Month: May 2022

  • The Rio Tinto share price has dumped 8% in a week. Is it now cheap?

    a mine worker holds his phone in one hand and a tablet in the other as he stands in front of heavy machinery at a mine site.a mine worker holds his phone in one hand and a tablet in the other as he stands in front of heavy machinery at a mine site.

    The Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) share price has been sliding lately but could it be set to bounce?

    Rio Tinto shares have slipped 8.3% from $111.85 at market close on 3 May to the current share price of $102.57. In today’s trade, the Rio Tinto share price has fallen nearly 4%. For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is 1.46% lower at the time of writing.

    So what is the outlook for the Rio Tinto share price?

    Could Rio go higher?

    Rio shares may be down in the past week but they are not the only ASX mining shares to suffer. For perspective, the S&P/ASX 200 Resources Index (ASX: XJR) has plunged more than 6% since market close on 3 May and is down more than 3% today.

    Brokers have a mixed view of the Rio Tinto share price. Macquarie recently placed a $140 price target on the company’s shares and rates it as a buy. This is a 25% upside on the current share price.

    Meantime, Citi has placed a $135 price target on the company’s shares and also rates it as a buy. Both of these analysts are optimistic about the future outlook of the Rio Tinto share price.

    However, UBS has a neutral rating on Rio with a $104 price target on the company’s shares. JP Morgan is also neutral on the stock, as my Foolish colleague Zach recently reported. Analysts, on average, predict the Rio share price to hit $128.52 in the next 12 months, according to NAB trade.

    In the company’s recent 5 May AGM, CEO Jakob Stausham highlighted Rio Tinto aims to boost its investment in growth capital to US$3 billion in 2023 and 2024. The company also plans to focus on commodities “essential for the drive to net zero”. Stausham added:

    We have demonstrated our willingness to grow via acquisitions. The Rincon lithium project in Argentina brings growth in a commodity essential to the energy transition, while at Oyu Tolgoi our proposal to acquire full ownership of Turquoise Hill will simplify the ownership structure and provide additional exposure to copper.

    Share price snapshot

    Rio Tinto shares have descended 23% in the past 52 weeks, while the company’s share price is just over 2% in the green year to date.

    For perspective, the benchmark ASX 200 has shed more than 2% over the past year.

    Rio Tinto has a market capitalisation of about $38 billion.

    The post The Rio Tinto share price has dumped 8% in a week. Is it now cheap? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Rio Tinto right now?

    Before you consider Rio Tinto, you’ll want to hear this.

    Motley Fool Investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Rio Tinto wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that are better buys.

    *Returns as of January 13th 2022

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    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 Scott Phillips.

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  • ASX 200 tech shares are staging a remarkable recovery today

    Woman looks amazed and shocked as she looks at her laptop.Woman looks amazed and shocked as she looks at her laptop.

    What a day it has been for ASX shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has lost another 1.38% so far today at the time of writing and is now only a few points above the 7,000 mark. For most of the morning, it was ASX tech shares that had borne most of the brunt of this sell-off, as is typical these days. We saw shares like Block Inc (ASX: SQ2), Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP), WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC), and Xero Limited (ASX: XRO) absolutely slaughtered.

    Soon after open, the S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) dropped as much as 4.4%, reflecting these losses.

    But something strange has happened as the trading day has stretched on. ASX tech shares have staged something of a remarkable recovery. Although the All Tech Index was down 4.4% at one point, it is now only down 0.2% at the time of writing. What’s more, the All Tech Index broke even around midday and was in the green for a time.

    ASX tech shares bounce back

    We see this index recovery reflected in many ASX tech share prices. Xero is a perfect example. The cloud-based accounting software provider was down around 3.6% earlier this morning and hit a new 52-week low of $81.27. But now, Xero shares have bounced back and are trading at just over $87 now, up 3.23% for the day.

    WiseTech shares have followed a similar pattern, recovering from close to a 7% loss to now boasting a near-3% gain.

    It is unknown what is causing this extreme volatility in the ASX tech shares space. Perhaps investors have just decided that the falls of this morning went a little too far. And this is only over the course of one trading day. Who knows what the rest of the week will bring.

    The post ASX 200 tech shares are staging a remarkable recovery today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Xero right now?

    Before you consider Xero, you’ll want to hear this.

    Motley Fool Investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Xero wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that are better buys.

    *Returns as of January 13th 2022

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    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Block, Inc., WiseTech Global, Xero, and ZIPCOLTD FPO. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Block, Inc., WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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  • Why is the Polynovo share price rocketing 17%?

    A male Avita Medical doctor wearing a white lab coat shrugs his shoulders and holds his hands up in the air looking confusedA male Avita Medical doctor wearing a white lab coat shrugs his shoulders and holds his hands up in the air looking confused

    The Polynovo Ltd (ASX: PNV) share price is taking off on Tuesday despite the broader market’s downturn.

    At the time of writing, the Polynovo share price is $1.09, 17.2% higher than its previous close. Additionally, the medical device company’s chair has snapped up another parcel of Polynovo shares.

    For context, the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) and the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) are both down around 1.3% right now. That marks a slight recovery after the indexes both hit a three-month low this morning.

    Let’s take a closer look at what might be going on with the Polynovo share price today.

    What’s going on with Polynovo today?

    The Polynovo share price is surging 17% today amid more news of insider buying.

    An entity owned by the company’s chair David Williams splashed out yesterday, snapping up $227,500 worth of Polynovo stock on the market.

    The purchase saw the entity taking home 250,000 shares at a cost of 91 cents apiece. Thus, they’re already bringing a 19.8% return on investment.

    That – and the 1.5 million shares Williams purchased last week – has brought his holding in the company to 20.65 million shares.

    Additionally, another two of the company’s directors reported buying into its stock last week, each snapping up parcels of 100,000 shares.

    That might suggest insiders believe the Polynovo share price recently bottomed out.

    Today’s gains see the medical device company’s stock surpassing $1 for the first time in nearly two months. That’s a win for investors, but it might be disappointing news for those shorting the stock.

    The most recent data available shows 10% of Polynovo shares are in the hands of short-sellers, making it the fifth most shorted stock on the ASX, according to The Motley Fool Australia’s latest weekly short-selling breakdown.

    Polynovo share price snapshot

    Despite today’s surge, Polynovo’s shares are still trading for 29% less than what they were at the start of 2022.

    They have also fallen 60% since this time last year.

    The post Why is the Polynovo share price rocketing 17%? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Polynovo right now?

    Before you consider Polynovo, you’ll want to hear this.

    Motley Fool Investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Polynovo wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that are better buys.

    *Returns as of January 13th 2022

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    Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended POLYNOVO FPO. 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 Scott Phillips.

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  • Why EOS, Pendal, PolyNovo and Xero shares are charging higher

    Rising arrow on a blue graph symbolising a rising share price.

    Rising arrow on a blue graph symbolising a rising share price.In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to record another disappointing decline. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 1.4% to 7,019.4 points.

    Four ASX shares that are not letting that hold them back are listed below. Here’s why they are charging higher:

    Electro Optic Systems Hldg Ltd (ASX: EOS)

    The EOS share price is up 2.5% to $1.98. Investors have been buying this defence and space systems company’s shares after it revealed the successful development of a new drone defence system. EOS’ directed energy drone defence system uses a powerful laser to disable Group 1 drones at an effective rate of 20 drones/minute at ranges beyond 1,000 metres.

    Pendal Group Ltd (ASX: PDL)

    The Pendal share price is up over 6% to $5.24. This follows the release of the fund manager’s half year results this morning. That release revealed that Pendal delivered a 59% increase in underlying profit after tax over the prior corresponding period to $131.4 million. A key driver was the acquisition of US investment management firm Thompson, Siegel & Walmsley.

    PolyNovo Ltd (ASX: PNV)

    The PolyNovo share price has jumped 17% to $1.09. The catalyst for this was news that the heavily shorted medical device company’s chairman, David Williams, has bought shares on-market again. Hot on the heels of purchases at the end of last week, Mr Williams added a further 250,000 (indirectly owned) shares through an on-market trade on Monday.

    Xero Limited (ASX: XRO)

    The Xero share price is up over 3% to $87.05. This morning this cloud accounting platform provider’s shares were given a boost from a bullish broker note out of RBC Capital. According to the note, the broker has upgraded the company’s shares to an outperform rating with a $130.00 price target. RBC made the move after a survey of accountants demonstrated that there’s scope for Xero to raise prices with minimal churn.

    The post Why EOS, Pendal, PolyNovo and Xero shares are charging higher appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the five best ASX stocks for investors to buy right now. These stocks are trading at near dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now.

    *Returns as of January 12th 2022

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    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 positions in and has recommended Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited, POLYNOVO FPO, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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  • Why did the Xero share price just rebound 6%?

    A man leaps from a stack of gold coins to the next, each one higher than the last.A man leaps from a stack of gold coins to the next, each one higher than the last.

    The Xero Limited (ASX: XRO) share price has rebounded 6% from a 52-week low that it experienced earlier today.

    In morning trade, Xero shares dropped below $82. At the time of writing, Xero shares are up around 3% for the day at $86.93.

    However, the ASX tech share has suffered from such heavy selling this year that it’s still down 14% over the past month and around 40% since the beginning of the 2022 calendar year.

    Other ASX growth shares are also experiencing rebounds today. The Altium Limited (ASX: ALU) share price, which was earlier sinking by 5%, is now only down by less than 1% at $29.78, while the WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) share price has recovered from an early fall of 7% and is now up 2.75% at $40.41.

    Additionally, the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ), down by around 5% at one stage, is now in the red by just 1%.

    What’s happening to the Xero share price?

    There has been plenty of market attention on rampant inflation and how central banks will need to increase interest rates to combat this.

    Interestingly, last night the NASDAQ-100 (NASDAQ: NDX) fell by 4%.

    It was earlier this week that Dennis Gartman, the chair of the University of Akron Endowment, told Bloomberg Radio that the share market would be in a bear market until there was a one-day “violent, downward movement” which signals that prices had reached a bottom.

    Mr Gartman said:

    We’ll have one day when we’ll be down 5% or 6% and that’ll be the final selling pressure. That’ll end the bear market.

    Time will tell whether the tech sector has just witnessed the bottom, or whether there is more volatility to come.

    The post Why did the Xero share price just rebound 6%? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Xero right now?

    Before you consider Xero, you’ll want to hear this.

    Motley Fool Investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Xero wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that are better buys.

    *Returns as of January 13th 2022

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Altium. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Altium, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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  • The BHP share price is sliding 5% today. Is it time to dig in?

    a female miner looks straight ahead at the camera wearing a hard hat, protective goggles and a high visibility vest standing in from of a mine site and looking seriously with direct eye contact.a female miner looks straight ahead at the camera wearing a hard hat, protective goggles and a high visibility vest standing in from of a mine site and looking seriously with direct eye contact.

    The BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) share price is in the red today, but could it be a buy in the future?

    BHP shares are currently swapping hands at $44.74, a 3.18% fall. Earlier in the session, the BHP share price dropped as low as $44.11, or 4.5% lower.

    For perspective, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is 1.47% in the red at the time of writing.

    Let’s take a look at what is happening to the BHP share price.

    What’s the outlook for BHP?

    BHP is not the only ASX mining giant dropping today. The Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX: FMG) share price is 3.41% in the red today, while Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) is descending 3.64%. Iron ore prices have fallen nearly 6% to US$128 per tonne, Trading Economics data shows.

    However, Macquarie is predicting BHP shares could be ready for re-rating after the company’s petroleum demerger. In comments quoted by The Australian, Macquarie associate director Hayden Bairstow said:

    We believe BHP’s EV/EBITDA multiples could expand after the petroleum demerger.

    Further, we believe there is potential for BHP to command a re-rating given the portfolio would be oil and gas free post the demerger, a hurdle that has suppressed interest in BHP due to strict ESG mandates.

    BHP has agreed to offload its petroleum business to Woodside Petroleum Ltd in exchange for Woodside shares. This is earmarked for completion by 1 June, subject to the approval of Woodside shareholders at a meeting on 19 May.

    Analysts at Morgans are also optimistic about the BHP share price, as my Foolish colleague James reported. The company has an add rating on BHP shares and a $54.30 price target.

    Morgans analysts said:

    We view BHP as relatively low risk given its superior diversification relative to its major global mining peers. 

    BHP share price snapshot

    The BHP share price has descended 13% in the past year while it has jumped more than 8% year to date.

    For perspective, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has lost 2% over the past year.

    BHP has a market capitalisation of about $228 billion based on the current share price.

    The post The BHP share price is sliding 5% today. Is it time to dig in? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in BHP right now?

    Before you consider BHP, you’ll want to hear this.

    Motley Fool Investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and BHP wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that are better buys.

    *Returns as of January 13th 2022

    More reading

    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 Scott Phillips.

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  • Here’s why the Electro Optic share price is avoiding the bloodshed today

    military drone with weapons representing electro optic share pricemilitary drone with weapons representing electro optic share price

    The Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS) share price is accelerating during early afternoon trade.

    The defence contractor’s shares have spent the day firmly in the green while the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) tanked. The latter is a result of heavy losses on Wall Street overnight, which impacted the ASX.

    Nonetheless, Electro Optic Systems shares are currently up 5.67% to $2.05.

    For context, the ASX 200 index is down 1.3% to 7,024.7 points.

    What’s powering Electro Optic Systems shares ahead?

    In today’s statement, Electro Optic Systems advised the successful qualification of its directed energy (DE) drone defence system.

    The company’s DE platform uses a powerful laser that is aimed at neutralising swarm drone attacks.

    In a recent test, lightweight drones were disabled at an effective rate of 20 drones per minute at ranges beyond 1,000 metres. Notably, this is a new benchmark as no other drone defence system has claimed comparable results.

    The DE system has been developed as a key element of the company’s Titanis drone defence system.

    While the first group of drones have successfully been eliminated, Electro Optic Systems will now extend to the other groups. This includes much heavier and faster drones such as the ScanEagle and Shadow.

    Testing is expected to be conducted at a different location sometime in the third quarter of 2022.

    Electro Optic Systems defence systems chief executive, Grant Sanderson commented:

    The introduction of the DE capability provides the Titanis drone defence system with multiple options for dealing with each type of drone threat.

    EOS DE systems have already demonstrated the ability to disable or degrade a drone’s sensors to prevent intelligence gathering or precision engagement with lethal force by drones. These latest results show that large numbers of drones can be directly neutralised by EOS defensive systems.

    …During 2022 a vast amount of military equipment has been destroyed in Ukraine by drones of the type that the Titanis DE drone defence system was developed to protect against.

    Drones are highly likely to be used at some time in offensive roles against Australia and its allies, and there is now strong demand for drone defence from customers with current weapon system delivery contracts with EOS.

    Electro Optic Systems share price snapshot

    The past 12 months have been a turbulent ride for investors, with the company’s shares sinking 50%.

    Year to date also hasn’t fared well, down 13%.

    Electro Optic Systems commands a market capitalisation of more than $306.35 million and has approximately 151.91 million shares on issue.

    The post Here’s why the Electro Optic share price is avoiding the bloodshed today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Electro Optic Systems right now?

    Before you consider Electro Optic Systems, you’ll want to hear this.

    Motley Fool Investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Electro Optic Systems wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that are better buys.

    *Returns as of January 13th 2022

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has positions in Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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  • The Liontown share price has plunged 27% in a month: Where next for this lithium share?

    Scared, wide-eyed man in pink t-shirt with hands covering mouth

    Scared, wide-eyed man in pink t-shirt with hands covering mouth

    The Liontown Resources Limited (ASX: LTR) share price has continued its poor run on Tuesday.

    In afternoon trade, the lithium developer’s shares are down 2% to $1.23.

    This means the Liontown share price is now down 27% in the space of just a month.

    What’s going on with the Liontown share price?

    Investors have been selling down the Liontown share price over the last few weeks amid broad weakness in the lithium industry.

    It isn’t just Liontown which has seen its shares take a tumble. Over the same period, the Allkem Ltd (ASX: AKE) share price has fallen 17%, the Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) share price has dropped 19%, and the Lake Resources N.L. (ASX: LKE) share price has crashed 30%.

    Given how high up the risk curve that lithium shares are, they have felt the brunt of investor selling during the market meltdown. Though, it is worth highlighting that all four of these lithium shares are still thumping the market with strong gains on a 12-month basis.

    In fact, the Allkem share price is the relative laggard in the group with a gain of only 50% over the last 12 months.

    Where next for the Liontown’s shares?

    According to a note out of Macquarie from last week, its analysts see a lot of value in the Liontown share price at the current level.

    The broker currently has an outperform rating and $2.50 price target on its shares. This suggests that the company’s shares could double in value over the next 12 months.

    Macquarie is positive on lithium and particularly Liontown due to its offtake agreements with LG and Tesla. It also highlights that the company has funding in place to cover it until stage one production in FY 2025.

    The post The Liontown share price has plunged 27% in a month: Where next for this lithium share? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Liontown right now?

    Before you consider Liontown, you’ll want to hear this.

    Motley Fool Investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Liontown wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that are better buys.

    *Returns as of January 13th 2022

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Allkem 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 recommended Macquarie Group Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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  • Why has the Betashares Australian Strong Bear Fund (BBOZ) leapt 15% in a month?

    A man in a brown bear costume holds the head of it in one hand while raising his other arm in excited victory-style pose.

    A man in a brown bear costume holds the head of it in one hand while raising his other arm in excited victory-style pose.

    The Betashares Australian Equities Strong Bear Hedge Fund (ASX: BBOZ) has had a great month.

    On 11 April, shares in BBOZ closed at $3.81. At the time of writing, the Bear Hedge Fund is trading for $4.38, up 15% in a month.

    With so many stocks heading the other way these past four weeks, why is the ASX-listed BBOZ putting in such a good show?

    Why BBOZ is making hay this past month

    BBOZ is trouncing the market today precisely because that’s what the hedge fund is designed to do in times of ASX selloffs.

    According to Betashares’ website:

    BBOZ seeks to generate magnified returns that are negatively correlated to the returns of the Australian share market. The Fund expects to generate a magnified positive return when the S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index falls (and a magnified negative return when the index rises).

    BBOZ is designed to gain 2% to 2.75% for every 1% decline in the ASX 200 on any given day. When the ASX rises, the Bear Fund will lose value.

    Which gives us some good insight into why the fund has been doing so well.

    Since this time last month, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 6.2%, having dropped another 1.56% in intraday trading today. Which puts the 15% monthly gain for BBOZ right in line with the 2% to 2.75% negative correlation Betashares aims for.

    Why has the ASX 200 come under pressure?

    After a strong year of gains in 2021, a year that saw BBOZ fall 32.8%, the ASX 200 has come under pressure in 2022 on several fronts.

    First, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is roiling geopolitical tensions and sending energy prices rocketing.

    Second, investor concerns also include China’s COVID-zero policies seeing the country initiate lengthy, intensive lockdowns that could dim the economic growth outlook for the world’s second-largest economy.

    And then there’s the fast-rising inflation in the developed world and resulting interest rate hikes on the horizon.

    While those factors have dragged on the overall performance of ASX shares, Betashares BBOZ has marched higher.

    The post Why has the Betashares Australian Strong Bear Fund (BBOZ) leapt 15% in a month? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in BBOZ right now?

    Before you consider BBOZ, you’ll want to hear this.

    Motley Fool Investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and BBOZ wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that are better buys.

    *Returns as of January 13th 2022

    More reading

    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 Scott Phillips.

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  • Fortescue share price dives another 3%, down 12% in a week

    a man wearing a hard hat stands in front of heavy mining machinery with a serious look on his face.a man wearing a hard hat stands in front of heavy mining machinery with a serious look on his face.

    The Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX: FMG) share price is in the red for a second consecutive day, adding to its recent downturn.

    Today’s move comes after iron ore futures slumped another 4.7% overnight, reaching US$133.99 a tonne, according to CommSec.

    At the time of writing, the Fortescue share price is $18.99, 3.26% lower than its previous close.

    Earlier today the iron ore giant’s stock reached an intraday low of $18.45, representing a 6% tumble.

    For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is currently down 1.45%. Its slip follows another disastrous session on US markets.

    Fortescue share price slips again on Tuesday

    The Fortescue share price is continuing to suffer on Tuesday, bringing its losses for the last seven days to 11.7%.

    Its fall follows that of the price of iron ore. Prior to Monday’s open, iron ore futures dropped 4.7% to US$138.44 per tonne.

    The commodity’s fall might be due to concerns continued COVID-19 lockdowns in China could impact global demand for steel.

    China is the world’s largest importer of iron ore and lockdowns in the nation have previously cast doubt over the commodity’s value.

    Restrictions on movement in Shanghai have been tightened once more despite case numbers falling, ABC News reported on Tuesday.

    Fortescue CEO Elizabeth Gaines told the Australian Financial Review last month that lockdowns in China hadn’t negatively impacted demand for iron ore.

    The Fortescue share price isn’t the only ASX iron ore giant to be trading lower today. Those of BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) are down 2.47% and 3.85% respectively.

    Meanwhile, the S&P/ASX 200 Resources Index (ASX: XJR) is recording a 2.82% dip.

    The post Fortescue share price dives another 3%, down 12% in a week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper 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 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 Scott Phillips.

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