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Author: openjargon

  • One year after Titan tragedy, another billionaire wants to prove deep-sea exploration is safe

    A year after the Titan submersible imploded, killing five people, an Ohio real estate investor aims to prove that exploring Titanic-level depths is safe.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • I took a 30-hour train from New York to Miami, and the motion sickness and terrible sleep were too much for me

    The author is seen relaxing in a chair on the left and a bed on the right — both photos are in the romette of an Amtrak car
    A Business Insider reporter took an overnight Amtrak train from New York City to Miami.

    Joey Hadden/Business Insider

    • I recently spent 30 hours on an Amtrak train traveling from New York City to Miami in 2021.
    • I found the ride to be rough and bumpy, with far too much time spent in a cramped space.
    • But if you value the journey as much as the destination, you might enjoy the ride.

    I've traveled on several overnight trains, but I'll never forget my first time.

    As a travel reporter who doesn't particularly enjoy flying, I thought I'd try an alternative mode of transportation for a trip from NYC to Miami in 2021.

    Even though the train ride was more expensive than a typical economy flight to Miami and took 10 times longer, I booked a private room with two beds and a toilet on an Amtrak sleeper train for $500.

    But I didn't anticipate how poorly the constant motion and length of the trip would make me feel.

    My journey began at Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station in NYC.
    People wait in line to board at Penn Station
    A view of a line to board a 3:15 p.m. Amtrak train to Miami.

    Joey Hadden/Business Insider

    Waiting at the train station felt a lot like waiting in an airport but with less security. My train ticket got me into the waiting room, where I sat until it was time to board.

    Once it was time to board, I learned that sleeper cars are at the back of the train.
    Side by side photos show the Amtrak on the right side of the platform
    A view of an Amtrak train on the platform at Penn Station.

    Joey Hadden/Business Insider

    The sleeper cars are right behind the dining car.

    Once on the train, I walked down the narrow corridor of three sleeper cars to find my room.
    A narrow hallway of roomettes on an Amtrak
    A view of a hallway in a sleeper car on an Amtrak train.

    Joey Hadden/Business Insider

    The corridor was so narrow that you could only walk down it single file.

    Called a Roomette, this tiny, private suite is the cheapest way to travel by Amtrak if you want a bed.
    A view of an empty roomette across from the author's on an Amtrak.
    A view of an empty Roomette across the way.

    Joey Hadden/Business Insider

    A step up from sitting in coach, where you get a regular train seat, a roomette is a private space with a door and blinds to cover up the windows.

    Inside, there are two seats across from each other, a table that folds out in between, and a bed above the seats that pulls down. The seats also pull out into a bed.

    In some Roomettes (mine included), there's a side table that swings open to reveal a toilet. Above, there's a folding sink and mirror.
    Side-by-side photos show the toilet seat opened and closed inside the Amtrak roomette.
    The bathroom is shown opened and closed.

    Joey Hadden/Business Insider

    With the seat down and the sink folded up, you'd never know there was a bathroom in the room.

    With two seats to a Roomette and no privacy curtain around the toilet, I was grateful to be a solo traveler.
    The author sits on the toilet in the roomette
    The author sits on the toilet in her Roomette.

    Joey Hadden/Business Insider

    There was no privacy for those traveling in pairs.

    I recommend bringing Poo Pouri with you if you plan to take a similar trip.
    The author holds Poopouri on the toilet
    The author poses with a bottle of Poo Pouri.

    Joey Hadden/Business Insider

    A decade ago, I may have had a bigger problem with the toilet situation next to my bed in the Roomette. But, thankfully, I had packed some Poo Pourri, a spray that goes in the toilet just before you poop to eliminate odors.

    Due to availability when I booked my ticket, I had to switch to another Roomette that didn't have a toilet but still had a sink partway through my trip.
    Left: The author takes a selfie in front of the Amtrak bathroom mirror. Right: The author brushing her teeth in the mirror of her roomette
    The author in the bathroom on the left and in her Roomette on the right.

    Joey Hadden/Business Insider

    There was a bathroom at the back of the sleeper car where I could use the toilet.

    The room had storage features that reminded me of a tiny home, like a pullout table between the chairs.
    An aerial view of the fold-out table with leaves
    The table is seen pulled out.

    Joey Hadden/Business Insider

    The table had two foldout leaves, too, for more space. 

    One thing that surprised me about the Roomette was the variety of lighting options, which seemed to be more than what you'd get in economy on a flight.
    The author's finger presses a button turning on a light in her roomette
    The author turns on the reading light on her chair.

    Joey Hadden/Business Insider

    In addition to the ceiling light, each seat had its own area light, reading light, and night light. I counted 11 light switches in my Roomette.

    I was also surprised to be able to control the temperature inside my Roomette.
    Controls on the wall allow you to modify the temperature.
    A view of a temperature dial and air conditioning vent in a Roomette.

    Joey Hadden/Business Insider

    My Roomette had a temperature dial and air conditioning vents, and I kept it cool in my room, around 66 degrees Fahrenheit.

    When the train started moving, I noticed it was a bumpy ride, like a flight when the seat belt sign is on. I figured this was temporary, but I thought the whole ride was shaky.
    A photo showing outside the train window
    A view out of the window while the train was in motion.

    Joey Hadden/Business Insider

    When I stood up to walk through the train cars, I felt like I was on an airplane during turbulence. It felt like this the whole journey, and I ended up feeling motion sickness for the majority of the trip. 

    Since my train ride felt bumpy, I tried not to leave my room too much. But come dinner time, I decided to head to the dining cart.
    The diner car on the train with a man sitting in the next booth
    A view of the dining car.

    Joey Hadden/Business Insider

    Even though eating in my room was an option, I didn't want it to smell like food in my bunk all night. 

    Since I got a Roomette, my ticket came with a meal, and I thought it wasn't too bad.
    The author sits in the dining car with her meal
    The author dines on the train.

    Joey Hadden/Business Insider

    I had braised short ribs, mashed potatoes, and a hard roll. While I didn't love the meal as it came, I made a little sandwich out of the ingredients, which tasted better to me. 

    When it was time for bed, I chose to sleep on the top bunk to experience what it was like.
    The author sits on the bed in the roomette
    The author gets ready for bed.

    Joey Hadden/Business Insider

    The room's seats fold out into a bed on the bottom level, but I wanted to try sleeping up top. 

    The bed was suspended in the air, and there were blankets wrapped in plastic that I found surprisingly soft and comfortable. 

    I thought the bed was comfy enough, but throughout the day, the shaking was much worse on the top bunk than in the seats.
    The author lays in the train bed looking out the window on the left side
    The author tries to sleep.

    Joey Hadden/Business Insider

    As I nestled into a sleeping position, I listened to the choo choo of the train whistle and pretended I was on the Polar Express until I finally fell asleep. 

    I woke up a few times in the night feeling disoriented, and I had to remind myself where I was. There were also times when I was worried I might fall out of bed.

    While I didn't sleep well, I enjoyed waking up to the sun rising over Georgia.
    The author lays in the train bed looking out the window on the left side
    The author wakes up in the morning.

    Joey Hadden/Business Insider

    Even though I didn't sleep well, I'm glad I went with the top bunk because of the views I had in the morning. 

    I woke up at around 8 a.m. with about 11 hours left on my journey.
    The author works on a laptop in a train car
    The author works on a laptop.

    Joey Hadden/Business Insider

    I passed a lot of the time working. 

    I used my Nintendo Switch, watched movies I had previously downloaded, and did work to fill the time.
    The author plays a Nintendo Switch on the train
    The author plays Mario Kart.

    Joey Hadden/Business Insider

    While the train had internet, I found the connection to be unreliable. So I was glad I had downloaded movies, TV shows, and podcasts to my phone and iPad before my trip.

    I was so grateful when I finally arrived in Miami and decided that long train journeys weren't for the faint of heart.
    The author takes a selfie as she arrives in Miami
    The author takes a selfie when she arrives in Miami.

    Joey Hadden/Business Insider

    Since 2021, I've gotten more comfortable on overnight trains and have learned to appreciate them.

    In my opinion, taking a long train journey is a lot like taking a road trip — if you consider the ride a part of the vacation, then maybe it would be worth it for you. 

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • The 11 best things to stream this weekend, from a new ‘Orphan Black’ spinoff to a doc about a real ‘Gone Girl’ case

    The best things to watch this weekend.

    Orphan Black/BBC America, Abanti Chowdhury/BI

    • Check out the "Perfect Match" finale or the "Orphan Black: Echoes" premiere this weekend.
    • Documentaries like "Tell Them You Love Me" and "Black Barbie" are newly streaming.
    • You can also catch up on new episodes of "Hart to Heart" and "My Life Is Murder."

    There are a lot of new documentaries to watch if you're looking for a true story to dive into.

    Netflix has a few titles to add to your watch list, including "Black Barbie," a doc produced by Shonda Rhimes about the creation of the first Black Barbie doll. Over on Hulu, there's "Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini," about an apparent kidnapping with a twist.

    But if you'd rather indulge in something fictional, you can check out the premiere of "Orphan Black: Echoes," a spinoff of the beloved sci-fi series, or the new season of the mystery-dramedy "My Life is Murder."

    Here's a complete rundown of all the best movies, shows, and documentaries to stream this weekend, broken down by what kind of entertainment you're looking for.

    For an uplifting history lesson, watch "Black Barbie"…
    Black Barbie dolls
    Black Barbie dolls weren't released until 1980.

    Courtesy of Netflix

    "Black Barbie," produced by Shonda Rhimes and directed by Lagueria Davis, explores how three Black women working at Mattel — Beulah Mae Mitchell, Kitty Black Perkins, and Stacey McBride-Irby — were responsible for the debut of the groundbreaking doll in 1980. The new Barbie ultimately paved the way for the representation of all identities.

    Streaming on: Netflix

    …or "Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution."
    Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration. Trixie Mattel, Rosie O'Donnell at The Greek Theatre for Netflix Is A Joke Fest. C
    "Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution."

    Beth Dubber/Netflix

    Comic-turned-director Page Hurwitz's new doc, which recently premiered at Tribeca before streaming on Netflix, looks back at the history of LGBTQ+ stand-up comedy as a form of resistance. It features comedians including Lily Tomlin, Margaret Cho, and Rosie O'Donnell.

    Streaming on: Netflix

    Tennis fans should watch "Federer: 12 Final Days."
    A still from "Federer: Twelve Final Days"
    Roger Federer.

    Courtesy of Prime

    Particularly if you're a Federer fan, this doc is a must-watch. But really, any sports fan will appreciate this look into the final days of the superstar athlete's career, from his retirement announcement in 2022 to his last match.

    Streaming on: Prime Video

    For some messy reality TV drama, check out the "Perfect Match" finale.
    Stevan Ditter and Alara Taneri in a matching red outfit in "Perfect Match" season two, episode nine.
    Did Stevan and Alara win "Perfect Match"?

    Courtesy of Netflix

    Netflix's messiest reality dating show dropped its finale this week. It featured a surprising winning couple and more last-minute drama for Harry Jowsey and "Love Is Blind" alum Jessica Vestal.

    Streaming on: Netflix

    For a true-crime fix, tune into "Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini"…
    Photos featured in "Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini"
    Photos of Sherri and Keith Papini.

    Hulu

    This three-part docuseries tells the story of Sherri Papini's kidnapping hoax and its aftermath.

    Unlike the disturbing tale at the heart of Netflix's "American Nightmare," Papini's actually was a real-life "Gone Girl" case.

    Streaming on: Hulu

    …or "Tell Them You Love Me."
    Tell Them You Love Me key art
    Key art from "Tell Them You Love Me."

    Netflix

    This is one of the most disturbing documentaries I've seen in a minute.

    "Tell Them You Love Me" explores the complex and controversial story of Anna Stubblefield, a married white professor of ethics at Rutgers University-Newark, and Derrick Johnson, the nonverbal Black man with cerebral palsy she was convicted of sexually assaulting.

    Streaming on: Netflix

    If you're into cult history, watch "Cult Massacre: One Day in Jonestown."
    Former People's Temple member Yulanda Williams posing for a portrait
    Former Peoples Temple member Yulanda Williams.

    Xiao Hou/National Geographic

    Long before NXIVM and Twin Flames, there was Peoples Temple.

    Arguably the most famous cult in American history, it was founded by Jim Jones in the 1950s in Indianapolis and culminated in the horrific Jonestown massacre of 1978, in which the cult leader ordered his followers to drink Kool-Aid laced with cyanine. In total, 918 people died, including more than 300 kids.

    The new Hulu documentary features interviews with several survivors of the event, some of whom argue that the tragedy should be seen as a mass murder, not a mass suicide as it's commonly been labeled.

    Streaming on: Hulu

    The new season of "Hart to Heart" is out now.
    Kevin Hart and Ben Afflect on "Hart to Heart"
    Kevin Hart and Ben Affleck.

    Peacock

    The fourth season of Kevin Hart's talk show kicks off with the comedian's interview with Ben Affleck.

    Streaming on: Peacock

    For a mystery fix, watch "My Life Is Murder."
    Lucy Lawless in "My Life is Murder"
    Lucy Lawless plays Alexa Crowe.

    Davide Zerilli/AcornTV

    Lucy Lawless stars in this Australian-New Zealand dramedy as private investigator Alexa Crowe, a former detective who solves mysteries and has a bread-baking business in her spare time.

    Streaming on: Acorn TV

    Sci-fi fans should check out "Orphan Black: Echoes."
    Krysten Ritter as Lucy "Orphan Black: Echoes"
    Krysten Ritter in "Orphan Black: Echoes."

    Sophie Giraud/AMC

    If you were a fan of the original "Orphan Black," the Canadian sci-fi thriller that starred Tatiana Maslany as several genetically identical human clones, this one is a no-brainer.

    But even if you weren't familiar with the earlier series and just like the genre, "Echoes" is worth checking out. It stars Keeley Hawes as an older version of Kira Manning, the daughter of Maslany's character Sarah from the original show, and Krysten Ritter as Lucy, a woman with amnesia who finds herself at the center of her own clone mystery.

    Streaming on: AMC+

    The latest episode of "The Boys" is a must-watch.
    Antony Starr as Homelander in season four, episode four of "The Boys."
    Antony Starr as Homelander in season four, episode four of "The Boys."

    Prime Video

    The fourth episode of the satirical superhero drama's new season is a standout, largely thanks to Antony Starr's stunning performance as Homelander, who returns to the lab where he was raised.

    Seriously, just give the man an Emmy already. We only have one season left to do it after this!

    Streaming on: Prime Video

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • I worked at Disney World and still visit weekly. Here are 8 things I’m not buying at the parks right now.

    kayleigh posing in front of big top souvenirs at magic kingdom
    I used to work a Disney World in Florida.

    Kayleigh Price

    • I worked at Disney World for several years, and now I visit the theme parks once a week.
    • Over the years, I've learned not to buy Genie+ or dessert party tickets at the parks.
    • I also don't tend to waste money on chicken nuggets or Loungefly bags. 

    As an Orlando local and former Disney World employee, I visit the parks at least once a week.

    But without the free admission and plentiful discounts that came with my employee status, visiting has become incredibly expensive. According to FinanceBuzz, concession prices alone have gone up by 61% since 2014.

    Like many people, I've had to cut down on my spending over the years. Here are eight things I'm no longer buying at Disney World.

    Spirit jerseys should be left in the 2010s.
    racks of figment spirit jerseys at a disney world gift shop
    The long-sleeve spirit jerseys are wildly expensive.

    OLGA THOMPSON/Walt Disney World

    I remember when spirit jerseys were all the rage back in 2017 — you could barely get your hands on one before they sold out.

    But as they've gained popularity, they've also increased in price.

    As cute as they may be, I can't fathom spending upwards of $90 on a long-sleeve T-shirt.

    I don't need any more Mickey ears.
    wall of minnie ears at disneyland
    The parks release new Minnie and Mickey ears every year.

    Carly Terzigni

    Every Disney adult loves accessorizing their outfits with some Mickey ears.

    It can be tempting to browse the new and seasonal releases in the shops. But after going to the parks my whole life, I already have a stellar ear collection.

    I don't see the point of spending $35 to $40 on another pair — especially because they were closer to $20 to $25 just a few years ago.

    Genie+ isn't worth it for me.
    closeup photo of the lightning lane sign at seven dwarfs mine train in disney world
    I visit so often that I don't mind waiting in a few lines.

    Kent Phillips/Walt Disney World

    I remember the good old days when I would go to Disney World and automatically get three FastPasses for the day. It was glorious.

    Now you have to pay $20 to $30 a person daily for those same three line-skipping passes through a system called Genie+.

    As a local who has ridden every attraction at Disney World dozens of times, I don't see why I'd ever splurge on that.

    The ice-cream bars aren't a good value.
    hand holding mickey ice cream bar at disney world
    I used to always order the simple Mickey ice-cream bars.

    Jill Robbins

    The Mickey ice-cream bar was one of my go-to park snacks as a kid. It's such a Disney staple — super tasty and good for any Instagram photos.

    But they currently cost about $6. I'd rather spend that money on a bigger portion of ice cream, like a Dole Whip or a sundae, to get more bang for my buck.

    I avoid the Loungefly section of the gift shops.
    small world loungefly bag from disney parks
    There are Loungefly bags themed after rides like It's a Small World.

    Fiona Clair

    Like the spirit jerseys, I'm no longer spending money on Disney Loungeflys. No small backpack should cost over $100 — no matter how creative or cute the design is.

    It's so easy for me to go into a Disney merchandise store and get sucked into this section, but I've recently realized that these prices are ridiculous.

    I worked at the dessert parties, so I don't feel the need to buy the extra ticket.
    fireworks over cinderella castle at disney world
    I don't need to pay over $100 to get a good spot for the fireworks.

    Walt Disney World

    I used to work at the Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Party back in 2018, when it cost about $80 to $90 a person. That's still a pretty expensive ticket add-on, but I genuinely thought it was worth the price.

    The experience includes unlimited appetizers, treats, and drinks, along with a premiere viewing of the fireworks show from Tomorrowland Terrace.

    But now the price for one adult is $130, which is almost the same as park admission.

    Alternatively, I recommend paying $70 a person for a delicious three-course dinner at Be Our Guest restaurant. Then just go to hub lawns in front of the castle about an hour before the fireworks show to secure an amazing spot.

    The annual Christmas party has gotten too expensive for me.
    mickey minnie and dancers performing on stage at the magic kingdom Christmas party event
    Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is held at Magic Kingdom each year.

    Harrison Cooney/Walt Disney World

    I've always been such a big fan of the seasonal events at Disney World. I used to go to the Christmas and Halloween parties at Magic Kingdom every year.

    But that was when the tickets cost about $100. In 2023, tickets sold for up to $220 apiece, which is more expensive than the average full-day ticket to Magic Kingdom.

    As sad as it was to cut this out of my holiday celebrations last year, I had to. I can't rationalize spending over $200 for a six-hour event in the parks.

    I can get something better than chicken nuggets.
    basket of three chicken tenders and a side of fries served on red checkered paper
    Standard theme-park chicken tenders aren't worth it, in my opinion.

    Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock

    Almost every quick-service restaurant at Disney World has a chicken-finger meal, and it used to be one of my go-to orders.

    But as an adult, I'm realizing that it's kind of a waste of my money — especially since prices across the parks have been creeping up over the last couple of years.

    I'd rather spend my money on specialty treats or seasonal foods that I can't get outside the parks and grab Chick-fil-A on the way home.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • Can the good times keep rolling for ASX 200 bank shares in FY25?

    a female bank teller smiles warmly as she hands over a piece of paper to a female customer while a large vase of tulips rests on the bank counter.

    ASX 200 bank shares have had a ripper six months of share price growth. This period has included new multi-year highs for all bank stocks except one and a new all-time peak for the biggest of the bunch.

    Australia’s biggest bank, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), once again reset its record high on Friday, reaching $128.25 per share.

    This put it within striking distance of overtaking mining behemoth BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) as the most valuable company on the ASX 200 by market capitalisation.

    BHP is the biggest mining company in the world, with a market cap of $218.5 billion at its intraday high on Friday. At CBA’s peak share price yesterday, its market cap was approximately $214.6 billion.

    Also this week, National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) shares reached a nine-year high of $36.42, and Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN) soared to its highest price in almost five years at $11.42.

    All of the Big Four ASX 200 bank shares, along with Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) and Bendigo Bank, have hit multi-year peaks this year. The Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ) is the only exception.

    As shown below, talk of interest rates nearing their peaks back in November set off this run of price growth.

    Such a sustained run is a bit unusual, given ASX 200 bank shares are traditionally seen as dividend shares, not growth stocks (with the exception of CBA and Macquarie).

    So, can the good times keep rolling in FY25? Let’s find out.

    What the experts expect from ASX 200 bank shares in FY25

    In a note this month, Goldman Sachs said ASX 200 bank shares valuations are “skewed to the downside” from here.

    The broker notes that Aussie banks’ return on tangible equity (ROTE) was the world’s second-highest on average in 2015. Today, the banks’ ROTE is the lowest of comparable global banks. This is due to compressed net interest margins (NIMs) and reduced low capital-intensive non-interest income.

    Despite this, ASX 200 bank shares remain the most expensive in the world. The broker notes that “this valuation discrepancy has expanded in recent times, despite weaker relative profitability”.

    The broker said: “We recently took a more negative view on Australian banks, reflecting absolute and domestic relative valuations being heavily skewed to the downside.”

    Philip King, CIO at Regal Funds Management, said Australian banks are being “attacked from all angles” by new competitors.

    They include buy now, pay later operators, non-bank lenders, and the burgeoning private credit sector.

    King is holding a short position on CBA shares. He expects earnings per share (EPS) to fall over the next 10 years.

    Schroders head of Australian equities Martin Conlon says ASX 200 bank shares’ profits will be “flat at best” unless they can wind back costs, which is difficult for any business to do in today’s economy.

    Conlon said: “We have very indebted consumers already. Getting them more indebted is tricky.”

    Asset Management portfolio manager Dominic Mlcek says ASX 200 bank shares are facing a “negative environment”. He questions their “lofty valuations” today.

    “Given the lack of growth outlook in our view, we’re maintaining an underweight exposure towards the big four,” Mlcek said.

    In light of all this, let’s take a look at some 12-month share price targets for the ASX 200 bank shares and compare them to where they are trading today.

    Bank share prices compared to FY25 targets

    On Friday, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ASX: ANZ) shares closed at $28.94, down 0.86% (see our FY25 outlook article). UBS has a price target of $30. Goldman has a buy rating and target of $28.15.

    Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) shares finished at $27.24 on Friday, down 0.037% (see our FY25 outlook article). Goldman Sachs has a sell rating and target of $24.10. Morgans has a hold rating and target of $24.15. Citi has a sell rating and a $24.75 target. Morgan Stanley has an underperform rating and a $24.50 target.

    NAB shares closed at $36.21 on Friday, up 0.055% (see our FY25 outlook article). UBS has a sell rating on NAB shares due to a “fully valued” price. Its 12-month target is $30.

    The CBA share price ended the session at $127.68 on Friday, down 0.055% (see our FY25 outlook article). UBS has a $105 price target on CBA shares. Goldman Sachs has a sell rating and a 12-month price target of $82.61.

    Macquarie shares closed at $199.03 on Friday, up 1.29%. Morgan Stanley has a buy rating on Macquarie shares with a price target of $215.

    Bank of Queensland shares closed at $5.83 on Friday, down 0.17%. Goldman Sachs has a sell rating on BOQ shares and a 12-month share price target of $5.44.

    Bendigo Bank shares finished the week at $11.33 per share, down 0.088% on Friday. Goldman Sachs has a neutral rating and a 12-month price target of $10.51.

    The post Can the good times keep rolling for ASX 200 bank shares in FY25? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    More reading

    Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in Anz Group, BHP Group, Commonwealth Bank Of Australia, and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goldman Sachs Group and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Bendigo And Adelaide Bank and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 1 ASX dividend stock to buy for growth and stay for a 5% yield

    A young woman wearing a silver bracelet raises her sunglasses in amazement, indicating positive share price movement in jewellery shares.

    The ASX dividend stock Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) could be an excellent long-term idea for dividends because of its willingness to pay out excess capital and deliver solid passive income.

    Lovisa is a retailer of affordable jewellery for younger shoppers around the world.

    It is becoming a true global retailer with its presence in so many countries.

    Lovisa operates in Australia, New Zealand and Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, and Vietnam. It also has stores in the African countries of South Africa, Namibia and Botswana; the United Kingdom and Europe, as well as the UAE, the United States, Canada and Mexico.

    The business also has franchise arrangements in the Middle East and African region, and in South America.

    That global growth is helping fund larger dividend payments from the ASX dividend stock.

    Strong store growth unlocking passive income

    Due to the low cost of its products, Lovisa is able to open new stores fairly cheaply and quickly. In the FY24 first-half result, Lovisa revealed its global store network increased by 19% year over year to 854 locations.

    The FY24 first-half result saw net profit after tax (NPAT) increase 12% to $53.5 million, and the dividend per share was hiked by 31% to 50 cents per share.

    The Lovisa HY21 half-year dividend was 20 cents per share, compared to 13 cents per share in the HY18 result. Thus, the dividend has grown by 150% in three years and by 285% in six years.

    I’m not expecting as much dividend growth in the next three years, but the payouts could continue to grow at a pleasing rate.

    Dividend growth expected to continue

    The broker UBS has forecast that the Lovisa annual dividend per share could be 75 cents in FY24 (up 8.7%) year over year, which would have a dividend yield of around 3%, including the franking credits.

    UBS has predicted passive income growth for the ASX dividend stock in each of the subsequent financial years.

    • In FY25, the annual dividend could increase another 12% to 84 cents per share.
    • In FY26, it could rise 18% to 99 cents per share.
    • In FY27, it may increase another 19% to $1.18 per share.
    • In FY28, the annual payout could jump 14% to $1.35 per share.

    If that FY28 payout happens, the Lovisa grossed-up dividend yield could be getting close to 5%.

    It’s possible Lovisa may keep the dividend payout ratio at close to 100% of its net profit, in which case the FY28 grossed-up dividend yield could actually be something like 5.4%, based on the UBS projection for profit.

    I’m optimistic about Lovisa’s growth prospects and the potential dividend payouts.

    The post 1 ASX dividend stock to buy for growth and stay for a 5% yield appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Lovisa Holdings Limited right now?

    Before you buy Lovisa Holdings Limited shares, consider this:

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

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    See The 5 Stocks
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    More reading

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

  • Satellite images show apparent mock-ups of US fifth-gen fighter jets and a runway with blast marks and craters in a Chinese desert

    A satellite image of Chinese mockups of US aircraft in the Taklamakan Desert.
    Satellite image from April 19, 2024, show Chinese mock-ups of what appear to be US aircraft in the Taklamakan Desert.

    Planet Labs PBC

    • China built mock-ups of US aircraft out in the Taklamakan Desert, satellite images show. 
    • Apparent blast marks and craters suggest China may be using the area for target practice. 
    • China has previously built mock-ups of US warships and carriers, likely for similar purposes.

    Satellite images show what appear to be mock-ups of fifth-generation US aircraft, among other aircraft, out in a Chinese desert.

    The airplanes, along with the suspected runway covered in apparent scorch marks and craters, suggest that China may be using the mock aircraft and area for target practice. It would not be the first time that this sort of thing has been observed in China.

    The satellite image of the mock-ups, captured April 19, 2024 by Planet Labs PBC and then obtained by Business Insider, show both covered and uncovered aircraft by a runway at a site in the Taklamakan Desert. There looks to be around 20 aircraft near a building and three more planes near the runway.

    A satellite image of Chinese mockups of US aircraft in the Taklamakan Desert.
    Satellite image from April 19, 2024, show Chinese mock-ups of US aircraft in the Taklamakan Desert.

    Planet Labs PBC

    Brady Africk, an open-source-intelligence analyst and an associate at the American Enterprise Institute think tank, said that the mock aircraft appear to be targets for some sort of training, not unlike other mock-ups China has made.

    While most of the aircraft in the image are covered up, nine look to be exposed. Six of the uncovered aircraft strongly resemble the US Air Force's F-22, the first fifth-generation fighter. As for the other aircraft, they look a bit like the P-8A Poseidon and the U-2 reconnaissance plane, though it is difficult to say for certain.

    More recent satellite images from late May surfaced on social media this week, showing apparent F-35 mock-ups among the fighters.

    https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

    Those satellite images, like the image from April, also appear to indicate that China has been using the aircraft and the area for target practice. Scorch marks and craters are evident at one end of the apparent runway, and some of the aircraft mock-ups appear wrecked. Those marks were not visible in an earlier image from a few years ago.

    A satellite image of Chinese mockups of US aircraft in the Taklamakan Desert.
    Satellite image from June 28, 2021, show Chinese mock-ups of US aircraft in the Taklamakan Desert.

    Planet Labs PBC

    That satellite image from June 28, 2021, also courtesy of Planet Labs PBC, shows the same site but with only seven aircraft and an unscathed runway area.

    Satellite image of a new carrier target in China's Taklamakan Desert.
    Satellite image of a new carrier target in China's Taklamakan Desert.

    Image © Planet Labs PBC

    China has previously built mock-ups of American assets for target practice.

    In January of this year, satellite images showed what appeared to be a mockup of the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and a US Arleigh Burke-class destroyer also in the Taklamakan Desert. The mock-ups are believed to be targets and may be part of China's efforts to further develop its missile force against naval targets.

    In a war with China, the US would likely turn to its carrier strike groups for combat power projection.

    One expert previously told BI that these mock-ups potentially allowed China to refine seekers with image-recognition capabilities and help it develop the ability to accurately target particular ships or even specific parts of ships where a missile could do the most damage.

    A satellite image of an apparent US Arleigh Burke class destroyer in the Taklamakan Desert, photographed January 1, 2024.
    A satellite image of an apparent US Arleigh Burke class destroyer in the Taklamakan Desert, photographed January 1, 2024.

    Image © Planet Labs PBC

    China has much to gain from practicing with mock-ups of US aircraft and ships. China has also built a mockup of Taiwan's capital city, including its presidential office and government buildings, out in the desert of the Alxa League area. Such a facility could be used for training to prepare it for conflict.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • Who is Shivon Zilis? Meet the Neuralink exec and AI expert who reportedly had a third child with Elon Musk

    • Shivon Zilis quietly had a third child with Elon Musk earlier this year, Bloomberg reported.
    • Business Insider first reported that Musk quietly had twins with Zilis in 2021.
    • Zilis, 38, is a director at Neuralink and has had a successful career in venture capital and AI. 

    Elon Musk quietly had another child with Shivon Zilis earlier this year, according to a Bloomberg report published Friday.

    It's the third child Musk has had with Zilis. Business Insider first revealed in 2021 that she had a set of twins with the Tesla CEO. In 2022, Zilis and Musk filed a petition to change the twins' names in order to "have their father's last name and contain their mother's last name as part of their middle name," according to court documents. 

    Their personal relationship was unknown prior to 2021, although Zilis worked in the billionaire's orbit for several years. She's the director of operations and special projects at one of the billionaire's companies — Neuralink, a startup that makes computer chips designed to be implanted in the brain.

    Walter Isaacson shared a photo of Elon Musk and Shivon Zilis with their twins.
    Walter Isaacson shared a photo of Elon Musk and Shivon Zilis with their twins in September 2023.

    Courtesy of Walter Isaacson

    Elon Musk's biographer, Walter Isaacson, shared a glimpse into Musk's relationship with Zilis in September 2023.

    In an excerpt from Isaacson's biography on the Tesla CEO and in a post on social media, he shared a photo of Musk and Zilis with their twins — who were 16 months old at the time — sitting on each of their laps.

    Walter Isaacson posted a photo of Elon Musk and Zilis on X.
    Walter Isaacson posted a photo of Elon Musk and Zilis on X.

    Walter Isaacson on X

    The biographer said the photo was taken when Musk ushered him to Zilis' house in Austin to talk about the threat AI posed to civilization.

    "We were sitting on a suburban patio by a tranquil backyard swimming pool on a sunny spring day, with two bright-eyed twins learning to toddle, as Musk somberly speculated about the window of opportunity for building a sustainable human colony on Mars before an AI apocalypse destroyed earthly civilization," Isaacson said of the scene.

    Beside those fathered with Zilis, Musk has eight other known living children, including five with his first wife, Justine Wilson, and three with his former girlfriend, the musician Grimes. He's said in the past that he's doing his best to help the "underpopulation crisis." 

    Zilis, 38, has had a successful career in both venture capital and artificial intelligence.

    Zilis grew up in Ontario, Canada, and is a lifelong athlete

    Zilis was born in Markham, Ontario, and grew up playing ice hockey. She attended Yale University, where she played goalie on the women's ice-hockey team. She graduated in 2008 with a degree in economics and philosophy.

    Photos from Zilis' social media accounts, which were taken down in 2022, show Zilis surfing, zip-lining, and ice climbing. 

    She started her career in finance and venture capital

    After graduating from Yale, Zilis got a job at IBM, where she spent three years focused on financial technologies.

    She later joined early stage venture-capital fund Bloomberg Beta, where she led investment efforts in data and machine learning. Her work at Bloomberg Beta earned her a spot on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list in the venture-capital category in 2015.

    Tesla owners broke down the perks of owning a Tesla in conversations with Insider.
    Tesla owners broke down the perks of owning a Tesla in conversations with Insider.

    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

    Zilis worked as a project director at Tesla from 2017 to 2019, lending her AI expertise to the Autopilot and chip-design teams. 

    She's passionate about artificial intelligence

    Zilis developed an interest in artificial intelligence around the age of 12 or 13, when she learned about the concept from the Our Lady Peace album "Spiritual Machines." It led her to read a Ray Kurzweil book by a similar name and sparked her passion for AI, she said during a 2021 address at the Canadian Undergraduate Conference on AI. 

    "I've basically spent pretty much all of the last decade focused in and around AI unfolding in the world in the best way possible," she said. 

    It was AI that led her to Musk: In 2016, Zilis joined OpenAI, a nonprofit co-founded by a group that included Musk and former Y Combinator president Sam Altman. OpenAI's stated mission is to find ways for AI to benefit humanity as a whole. The company made headlines late last year when it released a new version of its AI chatbot, ChatGPT.

    Zilis was the youngest member of OpenAI's board of directors until she stepped down in March 2023, The Information reported.

    She has a high-level role at Neuralink

    In 2017, Zilis joined Neuralink, the futuristic brain microchip company also cofounded by Musk. Neuralink has a short-term goal of using implantable devices to solve brain and spine problems, and a long-term mission of achieving "symbiosis" between artificial intelligence and the human brain, according to Musk.  

    Zilis is a director at Neuralink.
    Zilis is a director at Neuralink.

    Photo illustration by Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    In her presentation at the Canadian Undergraduate Conference on AI in 2021, Zilis called Neuralink the most "complicated but also fascinating thing I've ever encountered in my life." 

    "AI's going to be one of the fundamentally transformative technologies humanity creates, if not the most," she said. "And so we just need to make sure, from a humanity perspective, this goes well." 

    In January, Noland Arbaugh became the first human patient to receive a Neuralink brain implant.

    Zilis has defended Musk from critics

    In 2020, Musk publicly sparred with the state of California over its COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, calling them "fascist" and "forcible imprisoning." He pledged that Tesla would move its headquarters to Texas as a result, which prompted California State Assembly member Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher to tweet "F*ck Elon Musk."

    Zilis responded on Twitter, writing that Gonzalez Fletcher's tweet made her sad.

    "No one's perfect but I've never met anyone who goes through more personal pain to fight for an inspiring future for humanity – and has done so tirelessly for decades," Zilis wrote. "Everyone's entitled to their opinion but mine is that there's no one I respect and admire more."

    Zilis had twins with Musk in 2021 and bought a house in Austin

    Zilis purchased a home in a gated community in Austin in August 2021 — the real-estate website Zillow estimates the home is worth more than $4 million.

    Tesla's Gigafactory is located near Austin, and court documents obtained by Insider list Musk and Zilis as residents of that address. Musk, however, has said that his primary residence is a $50,000 modular house in Boca Chica, near the SpaceX launch facility in South Texas. 

    Zilis and Musk's twins were born in November 2021, a few weeks before Musk and the musician Grimes had their second child via surrogate. Musk and Grimes later had a third in June 2022, according to a biography of Musk that came out in 2023.

    Grimes, whose legal name is Claire Boucher, said on X that communication about Zilis' twins "wasn't handled super well."  Musk's biographer said in an excerpt from his book that Grimes was initially "outraged" that she found out about Musk and Zilis' twins at the same time the public did. In September 2023, in a since-deleted post on X Grimes accused Zilis of blocking her on social media.

    "I have never been allowed to see a photo of these children until this moment, despite the situation utterly ripping my family apart," Grimes wrote on X and later deleted.

    The pair later appeared to make amends on X and Grimes said she now understands what happened.

    "I spoke with Shivon at length finally, which was long overdue. This wasn't her fault, plz don't be angry at her! We respect each other a lot and we're excited to become friends and have the kids grow up together," Grimes wrote on X on September 10, 2023.

    Zilis' responded to Grimes post saying: "I can't wait for kiddo play date and congrats on baby Tau as well," referencing Grimes' third child with Musk.

    The Neuralink director also frequently posts about her children on X. She posted a video in May of one of her kids responding "Tesla" when Musk pointed to a Tesla sign and asked what it said.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • I made ice cream using a bag, Ninja Creami, and blender. I’m stunned a basic method beat my $200 appliance.

    The writer holds homemade ice cream
    I made homemade ice cream using three different methods.

    Chelsea Davis

    • I made classic vanilla ice cream using the bag trick, blender method, and Ninja Creami.
    • The Ninja Creami required over 24 hours of time and the bag method took about 15 minutes.
    • I liked the three-ingredient blender method the best because the ice cream had a great texture.

    I love frozen treats and always thought there was something about making homemade ice cream out of just a few, simple ingredients that's extremely satisfying.

    As someone who'd never made a homemade version of the treat before, I decided it was worth trying three ice-cream-making methods to see which technique yields a store-bought-quality product.

    I made traditional vanilla ice cream three ways using the bag trick, the three-ingredient blender method, and my $200+ Ninja Creami.

    Here's how each method went, and which one I'll be trying again.

    I started with the bag method, which was super straightforward.
    Ingredients for bag-method ice cream
    I gathered some half-and-half, salt, sugar, vanilla, and cookies for the bag method.

    Chelsea Davis

    The ingredients for the bag-method ice cream included half-and-half, vanilla, sugar, salt, and ice. I also grabbed some cookies to possibly use as a garnish or mix into the finished product.

    I poured the ingredients into two different plastic bags.
    Bag filled with ice-cream ingredients and bigger bag filled with salt and water
    The bag method called for two separate bags.

    Chelsea Davis

    I filled a small sandwich bag with 1 cup of half-and-half, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, pushed the air out, and sealed it. Next, I filled a slightly bigger plastic bag with 3 cups of ice and 1/3 cup of salt.

    Per the instructions, I placed the smaller bag in the bigger bag and started to shake them.

    I thought the bag method required a lot of labor.
    Ice cream in bag inside of large pot
    The condensation started to drip from the bags.

    Chelsea Davis

    Things also became messy as the bag got wet from the condensation and dripped. To make the process easier, I stuck the bag in a big pot lined with a kitchen towel and shook the entire thing back and forth.

    Overall, I vigorously shook the bags for about 10 minutes, which was tiring and just annoying.

     

    Still, the ice cream came together pretty quickly.
    Spoon taking ice cream out of bag
    The ice cream looked a little chunky when I took it out of the bag.

    Chelsea Davis

    After 10 minutes, it seemed the ice cream had come together so I spooned it out of the bag to try it.

    The bag-method ice cream wasn't bad at all. It wasn't very smooth or creamy but it had an icy, chunky texture and good flavor.

    I think that some of the salt water may have seeped into the smaller bag and gave the ice cream a slightly salty taste, but I actually didn't mind. The flavor was pretty good on its own so I decided not to add the cookies.

    Overall, I was surprised the bag method worked so well.
    Chunky bag-method ice cream in bowl
    The finished vanilla ice cream from the bag method was icy.

    Chelsea Davis

    The bag method yielded fast results and got the job done.

    However, the ice cream seemed to melt quite quickly once I scooped it out of the bag, which may have been because it was no longer insulated by the bigger salt-water bag.

    Though the whole process took only 15 minutes, I'd only use the bag method again if, for some reason, I desperately needed ice cream in the middle of the night.

    Next, I used my Ninja Creami Deluxe to make ice cream for the first time.
    Ingredients for Ninja CREAMi ice cream
    I gathered cream cheese, heavy cream, sugar, milk, and vanilla extract.

    Chelsea Davis

    Making this ice cream was my first time using my Ninja Creami, an appliance designed to make creamy desserts.

    It took some fiddling around for me to figure out how to put it together. That said, once the appliance was up and running, the recipe was straightforward.

    For this method, I followed the base ice-cream recipe from the pamphlet that came with my Ninja Creami. The recipe calls for cream cheese, sugar, heavy cream, milk, and an extract of the user's choice. To keep things consistent with my other creations, I used vanilla extract.

    I combined the classic ice-cream ingredients, plus cream cheese.
    Spatula mixing cream cheese and sugar
    I stirred the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl.

    Chelsea Davis

    Putting the base of the ice cream together was simple.

    I softened 1 tablespoon of cream cheese in a bowl and added 1/3 cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. I began to stir and once that was smooth, I dissolved the paste into 3/4 cup of the heavy cream and 1 cup of milk. 

    Next, I poured the mixture into the Ninja Creami pint.
    Ice cream liquid in Ninja CREAMi compartment
    I added the ice-cream base to the Ninja Creami pint.

    Chelsea Davis

    The recipe called for freezing the ice-cream-filled pint for 24 hours.

    This was my main issue with the Ninja Creami method because it's not very fast and it requires freezer space before the dessert is even finished. You also may need to really plan ahead if you want ice cream. 

    After 24 hours, the pint was frozen solid. 

    Then, it was time to see the Ninja Creami in action.
    Ninja CREAMi making ice cream
    The machine's blade churned the frozen pint of ice cream.

    Chelsea Davis

    I stuck my frozen pint in the machine and let it do its processing.

    The Ninja Creami's blade drove into the frozen pint and churned the mixture into a creamy dessert. Though the process was a little loud, it was done within a couple of minutes.

    If you want a creamier texture, you can also choose to go for a second respin cycle.

    This ice cream tasted the most like a store-bought variety.
    Finished ice cream in Ninja CREAMi
    The ice cream made in the Ninja Creami was slightly crumbly.

    Chelsea Davis

    The consistency of the Ninja Creami ice cream wasn't hard, though it was a bit crumbly and melted somewhat fast when I started eating it. Next time, I'd opt to spin it again to get it smoother.

    It had a somewhat creamy, soft-serve texture and that good classic vanilla ice-cream flavor. 

    After freezing the finished ice cream for a day, it hardened up and had a fairly identical texture to a typical store-bought vanilla ice cream.

    Lastly, I tried the three-ingredient blender method in my Nutribullet.
    Ingredients and Nutribullet for three-ingredient ice cream method
    I gathered sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and heavy whipping cream.

    Chelsea Davis

    For the three-ingredient method, I opted to mostly follow a recipe from food blogger Mighty Mrs.

    Right off the bat, it seemed like the simplest of the three recipes and required only heavy whipping cream, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract.

    I decided to veer off the recipe and whip the heavy cream in the blender.
    Ice cream in Nutribullet
    Whipping the heavy cream in the Nutribullet took only 30 seconds.

    Chelsea Davis

    The recipe instructed me to beat 4 cups of heavy cream in a large bowl but I opted to blend it in my Nutribullet until I got stiff peaks.

    The accompanying blog post for the recipe said whipping the heavy cream can "add air to your ice cream" to give it "that perfect ice-cream texture you know and love." As I followed the recipe, I realized this turned out to be true.

    The blender created a thick whipped cream to combine with the rest of the ingredients.
    Ice cream ingredients in bowl
    I may have slightly over-whipped the heavy cream.

    Chelsea Davis

    After I blended the heavy cream, which took about 30 seconds, I mixed in a 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk and 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract. 

    I added the fluffy ice-cream mixture to a loaf pan.
    Three-ingredient ice cream in loaf pan
    The ice-cream mixture seemed airy.

    Chelsea Davis

    I transferred the ice-cream mixture into a loaf pan and stuck it in the freezer for several hours. According to the recipe, the ice cream needs a minimum of two hours in the freezer.

    Minus the freezing time, the entire process literally took me under 10 minutes.

    The three-ingredient ice cream turned out to be extremely delicious.
    Three-ingredient ice cream frozen in loaf pan
    I was impressed with the three-ingredient ice cream.

    Chelsea Davis

    After a few hours, I took the ice cream out of the freezer and scraped a few bites off of the surface.

    This ice cream was thick, super creamy, and unlike the other two ice creams, wasn't icy at all. It almost had a chewiness to it and didn't melt very fast. It had a similar texture to a Melona Bar, dense but still delicious.

    Overall, the three-ingredient ice cream I made using the blender was my favorite.
    Ice cream made with three different methods with red arrow and "winner" text pointing to ice cream in loaf pan
    The three-ingredient blender ice cream won this taste test.

    Chelsea Davis

    Next time I have a craving for homemade ice cream, I'm going to whip out my blender and three ingredients. 

    The simple recipe yielded my favorite creamy, thick texture. The finished ice cream didn't melt quickly, was nice and dense, and took very little effort to make.

    Still, the Ninja Creami was a close second because making ice cream was pretty easy once the pint was frozen for 24 hours. I think those who prefer a softer, store-bought ice-cream texture might like this method best.

    The bag trick was a little too annoying for me to want to try it again, but it certainly did work. 

    This story was originally published on September 2, 2023, and most recently updated on June 21, 2024.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • Top ASX passive income shares to buy before June 30

    A happy young couple lie on a wooden deck using a skateboard for a pillow.

    It’s almost that time of year again – the moment of truth of whether it will be a bill or a refund from the Australian Taxation Office. Either way, passive income from shares can make tax season less of a burden.

    In Australia, we have the added bonus of franking credits, a tax benefit not available to investors in most countries. Depending on the amount of franking and the person’s tax bracket, this situation can sometimes contribute to a tax refund – making ASX dividend-paying shares popular among retirees.

    Even without the tax benefit, a little extra income from dividends can be handy if a bill arises.

    We asked our Foolish writers which ASX passive income shares they think are worth snapping up before FY24 draws to a close.

    Here is what the team came up with:

    6 best ASX dividend stocks for June 2024 (smallest to largest)

    • Collins Foods Ltd (ASX: CKF), $1.09 billion
    • Deterra Royalties Ltd (ASX: DRR) $2.14 billion
    • Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL), $3.13 billion
    • Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY), $3.74 billion
    • Steadfast Group Ltd (ASX: SDF), $6.56 billion
    • Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS), $52.33 billion

    (Market capitalisations as of market close 21 June 2024).

    Why our Foolish writers love these ASX passive income shares

    Collins Foods Ltd

    What it does: Collins Foods is a KFC franchisee operator in Australia, Germany, and the Netherlands. It also operates Taco Bell outlets in Australia.

    By Tristan Harrison: When considering ASX passive income shares to buy, I like to see a stable dividend, growing profit, and a decent starting yield. On that basis, I think the Collins Foods share price looks very appealing right now after dropping by around 20% since the beginning of 2024 and also boosting its prospective dividend yield.

    Collins Foods has grown its dividend every year since 2014, with the last two passive income payments amounting to 27.5 cents per share, compared to 11 cents per share paid during 2024 – that’s a rise of 150%.

    The company is delivering profit growth via expanding its store network in Australia and Europe and delivering solid same-store sales (SSS) growth. In the FY24 first-half period, KFC Australia SSS growth was 6.6% and KFC Europe SSS growth was 8.8%.

    Collins Foods’ continuing operations revenue rose 14.3% to $696.5 million, and underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) rose 28.7% to $31.2 million. This demonstrated good growth and rising profit margins.

    According to Commsec estimates, the company is projected to pay a grossed-up dividend yield of 4.2% in FY24 and 5.7% in FY26. The company is valued at around 13x FY26’s estimated earnings. 

    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison owns shares of Collins Foods Ltd.

    Deterra Royalties Ltd

    What it does: Deterra Royalties doesn’t sell a product or service. Instead, this Perth-based company clips the ticket on mining operations where it holds a royalty. Its most material source of income is its 1.232% royalty on revenue from the Mining Area C (MAC) iron ore mine, owned by BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP).

    By Mitchell Lawler: After last week’s changes, some investors might be dumping Deterra from the passive income pile. 

    The company has updated its dividend policy, revising its payout ratio from 100% to “a minimum of 50%” for FY25 and onwards. Hence, the lucrative yield of 7.7% could soon be slashed to a more modest return. 

    However, I see this as a major positive for long-term shareholders. The change should allow Deterra to redeploy some capital to acquire additional royalty assets, reducing the company’s reliance on the MAC royalty. 

    Deterra is already taking steps in this direction with its recent acquisition of Trident Royalties, which adds 21 royalty and royalty-like offtake assets to its portfolio.

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

    Super Retail Group Ltd

    What it does: Super Retail is the company behind many of Australia’s most successful recreational retail chains. Its brands include Super Cheap Auto, Rebel, and BCF.

    By Sebastian Bowen: If you’re after an investment with significant passive income potential in the dying days of the 2024 financial year, I think Super Retail shares should at least be on your shortlist. This company runs some of the best and most resilient retailing chains around.

    Unlike most consumer discretionary companies, the likes of BCF and Super Cheap Auto are famous for their resilience to economic maladies like recession and inflation — a great attribute for an income stock.

    I think Super Retail shares are looking attractive right now, too. Since February, this company’s stock has lost around 20% of its value. While this has been painful for existing investors, it has also boosted the Super Retail dividend yield to more than 5.5%. This company’s dividends typically come with full franking credits attached as well, so investors are looking at a grossed-up yield of almost 8%. 

    For solid income, I think ASX investors could do a lot worse this June.

    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen does not own shares of Super Retail Group Ltd.

    Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF

    What it does: The Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield exchange-traded fund (ETF) seeks to track the return of the FTSE Australia High Dividend Yield Index.

    By James Mickleboro: I think the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF could be a great option for income investors this month. Especially those who are not fans of stock-picking.

    That’s because this ETF eliminates the need for investors to pick stocks. Instead, it allows you to buy a collection of the highest-yielding ASX dividend shares in one fell swoop. This means you will be buying a slice of the big four banks, Australia’s large-cap miners, and a host of other dividend payers.

    It is also important to note that the ETF operates with strict rules with respect to diversification. It limits the proportion invested into any one industry to 40% of the total ETF and 10% for any one company. This ensures you’re not overly exposed to any particular part of the market.

    At present, the ETF trades with a dividend yield of 5.3%.

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro does not own units of the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF.

    Steadfast Group Ltd

    What it does: Steadfast is the largest general insurance brokerage firm in Australasia. It works with independent brokers and supports them with technology, market access, and other business tools. 

    By Kate Lee: For those seeking a passive income stream, consistency in dividends is an important consideration. Steadfast boasts a long history of dividend growth, consistently raising its dividends over a decade.

    The company’s strong earnings growth has supported this amazing dividend growth over time. Earnings-per-share (EPS) has risen from 7 cents in FY16 to 19 cps in the past 12 months to December 2023. 

    I think now is an excellent time to buy this consistent performer as the Steadfast share price has been weak recently, falling about 8% from a year ago. After the drop, Steadfast shares are trading at 19x its FY25 earnings estimates, based on S&P Capital IQ, at a midpoint of its trading history.

    Based on the share price of $5.93 at the close of trade on Friday, Steadfast offers a fully-franked dividend yield of 2.66%.

    Motley Fool contributor Kate Lee does not own shares of Steadfast Group Ltd.

    Woodside Energy Group Ltd

    What it does: Woodside is Australia’s largest independent dedicated oil and gas producer. The company has a portfolio of high-quality assets in Australia, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, Senegal, and Timor-Leste. Woodside continues to actively explore new oil and gas deposits.

    By Bernd Struben: With the Woodside share price down 22% over the past year, I think investors buying at current levels are likely to reap an outsized passive income stream for years to come.

    Despite the ongoing shift to EVs and renewables, global oil demand is forecast to hit another record high this year. And more nations are embracing gas to provide reliable baseload power.

    The ASX 200 energy stock recently caught some headwinds, with Q1 2024 production down 7% year on year. But Woodside maintained its full-year guidance of 185 million to 195 million barrels of oil equivalent.

    Last week, the company also achieved a key milestone: pumping its first oil from the Sangomar field offshore of Senegal. The project’s nameplate capacity stands at 100,000 barrels per day.

    And with Woodside’s offshore Scarborough LNG project on track for first production in 2026, the longer-term production outlook looks strong.

    As for that passive income, Woodside shares trade on a fully franked trailing yield of 7.85%.

    Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben does not own shares of Woodside Energy Group Ltd.

    The post Top ASX passive income shares to buy before June 30 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Collins Foods Limited right now?

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    More reading

    The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Super Retail Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Steadfast Group and Super Retail Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Collins Foods and Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.