Author: openjargon

  • 16% per annum: Is the iShares S&P 500 ETF (IVV) too good to turn down?

    ETF spelt out with a piggybank.

    Long-term investors in the iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) would be a pretty happy lot on the ASX today. After all, this exchange-traded fund (ETF) has given investors some truly stunning returns over the last few years.

    How stunning? Well, according to the provider, the iShares S&P 500 ETF has delivered a total return (growth and dividend distributions) of 24.47% over the 12 months to 30 April 2024.

    IVV investors have also enjoyed an average return of 14.17% per annum over the three years to 30 April. That rises to 14.69% per annum over the past five years and peaks at 16.24% per annum over the past ten.

    To give you a sense of just how lucrative a 16.24% return is, an investor who put $10,000 into IVV units a decade ago would have approximately $50,000 today, thanks to those high returns compounding. That’s assuming they reinvested all dividend returns of course.

    Those ten-year returns IVV investors have enjoyed would have been more than double what an investor putting money into an ASX index fund like the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) received. Over those same 10 years, VAS investors bagged an average of 7.83% per annum.

    So does this stellar track record make the iShares S&P 500 ETF a no-brainer buy today?

    Well, let’s clear up why this American index fund has been such a good investment.

    What is this ‘slice of America’?

    The iShares S&P 500 ETF tracks the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX), which is the flagship stock market index of the United States. It represents an investment in the largest 500 companies on the American markets, weighted by market capitalisation.

    That means you are getting exposure to almost any public American company you can think of here –everything from Apple, Amazon, Microsoft and NVIDIA to Mastercard, Kellogg, Coca-Cola and Nike.

    This is why the legendary Warren Buffett has called an S&P 500 Index fund a ‘slice of America’. Buffett has even recommended it as an investment to anyone who doesn’t want to try and actively beat the market by picking their own stocks.

    How have ASX investors bagged 16% per annum from the IVV ETF?

    Over the past decade, the S&P 500 has been turbocharged by the performance of what are now its largest holdings – the US tech giants.

    To give you an idea of how much this has helped the S&P 500, Amazon stock has risen by around 1,130% since May 2014. Apple is up by around 730%, while Microsoft has enjoyed a 965% increase. But that pales against Nvidia, whose lucky long-term investors have been showered with proverbial gold. Nvidia stock has exploded by almost 21,000% over the past decade.

    Without the ‘magnificent seven’ US tech giants, the iShares S&P 500 ETF’s returns would not nearly be as stunning.

    Another factor to consider has been the Australian dollar’s weakening value against the American dollar. Ten years ago, one Aussie dollar was buying 94 US cents. Today, it will only fetch 66.65 US cents.

    This means that any assets priced in American dollars are inherently more valuable in Australian dollars today than they were in 2014, even if they haven’t changed in US dollar terms.

    To give you an insight into how much this has affected IVV’s ASX returns, consider that the currency-hedged iShares S&P 500 (AUD Hedged) ETF (ASX: IHVV) has returned 10.13% per annum over the past five years, against the unhedged IVV’s 14.69%.

    Should investors buy the iShares S&P 500 ETF today?

    I think this index fund is a great investment for any passive-minded investor who wants a diversified slice of some of the best companies in the world. This index fund can add some healthy international diversification to any ASX share-based portfolio. Plus, it comes with an endorsement from the great Warren Buffett, so what more can one ask for?

    However, this comes with a caveat. I think the massive returns investors have enjoyed over the past decade are something of a fluke. As such, I don’t think anyone buying this ETF today should be expecting anything close to 16% per annum over the coming 10 years.

    It’s highly unlikely in my view that the likes of Apple, Microsoft and Amazon are going to grow by another 700 or 1,000% over the next decade. And Nvidia’s 21,000% return is almost certainly not going to be repeated.

    Plus, the Australian dollar is probably not going to lose another 30 cents against the US dollar by 2034.

    So by all means, buy this ETF today. Just don’t expect it to turn every $10,000 invested into $50,000 in ten years time.

    The post 16% per annum: Is the iShares S&P 500 ETF (IVV) too good to turn down? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Ishares S&p 500 Etf right now?

    Before you buy Ishares S&p 500 Etf 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 Ishares S&p 500 Etf wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 5 May 2024

    More reading

    John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Coca-Cola, Mastercard, Microsoft, Nike, and Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Mastercard, Microsoft, Nike, Nvidia, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended WK Kellogg and has recommended the following options: long January 2025 $370 calls on Mastercard, long January 2025 $47.50 calls on Nike, long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft, short January 2025 $380 calls on Mastercard, and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Mastercard, Microsoft, Nike, Nvidia, and iShares 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.

  • Bell Potter says this speculative ASX stock could rise 200%+

    Man with rocket wings which have flames coming out of them.

    If you have a high tolerance for risk and are on the lookout for big returns, then read on.

    That’s because Bell Potter is tipping one speculative ASX stock to rise more than 200% from current levels.

    Let’s dig a bit deeper now and see which stock could potentially more than triple your money if everything goes to plan.

    Which ASX stock?

    The ASX stock in question is Talga Group Ltd (ASX: TLG). It is a battery anode and advanced materials company aiming to accelerate the global transition towards sustainable growth.

    Talga’s Lulea Anode Refinery is the first of its kind in Europe. It will manufacture sustainable anode material for greener lithium-ion batteries from the high grade natural graphite mined from Talga’s own deposits near Vittangi.

    According to the note, the broker has retained its speculative buy rating and $2.35 price target on the company’s shares.

    Based on its current share price of 75 cents, this implies potential upside of 213% for investors over the next 12 months.

    To put that into context, a $5,000 investment would become over $15,000 if Bell Potter is on the money with its recommendation.

    What is the broker saying?

    Bell Potter highlights that Talga has just released an updated Exploration Target (ET) for its Vittangi natural graphite project in Northern Sweden. It said:

    The ET lifts from 170-200Mt to 240-350Mt at the same grade range of 20-30% graphitic carbon (Cg). The expanded range was supported by electro-magnetic surveys and conventional field mapping conducted since 2014, which identified significant conductors at depth and along strike from the existing Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE). Management believes the ET aligns with future demand from offtake partners.

    The broker believes this project will be operational for a very long time. It adds:

    We currently estimate a 24-year LOM on Stage-1, which consists of a 100ktpa mining rate producing ~19.5ktpa of Anode material. Stage-2 (BPe commencing 4 years post Stage-1) lifts production to over 100ktpa of anode material over 14 years. In our view, the updated guidance indicates to potential offtake partners (and strategic equity) that the Vittangi project is a long-life, high-grade and large-scale anode project of strategic significance.

    Finally, supporting its speculative buy rating are the following factors. It concludes:

    We maintain our speculative Buy rating and our valuation of $2.35/sh fully diluted and funded. Key milestones over the next 12 months which support our thesis for TLG include 1) Environmental permit clearance 2) Binding offtake for ~75% of production, 3) project funding (BPe 60/40 debt/equity) and 4) construction commencement (BPe 2HCY24).

    Time will tell if the broker makes the right call on this speculative ASX stock.

    The post Bell Potter says this speculative ASX stock could rise 200%+ appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Talga Resources Limited right now?

    Before you buy Talga Resources 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 Talga Resources Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 5 May 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has 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.

  • Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy now

    Happy man working on his laptop.

    It has been another busy week for Australia’s top brokers. This has led to the release of a number of broker notes.

    Three broker buy ratings that you might want to know more about are summarised below. Here’s why brokers think these ASX shares are in the buy zone:

    Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL)

    According to a note out of Citi, its analysts have retained their buy rating and $51.00 price target on this gaming technology company’s shares. This follows the release of a first half result which came in well ahead of the broker’s expectations. This was driven largely by lower than expected costs and a strong performance from its Rest of World segment. The latter offset a slightly softer than expected performance in the United States. Outside this, the broker is supportive of the company’s plan to look at the sale of its digital assets given how their growth has slowed. Though, the price it receives for these assets will be key. All in all, the broker remains very positive on the company and sees value in its shares despite yesterday’s rally. The Aristocrat Leisure share price is trading at $45.71 today.

    Graincorp Ltd (ASX: GNC)

    A note out of Bell Potter reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating on this grain exporter’s shares with an improved price target of $9.50. This follows the release of a half year result that was modestly ahead of the broker’s expectations. Bell Potter was also pleased to see that its FY 2024 guidance remains unchanged and that its through the cycle EBITDA has been upgraded from $310 million to $320 million. This reflects the inclusion of the XF Australia feeds acquisition. But it may not stop there. It notes that its through the cycle earnings would likely lift on any new oilseed crush capacity, which is being investigated. The Graincorp share price is fetching $8.53 this afternoon.

    Incitec Pivot Ltd (ASX: IPL)

    Analysts at Goldman Sachs have retained their buy rating on this fertiliser and commercial explosives company’s shares with an improved price target of $3.35. Goldman was pleased with Incitec Pivot’s half year results, noting that there was solid APAC pricing momentum. In addition, it highlights that the Fertiliser sale process is ongoing with PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur and that management has flagged a transformation program. The latter is expected to target pricing, cost and working capital disciplines. But importantly, it believes the program could represent upside to consensus estimates. The Incitec Pivot share price is trading at $2.92 on Friday.

    The post Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Aristocrat Leisure Limited right now?

    Before you buy Aristocrat Leisure 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 Aristocrat Leisure Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 5 May 2024

    More reading

    Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. 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 Goldman Sachs Group. 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.

  • Up 51% from their 52-week low, is it too late to buy Mineral Resources shares?

    A woman sits at her computer with her chin resting on her hand as she contemplates her next potential investment.

    Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) shares have been on a tear since mid-January, when the ASX 200 mining stock hit a 52-week low of $52.52.

    That was back on 22 January, and since then, Mineral Resources shares have had one heck of a rebound.

    At the time of writing on Friday, they’re up 0.59%, trading at $78.45 after touching a 52-week high of $79.27.

    In fact, the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) is the only market sector in the green on Friday following news of A$210 billion of economic stimulus in China which is likely to boost iron ore demand.

    The rest of the market seems to be cooling off from yesterday’s excitement. The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is limping along on Friday afternoon, carrying a 0.72% loss.

    Now, back to Minerals Resources shares and whether it’s too late to buy them after this recent run.

    Is it too late to buy Mineral Resources shares?

    The answer to this question depends on who you ask.

    First to top broker, Morgan Stanley.

    Earlier this month, the broker upped its share price target on Mineral Resources shares by 24% to $83.

    So by this measure, Mineral Resources shares still have a little bit of upside to offer at 4.8%.

    Next, Bell Potter.

    Its analysts retained their buy rating on Mineral Resources shares in a note published in late April.

    They raised their 12-month share price target to $85. So, the potential upside is a tad better at 7.35%.

    Bell Potter liked the company’s quarterly update released on 24 April.

    The broker noted sales volumes were above its own forecasts and it was happy to see the recommencement of spodumene concentrate sales from the Wodgina lithium mine.

    Mineral Resources also reported an improvement in its spodumene prices at the end of the quarter with a 22,000 tonnes shipment sold at US$1,300 per tonne for SC6 equivalent. This compares to the quarterly average of US$1,030 per tonne.

    Another positive was the Onslow Iron Project remaining on track to export its first ore in June.

    Finally, we look to Goldman Sachs for their view on Mineral Resources shares.

    It’s vastly different from Bell Potter and Morgan Stanley.

    Mining giant has 40% potential downside from here

    Goldman not only has a sell rating on Mineral Resources, it also thinks the shares were too expensive to buy at their 52-week trough!

    The broker has a 12-month share price target of $47 on Mineral Resources today. This implies a significant potential downside of 40% over the next 12 months.

    This broker had a different take on the company’s quarterly report, noting that lithium and iron ore production and realised prices had not met Goldman’s own forecasts.

    However, Goldman still likes the company and its track record for delivering impressive returns.

    The broker commented:

    We continue to highlight that MIN has an impressive 20-yr track record of generating high returns on capital with an average ROIC of >20% since listing.

    This has been achieved through MIN’s ability to build and operate crushing plants and mining projects faster and at lower capital intensity than most other companies.

    Despite this impressive track record, we continue to rate MIN a Sell …

    Goldman said the reasons for its sell rating included Mineral Resources being fully valued compared to its peers. It is also trading well above its net asset value (NAV), which Goldman places at $54.60 per share.

    The broker also cited its expectations of further falls in lithium prices.

    This, coupled with higher capex costs at Onslow, leads the broker to believe that Mineral Resources will generate low or negative free cash flow in FY24 and FY25.

    Goldman also says the company’s balance sheet is “highly geared but debt covenant light”.

    The post Up 51% from their 52-week low, is it too late to buy Mineral Resources shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Mineral Resources Limited right now?

    Before you buy Mineral Resources 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 Mineral Resources Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 5 May 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goldman Sachs Group. 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.

  • How a $9k investment in this ASX All Ords stock ballooned to $35,234 in just 3 years!

    Man holding Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.

    Fancy investing in an ASX All Ords stock that would have seen your investment balloon by an eye-watering 292% in just three years?

    Me too!

    After all, the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) returned a far more ordinary 11.5% (excluding dividend payouts) over this same period.

    The star performer in question is ASX coal miner Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL).

    Here’s how the company would have grown a $9,000 investment three years ago into a whopping $35,234 today.

    ASX All Ords stock delivers the goods

    Three years ago, in mid-May 2021, you could have bought the ASX All Ords stock for $2.01 a share.

    Meaning your $9,000 investment would have netted you 4,477 Yancoal shares and a bit of pocket change.

    By the end of 2021, your ASX investment would already be up some 30%, while you probably spent that pocket change.

    And things really began to heat up in 2022.

    That year, thermal coal prices more than doubled to reach all-time highs following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Yancoal share price also notch its own record highs.

    Although the coal price has tumbled more than 65% since those record highs, the Yancoal share price has held up much better, as the ASX All Ords share continues to be a cash-generating machine.

    In afternoon trade today, Yancoal shares are swapping hands for $5.95 apiece.

    So, the 4,477 shares you bought three years ago would be worth a rounded $26,460 today. Which, you might be thinking, is well below the headline-grabbing $35,234 mentioned above.

    What gives?

    The dividends, of course!

    Don’t forget the passive income

    Over the past three years the ASX All Ords stock has not only seen its share price rocket, it’s also delivered shareholders some seriously outsized passive income.

    If you’d bought shares in May 2021, you have been eligible to receive the past three dividend payouts, all but one of which were fully franked.

    Those four payouts work out to $1.92 per share.

    So, if we add that into the current Yancoal share price of $5.95, the accumulated value of this ASX All Ords stock over the past three years works out to $7.87 per share.

    Meaning your 4,477 shares would have netted you $35,234 by today, with some potential tax benefits from those franking credits.

    Boom!

    Now, as always, before investing in Yancoal shares or any other ASX stock, do your own research or seek expert advice.

    The post How a $9k investment in this ASX All Ords stock ballooned to $35,234 in just 3 years! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Yancoal Australia Ltd right now?

    Before you buy Yancoal Australia Ltd 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 Yancoal Australia Ltd wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 5 May 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben 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.

  • Nvidia stock’s next big catalysts could come on May 22. Should you buy shares before then?

    A man looking at his laptop and thinking.

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

    Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) stock is having another great year. In 2024, shares of the artificial intelligence (AI) tech giant have gained 91.9% through May 15, crushing the S&P 500 index’s 11.9% return. The stock’s longer-term performance is even more stunning, as it turned an investment of $5,000 into nearly $1 million over the last decade through April 29.

    A catalyst that might propel Nvidia stock higher is coming on Wednesday, May 22, after the market close. That’s when the company is scheduled to release its results for its quarter ended on April 28.

    Given Nvidia stock’s fantastic recent performance, expectations are high and built into the stock price. For the stock to rise after the report, the company will likely have to at least comfortably beat Wall Street’s estimates for the quarter and issue guidance for the next quarter that’s notably higher than analysts are projecting.

    What are Wall Street’s expectations?

    You can use the below chart to gauge Nvidia’s fiscal first-quarter results.

    Metric Fiscal Q1 2024 Result Nvidia’s Fiscal Q1 2025 Guidance Nvidia’s Projected Change Wall Street’s Fiscal Q1 2025 Consensus Estimate Wall Street’s Projected Change
    Revenue $7.19 billion $24 billion 234% $24.57 billion 242%
    Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) $1.09 $5.41* 396% $5.57 411%

    Data sources: Nvidia and Yahoo! Finance. Fiscal Q1 2025 ended April 28, 2024. *Calculated by the author based on the metrics for which management provides guidance. Data as of May 15, 2024.

    The below chart can be used to gauge Nvidia’s guidance for its fiscal second quarter.

    Metric Fiscal Q2 2024 Result Wall Street’s Fiscal Q2 2025 Consensus Estimate Wall Street’s Projected Change
    Revenue $13.51 billion $26.57 billion 97%
    Adjusted EPS $2.70 $5.92 119%

    Data sources: Nvidia and Yahoo! Finance. Fiscal Q2 2025 ends in late July 2024. Data as of May 15, 2024.

    Two reasons Nvidia seems poised to beat Wall Street’s expectations

    The first reason Nvidia looks poised to beat Wall Street’s estimates has to do with management “visibility.” Nvidia’s top management team has said on the company’s recent quarterly analyst earnings calls that it has good visibility into near-term sales in its data center business. That’s because the company has a backlog of orders to fulfill due to demand being so strong for its AI-enabling data center chips and related products.

    Management probably has less of a handle on near-term demand for products in some of its other businesses. But that doesn’t matter much because data center is by far Nvidia’s largest market platform, and so it drives overall results.

    The better management’s visibility into near-term sales, the better idea it has of its near-term financial results. You can be sure Nvidia’s savvy top management team set fiscal Q1 guidance at levels it feels very confident the company will exceed. Wall Street analysts use Nvidia’s guidance to help establish their estimates. For many years analysts have underestimated the company’s growth potential, and my bet is this dynamic will continue.

    The second reason that Nvidia’s upcoming report — including from a fiscal Q2 guidance standpoint — seems poised to be better than analysts expect stems from the recent quarterly reports of several of Nvidia’s biggest customers. Companies such as Facebook parent Meta Platforms, Alphabet, and Microsoft are continuing to ramp up their already significant spending on AI initiatives, which is a positive for Nvidia.

    For instance, Meta now expects its full-year 2024 capital expenditures to range from $35 million to $40 million, up from its prior plan of $30 million to $37 billion. This is due to the company continuing to “accelerate our infrastructure investments to support our AI roadmap,” CFO Susan Li said on the Q1 earnings call.

    Should you buy Nvidia stock before May 22?

    Of course, there are no guarantees, but I think it’s more likely than not that Nvidia stock will rise after the upcoming earnings release for the reasons just outlined. And there’s another possible catalyst: The timing seems good for the company to announce a stock split.

    That said, if you’re a long-term investor, you don’t need to concern yourself with trying to time your stock buys. Over the long term, if your bullish thesis is correct for Nvidia, it shouldn’t make that much difference if you paid a bit more or less for its stock many years back.

    Let’s look at an example. Nvidia stock closed at $946.30 per share on May 15. Exactly five years ago, the stock closed at $39.90, adjusted for stock splits. If you invested $1,000 in Nvidia stock five years ago, your investment would now be worth $23,717. Had you invested in the stock about five years ago and its price per share was, say, 15% higher than $39.90, or $45.89, your investment would now be worth $20,621. I’m guessing you’d be thrilled to have turned your $1,000 into nearly $21,000 in five years, and not kicking yourself for not doing a little better.

    A smart way to build your position in any stock is to invest the same dollar amount at regular intervals, such as monthly or quarterly. This method eliminates the potential that you’ll invest your entire amount at what turns out to be a near-term peak for the stock price. 

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

    The post Nvidia stock’s next big catalysts could come on May 22. Should you buy shares before then? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Alphabet 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 Alphabet wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 5 May 2024

    More reading

    Beth McKenna has positions in Nvidia. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Guess which ASX uranium stock is charging higher today

    The uranium industry has been one of the hottest areas of the market this year.

    In light of this, it is hardly surprising that one ASX uranium stock is charging higher today despite the market being a sea of red.

    The uranium stock in question in is Alligator Energy Ltd (ASX: AGE).

    In afternoon trade, its shares are up 5% to 6.2 cents. This means that they are now up over 100% since this time last year.

    Why is this ASX uranium stock charging higher today?

    Investors have been buying the company’s shares today after it released an announcement in relation to the Big Lake Uranium Project in the Cooper Basin, South Australia.

    According to the release, its inaugural stratigraphic drill program for the Big Lake project is now underway.

    The release notes that the Big Lake project is targeting northern extensions of the same Namba, Eyre and Winton sedimentary formations which host the Beverley, Four Mile and Honeymoon In-Situ Recovery (ISR) uranium mining operations in South Australia.

    The ASX uranium stock has high hopes for the project. It highlights that it has many attributes of similar global hydrocarbon-related ISR uranium fields. Furthermore, an historical drilling program in the region by a previous company ~16 years ago indicated the presence of uranium in thin bands.

    Drilling contractor Wallis Drilling has been engaged to conduct up to 40 aircore holes on 3 to 4 hole fences, with an average depth of 150 metres.

    The good news for shareholders is that they may not have to wait long to find out what lies underground. That’s because subject to final drilling metres, assays and analysis of the results are expected to be available in either August and September.

    After which, management notes that results from this field program will inform a more targeted drilling program focused on the best opportunities to intersect uranium mineralisation within this portion of the Cooper Basin. This is scheduled for either later in 2024 or early 2025.

    Commenting on the drilling program, the ASX uranium stock’s CEO, Greg Hall, said:

    We are very pleased to begin this long-awaited program and are fully appreciative to the Traditional Owners and other Stakeholders that have facilitated access. While at a very early green-field stage of the exploration/resource pipeline, all the signs are there that this has the potential to be a uranium-bearing basin following the Kazakhstan model. This drilling program is the start of our proof-of-concept work.

    The post Guess which ASX uranium stock is charging higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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  • TikTok is testing 60-minute videos, which could be a big threat to YouTube

    A composite image of the logos of TikTok and YouTube.
    TikTok is testing a 60-minute video upload, that's bad news for YouTube.

    • TikTok is testing 60-minute video uploads, challenging YouTube's long-form content domain.
    • TikTok has gradually increased its video length limits to 10 minutes for all users.
    • Longer video uploads may shift viewership from streaming services like YouTube.

    TikTok is giving some users the option to upload 60-minute videos to the platform. That could spell trouble for YouTube and streaming giants.

    The pilot was first publicly spotted by tech newsletter writer Matt Navarra. TikTok confirmed the feature to TechCrunch on Thursday.

    It is unclear what regions the update is available in, and if and when it will be accessible to more users. The company told TechCrunch it does not immediately plan to roll out the 60-minute upload function widely.

    The update is the latest effort by the Chinese-owned social media platform to expand its product offerings as user growth slows. When it first launched, the platform only allowed creators to post 60-second videos. The limit is now 10 minutes for all users, and 15 for some creators. TikTok competitors Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts offer similar upload lengths.

    The test puts TikTok in the same weight class as YouTube. It would let content creators upload videos that require longer durations, like in-depth tutorials or family and college vlogs, which are popular on YouTube.

    YouTube beats TikTok in terms of overall users in the US. More than 80% of US adults told Pew Research Center last year that they had ever used YouTube, while 33% had used TikTok. The short-form platform's users skew young: 62% of 18- to 29-year-olds told Pew they use TikTok, and 93% of users in the same age bracket use YouTube.

    But TikTok is ahead of YouTube by minutes watched: Last year, Business Insider sister company eMarketer predicted that in 2024, adult TikTok users would average 55 minutes per day on the platform — five minutes more than YouTube's average.

    "Because of TikTok's shorter content, the platform risks users discovering clipped content and leaving the platform to watch the full version on YouTube," eMarketer analyst Sara Lebow wrote in December. "Increasing video length could prevent a user from watching half of a video essay on TikTok and finishing the content on YouTube."

    Last week, BI reported that Google leaders are encouraging employees who sell ads to capitalize on the possibility of a US TikTok ban by having "thoughtful conversation" with clients about the ban.

    TikTok did not immediately respond for BI's request for comment.

    The longer video feature may also threaten streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. TikTok has a vast library of unofficially uploaded short clips from popular television shows and movies, which users binge-watch to see the show in full. Access to longer videos of shows may make this activity more commonplace.

    Television networks are tapping into TikTok, too. Last year, streaming platform Peacock uploaded a pilot episode of its comedy show "Killing It" to TikTok. The episode, which was uploaded in five parts, received millions of views. A longer video duration would mean episodes can be uploaded in one go, and viewership may shift from streaming services to TikTok.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • AI is leading to the ‘revenge of the liberal arts,’ says a Goldman tech exec with a history degree

    George Lee Goldman Sachs tech banking
    Goldman's George Lee (right) studied history in college.

    • Goldman's George Lee said AI will empower non-technical workers, including those in risk management.
    • The history major turned tech banker said AI enhances skills like critical thinking, creativity, and logic.
    • Banks are increasingly using AI for fraud and credit risk amid rising regulatory demands.

    A longtime tech banker with a history degree says AI could be a boon for non-technical workers.

    George Lee, the co-head of applied innovation at Goldman Sachs, told Bloomberg Television on Tuesday that he thinks AI will lead to the "revenge of the liberal arts" in the workforce.

    "Some of the skills that are really salient to cooperate with this new of intelligence in the world are critical thinking, understanding logic and rhetoric, the ability to be creative," Lee said. "AI will allow non-technical people to accomplish a lot more — and, by the way, begin to perform what were formerly believed to be technical tasks."

    Lee, who studied history at Middlebury College and got an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, sits on liberal arts-focused Middlebury's board of trustees. He joined Goldman in 1994 after his MBA and was previously the firm's co-chief information officer.

    Lee told Bloomberg that AI could help people who are focused on operations and risk management.

    As regulatory requirements have intensified globally and threats like cybersecurity take center stage, banks' risk management teams have swelled. In an annual bank risk management survey by EY and the International Institute of Finance released in February, a majority of banks said they're already using AI to monitor fraud and credit risk.

    AI is increasingly seen as a threat to knowledge workers, including investment bankers. Junior investment-banking analyst classes — a highly-paid, high-stress job — could be cut by as much as two-thirds, while those who make it into the banks could be paid less for jobs assisted with AI.

    As Business Insider has previously reported, banks from Goldman Sachs to Deutsche Bank have been exploring ways to streamline tedious tasks often assigned to junior investment bankers, like updating charts for pitch books or company valuation comparison tables.

    A Goldman spokesperson previously told BI the bank has no plans to scale back its incoming class.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • A top NATO general says Russian troops don’t have the numbers or the skills to mount a strategic breakthrough in Kharkiv

    Russian military personnel at the Moscow Victory Day parade on May 9, 2024.
    Russian military personnel at the Moscow Victory Day parade on May 9, 2024.

    • A top NATO general says Russia won't be able to achieve a "strategic breakthrough" in Kharkiv.
    • US Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli said Russia just doesn't have the numbers or skills to pull it off.
    • Last month, Cavoli told Congress that the Russian army is 15% bigger than when it invaded Ukraine.

    Russian forces are unlikely to achieve a "strategic breakthrough" in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, a top NATO general said on Thursday.

    "The Russians don't have the numbers necessary to do a strategic breakthrough," US Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, told reporters at NATO headquarters in Brussels, per Reuters.

    "More to the point, they don't have the skill and the capability to do it, to operate at the scale necessary to exploit any breakthrough to strategic advantage," Cavoli continued.

    Last week, Russia launched an assault on the northeastern city of Kharkiv, with troops pouring across the border into the region. Ukraine was forced to withdraw its troops from several villages in Kharkiv after sustaining heavy fire from the Russians.

    While the Russians did make some "local advances" in Kharkiv, Cavoli said he is confident that the Ukrainians "will hold the line."

    Representatives for the Ukrainian and Russian defense ministries did not immediately respond to requests for comment from BI sent outside regular business hours.

    The past few months have been a tenuous period for Ukraine as it struggles to repel Russia's incursion.

    US military support for Ukraine was held back for months after Republicans delayed the passage of a legislative bill to funnel aid. On April 20, the House of Representatives finally approved more than $60 billion in assistance to Ukraine.

    But the aid will provide little immediate relief to the Ukrainians, who could still face increased attacks from Russia in the meantime.

    "These requirements and the logistics of transporting US materiel to the frontline in Ukraine will likely mean that new US assistance will not begin to affect the situation on the front line for several weeks," the Institute for the Study of War said in a report last month.

    The US think tank said Ukraine would "suffer additional setbacks in the coming weeks," though its forces should still be able "to blunt the current Russian offensive assuming the resumed US assistance arrives promptly."

    On the other hand, Russia appears to have maintained its strength after battling the Ukrainians for over two years.

    During a House Armed Services Committee hearing on April 10, Cavoli said that the Russian army is now 15% bigger than when it invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

    "In sum, Russia is on track to command the largest military on the continent," Cavoli said. "Regardless of the outcome of the war in Ukraine, Russia will be larger, more lethal, and angrier with the West than when it invaded."

    Read the original article on Business Insider