Category: Stock Market

  • Why Tuesday could be a huge day for the US stock market

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    A person sinks their face into a large, round, white inflatable ball.

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    The stock market has been a fickle place in 2022, with investor sentiment constantly changing by the day, week, and month. Inflation, which has been hovering near a 40-year high, has become the center of attention, as the market tries to figure out how high inflation might go and when it may peak.

    The elevated inflation indicators over the past year or so are the main reason the Federal Reserve has had to raise interest rates so intensely this year, which has roiled markets and led to the worst first half of a year for stocks in about five decades.

    On Tuesday, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics will release more inflation data — in this case, the change in prices for the month of August — which could have a big effect on the stock market. Let me explain.

    More evidence to help guide actions

    A major way that investors, economists, and policymakers measure inflation is through the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which tracks the prices on a basket of daily consumer goods and services. This figure indicates how much change occurs in the price year over year. The CPI has really shot up this year.

    Chart showing steep rise in the US Consumer Price Index since early 2021.

    US Consumer Price Index YoY data by YCharts

    In June (released in mid-July), the CPI clocked in 9.1% higher than one year prior, spooking investors and making them wonder just how aggressive the Fed might have to be with rate hikes to bring down inflation. But in July (released in mid-August), the market got some reprieve when the CPI came in about 8.5% higher on a year-over-year basis and remained unchanged from June on a monthly basis. The decline was led by a big drop-off in energy and gasoline prices, which have been surging all year long.

    Stocks rallied after the July report on the belief that inflation might have peaked, but since that report, there have been a number of comments from the Fed and conflicting data points that have created a topsy-turvy market. The Fed is still currently on track to raise its benchmark overnight lending rate by 0.75 percentage points at its meeting later this month, in what would be its third such accelerated move in a row.

    Now, the big question is: could August CPI data released on Tuesday provide further evidence that inflation has peaked and is now headed downward, or will it throw a wrinkle in the market and shoot higher?

    Most economists seem to think that the data will be favorable. In a recent research note, economists at Morgan Stanley said they think the headline inflation number will drop and come in at 7.9% higher in August on a year-over-year basis, which would be a strong improvement. That drop is expected to once again be led by a decline in energy prices.

    But less favorably, Morgan Stanley also predicted that rent prices would remain “strongly elevated for some time”. Rent is typically a big part of a consumer’s monthly expenses and therefore can cause inflation to linger. 

    There are also other encouraging signs that consumer prices are dropping. Consider, for instance, that wholesale used car prices fell in August, as did airline tickets and global food prices.

    How the report could move the market

    I’m expecting a lower CPI reading in August to move stocks higher, generally, as it would offer investors more proof that inflation is indeed declining and that the Fed may be able to pivot from its aggressive rate-hiking policies sooner than anticipated. But what happens if the headline CPI number jumps and comes in more than 8.5% higher? Well, then I would duck and find cover because it likely means that inflation is more persistent than the market could have imagined.

    However, with CPI estimates already around 7.9%, that may curb expectations and any potential market move. Below that number might be perceived as positive, while above it may be perceived as a negative for the market.

    Ultimately, I would never advise investors to try to play a near-term event like this, because it can be difficult to know how exactly the market will interpret certain data. For instance, if the CPI reading comes in woefully short of estimates, while it may seem like it would be a good thing, that could spook the market into worrying about a sudden drop-off in consumer demand and savings, which could hint that a more severe recession is lurking.

    My advice would be to simply be aware that there could be significant movement on Tuesday, up or down. Don’t panic, and continue to invest in stocks with good long-term prospects and strong fundamentals.

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    The post Why Tuesday could be a huge day for the US stock market 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

    See The 5 Stocks *Returns as of August 4 2022

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    Bram Berkowitz 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.

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.



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  • Why is the Grange Resources share price falling in a hole on Tuesday?

    The legs of a person in midair, falling into a muddy puddle.The legs of a person in midair, falling into a muddy puddle.

    You may be wondering why the Grange Resources Limited (ASX: GRR) share price is falling 4.12% to 81.5 cents today.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up 0.65% in early morning trade following upbeat sentiment on Wall Street.

    For context, the Dow Jones rose 0.71% overnight, and is up 3% in the past week.

    Let’s take a look at why the iron ore pellet miner’s shares are losing ground on Tuesday.

    Why are Grange Resources shares in the dirt today?

    Investors are offloading the Grange Resources share price as it trades ex-dividend today.

    This means if you purchased the company’s shares yesterday or before, you will be eligible for the latest dividend.

    When a company’s shares trade ex-dividend, the share price tends to fall in proportion to the dividend paid out. This can also vary on how the market is tracking for the day as well as investor sentiment.

    Grange Resources is set to pay a fully-franked interim dividend of 2 cents per share on 30 September.

    This marks a significant drop from the 10 cents per share declared by the board in the prior corresponding year.

    The company reported double-digit losses across key financial metrics in its half-year results.

    Management blamed the weak performance on soaring energy costs and volatility in iron ore prices.

    While there was no mention of the final dividend, this will largely depend on Grange Resources keeping costs under control.

    However, Goldman Sachs believes iron ore prices have further to fall, which could put pressure on the next dividend.

    Grange Resources share price summary

    After hitting a multi-year high of $1.79 on 8 June, the Grange Resources share price has tumbled more than 50%.

    Nonetheless, the share is still up 8% year to date.

    In comparison, the S&P/ASX 300 Metals and Mining Index (ASX: XMM) is down 2% over the same timeframe.

    Grange Resources commands a market capitalisation of approximately $983.7 million and has a trailing dividend yield of 14.2%.

    The post Why is the Grange Resources share price falling in a hole 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

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of August 4 2022

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    Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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. 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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  • Vulcan Energy share price up 5% on lithium project update

    A man sees some good news on his phone and gives a little cheer.

    A man sees some good news on his phone and gives a little cheer.

    The Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: VUL) share price is having a good day on Tuesday.

    In morning trade, the lithium developer’s shares are up almost 5% to $8.33.

    Why is the Vulcan Energy share price rising?

    Investors have been bidding the Vulcan Energy share price higher this morning in response to the release of an update on the company’s Zero Carbon Lithium Project.

    According to the release, Vulcan has started onsite construction of its Sorption-Demo Plant in Landau, Germany. This follows off site fabrication which has been ongoing since March.

    Vulcan Energy advised that the plant is being built on the premises of Energie Südwest AG (ESW), the local energy utility for Landau, following the completion of FEED studies, mobilisation, and delivery of key components.

    Management highlights that this is a key element of its strategy to de-risk its Zero Carbon Lithium Project. That’s because technical and operations personnel will train in the demo-plant to develop a comprehensive understanding of the process and its operation prior to the construction of the first commercial plant.

    The plant is scheduled to start cold commissioning in late 2022 and start operation in early 2023.

    The release explains that Vulcan Energy has chosen a sorption-type Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) approach for its lithium extraction business due to its current successful commercial deployment globally. Furthermore, it highlights that sorption approaches have been shown to optimally produce lithium chemicals from hot brines with low operating cost and sustainable footprint.

    Management commentary

    Vulcan Energy’s managing director and CEO, Dr. Francis Wedin, commented:

    We are excited to begin onsite construction of our Sorption-Demo Plant, which is the logical next step for us to continue upscaling towards commercial production of lithium hydroxide with a net zero carbon footprint. We are also encouraged with continuing receipt of environmental approvals from the authorities, and mobilisation of teams for commencement of “on the ground” seismic survey activities, toward our goal of developing a much larger geothermal renewable energy and Zero Carbon Lithium business.

    One slight but not unexpected disappointment, is that the company is being impacted by supply chain disruption and rising costs. Wedin explained:

    Vulcan, as with almost every developing project the world over, is being impacted by disruptions to supply chains due to COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine, together with the rising cost of raw materials due to global inflation. I would like to thank the entire Vulcan team who, faced with these universal challenges, are working hard to deliver the Zero Carbon Lithium Project at pace and scale. We believe the Zero Carbon Lithium project is crucial for Europe, both from an energy security perspective and due to the need to have a local, reliable supply of critical raw materials like lithium. With these macro-policy tailwinds in our favour, Vulcan looks forward to delivering Zero Carbon Lithium Project as soon as possible.

    The post Vulcan Energy share price up 5% on lithium project update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you consider Vulcan Energy Resources Limited, you’ll want to hear this.

    Motley Fool Investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Vulcan Energy 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 are better buys.

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of August 4 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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  • Supermarket shakeup: Do Coles shares offer better dividends than Woolworths?

    A woman ponders over what to buy as she looks at the shelves of a supermarketA woman ponders over what to buy as she looks at the shelves of a supermarket

    S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) supermarket shares Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) and Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) both upped their dividends in financial year 2022.

    But could the smaller of the two actually offer better value to shareholders? Readers might be surprised by the answer.

    Let’s take a closer look at how the pair’s payouts stack up.

    Do Coles shares offer better dividends than Woolies?

    Those looking to invest in ASX 200 supermarket shares likely end up choosing between Coles and Woolworths.

    While the pair are similar in many ways, they differ in many more. And their dividends represent one measure in which they are markedly different.

    Coles declared a 30-cent final dividend for financial year 2022, bringing its full-year payout to 63 cents per share – a 3.3% year-on-year increase.

    Meanwhile, Woolies upped its final offering to 52 cents per share, bolstering its full-year dividends to 92 cents.

    But bigger dividends don’t necessarily mean better value.

    Considering the current Coles share price – $17.24 – the $23 billion supermarket is trading with a 3.65% dividend yield.

    At the same time, shares in $43.5 billion supermarket goliath Woolworths, currently swapping hands for $35.89 apiece, boast a yield of just 2.56%.

    That means Coles shares offer a better dividend-to-share price ratio for investors.

    It’s also worth noting that both companies offer fully franked dividends. Therefore, their payouts might bring additional benefits to some shareholders at tax time.

    Additionally, both offer a dividend reinvestment plan (DRP), allowing shareholders to receive their dividends in the form of stock rather than cash.

    The Coles share price has also been outperforming that of Woolworths lately.  

    The smaller supermarket giant’s stock has slipped 3.7% year to date and 0.2% over the last 12 months. Meanwhile, Woolworths has dumped 6.7% in 2022 so far and 9.5% since this time last year.

    For context, the ASX 200 has fallen 7.7% year to date and 9.7% over the last 12 months.

    The post Supermarket shakeup: Do Coles shares offer better dividends than Woolworths? 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

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of August 4 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 positions in and has recommended COLESGROUP DEF SET. 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 this fundie reckons the Zip share price is a falling knife

    Zip share price Z1P A wide-eyed man peers out from a small gap in his black zipped jumper conveying fear over the weak Zip share price

    Zip share price Z1P A wide-eyed man peers out from a small gap in his black zipped jumper conveying fear over the weak Zip share price

    The Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) share price is up 2.79% in early trade after gaining 2.3% yesterday.

    Traders in the ASX buy now, pay later (BNPL) share have certainly had the opportunity to capitalise on some big swings in the Zip share price.

    Traders astute – and lucky – enough to have bought shares on 30 June and sold a month later on 28 July would have made an eye-popping 245% gain.

    On the flip side, anyone who bought shares on 28 July and still holding them today will be nursing a painful loss of 41%.

    That’s the kind of volatility you might normally expect investing in cryptos.

    Anyhow, that’s the short-term picture.

    For long-term investors ignoring the sharp peaks and troughs, the Zip share price has inexorably retreated from its February 2021 all-time highs.

    Even with shares still up 103% from the recent 28 June lows, the current share price is still down 30% from its post-pandemic selloff low on 20 March 2020. And it’s down 87% since this time last year.

    Which is why Christopher Watt of Bell Potter Securities reckons investing in the former BNPL darling is like trying to catch a falling knife.

    Zip share price susceptible to competition and regulation

    As reported by The Bull, Watt has a sell recommendation for Zip shares.

    According to Watt:

    This buy now, pay later company reported a net loss of $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2022. Reducing cash burn is part of the company’s strategy. The company has decided to close its operations in Singapore and the UK. The company is winding down non-core products. We view the BNPL sector as highly competitive and susceptible to further regulation.

    Bad debts and rising rates

    The $1.1 billion loss from ordinary activities after income tax Watt mentions was a 63% increase from the losses reported in fiscal year 2021. And that came despite the company reporting record revenue of $620 million, up 57% from FY21.

    Atop these alarming figures, and the cautions Watt notes above, the Zip share price has come under increased pressure this year from fast-rising interest rates. That could see the company continue to struggle with getting their customers to pay back those handy interest-free, instalment loans.

    In FY22, Zip already reported a 110% increase in bad debts and expected credit losses, which reached a staggering $276.1 million over the 12 months.

    The post Why this fundie reckons the Zip share price is a falling knife 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

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of August 4 2022

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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 positions in and has recommended ZIPCOLTD FPO. 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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  • What’s going on with the AGL share price today?

    A woman shrugs and pulls awkward expression with her face.

    A woman shrugs and pulls awkward expression with her face.

    The AGL Energy Limited (ASX: AGL) share price is edging higher on Tuesday morning despite some potential bad news.

    At the time of writing, the energy company’s shares are up slightly to $7.14.

    What’s going with the AGL share price?

    Investors have been buying AGL’s shares despite the release of an announcement after the market close on Monday.

    This announcement relates to Unit 2 at AGL’s Loy Yang A Power Station in Victoria, which was taken out of service in April due to an electrical fault with the generator.

    According to the latest update, the company’s Loy Yang A Unit 2 will not be returning to service as planned this month.

    AGL advised that during testing in the final assembly of the generator rotor, a defect in a part was identified. This will require the original equipment manufacturer GE to manufacture a new part in Switzerland.

    As a result, the outage is now expected to extend until the second half of October. AGL will make further changes to the outage profile of other units to accommodate this change.

    What impact will this have on its earnings?

    While the overall outage is expected to have a material impact on AGL’s earnings, this latest day will be less so. That’s because the impact of the latest extension is expected to be offset by a strong performance from its portfolio during August and September as other units returned to service.

    Though, investors won’t have long to find out what the impact is. AGL is planning to provide FY 2023 earnings guidance at the end of September, which will reflect the extension of the Loy Yang A Unit 2 outage and the initial outcomes from the review of AGL’s strategic direction.

    The post What’s going on with the AGL share price today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you consider Agl Energy Limited, you’ll want to hear this.

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

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that are better buys.

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of August 4 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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  • No deal? Here’s why the Ramsay share price is on ice

    A dollar sign embedded in ice, indicating a share price freeze or trading haltA dollar sign embedded in ice, indicating a share price freeze or trading halt

    The Ramsay Health Care Limited (ASX: RHC) share price is in the freezer on Tuesday amid rumours its suitor has scrapped its takeover approach.  

    The company granted a consortium led by KKR due diligence following an $88 per share takeover bid in April.

    However, KKR ran into difficulties when it tried to open the books of Ramsay Health’s European subsidiary Ramsay Generale De Santé SA (EPA: GDS). As a result, the consortium withdrew its offer, replacing it with one the company dubbed “meaningfully inferior”.

    The Ramsay Health share price is halted at $70.21 this morning as the company prepares to release an announcement.

    The update is expected to outline the withdrawal of KKR’s offer, according to various media reports.

    Let’s take a closer look at what’s going on with the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) healthcare giant on Tuesday.

    Is this why the Ramsay share price is frozen?

    The Ramsay Health share price isn’t going anywhere just yet as the company gears up to release an announcement to the ASX.

    The stock has been put into a trading halt amid reports the company and its suitor have reached an impasse. In response, KKR has binned its bid entirely, the Australian Financial Review reports.

    The consortium withdrew its $88 per share cash offer last month. Instead, it offered $88 per share in cash for the first 5,000 Ramsay Health shares held by an investor and $78.20 and 0.22 Ramsay Santé shares for each share thereafter. The part-scrip offer represents a valuation of $85.93 per share.

    The company had previously indicated that around 18% of its shares would likely receive the cash offer while approximately 82% of shares would be eligible for the part-scrip consideration.

    The Ramsay Health board refused the new offer but left the door open for the consortium to post another bid.

    However, according to the masthead, KKR and its partners believe the business has deteriorated since it posted its initial bid.

    Additionally, the consortium was disappointed by the company’s latest results, The Australian reports.

    The Ramsay Health share price has fallen 2.3% year to date and 12.3% since the initial takeover bid was announced. Though, it’s trading 2.3% higher than it was this time last year.

    For comparison, the ASX 200 has fallen 8% year to date and 6% over the last 12 months.

    The post No deal? Here’s why the Ramsay share price is on ice appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Ramsay Health Care Limited right now?

    Before you consider Ramsay Health Care Limited, you’ll want to hear this.

    Motley Fool Investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Ramsay Health Care 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 are better buys.

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of August 4 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 Ramsay Health Care Limited. 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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  • Investors are obsessed with ASX lithium shares, but what about this other critical battery metal?

    Two miners dressed in hard hats and high vis gear standing at an outdoor mining site discussing a mineral find with one holding a rock and the other looking at a tablet.Two miners dressed in hard hats and high vis gear standing at an outdoor mining site discussing a mineral find with one holding a rock and the other looking at a tablet.

    ASX lithium shares are surging to new heights amid the world’s transition to electric vehicles. Some companies, such as Latin Resources Ltd (ASX: LRS), are up as much as 300% year to date.

    One downside of the share price increases for lithium shares is that latecomers to the investing party could view them as suspiciously overvalued. After all, no company’s shares can keep going parabolic forever.

    There is a different battery metal that goes hand in hand with lithium. Let’s investigate the material, the companies that produce it, and how it stacks up with lithium moving forward.

    Graphite challenges ASX lithium shares for the spotlight

    According to analysts from Credit Suisse, graphite is another battery material with excellent prospects, as reported by The Age in April.

    The analysts said:

    It looks a lot more like lithium three to five years ago.

    In five years’ time, suddenly graphite pricing will have gone up in my view quite significantly, and it will bring a huge incentive to bring all these projects on board.

    The Age published additional analysis on graphite last Saturday, this time with Ausbil portfolio manager James Stewart stating that:

    EVs underpin long-term growth for nickel and copper, but here and now, we see very tight markets in graphite and lithium, as mine development has not kept pace with surging demand with this one-time fundamental switch from fossil fuels to renewables.

    Stewart continued:

    Lithium and graphite pricing is expected to remain elevated for some time, and we believe we will benefit from owing [sic] the lithium and graphite producers and developers.

    So, according to analysts, graphite arguably has the same outlook as lithium. Both also benefit from a surge of interest on the demand front, while on the supply end, producers can’t ship the material fast enough to keep up with expected orders.

    Aside from this, graphite is also a critical component in creating lithium batteries. One lithium battery in an electric vehicle comprises around 20% graphite.

    Companies involved in graphite production

    The following companies are in the graphite production space, for investors looking for an alternative to ASX lithium shares.

    Sayona Mining Ltd (ASX: SYA) is a mineral explorer with an interest in discovering lithium and graphite. In Australia’s northern region, graphite mineralisation was reported in the East Kimberley site. Shares are up 157.14% year to date.

    Syrah Resources Ltd (ASX: SYR) was named “the biggest graphite producer on the ASX” by a broker in September. Shares are down 2.59% year to date.

    Argosy Minerals Limited (ASX: AGY) has a graphite project located in Namibia. The company has “not made any final decision on its strategy for the project, pending further review and considering funding opportunities”. Shares are up 48.48% year to date.

    Magnis Energy Technologies Ltd (ASX: MNS) owns the Nachu graphite project in Ruangwa, Tanzania. Shares are down 14.04% year to date.

    The post Investors are obsessed with ASX lithium shares, but what about this other critical battery metal? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    Motley Fool contributor Matthew Farley 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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  • Why Apple stock popped on Monday

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    a girl stands in an apple orchard holding two red apples in raised arms with a happy, celebratory look on her face with a large smile and a pretty country background to the picture.

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    What happened

    Shares of Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) climbed higher on Monday, adding 3.85% by the close.  

    The broader market indexes rallied, no doubt contributing to the iPhone maker’s upswing. However, two analysts — in separate missives — have concluded that presales of Apple’s new iPhone 14 are going better than expected.

    So what

    Wedbush’s Daniel Ives has been keeping a close eye on Apple’s website and notes that delivery times have quickly been pushed out to mid-October for the more expensive iPhone 14 Pro models, while the remaining preorders will take at least three weeks to process and wait times are quickly getting longer, according to The Fly. Ives noted that not only are iPhone 14 orders tracking ahead of his expectations, but consumers are ordering more Pro and Pro Max models, which will drive up the average selling price (ASP) for Apple. The analyst theorizes that this consumer demand for the Pro models will also be heavy in China, an important sales region for Apple.

    It’s worth noting that Ives maintained his outperform (buy) rating on Apple with a price target of $200. This suggests potential gains for investors of 40% compared to stock’s closing price on Friday.

    Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) analyst Wamsi Mohan came to a similar conclusion, noting that heavy demand for the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max models are resulting in longer wait times compared to the similar iPhone 13 models. Mohan pointed out that the current ship time for the Pro is 30 days, versus 26 days at the same time in the iPhone 13 cycle. Similarly, the Pro Max is 39 days out, compared to 27 days for its predecessor. The analyst found this “particularly impressive” given the tech giant has raised prices in some places to offset the impact of a strong dollar.

    Mohan maintained his buy rating and $185 price target, suggesting 18% upside from Friday’s closing price.

    Now what

    To put this information in context, the iPhone has generated more than 54% of Apple’s $282 billion in sales revenue so far this year, so these presales numbers bode well for Apple’s future. For this and many other reasons, Apple remains a buy. 

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    The post Why Apple stock popped on Monday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    Bank of America is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Danny Vena has positions in Apple. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long March 2023 $120 calls on Apple and short March 2023 $130 calls on Apple. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

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  • 5 ASX All Ords shares going ex-dividend on Wednesday

    Alarm clock sitting on table next to man typing on laptopAlarm clock sitting on table next to man typing on laptop

    Five companies in the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) will see their shares turn ex-dividend tomorrow.

    This means that today will be the last day to lock in the latest dividend payments from these ASX All Ords shares.

    If you buy shares on or after a company’s ex-dividend date, you won’t be eligible to receive the upcoming dividend payment.

    But to compensate investors, shares typically drop on the day they turn ex-dividend. After all, these dividends are paid from the company’s cash reserves.

    With the money flowing out of the company’s coffers to line the pockets of shareholders, it’s left with less cash on its books. So theoretically, the company is worth less.

    What’s more, some investors will look to offload shares once they’ve secured the latest dividend.

    So, there’ll be downwards pressure on these five ASX All Ords shares tomorrow. But there could be elevated interest today as investors clamber to snare these dividends before it’s too late.

    Costa Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: CGC)

    Upcoming dividend: 4 cents
    Franking: 100%
    Payment date: 6 October
    DRP: No
    Trailing dividend yield: 3.4%

    Costa recently reported its first-half 2022 results, delivering 16% revenue growth and 13% adjusted earnings growth. The company held its interim dividend steady at 4 cents per share, fully franked.

    Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG)

    Upcoming dividend: 15 cents
    Franking: 100%
    Payment date: 6 October
    DRP: No
    Trailing dividend yield: 1.4%

    The ASX 200 retail share served up a record sales result in FY22 as revenue grew by 19% to $1.4 billion. Net profit after tax (NPAT) lifted 16% with total dividends following suit, up 13% on the prior year to 30 cents per share.

    Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV)

    Upcoming dividend: 37 cents
    Franking: 30%
    Payment date: 20 October
    DRP: No
    Trailing dividend yield: 3.0%

    Lovisa pumped out another year of strong growth in FY22 as revenue leapt by 69% to $459 million. Comparable store sales grew by 20% while NPAT more than doubled to $58 million. In response, the ASX retailer boosted its annual dividends by 106% to 74 cents.

    Lovisa shares will soon be added to the ASX 200 in the upcoming September rebalance.

    MAAS Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: MGH)

    Upcoming dividend: 3.5 cents
    Franking: 100%
    Payment date: 12 October
    DRP: Yes
    Trailing dividend yield: 1.4%

    MAAS Group delivered record pro forma earnings of $125 million in FY22, up 65% from the prior year. Around 60% of this earnings growth was achieved through acquisitions while the remaining 40% was organic. Despite the surge in profit, the ASX All Ords share lifted its total dividends by only 10% to 5.5 cents.

    Pepper Money Ltd (ASX: PPM)

    Upcoming dividend: 5.4 cents
    Franking: 100%
    Payment date: 14 October
    DRP: No
    Trailing dividend yield: 9.2%

    Non-bank lender Pepper Money recently announced its first-half 2022 results, printing net interest income of $193 million, up 9% from the prior year. The company grew its loan book throughout the year, with originations up 53% to $5.6 billion.

    The ASX All Ords share didn’t declare an interim dividend last year. Instead, it paid one dividend at the end of FY21, so Pepper Money’s trailing dividend yield is inflated.

    Unlike FY21, the company expects future dividend payments will be weighted equally between interim and final dividends.

    Annualising Pepper Money’s most recent interim dividend spins up a dividend yield of 6.9%.

    The post 5 ASX All Ords shares going ex-dividend on Wednesday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    Motley Fool contributor Cathryn Goh 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 COSTA GRP FPO and Lovisa Holdings Ltd. 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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