The Australian share market is home to a number of companies across various sectors.

Listed below are three ASX shares from very different sectors that have been named as buys for 2022. Here’s what you need to know about them:

Allkem Ltd (ASX: AKE)

The first ASX share to buy in 2022 is Allkem. It is the result of the merger of Galaxy Resources with Orocobre earlier this year, which created a top five global lithium mining company. Thanks to its world class operations in Argentina and Western Australia, Allkem is benefiting greatly from sky high lithium prices. And with the team at Macquarie expecting prices to remain at record highs for the next four years, it looks well-placed for growth as its production ramps up. Macquarie currently has an outperform rating and $13.60 price target on its shares.

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC)

Another ASX share that has been tipped as a buy is Westpac. While this banking giant’s near term outlook is undoubtedly softer than previously anticipated, the team at Morgans believe it is worth sticking with the company. The broker also believes recent weakness in the Westpac share price has left it trading at a very attractive level. As a result, Westpac is Morgans top pick among the big four right now. The broker has an add rating and $29.50 price target on its shares.

Xero Limited (ASX: XRO)

A final ASX share rated as a buy is Xero. It is a provider of a cloud-based business and accounting solution to small and medium sized businesses. The team at Goldman Sachs believe it could be a great option for investors, especially those looking for long term investments. This is due to its belief that Xero is well-placed to deliver strong revenue growth over multiple decades. Goldman expects this to be underpinned by its international expansion, acquisitions, the transition to the cloud, and the monetisation of its app ecosystem. The broker currently has a buy rating and $158.00 price target on its shares.

The post These ASX mining, tech, and bank shares could be buys in 2022 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• ASX 200 falls on Friday but records 13% gain in 2021
• Morgans names 2 blue chip ASX 200 shares to buy
• Is the Westpac (ASX:WBC) share price a buy for dividends?
• What’s the outlook for ASX lithium shares in 2022?
• Christmas highs: 3 ASX 200 shares hitting record highs today

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro owns Orocobre Limited and Westpac Banking Corporation. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool Australia owns and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Westpac Banking Corporation. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has just closed for the final time in 2021 with a disappointing 0.9% decline to 7,444.6 points.

But that can’t take the shine off what has been an incredibly positive 12 months for the benchmark index. Despite today’s setback, the ASX 200 has finished the year with a gain of 13%.

What happened on New Year’s Eve?

The big four banks were major drags on the ASX 200 on Friday. Three of the big four banks recorded declines of over 1%, with the National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) share price the worst performer in the group with a fall of 1.6%.

Though, much like the ASX 200, that couldn’t stop the banking sector from recording strong gains in 2021. Only Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) underperformed the market this year with its gain of 10.2% over the 12 months.

NAB shares were the strongest performers among the big four in 2021 with a gain of almost 28%. The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) share price wasn’t far behind with a 23% gain, closely followed by Australia and New Zealand Banking GrpLtd (ASX: ANZ) share price with a gain of 21.2%.

Elsewhere, the Bega Cheese Ltd (ASX: BGA) share price finished the year on a positive note. The diversified food company’s shares rose 3% on Friday, which means it is now up 12% since before the market open on Christmas Eve. News that Andrew Forrest’s Tattarang AgriFood Investments business became a substantial shareholder gave its shares a boost this week.

One area of the market that finished the year in the red was the tech sector. Declines across the sector dragged the S&P ASX All Technology index down 1.1% for the day, reducing its 2021 gain to a disappointing 3.7%.

The Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) share price, which managed to squeeze out a small gain on Friday, lost 29% of its value in 2021 despite accepting a takeover offer from Square. Another former market darling, Pointsbet Holdings Ltd (ASX: PBH), fared even worse. After falling almost 1% on Friday, the sports betting company’s shares recorded an annual decline of 39%.

But it wasn’t the worst performer on the ASX 200 in 2021. That unwanted honour goes jointly to Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) and Polynovo Ltd (ASX: PNV) with their 60.5% declines over the 12 months.

Lithium miner Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) takes the best performer crown with a gain of 268% for the year.

Roll on 2022!

The post ASX 200 falls on Friday but records 13% gain in 2021 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Brokers name 3 ASX shares to sell
• ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) midday update: Big four banks fall, Bega Cheese jumps again
• Why Bega Cheese, Magnis, Mesoblast, and Neometals shares are pushing higher
• Here’s why the ANZ (ASX:ANZ) share price has climbed in December
• Morgans names 2 blue chip ASX 200 shares to buy

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro owns Westpac Banking Corporation. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns and has recommended Afterpay Limited and POLYNOVO FPO. The Motley Fool Australia owns and has recommended Afterpay Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Westpac Banking Corporation. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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With many brokers taking a well-earned break over the holiday period, new broker notes are extremely limited.

In light of this, listed below are a few recent broker recommendations that are still very relevant today. Here’s are three ASX shares rated as sells:

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

According to a note out of Macquarie, its analysts have retained their underperform rating and $86.00 price target on this banking giant’s shares. The note reveals that Macquarie has reduced its earnings estimates for the banking giant to reflect aggressive competition for home loans. It notes that this is weighing on margins. Macquarie has also increased its costs forecasts in response to Commonwealth Bank’s recent trading update. The CBA share price is trading at $101.54 this afternoon.

Mineral Resources Limited (ASX: MIN)

A note out of Morgan Stanley reveals that its analysts have retained their underweight rating and $38.70 price target on this mining and mining services company’s shares. The broker isn’t convinced with the company’s plan to investigate the development of a new iron ore export facility in Port Hedland with Hancock Prospecting and Roy Hill. Morgan Stanley appears concerned it could support increased supply and weigh on iron ore prices. The Mineral Resources share price is fetching $56.40 this afternoon.

Virtus Health Ltd (ASX: VRT)

Another note out of Morgan Stanley reveals that its analysts have retained their underweight rating and $6.50 price target on this fertility treatment company’s shares. While Morgans Stanley acknowledges that trading conditions have been better than it was expecting this year, it isn’t enough for a more positive recommendation. The broker continues to see Virtus Health’s shares as fully valued at the current level. The Virtus Health share price is trading at $6.78 this afternoon.

The post Brokers name 3 ASX shares to sell appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here’s what this broker thinks of the CBA (ASX:CBA) share price
• ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) midday update: CBA rises, Sandfire’s MATSA update
• How does Westpac stack up against the CBA (ASX:CBA) share price?
• Is this ASX sector gearing up for a year of M&A activity?
• ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) midday update: CBA and Westpac rise, Afterpay tumbles again

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Virtus Health Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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With the majority of brokers across Australia taking a well-earned break, broker notes are few and far between at present.

In light of this, listed below are a few recent broker recommendations that remain very relevant today. Here are three ASX shares rated as buys:

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

According to a note out of Macquarie, its analysts have retained their outperform rating and $52.00 price target on this mining giant’s shares. Macquarie highlights that industry data appears to indicate improving demand for iron ore. In addition, the broker notes that BHP remains it top pick among the major miners. It estimates that the company’s shares are trading on a free cash flow yield in the high teens, which bodes well for dividends. The BHP share price is trading at $41.47 this afternoon.

NEXTDC Ltd (ASX: NXT)

Another note out of Macquarie reveals that its analysts have retained their outperform rating and $16.10 price target on this data centre operator’s shares. This follows news that NEXTDC has acquired its first edge data centre in Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast. Macquarie sees a big opportunity in edge data centres, which service regional areas and have the potential to offer greater returns than current centres in capital cities. The NEXTDC share price is fetching $12.86 on Friday afternoon.

Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN)

Analysts at Citi have retained their buy rating but trimmed their price target on this airline operator’s shares to $5.86. Although Qantas’ trading update revealed that it will be posting a big first half loss, Citi remains positive and believes the risk/reward on offer remains attractive. Particularly given how at these levels, the broker thinks the International recovery is not priced into its shares. The Qantas share price is trading at $4.97 today.

The post Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Brokers name 3 ASX shares to sell
• 3 fantastic ASX 200 shares to buy in 2022
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• How are ASX 200 travel shares faring over the holiday season?

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro owns NEXTDC Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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