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  • Biden’s campaign manager told 40 of his top financial backers that the cash in his war chest would largely go to Kamala Harris if he steps aside: report

    MANASSAS, VIRGINIA - JANUARY 23: U.S. President Joe Biden and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris stand onstage and wave to the crowd at a "Reproductive Freedom Campaign Rally" at George Mason University
    Joe Biden's campaign money would largely go to Kamala Harris if he steps down, a Biden aide said, per NBC.

    Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

    • Biden's campaign manager had a call with around 40 of his top financial backers on Sunday, NBC reports.
    • Julie Chavez Rodriguez said Biden stepping aside would mean the war chest would get redistributed, per NBC.
    • And the lion's share would go to Kamala Harris, she said, with a smaller amount going to the DNC.

    President Joe Biden's campaign has been pulling out the stops to shore up support for him after his disastrous debate performance on Thursday. But the president's top donors have been briefed on what might happen and the messy financial situation that might ensue if he were to end his presidential run, NBC reported.

    According to NBC's Mike Memoli and Monica Alba, Biden's campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, had a call with around 40 of Biden's top financial backers on Sunday.

    During the call, Chavez Rodriguez told the donors — while emphasizing that Biden had no intention to give up on his 2024 run — that the lion's share of the campaign money would go to Vice President Kamala Harris.

    A smaller amount would go to the Democratic National Committee, NBC reported.

    NBC further reported that the Biden camp has held similar conversations, with more to come in the weak ahead. Biden campaign chair Jen O'Malley Dillon, per two NBC sources, will also talk to donors on Monday night.

    For his part, Biden has given little indication that he plans to step aside. In a speech to some 2,000 supporters in North Carolina, Biden acknowledged his poor showing at the debate while attempting to rally support.

    "Folks, I might not walk as easily or talk as smoothly as I used to. I might not debate as well as I used to. But what I do know is how to tell the truth," Biden said.

    Biden added that he would not be running for office again if he did not believe with all his "heart and soul" that he could still do the job.

    In the meantime, multiple reports have emerged of infighting within the Democratic Party's ranks. Biden's family members have urged him to stay in the race while blaming his top aides for his lackluster debate performance.

    And as speculation about whether the president plans to stay the course persists, dissatisfaction is growing in Harris' camp, Politico reported. Harris allies are complaining that other influential Democrats — like Gov. Gavin Newsom of California and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan — are being prioritized over the VP as potential Biden replacements, per Politico.

    Representatives for Biden did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • Russia’s former president said the US thinks it won the Cold War but is now on the verge of losing it

    Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
    Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

    Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images

    • Russia's former President Dmitry Medvedev said that the US erroneously believes it won the Cold War.
    • "What's more, it is now just one step away from losing it completely," Medvedev added.
    • The Putin loyalist has routinely threatened nuclear attacks on the West. 

    Russia's former President Dmitry Medvedev said the US had erroneously "decided that it had won the Cold War."

    At the 12th International Legal Forum in St Petersburg on June 27, Medvedev, now the deputy chair of Russia's Security Council, said: "It was a very serious misconception. The US did not win it."

    He added: "What's more, it is now just one step away from losing it completely."

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    Medvedev's comments during the forum are in line with his anti-West stance.

    When the former president was elected in 2008, he was seen as more liberal and pro-West than his predecessor, Vladimir Putin.

    However, since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, he has stood against the West in what many consider to be efforts to win Putin's favor. He's now known for routinely making bombastic threats against Western countries.

    For one, Medvedev threatened nuclear war in an X post on May 6, when he said that Russia would launch nuke attacks on Western capitals if NATO were to send troops to support Ukraine.

    "In that case, none of them will be able to hide either on Capitol Hill, or in the Elysee Palace, or in Downing Street, 10. It will be a global catastrophe," he wrote.

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    Medvedev also suggested that Russia fire a hypersonic missile at The Hague after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin.

    Medvedev has also repeatedly made wild predictions of wars in the West and the collapse of Western countries. He said a war would one day erupt between France and Germany. He also predicted in December 2022 that Elon Musk might one day be elected US president — a suggestion that even Musk said he thought was "absurd."

    Medvedev's representative did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

    Fancy font saying top ten surrounded by gold leaf set against a dark background of glittering stars.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured a rough start to the trading week this Monday. After ending last week on a positive note, ASX investors clearly woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.

    By the end of trading this afternoon, the ASX 200 had been walked back 0.22% to finish at 7,750.7 points.

    This miserly start to the Australian trading week comes after a similarly negative end to the American trading week last Friday night (our time).

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: DJI) started off strong but ended up finishing 0.12% lower.

    The Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared even worse, shedding 0.71% of its value by the end of the session.

    But let’s get back to this week and the local markets now with an analysis of what the various ASX sectors were up to this Monday.

    Winners and losers

    Despite the bad mood of the broader market, we still saw a few sectors enjoy a lift. But let’s get the losers out of the way first.

    Leading those losers was the tech sector. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) was a horror show today, tanking 2.21%.

    Healthcare stocks also had a horrid time of it. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) cratered 1.59%.

    Communications shares were also on the nose, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)’s loss of 0.97%.

    Consumer staples stocks did similarly. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) ended up shedding 0.8%.

    Gold shares followed right after that. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) saw 0.78% wiped off its value.

    Financial stocks were also getting sold off, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) giving up 0.52%.

    ASX industrial shares had a day to forget as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) retreated 0.37%.

    Consumer discretionary stocks weren’t riding to the rescue either, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)’s 0.25% slide.

    But that’s it for the losers. Turning to the winners now, it was mining shares leading the charge higher this Monday. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) was on fire, surging 1.03%.

    Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were running hot too. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) enjoyed a 0.81% hike today.

    Energy stocks overcame an initial slump to rise in value today, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) lifting 0.36%.

    Utilities shares were our final winners. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) ended the day 0.05% higher than where it started.

    Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

    Starting FY2025 off with a bang today was top index performer Coronado Global Resources Inc (ASX: CRN). Coronado shares rocketed a massive 8.86% up to $1.29 each.

    This follows news of a potential disruption to the global metallurgical coal market thanks to a major coal fire in Queensland.

    Here’s the rest of the shares you wish you owned today:

    ASX-listed company Share price Price change
    Coronado Global Resources Inc (ASX: CRN) $1.29 8.86%
    Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) $8.13 6.27%
    Stanmore Resources Ltd (ASX: SMR) $3.72 5.08%
    New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) $5.10 4.51%
    Lendlease Group (ASX: LLC) $5.63 4.07%
    Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) $6.16 3.88%
    IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) $5.85 3.72%
    Waypoint REIT Ltd (ASX: WPR) $2.25 3.69%
    Red 5 Ltd (ASX: RED) $0.37 2.78%
    De Grey Mining Ltd (ASX: DEG) $1.17 2.63%

    Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary to let you know which companies were making big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

    The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Coronado Global Resources Inc. right now?

    Before you buy Coronado Global Resources Inc. 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 Coronado Global Resources Inc. 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 Sebastian Bowen 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.

  • 4 excellent ASX 200 blue chip shares to supercharge your investment portfolio

    Man sits smiling at a computer showing graphs

    Investors that are wanting to add some ASX 200 blue chip shares to their portfolio this month might want to check out the four listed below.

    These ASX 200 shares have all been named as buys recently by analysts and tipped to rise from current levels. Here’s what you need to know about them:

    Brambles Limited (ASX: BXB)

    The first ASX 200 blue chip share that could be a buy according to analysts is Brambles.

    It is one of the world’s leading supply chain solutions companies. It specialises in reusable pallets, crates, and containers for shared use.

    Morgan Stanley is feeling positive about the company. It highlights the significant discount that its shares are trading at compared to five-year multiples. This is despite its belief that Brambles is about to enter a period of growth and announce large buybacks.

    Last month, the broker upgraded its shares to an overweight rating with a $16.60 price target.

    Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

    Another ASX 200 blue chip share that could be in the buy zone is Flight Centre. It is a travel agent giant with leisure and corporate travel operations across the world.

    Analysts at Morgans are still very positive about the company’s outlook. They highlight that “FLT has the greatest risk, reward profile of our travel stocks under coverage.”

    In light of this, the broker has put an add rating and $27.27 price target on its shares.

    Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

    A third ASX 200 blue chip share that has been tipped as a buy is Goodman Group. It is a leading integrated commercial and industrial property company with a world class portfolio of in-demand assets across the globe.

    Citi is very positive on the company and believes it is one of the best picks in the Asian region. Particularly given its strong growth outlook thanks to its warehouse and data centre developments.

    And while its shares trade at a premium to global peers, the broker believes this is deserved. Citi has a buy rating and $40.00 price target on Goodman’s shares.

    Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE)

    Finally, analysts at Morgans think that Treasury Wine could be an ASX 200 blue chip share to buy.

    It is the wine giant behind popular brands including Penfolds, Wolf Blass, 19 Crimes, and Blossom Hill. It also recently added to its portfolio with the major U.S. acquisition of DAOU Vineyards. Morgans notes that “the acquisition is in line with TWE’s premiumisation and growth strategy and will strengthen a key gap in Treasury Americas (TA) portfolio.”

    Morgans currently has an add rating and $15.03 price target on its shares.

    The post 4 excellent ASX 200 blue chip shares to supercharge your investment portfolio appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Brambles 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 Brambles 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

    Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Treasury Wine Estates. 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 Flight Centre Travel Group, Goodman Group, and Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Bell Potter names the best ASX mining stocks to buy in FY25

    A female worker in a hard hat smiles in an oil field.

    Do you want exposure to the mining sector this financial year?

    If you do, then it could be worth looking at the ASX mining stocks that Bell Potter is tipping as top buys.

    Here’s what you need to know about them:

    Aeris Resources Ltd (ASX: AIS)

    Bell Potter thinks that this copper miner could be a great option for investors. Particularly given its improved balance sheet and rising copper grades at the Tritton copper mine. The broker said:

    AIS represents a copper dominant mining exposure whose primary assets are the Tritton Copper Operations in NSW, Cracow Gold Mine in QLD, Mt Colin Copper Mine in QLD. Its near-term outlook is highly leveraged to rising copper grades at the Tritton copper mine, where new high grade ore sources are driving production growth through CY24 and exploration success at Constellation is likely to sustain higher production levels over the long term. The Cracow gold mine in QLD offers an unhedged gold exposure that is highly leveraged to a rising gold price. Recent refinancings have de-risked the balance sheet and we are of the view that AIS is well positioned to deliver on its production targets.

    Its analysts have a buy rating and 30 cents price target on the ASX mining stock.

    Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN)

    The broker also remains positive on this iron ore, energy, and lithium focused miner. This is due largely to its significant production growth plans in the coming years. It explains:

    MIN’s business is undergoing considerable growth in the Iron Ore, Lithium and Energy units. Resulting production growth is forecast to increase earnings over the next two years and provide improved leverage to lithium and iron ore prices, from a lower unit cost base. We forecast that MIN’s uncorrelated earnings streams, and internal design and construction capabilities, will provide a sector leading growth platform. In addition to the current growth projects, we expect further news flow late in mid-CY24 relating to future growth projects, including further expansion in iron ore and lithium businesses, as well as first developments in energy.

    Bell Potter has a buy rating and $84.00 price target on its shares.

    Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR)

    Another ASX mining stock that has been given the thumbs up by analysts at Bell Potter is lithium developer Liontown. It appears to see recent weakness as a buying opportunity, particularly given the quality of its Kathleen Valley Lithium Project. It said:

    LTR’s 100% owned Kathleen Valley lithium project remains highly strategic in terms of its stage of development, long mine life and location. The project is on track for first production from mid-2024. LTR has offtake contracts with top tier EV and battery OEMs (Ford, LG Energy Solution and Tesla). Kathleen Valley’s development has benefited from recent sector experience across mining and processing lithium minerals. The asset’s scale and long life provide potential for value-adding downstream lithium chemicals processing integration. Kathleen Valley’s initial production rate is readily scalable as lithium markets recover.

    Bell Potter has a speculative buy and $1.85 price target on its shares.

    The post Bell Potter names the best ASX mining stocks to buy in FY25 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Aeris Resources Limited shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 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.

  • Elon Musk’s now lauding Jensen Huang for having once cleaned toilets

    "Absolutely the right attitude," Elon Musk (left) said of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's (right) work ethic.
    "Absolutely the right attitude," Elon Musk (left) said of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's (right) work ethic.

    Marc Piasecki via Getty Images; I-Hwa Cheng/AFP via Getty Images

    • Elon Musk is a fan of Jensen Huang's work ethic.
    • Huang said he once worked for the breakfast chain Denny's, where he washed dishes and cleaned toilets.
    • The Nvidia CEO said the experience shaped his hands-on working style.

    Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's indefatigable work ethic has helped turn the chip giant into one of the most valuable companies in the world.

    So it's perhaps no surprise that Huang's client and fellow billionaire, Elon Musk, is a fan of his management style.

    "Absolutely the right attitude," Musk said in an X post on Sunday. "During the toilet paper shortages of Covid, I was making sure that our factories and offices had toilet paper."

    Musk was responding to a clip of an interview Huang gave in March to Stanford's Graduate School of Business, where he talked about his experience working at the breakfast chain Denny's.

    "To me, no task is beneath me because, remember, I used to be a dishwasher," Huang said. "I used to clean toilets. I cleaned a lot of toilets. I've cleaned more toilets than all of you combined."

    The experience, Huang said, proved formative in shaping his working style — taking on a hands-on approach toward solving problems with his staff.

    "You can't show me a task that's beneath me," Huang said. "If you send me something, and you want me to help review it, I'll do my best. And I'll show you how I would do it."

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

    Musk, for his part, hasn't been afraid to be hands-on either.

    The Tesla CEO said he once spent a spell sleeping in the EV giant's factories to personally inspect the vehicles coming off the production line.

    "The reason I slept on the floor was not because I couldn't go across the road and be at a hotel. It was because I wanted my circumstances to be worse than anyone else at the company," Musk told Bloomberg in 2018. "Whenever they felt pain, I wanted mine to be worse."

    To be sure, Musk's praise for Huang probably isn't just because they are kindred spirits when it comes to the hustle. He hasn't hesitated to pick fights with other billionaires known for their hardcore work ethic, like Meta's Mark Zuckerberg and "Shark Tank" star Mark Cuban.

    Musk's friendly overtures may instead have more to do with how intertwined their fortunes are. After all, Musk's ambitions with AI — including Tesla's goal of making self-driving cars and his desire to turn xAI into the world's leading AI company — mean acquiring Nvidia's chips has become a matter of survival.

    And for what it's worth, the admiration between Musk and Huang appears to be mutual.

    "Tesla is far ahead in self-driving cars, but every single car, someday, will have to have autonomous capability," Huang said in an interview with Yahoo Finance in May.

    "Thanks Jensen," Musk wrote in an X post in response.

    Representatives for Musk and Huang did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI sent outside regular business hours.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • At Camp David, Biden’s family is blaming his top aides and urging him to not end his run after a bad debate: report

    Jill Biden, Hunter Biden, and Melissa Cohen Biden
    First lady Jill Biden, Hunter Biden, and Melissa Cohen Biden leave the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building in Wilmington, Delaware.

    Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

    • The Biden family is blaming his aides for his poor debate showing, per Politico.
    • Sources say they pointed fingers at advisor Anita Dunn, attorney Bob Bauer, and former Biden Chief of Staff Ron Klain.
    • This comes as Biden faces mounting pressure to step aside from the presidential race.

    In the privacy of Camp David, members of President Joe Biden's family have criticized his top aides for his poor debate showing on Thursday, Politico reports.

    Following Biden's widely publicized debate on Thursday with former President Donald Trump, the family retreated to the Maryland property for a pre-planned trip.

    There, his family members blamed his political advisors and argued they should be demoted or fired, three anonymous sources told Politico.

    According to Politico's sources, the family pointed fingers at three Biden aides in particular: Biden's senior advisor, Anita Dunn, her husband, Bob Bauer, Biden's personal attorney, and his former chief of staff, Ron Klain.

    Bauer played the role of Trump during mock debates at Camp David, while Klain led the debate prep, Politico reported.

    The family argued that the aides had not prepared him enough to go on the offensive.

    The media outlet said that the family thought Biden was forced to defend himself against Trump's accusations rather than speak of his plans for his second term and that he was too tired and unwell to put up a good show.

    However, Biden's campaign spokesperson, Kevin Munoz, told Politico that the president "maintains strong confidence" in his aides.

    Munoz told Politico: "The aides who prepped the President have been with him for years, often decades, seeing him through victories and challenges."

    Increasing pressure to step aside

    Following Thursday's debate, Biden has faced increasingly urgent calls to step down.

    David Axelrod, an Obama-era White House senior advisor, said on CNN after the debate that there was a "sense of shock" around Biden's debate performance.

    "There are going to be discussions about whether he should continue," Axelrod said.

    The debate also ignited speculation on who Biden's replacement could be, should he step aside for a younger candidate.

    The list of viable alternatives includes Vice President Kamala Harris, Gov. Gavin Newsom of California, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, and more.

    But the Biden family has urged the president to stay the course, and a majority of Democratic lawmakers and Biden allies have held the line, reiterating their support for him after the debate.

    Harris told CNN's Anderson Cooper that while the debate had a "slow start," it had a "strong finish."

    "People can debate on style points, but ultimately this election and who is the president of the United States has to be about substance. And the contrast is clear," she said to Cooper.

    Gov. Newsom of California echoed her sentiments, maintaining his support for Biden in an interview with MSNBC.

    "You don't turn your back because of one performance. What kind of party does that?" Newsom said.

    "This president has delivered. We need to deliver for him at this moment," he added.

    Biden also tried to rally support at a post-debate campaign event in North Carolina.

    "Folks, I might not walk as easily or talk as smoothly as I used to. I might not debate as well as I used to. But what I do know is how to tell the truth," Biden said on Friday.

    Representatives for Biden did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • Pilbara Minerals shares hit 22-month low. Are short-sellers holding tight?

    Man in mining or construction uniform sits on the floor with worried look on face

    The start of the new financial year hasn’t brought much joy for the Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) share price this Monday. In fact, Pilbara Minerals shares are starting FY2025 off at a very low point indeed.

    Last week, shares of this ASX 200 lithium stock closed at $3.07 each. But today, those same Pilbara Minerals shares opened at $3.08 before sinking as low as $3.02 each. Not only is that a new 52-week low for Pilbara Minerals, but the lowest this lithium stock has traded at in almost two years.

    Yep, you’d have to go back 22 months to August 2022 to find the last time Pilbara had $3.02 as its share price.

    Pilbara Minerals shares’ rough 2024

    It’s a steep fall from grace for an ASX share that has previously made its investors very wealthy. Between June and November 2022, Pilbara Minerals shares soared from around $2.20 each to a record high of around $5.40. That was a gain worth more than 130% over just a few months.

    In 2023, the company remained volatile but treaded water based on that year’s bookend prices. But in 2024, the story has been decidedly negative. Pilbara started this year at $3.98 a share before climbing to roughly $4.40 in early March.

    But ever since then, it has been down and down for this lithium stock. Today’s fresh low puts the Pilbara Minerals share price down 23.5% year to date, and more than 31% lower than that March high.

    Check that all out for yourself below:

    Pilbara’s woes have been a lucrative money-making opportunity for one group, though.

    Short sellers have been feasting on Pilbara Minerals shares this year. Pilbara routinely pops up on the list of ASX 200 shares that have the highest proportion of their stock held in a short position. In fact, over 2024, Pilbara has made the top ten list almost every week. That includes this week, as my Fool colleague James documented this morning.

    Short sellers make money by borrowing someone else’s shares with a promise to return them at a set date. The shorter then sells the shares, before buying them back when they are scheduled to be returned. If the company has fallen in value over this period, the shorter pockets the difference as a profit.

    So it goes without saying that almost anyone who has shorted Pilbara Minerals shares in 2024 has done well.

    But are these short sellers still holding tight? Or have they been taking money off the table as the company has fallen in value?

    Well, let’s get to the bottom of that question.

    Are short sellers still betting against this ASX lithium stock?

    As we went through back in January, Pilbara began 2024 as the ASX 200’s most shorted stock, with a whopping 20.4% of its shares held in a short position.

    Fast forward to February 19, and Pilbara was still at the top of the table, with 19.2% of its shares shorted.

    By May 27, Pilbara’s short interest had increased, with 21.2% of its shares wagered against the company.

    We saw that pattern hold in June, with 21.6% of Pilbara shares shorted at one point.

    And that gets us to July. As we covered this morning, Pilbara remains at the top of the ASX’s most shorted shares list, with 20.7% of the company’s shares held in a short position.

    As such, it seems that a huge chunk of investors are still betting that this company has further to fall. Only time will tell if they prove to be correct.

    The post Pilbara Minerals shares hit 22-month low. Are short-sellers holding tight? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Pilbara Minerals 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 Pilbara Minerals 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 Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Why it’s a big day for ASX ETFs

    At first glance, this Monday looks like a fairly ordinary one for ASX shares. At the time of writing, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has retreated by 0.32% in a lacklustre start to the 2025 financial year. But let’s discuss why today is actually a pretty big day on the share market, thanks to dozens of ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

    ASX ETFs are more sensitive than most ASX shares to the financial calendar. Most of these funds pay out dividend distributions every quarter rather than the six-month interval that is normally the standard for ASX shares. These quarterly dividend distributions are typically aligned with the four quarters of the financial year.

    As it happens, today is the first day of the 2025 financial year. And as such, we’ve heard from dozens of ASX ETFs today regarding their next dividend distribution. Many are also trading ex-dividend for said distributions this Monday.

    Take the iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV). Earlier this afternoon, we discussed the IVV ETF and its latest quarterly dividend distribution, which has just been announced. Investors in this index fund will enjoy a distribution next week on 11 July.

    We learned that this dividend distribution would be worth 14.06 cents per unit. However, today is also the day that this ETF has traded ex-dividend. That’s why we are seeing a big dip in the IVV unit price this Monday (currently down 1.34%).

    It’s not just the iShares S&P 500 ETF. Most iShares ETFs are following IVV’s lead today. That includes everything from the iShares Core S&P/ASX 200 ETF (ASX: IOZ) and the iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (ASX: IKO) to the iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF (ASX: IXI) and the iShares Government Inflation ETF (ASX: ILB).

    A big day for ASX ETFs

    All of these exchange-traded funds just traded ex-dividend and will pay their next distributions on 11 July.

    And it’s not just iShares ETFs that are going through this process right now. Last Friday, we discussed the latest monster dividend from the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT). Well, MOAT units have also traded ex-dividend for this monster payment today, joining almost all ETFs from VanEck.

    In addition to MOAT, today is the day that the VanEck Global Clean Energy ETF (ASX: CLNE), the VanEck China New Economy ETF (ASX: CNEW), the VanEck Gold Miners ETF (ASX: GDX) and the VanEck Australian Equal Weight ETF (ASX: MVW), amongst others, have traded ex-dividend. These ETFs will all pay out their respective distributions on 23 July, later this month.

    It’s a similar story for Vanguard ETFs. Vanguard is the provider responsible for many of the ASX’s most popular ETFs.

    Today has seen the likes of the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS), the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS), the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY) and the Vanguard Diversified High Growth Index ETF (ASX: VDHG) trade ex-dividend. These funds, as well as most Vanguard ETFs, will pay out their latest dividends on 16 July this month.

    So all in all, this Monday is a huge day for ASX exchange-traded funds. If you own one, chances are you’ve got a paycheque with your name on it in the mail as we speak.

    The post Why it’s a big day for ASX ETFs appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF, Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF, and iShares International Equity ETFs – iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended iShares International Equity ETFs – iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF, Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF, Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Jason Kelce lost almost 20 pounds after retiring from the NFL. Now, he wants to lose another 20 more for his kids.

    Former NFL player Jason Kelce reacts following a match during Night One of WrestleMania 40 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
    Jason Kelce wants to lose more weight so he can be a better dad.

    Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

    • Jason Kelce says he wants to lose weight in order to play with his kids and be a better dad.
    • The former Philadelphia Eagles center told GQ he lost "almost 20 pounds" since retiring from the NFL in March.
    • Kelce said his back and knees "feel better" since he shed the weight and he has plans to lose another 20 pounds.

    Jason Kelce says he's focusing on losing weight for the sake of his children.

    In an interview with GQ published last Wednesday, the former Philadelphia Eagles center spoke about how he's staying healthy in retirement.

    Kelce said he's "almost 20 pounds down right now" since retiring from the NFL in March and aims to lose another 20.

    "It's hard to imagine another nearly 20 pounds coming off, being honest with you. But my back already feels better. My knees already feel better," Kelce told GQ. "So another 20 pounds hopefully will make that much more adept at playing with my children."

    Kelce has three daughters with his wife, Kylie Kelce.

    He shared that he weighed 295 pounds for most of his NFL career, and now weighs 277 pounds.

    "I don't want to get too small. I think a lot of guys, especially offensive linemen, they lose too much weight, and then they look like bobbleheads because their neck gets so small, but their head stays the same size," Kelce said.

    He added that a weight range between 250 and 260 pounds felt the most suitable for him because it would help him retain his stature.

    "So for me, I feel like for some reason, 250 to 260 feels like I'll be still big and be happy with the way I look without having a six-pack," he said.

    Even though he's sustained numerous injuries throughout his 13-year football career, Kelce said he won't let them stop him from enjoying life.

    "I've had a twice-reconstructed right knee, a surgery on my hand, my groin. I've broken toes. I've had my share of things that have gone wrong, not to mention just the wear and tear of playing 13 years in the NFL," Kelce said. "So I'm leaving the game with those scars, but for all intents and purposes, I can play with my kids. I am still able to fully enjoy life, which I consider a blessing whether you played in the NFL or not."

    This isn't the first time that he's spoken about his desire to shed some pounds during retirement.

    During an April episode of his "New Heights" podcast featuring guest Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kelce shared some details about his fitness goals.

    "My goal is two pounds every week, lose it. I want to lose it, but maintain my muscle mass," Kelce said. "I'm trying to monitor my protein, my carbs, my fats and make sure that I'm hitting at least one pound per body weight."

    Schwarzenegger then gave Kelce a tip: "The most important thing is that you slowly decrease the body fat and increase the body muscles. You just switch. It doesn't just have to do with the weight," he said.

    In a June 2023 interview with Sports Illustrated's Eagles Today, Kelce shared that his NFL diet wasn't as strict as one might expect.

    "I think that you just gotta be smart and do it in a way you're getting the right amount of protein," Kelce said. "Once you kind of figure that out, you don't really have to stay on top of it much."

    He added that he eats whatever he wants to.

    "I can go to McDonald's and eat food that I can figure out. I can go to Wawa, look at the menu, and figure out what to have. I don't need to have brown rice with chicken breast with no flavor. If that's what's required of me to play in the NFL, I probably wouldn't do it," he said.

    Read the original article on Business Insider