Category: Stock Market

  • Own Rio Tinto shares? Here’s why the CEO just met with China Mineral Resources

    Three satisfied miners with their arms crossed looking at the camera proudlyThree satisfied miners with their arms crossed looking at the camera proudly

    The share price of diversified mining giant Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) is down 1.25% to $90.62 today.

    Investors have pushed the ASX mining share lower on Tuesday on no news.

    Noteworthy, however, is that the company recently held a meeting with senior executives of the state-owned China Mineral Resources Group.

    In the broader market, the S&P/ASX 300 Metals and Mining Index (ASX: XMM) is flat today.

    Rio Tinto a ‘trusted partner’ to China

    Following recent changes to import/export legislation from policymakers in China, the newly-formed China Mineral Resources Group is now overseeing the supply of mineral resources into the country.

    Naturally, this involves purchasing too, especially given the country’s previous vocal frustration at volatility and surging prices in iron ore markets.

    Now as the new administration is put into place, Rio’s CEO, Jakob Stausholm, has met with the group, The Australian reports.

    Stausholm was joined by Rio Tinto chief commercial officer, Alf Barrios, in a video meeting with the management of the China Mineral Resources Group.

    For Barrios, the opportunity extends a lengthy relationship selling into China and the development is a “win-win” for those involved.

    Rio’s website in China says:

    … given the importance of the supply chain in supporting China’s economic growth, Rio Tinto will continue to strive to be a trusted partner in China.

    What else is happening for Rio Tinto?

    Meanwhile, further positive news for Rio Tinto came earlier this week after it came to an agreement to acquire the remaining 49% interest in Canadian-listed Turquoise Hill Resources for $4.8 billion.

    The decision comes after a drawn-out process where several offers were previously rejected.

    Rio Tinto share price review

    In the past 12 months, the Rio Tinto share price has extended its slide into the red. It’s down more than 18% in that time.

    The post Own Rio Tinto shares? Here’s why the CEO just met with China Mineral Resources 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 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.

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  • 2 top trends to invest $2,000 in ahead of the crowd

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

    A woman researcher holds a finger up in happiness as if making the 'number one' sign with a graphic of technological data and an orb emanating from her finger while fellow researchers work in the background.

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

    There’s an old chestnut that most investors could stand to hear: If you want to succeed in investing (or hockey), skate to where the puck is going, not to where it’s been.

    Buying shares of yesterday’s winning businesses might be a decent way to preserve your wealth by banking on their continued success, but if you want to nab big gains, you’ll need to invest in companies that are working on solving tomorrow’s problems today. Clocking important trends in the economy and the world is critical for guiding your search.

    So let’s take a look at two trends that’ll likely be huge in the near future. You’ll gain a few actionable ideas about investments that could pay off down the line.

    1. Psychedelic therapies for mental illnesses

    Psychedelic drugs like psilocybin, LSD, ketamine, and MDMA aren’t legal to use recreationally in most places, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be powerful medicines when used appropriately.

    The current standards of care for some common yet difficult-to-treat conditions like major depressive disorder are interventions like antidepressant drugs and cognitive behavioral therapy that leave many patients experiencing relapses despite treatment. But psychedelic therapies delivered by experienced therapists might not have that problem — which could be an opportunity the businesses that make them.

    Compass Pathways (NASDAQ: CMPS) and Atai Life Sciences (NASDAQ: ATAI) are two biotech stocks with pipelines chock-full of psychedelic therapies in clinical development. Per Compass’ data from one of its phase 2b studies, its COMP360 psilocybin-with-talk-therapy combination leads to rapid reduction in depression symptoms that lasts for at least 12 weeks and causes few serious side effects. For some subsets of patients, the improvements appear to be long-lasting or perhaps even permanent. And Atai’s equity interest in Compass means that it stands to benefit from the therapy’s sales if it’s eventually commercialized.

    But Compass’ impressive results are far from the only success story in recent clinical trials of psychedelics. Numerous third-party researchers and academic groups have shown compelling results that suggest psychedelics have the chance to reshape psychiatry as we know it, and for the better. If you want to get exposure to upside from drug development in the psychedelics space, either Atai or Compass is a suitable place to consider investing.

    2. Treating or curing long COVID

    As you may have heard, long COVID is an illness that features a sometimes-debilitating constellation of symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, and cognitive issues, all of which can occur after someone is infected with the coronavirus.

    According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 7.5% of adults in the U.S. are afflicted with long COVID. And an estimated 80% of people who have been infected with the coronavirus have at least one long-term symptom associated with their illness. Right now, it appears that even fully vaccinated and boosted people can experience long COVID, and even mild coronavirus infections can cause it.

    To make matters worse, there are no specific treatments for it yet, and the ranks of the afflicted are, unfortunately, growing.

    A few different companies are either considering or have already initiated investigations into long COVID therapies. Pfizer‘s (NYSE: PFE) antiviral medicine, Paxlovid, might soon be tested for that purpose, though no trials are currently ongoing. GlaxoSmithKline and other major drug manufacturers are also considering initiating new therapy programs, and a few biotechs have already tested candidates in clinical trials and struck out.

    With so many millions of people suffering with long COVID, any medicines that successfully treat it will likely be big moneymakers. For now, there aren’t too many places to park $2,000, but if a player like Pfizer announces that it’s initiating a project, it’ll be a green light for investors. Just keep in mind that there’s a significant risk of failure in the clinical trial process, so it might make sense to pick a few different long COVID stocks to buy rather than just one.

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

    The post 2 top trends to invest $2,000 in ahead of the crowd 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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    Alex Carchidi 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 COMPASS Pathways plc. 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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  • Ready for a storm: 3 ASX 200 shares with ironclad balance sheets

    A woman sits at her computer with her hand to her mouth and a contemplative smile on her face as she reads about the performance of Allkem shares on her computerA woman sits at her computer with her hand to her mouth and a contemplative smile on her face as she reads about the performance of Allkem shares on her computer

    It’s 2022, inflation is up, interest rates are following, and the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has fallen 10% year to date. But there’s a silver lining to this year’s volatility for those on the hunt for ASX 200 shares.

    Some fundies believe it has brought opportunities to buy some of the index’s favourite stocks for decent prices.

    Airlie Funds Management portfolio managers Emma Fisher and Matt Williams are on the hunt for stocks trading at reasonable prices following the market’s poor performance, the Australian Financial Review (AFR) reports. Particularly, those boasting strong balance sheets.

    And they’ve flagged three ASX 200 shares that meet the brief. Keep reading to find out which stocks have caught the fundies’ attention.

    3 ASX 200 shares boasting strong balance sheets

    Premier Investments Limited (ASX: PMV)

    Premier Investments, the company behind brands such as Just Jeans, Peter Alexander, and Jay Jays, is one such share.

    It ended the first half of financial year 2022 with $400 million of net cash, having paid off all its operating debt.  

    The company’s share price has dumped 30% year to date to trade at $21.29 at the time of writing.

    ARB Corporation Limited (ASX: ARB)

    The ARB share price has also struggled this year, falling 43% year to date to swap hands at $29.70.

    That’s despite the ASX 200 share boasting a net cash position of $52.7 million and no debt at the end of financial year 2022.

    Fisher reportedly believes the four-wheel drive accessories retailer is a quality business trading at reasonable levels right now.

    Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL)

    Medibank boasted a “strong” balance sheet and no debt at the end of financial year 2022.

    The company is also well positioned to tackle inflationary impacts. Fisher commented on the business, courtesy of the AFR:

    [W]e’re happy to own [Medibank] still, even though it has performed well, because it’s got the kicker from high interest rates in terms of its investment income, and it’s a capital-lite business model. So, it shouldn’t be hugely hurt by inflation.

    Williams also reportedly said Medibank’s latest results were among the highest quality results posted in the August earnings season.

    The ASX 200 share has gained 9% year to date to trade at $3.66.

    The post Ready for a storm: 3 ASX 200 shares with ironclad balance sheets 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 recommended ARB Corporation Limited and Premier Investments 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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  • Why is the CSL share price on the slide today?

    A scientist examining test results.

    A scientist examining test results.

    It’s been a wavering start to the trading day for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) so far this Tuesday. At the time of writing, the ASX 200 has gained just 0.09% and is back below 6,860 points. But it’s still ahead of the CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) share price.

    CSL shares are down 0.1% at the time of writing. The ASX 200 healthcare giant closed at $294.80 a share yesterday. It opened at $294.42 this morning and is now trading at $294.50 at the time of writing.

    This doesn’t exactly appear to be a strong session for CSL shares, given the ASX 200 is slightly outperforming these gains so far. But it is if we factor in what has just happened to the CSL share price. The company has just traded ex-dividend today for the upcoming final dividend payment for FY22.

    When CSL revealed its full-year earnings report for FY22 last month, it declared a final dividend of US$1.18 per share. That translates to $1.68 per share, partially franked at 10%.

    As we discussed yesterday, this was flat in US dollar terms on last year’s final dividend. But thanks to favourable currency exchange rates, ASX investors will enjoy a 5.6% boost from what they received last year.

    The dividend is scheduled to be paid out next month on 5 October, so investors will have to wait until then to see the cash.

    CSL share price rises, despite ex-dividend date

    But CSL shares traded ex-dividend for this upcoming final payment today. That means that any new investors in CSL from today are not eligible to receive this dividend.

    Normally, when a company trades ex-dividend, we see a corresponding drop in the company’s share price. This reflects the reality that CSL shares are less valuable, thanks to the fact that the dividend is no longer available for new investors.

    Today, we have seen no such obvious drop. That means that CSL is having a fairly strong day – if it weren’t for the ex-dividend date, the company would probably be enjoying gains.

    So arguably, this is a very happy day for CSL investors.

    At the current CSL share price, this ASX 200 healthcare share has a dividend yield of 1.02%.

    The post Why is the CSL share price on the slide today? 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 Sebastian Bowen has positions in CSL Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL Ltd. 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 BlueScope share price dipping on Tuesday?

    An unhappy man in a suit sits at his desk with his arms crossed staring at his laptop screen as the PointsBet share price fallsAn unhappy man in a suit sits at his desk with his arms crossed staring at his laptop screen as the PointsBet share price falls

    The BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL) share price is backtracking today while the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is travelling higher.

    During midday trade, the steel producer’s shares are down 1.82% to $16.15.

    For context, the benchmark ASX 200 index is up 0.14% to just under 6,860 points.

    Let’s take a look at what’s dragging BlueScope shares lower on Tuesday.

    Why is the BlueScope share price losing ground today?

    With earnings season all wrapped up, the BlueScope share price is now trading ex-dividend.

    This comes after the company delivered a robust full-year result, reporting a record performance which led to $2.81 billion in net profit after tax (NPAT).

    On the back of the outstanding achievement, the board declared an unfranked final dividend of 25 cents per share.

    If you bought the company’s shares before market close yesterday and held onto them until this morning, you’ll be eligible for the dividend.

    Be sure to check your bank accounts on 12 October as that’s when BlueScope will make its dividend payment to shareholders.

    In case you were wondering, there’s no dividend reinvestment plan (DRP) currently being offered.

    BlueScope noted that it has made nearly $1 billion in shareholder returns across FY 2022. This includes $344 million in dividends and $638 million in on-market buybacks.

    Further, the board approved an increase to the share buyback program to allow up to a further $500 million to be bought over the next 12 months.

    It’s likely that with such a significant buyback program, BlueScope shares could continue to rise.

    BlueScope share price summary

    In 2022, BlueScope shares have fallen 23% on the back of China’s property crisis and iron ore price setback.

    On the other hand, the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) is down 8% over the same time frame.

    BlueScope shares reached a 52-week low of $14.75 in July before making a slight recovery.

    Based on today’s price, BlueScope commands a market capitalisation of approximately $7.58 billion and has a dividend yield of 3.11%.

    The post Why is the BlueScope share price dipping 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 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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  • ‘Better chance of making good money when markets are down’: fundie

    A young woman sits at her desk in deep contemplation with her hand to her chin while seriously considering information she is reading on her laptopA young woman sits at her desk in deep contemplation with her hand to her chin while seriously considering information she is reading on her laptop

    It’s a scary time on the market for many invested in ASX shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has dumped 10% year to date and two of Wall Street’s three major indexes have fallen into bear markets.

    But Airlie Funds Management’s Emma Fisher isn’t worried. The portfolio manager reportedly welcomes volatility and the stock picking prospects it brings.

    Here’s how the fundie is taking advantage of recent turbulence in the market.

    Market downturns or buying opportunities?

    “It sounds counterintuitive, but you’ve got a better chance of making good money when markets are down,” Fisher said, as quoted by the Australian Financial Review (AFR).

    Fisher continued:

    We welcome volatility, we welcome short-termism because it increases the chance that you’re going to be able to buy mispriced assets.

    While concerns of stalling growth and even a potential recession have swirled in some circles recently, Fisher has been eyeing a new set of opportunities.

    The publication quoted Fisher as saying:

    The thing about the dominant narrative is we love it … because if it’s driving the headlines, then it’s probably creating opportunities.

    It’s not saying that the dominant narrative of, say, economic turmoil is wrong, and that it’s not going to happen. It’s saying it’s been more than priced into some stocks, in some sectors.

    And the best place to be during such volatility? ASX shares.

    The fundie said Australia’s housing market, filled to the brim with variable mortgages, will likely mean rate hikes will impact the economy faster here. Therefore, the Reserve Bank of Australia could get away with fewer hikes than other central banks.

    Meanwhile, Aussie companies’ balance sheets are stronger than they have been in previous downturns.

    Should ASX investors get defensive?

    Investors may be tempted to turn to defensive stocks but Fisher warned this could set them back.

    She said some defensive stocks are currently trading at “eye-wateringly expensive” levels. Meanwhile, other consumer-facing businesses have been “bombed out”, but their earnings remain “too high”.

    Fisher said, courtesy of the AFR:

    Our playbook there is to really focus on the balance sheets of these companies. Because the market’s probably right that earnings are too high, but valuations have now priced that in.

    If you’re looking at consumer discretionary-facing businesses, you want to own businesses that are pretty much net cash or that they own a lot of property.

    3 ASX retail shares that might be worth looking at

    Fisher and fellow portfolio manager Matt Williams have reportedly flagged three ASX retail shares that meet the criteria.

    These include Nick Scali Limited (ASX: NCK) and Premier Investments Limited (ASX: PMV).

    The former closed financial year 2022 with $74.6 million in cash and $97.4 million worth of property. It also boasted an outstanding order bank of $185 million.

    The latter is behind such brands as Peter Alexander, Jay Jays, and Just Jeans. It ended the first half with a net cash position of $400 million.

    Finally, Fisher reportedly dubbed four-wheel drive accessories retailer ARB Corporation Limited (ASX: ARB) a quality business trading at a reasonable price.

    The three ASX retail shares have fallen 32%, 31%, and 46% respectively year to date.

    The post ‘Better chance of making good money when markets are down’: fundie 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 recommended ARB Corporation Limited and Premier Investments 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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  • What’s the outlook for the BHP share price in September?

    two men in hard hats and high visibility jackets look together at a laptop screen that one of the men in holding at a mine site.

    two men in hard hats and high visibility jackets look together at a laptop screen that one of the men in holding at a mine site.

    The BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) share price is seeing significant volatility at the moment. But are things going to get better for the ASX mining share?

    Since 26 August, BHP shares have dropped by more than 10%. However, a large part of the decline might be due to the share going ex-dividend. This means that new investors who bought shares on or after the ex-dividend date are no longer entitled to the final FY22 dividend.

    But with the dividend allocation date out of the way, and with the BHP share price down, is it worth thinking about the mining giant?

    Can the good times continue?

    BHP had a very strong 2022 financial year. It generated US$21.3 billion of continuing operations underlying attributable profit (up 26%), reduced its net debt by 92% to US$333 million, and increased its ordinary dividend by 8% to US$3.25 per share.

    Not only is BHP making a lot of money for shareholders but it’s also paying a lot of money to governments. Its 2022 economic contribution report showed that A$18.5 billion has been allocated to Australian governments in taxes, royalty-related income taxes, royalties, and other payments.

    In fact, the company is one of the largest taxpayers in Australia. It expects to fund approximately 10% of total Australian company tax, compared to the budgeted cash receipts by the federal budget.

    Can BHP keep making big profits? Let’s look at what the company said in its annual report about the outlook for some commodities, given it’s the resources themselves that can have a key impact on earnings and the BHP share price.

    Copper

    BHP noted that the copper price has fallen due to two reasons in two stages:

    The first decline was due to the demand impact of China’s COVID-19 lockdowns. The second was due to recession speculation in advanced economies. We believe mine supply and scrap collection will grow in the coming few years, covering near-term demand growth.

    In the longer term, BHP thinks that traditional end-use demand is expected to be “solid”, while broad exposure to the electrification megatrend offers “attractive upside”.

    In FY23, the copper production is expected to be between 1,635kt to 1,825kt. However, the company warned that Escondida unit costs are expected to be between US$1.25 to US$1.45 per pound, largely reflecting “inflationary pressures”.

    Iron ore

    BHP’s biggest profit generator is usually iron ore. That means the outlook for iron could have the biggest influence on the BHP share price.

    But, near the end of FY22, weakening sentiment within the steel value chain fed back into lower prices for iron ore. The mining giant said:

    Looking ahead, the key near-term uncertainties are the pace of steel end-use sector recovery in China, how the Chinese authorities administer steel production costs in the remainder of the 2022 calendar year, and the performance of seaborne supply.

    In the medium-term, China’s demand for iron ore is expected to be lower than it is today as crude steel production plateaus, and the scrap-to-steel ratio rises.

    In the long-term, prices are expected to be determined by high-cost production, on a value-in-use adjusted basis, from Australia or Brazil. It is imperative that we continue to compete on both quality and operational effectiveness.

    Western Australian iron ore production for FY23 is expected to increase to between 246mt to 256mt, reflecting the tie-in of the port debottlenecking project and the continued ramp-up of South Flank.

    FY23 unit costs are expected to be between US$18 to US$19 per tonne.

    Other commodities

    With metallurgical coal, the price has descended from extreme highs. BHP said the industry faces a “difficult and uncertain” period ahead. There is uncertainty about China’s import policy and Russian coal supply. But, it believes that a wholesale shift away from blast furnace steelmaking is still “decades in the future”.

    Nickel prices also saw a spike but have since fallen back to pre-Ukraine invasion prices due to “recession fears”. In the longer term, BHP believes that nickel will be a “core beneficiary of the electrification megatrend and that nickel sulphides will be particularly attractive”.

    My view on the BHP share price

    It’s certainly possible that the iron ore price and BHP share price could go lower. But an end to Chinese COVID lockdowns could be a positive development.

    With the BHP share price down 28% since April, I think it’s in the buy zone for the long term. I like its focus on decarbonisation resources like copper, nickel, and potash.

    The post What’s the outlook for the BHP share price in September? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you consider Bhp Group, 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 Bhp 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 are better buys.

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of August 4 2022

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    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.

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  • Whitehaven share price surges to yet another all-time high, here’s why

    A coal miner wearing a red hard hat holds a piece of coal up and gives the thumbs up sign in his other handA coal miner wearing a red hard hat holds a piece of coal up and gives the thumbs up sign in his other hand

    The Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) share price is leaping again today amid higher coal prices.

    The Whitehaven share price has lifted to an all-time high of $8.83, a 4% gain on yesterday’s close.

    Let’s take a look at why Whitehaven is having such a good day.

    Rising coal prices

    The Whitehaven share price is lifting after coal prices surged overnight. Whitehaven is a coal producer and exporter of thermal and metallurgical coal.

    European coal prices lifted 7.6% to an all-time high of $345 per tonne, Bloomberg reported. After Russia cut off gas supplies to Europe via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, European nations are looking at alternative energy sources including coal.

    For example, Greece is going to keep seven coal-fired power stations open for longer, Reuters reported overnight. Germany has previously indicated it will need to keep coal stations open to save gas.

    Maria Rita Galli, CEO of Greece natural gas operator DESFA, said in comments cited by the publication:

    In the short term some European countries will have a delay in their decarbonisation (plan), but this could also be an opportunity … allowing to avoid an intermediate phase towards hydrogen.

    Whitehaven delivered a record net profit after tax (NPAT) of $1.95 billion in recent FY22 financial results.

    Commenting on the impact of coal prices on these results, CEO Paul Flynn said, “Coal prices are at record levels and customers are focused on energy security now more than ever before.”

    Morgans has recently recommended that investors add Whitehaven to their portfolios.

    Share price snapshot

    The Whitehaven share price has soared 203% in the past year and is up 236% year to date.

    In the past month, the Whitehaven share price has lifted 46%.

    Whitehaven has a market capitalisation of nearly $8.4 billion.

    The post Whitehaven share price surges to yet another all-time high, here’s why appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you consider Whitehaven Coal 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 Whitehaven Coal 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 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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  • Hoping to bag the latest Medibank dividend? Read this

    A man in his 30s holds his laptop and operates it with his other hand as he has a look of pleasant surprise on his face as though he is learning something new or finding hidden value in something on the screen.A man in his 30s holds his laptop and operates it with his other hand as he has a look of pleasant surprise on his face as though he is learning something new or finding hidden value in something on the screen.

    Time is running out to secure the Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) dividend.

    Because by this time tomorrow, it will have reached its ex-dividend date, which is the time when shares trade without their dividend.

    Here are some important details to keep in mind.

    Medibank dividend

    Medibank offers investors an interim dividend of 7.3 cents per share. It’s fully franked too, so it carries certain tax benefits.

    The dividend is payable on 29 September and has a trailing dividend yield of 3.7%.

    You must hold Medibank shares before the ex-dividend date to receive the dividend.

    Zooming out a little, we see that 7.3 cents per share is the highest dividend the company has ever offered investors in its dividend history, stretching back to 2015.

    As my Fool colleague Cathryn pointed out, this is likely due to the company seeing a 9% boost in its net profit after tax (NPAT) for FY22 and, thus, being able to distribute higher profits to investors.

    Medibank share price snapshot

    Shares of Medibank currently trade for $3.655 each, up 0.69% on yesterday’s closing price of $3.63.

    The Medibank share price is up 9.25% year to date. Meanwhile, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down around 8% over the same period.

    The company’s current market capitalisation is approximately $10 billion.

    The post Hoping to bag the latest Medibank dividend? Read this 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 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 is the Lake Resources share price heading 5% upstream today?

    A sophisticated older lady with shoulder-length grey hair and glasses sits on her couch laughing while looking at her phoneA sophisticated older lady with shoulder-length grey hair and glasses sits on her couch laughing while looking at her phone

    The Lake Resources NL (ASX: LKE) share price is stretching higher in early trade on Tuesday.

    At the time of writing, shares in the ASX lithium player are trading 5% in the green at $1.16 on no news.

    Meanwhile, materials is the third best performing sector from the open on Tuesday, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) 0.49% in the green.

    What’s up with the Lake Resources share price?

    Investors have rallied Lake shares today in unison with the broader sector, as materials shares catch another heavy bid.

    Lake Resources shares have bounced from lows and are now heading back to range levels, having slipped from previous highs of $1.59 on 11 August.

    There’s been nothing price-sensitive out of Lake’s camp this past month that correlates to the volatility in pricing seen on the chart.

    Noteworthy, however, is a bullish note out of JP Morgan on its outlook on the future of the lithium industry.

    Citing asymmetries in supply and demand, the broker revised its forecasts for lithium carbonate and spodumene prices by 20% and 25% respectively.

    The note provided a bullish undercurrent for speculators and those positioned for the long-term in lithium, with the ASX lithium basket subsequently rallying to date.

    If one recalls the calamity that a bearish note from Goldman Sachs on the lithium industry’s outlook caused in June – if this were to happen in reverse, lithium shares could rally further.

    To that point, it appears that Goldman may be seeking to revise its call from earlier in the year, which estimated a large erosion in the price of lithium by FY23.

    Also, four out of four brokers rate Lake shares a buy right now, with a consensus price target of $2.56, according to Refinitiv Eikon data.

    Despite its recent volatility, the Lake Resources share price is still up 109% for the past 12 months.

    Returns for this time frame are seen below alongside the materials index.

    TradingView Chart

    The post Why is the Lake Resources share price heading 5% upstream today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Lake Resources N.l. right now?

    Before you consider Lake Resources N.l., 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 Lake Resources N.l. 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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    JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. 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 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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