Latest news with #longtermwealth
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
If you want to be a millionaire, you have to change one major thing
Most people think financial freedom is about finding the perfect investment. The right stock. The winning property. The unicorn side hustle. But the real game-changer isn't an asset; it's the mindset. Over the years, we've had the privilege of guiding thousands of Australians — from first-time investors to seasoned wealth builders — through the highs, lows, and lessons of the investment journey. And through it all, one truth has stood the test of time: you can't out-invest a scarcity mindset. The $1 Million Shift What if we told you that the right mindset could be worth over $1 million to you? We're not exaggerating. Let's say you're 35 years old and decide to invest $1,000 a month in a balanced portfolio that returns 7% annually. By the time you're 65, you'll have over $1.2 million. But what's the real barrier to doing that? It's not market knowledge nor access to the 'best' ETF or property deal. It's belief. Belief that the sacrifice today is worth the reward tomorrow. Belief that your money habits matter more than your income. Belief that long-term wealth is built quietly, not quickly. Because without the right mindset, even the best investment strategy will eventually unravel. Fear, doubt, procrastination, or short-term thinking will creep in, and before long, decisions get delayed, opportunities are missed, and financial progress stalls. Keep It Simple, Stick to the Plan There's a lot of noise out there. Think the latest investing trends that pop up every week like Crypto, AI stocks, flipping properties, NFTs — you name it. But here's what we've seen hold true over and over again: The best investors are the ones who keep it simple and stick to the plan. They don't chase fads or try to time the market. They understand that the boring stuff works. That means: -Spending less than you earn -Investing the surplus in quality assets -Holding them for the long term -Letting compound growth do its thing Whether you invest in property, shares, super, or a bit of everything — the core principles don't change. Know Your Number — And Why It Matters Another mindset game-changer? Getting clear on your financial number. How much income do you actually need in retirement to live the life you want? For some, it's $60K a year. For others, it might be $150K. The number isn't the point — it's the clarity that matters. Once you know your number, you can start working backwards. You can make informed decisions about how much to invest, what to invest in, and how long you need to stay the course. That clarity helps you avoid the panic, the FOMO, and the second-guessing that trips up so many investors. You're no longer reacting, you're executing a plan. And when that plan is tied to your actual lifestyle goals, it becomes a lot easier to stay motivated. From Consumer to Investor One of the biggest mindset changes we see in successful investors is a shift in identity. Once they know their lifestyle goals and what they're working towards, they stop seeing themselves as just spenders and start seeing themselves as wealth builders. This plays out in everyday decisions. Instead of asking, 'Can I afford the repayments?' they ask, 'Will this help me build long-term financial security?' Instead of thinking, 'I deserve this now,' they think, 'How does this fit into my bigger picture?' This isn't about cutting out coffees or never taking holidays. It's about getting intentional. It's about understanding the opportunity cost of every dollar and deciding what your future is worth to you. You Don't Need to Be Perfect In the wise words of James Clear: You don't rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your systems. But here's the truth most people miss: your systems are shaped by your mindset. If you want to reach financial freedom, it's not just about what you invest in. It's about how you think. You need to believe that your financial freedom is possible. You need to learn the rules of money (and unlearn a few too). You need to see yourself as someone who builds wealth, not waits for it, because here's what we know: If you can shift your mindset, the money will follow. And it might just bring an extra $1 million with it. Bryce Holdaway and Ben Kingsley are two of Australia's leading voices in property, finance, and money management. Together, they co-host the chart- topping podcast The Property Couch, where they've helped millions of Passive Property Investing, is out now.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
3 Dividend Kings You'll Wish You Bought Before 2025 Ends
When it comes to building long-term wealth, I've always been drawn to companies that reward patience with growing their dividend year after year. That's why I love companies on the Dividend Kings list. They are stocks that have raised their dividends for at least 50 consecutive years. And these are companies that have navigated themselves through recessions, periods of inflation, and other geopolitical issues, yet continue to deliver consistent payouts. Among the elite group of Dividend Kings, a few stand out not just for their history but for their strong fundamentals and potential for future growth. Up Nearly 20% in a Month, Is This Turnaround Dividend Stock Still a Buy in July? Get exclusive insights with the FREE Barchart Brief newsletter. Subscribe now for quick, incisive midday market analysis you won't find anywhere else. As we reach the halfway point of the year, you may be wondering which Dividend Kings have performed well since the start of 2025. Technical indicators, such as Barchart Opinion and Opinion Direction, and Wall Street's analyst consensus ratings of 'Moderate' and 'Strong Buy,' help us decide whether the stock is at or past its peak. With that out of the way, here are three of my favorite Dividend Kings that I believe are still worth buying today. Emerson Electric Company is an American multinational specializing in automation solutions for industrial, commercial, and residential markets. The company is known for its automation solutions, specifically for its Copeland Brand. Emerson is a Dividend King, having increased its dividends for 68 consecutive years. It pays a forward annual dividend of $2.11, translating to an approximate yield of 1.52%. EMR stock is also up 11.94% YTD. Barchart Opinion reports a strengthening direction for the stock, indicating a potential bullish run over the short (20-day) and medium (50-day) terms. Overall, the company has an 88% buy rating, representing a significant improvement from last month's 40% buy rating, and highlights why investors are buyingEMR stock right now. Meanwhile, a consensus among 24 analysts rate the stock a moderate buy. Walmart is a one-stop shop that primarily dominates retail here in the United States and Canada. Today, they operate as hypermarkets, department stores, and grocery stores and cater to our basic needs. It is no surprise that the company is on my list of favorite Dividend Kings as it offers a sense of stability while continuing to grow. Walmart has increased its dividends for 52 consecutive years, and today, they pay a forward annual dividend of $0.94, translating to a yield of 0.97% WMT's stock price is up 7.46% YTD, with the distinct possibility of additional gains in the second half of 2025, if Wall Street's strong buy rating and $120 high target is any indication. On the technical side, Barchart Opinion rates WMT stock a 72% buy overall, with moving averages indicating potential weakness over the short and medium terms. Still, I'm a long-term investor, and with that in mind, WMT stock still holds a 'Strong Buy' rating from analysts. That said, in the short term, WMT investors must expect the possibility of choppy price movements - and take advantage of them as a buying opportunity. S&P Global Inc. is a leading independent provider of information and analytics, popular for showing transparent and objective ratings, benchmarks, and data. The company operates across four main divisions: S&P Global Ratings, S&P Global Market Intelligence, S&P Global Platts, and S&P Dow Jones Indices. S&P Global Inc. is a Dividend King that has increased its dividends for over 50 years. Today, it pays a forward annual dividend of $3.84, yielding around 0.73%. Not the highest, but definitely one of the most stable investments with great potential. SPGI stock rose 5.69% YTD, roughly in line with the S&P 500's 5.85% performance over the same period. SPGI's Barchart Opinion score has also vastly improved, now sitting at an 88% buy - up from 40% buy over the last month, although the technical indicators forecast some resistance over the long term. Dividend Kings are known for their stability, but many do not recognize that you can still get in while they're cheap and capitalize on a bullish run. If you're looking for a stock that pays consistent dividends, like me, these three Dividend Kings could be a great addition to your portfolio. On the date of publication, Rick Orford did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CEO Tom Gardner: Be "More Curious Than Greedy" to Escape Lottery Thinking
Tom Gardner was recently asked about five tips that he would give new investors. The first four tips were specifically about what not to buy, but the last one was more general. Gardner's tip to be curious and not greedy speaks to the need to think about the long term. 10 stocks we like better than Altria Group › As CEO of The Motley Fool, Tom Gardner gets asked about investing a lot. He's been around the Wall Street block a few times, so he's a good person to look to for answers to investing questions. The answer, "You've got to be more curious than you are greedy" to a recent question about what new investors shouldn't do speaks volumes about Gardner's belief that investing is about building long-term wealth, not achieving instant success. The question that elicited the above answer was this one: "What are five investments to avoid for anyone in the first year or first couple of years of their investments?" The first four answers were pretty direct: don't buy stocks under $10, don't buy options, don't buy digital assets, and don't day trade. For a new investor this is good advice. But the biggest value from Tom's list is from his fifth answer, which was a bit different from the rest. "You've got to be more curious than you are greedy," could be viewed as a roundabout way of saying don't be greedy -- which is good advice on Wall Street since greed can lead you to invest in things you don't understand. It can result in your following the crowd even though the crowd may be wrong. It can lead you to try taking investment "shortcuts" that increase risk and often don't work out as well as planned, like using leverage in the form of margin loans or overextending yourself with options. But Tom's answer is so much more than just providing a warning, it is also providing a direction: "Be curious." Let's say you are an income-focused investor like me. And you see a dividend that looks really attractive, perhaps from a well-known company like Altria Group (NYSE: MO). Who wouldn't want to own an iconic company paying a 7% dividend yield? That's an incredible income payday and you get to collect it from day one. In fact, there are plenty of reasons to buy Altria. The lofty dividend yield is a big one, but so too is the fact that the dividend has been growing steadily for years. That's not likely to be shocking if you look at the market sector in which Altria is placed. Consumer staples makers are known for providing reliable dividends because the products they sell are bought regularly in good times and bad. But Altria isn't selling food or toiletries, like most consumer staples companies. It sells tobacco products, with a heavy focus on cigarettes. Do you want to own a company that sells cigarettes? That alone might put you off, but you have to be curious about the business to find out that this is what Altria does. And then there's the performance of the business to consider. Altria's cigarette volumes have been in decline for years. In the first quarter of 2025 alone cigarette volumes declined 13.7%! That's a shockingly large drop. Do you want to own a business where consumers are buying less and less of its most important product? That doesn't sound like a good way to build long-term wealth to me. But if all you see is the dividend yield, thinking you have hit pay dirt, and you aren't curious enough to dig into the business backing that yield, well, you could end up owning a stock you might be better off avoiding. Altria is just one stock out of the thousands you could buy. But the need for curiosity doesn't stop there. Any investment you are looking at requires your curiosity, from increasingly complicated exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to mutual funds to precious metals to watches and collectibles. What are you really buying when you "invest" in these things? If you aren't curious, you won't really know. But there's an even bigger payoff to being curious about every single investment you make. Each time you ask a question and search out the answer, you are building up your investment knowledge base. As you do so, figuring out the answers gets easier and easier because you are becoming a better and better investor. If you are a new investor or an old one, Tom Gardner is right. Be curious. Always be curious. Before you buy stock in Altria Group, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Altria Group wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $695,481!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $969,935!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,053% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 179% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 7, 2025 Reuben Gregg Brewer has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. CEO Tom Gardner: Be "More Curious Than Greedy" to Escape Lottery Thinking was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
3 Utility Stocks That Could Help Set You Up for Life
Written by Daniel Da Costa at The Motley Fool Canada If you're looking to build long-term wealth with as little stress as possible, utility stocks are unquestionably some of the best investments you can make. They may not be flashy or fast-moving, but that's exactly what makes them so attractive for long-term investors. Utility companies provide essential services such as electricity, natural gas, or water and that consistent demand gives them some of the most stable and predictable revenue streams in the market. Because of that stability, utility stocks are ideal for conservative investors or anyone focused on generating reliable, long-term returns. They tend to hold up well during economic downturns, they often pay steady and consistently growing dividends, and many are backed by regulated frameworks that reduce volatility and help mitigate risk even further. Therefore, because these stocks have predictable revenue and are consistently investing in future growth, they aren't just defensive stocks. In fact, the best utility stocks still offer solid growth potential over the long haul. These stocks increase earnings every year, which consequently allows them to increase their dividend payments, allowing the share price to follow suit. And when you combine that long-term upside with steady income and recession resistance, utility stocks become one of the best core stocks for your portfolio. So, if you're looking to boost your income or shore up your portfolio, here are three of the best utility stocks to buy now. If you're looking for a solid utility stock to buy now, there's no question that Emera (TSX:EMA) and Fortis (TSX:FTS) are two of the best in Canada. Both stocks provide both electricity and gas services to their millions of customers, and each company has diversified operations all over North America. This diversification is crucial because it takes an already low-risk industry and helps to reduce risk even more. However, while both Fortis and Emera have many similarities, the main difference between the two stocks today is their dividends. Currently, Fortis is expecting to increase its dividend between 4% and 6% annually through 2029, while Emera expects to increase its dividend by 1% to 2% annually over the next few years as it works to shore up its balance sheet and reduce its payout ratio. However, while Fortis offers more dividend growth potential over the coming years, it has a lower yield today. Right now, Fortis is offering investors a yield of roughly 3.8%, compared to Emera's current yield of 4.7%. Fortis also has a much longer track record of consistent dividend increases. While Emera's 18-year streak is impressive, Fortis has increased its dividend every year for half a century. So, although they are both two of the top utility stocks you can buy on the TSX, the slight edge still goes to Fortis unless you're looking for a higher-yield stock with the same level of reliability. In addition to Fortis and Emera, another top utility stock to consider adding to your portfolio today is AltaGas (TSX:ALA). AltaGas is one of the more unique utility stocks in Canada, offering a mix of traditional utility operations and high-potential energy infrastructure. It owns regulated natural gas utilities in the U.S., but it also has a large midstream energy segment focused on natural gas processing, exports, and storage. This diversified model makes AltaGas a reliable investment while also giving it the potential to grow faster than a regular utility stock. Its utility business provides steady cash flow and earnings visibility, while the midstream business offers upside tied to global demand for North American energy, particularly the growing Asian market, where AltaGas exports energy through its Ridley Island terminal. Furthermore, in recent years, AltaGas sold off a ton of non-core assets and strengthened its balance sheet significantly, which is why it's now one of the best utility stocks to buy and hold for the long haul. Finally, not only does it offer a yield of 3.3%, but AltaGas keeps that dividend sustainable by targeting a payout ratio of roughly 60%. So, if you're looking for a high-quality utility stock to buy now and hold for years, AltaGas is certainly one you'll want to consider. The post 3 Utility Stocks That Could Help Set You Up for Life appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada. Before you buy stock in Altagas, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor Canada analyst team just identified what they believe are the Top Stocks for 2025 and Beyond for investors to buy now… and Altagas wasn't one of them. The Top Stocks that made the cut could potentially produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider MercadoLibre, which we first recommended on January 8, 2014 ... if you invested $1,000 in the 'eBay of Latin America' at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $24,927.94!* Stock Advisor Canada provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month – one from Canada and one from the U.S. The Stock Advisor Canada service has outperformed the return of S&P/TSX Composite Index by 30 percentage points since 2013*. See the Top Stocks * Returns as of 6/23/25 More reading Made in Canada: 5 Homegrown Stocks Ready for the 'Buy Local' Revolution [PREMIUM PICKS] Market Volatility Toolkit Best Canadian Stocks to Buy in 2025 Beginner Investors: 4 Top Canadian Stocks to Buy for 2025 5 Years From Now, You'll Probably Wish You Grabbed These Stocks Subscribe to Motley Fool Canada on YouTube Fool contributor Daniel Da Costa has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Emera and Fortis. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 2025
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
3 TSX Stocks to Build Wealth Over the Next Decade
Written by Jitendra Parashar at The Motley Fool Canada Building long-term wealth in the stock market is less about reacting to day-to-day news and more about filtering out the noise and sticking to your plan. In addition, it mainly requires patience and, above all, fundamentally strong stock picks. Even with the at all-time highs, the market still has plenty of great opportunities. In fact, I find many of Canada's strongest companies undervalued based on their long-term growth prospects. In this article, I'll cover three TSX-listed stocks that could offer serious upside in the long run and are worth holding onto. The first stock that could fit nicely in a long-term investor's portfolio is TFI International (TSX:TFII). This transportation and logistics giant, with operations across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, has been through a rough patch lately. TFI stock is currently trading at $123.87 per share, with a market cap of about $10.3 billion and a quarterly dividend with a nearly 2% annualized yield. TFI reported a dip in earnings in the first quarter of 2025 as weak freight demand weighed on its results. But it still managed to post a 5% YoY (year-over-year) rise in its total revenue to US$1.96 billion with the help of new acquisitions like Daseke, which boosted its truckload segment's performance. More importantly for long-term investors, TFI continues to generate strong free cash flow and remains committed to rewarding shareholders through dividends and buybacks. With a disciplined strategy and growing presence in North America, this logistics stock has the potential to see a bounce back and deliver solid gains over the next decade. The second TSX stock worth a look for patient investors right now is Boyd Group Services (TSX:BYD), which is a major player in the auto collision and glass repair business across North America. The company recently posted mixed first-quarter results, with its revenue slipping 1% YoY to US$778.3 million. But despite softer demand, it gained market share and managed to improve gross margins to 46.2% due mainly to better pricing and in-house service expansion. Interestingly, Boyd's new leadership is currently focusing on a cost-cutting strategy to unlock $100 million in savings by 2029. Boyd stock is currently trading at $206.11 per share, giving it a market cap of about $4.4 billion. The stock has slipped about 23% over the last year, but with a long-term annual revenue target of US$5 billion, it could reward patient holders in the years ahead. Rounding out this list of long-term TSX opportunities is Richelieu Hardware (TSX:RCH), a firm that supplies specialty hardware and complementary products to manufacturers and retailers across North America. RCH stock is currently trading at $34.77 per share with a market cap of about $1.9 billion and offers a modest annualized dividend yield of 1.8%. While it has dropped nearly 13% over the last 12 months, Richelieu remains focused on long-term growth moves. In the first quarter of 2025, the company's sales rose 8.6% YoY, supported by five new acquisitions that expanded its presence in both Canada and the United States. It also continues to invest in retail and distribution upgrades, preparing itself for future demand. Moreover, for long-term investors, Richelieu's disciplined expansion strategy and consistent cash generation could make it a solid compounder over time. The post 3 TSX Stocks to Build Wealth Over the Next Decade appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada. More reading Made in Canada: 5 Homegrown Stocks Ready for the 'Buy Local' Revolution [PREMIUM PICKS] Market Volatility Toolkit Best Canadian Stocks to Buy in 2025 Beginner Investors: 4 Top Canadian Stocks to Buy for 2025 5 Years From Now, You'll Probably Wish You Grabbed These Stocks Subscribe to Motley Fool Canada on YouTube Fool contributor Jitendra Parashar has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Boyd Group Services, Richelieu Hardware, and TFI International. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 2025 Sign in to access your portfolio
