Stock Pick

Author: openjargon

  • Guess which ASX 200 share is pushing higher on $480m asset sale

    Lendlease Group (ASX: LLC) shares are starting the week positively.

    In morning trade, the ASX 200 share is up 1.5% to $5.49.

    Why is this ASX 200 share pushing higher today?

    Investors have been buying Lendlease shares after it entered into an asset sale agreement with Omaha Beach Investment, an entity managed by Guggenheim Partners Investment Management.

    According to the release, the agreement is for the sale of its US Military Housing business for A$480 million (US$320 million).

    Management notes that the sale represents a significant premium to book value and includes the operating platform of the business along with the associated management rights for asset, property, development and construction management. Approximately 150 employees will transfer with the sale.

    ASX 200 share points out that the transaction builds on the significant progress made as it executes on its strategy announced in May. This involves re-focusing on its Australian operations and international investment management capabilities, while recycling more than $4.5 billion of capital.

    The company expects the transaction to result in FY 2025 operating profit after tax (OPAT) of $105 million to $120 million, with financial close and receipt of cash proceeds targeted by the end of the first half. Though, the transaction is subject to completion adjustments and conditions precedent. This includes third-party consents from particular service branches of the U.S. Department of Defense.

    ‘Significant progress’

    The ASX 200 share’s CEO, Tony Lombardo, was happy with the news. He highlights the strong progress the company is making recycling capital. He commented:

    With $1.9 billion of transactions already announced, including the sale of US Military Housing, we have made significant progress towards our target of recycling $2.8 billion of capital in the next 12 months. As this transaction demonstrates, we continue to take a disciplined approach to capital recycling, achieving premiums to book value, as we balance speed of execution with achieving value for our securityholders.

    Implementation of our strategy is progressing well, with cost savings being realised across the regions as we today move to a simplified management structure. We are also working to complete the sales of our Life Sciences joint venture and our Communities projects. The announced exit from international Construction is well progressed, with the sale of our US East Coast operations anticipated to close in the coming months. Preparations have also commenced to sell our UK construction business within the next 18 months.

    Life Sciences delays

    One piece of news that could be holding back the ASX 200 share a touch is that completion of the sale of its Life Sciences interests into a new Asia Pacific Joint Venture is now expected to complete in the first half of FY 2025.

    As a result, Lendlease now anticipates FY 2024 OPAT to be $260 million to 275 million. And FY 2024 Group gearing is now anticipated to be at the upper end of the 10% 20% target range, before the anticipated provision for impairments and charges.

    This compares to previous guidance of “approximately $450m of OPAT” and group gearing “to be modestly above the midpoint of the 10-20% target range.”

    The post Guess which ASX 200 share is pushing higher on $480m asset sale appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Lendlease 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 Lendlease 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 24 June 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • I’m an American who went to college in Canada. I’m debt-free — and I have no plans to move back to the US.

    Woman wearing a winter coat holding a cup of take-out coffee with a pink building in the background
    Dalia Goldberg credits her decision to study in Montreal with helping her learn a foreign language and graduate debt-free.

    Dalia Goldberg

    • Dalia Goldberg chose to leave the US in 2010 to earn her BA at McGill University in Canada.
    • During her four years in college, she experienced some culture shock and learned a new language.
    • After graduating, she continued living abroad, is now happily settled in Spain, and has no debt. 

    It was 2009, my senior year of high school and I felt clueless.

    I'd never fit in particularly well at school. I enjoyed learning when I was younger, but toned down my enthusiasm when it became clear that having too many nerdy interests was "uncool." So by the time some of my peers were eagerly filling out college applications and even discussing what they might choose as a major, I was still dragging my feet.

    I didn't feel particularly excited about the future. What was the big deal about college, anyway? I'd just be studying the same old subjects, preparing for some job I didn't really want. My parents took me on college visits, where we attended presentations that I listened to halfheartedly.

    Growing up in a Philadelphia suburb, the University of Miami caught my eye. I was enamored by the lush green campus filled with flowers and fountains, just a half-hour drive from South Beach. The distance from my hometown was an added bonus. But with a whopping cost of attendance of over $50,000 per year at the time (including fees, room, and board), I'd definitely have to take out student loans.

    Similarly, NYU offered the excitement of living in a big city, but the tuition fees nearing $60,000 per year were daunting.

    I began filling out applications to state schools, a more affordable option. But I couldn't quite give up my dream of moving further away and having an adventure.

    I started looking into colleges outside the US

    I wanted to meet new people, explore new places, and get a fresh start. Maybe if I could get away from memories of middle-school bullies and awkward encounters with boys, I could finally start to enjoy studying again.

    My parents had bought me a big book of colleges, which I haphazardly flicked through while watching TV. Then, something caught my eye. Not all the colleges in the book were American; some were overseas, and those were cheaper, a lot cheaper.

    "Can I visit Trinity College Dublin?" I asked my parents. But they weren't fans of this idea. Europe was far away, and going back and forth would be expensive. Would European degrees be valid in the US? There were too many variables.

    So I proposed a closer option: McGill University in Montreal. It was well-known in the US and just a 1.5 hour flight from Philadelphia. You could even take the train. The costs were significantly cheaper than my other favorites: around $25,000 for the year, including room and board.

    Deciding on Montreal came with challenges

    During my first visit to Montreal, I knew it was the place for me. I loved the narrow streets of the Old City, the plazas, the bars, and the restaurants. I also found the school appealing. I felt that this was a place where I'd be free to do things my way. I liked the independent approach to student life, with most students moving off-campus after their first year.

    When I went back to my high school, I pushed harder on my academic efforts than before. I studied hard in my French class, got a few letters of recommendation, and took the ACTs and SAT subject tests. Finally, I got the score I needed for admission.

    Leading up to graduation, I started to have cold feet. I'd be leaving all the friends I'd made in the last few years and starting completely from scratch. Did I really want to do this? Some friends thought it was cool that I was moving to Canada, but others found it odd. Even when I explained the lower costs, it sounded too far away to them.

    Three college students on a couch looking at photos on a camera
    At first, the author (right) thought it would be hard to find her place at McGill but ended up making a lot of close friends.

    Dalia Goldberg

    When I got to Montreal, I didn't feel comfortable right away. Like any college freshman, I was somewhat anxious about being away from home for the first time, but there was also the added element of culture shock.

    I'd become friends with a French exchange student at my high school and spent some time in France, but I soon found the language and expressions used in Quebec were a lot different. I also didn't know much about Canadian culture — the slang, the history, the education system, and the way of viewing the world.

    At first, as I met groups of students who all knew each other from high school, I felt like it would be hard to find my place at McGill. Still, after a while, I found a good group of friends, got involved in city activities, and began feeling at home.

    Starting my career abroad

    After receiving my diploma four years later, I knew I wanted to stay abroad.

    I applied for a post-graduate work permit that allowed me to stay in Canada, and found a job at a marketing agency where I had to speak French every day. At first, I felt intimidated. I didn't get some of the jokes and cultural references made around the office, so socializing was hard. Still, over time I began to feel more comfortable working in a second language.

    After a few years, I decided to move to Berlin with my partner at the time. It was hard to find work, learn German, and navigate the immigration system, but I drew on my previous experiences to help and found a remote job teaching English online. We continued moving around Europe until I settled in Spain in 2018, where I started a career as a freelance content writer and journalist.

    Moving abroad for my degree gave me the courage to pursue my own path. As I learned to figure out confusing visa situations, new cultures, and foreign language environments, I became more resilient and motivated in my career.

    Not having a student loan to pay off was an added bonus.

    Got a personal essay about choosing to attend college outside the US that you want to share? Get in touch with the editor: akarplus@businessinsider.com.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • I’ve worked at Meta, Visa, and Google. There are 6 steps I always take when preparing for a big interview.

    Yung-Yu Lin
    Yung-Yu Lin says mock interviews and reading company news are crucial to his interview prep strategy.

    Yung-Yu Lin

    • Senior product manager Yung-Yu Lin shares six strategies for preparing for FAANG interviews.
    • Strategies include mock interviews, subscribing to company news, and contacting recruiters.
    • He also suggests people make notes and ask insightful questions at the end.

    This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Yung-Yu Lin, a senior product manager at Google in Sunnyvale, California. It has been edited for length and clarity. Business Insider has verified his employment history.

    In my two-decade-long tech career, I have worked in Taiwan, where I am from, and spent the last eight years in the US.

    I was a software engineer at Yahoo in Taiwan, and moved to the US to pursue an MBA in 2014. Since graduation, I have worked at Meta, Visa, and PayPal and am currently a product manager at Google.

    Over the years, I have designed an interview preparation strategy that has worked for me.

    Here are six things I do leading up to a big technical interview:

    1. Mock interviews

    It doesn't matter who you are — everyone gets nervous in interviews.

    The only thing you can do is practice and familiarize yourself with the interview process.

    This is why I am a big believer in mock interviews, which can be taken on several career-building sites such as IGotAnOffer, which is what I used when preparing for Google.

    I took four mock interviews, which were structured so that I was paired with another candidate attempting to get into Google. We took turns role-playing as an interviewer and a candidate. It was a helpful format because I not only got a second set of eyes on my performance, but also took notes on what my partner did well and what they didn't.

    2. Prepare for technical questions

    As a product manager, I did not have coding rounds like other tech roles such as software engineering or data science. However, I did have technical interview rounds focused on system design questions.

    Practice system design questions are available on several websites and there are books. I would go through them one to two weeks before the interview and try to answer them.

    I focused on preparing different examples for each use case.

    3. Drop the recruiter a message

    If I am able to clear the first round, I will proactively ask the recruiter what the second round looks like.

    I always try to view recruiters as partners in my application process, and tell myself that they have the most information about the role. I always ask them for any information they can share about my next interview and what a successful candidate for my role looks like based on their experience.

    4. Read my own notes

    In the last 24 hours before a big interview, I stop doing any mock interviews or looking at new technical questions to prevent feeling even more anxious.

    Instead, I keep a notebook where I jot down what went well and my weaknesses after each interview or question practice session. On the last day, I just go through those notes and try to sleep well.

    5. Subscribe to company news

    To have a good discussion, and to be able to ask informed questions at the end of my interview, I set up Google Search alerts for the company I am interviewing at.

    I take a look at whatever is happening in the past week and if there are any significant updates or news about the company. I would try to plan a few questions around these updates, and ask interviewers what it means for the company or industry.

    6. Prep questions to ask the interviewer

    One of the biggest reasons I landed my first job at Meta was that my manager was happy with the questions I asked. They told me: "When we interviewed you, you had a good understanding of the company, about the business model, about the team's responsibility."

    "You will need less time to boot up and to get on board," they said.

    Here are two questions I try to ask:

    1. What does a good team player look like?

      This shows you what their team dynamics looks like, and what you should pay attention to to be seen as a good colleague. And it gives your hiring manager confidence that you're interested in being part of a team.

    2. What is the most challenging project of their time at the company?

      This can give you signals that if you join, how big is the scale of the problems you will be working on. It can also give you insight into opportunities for growth and what domains you will be working with.

      Do you work in tech, finance, or consulting and have a story to share about your career journey? Get in touch with this reporter at shubhangigoel@insider.com

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • 2 high-yield ASX shares predicted to pay huge dividends in FY26

    A happy older couple relax in a hammock together as they think about enjoying life with a passive income stream.

    Receiving passive income from ASX shares can be very rewarding. How easy is it to watch the cash hit your bank account every year – no effort at all! Some businesses are known for growing their dividend payouts, while others can offer large dividend yields.

    When businesses are paying out a lot of their profit, they aren’t reinvesting significantly for long-term growth. So, don’t expect tons of capital growth from stocks with large dividend yields. However, dividend payments can be less volatile than share prices, which some investors may like.

    The two high-yield ASX shares below are expected to grow their dividend payouts in FY25 and FY26. However, a tough retail environment could mean FY24 (which has just finished) results could see a dividend reset.

    Shaver Shop Group Ltd (ASX: SSG)

    This ASX retailer sells male and female grooming products and wants to be the market leader in ‘all things related to hair removal’. It has 123 stores across Australia and New Zealand and also sells products through its own websites and other online marketplaces.

    It aims to offer customers a wide range of quality brands at competitive prices, supported by “excellent staff product knowledge”. The company’s scale enables it to negotiate exclusive products with suppliers. For example, it recently secured exclusive rights to distribute and sell Skull Shaver’s full range of products across Australia and New Zealand.

    It also retails products across oral care, hair care, massage, air treatment and beauty categories.

    Impressively, the high-yield ASX shares grew their dividend every year between FY17 and FY23, so the company has a strong commitment to rewarding shareholders.

    According to the estimates on Market Screener, the business could pay a grossed-up dividend yield of 11.8% in FY25 and 12.2% in FY26.

    Accent Group Ltd (ASX: AX1)

    Accent is an ASX retail share that sells a wide variety of shoes. It acts as a distributor for a number of global shoe brands, including CAT, Dr Martens, Henleys, Herschel, Hoka, Kappa, Merrell, Skechers, Ugg and Vans.

    The business also has several of its own brands, including Trybe, The Athlete’s Foot, Stylerunner, Platypus, Glue Store, and Nude Lucy.

    Shoe retailing is not the most defensive industry in the world. Accent’s partnerships with global brands are not 100-year deals; they’re quite short-term. As such, Accent normally trades on a low price/earnings (P/E) ratio, but this can result in a big payout from the high-yield ASX share.

    After FY24, the business could see profitability recover as cost growth slows, the store rollout continues, digital sales grow, and more brands are potentially added to its portfolio.

    The estimate on Commsec suggests Accent could pay an annual dividend per share of 14 cents in FY25 and 16 cents per share in FY26, translating into forward grossed-up dividend yields of 10.3% and 11.8%, respectively.

    The post 2 high-yield ASX shares predicted to pay huge dividends in FY26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Accent 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 Accent 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 24 June 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Accent Group. 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 Accent Group and Shaver Shop Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Can Wesfarmers shares keep beating the ASX 200 index?

    a fashionable older woman walks side by side with a stylish younger woman in a street setting as they both smile at something they are talking about.

    If you own shares of Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), congratulations!

    Over the past year, the Wesfarmers share price has surged 32% to reach $65.18, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has grown 8% in the same period.

    This remarkable performance can be attributed to the strength of Wesfarmers’ renowned retail brands, such as Bunnings, Kmart, and Officeworks. After all, who doesn’t enjoy visiting these stores on the weekends?

    Beyond retail, Wesfarmers also maintains diverse business interests spanning chemicals, industrials, and healthcare providers.

    Given its strong portfolio and recent performance, the question remains: Can Wesfarmers shares continue to deliver superior returns going forward?

    What drives share price performance?

    The share price of a company can be understood by looking at two key factors: earnings per share (EPS) and the price-to-earnings (PE) ratio.

    EPS measures a company’s profit divided by the number of shares it has. The PE multiple shows how much investors are willing to pay for each dollar of earnings. By multiplying the EPS by the PE multiple, we get the share price.

    For example, Wesfarmers’ FY25 EPS estimate of $2.48 and a PE multiple of 26 lead to its share price of $65.18, based on S&P Capital IQ. If the EPS rises to $3, the share price will increase to $78, assuming the PE multiple stays the same.

    Thus, share prices change based on both the company’s earnings and investor sentiment.

    Earnings growth expectations

    Wesfarmers’ EPS estimates over the next three years appear to assume the company will soon resume a double-digit profit growth. Using S&P Capital IQ estimates, EPS estimates for Wesfarmers are:

    • $2.25 in FY24, implying a 3.4% growth over the previous year
    • $2.48 in FY25, implying a 10.3% growth over the previous year
    • $2.76 in FY26, implying a 11% growth over the previous year

    As we reviewed previously, Wesfarmers’ business results this year have been mixed. The company’s strong retail businesses continue to perform well, but hopes for its upcoming lithium mining venture have lost shine due to weak global commodity prices.

    Looking ahead, the company remains confident about its retail business and, as my colleague Tristan highlighted, it expects lithium hydroxide production to commence in the first half of the 2025 calendar year.

    PE multiples are high

    Wesfarmers shares are currently trading at 26x FY25 earnings estimates. Historically, their PE multiples have ranged from 15x to 32x, making the current valuation relatively high.

    Comparing Wesfarmers to its peers, based on earnings estimates provided by S&P Capital IQ:

    • Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares are valued at 23x FY25’s estimated earnings.
    • Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) shares are valued at 20x FY25’s estimated earnings.

    Given this context, it seems unlikely that Wesfarmers’ PE multiple will increase significantly from its current level.

    Can Wesfarmers shares outperform the ASX 200?

    Over the last 10 years, the ASX 200 Index generated a total return of 7.6%, including a dividend yield of 4.7%.

    As discussed, Wesfarmers shares have the potential to outperform the index if the company achieves the expected 10% EPS growth while maintaining a 26x PE multiple. However, the success of this largely depends on the progress of its lithium projects and the direction of global commodity prices in particular.

    Despite this uncertainty, Wesfarmers remains one of the top dividend payers on the ASX, currently offering a fully franked dividend yield of 3%. While it’s challenging to predict when lithium prices will rise, Wesfarmers shares can be a valuable addition for dividend-focused investors.

    The post Can Wesfarmers shares keep beating the ASX 200 index? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Coles 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 Coles 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 24 June 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 Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Coles Group and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • What this expert predicts will be the best-performing ASX sectors in FY25

    A man in a business suit peers through binoculars as two businesswomen stand beside him looking straight ahead at the camera.

    The ASX share market saw plenty of volatility over the last 12 months, and FY25 could be another very interesting year. One expert has revealed which ASX sectors he sees as opportunities.

    Ausbil’s chief investment officer (CIO), Paul Xiradis, has been investing for around 45 years. Xiradis thinks the market underestimates the strength of the Australian economy and how strong business profits may be in FY25, according to an Australian Financial Review report.

    The fund manager suggests earnings by ASX companies could increase by 5%, almost double what investment bank brokers are forecasting.

    Which ASX sectors could perform in FY25?

    Xiradis had this to say about how FY25 may pan out for the ASX share market:

    Looking into FY25, there are a number of sectors which are going to grow far greater than the 5 per cent we forecast [for the market], like healthcare, technology, and we even expect the banks to do a little better than markets project.

    We also see the drivers of decarbonisation still contributing, and we think AI will be with us for many years to come and so we see more upgrades coming through even though valuations have shifted up.

    While Ausbil has less of an allocation to the ASX bank share sector than the benchmark, the fund manager thinks bank margins will do better than expected when the market realises interest rates may need to remain higher for longer.

    Xiradis commented on the banks:

    We just don’t think there’s going to be a downshift in earnings. So we expect the banks to deliver a better outcome than markets expect, not by much, perhaps a few per cent, but it could be greater if it all falls in their favour

    Ausbil is optimistic about AI, data centres, ‘smart’ warehouses and logistics, so it has stakes in Nextdc Ltd (ASX: NXT) and Goodman Group (ASX: GMG).

    Mining and energy

    The fund manager is also optimistic about the business case for beneficiaries of decarbonisation, such as companies that could benefit from growing demand for copper. Xiradis suggested the market will need to lift its expectations of how high copper prices could go because of the lack of new supply.

    Ausbil is ‘overweight’ on BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) even though iron ore prices have fallen. BHP has compelling exposure to copper and metallurgical coal, while Rio Tinto has appealing aluminium assets, according to the fund manager.

    Xiradis is bullish on AGL Energy Limited (ASX: AGL) and Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG), suggesting the energy sector has “significant potential” due to higher energy prices, high government support and a strong demand outlook.

    The post What this expert predicts will be the best-performing ASX sectors in FY25 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Agl Energy 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 Agl Energy 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 24 June 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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 Goodman Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 3 best ASX tech shares of FY24

    three businessmen high five each other outside an office building with graphic images of graphs and metrics superimposed on the shot.

    Some ASX tech shares delivered huge returns in FY24, with triple-digit percentage gains. Given that the All Ordinaries (ASX: XAO) climbed by 8.3% during FY24, these All Ords tech stocks did remarkably well.

    Some industries have advantages when it comes to growth, and tech may be the most advantaged of all. Many companies within the sector offer software that can achieve strong profit margins because of the software’s intangible nature. They also may be able to deliver strong revenue growth because software can be instantly replicated, whereas physical goods require manufacturing, shipping, and storage.  

    Below are three of the best-performing ASX tech shares in FY24 within the All Ords. As always, remember that past performance is not a guarantee of future performance.

    Gentrack Group Ltd (ASX: GTK)

    Over the 12 months to 30 June 2024, Gentrack shares rose by 140%. It’s important to note Gentrack’s 2024 financial year finishes on 30 September 2024, there are still a few months to go.

    Gentrack provides software to energy and water utility companies, as well as airports.

    The company is benefiting from a return passenger volume to airports, with the airports spending on projects and improvements. Gentrack is also winning customers and seeing customers upgrade.

    In the recent FY24 first-half result, Gentrack reported revenue growth of 21% to $102 million and also upgraded its guidance. For FY24, it previously expected revenue of at least $170 million, and now its guidance is around $200 million of revenue for the current financial year.

    The company also upgraded its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) guidance range to between $23.5 million and $26.5 million, up from the previous range of between $20.5 million and $25.5 million.

    DUG Technology Ltd (ASX: DUG)

    In the 12 months to 30 June 2024, DUG Technology shares rose by 136%.

    This company specialises in “analytical software development, big-data services and reliable, green, high-performance computing (HPC)”.

    The market usually pays the most attention to a company’s most recent update. For the FY24 third quarter, the ASX tech share’s total revenue grew 39% year over year to US$17.6 million, and EBITDA rose 24% to US$4.6 million.

    DUG Technology also reported US$14.6 million of new service projects were awarded in the three months to 31 March 2024, taking the total services order book at 31 March 2024 to US$43.1 million, an increase of 6% compared to 31 December 2023.

    In addition, the company revealed plans to start a new business unit in the Middle East after unearthing a “great deal of opportunity” in Abu Dhabi.

    Bravura Solutions Ltd (ASX: BVS)

    The Bravura Solutions share price has soared 130% in the 12 months to 30 June 2024.

    Bravura describes itself as a leading provider of software solutions for the wealth management, life insurance and funds administration industries.

    The ASX tech share reported growth and a recovery in the FY24 first-half result, which showed revenue increased 7.4% to $127 million. EBITDA grew 11.5% to $7.9 million and cash EBITDA returned to profitability with $0.3 million of positive cash EBITDA generation. Adjusted net profit after tax (NPAT) rose $12.6 million to a loss of $1.7 million.

    Bravura is forecasting that FY24 revenue to be around the same as FY23, while its transformation plan is now expected to deliver $40 million in gross cost-out savings.

    The post 3 best ASX tech shares of FY24 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Bravura Solutions Limited right now?

    Before you buy Bravura Solutions 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 Bravura Solutions 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 24 June 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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 Bravura Solutions, Dug Technology, and Gentrack Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Gentrack Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Dug Technology. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 1 ASX dividend stock to buy that’s down 60%

    Man's legs poking out of a brown sofa while his body is sinking down into the back of it, dog looking on

    The Adairs Ltd (ASX: ADH) share price has sunk 60% since June 2021 and is almost 30% lower since March 2024.

    With such a massive fall over the past few years, could the ASX dividend stock be capable of providing solid passive income?

    When a share price falls, it can increase the prospective dividend yield. For example, if a company had a share price of $10 and paid a dividend per share of 60 cents, it’d have a dividend yield of 6%. If the share price fell 50% to $5, and the dividend payment was still 60 cents per share, the dividend yield would become 12%.

    However, it’s common for a dividend payment to be reduced during a period of heavy share price decline because the sinking valuation is a sign that profits are under pressure.

    But, it’s still possible to find cyclical ASX dividend stocks that can deliver recovering profit and a resurgent dividend.

    Adairs may be one of those cyclical businesses that could recover over the next couple of years.

    Is recovery on the way?

    The trading environment for discretionary ASX retail shares has been tough, with many households having less money to spend amid this inflationary environment. Expensive mortgages and soaring rent have certainly made things challenging for the retail sector.

    The company’s latest earnings results did not indicate booming trading conditions. In February, Adairs said it continued to see “significantly lower” customer traffic than the same period last year. Consumers remained “value-orientated, with conversion declining notably when offers are reduced”.

    In weeks 27 to 34 of FY24, group sales were down 9.6% year over year, with Adairs sales down 9.5%, Focus on Furniture sales down 14.1%, and Mocka sales up 4%.

    However, there were some silver linings. Due to the material decline in sales that occurred in May 2023, Adairs management expects that the group’s comparative sales performance will improve across the second half of FY24. It’s also focused on managing the gross profit margin, which was up 200 basis points (2.00%) year over year.

    Adairs expects trading to remain subdued, but initiatives could help profit recover, such as its product range, supply chain improvements, the Adairs-operated national distribution centre, cost of doing business (CODB) management and a store rollout.

    The broker UBS suggests Adairs could generate net profit after tax (NPAT) of $36 million in FY24, $44 million in FY25 (up 22%) and $52 million in FY26 (up 18%).

    Large dividends predicted

    UBS has forecast that Adairs could pay an annual dividend per share of 18 cents in FY25, which would be a grossed-up dividend yield of 14%.

    The broker has suggested Adairs could then pay an annual dividend per share of 21 cents per share in FY26 — a grossed-up dividend yield of 16%.

    Dividends are not guaranteed, but if the company can reset its profitability, it could be a significant dividend payer in the coming years. However, it can’t be ruled out that tough trading conditions could continue throughout FY25.

    The post 1 ASX dividend stock to buy that’s down 60% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Adairs 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 Adairs 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 24 June 2024

    More reading

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

  • Take a look inside Camp David, where presidents host world leaders and escape Washington

    George W. Bush Lee Myung Bak Camp David
    Then-US President George W. Bush, right, and then-South Korean President Lee Myung Bak laugh as they leave their joint news conference after their meeting at Camp David on April 19, 2008.

    Dennis Brack-Pool/Getty Images

    • Camp David has been a destination for presidential rest and relaxation since it opened.
    • The camp has also been the site of meetings and summits with various world leaders over the years.
    • Camp David has been the site of some big national and foreign policy decisions.

    Nestled in the countryside of Maryland, in the Catoctin Mountain Park, is the presidential country retreat known as Camp David.

    The first parts of the complex were built by the Works Progress Administration in 1935, and Franklin D. Roosevelt made it the presidential retreat. FDR originally named the property "Shangri-La," a name it kept until the Eisenhower administration, who named it Camp David after his grandson.

    The compound has expanded over the years, with new cabins being built and even a pool. It has also been the site of diplomatic events like the Camp David Accords in 1978 and the G8 summit in 2012.

    Here's a look inside Camp David, where presidents go to escape Washington.

    The original name of Camp David was Shangri-La, the name of a fictional Himalayan paradise in the 1933 novel "Lost Horizon."
    Shangri La_sign
    The original sign to Camp David during President Franklin D. Roosevelt's term.

    National Park Service

    When President Dwight D. Eisenhower took office, he renamed the property "Camp David," after his father and grandson who had the same name.
    Camp david sign
    David Eisenhower, the grandson of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, poses with a sign named in his honor in 1960.

    White House

    By the end of the Eisenhower administration, Camp David looked like this. The president's cabin — Aspen Lodge — was originally called the Bear's Den by FDR.
    Camp David Aspen Lodge
    Camp David's Aspen Lodge in April 1961.

    Robert Knudsen. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston.

    From the beginning, Camp David gave presidents a chance to enjoy the countryside.
    FDR and Churchill Camp David
    FDR and Winston Churchill are pictured fishing at Shangri-La in 1943.

    FDR Presidential Library & Museum/Flickr

    Here, FDR and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill fish in the woods around "Shangri La." The two men reportedly planned the D-Day invasion from a porch on one of the cabins.

    Since Camp David is in the Catoctin Mountain Park, it has a number of trails around it that presidents and their families can enjoy.
    Camp David 19
    President Jimmy Carter, holding the hand of his grandson Jason, leads members of the Carter family and others on a holiday outing to Cunningham Falls State Park near Camp David on November 25, 1978.

    Associated Press

    Horseback riding is also a common activity for the trails, as seen here with President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George Bush.
    Camp David 5
    President Ronald Reagan, left, and Vice President George Bush go horseback riding at Camp David in July 1981.

    Associated Press

    Originally, the pool at Camp David was far from Aspen Lodge. President Lyndon B. Johnson can be seen enjoying the pool with family, friends, and staff.
    Screen Shot 2018 02 12 at 5.17.35 PM

    TheLBJLibrary/YouTube

    Here's another shot of Johnson at the Camp David pool.
    Screen Shot 2018 02 12 at 5.16.12 PM

    TheLBJLibrary/YouTube

    President Richard Nixon added a pool behind the Aspen Lodge in the 1970s. President Barack Obama apparently still enjoyed it decades later.
    obama camp david
    President Barack Obama and his daughter Sasha play at the Camp David pool in 2011.

    White House

    Obama White House photographer Pete Souza snapped a number of great behind-the-scenes shots of life at Camp David, which also has tennis and basketball courts.
    3818163594_a2df503b85_o
    President Barack Obama plays basketball with senior staff and their family members during a retreat at Camp David on July 18, 2009.

    Obama White House/Flickr

    As well as a pool table.
    Barack Obama Pool Camp David
    Following the conclusion of the G8 Summit, President Barack Obama plays a game of pool in the Holly Cabin at Camp David on May 19, 2012.

    Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

    Camp David can provide a relaxing setting for presidents to do their work, away from the chaos of Washington.
    Obama camp david
    President Barack Obama reads briefing material while meeting with advisors inside his cabin at Camp David on October 21, 2012.

    Obama White House/Flickr

    Many presidents have spent Christmas at Camp David.
    George Bush X mas camp david
    Lauren Bush shows her grandfather President Bush, her Rudolph costume for the grandchildren's Christmas play as he works in his office at the presidential retreat in Camp David on December 24, 1992.

    Associated Press

    It's pretty nice in winter too.
    Camp David Aspen Lodge Snow Sledding
    Three unidentified children sled down the hill outside Aspen Lodge, the Presidential residence at Camp David, on February 10, 1962.

    Robert Knudsen. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston.

    President Jimmy Carter turned Camp David into a place where diplomacy was conducted, like the landmark Camp David Accords in 1978.
    Camp David 17
    Egyptian President Anwar El Sadat, President Jimmy Carter, and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, meet for the first time at Camp David on September 6, 1978.

    Associated Press

    Like Carter, President Bill Clinton used Camp David as a location for talks between Israel and Palestine.
    Camp David 4
    President Clinton, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, left, and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, right, walk on the grounds of Camp David on July 11, 2000.

    Associated Press

    Obama also used Camp David as a place for diplomatic events.
    Camp David 1
    President Barack Obama waves to cameras before greeting world leaders for the G8 Summit Friday on May 18, 2012.

    Associated Press

    In 2012, he hosted the leaders of the G8 nations at Camp David.
    Camp David 2
    President Barack Obama, center right, sits with world leaders at the start of the first session of the G-8 Summit Saturday, May 19, 2012, at Camp David, Md. Seated, clockwise from left, are Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, French President Francois Hollande, Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, and European Commission President Jose' Manuel Barroso, back to camera.

    Associated Press

    It's not all work, though. European leaders took a break during the 2012 G8 to watch the overtime shootout of the Chelsea vs. Bayern Munich Champions League final.
    Barack Obama David Cameron Angela Merkel
    At Camp David for the G8 Summit, European leaders took a break to watch the overtime shootout of the Chelsea vs. Bayern Munich Champions League final. Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom, the President, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, French President François Hollande react during the winning goal on May 19, 2012.

    Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

    President Donald Trump visited Camp David five times in his first year in office, calling it "a very special place" in one tweet.
    Camp David 3
    President Donald Trump walks towards Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House to travel to Camp David on January 5, 2018.

    Associated Press

    In January 2018, Trump brought senior Republicans to Camp David for a leadership retreat.
    Donald Trump Mitch McConnell Mike Pompeo Mike Pence Kevin McCarthy Steve Scalise Rex Tillerson
    President Donald Trump, center, accompanied by from left, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., Vice President Mike Pence, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Calif., House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, speaks after participating in a Congressional Republican Leadership Retreat at Camp David, Md., Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018.

    AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

    During his presidency, Trump frequented his properties more than Camp David.
    U.S. President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Florida.
    Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida.

    Alex Wong/Getty Images

    Before taking office, Trump once told a German journalist in an interview, "Camp David is very rustic, it's nice, you'd like it. You know how long you'd like it? For about 30 minutes."

    By August 2020, Trump had made 500 visits to his properties. Of those 500, Trump had visited Mar-A-Lago 134 times. 

    Comparatively, Trump visited Camp David five times in his first year in office, according to USA Today. He visited his golf clubs 150 times in his first year. 

    Sources: Washington Post, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, USA Today

    President Joe Biden made his first trip to Camp David three weeks into his presidency for Valentine's Day weekend in 2021.
    US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden disembark Marine One at Fort McNair in Washington, DC,
    US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden disembark Marine One at Fort McNair in Washington.

    STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

    Source: Reuters

    Biden was at Camp David during the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.
    U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris (on screen) hold a video conference with the national security team to discuss the ongoing efforts to draw down our civilian footprint in Afghanistan
    President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris (on-screen) hold a video conference with the national security team to discuss the ongoing efforts to draw down our civilian footprint in Afghanistan.

    White House via Getty Images

    He spent 72 hours at Camp David and cut his trip short to return to the White House and address the nation. 

    Source: Washington Post

    In February 2023, Biden and his team prepared for his State of the Union address from Camp David.
    President Joe Biden prepares for his State of the Union address in February 2023.
    President Joe Biden prepares for his upcoming State of the Union address.

    Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz

    Source: CBS News

    Biden and his family spent the Fourth of July weekend at Camp David in 2023.
    President Joe Biden arrives at Fort Lesley J. McNair after spending the weekend at Camp David.
    President Joe Biden arrives at Fort Lesley J. McNair after spending a weekend at Camp David.

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    Source: Washington Examiner

    Biden gathered with close family members at Camp David in June 2024.
    Biden
    President Joe Biden exits Air Force One en route to Camp David.

    AP Photo/Susan Walsh

    President Joe Biden leaned on his family during a difficult stretch of his reelection campaign following his first 2024 debate with former President Donald Trump.

    Editor's note: This story was first published in February 2018 and has been updated with recent information.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • Is the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (VHY) a good long-term buy?

    Couple holding a piggy bank, symbolising superannuation.

    The Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY) may be best known for its high level of passive income. But there’s more to consider about the ASX exchange-traded fund (ETF) than that.

    ETFs pass on the dividends they receive to their shareholders, so the higher the dividend yield from an underlying holding, the stronger the yield collected by the EFT.

    This is why the VHY ETF focuses on ASX stocks with a high dividend yield, investing in companies that have “higher forecast dividends relative to other ASX-listed companies.”

    It achieves diversification by (regularly) restricting the proportion invested in any one industry to 40% of the total ETF and 10% in any one company. Australian real estate investment trusts (REITs) are excluded from the fund.

    Which ASX shares are in the VHY ETF portfolio?

    The largest positions in the portfolio are some of the biggest companies on the ASX.

    At the end of May 2024, these were the biggest weightings in descending order:

    Looking at the overall portfolio’s balance, more than 60% of the sector allocation is to financial and mining shares, with weightings of 42.8% and 21.3%, respectively. ASX energy shares have a 10.4% position in the portfolio. These sectors typically have high dividend yields.  

    Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF dividend yield

    This fund will undoubtedly produce a high level of passive dividend income each year. But how much?

    Each ASX position in the portfolio influences the overall yield of the VHY ETF. Vanguard uses forecast dividend figures from Factset to tell investors the fund’s overall forecast yield.

    According to the fund’s monthly update for May 2024, the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF has a forecast partially franked dividend yield of 4.9% and a forecast grossed-up dividend yield of 6.6%.  

    Is this fund a good long-term buy?

    For investors entirely focused on passive dividend income, I think it can be an effective option. Its annual management fee is only 0.25%.

    However, I believe almost everyone should want to see earnings growth and capital growth from their invested businesses.

    The sectors that the VHY ETF is invested in are typically slower-growing, compared to technology for example. To have a high dividend yield, businesses typically pay out a lot of their profit, so they do not retain much profit to reinvest for growth. This dynamic has resulted in the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF producing little capital growth.

    In the last three years, the VHY ETF has returned an average of 8.8% per annum, but only 3% per annum of that was capital growth. In the past 10 years, it has returned an average of 6.9% per annum and the capital growth has been a paltry 0.6% per annum.

    This ETF can provide good cash flow. However, it may be useful to invest in other ASX ETFs that focus on globally growing businesses, which can produce stronger overall returns due to their earnings and capital growth.

    Examples of global ETFs include Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) and VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL), which have track records of total long-term returns of more than 10% per annum. However, past performance is not a guarantee of future performance.

    The post Is the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (VHY) a good long-term buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield Etf right now?

    Before you buy Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield 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 Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield 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 24 June 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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 Macquarie Group and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group, Telstra Group, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF and Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.