Author: openjargon

  • Fortescue shares rally amid claims of green tech theft

    Two buisnessmen: one poining a finger, the other holding his hands up in denial

    Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX: FMG) shares are trading 1.5% higher today at $24.43 apiece.

    The gain comes today despite allegations of intellectual property theft involving its green iron technology. The ASX miner has accused two former executives of misusing confidential information to benefit a rival company, Element Zero.

    Investors aren’t deterred by the news by lunchtime Friday. Let’s take a closer look.

    Why are Fortescue shares in focus?

    Fortescue claims a former chief scientist and senior executive took proprietary information when they left the company in late 2021.

    According to reporting from The Australian, the mining giant executed secret raids on the homes and offices of these individuals under court-approved search orders.

    Fortescue alleges the former executives used this information to start Element Zero, a competitor in green iron technology. This was an “industrial pilot plant for an electrochemical reduction process”, according to Federal Court Judge John Logan.

    These actions represented an “industrial-scale misuse” of its intellectual property, particularly concerning its electrochemical reduction process for carbon-free iron, according to reporting in the Sydney Morning Herald.

    Element Zero’s response

    Element Zero has denied the allegations, calling them “spurious” and “entirely without merit”. The company plans to apply to set aside the original search orders.

    “As Element Zero will demonstrate, its green metals technology was developed independently of and is very different from anything that Fortescue is doing or has done in this space”, the company responded in SMH.

    The company continues to advance its technology and plans to build a $3.2 billion green iron ore processing plant in the Pilbara.

    Justice Logan noted no final determinations. As to what this means for Fortescue shares long term, only time will tell.

    Fortescue’s strategic moves

    Despite the legal battle, Fortescue is pushing forward with its green initiatives. In May, the company started its first negotiations to supply 100 million tonnes of green iron to China from its assets in the Pilbara.

    This follows a $50 million investment in a pilot plant that, according to The Australian, would produce 1,500 tonnes of green iron annually by 2025.

    “Dr Forrest has spruiked his ambitious goal of producing 200 million tonnes a year of carbon-free iron ore for export to the company’s customers”, the reporting said.

    Fortescue shares summary

    Fortescue shares have had a difficult time in 2024, trading more than 16% in the red since January. However, they have held onto a 21% gain over the 12 months. At the time of writing, they trade on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 8.6.

    The post Fortescue shares rally amid claims of green tech theft appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Fortescue Metals 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 Fortescue Metals 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 Zach Bristow 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.

  • Steve Bannon has to actually go to prison by July 1, Trump-appointed judge says

    Steve Bannon, former advisor to President Donald Trump, and attorney Matthew Evan Corcoran, depart the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse on June 6, 2024 in Washington, DC.
    Steve Bannon, former advisor to President Donald Trump, and attorney Matthew Evan Corcoran, depart the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse on June 6, 2024 in Washington, DC.

    • Steve Bannon must start serving his four-month prison sentence by July 1, a judge ruled.
    • Bannon was convicted in 2022 of contempt of Congress for defying a January 6 Committee subpoena.
    • Bannon plans to appeal to the Supreme Court, claiming the Justice Department cannot silence him.

    Steve Bannon, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, must start serving his four-month prison sentence by July 1, a district judge in Washington DC has ruled.

    The former Trump chief strategist was found guilty in 2022 of two charges of contempt of Congress after he failed to appear for a January 6 House Committee hearing and refused to hand over documents related to Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

    Bannon, 70, was initially given a stay of his prison term by US District Judge Carl Nichols, a Trump appointee, as the Breitbart veteran appealed his conviction.

    But a federal appeals court upheld the original sentence in early May, and now Nichols says it's time for Bannon to serve his time.

    "I do not believe the original basis for my stay exists any longer," Nichols said on Thursday, per The Associated Press.

    Bannon told reporters outside the courthouse that he plans to bring his appeal to a higher court.

    "I've got great lawyers, and we're going to go all the way to the Supreme Court if we have to," he said.

    The right-wing podcaster slammed the "entire Justice Department," saying the institution would not be able to "shut up Trump" and his allies.

    "There's not a prison built or a jail built that will ever shut me up," Bannon added.

    His looming prison sentence comes as Peter Navarro, another close Trump ally, surrendered in March to serve his four months in prison for also refusing to comply with a congressional subpoena.

    Bannon, who was for about seven months Trump's chief strategist and senior counsel at the White House, previously declared he would be willing to go to jail for the former president.

    If he starts serving his sentence on July 1, his four-month sentence would last until just before the presidential elections on November 5.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Some Tesla shareholders say diverting Nvidia chips is further proof that Elon Musk doesn’t deserve a multibillion-dollar pay package

    Elon Musk
    Elon Musk has been rallying Tesla shareholders to vote on a massive stock options package that was struck down in January by a Delaware court.

    • Elon Musk recently admitted on X that he delayed a shipment of thousands of Nvidia chips for Tesla.
    • Musk also hopes that Tesla investors will vote to reinstate his massive stock options package.
    • Several Tesla shareholders who have urged against the pay package say he still doesn't deserve it.

    Several institutional shareholders of Tesla told Business Insider that Elon Musk's decision to redirect a shipment of valuable Nvidia chips away from the EV company is further proof the CEO doesn't deserve a multibillion-dollar pay package.

    In May, a group of eight Tesla shareholders wrote a letter urging other investors to vote against Musk's compensation package. The group is just one faction of a growing number of investors who said they plan to vote against the deal.

    This package, now roughly worth $46 billion, was struck down in January by Delaware Chancery Court Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick, who said that the process to reach this "unfair price" for Musk was "deeply flawed."

    Tesla shareholders will vote on June 13 on whether to reinstate Musk's deal.

    But less than two weeks ahead of the shareholder vote, CNBC reported that Musk diverted a $500 million shipment of Nvidia chips, which are essential for powering artificial intelligence technology, away from Tesla and to his social media platform X instead.

    The internal memo from Nvidia indicating Musk's delay of the Nvidia chips procurement was from December, CNBC reported — months before the April earnings call in which the Tesla CEO insisted the automaker is an AI company. He also stated in the call that he would aggressively expand the number of Nvidia chips at Tesla from 35,000 to 85,000 units by the end of 2024.

    In response to the CNBC report, Musk said on X that "Tesla had no place to send the Nvidia chips to turn them on, so they would have just sat in a warehouse."

    "The south extension of Giga Texas is almost complete. This will house 50k H100s (Nvidia chips) for FSD training," Musk added, referring to Tesla's Full Self-Driving feature — a key component of the company's promise to deliver autonomous taxis.

    But some of the shareholders behind the effort to strike down Musk's big payday are not convinced.

    "The diversion of Nvidia's processors to X and xAI is just another example of Tesla's CEO reallocating Tesla's resources in favor of his other businesses and treating Tesla as though it is his own coffer as a result of the lack of oversight by Tesla's board," Tejal Patel, the executive director of SOC Investment Group, wrote in an email to BI.

    Patel added: "The key questions are why were these valuable processors 'just sitting there' in the first place, and if it was an operational issue, why was that not foreseen by management? Whatever decision-making there was for the processors to go unused by Tesla would have been up to CEO Musk."

    Musk did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

    SOC Investment Group is one of the eight shareholders that co-signed a letter urging investors to vote against the ratification of Musk's stock options package and against the reelection of Musk's brother, Kimbal, and James Murdoch for seats on Tesla's board.

    The group — made up of pension fund managers, an asset management firm, and a bank — also includes Amalgamated Bank, AkademikerPension, Nordea Asset Management, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, SHARE, Unison, and United Church Funds.

    In a statement to BI, Lander wrote that Musk's decision to divert Nvidia chips away from Tesla "should be a "red flag to investors."

    "This sudden move adds to the growing concerns about Musk's commitment to Tesla and highlights his glaring conflicts of interest," he wrote. "There is a pressing need at Tesla for a genuinely independent board that will ensure Musk prioritizes company interests."

    Matthew Illian, the director of responsible investing for United Church Funds, similarly criticized Musk's move to delay the shipment of Nvidia chips, stating that it was "further evidence" that the pay package "never achieved its purpose of maintaining the attention of Tesla's CEO."

    "This is all about Elon building an empire for himself with investor money and we can't let this happen," he wrote in an email to BI.

    It's not immediately clear how much Tesla stock the eight shareholders own altogether.

    Five of the eight shareholders, including Amalgamated Bank, Unison, Nordea, the New York City Retirement System, and United Church Funds, represent more than 4.9 million shares of Tesla stock.

    As of Thursday, those shares are worth more than $878 million.

    Spokespersons for SHARE, Nordea, and Unison could not be reached for comment or did not immediately respond for comment.

    In addition to the eight shareholders, the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), which owns about 9.5 million shares of Tesla stock, signaled it would vote against Musk's pay package.

    "We do not believe that the compensation is commensurate with the performance of the company," CalPERS CEO Marcie Frost told CNBC.

    A CalPERS spokesperson declined to comment when asked about Musk's decision to divert the shipment of Nvidia chips.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Why Beach Energy, Life360, Viva Leisure, and Wildcat shares are dropping today

    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.

    In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to end the week with another gain. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is up 0.3% to 7,847.2 points.

    Four ASX shares that have failed to follow the market higher today are listed below. Here’s why they are falling:

    Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT)

    The Beach Energy share price is down almost 2% to $1.60. This appears to have been driven by the release of a bearish broker note this morning out of Citi. According to the note, the broker has downgraded the energy producer’s shares to a neutral rating (from buy) and cut its price target to $1.60 (from $1.70). Citi appears a touch nervous ahead of the announcement of the company’s strategic review later this month.

    Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

    The Life360 share price is down almost 6% to $13.85. This follows the completion of its Nasdaq IPO and its debut on Wall Street overnight. The location technology company’s shares had a lukewarm debut and finished the session flat. And then in after hours trade its NASDAQ listed shares dropped 1.3% to $26.65. Investors may have been hoping for an explosive start to life on Wall Street and have been left underwhelmed by day one. Management stated that it views the listing and “increased exposure to U.S. investors as a natural next-step in its growth.”

    Viva Leisure Ltd (ASX: VVA)

    The Viva Leisure share price is down 2% to $1.53. This morning, this health club owner announced the successful completion of its fully underwritten institutional placement. Viva Leisure raised $16 million at a 7.1% discount of $1.45 per new share. Management advised that the placement had strong demand, reflecting support from both existing and new investors. Proceeds will be used to finance the strategic acquisitions of eight health club locations in Western Australia, reimbursement of recent capital expenditure, rebranding, working capital, offer costs, and other strategic initiatives.

    Wildcat Resources Ltd (ASX: WC8)

    The Wildcat Resources share price is up 5% to 35.5 cents. This is despite there being no news out of the lithium explorer today. However, it is worth noting that a number of ASX lithium stocks are in the red today. For example, lithium giant Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) is down 1.5% this afternoon. The market appears to believe that lithium prices are not going to be going meaningfully higher any time soon due to a surplus.

    The post Why Beach Energy, Life360, Viva Leisure, and Wildcat shares are dropping today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Life360 right now?

    Before you buy Life360 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 Life360 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 positions in Life360. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Life360. 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.

  • Here’s where I see the Qantas share price ending in FY 2025

    A woman reaches her arms to the sky as a plane flies overhead at sunset.

    The Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN) share price is once again back in focus. This follows a difficult few years for the company, starting with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and ending with a series of headlines that coincided with former CEO Alan Joyce’s departure.

    But 2024 has been a different year for the airline. Since January, the Qantas share price has rallied nearly 16% into the green, bouncing from lows of $5.01 on 6 March to trade at $6.22 apiece before the open on Friday.

    Based on market dynamics and analysts’ insights, I believe Qantas could trade above $8.00 per share by the end of FY 2025. Let me explain.

    Why Qantas shares could be a buy

    After an earnings slump spearheaded by the pandemic, Qantas looks well-primed to grow over the coming years.

    Goldman Sachs recently added the Qantas share price to its “Asia-Pacific conviction list” for June.

    It notes the airline could produce earnings per share (EPS) of 85 cents and 96 cents per share in FY 2024 and FY 2025, respectively. This is “materially ahead” of the 57 cents per share booked in 2019.

    The broker also says Qantas looks undervalued compared to its peers. At the time of writing, it trades at a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 6.7 times versus an average of 9.1 times for its regional and US competitors.

    According to Goldman analyst Niraj Shah, this, and exceptional forecasted earnings growth, place Qantas on the runway for liftoff.

    “Despite a higher fuel price and ongoing customer experience investment, Niraj forecasts [profit before tax] to be 51% above pre-COVID in FY24E and 61% higher in FY25E”, the broker says.

    This uplift reflects the group’s A$1bn+ cost out program (rather than simply elevated yields/unit revenues that are arguably more cyclical). FY25E unit revenue assumptions reflect growth of only 3.0% p.a. vs pre-COVID, based on capacity setting that is largely consistent with pre-COVID levels.

    Goldman has set a target of $8.05 apiece on the Qantas share price, implying a potential upside of 29% from today’s value.

    According to CommSec, 13 out of the 16 brokers covering the airline rate it as a buy, three as a hold, and 11 rate it as a “strong buy.”

    Catalysts for Qantas share price

    I cannot ignore Goldman’s 61% projected growth in pre-tax earnings for the company. But there are other catalysts worth mentioning.

    The broker also suggests three potential tailwinds for the Qantas share price. First, “positive trading updates on operational performance” could be a factor. This reflects things like customer satisfaction, running times, and so forth.

    This year’s annual financial results could also add a thrust of buying power into the stock. Goldman reckons the numbers will show “sustainably” better earnings.

    Finally, it suggests that investors should listen to management’s commentary on FY 2025 and look for any positive takeouts, especially regarding dividends.

    In fact, Qantas has announced an increase in its on-market share buyback by up to $400 million. Over FY 2025-2027, Goldman expects total capital returns of $1.6 billion — including $1.2 billion in dividends. This is a fourth catalyst for its share price, in my view.

    Why Qantas shares are still cheap

    Despite the broader market’s rise, Qantas shares remain attractively valued. Currently trading at a P/E ratio of 6.7, they are significantly cheaper compared to the iShares S&P/ASX 200 Index ETF (ASX: IOZ)’s P/E of 18.

    This tells us investors are paying much less for each dollar of Qantas’ earnings.

    If Qantas hits the projected EPS of 96 cents in FY 2025 and the P/E remains unchanged at 6.7, this implies a price target of $6.80/share (6.7 x 0.96 = $6.80).

    But Goldman believes this multiple will converge to the peer average of 9.1 times, as Qantas delivers “earnings that are sustainably above pre-COVID levels” and potentially returns capital to shareholders. I can’t say I disagree.

    If it does increase to the 9-times multiple and Qantas hits EPS of 96 cents, this implies a value of $8.64 per share (9 x 0.96 = $8.64). I believe the Qantas share price could push to this mark by the end of FY 2025. 

    Promising future for Qantas

    Given the combination of operational efficiency, strong earnings forecasts, and dividend potential, I think Qantas share price has a bright future. Broker estimates support that the Qantas share price could end FY 2025 above $8.00 per share.

    As always – consider your own personal financial circumstances.

    The post Here’s where I see the Qantas share price ending in FY 2025 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Qantas Airways Limited right now?

    Before you buy Qantas Airways 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 Qantas Airways 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 Zach Bristow 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.

  • Are CBA shares losing their passive income credentials?

    Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares have long been a favourite among passive income investors.

    That’s because the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) bank has a stellar record of paying out two fully franked dividends a year. For more than 10 years now.

    With the exception of the final dividend in 2020, which was cut roughly in half in the wake of the global pandemic market meltdown, the dividends delivered by CBA shares have also remained remarkably stable around the $2.00 a share range.

    In 2018 for example, CBA paid an interim dividend of $2.00 a share and a final dividend of $2.31 a share. That equates to a 12-month payout of $4.31 a share.

    Most recently, CBA has paid out a final dividend of $2.40 a share and an interim dividend of $2.15 a share. That equates to a 12-month payout of $4.15 a share.

    Again, with the exception of the pandemic year, you’ll find a similar pattern going back more than a decade.

    Which goes a long way to explain CommBank’s passive income appeal.

    But are CBA shares losing their passive income credentials?

    Tapping CBA shares for passive income

    As we looked at up top, CBA’s dividend payouts remain quite solid.

    In fact, the final dividend of $2.40 per share, which landed in eligible shareholders’ accounts on 28 September, represented a record-high payout.

    But here’s the thing.

    While CommBank’s passive income stream has remained relatively stable over the past 10 years, the CBA share price has not.

    Going back to our 2018 example, the ASX 200 bank stock hit lows of less than $68 a share that year.

    Investors who bought the stock at that level will have earned a fully franked dividend yield of 6.3% that year. And shares bought at that price would have returned a yield of 6.1% this year.

    But with the CBA share price defying bearish forecasts and instead rocketing to new record highs this week, the passive income stream is looking far more muted.

    At time of writing today, CommBank stock has retraced a touch from those record highs to be trading for $124.21 a share.

    That sees the stock trading on a fully franked trailing yield of 3.3%.

    Of course, it’s not all bad news.

    While investors may be earning a significantly lower dividend yield, they have enjoyed some market-beating share price gains.

    The CBA share price has surged 30% over the past 12 months. And that’s not including the $4.15 a share in dividends the ASX 200 bank stock delivered.

    The post Are CBA shares losing their passive income credentials? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Commonwealth Bank Of Australia right now?

    Before you buy Commonwealth Bank Of Australia 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 Commonwealth Bank Of Australia 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.

  • 3 popular ASX ETFs that own Nvidia shares

    Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA) shares have been on fire over the last 12 months.

    The graphics processing units (GPU) developer’s shares have risen over 200% during this time.

    This means that you would’ve tripled your money if you had invested this time last year.

    Unfortunately, there isn’t a listing for Nvidia shares on the ASX, so if you want to invest you need to invest through a broker that allows you to buy US stocks.

    But there is a way to gain exposure to Nvidia indirectly. That is through exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

    But which ASX ETFs allow you to invest in this tech giant? Let’s take a look at three.

    BetaShares NASDAQ 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

    The hugely popular BetaShares NASDAQ 100 ETF is the most obvious choice for Nvidia exposure.

    It provides investors with easy access to the 100 largest (non-financial) stocks on Wall Street’s famous NASDAQ index.

    At present, Nvidia equates to 8.1% of the ETF. This is a touch behind Microsoft at 8.6% and level with Apple.

    There are also a host of other world class companies included in this ASX ETF. Which helps to explain why it has risen 28% over the last 12 months.

    Global X Semiconductor ETF (ASX: SEMI)

    Another ASX ETF that allows you to invest indirectly into Nvidia is the Global X Semiconductor ETF.

    This fund seeks to invest in companies that stand to potentially benefit from the broader adoption of tech-enabled devices that require semiconductors. This includes the development and manufacturing of semiconductors.

    Global X notes that the world’s next generation of innovative technology will require semiconductors to power it, putting the 30 companies in this ETF in a strong position for the future.

    Nvidia is far and away the largest holding in the fund with a 13.01% weighting. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturng Co Ltd (NYSE: TSM) is next in line with a weighting of 10.4%.

    This ETF has outperformed with a 58% gain over the last 12 month.

    Betashares Metaverse ETF (ASX: MTAV)

    A final ASX ETF that provides access to Nvidia shares is the Betashares Metaverse ETF.

    It aims to track the performance of an index that provides exposure to a portfolio of leading global companies involved in building, developing and operating the Metaverse.

    Betashares notes that the Metaverse has been described as the next iteration of the internet that seamlessly combines our digital and physical lives.

    Nvidia is the largest holding in the fund with a weighting of 9.5%. Next in line are Meta Platform at 5.6% and Nintendo at 5.4%.

    This ETF is up 36% since this time last year.

    The post 3 popular ASX ETFs that own Nvidia shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Betashares Nasdaq 100 Etf right now?

    Before you buy Betashares Nasdaq 100 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 Betashares Nasdaq 100 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

    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. Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Apple, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Nintendo and 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 positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple, 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.

  • ‘Better outlook’: Goldman just upgraded this ASX tech share

    Smiling man working on his laptop.

    Goldman Sachs has just taken Dicker Data Ltd (ASX: DDR) off its “sell list”, upgrading the ASX tech share to a neutral rating.

    The upgrade highlights Dicker Data’s defensive revenues and strong balance sheet, among other points. At the time of writing, shares in the ASX tech player are swapping hands at $9.44 apiece.

    Let’s take a look at why the broker has made its decision.

    Why Goldman upgraded this ASX tech share

    The broker decided to upgraded the ASX tech share from its bearish view to a more neutral stance for three main reasons.

    One, Goldman’s analysis indicates the company’s significant backlog headwinds are expected to ease. It sees this with a potential for a PC market recovery in the second half of 2024.

    Secondly, despite softer revenue, Dicker Data is growing operating margins. The earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) margin increased from 4.4% to 4.8% this year. This is thanks to strategic acquisitions, Goldman says.

    It says the ASX tech share “has executed well” on improving margins in the “volatile revenue environment across 2020-24”. This could help grow earnings per share (EPS) moving forward.

    DDR’s high margins relative to peers, strong balance sheet and tight inventory management place
    the company in a position to capitalise on market share opportunities as they arise.

    Finally, the broker says Dicker Data is now fairly valued relative to distributor peers. It currently trades at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 20 times. At this valuation, Goldman says the risk-to-reward is “now balanced” for the company.

    Since adding DDR to the Sell list on Jan 28, 2024, [Dicker Data] is down 23% vs ASX300 +1%, with the shares looking fairly valued vs distributor peers at ~19x NTM P/E vs ~23x at the time of downgrade.

    The broker has a price target of $9.85 per share on the ASX tech player, around 4% upside at the time of writing.

    What’s next for Dicker Data?

    Goldman Sachs acknowledges Dicker Data’s challenging near-term revenue environment. The broker adjusted its revenue forecasts downwards for FY 2024/25/26 as “a more realistic assessment” of this.

    The ASX tech share reported FY 2023 sales growth of 5.6% to $3.3 billion. It pulled this to net profit after tax (NPAT) of $82 million, up 12.5% year over year.

    Dicker Data is “tracking flat” on this result, Goldman says, but there could be a tailwind if it sells through inventories this year.

    “As supply chain challenges have resolved, DDR may be able to run down its inventory balance and generate higher free cash flow than expected, taking pressure off the balance sheet”, the firm said.

    The ASX tech share has been heavily sold this year. It’s more than 20% in the red since January. Over the last 12 months, it has held onto a 12% gain.

    The post ‘Better outlook’: Goldman just upgraded this ASX tech share appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Dicker Data right now?

    Before you buy Dicker Data 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 Dicker Data 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…

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    *Returns as of 5 May 2024

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    Motley Fool contributor Zach Bristow has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goldman Sachs Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Dicker Data. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 3 ASX shares with high insider ownership

    Confident male executive dressed in a dark blue suit leans against a doorway with his arms crossed in the corporate office

    As a long-time investor, I consider many factors when analysing ASX shares. I try to understand business models and industries, analyse financial health and valuation, and think about growth potential, competitors, and more.

    Another crucial factor for minority shareholders is high insider ownership. When insiders, such as executives and directors, own a chunk of the company’s shares, their interests align closely with those of smaller shareholders.

    Their personal financial stake in the company’s success often leads to decisions that aim to increase shareholder value.

    With this in mind, here are three ASX companies with significant insider ownership that I recommend considering today.

    Reece Ltd (ASX: REH)

    If you’ve recently undertaken bathroom renovations, you may already be familiar with Reece. As a leading Australian distributor of plumbing, waterworks, and bathroom products, Reece has established itself as a go-to source for quality renovation supplies.

    Established in 1920 by H.J. Reece, Reece has grown to become a dominant player in the Australian and New Zealand markets, with a significant presence in the US through its acquisition of MORSCO in 2018.

    In 1969, the Wilson family became majority shareholders in Reece and currently owns at least 359 million shares, representing 55% of the company according to the FY23 annual report.

    Reece’s business model focuses on maintaining a broad product range, efficient supply chain management, and investing in digital transformation to enhance customer experience.

    The company’s revenues have grown from $5.5 billion in FY19 to $8.8 billion in FY23, while net profits after tax (NPAT) have doubled from $202 million to $388 million during the same period.

    Reece is a consistent dividend payer, distributing approximately 38% of its FY23 profits to its shareholders, or 25 cents per share. This is equivalent to a dividend yield of 1% at the current share price.

    Supply Network Ltd (ASX: SNL)

    Supply Network distributes aftermarket parts for commercial vehicles. The company operates through its two main brands: Multispares, which serves Australia, and Globac, which serves New Zealand.

    Supply Network provides a wide range of products, including brake, suspension, and engine components, primarily for the truck and bus industries.

    It boasts a tight-knit, long-serving board, all with significant shareholdings. According to its FY23 annual report, the company’s directors and senior managers own nearly 18 million shares, representing 42% of the company.

    The founder, Greg Forsyth, holds a relevant interest in over 12 million shares, or 28% of the company. He has served as the chairman of the Board since 2010. Managing director and CEO Geoff Stewart has been at the helm since 1999. With an engineering background and more than 30 years of industry experience, he holds around 1.4 million shares.

    With strong backing from insiders, the company’s growth has been impressive. Between FY19 and FY23, its revenue doubled from $123.9 million to $252.3 million, as net profits after tax more than tripled from $8.7 million to $27.4 million. The return on average total equity has been high and growing, reaching 40% in FY23.

    The Supply Network share price is traded on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 32x based on its trailing earnings over the 12 months to December 2023.

    Pro Medicus Limited (ASX: PME)

    Last but not least, Pro Medicus. This is a leading provider of radiology information systems (RIS), picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), and advanced visualisation solutions across the globe.

    The company excels in the United States, the largest medical imaging market in the world. Between FY18 and FY23, its revenues quadrupled from $34 million to $127 million, driven by successful market penetration in both Australia and the US.

    For instance, the North American region accounted for nearly 80% of its FY23 revenue. Thanks to this remarkable success, its net profits after tax soared from $10 million to $61 million during the same period.

    There are many reasons behind this success story. Pro Medicus capitalised on the medical imaging industry’s shift to digital with its innovative and efficient product offerings, positioning itself as a leader in the market.

    Above all, however, I think having a solid management team with substantial share ownership was one of the important factors.

    As noted in the FY23 annual report, executive key management personnel collectively hold 52.4 million shares, representing 52% of the company. Co-founders Dr Sam Hupert and Anthony Hall maintain a strong influence, each owning 24% of the company.

    Dr Hupert co-founded Pro Medicus in 1983 as he recognised the potential for computers in medicine early on. He served as CEO from the company’s inception until 2007, became an executive director, and resumed his role as CEO in 2010.

    I must admit its current valuation is eye-watering, with a P/E ratio of 184x based on trailing earnings. However, the good news is that the company’s earnings have been growing at an annual rate of 30% to 40% since FY21. If this growth continues, its future P/E ratio will become more reasonable.

    The post 3 ASX shares with high insider ownership appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Pro Medicus Limited right now?

    Before you buy Pro Medicus 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 Pro Medicus 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 Kate Lee 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 Pro Medicus and Supply Network. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Pro Medicus and Supply Network. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Luxury tycoon Bernard Arnault just put 1 of his sons in charge of an LVMH holding company

    Delphine Arnault with her brothers and Bernard Arnault sit front row at a fashion show
    Alexandre Arnault, Antoine Arnault and Delphine Arnault with their father Bernard.

    • LVMH boss Bernard Arnault is currently the world's richest person. 
    • Arnault has five children — and they all work across LVMH and its brands. 
    • On Friday, Frédéric, one of Arnault's sons, was named head of one of the holding companies that controls LVMH.
    Luxury goods mogul Bernard Arnault is the world's richest person.
    Bernard Arnault

    Bernard Arnault's fourth child has been named head of one of the family's holding companies that control luxury giant LVMH.

    Frédéric Arnault, a 29-year-old, was also appointed to the LVMH board alongside his brother Alexandre in April. Those additions mean four out of Arnault's five children now sit on the LVMH board.

    Arnault is currently the world's richest person with a net worth of about $215 billion, according to estimates by Bloomberg. In 2023, he became only the third person to surpass the $200 billion mark, following tech moguls Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk.

    Arnault cofounded LVMH in the 1980s and is its CEO and chair. The French luxury conglomerate owns a range of brands covering fashion, perfume, jewelry, watches, and alcohol, including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Marc Jacobs, Givenchy, Moët & Chandon, Fenty Beauty, and Tiffany & Co.

    In February 2023, Arnault's daughter, Delphine Arnault, became CEO of Dior. But it's not just Delphine who has risen up LVMH's ranks. All four of Bernard's sons work at LVMH and its brands, too.

    Bernard, 75, has not said who he wants to take over from him, but it's a topic that gets discussed every time he gives one of his offspring a new role. In 2022 LVMH raised the age limit of its CEO from 75 to 80, extending Bernard's possible tenure.

    "The best person inside the family or outside the family should be one day my successor," Bernard told The New York Times in September. "But it's not something that I hope is a duel for the near future."

    Bernard has primed his children for leadership roles at the company since birth, though they say he never forced them to join LVMH. His offspring were sent to the best schools and as children would get quizzed on their math skills nearly every night, The Times reported.

    "I didn't want them to start going to big parties," Bernard said of his children. "I made them work."

    The Arnault family has been compared to HBO series "Succession," which sees the children of media mogul Logan Roy vying to take over as CEO.

    "I know it's disappointing for a lot of people," Antoine Arnault, Bernard's oldest son, told The Times, "but we actually get on well."

    Delphine and Antoine already sit on LVMH's board, leaving only Jean — the youngest of the siblings — off the board.

    His oldest child — and only daughter — is the CEO of Dior.
    Louis Vuitton's executive vice president Delphine Arnault and Owner of LVMH Luxury Group Bernard Arnault attend the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring Summer 2020 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 20, 2019 in Paris, France.

    Delphine, born in 1975, is the eldest of Bernard's five children, and his only daughter.

    She started her career at McKinsey, where she spent two years as a consultant before moving to designer John Galliano's company.

    Delphine worked at Christian Dior Couture as its deputy managing director from 2008 to 2013, before spending a decade as an executive vice president of Louis Vuitton, LVMH's biggest brand.

    She started as the CEO and chair of Dior in February 2023.

    Delphine sits on LVMH's board of directors and is a member of its executive committee — only the second woman to join it, and its youngest member when she joined it at 43.

    Antoine is the CEO of LVMH's parent company.
    Natalia Vodianova and Antoine Arnault attend the Louis Vuitton Fall/Winter 2022/2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 20, 2022 in Paris, France.

    Antoine is Bernard's oldest son, born in 1977. Like Delphine, Antoine was born to Bernard's first wife, Anne Dewavrin.

    Antoine started working at LVMH in 2005 in its advertising department. Two years later, he was appointed director of communications at Louis Vuitton, where he launched campaigns with public figures ranging from Angelina Jolie and Bono to Muhammad Ali and Mikhail Gorbachev.

    In December 2022, Antoine was appointed CEO of Christian Dior SE, the holding company the family uses to control LVMH. He's also the non-executive chair of cashmere label Loro Piana.

    Antoine became an LVMH board member in 2006 and has been the company's head of image and environment since 2018.

    Alexandre became an executive VP at Tiffany & Co. after LVMH bought the jeweler.
    Alexandre Arnault attends as Tiffany & Co. celebrates the launch of the Lock Collection at Sunset Tower Hotel on October 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

    Alexandre was born in 1992, Bernard's first son to his second wife, Helene Mercier, and is an executive vice president at Tiffany & Co.

    After interning in New York at McKinsey and KKR, Alexandre moved to his father's retail empire, where he worked on digital innovation.

    "I was obviously raised to be in the group," Alexandre told The New York Times in 2018, adding that it was ultimately his choice to work at LVMH and that he turned down offers from McKinsey and KKR.

    Alexandre spent about four years as the CEO of German luggage brand Rimowa after reportedly persuading his father to buy an 80% stake in it in 2016. During his time at the helm, he revitalized Rimowa — including launching collaborations with Supreme and Off-White.

    After LVMH bought Tiffany & Co. for $15.8 billion in 2020, Alexandre became executive vice president of product and communications at the jewelry maker at just 28 years of age.

    Former President Donald Trump said in February 2023 that he had hosted Alexandre and his wife for dinner at Mar-a-Lago. "He is a young man on the move, the son of one of the great businessmen and leaders in Europe, and in the World," Trump wrote of Arnault.

    Frédéric is head of one of the family-holding companies controlling LVMH
    Bernard Arnault (L) poses with his son: TAG Heuer's CEO, (a LVMH parent company) Frederic Arnault next to Louis Vuitton CEO, Mickael Burke (R) at the Louis Vuitton workshop named "L'Abbaye" during its inauguration on February 22, 2022 in Vendome, central France.

    Frédéric, born in 1995, now heads one of the Arnault holding companies that controls LVMH.

    Arnault's fourth child, will replace Nicolas Bazire as managing director of Financière Agache, the company said on Thursday.

    The promotion is the 29-year-old's third this year. In April, he joined the luxury brand's board along with his brother Alexandre and in January, he became the CEO of LVMH watches.

    After interning at McKinsey and at Facebook's AI research unit, and a brief period running a mobile payment startup, Frédéric quickly moved up the ranks at LVMH.

    He joined the company full-time in 2017 as the temporary head of connected technologies at Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer. Just a year later, he became TAG Heuer's director of strategy and digital. In 2020, he was named the brand's CEO at the age of 25. The role involved managing over 2,000 people and starting a "complete transformation" of the company.

    The New York Times reported that Bernard had groomed Frédéric to become TAG Heuer's leader from the start, though this wasn't entirely smooth sailing. Stéphane Bianchi, who was CEO of TAG Heuer before Frédéric and tasked with training his successor, told the newspaper they clashed "everywhere" at the start.

    In his time running the company, Frédéric focused on connected watches, orchestrated a shift from wholesale to retail, grew its e-commerce sales, and negotiated a partnership with Porsche.

    Frédéric was appointed head to a new role running LVMH's watches division in January. In that role, he oversees TAG Heuer, Hublot, and Zenith.

    Bernard's youngest son, Jean, is a director in Louis Vuitton's watches division.
    TAG Heuer CEO Frederic Arnault and Jean Arnault, Louis Vuitton Watches Marketing and Development Director, attend an intimate dinner hosted by TAG Heuer at Ceto Restaurant ahead of the 79th Monaco Grand Prix on May 27, 2022 in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France.
    Jean Arnault (right) with his brother Frédéric.

    Jean is Bernard's youngest son, born in 1998. He has a master's in financial mathematics from MIT and another in mechanical engineering from Imperial College, London, according to the Financial Times.

    As a student, he interned at both Morgan Stanley and McLaren Racing and had a short stint at a Louis Vuitton retail store in Paris, according to his LinkedIn profile.

    Jean became the marketing and development director of Louis Vuitton's watch division in August 2021 at the age of 23, just months after he graduated. He's now the brand's watches director.

    Jean told the FT that his older brother Frédéric's work at TAG Heuer had sparked his interest in watchmaking.

    "We have a close relationship and he started talking to me about the new watches and all the different things he was working on," Jean said. "I was fascinated. And that's really the turning point."

    Jean told The New York Times in November 2022 that he still turns to his older brother Frédéric for work advice.

    Read the original article on Business Insider