Author: openjargon

  • Why Clearview, Loyal Lithium, Polynovo, and Weebit Nano shares are falling

    A woman with a sad face looks to be receiving bad news on her phone as she holds it in her hands and looks down at it.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is having a disappointing finish to the week. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is down 0.7% to 7,824.2 points.

    Four ASX shares that are falling more than most today are listed below. Here’s why they are dropping:

    Clearview Wealth Ltd (ASX: CVW)

    The Clearview Wealth share price is down 2.5% to 68.5 cents. This follows news that a major shareholder is selling down its holding in the financial services company. It advised that certain funds managed or advised by Crescent Capital Partners have agreed to sell in aggregate 73,114,246 shares to a range of sophisticated and institutional investors by way of a block trade at 59 cents per share. Crescent Funds will be left holding 225,174,975 Clearwiew Wealth Shares, representing approximately 34.59% of the shares on issue.

    Loyal Lithium Ltd (ASX: LLI)

    The Loyal Lithium share price is down 5.5% to 25.5 cents. This morning, the lithium explorer announced that it has received firm commitments to raise $3.3 million through the issue of 7,345,744 new shares at an issue price of ~$0.45 per share. This represents a significant premium to its current share price. However, this premium is the result of the company utilising the “flowthrough shares” provisions under Canadian tax law. These shares provide tax incentives to investors for expenditures that qualify as flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures.

    Polynovo Ltd (ASX: PNV)

    The Polynovo share price is down 3.5% to $2.12. This may have been driven by profit taking from some investors during today’s very red session. After all, this medical device company’s shares have been on a great run of late. For example, since this time six months ago, Polynovo’s shares have risen over 50%. Over the same period, the ASX 200 index is up by 11%. Strong sales growth appears to have been the driver of Polynovo’s gains.

    Weebit Nano Ltd (ASX: WBT)

    The Weebit Nano share price is down a further 7% to $2.26. This is despite there being no news out of the semiconductor company. However, it is worth noting that its shares have been under significant pressure since the release of its quarterly update. So much so, they are down almost 30% since its release. Investors appear to be finally waking up to the fact that it doesn’t deserve to trade with such a lofty valuation when it is pulling in zero cash receipts and burning through cash like it is kindling.

    The post Why Clearview, Loyal Lithium, Polynovo, and Weebit Nano shares are falling appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Clearview Wealth Limited right now?

    Before you buy Clearview Wealth 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 Clearview Wealth 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 positions in and has recommended PolyNovo. 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.

  • Goldman says these 6 ASX retail shares are a buying opportunity

    A laughing woman pushes her friend, who has her arms outstretched, in a supermarket trolley.

    Top broker Goldman Sachs says its key buy calls among ASX retail shares are now skewed towards consumer staple shares over discretionary shares.

    In a new note to clients this week, Goldman analysts Lisa Deng and James Leigh said they currently “see better value in staples where valuation and earnings expectations are less demanding”.

    Deng and Leigh said consumers were “clearly increasingly value-focused” amid anticipated delays in interest rate cuts or even another hike this year.

    What’s happening in retail these days?

    The latest retail figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) revealed the “weakest growth on record” outside the pandemic and the introduction of the GST.

    Retail turnover has increased by just 0.8% over the 12 months to 31 March, despite massive population growth due to high immigration.

    Turnover fell by a seasonally adjusted 0.4% in the month of March.

    This followed gains of 1% in January and 0.2% in February.

    ABS head of retail statistics Ben Dorber said:

    Consumers pulled back on retail spending in March as cost of living pressures remained high.

    Outside of the pandemic period and introduction of the GST, this is the weakest growth on record when comparing turnover to the same time in the previous year. 

    Turnover was down in every sector in March, except food. The largest declines occurred in clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (down 4.3%) and department stores (down 1.6%).

    Goldman’s take on consumer spending

    Deng and Leigh said Goldman Sachs had changed its rate cut projection from August to November and “this is expected to impact discretionary spending” from here.

    They noted recent ABS data showing declining discretionary spending, including a 1.9% annual drop in household goods sales, a 3.5% dip in electronic goods and a 3.7% fall in furniture sales.

    They said:

    Recent 3Q24 results, our deep-dive channel checks and the latest ABS retail data suggest that Australian consumers are increasingly price conscious and selective on spending.

    Conversely for Staples … we continue to believe that market concern on ongoing regulatory inquiries (most important ACCC Inquiry interim report by August 31) is overdone.

    Our latest conversations with key FMCG companies also note that volumes remain positive and while pricing is unlikely to see significant hikes from here, continued portfolio innovation to drive mix remains a growth lever.

    The analysts mentioned ABS data showing a 3.8% lift in supermarket sales in the March quarter.

    6 ASX retail shares to buy

    In light of all this and following third-quarter updates from ASX companies, the analysts have updated their recommendations for ASX retail shares.

    In order of preference, here are the ASX retail shares that Goldman says are a buy today.

    Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL)

    The Super Retail share price is $13.33, down 1.15% currently and 16.1% lower in the year to date.

    Goldman has a 12-month share price target of $17.80 on the owner of Rebel and Supercheap Auto.

    Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

    The Woolworths share price is $31.80, down 0.16% now and 15.2% lower in the year to date.

    Goldman has a 12-month share price target of $39.40 on the ASX retail supermarket share.

    Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV)

    The Endeavour share price is $5.14, down 1.34% currently and down 1.9% in the year to date.

    Goldman has a 12-month share price target of $6.30 on the owner of BWS and Dan Murphys.

    Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE)

    The Treasury Wine share price is $11.57, up 0.35% now and 8.2% higher in the year to date.

    Goldman has a 12-month share price target of $13 on the ASX retail wine share.

    Webjet Ltd (ASX: WEB)

    The Webjet share price is $8.47, down 0.76% now but up 14.4% in the year to date.

    Goldman has a 12-month share price target of $9.20 on the ASX retail travel share.

    Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG)

    The Breville share price is $25.48, down 2.75% currently and down 5.5% in the year to date.

    Goldman has a 12-month share price target of $28 on the ASX retail share.

    The post Goldman says these 6 ASX retail shares are a buying opportunity appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Breville Group Limited right now?

    Before you buy Breville Group 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 Breville Group 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 positions in and has recommended Super Retail Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • ASX 200 mining shares charging higher amid China’s $210 billion cash injection

    S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) mining shares are racing ahead of the benchmark today.

    In early afternoon trade on Friday, the ASX 200 is down 0.66%.

    Here’s how the big three ASX 200 mining shares are tracking at this same time:

    • Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX: FMG) shares are up 1.8% at $27.10
    • BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are up 0.99% at $44.98
    • Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares are up 0.93% at $131.60

    Here’s what’s happening.

    ASX 200 mining shares lift on China stimulus plans

    ASX 200 mining shares BHP, Rio Tinto and Fortescue are all catching some heady tailwinds today amid a 2.6% increase in the iron ore price. The critical steel-making metal is trading for just under US$117 per tonne.

    Now, that’s well down from the US$144 that same tonne was fetching on 3 January. But iron ore has now surged more than 16% since 4 April, when it was trading for just under US$100 per tonne.

    This once again defies numerous bearish analyst forecasts, which predicted iron ore would be trading at or below US$100 per tonne by now.

    The strength of the industrial metal also lifted BHP and Rio Tinto in US markets, where the ASX 200 mining shares are also listed. BHP shares closed up 1.3% on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) overnight, while Rio Tinto shares gained 2.3%.

    Investor enthusiasm for the big miners looks to be fuelled by China.

    New economic data shows that while parts of China’s economy, like its manufacturing sector, are rebounding, other sectors continue to struggle. Particularly the nation’s sluggish property market.

    In hopes of getting the economy back onto its growth track, the Chinese government said it would commence selling 1 trillion yuan (AU$210 billion) in its ultra-long special sovereign bonds today.

    Much of this cash is expected to flow into the steel-hungry infrastructure sector. Analysts are also forecasting the potential of more monetary easing from the People’s Bank of China to make it, well, easier for banks to buy the bonds.

    Commenting on the Chinese stimulus that looks to be lifting the ASX 200 mining shares today, ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) stated (quoted by The Australian Financial Review):

    Iron ore rose amid renewed optimism over Beijing’s efforts to tackle property crisis. This follows reports that China will start selling 1 trillion yuan of special bonds this week centred on boosting infrastructure spending.

    The post ASX 200 mining shares charging higher amid China’s $210 billion cash injection appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Bhp Group right now?

    Before you buy Bhp Group 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 Bhp Group 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.

  • Why AIC Mines, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Patriot Battery Metals, and Vulcan Energy are racing higher today

    In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has run of steam and is giving back some of yesterday’s stellar gains. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 0.65% to 7,831.1 points.

    Four ASX shares that are not letting that hold them back today are listed below. Here’s why they are rising:

    AIC Mines Ltd (ASX: A1M)

    The AIC Mines share price is up 4.5% to 56 cents. This follows news that the mining lease for the Jericho Copper Mine has been approved for grant by the Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals Queensland. This allows for surface works at Jericho to commence within a maximum 10ha area and mine development activity to take place with a maximum of 20 people employed on site. Development of the Jericho mine and the expansion of the Eloise processing plant will lift production to over 20,000tpa copper and 7,500ozpa gold.

    Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN)

    The Bendigo and Adelaide Bank share price is up over 7% to $10.67. This follows the release of a trading update from the regional bank. Management advised that its unaudited cash earnings (after tax) year-to-date is approximately $464 million. This is down 2.3% on the prior corresponding period. CEO, Marnie Baker, said: “The margin considerations we outlined in February have helped support a year-to-date margin of 1.87% post revenue share. We look forward to showcasing our growth engines at our Investor Day on 23 May 2024.”

    Patriot Battery Metals Inc. (ASX: PMT)

    The Patriot Battery Metals share price is up a further 11% to 97.5 cents. Investors have been buying this lithium developer’s shares since the release of a new batch of core assay results on Thursday. Those results were for drill holes completed this year at the CV5 spodumene pegmatite at its Corvette Lithium Project in Canada. The company’s vice president of exploration, Darren L. Smith, said: “Another round of CV5 core assays from our infill program and it continues to deliver to expectations. Coupled with the new high grade discovery at CV13, the 2024 winter program’s results continue to demonstrate the quality and scale on show at Corvette.”

    Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: VUL)

    The Vulcan Energy share price is up almost 14% to $5.41. This morning, this lithium developer announced the formal launch of the second and final phase of its Project-level debt and equity funding package. Phase one of the Finance Process is now complete, with the company receiving significant interest from strategic and financial investors, commercial banks, the European Investment Bank (EIB), and major government-backed export credit agencies.

    The post Why AIC Mines, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Patriot Battery Metals, and Vulcan Energy are racing higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Aic Mines Limited right now?

    Before you buy Aic Mines 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 Aic Mines 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 positions in and has recommended Bendigo And Adelaide Bank. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • What this unprecedented short squeeze signals for ASX copper stocks

    ASX copper stocks have been among the best performers in the market in 2024.

    And while most copper miners are sliding today, alongside the broader market, the future continues to look bright as the red metal surged another 2.0% overnight to US$10,424 per tonne.

    That’s right near all-time highs. And it sees the red metal up 28% from this time last year, when that same tonne was trading for US$8,122.

    As for that strong performance, shares in S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) copper stock Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR) are up 57% over the past six months.

    And the Aeris Resources Ltd (ASX: AIS) share price has surged 100% over the half year, compared to a 12% gain posted by the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO).

    Then there’s dual-listed, Canadian-based Capstone Copper Corp (ASX: CSC).

    Capstone Copper only began trading on the ASX on 8 April. Since then shares have leapt 20%, compared to a 1% gain posted by the All Ords over this same period.

    What’s boosting copper prices?

    ASX copper stocks have obviously been benefiting from fast-rising copper prices.

    The red metal has been supported by strong global demand growth, even though supplies have been disrupted at several major mines worldwide.

    Expected interest rate cuts from major central banks, including the US Federal Reserve, could further fuel medium-term demand.

    Longer-term tailwinds for ASX copper stocks are likely to come from the globe’s ongoing transition to electrification. The highly conductive red metal is a critical component in EVs, the new generation of AI-enabled data centres, and much more.

    And despite the copper price already having surged 28% over 12 months, Goldman Sachs believes the metal is due to gain another 15%. The broker forecasts an end-of-year price of US$12,000 per tonne.

    So, what’s all this about a big short squeeze?

    I’m glad you asked!

    ASX copper stocks and the big short squeeze

    If you follow futures markets, you may have noticed the unprecedented short squeeze that has sent copper prices surging on the Comex over the past few days.

    If you’re unfamiliar with Comex, it stands for the Commodity Exchange Inc.

    The United States-based Comex is the primary futures and options market for trading base and precious metals. Ordinarily, the spread on copper futures on Commex and the price for copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) vary by only a few dollars.

    But as Bloomberg reports, the premium for New York copper futures has rocketed to US$1,200 per tonne, which has never been seen before.

    This bodes well for the demand outlook for ASX copper stocks.

    The short squeeze reportedly comes in part as traders pile in amid forecasts that copper supply growth will likely lag demand growth for years to come.

    According to Matthew Heap, a portfolio manager at Orion Resource Partners:

    The broader story is that there are new investment funds that are boosting their exposure to copper for a multitude of reasons, and while that’s a global trend, a huge amount of that investment has been heading to Comex.

    While ASX copper stocks may not be tapped to fill the immediate supply needs, the dynamics at play here tell me they’re well-positioned for the year and potentially years ahead.

    Commenting on the unprecedented Comex spread, Jia Zheng, head of trading at Shanghai Dongwu Jiuying Investment Management, said (quoted by Bloomberg), “The short squeeze is set to continue as traders might not be able to ship enough metal from either Chinese bonded warehouses or from Europe ahead of the delivery date.”

    This certainly goes a long way toward explaining why BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) is so keen to acquire copper-focused Anglo American (LSE: AAL). If successful, this would see BHP become the largest ASX copper stock and, indeed, the biggest copper producer in the world.

    The post What this unprecedented short squeeze signals for ASX copper stocks appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Aeris 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 Aeris 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 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.

  • Chinese shoppers are buying less than they used to, and it’s contributing to a lopsided economic recovery

    Tourists enjoy a barbecue feast at a gourmet marketplace in Zibo, Shandong Province of China.
    Tourists enjoy a barbecue feast at a gourmet marketplace in Zibo, Shandong Province of China.

    • China's economy shows uneven recovery; industrial output rises, but retail sales slow.
    • Factory activity beat expectations, but consumers are holding back, impacting retail sales growth.
    • The property crisis is worsening, with new home prices falling at the fastest pace in over nine years.

    On Friday, China released data showing an uneven economic recovery that's keeping consumers from spending.

    Factory activity cracked up, with industrial output rising 6.7% in April from a year ago, beating the 5.5% growth that analysts polled by Reuters had expected.

    The employment landscape improved. The jobless rate fell from 5.2% in March to 5% in April.

    However, retail sales rose 2.3% from a year ago, slowing from a 3.1% increase in March and below the 3.8% forecast economists polled by Reuters had expended — an indication that consumers are holding back.

    Growth in fixed-asset investment from January to April also came in below expectations, rising 4.2% instead of the 4.6% analysts expected.

    China's epic property crisis got worse

    Even though there are some green shoots in China's economy, the country's property market is still struggling.

    Property investment fell 9.8% over the first four months of the year from a year ago. That's worse than the 9.5% decline recorded in the first three months of the year.

    New home prices in April also fell at their fastest pace in over nine years, according to Reuters calculations based on the official data.

    Prices were down 0.6% month-on-month in April, deeper than a 0.3% fall in March, the fastest pace since November 2014, according to Reuters calculations based on National Bureau of Statistics, or NBS, data released on Thursday.

    The decline is despite Beijing's efforts to support the property sector, which accounted for about one-quarter of China's GDP.

    China's economy is now in a painful transition from its reliance on lower-cost manufacturing and property to the "new three" industries of electric vehicles, solar cells, and lithium batteries.

    Beijing is also stepping up on support measures including the sale of 1 trillion Chinese yuan, or $138 billion, ultra-long special sovereign bonds to fund infrastructure spending.

    It's also considering a plan for local governments to buy up millions of unsold homes, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

    This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Buy, hold or sell these 3 ASX 200 healthcare shares: Experts

    Research, collaboration and doctors working digital tablet, analysis and discussion of innovation cancer treatment. Healthcare, teamwork and planning by experts sharing idea and strategy for surgery.

    ASX 200 healthcare shares are in the red with the rest of the market on Friday.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) is down 1.53% while the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 0.53%. This follows a subdued session on Wall Street overnight after yesterday’s exuberance.

    Here, we canvas expert opinions on three of the largest and most popular ASX 200 healthcare stocks on the market today.

    Expert verdicts on 3 top ASX 200 healthcare shares

    CSL Ltd  (ASX: CSL)

    CSL is the biggest ASX 200 healthcare share by far, with a market capitalisation of $138.67 billion.

    The CSL share price is $281.38, down 1.94% at the time of writing and down 7.5% over the past 12 months.

    Jed Richards of Shaw and Partners has a buy rating on CSL shares.

    He told The Bull this week:

    This well managed blood products company offers compelling long-term tailwinds.

    CSL is steadily growing its dividend stream. The company usually under-promises and over-delivers when it comes to profit. The stock has underperformed on the back of a slower recovery in margins.

    Also behind a weaker share price was a phase 3 study which found its CSL112 drug was unable meet its primary efficacy endpoint of reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients at 90 days following a first heart attack.

    The recent share price presents an attractive entry level for investors.

    Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL)

    Sonic Healthcare is the fifth largest ASX 200 healthcare stock with a market cap of $12.99 billion.

    The Sonic Healthcare share price is $26.99, down 0.19% now and down 24.4% over the past 12 months.

    Toby Grimm of Baker Young has a hold rating on Sonic Healthcare shares.

    Grimm says:

    Australia’s largest pathology testing firm remains out of favour as it loses prior windfall COVID-19 revenues amid an elevated operating cost environment.

    However, we see fiscal year 2024 as the low point for earnings. Moving forward, we expect growth across its global core business as a prime reason to consider holding the stock.

    Resmed CDI (ASX: RMD)

    Resmed is the third biggest ASX 200 healthcare share with a market cap of $21.12 billion.

    The Resmed share price is $32.99, down 0.33% now and down 3.74% over the past 12 months.

    Grimm has a sell rating on Resmed shares.

    He explains:

    The sleep apnoea device maker delivered impressive third quarter results in fiscal year 2024. RMD’s share price has surged relative to the market and its peers.

    While long term growth is likely, the impact from new weight loss drugs remains uncertain, so we suggest investors consider reducing exposure and cashing in some gains.

    The post Buy, hold or sell these 3 ASX 200 healthcare shares: Experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy CSL 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 CSL 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 positions in CSL. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL and Sonic Healthcare. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Guess which ASX lithium share just leapt 13% on major financing news!

    Emotional euphoric young woman giving high five to male partner, celebrating family achievement, getting bank loan approval, or financial or investing success.

    The All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) is down 0.34% in Friday morning trade, but that’s not holding back this surging ASX lithium share.

    Shares in the company – which is focused on delivering the world’s first integrated renewable energy and zero carbon lithium project – closed yesterday trading for $4.76. In earlier trade, shares were changing hands for $5.38 apiece, up 13.0%.

    At the time of writing, shares have retraced a touch, trading for $5.28, putting the ASX lithium share up 10.9% for the day.

    Any guesses?

    If you said Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: VUL), give yourself a virtual gold star.

    Here’s what’s got investors excited today.

    ASX lithium share lifts on financing progress

    The Vulcan Energy share price is surging today following an update on the company’s financing process.

    Phase one of the two-phase financing process is now complete. Vulcan said it had received significant interest from strategic and financial investors, commercial banks, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and “major government-backed export credit agencies”.

    The ASX lithium share said it had formally launched the second and final phase of its project-level debt and equity funding package for its integrated renewable energy and Zero Carbon Lithium Project, located in Germany.

    With the support of global bank BNP Paribas, Vulcan has been running a two-phase debt and equity financing process to secure a 65% to 35% mix of debt and equity.

    The formal debt launch package was issued today. Vulcan said it was entering formal discussions with four international banks – ABN-AMRO, ING, NATIXIS and UNICREDIT – and four export credit agencies that had expressed in-principle and non-binding interest.

    The ASX lithium share said it was receiving continued support from the EIB. And it’s applied for additional public funding through several grant schemes.

    The project-level financing program remained on schedule for completion by the end of 2024.

    Vulcan reported that it is also launching the second phase of its project-level equity financing process.

    What did management say?

    Commenting on the financing progress that’s sending the ASX lithium share soaring today, Vulcan CEO Cris Moreno said this marked “a key milestone on our path to becoming Europe’s first fully integrated carbon-neutral lithium producer”.

    Moreno added:

    The high-quality nature of respondents in the first phase of our finance process is a strong signal of confidence in both our team’s ability to deliver a world class project, and the credentials of Vulcan’s integrated renewable energy and Zero Carbon Lithium Project, to enable a green energy and mobility transition for Europe.

    This is an exciting period for the company, and we look forward to entering the formal discussion stage of our finance process with such exceptional and well aligned financing partners.

    Vulcan Energy share price snapshot

    While most ASX lithium shares have struggled this year, Vulcan Energy’s share price has now soared a whopping 88% in 2024.

    The post Guess which ASX lithium share just leapt 13% on major financing news! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Vulcan Energy 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 Vulcan Energy 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 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.

  • Google layoffs: A timeline of the company’s job cuts and restructuring into 2024

    Google CEO Sundar Pichai gestures while giving a speech.
    Recent layoffs at Google have prompted criticism of company leadership, including CEO Sundar Pichai.

    • Google has recently undergone its largest-ever spree of layoffs, and has warned of more to come.
    • Google's layoffs came from over-hiring during the pandemic and broadly restructuring toward AI.
    • The job cuts have led to criticism of Google's leadership and a shift in the company culture.

    Getting a job at Google has long been synonymous with a stable career and luxurious perks. The tech giant is known for providing its employees with generous salaries and lavish amenities like on-site laundry rooms, massages, and gyms at the Googleplex headquarters and other office sites.

    Over the last 25 years, the company has built a culture of pride among its employees and has undergone few rounds of layoffs. But recent years show that Google is far from immune to the economic pressures and workforce adjustments in the tech industry.

    Google is one of many tech companies to implement layoffs in 2023 and 2024. Here is a timeline of Google's job cuts and where the company is headed with layoffs and hiring.

    Google laid off over 12,000 employees in 2023

    Google layoffs in 2023 affected about 6% of the company's global workforce, or about 12,000 people, starting in January.

    Google also conducted several smaller rounds of layoffs in divisions related to recruiting, Google News, and Google Assistant later in the year.

    The tech giant paid staff during the 60-day minimum federal notification period, severance of at least 16 weeks salary, and two weeks for each additional year at the company.

    Laid-off employees were also offered accelerated restricted stock units vesting, 2022 bonuses, and remaining vacation days. Google also offered six months of healthcare, job replacement services, and immigration support if needed.

    The layoffs affected Google's earnings, costing the company $2.1 billion, according to the fourth-quarter report from parent company Alphabet.

    Hundreds more were laid off in January 2024

    Google employees walk on the Googleplex campus underneath a bridge featuring the Google logo.
    Google began the new year by laying off thousands of employees.

    Google layoffs kicked off 2024 also, beginning January 10. The company cut thousands of jobs across core engineering and hardware teams.

    The company encouraged some impacted employees to apply for open positions at Google. According to the email, April 9 was the last day for those unable to secure a new position.

    Google did not respond to Business Insider's inquiries about how many of those employees have found new positions at the company.

    More layoffs are coming in 2024

    In January, CEO Sundar Pichai warned of more Google layoffs in 2024.

    The upcoming cuts, he said in an internal memo to employees, are about "removing layers to simplify execution and drive velocity in some areas."

    The "role eliminations" would not reach the same scale as 2023. Teams in sales, advertising, product, and in the YouTube division are set to be impacted by the cuts.

    Future changes can be expected as teams take steps to focus on the company's priorities. These decisions will be made at the team level.

    Google did not specify the number of jobs that would be affected.

    Why so many job cuts in 2023 and 2024?

    Google CEO Sundar Pichai gives a speech on a stage in front of a screen that reads "Making AI helpful for everyone."
    Google CEO Sundar Pichai has made it clear that advancing AI is a top priority for the company.

    Google's layoffs aren't necessarily a signal that the company isn't doing well. The company's market cap has nearly quadrupled since 2015, reaching $1.7 trillion.

    Like many other tech companies, the layoffs are rooted in two main areas: over-hiring during the pandemic and restructuring for the AI boom.

    In his 2023 layoff announcement, Pichai said the company experienced "dramatic growth" over the last two years. To match that growth, Google hired "for a different economic reality than the one we face today," he said.

    "A number of our teams made changes to become more efficient and work better, remove layers, and align their resources to their biggest product priorities," a Google spokesperson told BI.

    The spokesperson said the changes give employees a chance to work on Google's most innovative advances while reducing bureaucracy, which 45% of employees said was slowing down their work in a 2023 companywide survey reviewed by BI.

    Google continues to hire talent, even amid the layoffs, and currently has a number of open listings on its site, most of which are in engineering and technology.

    But it's clear Google is shifting priorities — the main one is advancing AI.

    With 80% of Google's parent company Alphabet's revenue still coming from advertising, the company is at a critical inflection point of solidifying other revenue sources.

    Google has been developing AI for over a decade, slowly incorporating it into its search engine, ad products, and YouTube recommendations.

    But Google has still trailed behind competitors like Microsoft and Amazon, particularly when it comes to Google's chatbot Gemini and AI voice assistant Google Mic.

    Now, Google is ramping up its AI efforts with a series of cloud advancements, like an Arm-based CPU, the general availability of TPU v5p, the new release of Gemini 1.5, and a swath of AI changes to Google Workspace.

    Pichai admits Google could have handled its layoffs better

    Leaked audio from a Google's all-hands meeting in December 2023 revealed Pichai saying it was not the best idea to inform all employees impacted by the layoffs simultaneously.

    "I think it's something we could have done differently for sure," he said.

    He also said the decision to cut off access to work accounts immediately after announcing the cuts was very difficult.

    Google continues to support impacted employees in line with local requirements outplacement services, and severance offerings in its most recent round of layoffs. Specific details like severance vary by role and location.

    A shift in company culture

    A Google employee rides a bike outside of the Googleplex, Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California.
    Google's layoffs have impacted staff morale, according to the "Googlegeist" internal employee survey.

    As of its last earnings call, Alphabet has over 182,000 employees globally. And some of those employees say Google's year of efficiency has shifted the company culture at Google.

    After thousands have been laid off in the last two years, some employees are questioning the family-like culture the company preached.

    Pichai has acknowledged that the layoffs had a "clear big impact on morale," which was reflected in feedback and comments on the "Googlegeist," the company's internal survey that measures employee satisfaction.

    Most Google employees are still proud to work at the tech giant, according to over three-quarters of respondents from a 2023 companywide survey obtained by Business Insider.

    But some are pushing back.

    One Google software engineer, Diane Hirsh Theriault, even took to LinkedIn in January to complain about the company's leadership, referring to its management as "profoundly boring and glassy-eyed."

    Another ex-Googler wrote a letter on his blog in 2023 slamming the company. The former employee said Google lacked visionary leadership and was destroying transparency between staff and executives.

    The Alphabet Workers Union also planned protests in January at five Google campuses across the US to challenge Google's rationale in decision-making.

    Pichai has also received criticism for his leadership.

    After Gemini's image generator released inaccurate racial depictions of historical figures in 2024, industry leaders called for Pichai's removal as Google's CEO.

    Many critics, including industry experts, laid-off Googlers, and even some of Google's very first employees, have assailed Pichai's pace in the AI race and called for him to step down because he hasn't acted quickly enough.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • ASX 200 bank stock smashing the benchmark on Friday as a key metric strengthens

    Happy man working on his laptop.

    Shares in S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) bank stock Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN) are leaping higher today.

    Bendigo Bank shares closed yesterday trading for $9.92. In morning trade on Friday, shares are swapping hands for $10.38 apiece, up 4.6%.

    For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.2% at this same time.

    Here’s why Bendigo Bank stock is smashing the benchmark today.

    ASX 200 bank stock lifts off on increased margins

    The Bendigo Bank share price is soaring after the company released a trading update for the 10 months through 30 April.

    The ASX 200 bank stock reported unaudited cash earnings of roughly $464 million for the 10 months. That’s down 2.3% on the prior corresponding period.

    Likely spurring investor interest, the bank’s net interest margin (NIM) – which measures the difference between its lending rates and borrowing rates – increased since it reported its half year results.

    NIM post revenue share arrangements came in at 1.87%, up from 1.83% reported in 1H FY 2024. The bank added that its April exit NIM was higher than the year to date average.

    Also likely spurring investor interest is the low credit expense levels Bendigo Bank reported across all of its portfolios.

    What did management say?

    Commenting on the 10-month results sending the ASX 200 stock surging today, CEO Marnie Baker said:

    At our half year results in February we reiterated our commitment to managing the business for long term value. We have continued our focus on disciplined growth and prudent management of our costs.

    The margin considerations we outlined in February have helped support a year-to-date margin of 1.87% post revenue share. We look forward to showcasing our growth engines at our Investor Day on 23 May 2024.

    How has the ASX 200 bank stock been tracking?

    With this morning’s intraday gains factored in, the Bendigo Bank share price is up an impressive 21% since this time last year. Most of those gains have been delivered over the past six months.

    Atop the strong share price gains, the ASX 200 bank stock also pays some juicy dividends.

    Over the past year, Bendigo Bank paid a final dividend of 32 cents per share on 29 September and an interim dividend of 30 cents per share on 26 March. At the current share price that equates to a fully franked trailing yield of 6.0%.

    And if we add those dividends back into the share price, the accumulated value of the ASX 200 bank stock is up more than 28% in 12 months.

    The post ASX 200 bank stock smashing the benchmark on Friday as a key metric strengthens appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    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 positions in and has recommended Bendigo And Adelaide Bank. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.