The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is going bananas today – there’s no other word for it (well, polite enough to publish that is).

At the time of writing, the ASX 200 is up another 2.51% to 6,149 points – smashing through the 6,000-point mark once again after last week’s dalliance.

ASX investors might now be wondering if this rally is getting a little overheated, especially if you consider the ASX 200 has added more than 12% in just the last month.

But one analyst is predicting this could just be the start of a new rally.

Dale Gillham, chief analyst of Wealth Within has just told the Australian Financial Review (AFR) that he expects the ASX 200 to continue to power ahead in the coming weeks.

The AFR quotes Mr Gillham as stating:

I expect the [Australian] market to continue to rise over the next few weeks into mid to late June, although there is a possibility it could continue to rise into July… There is some short-term resistance around 6200 points, however, I believe the market will most likely move through this to the next level of resistance at around 6600 points over the next two weeks.

This comes after markets around the world take off after their shellacking in March. The US Nasdaq index hit all-time highs overnight (yes, you read that right). Meanwhile, late last week the Dow Jones Industrial Average crashed through the 27,000 points mark for the first time since early March.

Back home on the ASX 200, we are now at levels we saw in early 2019 – and before that just prior to the global financial crisis back in 2007.

What’s next for ASX 200 shares?

If Mr Gillham is right, we look set to enjoy a fantastic few weeks on the ASX boards. An ASX 200 at 6,600 points would represent a further upside of another 7.3% for ASX shares.

Whilst this is obviously good news for investors, I am starting to get worried that the ASX 200 is becoming even further detached from reality. Yes, the threats from the coronavirus pandemic seem to be receding. But the damage the economy will sustain is still vast – and the true extent of this damage is not completely clear right now.

The ASX 200 is pricing in a rapid recovery. I think the heights of the ASX 200 might be questioned down the road if nothing short of a flawless return to a pre-coronavirus level of economic activity takes place.

But for now, let’s all enjoy the rampant bull market and keep our fingers crossed that I’m being too pessimistic!

More reading

• What 2020 has taught us about investing
• Leading brokers name 3 ASX 200 shares to buy today
• Flight Centre share price and other ASX 200 travel shares look set to continue rising
• Will ASX 200 shares hit a record high in June?
• ASX 200 jumps 2.5%: Big four banks surge higher, CSL announces an acquisition

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. 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 “new normal” of remote working has brought about a change in the types of service businesses require. It is out with the old world of physical infrastructure and hardware and in with the new world of cloud computing and software-as-a-service (SaaS). For many businesses and corporations, this pandemic could have long-lasting implications for how their people work. But ASX growth companies, Dubber Corp Ltd (ASX: DUB), LiveTiles Ltd (ASX: LVT) and ELMO Software Ltd (ASX: ELO) are helping businesses adapt to these new working environments.

Dubber 

Cloud-based call recording software developer, Dubber has seen its share price surge in recent weeks. Despite plunging to a 52-week low of $0.38 in late March,  Dubber’s shares have rebounded over 200% to $1.215 at the time of writing. This is fuelled, in part, by recent news that it is acquiring Australian call recording company, CallN.

Dubber uses AI technology when helping corporate clients analyse voice data to deliver business insights and improve customer service. Being cloud-based, the company’s SaaS model doesn’t rely on physical hardware. This means it has quickly adapted to the paradigm shift in working conditions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

In the March company update, Dubber reported quarter-on-quarter revenue growth of almost 9% to $2.61 million. Dubber is experiencing record demand for its services as more companies transition to remote working arrangements.

LiveTiles

Long-undervalued LiveTiles is another cloud-based software company primarily servicing corporate and government sectors. It specialises in the development of collaborative digital working environments such as company intranet portals and homepages.

The LiveTiles share price has also staged a strong recovery since hitting a 52-week low of $0.11 in mid-March. Its shares have surged 150% to $0.275 as at the time of writing. But, while that is a solid rebound, its shares are still trading well-short of the $0.60 52-week high struck in July 2019. This means there’s still room to offer significant value for new investors.

LiveTiles has developed a strong relationship with international technology and software behemoth, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT). The company has developed a number of programs designed to work with Microsoft Teams; Microsoft’s online collaboration and communication platform. Microsoft Teams is the fastest-growing application in its history. This growth has been accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic with many corporations using the software from home offices.

In LiveTiles latest quarter update, it reported 60% year-on-year growth in annualised recurring revenues to $55.2 million. Cash receipts were also up 109% to $10.9 million for the quarter.

ELMO Software

After surging from a 52-week low of $3.66 in late March to be back up at $8 by early May, ELMO shares have come off the boil recently. Over the last month, shares slide almost 15% and are currently trading at $6.48.

The company’s share price originally surged with the news of completing a $70 million capital raising. The company stated that the placement, which closed oversubscribed, would finance a pipeline of acquisitions and growth opportunities. ELMO reaffirmed its full-year guidance for total revenues of between $50 million and $52 million.

Elmo Software develops human resources and payroll solutions for business clients. Its suite of software helps manage the full employee lifecycle from recruitment and onboarding through to performance management, professional development, remuneration and succession planning. Its cloud-based SaaS business model is well-suited to supporting businesses adopting remote working arrangements.

More reading

• 3 small cap ASX tech shares that could be stars of the future
• 2 exciting small cap ASX shares that could have big futures
• 5 exciting small cap ASX shares to watch in June
• Are these exciting small cap ASX tech shares the next Afterpay?
• 3 under the radar ASX tech shares to watch

Rhys Brock owns shares of Dubber Ltd, Elmo Software, and LIVETILES FPO. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and recommends Elmo Software. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of LIVETILES FPO. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Elmo Software and LIVETILES FPO. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The post ELMO Software and 2 other ASX growth companies see businesses adapt to a “new normal” appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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This week Air New Zealand Limited (ASX: AIZ) CEO Greg Foran released an announcement regarding the airline’s future. It seems as though this update has had a significant effect on the Air New Zealand share price. Foran outlined a plan for the next 800 days and detailed what is to take place for the airline to “survive, then revive and finally thrive”, as he put it. 

Why did the Air New Zealand share price jump today?

The main reason for today’s Air New Zealand share price increase comes from the cost-cutting outlined in the CEO’s announcement. The airline’s survival plan will run until August 2022 and will include additional staff cuts to the 4,000 who have already been laid off. The market has responded positively to news that the CEO aims to cut its wages bill by NZ$150 million.

In addition to staff cuts, the airline has deferred expenditure on new aircraft, hangars and parking. It has also sought savings on supply contracts, leases, executive roles, office space and company vehicles. Mr Foran added that Air New Zealand is “leaving no stone unturned” when it comes to cutting costs. 

The company’s revive phase, which is planned to begin from 1 September, will see a much smaller airline working to recover from the recent coronavirus crisis. Come the 800-day mark the business will enter its “Thrive stage” where digital operations will become a core focus.  The report states that during this phase of the plan, “We will be a digital company that monetises through aviation and tourism in a very sustainable manner.”

“This will be a time where our customers, stakeholders, shareholders and all Air New Zealanders benefit from the hard work and innovation of the survive and revive phases of our journey.”

The Air New Zealand share price is up 126.88% today from its 52-week low of $0.80. 

More reading

• ASX airline share braces for FY20 loss and significant charges
• Is it too early to buy Webjet shares?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• Why Flight Centre and Webjet shares are zooming higher today
• Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to sell today

Motley Fool contributor Chris Chitty has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. 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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