 energy shares Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a subdued session after oil prices softened overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 1.1% to US$74.92 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 0.2% to US$79.21 a barrel. Oil prices have come under significant pressure this week amid easing US-Iran tensions.

Buy Light & Wonder shares

Light & Wonder Inc. (ASX: LNW) shares could be seriously undervalued according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, in response to the gaming technology company's results release, the broker has retained its buy rating with a trimmed price target of $183.00 (from $190.00). It said: "We retain Buy and reduce TP. We now forecast EBITDA growth of at the lower end of the company's guidance range. We see a resumption in top line growth occurring in 4Q26. We believe LNW offers compelling value at 10x EV/EBIT(A) given growth metrics."

Gold price jumps

It looks like it could be a great session for ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) on Thursday after the gold price jumped overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 3.75% to US$4,308.5 an ounce. This was driven by a weaker US dollar. 

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

Your superannuation offers the opportunity to receive concessional tax treatment, and you get the chance to grow your balance through the power of compounding.

Once you retire and move into the pension phase, your super can also provide a regular stream of passive income.

But how much superannuation do you need to accumulate to generate a passive income high enough to live comfortably on? 

Here's a breakdown, using a target of $8,000 a month in passive income as an example.

How much do I need in my superannuation to get a $8,000 monthly passive income?

First you need to work out what $8,000 per month translates to over the year.

So, $8,000 x 12 = $96,000.

Then you'll need to divide your annual passive income ($96,000) by the dividend yield of your overall portfolio. 

For example, $96,000 ÷ 3% = $3.2 million (that's the superannuation portfolio size you'd need).

The trick is that the answer varies significantly depending on the dividend yield of your portfolio.

For example, a superannuation portfolio with a dividend yield of around 6% only needs to be around half the size of one with a dividend yield of around 3% to generate the same level of passive income.

Ok, so what balance do I need for a portfolio yielding 4%, 5% and 6%?

Say your overall portfolio has a slightly higher dividend yield of around 4%, you'll need a balance of around $2.4 million to earn the same $96,000 per year (equivalent to $8,000 per month) in passive income. That looks like: $96,000 ÷ 4% = $2.4 million.

Then, if the yield of your portfolio is around 5%, your superannuation balance would need to be closer to $1.9 million to earn the same dividend income.

For a 6% yielding portfolio, you'd need a balance of closer to $1.6 million to earn the same amount.

And so on…

Note that most ASX dividend shares pay dividends on a semi-annual or yearly basis. This means that while you could target the equivalent of $8,000 per month in passive income, you won't actually receive the money on a month-by-month basis, but instead in a lump sum.

What ASX shares can I buy that yield 3-6%?

There are a huge number of ASX dividend shares available for superannuation investment. 

Here are some of my favourites.

For ASX shares yielding around 3% I'd pick large-cap blue-chips like BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW), or Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG).

ASX shares yielding around 4% would be something like banking giants National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) or ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), or Nick Scali Ltd (ASX: NCK).

For 5% yielding ASX shares, my picks would be Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS), Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL), TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPG) or Servcorp Ltd (ASX: SRV).

And then for 6% yielding options, I'd opt for something like Metcash Ltd (ASX: MTS), Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG), or Dexus (ASX: DXS).

The post How much superannuation is needed to target $8,000 per month in passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Reporting season runs from 3 to 31 August, and more than 250 companies will release FY26 results.

Final dividends will be declared right across the market.

Here are three names offering strong franked income, each with a result due this month.

Why ASX dividend shares are back in focus

Two forces are pushing income back up the agenda.

The first is interest rates.

The RBA has lifted the cash rate three times this year to 4.35%, and left it there in June. That raises the bar term deposits set for equity income.

The second is tax.

Legislated capital gains tax changes from 1 July 2027 are already impacting investor returns from dividends and yield.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Telstra is the most defensive of the three ASX dividend shares.

The telco lifted its interim dividend 10.5% to 10.5 cents per share in the FY26 half-year result.

If it matches that with the final payout, the annual dividend will reach 21 cents per share.

That works out to a grossed-up yield of around 5.4%, including franking credits.

Recent earnings support the payout: Mobile handheld users rose by 135,000 in the first half.

That drove earnings before interest and tax to grow 9.2% to $2 billion, while cash earnings per share jumped 19.7% to 14 cents.

This is unusual growth for a business of Telstra's size and maturity.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

Woodside offers the biggest headline yield of the three.

The energy giant recently traded on a trailing yield of about 5.3%, which grosses up to 7.57% with full franking.

Woodside pays out a high proportion of underlying profit, and its dividends have carried full franking for most of its history.

The catch is the energy cycle.

Woodside's earnings, and therefore its dividends, move with oil and gas prices.

First-quarter 2026 operating revenue came in at US$3.26 billion, up 7% on the December quarter.

That was helped by an average realised price of US$63 per barrel of oil equivalent, though production fell 8% to 45.2 million barrels of oil equivalent over the same period.

As a potential driver for future earnings, Woodside's Scarborough project reached 96% completion and remains on track for its first LNG cargo in the fourth quarter of 2026.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

BHP had a spectacular FY26, with the shares soaring 62%.

CommSec estimates a FY26 dividend of $2.10 per share, a yield of around 3.6%. That is the smallest yield of the three, but it comes attached to the strongest balance sheet.

The June quarter operational review showed copper production of 491.9kt and iron ore production of 68.1mt.

For the first time in BHP's history, copper earnings exceeded those of iron ore in the first half of FY26.

BHP reports its FY26 result on 18 August, and brokers expect a healthy final dividend.

The risks with these ASX dividend shares

None of these payouts is guaranteed.

Woodside's dividend is the most cyclical of the three and could fall if energy prices retreat from current levels.

BHP's FY27 iron ore guidance of 260mt to 272mt sits below FY26 output of 264.7mt, and FY28 copper guidance of 1.65mt to 1.8mt implies a sizeable step down from 1.95mt.

Telstra, on the other hand, is the steadiest of the group, but it trades on a premium multiple for a telco.

Foolish takeaway

These three ASX dividend shares approach income from very different angles.

Telstra offers slow, reliable growth.

Woodside offers a high yield with cyclical risk attached.

BHP offers a smaller yield backed by an exceptional balance sheet and strong copper leverage.

All three report this month, so income investors will not have to wait long for clarity.

The post 3 ASX dividend shares to buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

But what is a comfortable level of income?

How much superannuation do you really need?

While it's relatively subjective, the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) has run the numbers and arrived at a figure that they consider sufficient for both singles and couples to have a comfortable retirement.

This measure, which assumes you own your own home, includes the ability to pay for top-level private health insurance and doctor visits, fast internet, a reasonable car and associated maintenance, regular leisure activities and the ability to travel occasionally.

To afford this, singles would need to earn $55,923 in superannuation income, while a couple would need to earn $78,556.

Today I'm looking at the amount of superannuation savings needed to generate $6,000 per month, or $12,000 per year, well above the level considered comfortable for a single person.

So let's look at the numbers.

Just to get started with round numbers, if you can generate a 7.2% return from your superannuation savings, you'd need $1 million worth of investments.

While this might sound like a high return, remember that superannuation funds benefit from franking credits – in lay terms, they are paid back the tax already paid by a company on its earnings.

Meanwhile, if you generate just a 5% return on your investments, you'd need $1.44 million in superannuation savings, while if you were able to generate 10% returns, the figure drops to just $720,000.

I'd argue that a 7.5% return, the midpoint of these two, is a realistic return to target, for which you'd need $960,000 in superannuation savings.

Keep in mind that all of these figures are based on dividend returns only, and don't assume any share sales take place.

So, what shares could you buy to deliver such returns?

Recently I've been keeping my eye on the funds managed by Wilson Asset Management, which have been paying decent dividends.

Just this week the WAM Strategic Value Ltd (ASX: WAR) fund announced that it had increased its dividend, and would now be paying a yield of 5.9%, rising to 8.4% once franking credits were included.

WAM Active Ltd (ASX: WAA) also recently increased its dividend and is paying out an identical yield to WAM Strategic Value.

When it comes to operating businesses as opposed to funds, Regal Partners Ltd (ASX: RPL) is a good option, with broker Morgans forecasting the financial services company will pay out 8.1% for this year, followed by 6.9% and 7.8% in the following years.

Among resources stocks Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) is paying a 6.59% yield while Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) is paying 5.02%, both fully franked.

And among the ETFs, there is the Betashares Australian Dividend Harvester Fund (ASX: HVST), which is paying 7.3% grossed up, or including franking credits.

The post How much is needed in superannuation to target a $6,000 monthly passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The fastest rising ASX 200 stocks today are Droneshield Ltd (ASX: DRO), up 8.7%, and Life360 Inc (ASX: 360), up 6.8%.

The biggest fallers today are Predictive Discovery Ltd (ASX: PDI), down 5%, and Firefly Metals Ltd (ASX: FFM), down 4.8%.

Let's check out 3 ASX shares with new ratings from the experts.

Capstone Copper Corp CDI (ASX: CSC)

The Capstone Copper share price is $13.71, up 0.6% today and up 52% over 12 months. 

Morgans maintained its buy rating on this ASX 200 mining share following the company's 2Q FY26 update.

The broker said: 

CSC's 2Q26 marked its seventh consecutive quarter of record adjusted EBITDA, underscoring the consistency of its earnings growth and leverage to the copper cycle.

Mantoverde's performance was outstanding, running above nameplate for the full quarter and beating on both volumes and costs.

Morgans has an $18 target price on Capstone Copper shares, implying a potential 31% upside from here.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

The Woodside share price is $32.63, up 0.4% today and up 25% over 12 months. 

Morgans has a hold rating on this ASX 200 energy share. 

Following Woodside's 2Q FY26 update, the broker shaved its 12-month target price down from $33.40 to $32.50.

This implies the stock is already fully valued.

The broker commented: 

A good-looking 2Q26 operational and sales result, with operating revenue of US$4,185m up 28% qoq, 14.1% ahead of Visible Alpha (VA) consensus (US$3,668m) and 18% ahead of us (MorgansF US$3,545m).

Roughly half the revenue beat came from marketing activity (lower margin). Strip that out and the beat narrows to ~6% on reported revenue, still healthy. Net debt of ~US$9.3bn was a rare negative, ~US$1.4bn above our estimate, but appears to be a cash flow timing factor.

Nothing in Q2 materially changes our view.

Lindsay Australia Ltd (ASX: LAU)

The Lindsay Australia share price is 67 cents, down 1.5% today and down 9% over 12 months. 

Mark Gardner from MPC Markets has a sell rating on this ASX industrials share. 

Gardner said (courtesy The Bull):

This refrigerated transport and logistics operator grew group revenue to $540.3 million in the first half of 2026, up 24.8 per cent on the prior corresponding period.

Underlying net profit after tax of $15.8 million was up 0.1 per cent. Underlying earnings per share of 4.3 cents was down 13.6 per cent.

Renewed Middle East tension could potentially lift diesel prices, operating costs and pressure margins, which is challenging for a fleet heavy business.

We'd rather step aside until diesel costs stabilise and margins start recovering.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Capstone Copper, Lindsay Australia, Woodside shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

To narrow things down, let's look at three popular shares that Morgans has recently given its verdict on.

Are they buys, holds, or sells? Let's find out:

Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE)

Morgans was pleased with this uranium producer's finish to a challenging year.

While the broker has been disappointed with the performance of the Alta Mesa operation, it has maintained its accumulate rating (between buy and hold) with a trimmed price target of $1.40. It said:

Honeymoon guidance achieved following a challenging year – 4Q uranium production rebounded 79% qoq to 362klb, allowing BOE to achieve revised FY26 production guidance, while FY26 C1 costs (A$39/lb) and AISC (A$61/lb) also landed within guidance. 

Alta Mesa. What a disappointment – Alta Mesa production of just 45klb (100% basis) missed consensus by ~78%, highlighting the ongoing impact of permitting delays and reinforcing that meaningful production growth remains dependent on approval of new wellfields. We maintain our ACCUMULATE rating with a downgraded target price of A$1.40ps (previously A$1.55ps).

Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST)

Morgans has also been looking at Northern Star shares following the release of its update for FY 2026.

The broker was pleased to see beats on costs for all three production centres and production volumes ahead of its revised guidance. 

However, due to a recent rebound, Morgans downgraded the gold miner's shares to an accumulate rating with a trimmed price target of $24.00. The broker said:

Costs beat at all three production centres and FY26 volumes finished above revised guidance. We view the result as largely neutral. FY27 guidance has been deferred to the 20 August FY26 result pending early KCGM Mill Expansion commissioning data. Move to an ACCUMULATE with a A$24ps target price.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

Finally, Woodside delivered a good second-quarter update with operating revenue comfortably ahead of expectations.

And while its net debt was higher than expected, the broker believes this was due to cash flow timing.

In response to the update, Morgans retained its hold rating with a trimmed price target of $32.50. It said:

A good-looking 2Q26 operational and sales result, with operating revenue of US$4,185m up 28% qoq, 14.1% ahead of Visible Alpha (VA) consensus (US$3,668m) and 18% ahead of us (MorgansF US$3,545m). Roughly half the revenue beat came from marketing activity (lower margin). Strip that out and the beat narrows to ~6% on reported revenue, still healthy. 

Net debt of ~US$9.3bn was a rare negative, ~US$1.4bn above our estimate, but appears to be a cash flow timing factor. Nothing in Q2 materially changes our view. We update our TP to A$32.50 (from A$33.40) and maintain our HOLD rating.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Boss Energy, Northern Star, and Woodside shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

ASX 200 expected to sink

The Australian share market looks set for a disappointing start to the week despite a positive session on Wall Street on Friday. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 85 points or 0.95% lower. In the United States, the Dow Jones rose 0.55%, the S&P 500 climbed 0.7%, and the Nasdaq jumped 1%.

Oil prices rise

ASX 200 energy shares including Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) could have a positive start to the week after oil prices rose on Friday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price was up 1.3% to US$84.67 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price was up 1.2% to US$87.93 a barrel. However, OPEC agreed over the weekend to a September production hike, which could weigh on prices.

Fortescue shares upgraded

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) shares are no longer a sell according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, the broker upgraded the iron ore miner's shares to a hold rating with a price target of $17.40. It said: "We lift our rating to Hold from Sell on recent share price depreciation but do not yet see the positive catalysts to re-enter the stock. Our NPV-based valuation is lowered 4%, to $17.40/sh."

Gold price falls

It could be a subdued 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 pulled back on Friday night. According to CNBC, the gold futures price was down 1.3% to US$4,107 an ounce. This couldn't stop the precious metal from having its best month since February.

Buy Catalyst Metals shares

Bell Potter thinks Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL) shares are being undervalued by the market. This morning, in response to the gold miner's quarterly update, the broker has retained its buy rating with a trimmed price target of $13.25. It commented: "4QFY26 provided record production, costs below guidance and +A$54m cash. FY27 production, cost guidance and strategy a significant near-term catalyst. We lower our TP to $13.25/sh and retain Buy. EPS changes: FY26 +5%, FY27 -16%, FY28 -9%."

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

Atop from its potential for capital gains, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) oil and gas stock has long been popular with income investors for its 10-year-plus track record of paying two fully-franked dividends a year.

Speaking of those capital gains, in afternoon trade on Friday, Woodside shares are changing hands for $32.59 apiece. That sees the Woodside share price up 37.4% in 2026.

As for how many shares you might need to buy to bag an extra $1,000 a month in passive income, we'll look at that below.

But first…

A few important reminders

The first thing to keep in mind when you're on the hunt for passive income is that the yields you generally see quoted are trailing yields. Future yields may be higher or lower depending on a range of company specific and macroeconomic factors.

For Woodside, I'd expect investors may see an uplift in the upcoming interim dividend. That's based on the company's 28% quarter-on-quarter operating revenue increase, which came out to US$4.185 billion in the June quarter. Woodside also enjoyed a 35% increase in the average realised price it received, which climbed to US$85 per barrel of oil equivalent (boe) in the June quarter.

But we won't speculate on the upcoming dividend, and stick to the trailing yields here.

Also bear mind that while we're only looking at Woodside shares here, a properly diversified passive income portfolio will contain a lot more than just one stock. While there's no magic number, 10 to 15 is a decent ballpark figure, ideally operating in various sectors and locations. This will reduce the risk of your income stream taking a big hit if any single sector or company hits a rough patch.

With that said…

Drilling into Woodside shares for passive income

If you're looking to bank $1,000 a month, that works out to $12,000 a year in dividend payouts.

Looking at the past year, Woodside paid a fully-franked interim dividend of 81.8 cents per share on 24 September. And the ASX 200 energy stock paid the final fully-franked dividend of 83.5 cents per share on 27 March.

That equates to a full-year payout of $1.653 a share.

Based on the trailing yield then, for a $1,000 a month in passive income (paid out twice yearly), you'd need to buy 7,260 Woodside shares today.

How much would that cost?

At the current Woodside share price, 7,260 shares would cost $236,603.

Now, that's a big chunk to invest at one time.

But that's okay.

Investing is a long game. You can always buy a smaller number of Woodside shares on a regular basis, and you'll reach your $1,000 monthly passive income goal in good time.

The post How many Woodside shares do I need to buy for a $1,000 monthly passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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 rebound

The Australian share market looks set to rebound 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 91 points or 1% higher this morning. In late trade on Wall Street, the Dow Jones is up 1.1%, the S&P 500 is up 1.55%, and the Nasdaq is 2.6% higher.

Oil prices soften

ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) could have a subdued finish to the week after oil prices softened overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 0.95% to US$83.66 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 1.6% to US$89.29 a barrel. This was despite an escalation in US-Iran tensions.

CSL shares given hold rating

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares are a hold ahead of earnings season according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has retained its hold rating on the biotech giant's shares with an improved price target of $120.00. It said: "Despite the strong competitive barriers that exist for plasma companies compared to conventional pharma, we think a discount for CSL relative to its peers is currently warranted due to (1) the ~2% CAGR growth outlook in the mid-term vs ~4.5% for pharma peers; (2) declining earnings expectation in FY27; (3) the lack of a permanent CEO; and (4) our forecasts remaining below consensus average."

Gold price rises

ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) could have a strong finish to the week after the gold price charged higher overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 1.65% to US$4,102.3 an ounce. A weaker US dollar and soft inflation data boosted the precious metal.

Buy Vulcan, hold PLS shares

Bell Potter has given its verdict on lithium stocks Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: VUL) and PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) following their quarterly updates. The broker has retained its speculative buy rating on Vulcan shares with a reduced price target of $4.50 (from $6.10) and held firm with its hold rating on PLS shares with a reduced price target of $4.70 (from $6.15). Commenting on the latter, Bell Potter said: "We maintain our Hold recommendation. At current lithium market prices, PLS will generate substantial earnings and cash flow with the restart of the 200ktpa Ngungaju processing plant. P2000 and Colina development studies are being progressed, providing substantial organic growth optionality in markets with strong underlying EV and BESS-led long term demand fundamentals."

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday 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 rise

It looks set to be another positive session for Australian investors on Thursday despite a mixed night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 34 points or 0.4% higher this morning. In late trade in the United States, the Dow Jones is down 1.3%, the S&P 500 is 0.1% lower, and the Nasdaq is up 0.3%.

Domino's FY 2026 update

Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) shares will be on watch today after the pizza chain operator released an update on its expectations for FY 2026. The company expects to report underlying NPAT in the range of $118 million to $122 million. This is consistent with its previously communicated guidance. Domino's also advised that it expects to recognise total balance sheet write-downs of approximately $259 million for the financial year.

Oil prices jump

ASX 200 energy shares including Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a good session after oil prices jumped overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 6.8% to US$84.65 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 7.75% to US$90.61 a barrel. Oil prices jumped in response to reports that US President Donald Trump has threatened to hit Iran hard.

Buy Liontown shares

Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) shares could be undervalued according to analysts at Bell Potter. In response to the lithium miner's quarterly update, this morning, the broker has retained its buy rating with a reduced price target of $1.90 (from $2.90). It said: "With recent trading weakness, LTR's EV is around $3.3b with spot SC6 prices at US$2,070/t and net cash of $246m. The last time LTR was trading at this EV (early November 2025), SC6 prices were US$1,000/t (admittedly trending higher) and net debt was $274m. Since this date, the underground ramp-up has been further derisked."

Gold price climbs

It looks set to be a good session for ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) on Thursday after the gold price jumped overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 1.5% to US$4,100 an ounce. Traders were bidding gold higher after the US Federal Reserve kept interest rates on hold.

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

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) oil and gas stock closed yesterday trading for $32.29. In late morning trade on Wednesday, shares are changing hands for $32.41 apiece, up 0.4%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is up 1.2% at this same time.

Taking a step back, Woodside shares are up 37% in 2026, racing ahead of the 3.9% year-to-date gains posted by the benchmark index.

Now, here's why this is a big week for the Aussie oil and gas giant.

Woodside shares get Western Australia support

On Monday, Woodside welcomed the Western Australian government's decision to grant State Significant Project status to the proposed $49 billion Browse to North West Shelf Project, one of its key growth projects.

As the operator of the Browse Joint Venture, the new status should support Woodside shares longer term, as it simplifies the state's approval processes to develop the natural gas field.

Woodside noted:

The designation reflects the proposed Browse to North West Shelf Project's strategic importance to Western Australia while providing a framework for enhanced whole-of-government facilitation and support.

The company added:

As Australia's largest undeveloped offshore gas resource, the proposed development of the Browse to North West Shelf Project represents a significant opportunity to deliver decades of energy security through domestic gas supply, the potential to support thousands of jobs, and deliver benefits to regional communities.

As for those benefits, Woodside cited independent economic impact assessments indicating that, over the long term, the project could deliver an additional $141 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) nationally and some $56 billion in taxes and royalties.

What else is happening with the ASX 200 energy stock?

Woodside shares are also in sharp focus today following this morning's release of the company's June quarter update (Q2 2026).

Amid planned maintenance and the ongoing recovery from cyclone impacts, production volume slipped 9% quarter on quarter to 41.3 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe).

But with Woodside enjoying a 35% lift in the average realised price to US$85 per barrel of oil equivalent, the company reported a 28% boost in operating revenue for Q2 to US$4.185 billion.

Looking ahead, Woodside provided full-year 2026 production guidance in the range of 174 MMboe to 185 MMboe.

Commenting on the results that look to be supporting Woodside shares today, CEO Liz Westcott said:

We delivered production of 41.3 million barrels of oil equivalent in the second quarter, highlighted by outstanding reliability of 99.3% at Sangomar and 99.2% at Shenzi. Sustained production performance and asset reliability have provided greater certainty around expected full-year outcomes, supporting a narrower production guidance range for 2026.

The post Buying Woodside shares? Here's why it's a BIG week for the ASX 200 energy stock appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Woodside Energy Group report?

• Quarterly operating revenue rose 28% quarter-on-quarter to US$4,185 million.
• Average realised price was US$85 per barrel of oil equivalent, up 35% quarter-on-quarter.
• Quarterly production volumes were 41.3 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe), down 9% from Q1 due to planned maintenance and cyclone recovery.
• Sangomar and Shenzi operations delivered over 99% reliability, while Pluto and North West Shelf LNG assets exceeded 97% reliability.
• Capital expenditure for the quarter was US$784 million, with major growth projects on budget and schedule.

What else do investors need to know?

The Scarborough Energy Project is now 98% complete and remains on budget, targeting first LNG cargo in the December quarter of 2026. Project commissioning milestones were achieved in the period, including first gas from the Scarborough reservoir after quarter end.

Woodside advanced its global portfolio, assuming operatorship of the Gippsland Basin assets in July and moving ahead with a key acquisition in the Browse Joint Venture, expected to increase its equity to 41.27% pending approvals. The company entered new gas sales agreements, including a deal to supply Alcoa's Western Australian alumina refining operations out to 2030.

The Trion Oil Project reached 64% completion and remains on budget, targeting first production in 2028. In the United States, the Louisiana LNG Project progressed to 28% complete and is expected to deliver first LNG in 2029.

What did Woodside Energy Group management say?

Woodside Energy Group CEO Liz Westcott said:

We delivered production of 41.3 million barrels of oil equivalent in the second quarter, highlighted by outstanding reliability of 99.3% at Sangomar and 99.2% at Shenzi. Sustained production performance and asset reliability have provided greater certainty around expected full-year outcomes, supporting a narrower production guidance range for 2026.

Strong realised prices supported earnings and cash generation, highlighting the resilience of our diversified portfolio amid ongoing macroeconomic and commodity price volatility. We continue to deliver our major growth projects to budget and schedule.

What's next for Woodside Energy Group?

Woodside reaffirmed its full-year 2026 guidance, including production between 174–185 MMboe, capital expenditure of US$4–4.5 billion, and continued gas hub exposure of around 30%. The company expects production performance to remain robust, as growth projects like Scarborough, Trion, and Louisiana LNG progress towards first production.

Looking ahead, focus remains on safe and reliable operations, progressing key projects, and supporting the domestic energy market through new contracts. The structured review of its operating model continues, with an update expected at the half-year results.

Woodside Energy Group share price snapshot

Woodside Energy Group share price has outperformed the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) over the past year with a 21% gain, reflecting higher oil prices and investor confidence in its project execution and growth outlook.

View Original Announcement

The post Woodside Energy Group Q2 2026: Revenue up 28%, growth projects on track appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) oil and gas stock closed yesterday trading for $31.42. In late morning trade on Tuesday, shares are swapping hands for $31.46 each, up 0.1%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.3% at this same time.

Woodside is managing to outperform today despite an overnight drop in the oil price spurred by speculations of a potential détente in the Middle East conflict. The Brent crude oil price is currently at US$87.70 per barrel. That's down sharply from the US$100.69 per barrel Brent crude oil was fetching on Friday.

Taking a step back, Woodside shares have smashed the benchmark in 2026, gaining 33.0% since 2 January. That compares to 1.7% year to date gain posted by the ASX 200.

Atop those strong capital gains, eligible stockholders will also have received the 83.5 cent per share fully franked Woodside dividend on 27 March.

Which brings us back to headline question.

Are Woodside shares still a good buy today?

Fairmont Equities' Michael Gable recently analysed the outlook for the Aussie oil and gas giant (courtesy of The Bull).

"I have previously recommended this major oil and gas producer as a buying opportunity," Gable said.

He noted:

The US strategic petroleum reserve was recently at a 43-year low, so, in my view, it will be difficult to keep a lid on crude oil prices. As the biggest energy stock on the ASX, we expect buying support to continue increasing for WDS.

Despite his bullish outlook on Woodside shares, Gable issued a hold recommendation following on the strong recent share price gains.

"The shares responded to the recent escalation in the Middle East conflict. Upwards momentum has seen the shares increase from $27.43 on June 25 to trade at $31.86 on July 23," he concluded.

How about this surging ASX uranium stock instead?

While Gable placed a hold recommendation on Woodside shares for now, he issued a buy recommendation for ASX uranium stock Cauldron Energy Ltd (ASX: CXU).

Cauldron Energy shares are up 6.9% at time of writing, trading for 15.5 cents apiece. That puts the share price up an eye-popping 1,450% since this time last year.

And Gable expects more outperformance ahead.

"CXU is a uranium explorer in Western Australia," he said. "I remain bullish about the long-term prospects for uranium."

According to Gable:

In late April, Cauldron was awarded two EIS (exploration incentive scheme) co-funded grants of up to $217,750 by the Western Australian Government for uranium exploration at its Yanrey project. On July 22, the company announced a drill campaign had returned high grade uranium results at the Manyingee north deposit, extending known mineralisation to the north and south.

The shares have risen from 4 cents on June 2 to trade at 16 cents on July 23. If the uranium mining ban in Western Australia is lifted and uranium prices increase, Cauldron's share price could be significantly re-rated.

The post Up 33%, should I still buy Woodside shares today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

At the time of writing, the shares are down around 1.5% and are changing hands at $30.97 a piece.

Despite the decline, the shares are still around 31% higher year to date and about 18% higher than 12 months ago.

What has driven the Woodside share price higher?

Oil supply concerns have been a major theme so far in 2026, and the volatility that comes hand in hand with uncertainty around conflict in the Middle East has been a strong tailwind for Woodside shares over the past six months. 

The US-Iran war has shown signs of cooling, but each time it looks like conflict is calming down, it ramps back up again. The region is highly volatile, and the movement of oil from the area will continue to be uncertain until a resolution is reached. 

Shipping disruptions and production cuts pushed oil prices to a multi-year high of around US$111 per barrel in April. While the price of oil softened in June, it quickly spiked over US$92 per barrel last week. Trading Economics data shows crude oil is now trading around US$82 per barrel. 

For context, Crude oil was trading around the US$55 level in early January.

And it's not just volatile oil prices and market demand driving the company's shares higher, either.

Woodside grabbed headlines in late April after it posted its first-quarter FY26 update. The oil and gas producer reported a 7% quarter-on-quarter increase in operating revenue and an 8% hike in revenue. The company's production figures were lower thanks to weather events, but this was offset by an 11% increase in the average realised price of oil.

The company also confirmed that its Woodside Scarborough Energy Project is nearing completion and its Trion oil project is 56% complete.

What's next for the oil and gas giant's shares?

If broker forecasts are anything to go by, the experts are divided on the outlook for the Woodside share price over the next 12 months.

Market Index data shows that the majority of brokers hold a buy rating. The $33.59 average share price implies a potential 9% upside ahead, at the time of writing.

Sentiment is a little more mixed on TradingView. Out of 15 analysts, seven have a buy or strong buy rating, and seven have a hold rating. One rates Woodside shares as a sell.

The average share price is a little lower at $32.42, but it still implies a potential 4% upside ahead, at the time of writing. But the range between the minimum and maximum target price is huge. The minimum $24.78 target price implies a potential 20% downside. Meanwhile, some expect the shares could surge 44% to $44.92 over the next 12 months.

Michael Gable from Fairmont Equities recently reduced his rating on this ASX energy share to a hold. He said that the US strategic petroleum reserve was recently at a 43-year low, and he is concerned it will be difficult to keep a lid on crude oil prices.

Last week, Macquarie upgraded Woodside shares to a buy rating with a $32.80 price target. However, at the current trading price, this suggests the stock is close to fully valued.

The post Here's what brokers tip for the Woodside share price over the next 12 months appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

As a guide, the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) regularly publishes a figure for what people need to earn to be comfortable in retirement, with a few assumptions, including that they own their own home.

Should this be the case, a single can expect to have a comfortable lifestyle with an income stream of $55,923 per year ASFA says, while a couple would need $78,566 per year.

That said, how realistic is it to aim for $10,000 per month, or $120,000 per year?

Let's run the numbers

Of course, that depends on how much you can afford to save during your working life, but it is also highly dependent on what dividend yield you can expect from your investments, as well as the contribution from franking credits.

Franking credits can be confusing if you're not well versed in how they work, but they're really quite simple.

A fully franked share is one that includes a credit for the 30% in-company tax already paid.

Retirees on a zero tax rate receive this amount back from the government as a refund.

For example, let's say you were paid a 5% fully-franked dividend. If you were a non-tax paying retiree, you'd get an effective dividend yield rate of 7.14%.

So how much in retirement savings do you need to generate $10,000 per month?

If you could achieve a dividend yield of 10%, the figure would be $1.2 million.

Naturally, if you were achieving a dividend yield of 5%, this would double to $2.4 million.

I'd argue a figure in between – a 7.5% yield – is realistic, meaning you'd need $1.6 million in retirement savings.

So what sort of shares would help you get there?

There are some shares and ETFs around that are specifically dividend-focused.

While the KKR Credit Income Fund (ASX: KKC) has been performing well recently, returning 9.82%, its dividend is unfranked.

The fund targets an average total return of between 6% and 8% through the business cycle.

WAM Active Ltd (ASX: WAA) has also been perfoming well, and recently announced a special dividend on top of its final dividend.

The fund said in a statement to the ASX that this would bring its fully-franked dividend yield to 8.6% and its grossed-up dividend yield to 12.3%.

Another fund in the Wilson Asset Management stable that has been performing well is its WAM Income Maximiser Ltd (ASX: WMX), which pays a monthly annualised yield of 7.1%.

There are also more traditional stocks, such as Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG), which pay out well, with the iron ore major having a trailing dividend of 6.5% fully franked, while Woodside Energy Ltd (ASX: WDS) pays out 5.19%.

The post How much do I need in superannuation to receive $10,000 per month in passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

When we consider that Woodside shares have almost always attached full-franking credits to any dividends paid out, we potentially have a very attractive income investment on our hands indeed.

Or do we? After all, there aren't too many blue-chip ASX 200 shares that are offering such a hefty yield right now. To illustrate, that 5.3% beats the pants off any of the big four bank stocks, Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW), and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES).

So let's dive into whether Woodside shares will really get you a 5.3% yield on your money today (7.57% grossed up with that full franking), or whether this oil and gas producer is actually a dreaded dividend trap.

5.3% fully-franked dividend: Are Woodside shares a yield trap?

Woodside is a mature, established ASX blue chip with many decades of dividend history. Investors have long enjoyed payouts from this company. Its extensive energy operations, which span the globe, give the company impressive cash flows and a diversified earnings base (at least for an energy stock).

That said, Woodside shares do face a significant structural disadvantage compared to other blue-chip dividend stocks on the ASX. It is the same issue that vexes energy investors all over the world. That would be the volatile nature of energy markets themselves.

Unlike most companies, Woodside has very little influence over the price at which it can sell its products. Global energy markets are fairly uniform when it comes to pricing. Woodside simply has to accept the asking price for its oil and gas. This can cut both ways. When oil prices rise, Woodside can become ludicrously profitable, which flows through to the company's dividends. However, when prices are low and supply is plentiful, Woodside's profitability can rapidly come back to earth.

This dynamic means Woodside shares' dividend potential is always highly volatile and unpredictable. To illustrate, the company doled out almost $4 per share in dividends over 2022, but just over $1.60 per share over 2025.

Right now, global energy prices are on an upward trajectory (despite the recent drops), thanks to renewed tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. However, predicting what might happen over the rest of the year is a fool's errand.

Foolish Takeaway

To conclude, no one should buy an ASX energy share, including Woodside, based on its trailing dividend yield. That represents the past, not what the company may pay out in the future. Woodside does have an impressive dividend history. But it is a feast-or-famine income stock. It arguably has a place in a well-diversified dividend portfolio. But no one should expect consistent, dependable dividends from holding its shares.

The post 5.3% yield: Are Woodside shares a dividend trap? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Among the 11 market sectors, technology is in the lead, streaking 3.4% higher, while energy is dropping 3.2%.

Energy is lower after Pakistan tried to restart talks between the US and Iran.

Both nations ceased military action against each other over the weekend, following two weeks of attacks.

Meanwhile, on The Bull this week, two experts give us their views on three ASX 200 shares.

Let's check them out. 

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO)

The Rio Tinto share price is $162.27, up 1.4% today and up 39% over 12 months.

Rio Tinto was among the ASX 200 large caps that generated the most share price growth in FY26, rising 61%.

Michael Gable from Fairmont Equities gives the ASX 200 mining share a buy rating following its 2Q FY26 production report.

Gable said:

Results met or exceeded expectations of most analysts.

A rare buy signal recently appeared on the daily relative strength index (RSI), which is a momentum indicator.

The price pullback that started in June is mostly over and is transitioning to a more favourable risk/reward ratio, in my view.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

Woodside shares are $31.17, down 3.7% today and up 19% over 12 months.

Gable recently reduced his rating on this ASX 200 energy share from buy to hold, and explained:

I have previously recommended this major oil and gas producer as a buying opportunity.

The shares responded to the recent escalation in the Middle East conflict.

Upwards momentum has seen the shares increase from $27.43 on June 25 to trade at $31.86 on July 23.

The US strategic petroleum reserve was recently at a 43-year low, so, in my view, it will be difficult to keep a lid on crude oil prices.

As the biggest energy stock on the ASX, we expect buying support to continue increasing for WDS.

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE)

The Treasury Wine Estates share price is $4.72, down 0.2% today and down 40% over 12 months.

Treasury Wine Estates owns wine brands like Penfolds, Wynns, Wolf Blass, Lindemans, and Squealing Pig. ‍

Philippe Bui from Medallion Financial Group has a sell rating on this ASX 200 wine share. 

Bui said: 

The winemaker is undertaking a major transformation program.

It reported a statutory net loss after tax of $649.4 million in the first half of fiscal year year 2026, driven by non-cash impairments of US assets.

It suspended the interim dividend in what it deemed a temporary measure to preserve capital and reduce leverage.

In our view, the turnaround plan, which includes reducing non-core brands, presents a headwind, as they represent significant volume.

A recovery will take time, so we see better opportunities elsewhere.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Rio Tinto, Treasury Wine Estates, Woodside shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Whether you've got many decades left before retirement, or are looking to hang your hat up in the near future, it's always a good time to look at adding a few top ASX dividend stocks to your investment portfolio.

Below we look at three such stocks that I believe will continue to provide investors with reliable long-term passive income and help boost their superannuation stream.

Now before we move on, I'll point out that a properly diversified passive income portfolio will contain more than just three stocks. While there's no magic number that suits every investor, 10 to maybe 15 dividend paying stocks is a decent ballpark figure.

Ideally these companies will operate across various sectors and locations. This will reduce the risk of your entire income portfolio taking a big hit if any particular company or sector runs into a rough patch.

With that said…

Three superannuation boosting ASX dividend shares

The first share you may wish to consider buying to help lift your superannuation income during retirement is Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS).

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) energy stock has gained around 37% in 2026 amid surging oil and gas prices. While that sees it offering a lower trailing yield at the moment, I believe these higher prices should also translate to increased dividends.

As for those trailing yields, over the past 12 months Woodside has paid out two fully franked dividends totalling $1.653 a share. At the recent Woodside share price of $32.41, this equates to a fully franked yield of 5.1%.

And taking those franking credits into account, this comes out to a grossed-up yield of 7.3%.

The second quality ASX dividend stock you might want to buy to help lift your superannuation stream is ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ).

ANZ shares are just about flat for the calendar year amid a broader pullback in most ASX 200 bank stocks. But atop it's reliable passive income payouts, I believe ANZ is well-positioned to offer medium to long-term capital gains as well.

As for that passive income, over the last 12 months ANZ has paid out two partly franked dividends totalling $1.66 a share. At the recent ANZ share price of $36.42, ANZ shares trade on a partly franked trailing dividend yield of 4.6%.

Which brings us to the third superannuation boosting dividend stock you might want to buy, alternative investment manager Regal Partners Ltd (ASX: RPL).

Regal Partners shares are down around 15% in 2026 but remain up 4% over the past 12 months. With an eye on these future dividends, this could be an opportune time to buy the stock.

Over the past 12 months, Regal Partners has paid out two fully franked dividends totalling 21 cents a share. At the recent share price of $2.75, this ASX stock trades on a 7.6% fully franked trailing dividend yield. Or 10.9% on a grossed-up basis.

The post How to boost your superannuation income with these top ASX dividend stocks 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 rebound

The Australian share market looks set for a good start to the week despite a mixed session on Wall Street on Friday. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 48 points or 0.55% higher. In the United States, the Dow Jones rose 0.45%, the S&P 500 edged 0.05% higher, and the Nasdaq fell 0.65%.

Oil prices fall

ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) could have a poor start to the week after oil prices pulled back on Friday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price was down 3.1% to US$89.31 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price was down 3.9% to US$96.78 a barrel. This was driven by US-Iran peace talk optimism.

AFIC results

Australian Foundation Investment Co Ltd (ASX: AFI) shares will be on watch on Monday. That's because the investment company is scheduled to release its full-year results before the market open. During the first half, AFIC reported a 4.6% decline in net profit to $147 million. As well as its results, the company is also expected to announce a fully franked 14.5 cents per share final dividend and a 2.5 cents per share special dividend, together with the continuation of its on-market share buyback.

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 0.5% to US$4,070.8 an ounce. A pullback in oil prices reduced rate hike bets and boosted the precious metal.

Buy Integrated Research shares

Bell Potter has named Integrated Research Ltd (ASX: IRI) shares as a buy with an improved price target of 38 cents this morning. This follows the release of a mixed trading update from the global provider of experience management solutions for business-critical technology environments. It said: "We maintain our BUY recommendation and note that the shares are currently trading at close to cash backing. Given the low EV, we expect some update on capital management and/or other initiatives at the release of the FY26 result next month. We currently assume the resumption of modest dividends from FY27 onwards but the current share price and significant cash position suggest something more material could be done."

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) fell 0.28% to 8,772.3 points over the week.

Oil and gas prices surged last week as Iran-backed Houthi militants attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.

The Saudis have been piping oil across to the Red Sea port of Yanbu for export while the Strait of Hormuz is effectively shut down.

The Brent crude oil price increased 13% to US$99.80 per barrel on Friday.

The US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil price rose 11.5% to US$91.25 per barrel.

UK and European gas prices rose 8% and German gas prices increased 13%.

On Friday, Trading Economics analysts said escalating tensions were raising fears of prolonged global energy supply disruptions.

The US launched a 13th straight day of strikes on Iran, with both sides ruling out near-term talks.

President Trump also threatened "major military punishment" against Iran and the Houthis over any further attacks on Red Sea shipping and said he was considering a "massive attack" on Iran.

Asian buyers have begun discussing rerouting Saudi crude shipments through the Suez Canal and around Africa.

Adding to supply constraints, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium suspended crude loadings at its Black Sea terminal after tanker attacks, disrupting around 80% of Kazakhstan's oil exports.

Six of the 11 market sectors finished the week in the red.

Let's recap.

Energy shares led the market last week

The Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) share price rose 6.27% over the week to $32.37 on Friday.

The Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) share price lifted 3.78% to $7.97.

The Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) share price rose 2.98% to $38.67.

The Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA) share price ascended 6.84% to $2.50.

The Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) share price rocketed 19.33% to $1.79.

Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) shares increased 2.84% to 91 cents apiece.

The Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) share price shot 14.96% higher to $9.68 on Friday.

The Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) share price rose 6.56% to $1.30.

The Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) share price jumped 12.87% to $6.05.

Whitehaven Ltd (ASX: WHC) shares rose 4.31% to $7.75.

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:

The post ASX 200 energy shares rise 6% as reignited US-Iran conflict continues appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.