Category: Stock Market

  • Are Woolworths shares a bargain after falling 20%?

    a man inspects a capsicum while holding an eco-friendly green string bag in a supermarket produce aisle.

    The Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) share price is down around 20% from June 2023, as we can see on the chart below. When an ASX blue-chip share falls as much as that, it’s worthwhile to examine if it’s a potential opportunity.  

    It’s an interesting time for the ASX supermarket share because it’s meant to be defensive, yet the market has really turned off the business at a time when some discretionary areas of the Australian economy are suffering.

    Should the market be negative about the business? I’ll examine some negatives and positives.

    Inflation and sales are weakening

    In 2023, the company was benefiting from strong tailwinds with a high level of food inflation and a rapidly growing Australian population.

    Woolworths reported in FY23 that its Australian food sales increased 5% to $48 billion, with FY23 second-half sales rising 7.6% to $23.5 billion. Woolworths reported inflation of average prices was 7.7% in the FY23 second quarter, 5.8% in the third quarter and 5.2% in the fourth quarter.

    The recent FY24 third quarter showed much slower progress for Woolworths, where the Australian food division only achieved 1.5% total sales growth after a 0.7% decline in average prices (excluding tobacco). It also didn’t help investor confidence that BIG W sales declined by 4.1% to $1 billion.

    Woolworths said it’s expecting trading conditions to be “challenging” for the next 12 months due to competition for customer shopping baskets, and inflation returning to a “very low single digit range”. 

    What’s attractive about the Woolworths share price?

    For starters, the lower valuation is now much more appealing with a lower price/earnings (P/E) ratio.

    The broker UBS projects Woolworths could generate $1.32 of earnings per share (EPS) in FY24, which puts it below 25x FY24’s forecast profit.

    Pleasingly, Woolworths is expected to deliver significant earnings growth in the coming years. By FY27, EPS is projected to increase to $1.57 and then increase to $1.74 in FY28.

    I’m a big believer that earnings growth can drive share prices, so the potential 32% rise in EPS could be supportive for the Woolworths share price in the next few years.

    The Woolworths dividend per share is also expected to grow from 96 cents in FY24 to $1.30 per share in FY28. Those potential payouts translate into a grossed-up dividend yield of 4.2% in FY24 and 5.7% in FY28.

    Ultimately, shareholder returns depend on share price movements and dividend payouts, and growth looks positive in the coming years, even if the shorter term looks weak. I think this could be the right time to consider Woolworths shares.

    The post Are Woolworths shares a bargain after falling 20%? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Woolworths 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 Woolworths Group Limited wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 5 May 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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.

  • Buy these ASX dividends stocks with 6% to 9% yields

    A young woman holds her hand to her mouth in surprise as she reads something on her laptop.

    Are you looking for a big income boost for your investment portfolio?

    If you are, then read on because listed below are three ASX dividend stocks that analysts rate as buys and are expecting huge dividend yields from in the near term.

    Let’s see what they are forecasting for these income options:

    Accent Group Ltd (ASX: AX1)

    Accent Group could be an ASX dividend stock to buy according to analysts at Bell Potter.

    It is a leading footwear focused retailer that operates a large number of retail banners. This includes HypeDC, Platypus, Sneaker Lab, Stylerunner, and The Athlete’s Foot.

    At the last count, the company had a network of over 800 stores and almost 10 million contactable customers.

    Bell Potter believes these stores and its online businesses will support the payment of fully franked dividends per share of 13 cents in FY 2024 and then 14.6 cents in FY 2025. Based on the latest Accent share price of $2.00, this represents dividend yields of 6.5% and 7.3%, respectively.

    The broker has a buy rating and $2.50 price target on its shares.

    Deterra Royalties Ltd (ASX: DRR)

    Another ASX dividend stock to look at is Deterra Royalties.

    While it can be classed as a mining stock, it actually doesn’t do any digging or processing itself. Instead, it gets paid royalties on a collection of mining operations across the country.

    The jewel in the crown is the iron ore producing Mining Area C project, which is operated by BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP).

    Morgan Stanley expects these assets to generate enough free cash flow to underpin the payment of 32.7 cents per share dividends in FY 2024 and then 39 cents per share dividends in FY 2025. Based on the current Deterra Royalties share price of $4.44, this will mean yields of 7.4% and 8.8%, respectively.

    Morgan Stanley has an overweight rating and $5.60 price target on its shares

    Dexus Convenience Retail REIT (ASX: DXC)

    A final ASX dividend stock that could provide investors with a big dividend yield is Dexus Convenience Retail REIT. It owns a portfolio of service stations and convenience retail assets across Australia.

    Morgans is a fan of the company and sees plenty of value in its shares at current levels. It is also forecasting dividends per share of 21 cents in both FY 2024 and FY 2025. Based on its current share price of $2.71, this implies yields of 7.9%.

    The broker has an add rating and $3.23 price target on its shares.

    The post Buy these ASX dividends stocks with 6% to 9% yields 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 5 May 2024

    More reading

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

  • 3 lower-risk ASX shares for beginner investors

    Invest written on a notepad with Australian dollar notes and piggybank.

    Getting started on an investing journey into the Australian share market can be a daunting prospect. We all know that the ASX can be a risky place to invest your hard-earned dollars. And buying the first ASX shares on your investing journey is often where a prospective investor makes their first mistake.

    That’s fair enough of course. There are hundreds of different ASX shares to choose from on the ASX. With the varying opinions and recommendations one is often inundated with when first starting out in the share market, this can make it easy to follow the wrong advice and go for a company that may not be a wise choice for a long-term investment.

    As such, today, I’ll be discussing three ASX shares that I think would make great, lower-risk picks for a beginner investor. No ASX share is a risk-free investment, of course. But I think these three picks are about as safe as an ASX share can be.

    3 lower-risk ASX shares for a beginner investor

    Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

    It’s my view that the lowest-risk shares on the ASX are companies that provide goods or services that we need rather than want. Of life’s basic needs, none come above food. That’s why I think Coles is a great choice for investors looking for a safer entry point into the Australian stock market.

    Coles has a nationwide network of supermarket grocers that many Australians go to to buy food, drinks, and household essentials. We can be reasonably sure that this isn’t going to change anytime soon, as Coles is always under pressure to sell us these basics at the cheapest pricing it can.

    This isn’t an investment that will make anyone rich overnight, but I think Coles has the potential for some modest capital gains going forward. The company also offers a hefty (and fully-franked) dividend, which is currently yielding just under 4%.

    Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

    In a similar vein, I also view Telstra as a good choice for beginner investors who are looking for a low-risk share to dip their toes into the stock market world. While food, drinks, and household essentials are at the top of our basic needs, reliable internet access is also a top priority in today’s modern world.

    Telstra is the gold standard stock to invest in if you want a slice of that action. It is the largest provider of both mobile and fixed-line internet services in Australia, and its mobile network is almost universally regarded as superior to those of its competitors.

    Like Coles, Telstra’s earnings are unlikely to be severely affected by any problems in our economy. Whether we are dealing with high inflation or an economic recession, Telstra’s customers are probably not going to stop paying for phone usage or internet access. This inherent defensiveness makes this company another great choice for any beginner investor today.

    Telstra shares also offer investors a decent, fully franked dividend yield. At inflation prices, this was just under 5%.

    Argo Investments Ltd (ASX: ARG)

    A final ASX share that I think any beginner can consider as a low-risk starter investment is Argo Investments. Argo is a listed investment company (LIC), which means it actually functions as something akin to a managed fund.

    Rather than producing or selling goods or services itself, it runs a portfolio of other investments on behalf of its investors. Argo has been around for a very long time. It first opened its doors back in 1946. Since then, it has built up a reputation as a conservative and reliable steward of its investors’ capital.

    Argo’s strength comes from its diversified portfolio of ASX shares. It consists of dozens of underlying ASX shares, which (as of 31 May) included everything from Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) to Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN) and TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE).

    Thanks to this huge, diversified portfolio of different ASX companies, I think Argo represents a very low-risk ASX share that any beginner investor can feel comfortable holding. Argo also pays out a regular, fully franked dividend, which was recently trading at a yield of around 4%.

    The post 3 lower-risk ASX shares for beginner investors appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Argo Investments 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 Argo Investments Limited wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 5 May 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Technology One. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Coles Group and Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Technology One. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 3 high-quality ASX 200 shares to buy forever

    Business women working from home with stock market chart showing per cent change on her laptop screen.

    One of the best ways to grow your wealth is arguably to invest in high quality companies with a long-term view.

    The latter gives your investment time to compound and supercharge your returns and wealth creation.

    As for the former, they say the cream always rises to the top. And this is usually the case in the share market with the very best companies delivering the best returns over the long term.

    But which ASX 200 shares could be classed as high quality? Let’s look at three that could be buys according to analysts. They are as follows:

    CSL Limited (ASX: CSL)

    CSL could be one of the highest quality companies on the ASX boards. It is one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies with a collection of businesses that are leaders in the respective fields. This includes CSL Behring, CSL Vifor, and Seqirus businesses, which focus on blood plasma products, kidney therapies, and vaccines, respectively.

    But CSL is never one to rest on its laurels. Each year it reinvests in the region of 12% back into its research and development activities. This ensures that it has a pipeline of potentially lucrative treatments.

    Macquarie is a big fan of the company sees scope for its shares to rise to $500 in the coming years. But in the immediate term, the broker has an outperform rating and $330.00 price target on them.

    Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

    A second high quality ASX 200 share for investors to look at is Goodman Group. It is a leading integrated commercial and industrial property company with a world class portfolio of assets in key locations across the globe.

    Strong demand for these assets has underpinned stellar earnings growth over the last decade. The good news is that Morgan Stanley thinks this positive form can continue. Especially given its belief that Goodman’s exposure to artificial intelligence through its data centre pipeline will be another driver of future growth.

    Morgan Stanley currently has an overweight rating and $36.65 price target on its shares.

    ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD)

    Bell Potter thinks that this sleep disorder treatment company could be a high quality ASX 200 share to buy.

    The broker likes ResMed due to its significant opportunity as a leader in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and other sleep disorders. It notes that “the market for OSA and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains under penetrated, and we expect industry volume growth to continue in the 6-8% range for the foreseeable future.”

    This bodes well for its sales and earnings growth over the next decade. Particularly given that one of its key rivals has been battling a major product recall.

    Bell Potter has a buy rating and $36.00 price target on its shares.

    The post 3 high-quality ASX 200 shares to buy forever appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy CSL shares, consider this:

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

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

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

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 5 May 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL, Goodman Group, Macquarie Group, and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL and Goodman Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • If I’d put $5,000 into DroneShield shares just 1 year ago, here’s what I’d have now

    A smiling woman with a handful of $100 notes, indicating strong dividend payments

    If I had invested $5,000 into DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) shares a year ago, I would be laughing all the way to the bank now.

    That’s because during the last 12 months, the counter drone technology company’s shares have been among the very best performers on the Australian share market.

    To demonstrate just how successful an investment in DroneShield has been, let’s take a look and see what a $5,000 investment a year ago would be worth now.

    $5,000 invested in DroneShield shares

    Investors that were savvy enough to invest into the company’s shares in June 2023, would have been able to snap them up for 24 cents a piece.

    This means that with $5,000 to invest, I would have been able to acquire approximately 20,833 shares in the high-flying share.

    As of yesterday’s close, DroneShield shares were changing hands for $1.37 each. This means that those 20,833 units now have a market value of $28,541.21.

    That’s a whopping return on investment of $23,541.21, which is almost five times your original outlay.

    Why has it been such a good investment?

    DroneShield’s rise is not entirely surprising. In fact, I named it as one of my top ten ASX shares to buy in 2024 due to how well-positioned it is to benefit from the increasing demand for counterdrone systems.

    In the company’s annual report, its chairman summarised why demand is surging for its technology. Peter James said:

    Drones and counterdrone systems are now used in every conflict globally, including the Ukraine war, Hamas attacks on Israel, Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, and most recently, the attacks on the U.S. bases in Jordan which killed 3 and injured over 30. Significant non-military use cases for drones continue for the intelligence community, airports, prisons, border security, stadiums, and other facilities. Nefarious use of drones is a global and rapidly rising threat, with DroneShield providing a proven market leading suite of solutions, directly and via its network of 70+ in-country partners globally.

    DroneShield has also let its results do the talking for it. During the first quarter of FY 2024, the company’s revenue increased 10x over the prior corresponding period to $16.4 million.

    Since then, it has been able to raise $100 million from investors through a capital raising.

    The proceeds from this will be used to capitalise on strong momentum experienced in the first quarter and favourable geopolitical environment. Management also noted that it has a sales pipeline of over $500 million, with over 90 qualified projects at different stages with high quality government customers.

    All in all, it’s no wonder that DroneShield shares are the talk of the town right now. Here’s hoping its run can continue.

    The post If I’d put $5,000 into DroneShield shares just 1 year ago, here’s what I’d have now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Droneshield 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 Droneshield Limited wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 5 May 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield. 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.

  • If I buy 1,000 ANZ shares, how much passive income will I receive?

    Man holding a calculator with Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.

    ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) shares are traditionally a popular option for passive income investors.

    This isn’t surprising.

    After all, the banking giant regularly shares a good portion of its sizeable profits with its shareholders every six months.

    For example, in FY 2023, ANZ’s solid financial performance allowed the bank to pay an interim dividend of 81 cents per share and then a final dividend of 94 cents per share. The latter comprised an 81 cents per share dividend partially franked at 65% and an additional one-off unfranked dividend of 13 cents per share.

    This brought the total dividends for FY 2023 to 175 cents per share, which represents a dividend payout ratio of 71% of cash profit from continuing operations.

    But those dividends have been and gone. What sort of passive income could be coming next for investors that buy ANZ shares today? Let’s find out.

    Passive income from ANZ shares

    Let’s imagine that you buy 1,000 ANZ shares, let’s see what income you could receive from this sort of investment.

    With the ANZ share price currently trading at $28.78, it would set you back $28,780 to buy 1,000 units. That’s not a small investment but would it be worth it?

    Well, according to a note out of Goldman Sachs, its analysts expect the bank to pay shareholders dividends of $1.66 per share in FY 2024, FY 2025, and FY 2026.

    If Goldman is on the money with its estimates, this will mean passive income of $1,660 for investors over the next 12 months from their 1,000 ANZ shares.

    And given how Goldman expects ANZ to continue paying the same amount for the foreseeable future, you can likely expect to receive the same amount of income from your shares in the following 12 months.

    Should you invest?

    While Goldman Sachs has a buy rating on ANZ’s shares, its price target of $28.15 is actually lower than where they trade today.

    As a result, this could make it worth keeping your powder dry for the time being and waiting for a better entry point.

    Though, it is worth noting that Ord Minnett sees reasonable upside for the bank’s shares. Despite only having a hold rating, its price target of $31.00 implies potential upside of almost 8%.

    In addition, Ord Minnett agrees that a $1.66 per share dividend is coming this year, but expects an increase to $1,70 per share in FY 2025.

    The post If I buy 1,000 ANZ shares, how much passive income will I receive? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Australia And New Zealand Banking Group right now?

    Before you buy Australia And New Zealand Banking 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 Australia And New Zealand Banking Group wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 5 May 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goldman Sachs Group. 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.

  • Guess which ASX tech stock could double in value

    Vanadium Resources share price person riding rocket indicating share price increase

    Investors with a high tolerance for risk might want to check out the ASX tech stock in this article.

    That’s because if analysts at Bell Potter are on the money with their recommendation, it could double your money for you over the next 12 months.

    Which ASX tech stock?

    The tech stock in question is environmental technology company Calix Ltd (ASX: CXL).

    It is focused on solving global challenges in industrial decarbonisation and sustainability. This includes CO2 mitigation, sustainable minerals processing, advanced batteries, biotechnology, and water treatment.

    Bell Potter highlights that Calix is commercialising and developing a range of environmentally friendly solutions for industry. These solutions are derived from its patented minerals processing technology, the Calix Flash Calciner (CFC). It notes that the CFC is a patented reinvention of the calcination process that produces very high surface area nano-active materials, without the safety concerns or high production costs of nanoparticles.

    In addition, Bell Potter points out that the technology can be used to separate and capture the CO2 by-product when decomposing carbonates into oxides, such as during the manufacture of cement and lime.

    The broker notes that this CFC technology can be adapted for a broad range of applications based on a variety of minerals. However, the company has prioritised solutions for five target areas with a combined addressable market of $70 billion.

    Big returns but high risk

    Bell Potter is cautiously positive on the company’s long-term outlook and has reaffirmed its speculative buy rating with a $2.40 price target. Based on its current share price of $1.17, this implies potential upside of 105% for this ASX tech stock over the next 12 months.

    To put that into context, a $10,000 investment in this stock today would turn into $20,500 if the broker is proven correct with its recommendation and valuation.

    Though, it is worth highlighting that you could just as easily lose half your money (or more) from a speculative investment like this. So, this is really one for only those with a very high tolerance for risk.

    Bell Potter concludes:

    CXL’s growing suite of CFC applications target global challenges, including decarbonisation of hard-to-abate industrial processes (lime, cement and steel making), and improvement to supply chain efficiency (lithium concentrate value adding). CXL represents a valuable sustainable investing opportunity for ESG-focussed investors. CXL is a development company with prospective operations and cash flows only. Our Speculative risk rating recognises this higher level of risk and volatility of returns.

    The post Guess which ASX tech stock could double in value appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Calix 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 Calix Limited wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 5 May 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has 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.

  • Big bank bargain: Are this week’s tumbling ASX 200 bank shares a good buy?

    Friends at an ATM looking sad.

    ASX 200 bank shares delivered mixed results in the first half of 2024, and views on the sector’s outlook are also divided.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Banks Index (ASX: XBK) has had a notable year, up almost 13% year-to-date. Not yesterday, though. The banking basket slipped into the red by around 40 basis points at the close of trading on Wednesday.

    The big four banks — National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB), Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ASX: ANZ), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) — were down less than 1% on Wednesday, but have trended lower generally these past three months.

    With the pullback, are ASX 200 bank shares still a smart investment?

    What’s happening with the big four ASX 200 bank shares?

    All four banking majors trended lower yesterday amid a broader market selloff. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) drifted around 0.5% into the red at Wednesday’s close, similar to the banking index.

    However, over the past year, investors who held ASX 200 bank shares have outperformed the broader market.

    The benchmark index has lifted around 1.5% in the past year. Meanwhile, the banking sector is up 12.5% – an 11% advantage.

    What are experts saying?

    Despite these gains, some analysts are concerned about valuations in the sector. Goldman Sachs is one of those parties. It believes offshore banks might be more attractive to those interested in the space.

    In 2015 for example, the average Australian bank’s return on equity (ROE) was among the highest globally, the broker notes.

    However, from 2015 to 2023, the ROE and return on tangible equity (ROTE) have declined significantly. Now, they rank among the lowest globally.

    Goldman Sachs states, “Australian banks now actually earn the lowest ROTE of global comparable banks.” This decline is due to compressed net interest margins and reduced low capital-intensive non-interest income.

    Goldman Sachs rates Commonwealth Bank and Westpac as sell. It cites valuation concerns and risks in technology disruption for the view on these two ASX 200 bank shares. “We don’t think [Commonwealth Bank] justifies the extent of its valuation premium to peers,” it noted in its sector analysis.

    It has a neutral rating on NAB due to the balance of solid fundamentals but challenging valuations. ANZ meanwhile gets a buy rating for its productivity benefits and improved profitability in its institutional business.

    Meanwhile, Airlie Funds Management has reportedly trimmed its position in CBA, supposedly “the most underweight CBA in the history of [the] fund”, according to The Australian Financial Review.

    This is despite shares in the banking giant climbing 28% in the last 12 months and last week nudging a 52-week closing high of $124.85.

    Citi has some positive comments on CBA — despite rating it a sell. It said the bank’s exposure to, and performance in, retail banking may be enough to “justify continued outperformance versus its peer group”, the AFR reports.

    Citi added ASX 200 banks look to be priced at a premium above “core earnings growth fundamentals”.

    Valuation concerns

    Despite poor ROE and ROTE performance, Australian banks’ price-to-book multiples remain high, making them some of the most expensive banks globally, Goldman Sachs explains.

    Australian banks are currently trading at the 96th percentile versus history on a ROE vs. price-to-book multiples basis. The valuation discrepancy has expanded despite weaker relative profitability.

    Here is the current list of consensus recommendations for each of the banking majors, with the respective number of buys making up that view:

    • ANZ – Hold (7 buys)
    • CBA – Sell (4 buys)
    • WBC – Hold (4 buys)
    • NAB – Hold (2 buys)
    • (All recommendations per CommSec)

    Notably, despite the consensus view, each of the ASX 200 banking shares still shows a drop in positivity.

    Takeout on ASX 200 bank shares

    ASX 200 bank shares have shown strong returns over the past year. However, investors are wise to be cautious, in my view. With concerns about overvaluation and economic headwinds, experts warn it’s essential to consider valuations and profitability in the sector.

    As always, you should consider your own personal financial circumstances before any investment decisions.

    The post Big bank bargain: Are this week’s tumbling ASX 200 bank shares a good buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Australia And New Zealand Banking Group right now?

    Before you buy Australia And New Zealand Banking 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 Australia And New Zealand Banking Group wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 5 May 2024

    More reading

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

  • Buy and hold these ASX dividend shares until 2034

    Excited woman holding out $100 notes, symbolising dividends.

    If you want to make some buy and hold investments for your income portfolio, then it would be worth looking for ASX dividend shares with strong long-term outlooks.

    But which shares could deliver the goods for investors over the next decade? Let’s take a look at three quality options:

    APA Group (ASX: APA)

    APA Group could be a great buy and hold option for investors. Just ask its long term shareholders.

    They will tell you that the energy infrastructure company is on course to increase its dividend for the 20th consecutive year.

    The good news is that analysts at Macquarie believe this ASX dividend share can then continue this trend for the foreseeable future.

    The broker is forecasting dividends per share of 56 cents in FY 2024 and then 57.5 cents in FY 2025. Based on the current APA Group share price of $8.33, this equates to 6.7% and 6.9% dividend yields, respectively.

    Macquarie has an outperform rating and $9.40 price target on its shares.

    Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

    Another ASX dividend share that could be a good buy and hold investment option is Coles.

    It is one of Australia’s big two supermarket operators. In addition, it has a significant liquor store network and a joint ownership in the Flybuys loyalty program.

    Combined, these businesses appear well-placed to support solid earnings and dividend growth over the long term.

    Morgans appears to believe this is the case and is forecasting fully franked dividends of 66 cents per share in FY 2024 and then 69 cents per share in FY 2025. Based on the current Coles share price of $16.97, this implies yields of approximately 3.9% and 4.1%, respectively.

    The broker has an add rating and $18.95 price target on its shares.

    Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV)

    A third ASX dividend share that could be a great buy and hold option is Endeavour. It is the liquor giant behind store brands such as BWS and Dan Murphy’s, as well as a large network of hotels.

    Goldman Sachs is very positive on the company due to its market leadership position and attractive valuation. It expects this to support the payment of fully franked dividends of approximately 21 cents per share in FY 2024 and then 22 cents per share in FY 2025. Based on the current Endeavour share price of $5.03, this will mean dividend yields of 4.2% and 4.4% yields, respectively.

    The broker currently has a buy rating and $6.30 price target on its shares.

    The post Buy and hold these ASX dividend shares until 2034 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Apa 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 Apa Group wasn’t one of them.

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

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

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 5 May 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Endeavour Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goldman Sachs Group and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group, Coles Group, and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Guess which ASX 200 stock just boosted its dividend payout ratio

    Man holding Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.

    Who doesn’t enjoy a boost to their income? Dividends are a big reason why many choose to invest. That’s why passive income chasers pay attention when an ASX 200 stock lifts its dividend payout ratio — bigger payments could be ahead.

    Yesterday, a $17 billion Australian company highlighted an increase in its payout ratio. The determination, shared in an investor briefing, follows an extended period of debt reduction by one of the country’s steadfast energy providers: Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG).

    So, what does it mean for the back pockets of its shareholders?

    Dividends to take a bigger share of earnings pie

    Operating a utility company can be extremely capital-intensive. Just take a look at the gross margins of Origin and AGL Energy Limited (ASX: AGL). We’re talking respective margins of 20.8% and 28% before removing operating expenses.

    Nonetheless, utility companies can still offer a fountain of dividends. Nearly every household’s needs-based nature of electricity and gas provides a reliable income. For Origin Energy, it means investors can enjoy a dividend yield of 4.8% from this ASX 200 stock.

    But what about the increased dividend payout ratio?

    As per the investor briefing, Origin Energy will target a payout ratio of at least 50% of free cash flow.

    This is slightly different from what a standard dividend payout ratio reflects. Typically, this figure is based on the percentage of net income or net profit after tax (NPAT) paid as a dividend. Free cash flow differs from NPAT, representing the company’s operating cash flow minus its capital expenditures.

    Previously, Origin Energy’s targeted payout ratio was set between 30% and 50%.

    Does it mean more dividends from this ASX 200 stock?

    What really matters to most is whether it means more dollars hitting the account. Unfortunately, the answer to this is not as straightforward.

    While Origin’s payout ratio now has a higher minimum, future free cash flows (FCF) will be the deciding factor.

    Source: Origin Energy June Investor Briefing 2024

    As shown on the right-hand side of the image above, the energy company’s adjusted FCF have stagnated across the last three financial years. If Origin’s free cash flow were to fall in FY24, it could mean a bigger slice of a smaller pie.

    The share price of this ASX 200 stock is up 17.8% year-to-date.

    The post Guess which ASX 200 stock just boosted its dividend payout ratio appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Origin 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 Origin 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 5 May 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Mitchell Lawler 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.