Earlier today the Reserve Bank increased the cash rate by 50 basis points to 1.35%. While this is looking a lot more attractive to income investors, it is still a long way from the yields you’ll get from the buy-rated ASX dividend shares listed below.

Here’s what income investors need to know about these dividend shares:

Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW)

The first ASX dividend share that analysts rate highly is the Charter Hall Long Wale REIT.

It is a property company that invests in high quality real estate assets that are leased predominantly to corporate and government tenants on very long term leases (hence its name).

Citi is a fan of the company due to its defensive qualities and has a buy rating and $5.71 price target on its shares. It explained that “we retain our Buy rating, given the appeal of secure income in uncertain times, the >6% dividend yield, and upside to FY22 guidance.”

In respect to dividends, the broker is forecasting dividends per share of 31 cents in FY 2022 and FY 2023. Based on the current Charter Hall Long Wale REIT share price of $4.37, this will mean yields of ~7.1%.

Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Another ASX dividend share that has been rated as a buy by analysts is Telstra.

A number of brokers are feeling bullish on Telstra due to its much-improved outlook thanks to the successful execution of its transformative T22 strategy.

In addition, Telstra expects the upcoming growth-focused T25 strategy to support mid-single digit underlying EBITDA and high-teens underlying earnings per share compound annual growth rates (CAGR) from FY21 to FY25.

One of those bullish brokers is Morgans. It currently has an add rating and $4.56 price target on the company’s shares. Its analysts have been pleased with its transformation and note that “under the hood it’s looking good.”

In addition, the broker continues to expect the telco to pay fully franked dividends per share of 16 cents for both FY 2022 and FY 2023. Based on the current Telstra share price of $3.89, this implies yields of 4.1%.

The post 2 ASX dividend shares that analysts are tipping as buys in July appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• The Telstra share price outperformed the ASX 200 in June
• Could July be a good month for the Telstra share price?
• Telstra share price slides as Optus exec ramps up calls for TPG deal to be canned
• 4 ASX dividend shares to buy that aren’t banks or miners: expert
• Here are 2 top ASX 200 dividend shares to buy right now according to experts

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 positions in and has recommended Telstra Corporation 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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Technology shares have borne the brunt of the ASX 200 sell-off in 2022.

The S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) has lost 35% in value year to date.

This compares with a 12.6% decline in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

Macro-economic forces including rising inflation and interest rates are worrying investors.

In such conditions, consumers tend to tighten their belts to ensure they can pay their bills, make their mortgage payments, and buy essential items.

This means there’s every chance of a tough time ahead for the Australian economy.

This makes investors nervous and growth shares have fallen out of favour as a result.

Tech shares, in particular.

But top broker Citi says some ASX 200 tech shares are likely to withstand the choppy waters ahead better than others.

Which ASX 200 tech shares are Citi’s picks?

According to reporting in The Australian, Citi says the two ASX 200 tech shares likely to navigate a softened economy and demand weakness best are NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) and WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC).

Citi has told clients in a note that tech multiples are “now trading well below pre-Covid levels”.

Citi said its own portfolio of 200 global shares in software, internet, and fintech service providers is now below the long-term average on a growth-adjusted enterprise value to revenue (EV/R) basis.

According to the note: “While valuation and cost pressures have been the key focus to date, we see
potential risk in the near-term from rebasing of revenue growth expectations.”

Why does Citi like NextDC and WiseTech?

For data centre operator NextDC, Citi sees the contracted backlog underpinning FY23 estimated earnings, according to the article.

However, the broker does see risk to NextDC’s FY24 earnings if material contract wins do not eventuate in FY23.

The NextDC share price dipped by 0.37% today to finish the session at $10.91.

For cloud software solutions business Wisetech, Citi said slowing freight volumes were a headwind.

However, customer wins and wallet expansion through the adoption of new modules are likely to drive strong growth, the broker said.

“Further, there is potential for further cost out as WiseTech integrates all of its acquisitions,” said Citi.

The WiseTech share price finished 5.17% higher today at $40.70.

The post Top broker picks two ASX 200 tech shares for today’s economy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX shares today
• ASX 200 midday update: Regis Resources jump, big four banks fall ahead of RBA meeting
• Why analysts say investors should buy these top ASX shares
• What on earth happened to ASX 200 tech shares in June?
• Behind the ASX share: What makes WiseTech tick?

Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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 WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. 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 Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) share price was rangebound today after completing a turbulent flight path in FY22.

At the close on Tuesday, it finished at $17.63 apiece, a more than 28% decline from its 52-week closing high of $24.43 on 5 October 2021.

In broad market moves, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is 55 basis points higher on the day at 6,648.

Flight Centre share price on a trip down south

Travel shares were punished across the entire spectrum of companies in FY22.

Investors were particularly hard in June 2022, driving the Flight Centre share price down from $20.67 to $17.20 in an almost vertical fashion.

Thankfully, a huge recovery after the company’s FY21 results and annual report from August saw the share surge to its yearly highs.

These prior gains have helped the share retain an 11% gain in the past 12 months of trade.

Flight Centre shares also benefitted from a rebound in travel activity in 2021. This was bought on by the reopening of international travel borders and relaxing of COVID-19 restrictions.

Australians in particular were relieved to fly in and out of the country on lax terms for the first time since the restrictions began.

Investors certainly regained confidence too. However ongoing uncertainties around the virus, the geopolitical situation in Europe, and the market meltdown of 2022 have compressed the Flight Centre share price.

It now trades 45 basis points in the red this year to date, or 15% down in the past month.

Flight Centre is also Citi’s worst ASX 200 travel buy at the moment. The broker outlined several headwinds it could face from international travel in a recent note.

The post Flight Centre completes turbulent journey in FY22 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• The Corporate Travel share price hit major turbulence in June
• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares
• How did ASX travel shares perform in June?
• ASX 200 travel shares leap as Australia scraps COVID-19 vaccine mandates for international arrivals
• Why did the Flight Centre share price tumble 15% in June?

Motley Fool contributor Zach Bristow 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 Flight Centre Travel 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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The St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) share price soared today amid speculation of a merger with fellow gold explorer Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD).

St Barbara shares surged 8.49% today to close at 89.5 cents. The Genesis Minerals share price also gained 1.25%. For context, the  S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) rose 0.25% today.

So what could be going on?

St Barbara merger speculation emerges

Investors appear to be buying up St Barbara shares amid speculation other gold miners could be interested in gaining exposure to the company.

St Barbara operates the Gwalia mine and processing plant in the Leonora region of Western Australia, near Kalgoorlie.

On Monday, Genesis Mining revealed to the market it is in discussions with St Barbara. However, The Australian reported there is a risk other competitors may also be interested.

St Barbara achieved gold production of 61,819 ounces in the third quarter of FY22.

Genesis released news of its talks with St Barbara as part of an announcement regarding a takeover offer of Western Australian explorer Dacian Gold on Monday.

The company highlighted it has restarted talks with St Barbara regarding “further consolidation in the Leonora District”. Genesis said:

There can be no assurance, however, that these discussions will lead to a transaction being concluded with St Barbara.

Meantime, St Barbara yesterday confirmed it is in talks with Genesis. St Barbara noted the discussions relate to possible synergies in the Leonora region of Western Australia. However, it said these discussions are unrelated to Genesis’ merger with Dacian Gold Limited. St Barbara added:

These discussions are regarding a potential business combination aimed at consolidation of the Leonora Province and the unlocking of operating and development synergies in the region and are independent of the potential transaction and capital raise referred to by Genesis.

St Barbara share price snapshot

St Barbara shares lost nearly 52% in the past year, while they have shed nearly 39% year to date.

In contrast, the S&P/ASX 200 Index has lost about 9% in the past year.

St Barbara has a market capitalisation of about $730 million based on the current share price.

The post Here’s why the St Barbara share price shone 8% brighter today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
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• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Here’s why this ASX 200 gold share is tumbling 15% to a 7-year low

Motley Fool contributor Monica O’Shea 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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