Category: Stock Market

  • CSL share price slumps as new CEO appointed

    A sad looking scientist sitting and upset about a share price fall.A sad looking scientist sitting and upset about a share price fall.

    The CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) share price is in the red on Tuesday amid news the company’s CEO will step down in the new year.

    As The Motley Fool Australia reported earlier, the biotechnology company’s long-term CEO Paul Perreault will be succeeded by current chief operating officer (COO) Dr Paul McKenzie.

    Unfortunately, the market appears to have reacted poorly to the news. After opening Tuesday’s session 0.01% higher at $298.23, the CSL share price tumbled to a low of $295.31 – marking a 0.97% fall.

    It has since recovered some of that slump to trade at $296.87 at the time of writing. That’s 0.45% lower than its previous close.

    For comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is in the green today, lifting 0.6%. Meanwhile, the company’s home sector, the S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ), is underperforming, rising just 0.04%.  

    Let’s take a closer look at today’s news from the 107-year-old healthcare giant.

    CSL share price struggles amid CEO succession news

    The CSL share price is falling on Tuesday amid news of an upcoming changing of the guards.

    Perreault, who will have helmed the company for 10 years by the time he steps down in March, will pass the baton to COO and 30-year industry veteran McKenzie.

    McKenzie has been with CSL since 2019. According to today’s release, in his time with the company he has transformed CSL’s global end-to-end operations, advanced CSL Seqirus’ differentiated portfolio strategy, and led CSL Plasma through COVID-19 challenges.

    McKenzie will boast a fixed US$1.75 million salary. Short-term incentive targets could see that jump 120%, while long-term incentives – to begin in finanical year 2024 – could see the figure 425% higher.

    The company’s chair Dr Brian McNamee commented on McKenzie’s appointment to the top job, saying:

    Paul McKenzie is a patient-focused global leader with a demonstrated track record of leading complex organisations and delivering outstanding business results.

    With his deep understanding of CSL’s strategy, culture and operations, Paul is well positioned to lead CSL to its next level of sustainable growth for our shareholders and the patients we serve around the world.

    Today’s fall included, the CSL share price is trading relatively flat year to date.

    The post CSL share price slumps as new CEO appointed appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

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    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. These stocks are trading at near dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of December 1 2022

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    Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper 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 CSL. 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.

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  • Why is the Fortescue share price tanking on Tuesday?

    A couple sits on a sofa, each clutching their heads in horror and disbelief, while looking at a laptop screen.A couple sits on a sofa, each clutching their heads in horror and disbelief, while looking at a laptop screen.

    The Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) share price is having a tough run on the market today.

    Fortescue shares are down 3.41% and are currently fetching $20.40 apiece. For perspective, the S&P/ASX 200 (ASX: XJO) is climbing 0.59% today.

    Let’s take a look at what is going on with Fortescue today.

    Iron ore prices slip

    Fortescue is not the only ASX iron ore share in the red today. The BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) share price is slipping 0.75%, while Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares are descending 1.01%.

    Additionally, the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) is the market’s worst-performing sector today, currently down 0.68%.

    Fortescue is a major iron ore producer. The iron ore price fell by nearly 2% to US$110.25 overnight.

    The share price of global iron ore giant Vale SA (NYSE: VALE) slipped 4.19% on the New York Stock Exchange and is continuing to drop 0.37% in after-hours trade.

    ANZ economist Madeline Dunk said the iron ore price fell after “data showed the property sector remains under duress”. In a research note, she said:

    Falling demand for homes has seen prices decline for 14 consecutive months. Market conditions also remain weak, with property funding and activity very subdued.

    Fortescue shipped 47.5 million tonnes of iron ore in the first quarter of FY23, 4% higher than the prior corresponding quarter.

    The company announced in late November that Fiona Hick will join the company in February as the new CEO of the metals group.

    Fortescue share price snapshot

    The Fortescue share price has climbed 11% in the last year.

    Fortescue has a market capitalisation of about $63.2 billion based on the latest share price.

    The post Why is the Fortescue share price tanking on Tuesday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. These stocks are trading at near dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now

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    *Returns as of December 1 2022

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    Motley Fool contributor Monica O’Shea 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.

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  • The Macquarie dividend is being divvied out today. Here’s the lowdown

    A man smiles as he holds bank notes in front of a laptop.A man smiles as he holds bank notes in front of a laptop.

    The Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) share price is doing rather well so far this Tuesday. At the time of writing, Macquarie shares have gained a healthy 1.61%, putting this ASX 200 bank up to $174.26 a share.

    That’s even better than the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has presently gained a milder 0.6% up to 7,224 points.

    But that’s not the only piece of good news for Macquarie investors today. This Tuesday is also dividend payday for investors.

    Macquarie’s interim dividend inbound

    Yes, Macquarie is scheduled to fork out its interim dividend today. This payment covers the half-year ending 30 September 2022.

    So investors are in line to receive a payment of $3 per share. This will be partially franked at 40%.

    It isn’t quite as high as the previous final dividend of $3.50 per share that Macquarie paid out back in July. However, it’s a 10% hike over last year’s interim dividend of $2.72.

    Any investor who owned Macquarie shares before the ex-dividend date of 8 November will be eligible to see this payment hit their bank accounts today. The dividend will be paid out in cash, unless an investor has opted to participate in the optional dividend reinvestment plan (DRP).

    If they have done so, those investors will instead receive new Macquarie shares in lieu of cash. The reinvestment share price for the DRP has been set at $178.80.

    So this latest dividend brings Macquarie’s total shareholder payouts over the past 12 months to $6.50 per share. At the current Macquarie share price of $173.37, this would give investors a trailing dividend yield of 3.75%.

    Macquarie shares remain down by a nasty 18% this year to date. Over the past 12 months, the Macquarie share price has lost 14% of its value.

    The post The Macquarie dividend is being divvied out today. Here’s the lowdown appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Why skyrocketing inflation doesn’t have to be the death of your savings…

    Goldman Sachs has revealed investors’ savings don’t have to go up in smoke because of skyrocketing inflation… Because in times of high inflation, dividend stocks can potentially beat the wider market.

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    *Returns as of December 1 2022

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

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  • How big will the Pilbara Minerals dividend be in 2023?

    A man thinks very carefully about his money and investments.

    A man thinks very carefully about his money and investments.

    Last month Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) revealed that it would be paying its inaugural dividend in 2023.

    The lithium giant announced the establishment of a capital management framework in response to favourable market conditions and strong operating margins.

    The company advised that the capital management framework is designed to establish an appropriate structure that prudently allocates available capital between investment into the existing business, sustainability commitments, strategic growth opportunities, as well as the provision of sustainable returns to shareholders.

    The sum of the above is a target dividend payout ratio of 20% to 30% of free cash flow.

    In light of the above, investors may be wondering just how big the Pilbara Minerals dividend will be in 2023.

    Let’s take a look at what a couple of analysts are tipping the lithium miner to pay.

    How big will the Pilbara Minerals dividend be in 2023?

    According to a note out of Goldman Sachs, its analysts are expecting Pilbara Minerals to generate free cash flow of $1,663.7 million in FY 2023.

    From this, the broker expects the company to pay a fully franked 17.4 cents per share dividend, which represents a 30% payout ratio.

    Based on the current Pilbara Minerals share price of $4.59, this will mean a 3.8% dividend yield for investors.

    Though, Goldman acknowledges that it may not stop there with its capital management, commenting: “We expect top end payouts still generate excess cash, funding further growth or possible cap. mgmt. extensions.”

    Even bigger dividends

    Analysts at Macquarie believe the Pilbara Minerals dividend could be significantly larger in 2023. In fact, the broker has pencilled in a dividend almost double what Goldman is forecasting at 34 cents per share.

    If this forecast proves accurate, it will mean a very generous yield of 7.4% for investors.

    Time will tell which broker makes the right call. But whatever happens, shareholders look set to receive a nice bonus next year.

    The post How big will the Pilbara Minerals dividend be in 2023? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Why skyrocketing inflation doesn’t have to be the death of your savings…

    Goldman Sachs has revealed investors’ savings don’t have to go up in smoke because of skyrocketing inflation… Because in times of high inflation, dividend stocks can potentially beat the wider market.

    The investment bank’s research is based on stocks in the S&P 500 index going as far back as 1940.

    This FREE report reveals THREE stocks not only boasting inflation fighting dividends but also have strong potential for massive long term gains…

    Learn more about our Top 3 Dividend Stocks report
    *Returns as of December 1 2022

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    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.

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  • Bendigo Bank share price surges 7% on earnings boost

    Woman looks amazed and shocked as she looks at her laptop.

    Woman looks amazed and shocked as she looks at her laptop.

    The Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN) share price is having a very strong day on Tuesday.

    In morning trade, the regional bank’s shares are up 7% to $9.71.

    Why is the Bendigo Bank share racing higher?

    Investors have been bidding the Bendigo Bank share price higher today following the release of a trading update.

    According to the release, for the five months ended 30 November, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank delivered a 22% increase in unaudited cash earnings after tax to $245 million.

    This was driven by a 5.2% increase in lending balances, an 8.9% lift in deposit balances, and improvements in its net interest margin (NIM).

    Bendigo and Adelaide Bank advised that its NIM post revenue share arrangements year to date was 1.85% with an exit NIM post revenue share arrangements of 2.01%.

    The bank’s year to date NIM pre revenue share arrangements stood at 2.30%.

    Another positive was the major improvement in its return on equity (ROE) metric, which year to date is up 110 basis points from FY 2022’s ROE to 8.82%.

    Outlook

    Also giving the Bendigo Bank share price a boost was management’s outlook commentary.

    Thanks to the positive outlook for interest rates, the bank expects its NIM tailwinds to continue into the second half of FY 2023. Management notes that this reflects the strength of its deposit gathering network.

    One slight but not unexpected negative is that operating expenses are expected to increase modestly on FY 2022’s levels, reflecting higher non-lending losses and a higher mix of investment spend being expensed.

    The bank’s CEO, Marnie Baker, commented:

    At our full year results in August, we outlined our intent to sharpen our focus and concentrate our efforts on better returns, and to date in the first half of FY23 we have delivered strong growth in cash earnings and an improved return on equity. Our NIM has continued to rise as we carefully manage our volume growth and margins, while continuing to prudently manage costs in an inflationary environment. We remain committed to our strategy and vision, and we are united in our purpose of feeding into the prosperity of the community and not off it.

    The post Bendigo Bank share price surges 7% on earnings boost appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    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 positions in and has recommended Bendigo And Adelaide Bank. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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  • 2 directors have been buying up AGL shares. Should you?

    Smiling man sits in front of a graph on computer while using his mobile phone.Smiling man sits in front of a graph on computer while using his mobile phone.

    It’s been a big year for AGL Energy Limited (ASX: AGL), culminating in the appointment of four divisive directors last month. But two of those directors appear to see value in the AGL share price, each snapping up thousands of the energy provider’s stock last week.

    Fortunately, the AGL share price has far from suffered in 2022. It has gained 23% year to date to trade at $7.80 at the time of writing.

    With two directors buying the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) stock, should market watchers put AGL on their December wish list? Let’s take a look.

    Insiders snap up AGL stock

    AGL insiders have been on a buying streak in recent sessions. Two newly appointed directors have forked out a total of around $200,000 on their company’s shares.

    Mike Cannon-Brookes’ nominations Kerry Schott and Christine Holman were behind the buying.

    Schott indirectly snapped up 12,000 AGL shares for around $8.16 apiece on Friday. Meanwhile, Holman indirectly bought 13,000 shares for $8.09 apiece.

    Unfortunately for the insiders, the AGL share price has since slumped amid broader market concerns. It hit a low of $7.44 in intraday trade yesterday.

    Is now a good time to consider buying AGL shares?

    That might suggest the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) staple is trading at a reasonable price. Insider buying is often considered a sign those in the know are confident a stock is a good investment.  

    However, there are a number of factors I believe one should consider when looking at AGL shares.

    The first is the Australian Government’s plan to temporarily cap gas at $12 per gigajoule. The move has been slammed by industry groups who claim it could harm the Aussie gas market, my Fool colleague Bernd reports.

    Another factor potentially worth considering is the company’s plan to ditch coal-fired power. It recently brought forward its expected coal exit to 2036 and flagged $20 billion of investment is required to meet its goal.

    Meanwhile, the company tips its earnings to grow substantially in financial year 2023.

    It’s predicting it will post between $1.25 billion and $1.45 billion of underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) this fiscal year. That’s a potential $100 million year-on-year increase.

    Whether higher earnings will translate to greater dividends as the company looks to a greener future is unclear, as The Motley Fool Australia’s Tristan recently outlined.

    Turning to brokers, both Morgans and Credit Suisse were bullish on AGL shares back in October. They slapped the stock with respective price targets of $8.81 and $8.20.

    Meanwhile, Macquarie recently turned to defensive sectors such as utilities amid concerns a market contraction in the new year could hamper companies with more volatile earnings, the Australian Financial Review reports.

    The post 2 directors have been buying up AGL shares. Should you? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    *Returns as of November 7 2022

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    Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper 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 Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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  • Down 27% this year, is the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (NDQ) a buy before 2023?

    A male investor sits at his desk looking at his laptop screen holding his hand to his chin pondering whether to buy Macquarie shares

    A male investor sits at his desk looking at his laptop screen holding his hand to his chin pondering whether to buy Macquarie sharesIt has been a very disappointing year for the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ).

    This highly popular exchange-traded fund (ETF) has been hammered this year after a tough period for the 100 shares it holds.

    As you can see below, the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF has lost 27% of its value since the start of the year.

    Why has the NDQ ETF been hammered?

    The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF has been sold off this year for a few reasons.

    As mentioned above, the fund’s underlying holdings have been hit hard this year and this has weighed heavily on the ETF. After all, the ETF provides investors with exposure to these shares, so if they collectively fall, then the ETF will do likewise.

    These shares have tumbled lower this year due to rising interest rates to combat inflation, economic growth concerns, and a rotation out of growth stocks.

    With respect to rising interest rates, these have a negative correlation with price-to-earnings multiples. When interest rates rise, multiples reduce, and vice versa when they fall.

    That’s because if an investor can, for example, earn 4% risk-free on a term deposit, they will require a much greater potential return from an asset that carries risk. Unfortunately, the only way that this is possible is if the share is trading on a lower multiple and, therefore, offers a more compelling risk/reward.

    If you then throw in concerns over the global economy, the risk increases and the multiples that investors are prepared to buy shares at lower accordingly.

    Will 2023 be different?

    While there is still a chance the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF could fall further before rebounding, I believe the market has now fully priced in future interest rate increases and economic growth concerns.

    In light of this, I think now could be one of the best buying opportunities for investors in years.

    Key constituents of the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF such as Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Tesla are down materially this year, but their long-term outlooks remain as positive as ever.

    When interest rates and inflation finally settle, I expect investors to flood back in and drive their beaten-down share prices higher, lifting the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF along with them.

    The post Down 27% this year, is the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (NDQ) a buy before 2023? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon.com, Apple, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Microsoft, and Tesla. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended the following options: long March 2023 $120 calls on Apple and short March 2023 $130 calls on Apple. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon.com, and Apple. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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  • Why is the ANZ share price marching higher on Tuesday?

    Five businessmen in suits walking up stairs in neat successionFive businessmen in suits walking up stairs in neat succession

    The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ASX: ANZ) share price is off to a strong start on Tuesday, up 1.7%.

    ANZ shares closed yesterday trading for $23.54 and are currently trading for $23.93 apiece.

    This comes as the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced that it has begun its formal consideration of ANZ’s proposed acquisition of Suncorp Bank. That’s the banking segment of Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN).

    The Suncorp share price is up 0.6% at the time of writing.

    What’s happening with the acquisition of Suncorp Bank?

    The ANZ share price enjoyed a sharp lift after the banking giant initially announced its intentions to buy Suncorp Bank back on 18 July for the tidy sum of $4.9 billion.

    But as Suncorp noted in a release after market close last night, the acquisition remains subject to a number of regulatory and government approvals. The merger authorisation from the ACCC would be the first step in the approval process.

    The ACCC reported it had received that merger authorisation application from ANZ on Friday, 2 December.

    “Now that we have received the application, we are able to commence the formal process of considering the merger authorisation application, and will be seeking submissions from interested parties,” ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh said.

    According to the ACCC:       

    The test for merger authorisation is that the ACCC must be satisfied that either the transaction will not be likely to substantially lessen competition, or that the public benefits outweigh the public detriments.

    Should the ACCC greenlight the proposal, it could offer some additional tailwinds for the ANZ share price.

    Commenting on the progress, Suncorp CEO Steve Johnston said:

    The application to the ACCC includes supporting statements from Suncorp reinforcing our view that the sale will benefit our customers, people, shareholders, and the state of Queensland.

    The sale of Suncorp Bank will result in a dedicated Trans-Tasman insurance company at a time when the value of insurance has never been greater, and the need for continued investment in a vibrant private insurance sector never more important to meet the changing needs of customers, communities and our broader economies.

    The ACCC is expected to announce its decision on 12 June 2023.

    “Suncorp still anticipates completion in the second half of calendar 2023, based on the published timeline and subject to regulatory approvals,” Johnston said.

    ANZ share price snapshot

    The ANZ share price has struggled over the past 12 months, down 12%. That trails the 2% full-year loss posted by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

    As you can see in the chart below, ANZ shares have enjoyed a much stronger run over the last six months, gaining 10%.

    The post Why is the ANZ share price marching higher on Tuesday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    FREE Investing Guide for Beginners

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

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  • Is now really the time to buy ASX 200 shares?

    a man sits in unhappy contemplation staring at his computer on his desk in a home environment, propping his chin on his hand.

    a man sits in unhappy contemplation staring at his computer on his desk in a home environment, propping his chin on his hand.

    S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares have seen much volatility in 2022. The index hit low points in both June and September as investors came to terms with the level of inflation and feared how high interest rates might go.

    But, the ASX 200 has been recovering since those lows, which we can see with the return of the exchange-traded fund (ETF) iShares Core S&P/ASX 200 ETF (ASX: IOZ).

    With the ASX 200 only down by 5% in the year to date, does it make sense to buy now?

    ETF investing

    If investors are just buying the ASX 200 as a whole, with an ETF like the iShares Core S&P/ASX 200 ETF, BetaShares Australia 200 ETF (ASX: A200), or even the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) which tracks the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO), then I think investors could just use a regular investment plan.

    An index doesn’t usually change in price as much as individual shares, and it’s very hard to say how an index is going to perform in the short term, or if it’s good value (unless it’s down heavily). Plus, with the ASX relatively highly weighted to ASX resource shares, it’s even more unpredictable.

    If I were investing in an ETF, I’d just put a regular amount – say $1,000 a month or $3,000 a quarter – into the ETF and not worry about ‘timing’ the market.

    Buying individual ASX 200 shares

    I think it’s easier to evaluate an individual business than the whole market, so we can be a bit pickier if looking at specific names like BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), or Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS).

    I’d be happier to buy resource shares when sentiment about the commodity is low.

    For example, the iron ore price and BHP share price were substantially lower a few months ago, so the resource giant was more compelling compared to now.

    I’m not going to run through my thoughts on 200 different businesses, but I will say that I generally think the market has been too pessimistic about retailers on a three-year view.

    I have just written an article outlining my positive views on Brickworks Limited (ASX: BKW) and also pointed out that some ASX tech shares could be beaten-up opportunities because they are still growing at a solid pace. Accordingly, I named the ASX 200 tech share Xero Limited (ASX: XRO) as an idea.

    Foolish takeaway

    Volatility can be a great time to pick up some long-term growth businesses at cheaper prices, which can go a long way to help us outperform the market over time. But, there may well be some more dips in the coming months, particularly if inflation stays elevated for longer than expected.

    The post Is now really the time to buy ASX 200 shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    Despite what some people may say – we believe investing in shares doesn’t have to be overwhelming or complicated…

    For over a decade, we’ve been helping everyday Aussies get started on their journey.

    And to help even more people cut through some of the confusion “experts’” seem to want to perpetuate – we’ve created a brand-new “how to” guide.

    Yes, Claim my FREE copy!
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    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Brickworks. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Brickworks and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Brickworks, Wesfarmers, and Xero. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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  • Why is the Zip share price sinking 8% today?

    BNPL written on a smartphone.

    BNPL written on a smartphone.

    The Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) share price is under pressure on Tuesday morning.

    At the time of writing, the buy now pay later (BNPL) provider’s shares are down 8% to 65.5 cents.

    This latest decline means the Zip share price is now 85% in 2022.

    Why is the Zip share price falling?

    Investors have been selling down the Zip share price today after the company announced a surprise capital raising.

    According to the release, Zip has raised $13.6 million from institutional investors at a 13.2% discount of 62 cents per new share. The proceeds will be used to fund the conversion of some of its notes earlier than planned.

    Zip’s co-founder and COO, Peter Gray, explained:

    In recent months, Existing Noteholders have contacted the Company interested in selling back a portion of their holdings at prices that may be attractive for Zip. As a result, we are pleased to launch this liability management exercise. This initiative will proactively manage our debt maturities by retiring a portion of our liabilities at a fraction of face value, as well as offering Existing Noteholders a liquidity opportunity. If completed, the transaction is expected to be cash neutral for the Company and accretive to Zip shareholders.

    Trading update

    Failing to stop the Zip share price from falling today was the release of a trading update.

    According to the update, the company is performing in line with expectations in the current financial year and continues to expect to deliver positive cash EBTDA during the first half of FY 2024. It also doesn’t expect to need to raise capital before then.

    Management commented:

    Zip reaffirms the comments provided to the market at its Annual General Meeting on 3 November 2022. The Company is on track to deliver positive cash EBTDA as a group in the first half of FY24. The Company continues to make progress with its rest of world strategic review, which it expects to deliver cash inflows or a neutralising of cash burn in each of its non core markets during the second half of FY23. T

    he quarter to date has delivered business performance and cashflows in line with seasonal trends and expectations. Zip remains confident it has sufficient cash and liquidity to support the Company through to positive cash EBTDA in the first half of FY24.

    The post Why is the Zip share price sinking 8% today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    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 Zip Co. 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.

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