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  • Critical Role is branching out further into the podcasting business and putting 2 heavyweight cast members on a new, experimental show

    A composite image with the logo of Critical Role's new podcast show, Moonward, in the middle. To the left is Critical Role creative director Marisha Ray in a blush pink button down and a pearl vest. On the right is Critical Role cast member Liam O'Brien, in a brown jacket and a white round-necked t-shirt.
    Critical Role main cast members Liam O'Brien and Marisha Ray are going all in on the company's new audio drama, "Moonward," a spinoff show from its 2023 podcast acquisition, "Midst."

    Critical Role

    • Critical Role on Wednesday announced "Moonward," a four-part miniseries.
    • "Moonward" follows CR's 2023 acquisition of "Midst," a sci-fi space western audio drama.
    • "Moonward" also stars two heavyweight CR cast members, in a renewed push into the podcasting business.

    Critical Role has been churning out some big productions aside from its long-running main "Dungeons & Dragons" campaigns. Now, they're looking to sink their teeth further into the podcasting business.

    Critical Role creative director Marisha Ray announced the miniseries on a livestream on Wednesday evening. Titled "Moonward," the four-part, stand-alone series is set in the world of "Midst," an experimental audio drama that Critical Role acquired in 2023.

    "Midst," a sci-fi space western set on a desert planet, was originally helmed by three unnamed narrators. Now, its crew — Matt Roen, Sara Wile, and Xen — have come out of anonymity.

    On "Moonward," they're getting experimental on-set with Ray and fellow CR main cast member Liam O'Brien.

    Ray said "Moonward" will be set shortly after the events of "Midst's" three seasons. It will feature a cast of characters "on an expedition to locate the sunken remains of Midst's destroyed moon."

    "We all walked away from the table at the end really attached to the story we told," O'Brien said on Wednesday evening's stream.

    There are no dice and no rules in "Moonward" — unlike the "D&D main campaign" those two cast members are used to. Instead, it will feature just pure roleplay and acting.

    "It's certainly nothing like what we have done here at Critical Role," Ray said, likening the experience to combining roleplaying games with a live jam session.

    This has been a significant year for Critical Role's expansion into the business of nerdworld. The third season of the company's Amazon-backed animation series, "The Legend of Vox Machina," is getting a fall release. The "Mighty Nein" animated series, based on their second long-running "D&D" campaign, is also in the works. And their business expansion continues with two games: the "Daggerheart" open-beta, a game with the potential to rival Hasbro's major moneymakers like "Magic: The Gathering" and "D&D," and "Candela Obscura," CR's gothic horror offering.

    The first full trailer for "Midst" will be released on July 24.

    For now, Critical Role fans can tide over their programming cravings with the start of "Downfall," the long-anticipated blockbuster main campaign arc helmed by "Dimension 20's" Brennan Lee Mulligan.

    "Downfall" kicks off on Thursday night. It will stream on Twitch, YouTube, and Beacon, CR's in-house membership and streaming service.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • Russia would need to spend 6% of its entire 2024 budget to pay wounded soldiers and families of dead troops, 2 researchers estimate

    Russian President Vladimir Putin visits servicemen who were wounded during the Russian war in Ukraine, at a military hospital in Moscow on May 25, 2022.
    Russian President Vladimir Putin visits servicemen who were wounded during the Russian war in Ukraine, at a military hospital in Moscow on May 25, 2022.

    MIKHAIL METZEL/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

    • Two researchers in the US say Russia's promised payouts to its wounded and dead would take $26 billion.
    • That's about 6% of the country's budget for 2024, which is $414 billion.
    • The researchers arrived at the figure through open-source data and Russia's own laws.

    The Kremlin would need to spend some 2.3 trillion rubles, or $26 billion, in promised one-time payouts to wounded soldiers or families of those killed in Ukraine, according to two researchers estimates.

    That's about 6% of Russia's total budget for 2024, which is 36.6 trillion rubles, or $414 billion.

    The figures were calculated by Thomas Lattanzio, a public service fellow at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and Harry Stevens, a research assistant at the US think-tank Center for the National Interest.

    In a commentary for War On The Rocks, they used estimates from French and British officials to ballpark Russia's casualties from the Ukraine war. They arrived at a total of 400,000 wounded or dead, including 100,000 soldiers killed.

    Russian law entitles families of killed soldiers to a one-time payment of 8.8 million rubles, with another 5 million rubles from a measure passed in 2022 just after the war began.

    Lattanzio and Stevens wrote that stacked with additional payments of between 1 and 3 million rubles from local authorities, most families would receive one-time payments totaling about 14 million rubles, or $158,000.

    Wounded soldiers also receive 3 million rubles, per the 2022 decree.

    "Simple math shows that one-time payments would equate to 900 billion rubles for wounded personnel and at least 1.4 trillion for families of the dead, 2.3 trillion rubles total," wrote Lattanzio and Stevens.

    The cost of the one-time payments would be a "staggering amount," they wrote.

    Representatives for the Russian Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider.

    Still, it's not clear if Russia has consistently been rolling out its one-time payments to its wounded or its deceased soldiers' next-of-kin.

    Reuters reported in June 2022 that some soldiers, including four servicemen interviewed by the outlet, were struggling to receive their compensation after sustaining battlefield injuries.

    In November, Radio Free Europe's Russian investigative unit, Systema, found that multiple Russian contract soldiers and families of those killed were still not receiving their payments despite trying to acquire them.

    In April, Ukraine published what it said was a recording of an intercepted call from a Russian soldier who claimed that Russia designated those killed as "missing in action" so it could deny full payouts to their families.

    Ukraine claimed in June that Russia has suffered 515,000 casualties, while Moscow does not release regular updates on how many of its soldiers were killed or wounded.

    Independent Russian outlet Mediazona, which tracks the names of those killed in the war, estimated in a July 5 update that between 106,000 to 140,000 Russian troops have died, including 39,000 this year.

    Yearly cost of treating PTSD at 2% of budget, researchers say

    Lattanzio and Stevens also estimated the cost of Russia treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among its servicemen, arriving at about $15,000 yearly for each patient treated.

    They used cost figures from the US on its own PTSD treatment, adjusted them for purchasing power parity in Russia, and assumed that 500,000 Russian veterans would acquire some "sort of post-traumatic stress disorder" from the war.

    In total, this amounts to a yearly 660 billion rubles, or $7.4 billion, to treat PTSD from the war, which is about 2% of Russia's total budget.

    Russia plans to spend nearly a third of its total 2024 budget on defense, or about 10.8 trillion rubles, which is $122 billion.

    That's nearly double the amount it spent on defense in 2023, and much of the funds are expected to flow toward weapons production.

    Many observers say such a skew toward military expenditure indicates that Russia intends to fight out the Ukraine war for a prolonged period.

    "By staking everything on rising military expenditure, the Kremlin is forcing the economy into the snare of perpetual war," wrote analysts from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace's Russia and Eurasia Center.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • Very big dividend yields are expected from these ASX stocks

    A young woman with her mouth open and her hands out showing surprise and delight as uranium share prices skyrocket

    Looking for big dividend yields? Then check out these ASX dividend shares listed below.

    As well as potentially being undervalued, analysts are tipping them to provide larger than average yields in the near term.

    Let’s see what they are forecasting from these shares:

    Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE)

    The first ASX dividend stock that analysts are tipping as a buy is Eagers Automotive. It is the leading automotive retail group in the Australia and New Zealand region with a proud history stretching back over a century.

    The team at Morgans remains positive on the company the tough trading conditions it is facing this year. In fact, it thinks that significant share price weakness has created a compelling buying opportunity for income investors.

    The broker recently put an add rating and $14.35 price target on its shares.

    As well as plenty of upside, its analysts are expecting big yields. They are forecasting fully franked dividends of 72.7 cents per share in FY 2024 and then 74 cents per share in FY 2025. Based on its current share price of $10.21, this represents dividend yields of 7.1% and 7.25%, respectively.

    GDI Property Group Ltd (ASX: GDI)

    Another ASX dividend stock that could provide big dividend yields is GDI Property. It is a property owner and fund manager with investments in Greater Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, South East Queensland, and North Queensland.

    Bell Potter sees a lot of value in its shares at current levels. The broker has a buy rating and 75 cents price target on its shares.

    As for that all-important income, the broker is forecasting dividends per share of 5 cents across FY 2024, FY 2025, and FY 2026. Based on the current GDI Property share price of 57 cents, this implies dividend yields of 8.8% for the next three years.

    Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI)

    A final ASX dividend stock that could provide great option for income investors is Universal Store. It is a youth fashion retailer that operates stores under the Universal Store, Thrills, and Perfect Stranger names.

    Morgans is also positive on the company and believes it is well-placed for growth. It notes that its “growth opportunities are in place” and that “customers continue to respond well to the Universal Store banner.”

    The broker currently has an add rating and $6.50 price target on its shares.

    As for dividends, the broker is forecasting fully franked dividends per share of 26 cents in FY 2024 and then 29 cents in FY 2025. Based on its current share price of $4.99, this will mean yields of 5.2% and 5.8%, respectively.

    The post Very big dividend yields are expected from these ASX stocks appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Eagers Automotive Ltd right now?

    Before you buy Eagers Automotive Ltd shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 10 July 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Universal Store. 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 recommended Eagers Automotive Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Up 26% this year, what’s the view on IAG Shares?

    Modern accountant woman in a light business suit in modern green office with documents and laptop.

    Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG) shares have surged 26% this year to date and are trading at $7.16 per share at the time of writing.

    It’s been a blockbuster twelve months for the insurance giant. From July through December 2023, the stock traded in a range of around $5.50 to $6.10 per share.

    But as we rolled into the new year, things changed. It has now rallied from lows of $5.55 in January to its current levels.

    With such impressive gains, you might wonder if it’s too late to buy IAG shares. Let’s dive into what’s driving this performance and what to expect moving forward.

    IAG shares surge this year

    IAG shares are up this year following a number of company-specific updates. The most recent gains are partly due to a $2.5 billion, five-year agreement with Berkshire Hathaway Inc‘s subsidiaries for reinsurance protection.

    This deal provides IAG with up to $680 million in additional protection per annum starting in FY 2025. It aims to cap natural perils costs at $1.28 billion this financial year.

    Investors may have been bullish, given that Berkshire is Warren Buffett’s conglomerate. Or, it may be due to the company’s reinforced position, as its CEO said it plays a “critical role as an economic shock absorber” in Australia and New Zealand.

    IAG’s HY FY24 financials were also reasonably strong.

    Gross written premium (GWP) increased by 12.5% to $7.9 billion, whereas insurance profit rose by nearly 75% to $614 million.

    The company also declared an interim dividend of 10 cents per share and announced a $200 million on-market share buyback. These are shareholder-friendly moves, in my view.

    Investors seem to think so as well. Since the insurer posted its half-year numbers in February, IAG is up by $1.10 per share.

    What’s the view on IAG shares?

    We can never predict the stock market’s future movements. But one thing for sure is that we don’t want to overpay to buy a share.

    IAG shares currently trade on a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 22.6 times. This says that investors are paying $22 for every $1 of the company’s earnings.

    This is more expensive than the 18 times multiple for the iShares Core S&P/ASX 200 ETF (ASX: IOZ), which tracks the benchmark index.

    Therefore, you are paying a premium in buying IAG today.

    What do analysts say?

    Analysts are also split on whether to buy the company now or not.

    Goldman Sachs has a neutral rating on IAG shares and a 12-month price target of $6.72. It notes potential risks like volume loss due to rate increases and persistent claims inflation.

    However, it also acknowledges IAG’s strong rate cycle and capital flexibility. The “operating leverage on its expense ratio” could also drive growth, it says.

    Citi, on the other hand, favours IAG over rival Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN) due to its cost-cutting opportunities and earnings growth. But it values the stock at $6.75 apiece – around 6% lower than where it currently trades.

    CommSec data indicates that the consensus of analyst ratings for IAG shares is a moderate buy, with 5 buy ratings and 7 hold ratings.

    At the time my colleague Bronwyn covered IAG back in May, this split was 4 rating it a buy, 9 rating it a hold, and 1 analyst rating it a sell.

    As such there is now 1 more firm that rates IAG a buy versus 2 months ago, and none rating it a sell.

    Foolish takeaway

    In my opinion, the view on IAG shares is currently bullish. Although, whilst some brokers are bullish, the stock has rallied past their price targets. There is no saying if they will revise these numbers.

    One thing is true – the stock has several tailwinds behind it. But the risk is in overpaying at a 22 times P/E ratio, which is higher than the ETF tracking the benchmark index.

    Regardless of the outcome, remember to conduct your own due diligence.

    The post Up 26% this year, what’s the view on IAG Shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Insurance Australia 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 Insurance Australia 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 10 July 2024

    More reading

    Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. 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 Berkshire Hathaway and Goldman Sachs Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • JB Hi-Fi shares leap to record high despite legal scuffle

    JB Hi-Fi staffer helping customer share price

    JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) shares are basking in a buying frenzy today, rising to an unprecedented level.

    Australia’s well-known retailer is fetching $65.65 per share, up 2% from yesterday. Yet the most impressive number today is $66.33, JB Hi-Fi’s new all-time high share price.

    The major price milestone is being shared among several ASX 200 companies today, including Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO).

    However, if you haven’t already spotted the difference, JB Hi-Fi is the only record-setter that’s also hitting headlines today for being in hot water with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

    Promotional problem goes to court

    The corporate watchdog is taking a subsidiary of JB Hi-Fi to Federal Court on allegations of ‘false or misleading’ representations.

    According to the release, the ACCC is pursuing The Good Guys for allegedly misrepresenting store credit promotions that were run between July 2019 and August 2023. The promotions, dubbed ‘StoreCash,’ purportedly failed to give this credit in accordance with their stated requirements.

    Specifically, the ACCC alleges the promotions inferred a ‘qualifying purchase’ was the only condition for store credit despite customers also needing to approve marketing communications.

    The legal headache for the JB Hi-Fi subsidiary doesn’t stop there. Further allegations are levelled at The Good Guys over expiration periods communicated to customers. On this, ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb states:

    We also understand that, for the majority of promotions, the store credit being offered expired within a very short period of time of ten days or less, which many consumers were unaware of.

    If the allegations are true, the ACCC worries shoppers may have purchased items under false pretences.

    Lastly, the corporate watchdog also alleges that store credits weren’t provided promptly to ‘thousands of eligible consumers’ even when the consumer met all conditions.

    The Good Guys, an electronics and white goods retailer, was acquired by JB Hi-Fi in September 2016 for $870 million.

    The ACCC is seeking consumer redress, penalties, and costs, among other actions, through the Federal Court.

    Why are JB Hi-Fi shares breaking records?

    Despite the worrying legal news, JB Hi-Fi shares are firmly in the green. A tangle with the ACCC appears unable to squash bullish sentiment.

    Today’s optimism is widespread. Only 37 of the top 200 ASX-listed companies are falling in afternoon trade. Moreover, not a single sector is in the red — a telling sign of indiscriminate confidence in the Australian share market.

    Lastly, JB H-Fi addressed the ACCC’s actions with an ASX announcement. The company states it ‘takes its compliance with the law very seriously and has a comprehensive compliance program in place’. Maybe that’s enough to quell any concern among holders of JB Hi-Fi shares for now.

    The post JB Hi-Fi shares leap to record high despite legal scuffle appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Jb Hi-fi Limited right now?

    Before you buy Jb Hi-fi 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 Jb Hi-fi 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 10 July 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Mitchell Lawler has positions in Commonwealth Bank Of Australia. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Jb Hi-Fi. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 3 ASX All Ords shares rocketing over 10% today

    Man pointing at a blue rising share price graph.

    Whilst the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) is up less than 1% on Thursday, three ASX All Ords shares have spiked more than 10% a the time of writing.

    Shares in Latin Resources Ltd (ASX: LRS), Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX), and Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX: OBM) have all caught a strong bid from investors in trading on Thursday.

    Here’s a look at what’s spurring each of these ASX All Ords shares today.

    Telix reaches 52-week high on key announcement

    Telix Pharmaceuticals kicks off the list. The healthcare player is up over 11% at the time of writing and trading at $19.73 apiece. Today’s high also represents a 52-week high for the stock.

    The spike comes after the ASX All Ords share made a key announcement.

    It said the US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed changes to improve payments for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals (DRs).

    In the US, costs for DRs are currently “packaged” together with other nuclear medicine scans. Telix says the CMS proposal could “improve the accuracy of overall payment amounts” by separating them into individual categories.

    This could impact payments for the company’s Illuccix diagnostic imaging kit, potentially making it more accessible.

    Telix’s CEO, Kevin Richardson, welcomed the proposal, stating, “The proposed rule will facilitate more equitable access to advanced imaging for all patients.” He too is bullish on Telix long term.

    We commend the vision of CMS and the coalition for raising awareness about the necessity to reform the payment system to enhance patient outcomes and access.

    The All Ords share has rallied hard in 2024 and is up 95% this year to date. Today’s price is a 52-week high for the gold miner.

    Ora Banda Mining rallies on update

    Ora Banda Mining is another ASX All Ords share that’s caught a strong bid today. Its stock price is up 14% to 40.5 cents pear share as I write.

    Investors also reacted positively to a company announcement today. The company said that the development of its Sand King Underground mine has been approved. The mine is located at the Davyhurst Gold Project in Western Australia.

    Consequently, the project is expected to lift the ASX All Ords share’s gold production to 150,000 ounces per annum by FY26. This is up from the current guidance of 100,000 to 110,000 ounces for FY25.

    Ora Banda’s CEO, David Quinlivan, stated:

    The approval of Sand King Underground is a significant step towards achieving our production targets and enhancing shareholder value.” This development has clearly resonated with the market, leading to today’s gains.

    Additionally, Ora Banda shares are up over 70% this year to date.

    Latin Resources finds bottom

    Latin Resources shares are also up around 10% currently, swapping hands at 17.5 cents per share.

    Whilst the company today offers nothing market-sensitive, the stock has been stuck in a sharp downtrend. It peaked at 28 cents per share on 22 May and has sold off sharply since.

    After sliding 38% this year to date, the All Ords share may have found a bottom at yesterday’s close.

    Bell Potter is bullish on the stock and recently highlighted the company’s potential, noting the updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for its Salinas Lithium Project in Brazil. 

    Latin Resources is also “well-positioned to deliver new lithium supply into structurally short markets”, Bell Potter said.

    Bell Potter also has a speculative buy rating on the ASX All Ords share, with a price target of 40 cents. This would imply a potential upside of 128%.

    Latin Resources shares are down 38% this year to date.

    ASX All Ords shares in focus

    These 3 ASX All Ords shares are all up 10% or more today. There’s no telling where they may head from here. As always, remember the risks.

    The post 3 ASX All Ords shares rocketing over 10% today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Latin 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 Latin 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 10 July 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 positions in and has recommended Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Key Democrats Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi might just be open to ditching Biden

    Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (left) and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (right) seem to have wavered in their support for President Joe Biden (center).
    Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (left) and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (right) seem to have wavered in their support for President Joe Biden (center).

    Kent Nishimura via Getty Images; Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images; Johannes Simon via Getty Images

    • Joe Biden wants to stay on in the presidential race, but his party's leaving the door open.
    • On Wednesday, Pelosi did not give a firm endorsement of Biden staying on in the race.
    • And Chuck Schumer has told donors in private that he's open to replacing Biden, per Axios.

    President Joe Biden has emphatically declared that he plans to stay the course and keep going in the 2024 presidential race — but the key voices in his party might not share that same zeal for his candidacy.

    As Biden faces growing calls for him to step aside following his fumbling performance in a debate with former President Donald Trump on June 27, key Democratic leaders like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi might be able to put their fingers on the scale to sway the president.

    Axios reported on Wednesday, citing three unnamed sources familiar with the matter, that the New York senator privately told donors he's open to replacing Biden as the party's presidential nominee.

    Schumer, like many other Democratic lawmakers, from Gov. Gavin Newsom to Vice President Kamala Harris, has publicly supported Biden's candidacy.

    When approached for comment, a Schumer representative pointed BI to a statement the senator issued after the Axios story was published.

    "As I have made clear repeatedly publicly and privately, I support President Biden and remain committed to ensuring Donald Trump is defeated in November," Schumer said.

    While Schumer appears to still be on the Biden train, Pelosi — unmoored from the trappings of House leadership, having stepped down as speaker — sent some mixed signals about her stance on Wednesday.

    During an interview with MSNBC's "Morning Joe," Pelosi declined to give a firm endorsement of Biden staying in the race.

    "It's up to the president to decide if he is going to run," she said. "We're all encouraging him to make that decision. Because time is running short."

    "I want him to do whatever he decides to do. And that's the way it is. Whatever he decides, we go with," Pelosi continued.

    A spokesperson for Pelosi later said in a statement to The Washington Post on the same day that the California congresswoman "fully supports whatever President Biden decides to do."

    "We must turn our attention to why this race is so important: Donald Trump would be a disaster for our country and our democracy," the statement said.

    Representatives for Pelosi and Biden didn't immediately respond to requests for comment from BI sent outside regular business hours.

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

    To be sure, not all Democratic politicians have given up on Biden's candidacy just yet. In particular, the party's progressive faction has thrown their support behind the presumptive Democratic nominee.

    "Joe Biden is our nominee," New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told reporters on Monday. "He is not leaving this race. He is in this race, and I support him."

    "The president can win, and I think he will win," Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders told HuffPost on Wednesday.

    For his part, Biden has said that he's determined to stay on.

    "The question of how to move forward has been well-aired for over a week now. And it's time for it to end," Biden said in a letter to congressional Democrats on Monday.

    "It's time to come together, move forward as a unified party, and defeat Donald Trump," the letter continued.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • Why did this ASX mining stock just explode 203%?

    rocket taking off indicating a share price rise

    ASX mining stock Augustus Minerals Ltd (ASX: AUG) is rocketing higher today.

    Augustus Minerals shares closed yesterday trading for 3.8 cents. In earlier trade, shares were just swapping hands for 11.5 cents apiece, up an eye-watering 202.6%.

    After some likely profit-taking, shares are trading for 9.9 cents apiece at the time of writing, up 160.5%.

    Here’s what’s happening.

    What’s sending the ASX mining stock to the moon?

    Investors are snapping up the ASX mining stock after the company reported on promising assays from rock chip samples.

    The recently collected samples, part of an ongoing regional targeting program, come from the 3,600 square kilometre Ti-Tree Project in the Gascoyne Region, located in Western Australia.

    Highlights of the results include:

    • 35% copper and 236 grams per tonne (g/t) of silver from rock chip assays at Tiberius prospect
    • 32% copper, 3.26 g/t of gold and 129 g/t of silver from rock chips from the South Snowy prospect
    • 1g/t of gold from rock chips from the Justinian prospect
    • 1 g/t of silver and 5,000 parts per million (ppm) molybdenum from rock chips from the Claudius prospect
    • 537 ppm molybdenum and 47 g/t of silver from rock chips from Minnie SE prospect, 1.4 kilometres south east of the existing Minnie Springs Mo-Cu porphyry drilling area

    Commenting on the results sending the ASX mining stock flying higher today, Augustus Minerals general manager of exploration, Andrew Ford said, “These rock chips continue to highlight the untapped potential of the Ti-Tree Project to host significant precious and base metal mineralisation.”

    He said that mapping and sampling continue across “both existing prospects and in virgin areas with exciting results”.

    Ford added:

    Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the diamond drilling to test the deeper potential at Minnie Springs Mo-Cu porphyry. Dilling is planned for Q3 2024 with assistance from the co funded EIS drilling grant as announced 2 May 2024.

    Augustus Minerals noted that the results from these 231 rock chip samples collected in June are not only encouraging for its existing prospects, but they also define new prospects that have had no previously documented exploration.

    Soil sampling at the Ti-Tree Project continues along strike of major structural trends hosting existing prospects.

    Despite the huge boost today, shares in the ASX mining stock remain down 65% over 12 months and down 11% so far in 2024.

    As always, before investing in any stocks, be sure to do your own research first. If you’re not comfortable with that, or feeling time poor, just reach out for some expert advice.

    The post Why did this ASX mining stock just explode 203%? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Augustus Minerals right now?

    Before you buy Augustus Minerals 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 Augustus Minerals 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.*

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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 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.

  • 7 tips for successful ASX shares investing: expert

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

    AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP) chief economist, Dr Shane Oliver, has been in the investment game for 40 years.

    So, we think he probably has some good advice for all of us regarding our ASX share investing.

    In a recent blog, Dr Oliver shared a bunch of insights gleaned over four decades of investing. Many of them relate to ASX shares investing and how we should go about building our wealth via this channel.

    Here are seven of Dr Oliver’s tips for successful investing.

    7 tips for successful ASX shares investing

    1. Make the most of the power of compound interest

    Dr Oliver says compound interest is one of the best ways to build wealth through investing, whether it be via ASX shares, real estate investment or other asset classes. But he says we must have the right asset mix.

    Dr Oliver comments:

    Based on market indices and the reinvestment of any income flows and excluding the impact of fees and taxes, one dollar invested in Australian cash in 1900 would today be worth around $259 and if it had been invested in bonds it would be worth $924, but if it was allocated to shares it would be worth around $879,921.

    His key message is we need to have decent exposure to growth assets like ASX shares and property.

    A popular compounding strategy in ASX shares investing is dividend reinvestment, which is made easy by dividend reinvestment plans (DRPs).

    Many ASX shares have DRPs, including Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), along with many ETFs, such as the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS).

    2. Don’t get thrown off by the cycle

    Dr Oliver notes the three to five-year business cycle, longer secular swings over 10 to 20 years in shares, and cycles that centre around some sort of crisis, which tend to pop up roughly every three years.

    Dr Oliver points out that shares often lead economic cycles, so economic data lags behind market trends.

    3. Invest for the long term

    It’s simply too difficult for most average investors to predict financial markets’ ups and downs. So, it’s best to play a long game with ASX shares investing and other investment assets.

    Dr Oliver recommends creating an investment strategy that suits your level of wealth, age and ability to tolerate the volatility inherent in shares investing.

    4. Diversify your ASX shares and other investments

    Investors need to find a balance between not putting all their eggs in one basket and over-diversifying, as this will complicate your investments “for no benefit”, Dr Oliver says.

    Here at The Fool, we advocate diversification and note the increasing popularity of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) today. ETFs allow investors to buy a basket of ASX shares or overseas stocks in a single trade.

    5. Turn down the noise

    Dr Oliver notes the world is getting noisier with the rise of social media.

    He says:

    After having worked out a strategy that’s right for you, it’s important to turn down the noise on the information flow and prognosticating babble now surrounding investment markets and stay focussed. In the digital world we now live in this is getting harder.

    6. Buy low, sell high

    The cheaper you buy an asset, the higher its prospective return will likely be and vice versa, says Dr Oliver.

    He says:

    Guides to this are price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios for shares (the lower the better) and yields, ie, the ratio of dividends, rents or interest to the value of the asset (the higher the better).

    Flowing from this it follows that yesterday’s winners are often tomorrow’s losers – as they get overvalued and over loved.

    7. Beware the crowd at extremes

    Beware the herd mentality, as Dr Oliver explains:

    We often feel safest when investing in an asset when neighbours and friends are doing the same and media commentary is reinforcing the message that it’s the right thing to do. This “safety in numbers” approach is often doomed to failure.

    Whether it’s investors piling into Japanese shares at the end of the 1980s, Asian shares in the mid-1990s, IT stocks in 1999, US housing and credit in the mid-2000s.

    The problem is that when everyone is bullish and has bought into an asset there is no one left to buy but lots of people who can sell on bad news.

    The post 7 tips for successful ASX shares investing: expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

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    Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in BHP Group, Commonwealth Bank Of Australia, and Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF. 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.

  • Jeff Bridges says he’s ‘feeling great’ 3 years after contracting COVID while undergoing chemotherapy

    jeff bridges wearing a patterned shirt and black suit jacket, smiling on a red carpet. he's wearing thin rimmed glasses, and his hair is slicked back, his silver beard neatly trimmed
    Jeff Bridges said that he's "feeling great" three years after his illness, and still loves doing fight scenes.

    Taylor Hill/Getty Images

    • Jeff Bridges says that he's "feeling great now," three years after his cancer went into remission. 
    • Bridges was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2020, and caught COVID-19 in early 2021. 
    • He stars in the second season of "The Old Man" on FX, opposite John Lithgow. 

    Jeff Bridges is more than ready to go ahead with the season two premiere of his FX series "The Old Man," three years after he contracted COVID-19 while undergoing chemotherapy.

    Bridges appeared on Wednesday at the Television Critics Association summer press tour alongside his "Old Man" costar John Lithgow and executive producers Jonathan Steinberg, Dan Shotz, and Warren Littlefield. Bridges spoke about the show's upcoming second season and gave an update on his health.

    "I'm feeling great now. I'm coming back for more punishment," Bridges said.

    Bridges announced in October 2020 that he had been diagnosed with lymphoma. Early the following year he said he caught COVID-19 while undergoing chemotherapy. Bridges was in the hospital for five weeks, and told People that he was "pretty close to dying."

    In "The Old Man," Bridges plays Dan Chase, a former CIA operative haunted by his past. The show's first season went on a production hiatus after Bridges' diagnosis. It resumed production in 2022 after he announced in September 2021 that he was in remission, Deadline reported.

    "In the first season when I was doing these fight scenes, I had a 9-inch by 12-inch tumor in my body, in my stomach, that didn't hurt at all," Bridges said. "So that's surprising to me, but I'm feeling great now."

    Bridges praised "The Old Man's" stunt coordinators for helping him pull off some fight scenes. His costar, Lithgow, recommended that people watch Bridges in the 1972 film "Bad Company" to better "appreciate" the work he's doing now.

    "Some of the greatest scenes in 'The Old Man' are Jeff's fight scenes, an old man having to summon up the strength and skill he had 50 years ago," costar Lithgow said.

    Season two of "The Old Man" will premiere on FX on September 12.

    Read the original article on Business Insider