Month: October 2022

  • If I’d invested $5,000 in these 5 ASX shares five years ago, here’s what I’d have now

    A woman holds a lightbulb in one hand and a wad of cash in the other

    A woman holds a lightbulb in one hand and a wad of cash in the other

    I’m a big fan of buy and hold investing and believe it is one of the best ways for investors to grow their wealth.

    To demonstrate how successful it can be, now and then I like to pick out a number of popular ASX shares to see how much an investment several years ago would be worth today.

    This time around, I have picked out the five ASX shares listed below with $5,000 investments over the last five years. Here’s how they have fared:

    Altium Limited (ASX: ALU)

    This electronic design software provider’s shares have smashed the market over the last five years. This has been driven by increasing demand for its software thanks partly to the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence booms. Over the period, Altium’s shares have generated an average total return of 26.4% per annum. This would have turned a $5,000 investment in 2017 into $16,100 today.

    BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

    The Big Australian has been a great place to park your money since 2017. With commodity prices at very favourable levels, the mining giant has been generating significant free cash flow. This has sent its shares hurtling higher and allowed the company to pay some very big dividends. As a result, BHP shares have delivered an average total return of 17.9% per annum. This means that a $5,000 in BHP’s shares five years ago would now be worth $11,400. You’d also own a parcel of Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares.

    CSL Limited (ASX: CSL)

    Another successful investment over the last five years has been biotherapeutics giant CSL. Thanks to acquisitions, its material investment in research and development each year, and strong demand for its immunoglobins, CSL’s shares have generated an average total return of 16.4% per annum. This would have turned a $5,000 investment into $10,700.

    Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS)

    If you’ve been a long term investor in this lithium share, you will no doubt be smiling today. Thanks to insatiable demand for the white metal due to the rise of electric vehicles, Pilbara Minerals’ shares have rocketed higher. This has led to them generating an average total return of 44.3% per annum. This means that a $5,000 investment in 2017 would now be worth a staggering $31,300 today.

    Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

    Finally, this retail giant’s shares have been positive performers over the last five years thanks to its strong market position, loyal customer base, and defensive qualities. During this time, Woolworths’ shares have generated an average total return of 11.7% per annum. This would have turned a $5,000 investment into approximately $8,700 today.

    The post If I’d invested $5,000 in these 5 ASX shares five years ago, here’s what I’d have now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 Altium and CSL Ltd. 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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  • 97 reasons to double down on Netflix stock

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    netflix shares represented by family of four relaxing on the couch watching tv

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    2022 has been an eventful year for the video streaming industry. Following the sector’s strong growth at the height of the pandemic, companies such as Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD) have experienced a slowdown in the rate of sign-ups, while Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) has lost subscribers overall. 

    Netflix has shed more than 1 million subscribers across the U.S. and Canada, though those losses have been mitigated somewhat by growth in other markets. Similarly, Warner Bros. Discovery has lost some 300,000 customers in the U.S., yet managed to add new sign-ups overseas.

    Despite the corresponding patterns, Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery have opted for starkly different content strategies going forward. Here’s why Netflix is on a path to success and why Warner Bros. Discovery may regret some of the choices it has made.

    Netflix is all-in on overseas content

    After Netflix reported its first drop in subscribers for more than a decade, the company announced a handful of plans designed to reignite growth. First, the company said it would begin cracking down on account sharing. Second, it shared plans for an ad-supported tier. Another strategy that the company has embarked upon is investing more heavily in non-U.S. content.

    According to Ampere Analysis, Netflix has already commissioned or purchased 97 original first-run TV shows and movies from foreign production companies this year. That compares with 63 films and series from U.S. content makers. Ampere Analysis also notes Netflix now hosts around 30% of European content across all the countries it serves on the continent.

    To give some context to those numbers, 60.2% of Netflix’s most popular content in Q4 2021 originated in the U.S. The second-most popular region for movies and shows was Asia, which was responsible for 16.6%.

    Ultimately, it’s not just good for Netflix to invest in foreign-language programming to appeal to non-U.S. audiences — there’s always the prospect that some of that content could cross over to other audiences. Season five of Spanish crime thriller Money Heist drew 148 million global viewing hours in a single week last December, while South Korean hit Squid Game clocked up more than 1.6 billion hours watched in its first 28 days on Netflix.

    Warner Bros. Discovery is focusing on its home turf

    While Netflix is spending money overseas, Warner Bros. Discovery has been axing non-U.S. projects. Earlier this year, the company shuttered many HBO Max movies and TV shows that it was producing for audiences across Europe. Warner Bros. Discovery also opted to remove some of its regional catalog, saying it would instead license the content to other platforms.

    At the time, Warner Bros. Discovery said it was still committed to European audiences, suggesting it would focus on commissioning content from regional partners. It’s also worth noting that Warner Bros. Discovery opted to maintain its production facilities in France and Spain, with some speculating that shows and movies in those languages travel well.

    However, despite these concessions, it’s difficult to see how Warner Bros. Discovery will be able to compete globally without maintaining broad, long-term commitments to non-U.S. creators. After all, should the company find it has a non-English language hit on its hands (again, see Squid Game), the company behind the property will ultimately win the chips when it comes to licensing.

    Warner Bros. Discovery does, of course, have a deep library of popular content all of its own. From Batman and Superman to Harry Potter and Bugs Bunny, the company has long had many recognizable characters that transcend language barriers.

    But even so, content linked to those properties don’t necessarily translate into success: The $200 million Harry Potter film Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore made just shy of $310 million at the international box office, while Space Jam: A New Legacy earned a touch over $160 million from non-U.S. audiences on its $150 million budget.

    For investors looking at which stock to back, Netflix is the obvious choice. As things stand, the U.S. is the largest streaming market in the world, with 78% of consumers accessing at least one service. However, by 2027, streaming penetration in many other parts of the world is expected to catch up. Netflix is instituting a plan to take advantage of that growth, while Warner Bros. Discovery is seemingly hoping its homegrown content will be good enough for everybody. 

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    The post 97 reasons to double down on Netflix stock appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    Tom Wilton has had business dealings with Netflix but holds no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. 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.

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

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  • What’s the outlook for ASX healthcare shares in Q2?

    A doctor appears shocked as he looks through binoculars on a blue background.A doctor appears shocked as he looks through binoculars on a blue background.

    ASX healthcare shares have been a mixed bag in 2022. The industry was flourishing during the later part of the last calendar year but took a turn as early as November.

    The downside continued along with the broader sell-off in equities. However, unlike most other industries, it has failed to reclaim a good portion of the losses.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) is down more than 10% this year to date and is sitting around the same over the past 12 months.

    What are the projections?

    Healthcare is seen as a ‘defensive‘ industry that is largely insensitive to the business cycle. With this in mind, the current and forward-looking economic climate are of interest to those looking at ASX healthcare shares.

    The industry trades on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 30.09 times at the time of writing, and has delivered a trailing dividend yield of 1.62%.

    Some of the largest players, such as CSL Limited (ASX: CSL), Resmed Inc (ASX: RMD), and Sonic Healthcare Limited (ASX: SHL), reside within this portion of the market.

    Each of these dominant names has numerous bullish price targets that point to strength in the industry across a diverse array of services.

    CSL is rated a buy from 13 out of 16 brokers covering the share, with a $320 consensus price target (all data sourced from Refinitiv Eikon). The CSL share price closed on Friday at $280.43.

    Meanwhile, Resmed is also tipped as a buy from nine out of 14 analysts, with a consensus valuation of $36.10. Resmed shares ended Friday’s session trading for $34.14 apiece.

    Sonic is rated a buy from six out of the 15 analysts covering it, with a $35.86 price target assigned. The Sonic share price is $30.55 as of Friday’s close.

    Noteworthy is that each consensus price target is priced above the current market value of each share.

    In addition, some of the largest ASX healthcare shares are posted in the table below, with their respective fundamentals. All figures are in millions of dollars (except earnings per share and percentage).

    Name Revenue [$million] EBITDA Net Income EPS Free Cash Flow ROE (%)
    S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) 1,992.3 514.4 281.6  $     0.88 98.8 16.3
    CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) 15,304.9 5534.7 3267.2  $     6.97 740.2 19.6
    Resmed Inc (ASX: RMD) 5,185.0 1683.5 1129.5  $     7.68 779.1 25.0
    Sonic Healthcare Limited (ASX: SHL) 9,340.2 2835.8 1460.6  $     3.02 1356.9 21.4
    Ramsay Health Care Limited (ASX: RHC) 13,210.2 1334.1 274.0  $     1.16 229.3 6.9
    Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH) 1,648.3 471.2 289.1  $     4.40 95.1 17.1
    Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd (ASX: FPH) 15,58.9 557.7 349.4  $     0.60 72.5 23.6
    Pro Medicus Limited (ASX: PME) 94.1 69.3 44.4  $     0.42 23.9 48.5
    Ansell Limited (ASX: ANN) 2,828.7 470.9 230.0  $     1.79 102.6 10.3
    Healius Ltd (ASX: HLS) 2,336.2 766.9 307.9  $     0.52 380.9 15.6
    Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLS) 7.6 -71.8 -80.5  $   (0.29) -76.7 -198.4
    Imugene Limited (ASX: IMU) 0.0 -35.3 -37.9  $   (0.01) -35.7 -37.2
    Nanosonics Ltd (ASX: NAN) 120.3 7.6 3.7  $     0.01 2.5 2.7

    With that, we can observe some names from the above list with projected earnings over the next two years in the table below as well.

      EPS      
    Name Prev This year FY24 FY25
    S&P/ASX 200 Health Care (GIC)  $   1.32  $   0.86  $   1.18  $   1.56
    Resmed Inc  $   4.32  $   7.68  $   8.47  $   9.46
    CSL Ltd  $   6.94  $   6.97  $   8.56  $ 10.40
    Cochlear Ltd  $   4.97  $   4.40  $   5.31  $   6.65
    Sonic Healthcare Ltd  $   2.73  $   3.02  $   1.72  $   1.56
    Ansell Ltd  $   2.53  $   1.79  $   2.23  $   2.09
    Ramsay Health Care Ltd  $   1.80  $   1.13  $   2.98  $   3.13
    Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd  $   0.83  $   0.60  $   0.64  $   0.74
    Healius Ltd  $   0.11  $   0.50  $   0.21  $   0.22
    Pro Medicus Ltd  $   0.29  $   0.42  $   0.54  $   0.65
    Nanosonics Ltd  $   0.03  $   0.01  $   0.09  — 
    Imugene Ltd  $ (0.00)  $ (0.01)  $ (0.01)  $ (0.01)
    Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd  $ (0.17)  $ (0.29)  $ (0.30)  $ (0.03)

    The post What’s the outlook for ASX healthcare shares in Q2? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    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 positions in and has recommended CSL Ltd. and ResMed Inc. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed Inc. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Sonic Healthcare 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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  • Experts say these are the ASX 200 shares to buy next week

    A woman sits at her computer with her hand to her mouth and a contemplative smile on her face as she reads about the performance of Allkem shares on her computer

    A woman sits at her computer with her hand to her mouth and a contemplative smile on her face as she reads about the performance of Allkem shares on her computer

    Are you looking to add some shares to your portfolio next week?

    If you are, three ASX 200 shares that could be worth considering are listed below. Here’s why analysts are tipping them as buys:

    Altium Limited (ASX: ALU)

    The first ASX 200 share for investors to consider is Altium. It is a leading printed circuit board (PCB) design software provider. This is a great place to be because there has been an explosion in electronic devices globally thanks to the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence booms. And as PCBs are the boards you find inside almost all electronic devices and are integral to their operation, this bodes well for demand for Altium’s offerings. Management certainly believes this to be the case. It is very confident in the company’s outlook and is aiming to more than double its revenue to US$500 million by 2026.

    Jefferies is positive on the company. It currently has a buy rating and $38.13 price target on its shares.

    Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH)

    Another ASX 200 share that could be a buy is Cochlear. It is one of the world’s leading hearing solutions companies. It has been growing at a solid rate for many years. This has been driven by its portfolio of world class products, which has been developed thanks to its significant annual investment in research and development. Looking ahead, Cochlear appears well-placed for long term growth thanks to its strong position in a market benefiting from tailwinds such as ageing populations.

    Goldman Sachs is bullish on Cochlear. Its analysts currently have a buy rating and $247.00 price target on its shares.

    Webjet Limited (ASX: WEB)

    A final ASX 200 share that has been named as a buy is online travel agent Webjet. After a very difficult time during the pandemic, Webjet is now back on form thanks to rebounding travel markets. And with its costs reduced materially from pre-pandemic levels, the company looks set to be a much more efficient business in the future. This bodes well for its growth in the coming years.

    Goldman Sachs is also very positive on Webjet. Its analysts currently have a buy rating and $6.80 price target on its shares.

    The post Experts say these are the ASX 200 shares to buy next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 Altium and Cochlear Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear Ltd. and Webjet Ltd. 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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  • 2 undervalued ASX shares that are growth opportunities: fund manager

    two children squat down in the dirt with gardening tools and a watering can wearing denim overalls and smiling very sweetly.two children squat down in the dirt with gardening tools and a watering can wearing denim overalls and smiling very sweetly.

    Fund manager Wilson Asset Management (WAM) has revealed two ASX shares that it rates as buys within the WAM Research Limited (ASX: WAX) portfolio.

    WAM operates several listed investment companies (LICs). Two of those LICs are WAM Capital Limited (ASX: WAM) and WAM Leaders Ltd (ASX: WLE).

    One of the LICs is called WAM Research, which looks at smaller businesses on the ASX.

    WAM describes WAM Research as a LIC that invests in the most ‘compelling undervalued growth opportunities’ in the Australian market.

    The WAM Research portfolio has delivered gross returns (that’s before fees, expenses, and taxes) of 13.6% per annum since the strategy changed in July 2010, which is superior to the All Ordinaries Total Accumulation Index (ASX: XAOA) return of 8% per annum.

    These are the two ASX shares that WAM outlined in its most recent monthly update.

    Myer Holdings Ltd (ASX: MYR)

    Myer is a department store retailer that has 58 locations across Australia, as well as an online presence.

    The fund manager pointed out that last month Myer announced its FY22 result, which showed total sales growth of 12.5% to almost $3 billion. There was also a year-on-year increase of net profit after tax (NPAT) of 103.8% to $60.2 million, after excluding JobKeeper. Its net cash position improved by $74 million to $186 million.

    WAM pointed out that the second half was the ASX share’s best second half in almost a decade thanks to “strong multi-channel execution”, with the online segment beating expectations. The investment team also highlighted that the company’s FY23 started strong.

    The fund manager is “positive” on the outlook because “management continue to execute on their vision and deliver the turnaround”.

    APM Human Services International Ltd (ASX: APM)

    The other business that was named as an opportunity in the WAM Research portfolio was this international human services provider, which has more than 1,000 locations across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Europe, North America, and Asia.

    Last month, APM announced the strategic acquisition of Equus Workforce Solutions, an employment services provider in the US. WAM explained this will allow the ASX share to “materially expand its existing footprint in the North American market”.

    The cash consideration for this acquisition is $225 million. In FY22, this business generated $47 million of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) which implies it would add low double-digits to APM’s earnings.

    WAM said:

    The US is an attractive market for APM with funding increasing across most major government programs and the acquisition accelerating growth opportunities.

    The post 2 undervalued ASX shares that are growth opportunities: fund manager appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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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  • Invest globally with these fantastic ASX ETFs

    A man in a suit stands before a large backdrop of a blue-lit globe as the man smiles and holds his hand to his chin as though thinking.

    A man in a suit stands before a large backdrop of a blue-lit globe as the man smiles and holds his hand to his chin as though thinking.

    There are a number of exchange traded funds (ETFs) for investors to choose from on the Australian share market.

    Three that allow you to invest in companies across the globe are listed below. Here’s why they could be top options for investors:

    BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

    If you’re interested in investing in the growing Asian economy, then the BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF could be the way to do it. This ETF gives investors exposure to the largest technology companies in Asia (excluding Japan). This means you’ll be buying shares in Alibaba, JD.com, Pinduoduo, Samsung, Taiwan Semiconductor, and Tencent Holdings. These are some of the fastest growing in the region and are revolutionising the lives of billions of people.

    iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

    Another ETF that could help you invest globally is the iShares S&P 500 ETF. This ETF aims to provide investors with the performance of Wall Street’s famous S&P 500 index, before fees and expenses. Among the 500 shares that you’ll be owning through the ETF include Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, JP Morgan, Johnson & Johnson, Meta, Microsoft, and Tesla.

    Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

    Arguably the king of global investing options is the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF. This very popular ETF provides investors with exposure to a massive ~1,500 of the world’s largest listed companies. This means that you’ll be owning shares in companies from all corners of the world. These include Amazon, Apple, Deutsche Telekom, Johnson & Johnson, Nestle, Procter & Gamble, Sony, Toyota, and Visa.

    The post Invest globally with these fantastic ASX ETFs appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF, Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF, and iShares Trust – iShares Core S&P 500 ETF. 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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  • Is this video game the killer app for cryptocurrencies?

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    A digital image of a computer and NFT graphic

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    Every new technology needs a breakthrough before it truly becomes a success.

    The PC computer turned heads with early spreadsheet apps like Lotus 1-2-3 and VisiCalc. Where would the internet and its gigantic economy be today without the Mosaic and Netscape browsers of the early 1990s?

    Digital video streams are currently stealing market share from cable, satellite, broadcast, and movie-theater video options, and Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) kick-started that revolution a decade ago. You get the drift. One innovator (or sometimes a small group of them) provides the early excitement that makes the target audience sit up and take notice.

    Cryptocurrencies are still looking for that magic moment after a number of false starts. Rumor has it that video game developer Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ: TTWO) might bring the initial fuel to the large-scale crypto fires.

    What’s the big deal?

    Grand Theft Auto 5 (GTA 5) is the second best-selling video game of all time, shifting 165 million units since its release in 2013.

    Even now, nine years later, GTA 5 remains one of Take-Two’s most important and profitable titles. According to data from GamesIndustry.biz, GTA 5 was the biggest-selling game title in Europe in August 2022. Yes, that’s nine years after the original launch.

    Gamers are hungry for the next helping of Grand Theft Auto, of course. You can’t leave them hanging forever, even if the current title continues to sell well.

    Whenever Take-Two gets around to releasing the next tentpole title in this dominant franchise, you can bet that it will break records and set standards.

    OK, so what is Take-Two doing?

    Last February, Take-Two confirmed that its Rockstar Games studio is actively working on the next instalment of the Grand Theft Auto series.

    “Our goal is always to significantly move beyond what we have previously delivered,” the development studio said at the time. “We look forward to sharing more as soon as we are ready.”

    Taking that next big step is quite a challenge, but the rumor mill whispers that Take-Two may be up to that task.

    GTA 5 includes a simplified stock market with about 80 tickers spread across two stock exchanges. Players can invest in-game cash and earn or lose their (often ill-earned) money over time.

    This system is tied to real-world dollars because you can always buy a lot of game money for a little bit of cold, hard cash.

    One-hundred thousand dollars of GTA 5 cash costs $3, and an $8 million game-cash infusion will run you $100 in actual dollars.

    Going the other way around is tougher. The so-called Shark Cards are changing hands in online marketplaces like eBay, often for less than half of Rockstar’s official prices.

    Other game companies have improved on this idea over the years, led by Roblox (NYSE: RBLX) and its reasonably liquid Robux currency. In games like Roblox, it’s possible to make a real-world living by creating in-game items and experiences that other players want to buy. The Robux system is the lifeblood of that company’s business plan.

    Against that backdrop, Take-Two could make a real difference to the real crypto market by building blockchain-based features into the next Grand Theft Auto.

    How could crypto coins work in Grand Theft Auto?

    Crypto could appear in the new GTA game in several different ways. First, Rockstar could rely on actual blockchain ledgers to track in-game data such as items, money, and rewards.

    Unique characters, vehicles, digital real estate properties, and weapons may be represented by non-fungible tokens (NFTs). This way, the company would create a very real trading platform for its fictional assets.

    With or without crypto-based game features, the game could reward gamers for playing the game by sending out small amounts of actual cryptocurrency.

    This idea could be similar to the Brave web browser, which shows extra advertising on some pages in return for sharing the ad-based revenues with the browser’s users.

    For example, I earned four Basic Attention Tokens (CRYPTO: BAT) last month for using the Brave browser a lot. That’s worth about a dollar at current exchange rates, but Take-Two could up the game with a richer revenue-sharing flow. Gamer loyalty is important and valuable, after all.

    And, of course, Rockstar could skip the real cryptocurrencies altogether and simply make fun of the crypto market instead.

    Rockstar could even boost its own fortunes by signing a sponsorship deal with an entity like Coinbase or Crypto.com. That would be entirely in the dry humor spirit of the Grand Theft Auto games.

    This would be the least beneficial form of cryptocurrency inclusion, but the company would still discuss digital assets in front of a massive user base where many gamers tend to engage with the game world on a daily basis. That’s still valuable to the crypto market.

    Fingers crossed for a serious cryptocurrency feature or two

    The rumor mill has not found consistent evidence of cryptocurrency features in the upcoming Grand Theft Auto, but I’ll be shocked if that game hits store shelves without even a nod to the popular cryptocurrency sector.

    Rockstar and Take-Two could become the standard bearers for a new generation of blockchain games, or they might chuckle and snicker over the whole idea. But there will probably be some sort of crypto content, and that’s enough to make a significant difference.

    Mind you, only the in-game tokens and play-to-earn ideas would make the game count as a killer app for cryptocurrencies. Otherwise, it’ll be more of a missed opportunity that leaves the pioneering action in some other innovator’s hands. Either way, crypto should get its first real killer app fairly soon.

    Crypto may not look cool right now, but the story will probably change again in the next year or two.

    I think it would be a shame if Take-Two Interactive wasn’t jumping on this opportunity to write some real-world history. Grand Theft Auto 6 might become the VisiCalc or Netflix of the crypto market for millions of people.

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    The post Is this video game the killer app for cryptocurrencies? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    Anders Bylund has positions in Basic Attention Token, Coinbase Global, Inc., and Netflix. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Basic Attention Token, Coinbase Global, Inc., Netflix, Roblox Corporation, and Take-Two Interactive. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended eBay and has recommended the following options: long January 2023 $115 calls on Take-Two Interactive and short October 2022 $50 calls on eBay. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Netflix. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.



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  • Top ASX dividend shares to buy in October 2022

    A man in a blue collared shirt sits at his desk doing a single fist pump as he watches the Appen share price rise on his laptopA man in a blue collared shirt sits at his desk doing a single fist pump as he watches the Appen share price rise on his laptop

    While some experts say stock markets are starting to reflect that inflation is now under control, pricing pressures continue to impact our everyday lives — and equity returns. One way to help offset the rising cost of living is with some extra income.

    To seek out some potential extra earnings, we asked our Foolish contributors which ASX dividend shares are grabbing their attention in October. Here’s what the team came up with.

    8 best ASX dividend shares for October 2022 (smallest to largest)

    Accent Group Ltd (ASX: AX1), $707.14 million

    Dicker Data Ltd (ASX: DDR), $1.67 billion

    Deterra Royalties Ltd (ASX: DRR), $2.25 billion

    Metcash Limited (ASX: MTS), $3.73 billion

    Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL), $8.02 billion

    Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), $50.88 billion

    Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS), $64.46 billion

    Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), $82.28 billion

    (Market capitalisations as at market close on 14 October 2022)

    Why our Foolish writers love these ASX dividend shares

    Accent Group Ltd

    What it does: Accent Group is a footwear retailer behind many staple Aussie shoe stores. It boasts more than 500 stores spread over 19 brands, including The Athlete’s Foot, Glue, and Hype.

    By Brooke Cooper: The Accent Group share price has struggled in 2022, falling 47% year to date to $1.305 at the close of trade on Friday.

    That dip might present a buying opportunity. My Fool colleague James reports that Morgans tips the stock to lift 60% to trade at $2.

    The company is also a consistent dividend payer. It’s currently trading with a 5.2% dividend yield, offering 6.5 cents of fully-franked dividends per share over the last 12 months. That’s been predicted to increase too.

    The broker expects the company to offer 9 cents per share this financial year and 11 cents per share in the 2024 financial year.

    Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper does not own shares of Accent Group Ltd.

    Dicker Data Ltd

    What it does: Dicker Data is one of the largest technology hardware, software, cloud, cybersecurity, access control and surveillance distributors in Australia and New Zealand.

    By James Mickleboro: I think Dicker Data could be a quality option for income investors thanks to its long track record of growth and its positive long-term outlook.

    Pleasingly, the company’s strong form has continued in FY 2022, with Dicker Data reporting a 36% increase in first-half revenue and a 19.5% lift in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA).

    Dicker Data recently raised funds to extend its warehouse by 70%. This provides a significant runway to capture additional growth in the coming years and is also expected to deliver cost savings.

    Morgan Stanley currently has an outperform rating and a $14.00 price target on Dicker Data shares. As for dividends, its analysts forecast fully-franked dividends per share of 36.2 cents in FY 2022 and 42.2 cents in FY 2023.

    The Dicker Data share price of $9.26 at Friday’s close will mean yields of 3.9% and 4.5%, respectively.

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro does not own shares of Dicker Data Ltd.

    Deterra Royalties Ltd

    What it does: Deterra Royalties holds several royalties over mining areas in Western Australia. The company predominantly derives its revenue from a royalty over Mining Area C (MAC), an iron ore mining hub majority-owned by BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP).

    By Mitchell Lawler: I’ll be the first to admit I’m not often a fan of ASX shares with exposure to the resource sector. However, I think Deterra Royalties is differentiated from most companies involved in digging up and processing commodities. 

    While demand for iron ore might ebb and flow from year to year, there’s no doubt that steel plays an integral role in society. As such, BHP plans to continue increasing production from its MAC mining hub in future years, which would result in higher revenues for Deterra. 

    Additionally, Deterra is less exposed to the potential impacts of inflation due to the nature of a royalty-based business model. In the last financial year, Deterra recorded a minuscule $729,000 in operating expenses, leaving the rest of its $265 million revenue to flow through to the bottom line.

    Right now, Deterra is delivering a tantalising 8.3% dividend yieldand it’s debt free.

    Motley Fool contributor Mitchell Lawler does not own shares in Deterra Royalties Ltd.

    Metcash Limited

    What it does: Metcash has three pillars to its business. Through its food pillar, it supplies independent supermarkets, such as IGA. Its liquor segment supplies Cellarbrations, The Bottle-O, IGA Liquor, Porters Liquor, Thirsty Camel and Duncans. Finally, Metcash owns brands like Mitre 10, Home Timber & Hardware and Total Tools in its hardware division.

    By Tristan Harrison: I think Metcash’s food and liquor divisions provide the company with a defensive source of earnings during these uncertain times.

    I like the company’s efforts to invest in its businesses with MFuture, designed to help online sales and efficiencies. Metcash is constructing new warehouse and distribution facilities and has completed a paperless warehouse initiative. For online sales, it is rolling out e-commerce initiatives for IGA retailers.

    In my opinion, the hardware business can deliver good profit growth over the long term, particularly as it expands its network.

    The Metcash share price is near its 52-week low, yet in the first 17 weeks of FY23 to 28 August, group sales were up another 8.9%.

    Using the FY22 payout of 21.5 cents, Metcash has a grossed-up dividend yield of around 8%.

    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison does not own shares of Metcash Limited.

    Yancoal Australia Ltd

    What it does: Yancoal Australia is a pure-play ASX coal mining company producing both thermal and metallurgical coal. Its seven coal mines are in tier 1 Australian locations with a two-decade average mine life. The company sells its coal globally.

    By Bronwyn Allen: Many commodity stocks are having a cracking 2022 because commodity prices have skyrocketed. 

    This means mining companies are making more money on the stuff they dig out of the ground while their costs stay the same, or at least don’t rise by as much. 

    Sure, inflation is now running at a 20-year high of 6.1% per annum but the coal price is up 66% year over year, so you see my point. 

    As we reported recently, the analysts’ consensus has Yancoal paying about a 37% dividend yield in FY22, which is about 8x the average of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO). 

    As Katana Asset Management points out, that’s a third of your investment back in one year.  

    A word of caution, though: Commodity stocks are paying bigger dividends today because of the high coal price. When the commodity price changes, so will your dividend returns. 

    Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen does not own shares of Yancoal Australia Ltd.

    Wesfarmers Ltd

    What it does: Wesfarmers is a diversified ASX 200 retail company. Its divisions include household names like Bunnings Warehouse, Kmart Australia, Covalent Lithium and Officeworks, among others.

    By Bernd Struben: Wesfarmers is well-known among income investors for its reliable dividend payments, traditionally making two fully-franked dividend payments per year.

    The company even made its two payouts in the pandemic-addled year of 2020. And it offers a dividend reinvestment plan (DRP).

    With the Wesfarmers share price down 24.3% year to date, the stock currently trades on a trailing yield of 4.01%. Analysts at Morgans forecast dividend payouts of $1.82 in the current financial year and $1.89 in FY24. That would mean stable yields this year edging up to 4.2% the following year.

    Sweetening the picture, Morgans has a $55.60 target for the Wesfarmers share price, 24% above Friday’s closing price of $44.87.

    Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben does not own shares of Wesfarmers Ltd.

    Woodside Energy Group Ltd

    What it does: Woodside is an oil and gas-producing giant. Woodside is one of the top 10 energy companies in the world following its merger with the petroleum arm of BHP Group.

    By Monica O’Shea: Woodside shares have soared nearly 51% in the year to date based on Friday’s closing price of  $33.07XX.

    Woodside investors recently received a fully-franked interim dividend of US109 cents. This is 263% higher than the interim dividend of US30 cents paid in 2021 and 319% higher than the US26 cent dividend paid in 2020.

    With the ongoing Russian and Ukraine conflict, the outlook for gas and oil prices remains uncertain.

    However, a recent Federal Industry Department Resources and Energy Report is tipping Australian LNG export earnings to surge by nearly 29% in the 2023 financial year before pulling back in 2024.

    The report noted Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was placing “upward pressure on LNG prices”. Oil export earnings are also tipped to rise in FY23 before easing in 2024.  

    Given this, I believe Woodside will likely remain a decent dividend investment in the near term. 

    Motley Fool contributor Monica O’Shea does not own shares of Woodside Energy Group Ltd.

    Westpac Banking Corp

    What it does: Westpac is one of the six banking majors in Australia and operates in traditional banking markets of lending and financial services. 

    By Zach Bristow: Investors have enjoyed a lengthy stream of dividends from Westpac dating back to some of the earliest days of the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). 

    The current macroeconomic climate would typically be positive for ASX banking shares, however, this hasn’t been the case in 2022. 

    Despite this, the consensus of analyst estimates forecasts Westpac to deliver a 6% forward dividend yield in FY23, according to Refinitiv Eikon data [at the current share price]. 

    The bank also delivered an above-sector net interest margin in FY21 and looks well-positioned to continue generating free cash flow for its future dividend payouts. 

    As such, investors might take advantage of any pricing weakness to capture the 6% yield, whilst analysts at UBS value Westpac shares at $27 apiece.

    Motley Fool contributor Zach Bristow does not own any shares in Westpac Banking Corp. 

    The post Top ASX dividend shares to buy in October 2022 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Dicker Data Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Dicker Data Limited and Wesfarmers Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Accent Group and Westpac Banking Corporation. 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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  • Morgans names 2 of the best ASX growth shares to buy now

    happy investor, share price rise, increase, up

    happy investor, share price rise, increase, upIf you have room in your portfolio for some new additions, then you might want to consider the two ASX growth shares listed below. Both have recently been named among the Morgans best ideas list for October.

    Here’s why its analysts are bullish on these ASX shares:

    IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL)

    The first ASX growth share that Morgans rates highly is IDP Education. It is a student placement and language testing company with operations across the world.

    The broker believes that IDP is well-placed for growth and is forecasting a two-year earnings per share compound annual growth rate of 38.2%. It commented:

    IEL’s recovery (Australia Student Placement) and momentum (other divisions) support the strong growth expected in FY23. Structural demand, market share gains, technology-led client retention, operating leverage and acquisitions (especially IELTs distribution) can see IEL compound growth long-term. Value has emerged, however IEL’s near-term multiples see the stock susceptible to short-term volatility.

    Morgans has an add rating and $31.10 price target on IDP Education’s shares.

    Pro Medicus Limited (ASX: PME)

    Another ASX growth share that Morgans is bullish on is Pro Medicus. It is a health imaging technology company behind the incredibly popular Visage 7 Enterprise Imaging platform.

    Morgans likes the company due to its strong growth potential thanks to the quality of its offering and industry tailwinds. It expects this to underpin a two-year earnings per share compound annual growth rate of 23.8%.

    The broker commented:

    Pro Medicus is a leading healthcare end-to-end imaging software and service provider, servicing a number of the world’s largest imaging centres and health care groups. We like the space, with high single digit organic volume growth and long-term industry tailwinds. Profitability in the business is backed up by long-term contracted revenues with some of the world’s largest hospital systems and growing pipeline of tenders which we view will provide continued growth over the medium to long term.

    Morgans has an add rating and $58.18 price target on the company’s shares.

    The post Morgans names 2 of the best ASX growth shares to buy now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 Idp Education Pty Ltd and Pro Medicus Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Pro Medicus Ltd. 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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  • ‘Excellent buying opportunity’: Expert reveals the ASX 200 share he just bought

    couple talking with a real estate agent.couple talking with a real estate agent.

    Cheap is not the same as a bargain.

    A pair of trousers might be cheap, but if they’re such poor quality that you can only wear them twice then it’s certainly not great value.

    The same goes for ASX shares.

    With the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) down more than 12% year to date, and with mining stocks holding that average up, there are plenty of stocks that are dirt cheap right now.

    But only some of them are a bargain. Even in the long run, they won’t all see a resurrection in their share price.

    So when a professional stock picker reveals that he recently bought a specific ASX 200 stock due to a heavy discount, it’s worth taking notice.

    The ASX 200 share that discounted 20% last month

    Arena REIT No 1 (ASX: ARF) shares, like most ASX shares involved in real estate, have struggled mightily in 2022.

    Rising interest rates always mean reduced demand for property, which has a flow-on effect to real estate investment trusts.

    Not only has the Arena REIT share price plunged more than 30% year to date, but just in the month of September, it lost a hair-raising 20.7%.

    Glenmore Asset Management portfolio manager Robert Gregory said in a memo to his clients that the bond market had a big impact.

    “The sharp increase in bond yields was the main driver behind the decline, which impacts property trusts like Arena REIT by increasing the discount rate used to value properties.”

    But the rapid decline in share price has merely brought Arena back to its net tangible asset (NTA) value of $3.37. The September carnage ended at $3.33, and the stock closed Friday at $3.44.

    So Gregory and the Glenmore team have bought more shares.

    “Whilst it is reasonable to assume there will be some form of downward revaluation due to higher interest rates, in our view the material stock price fall has created an excellent buying opportunity for medium-term investors, hence we added to our position.”

    Gregory also pointed out that Arena has an advantage during times of high inflation.

    “Arena REIT does have a large proportion of its properties with rents linked to CPI increases, hence the current high levels of inflation do assist rental revenues.”

    Despite Gregory’s outlook, his peers aren’t quite as sure about Arena.

    According to CMC Markets, five out of nine analysts rate the ASX 200 share as a hold. The other four are urging their clients to sell.

    The post ‘Excellent buying opportunity’: Expert reveals the ASX 200 share he just bought appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    Motley Fool contributor Tony Yoo 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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