Category: Stock Market

  • 2 ASX shares I’d buy with $750 right now

    ASX 200 shares

    If I were investing with $750 today there are at least two ASX shares that I would buy.

    You don’t need $10,000 to start investing. The great thing about investing in shares is that you can invest relatively small amounts. If you were investing in property you normally need a deposit of at least 10% of the property value.

    I think these two ASX shares would make really good buys:

    Bubs Australia Ltd (ASX: BUB)

    Bubs is an infant formula business which specialises in goat milk products.

    I think it has done a good job of growing the business from a small operator into a company which could deliver big growth. It has its own manufacturing facility in Australia and sells a variety of products.

    Infant formula is the main engine for growth though. Bubs’ infant formula has a gross profit margin of around 40%, which is much higher than the overall business gross margin 24%. As infant formula becomes a larger part of the business, Bubs will become more profitable for its revenue.

    In FY20 the ASX share’s infant formula revenue grew by 69%, so that segment is now 55% of the business, up from 30% in FY19. Total revenue grew by 32% to $62 million over the year.

    Whilst I’m excited by the Chinese revenue growth potential, I think the ‘other markets’ is particularly exciting which now represents 10% of revenue. Vietnam is a key growth market right now. Asia is a very big market, even if you exclude China. 

    Bubs recently decided to pursue in-market manufacturing in China. So Bubs is going to acquire a stake in the Beingmate manufacturing facility in China. It’s also looking to launch its China label products into the general trade channel.

    The launch of Bubs vitamins and minerals could also be a good move if it gains traction with customers, particularly in Asia.

    There are a lot of things going on with Bubs. But I think it only has to be reasonably successful with its overseas growth to deliver solid shareholder returns from the current Bubs share price of under $0.90.

    WAM Microcap Limited (ASX: WMI)

    I think ASX small cap shares are a great way to deliver good returns. However, you need to be even more picky with small caps than large caps. Smaller businesses have a lot more growth potential, but there’s also a lot more risk.

    It’s a lot easier to grow a company’s revenue from $100 million to $200 million than it is to grow revenue from $10 billion to $20 billion.

    WAM Microcap is a listed investment company (LIC) which invests in small caps with market capitalisations under $300 million at the time of acquisition. Its portfolio has performed very well since inception, its gross returns per annum has been 17.8% since June 2017.

    Some of its current ASX share investments are names like Citadel Group Ltd (ASX: CGL), Redbubble Ltd (ASX: RBL), City Chic Collective Ltd (ASX: CCX), Reject Shop Ltd (ASX: TRS), People Infrastructure Ltd (ASX: PPE) and Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW).

    WAM Microcap offers diversification as it’s invested in dozens of names in its portfolio. But it also offers protection with a relatively large cash position. At 31 July 2020, it had a 15.9% cash position weighting. That provides some downside protection and also means it has ammunition if share prices fall.

    The LIC is able to pay out a growing dividend from its investment profits. At the current WAM Microcap share price it has an ordinary grossed-up dividend yield of 5.9%. It has also paid a special dividend in each financial year since it listed.

    Foolish takeaway

    I think WAM Microcap is a nice option for total returns with a mix of dividend and capital growth. Meanwhile, Bubs is an exciting option for long-term growth if it can capture a bit of market share in Asia.

    Man who said buy Kogan shares at $3.63 says buy these 3 ASX stocks 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 more than eight years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    In this FREE STOCK REPORT, Scott just revealed what he believes are the 3 ASX stocks for the post COVID world that investors should buy right now while they still can. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks these could really go gangbusters as we move into ‘the new normal’.

    *Returns as of 6/8/2020

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    Tristan Harrison owns shares of WAM MICRO FPO. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of BUBS AUST FPO and Temple & Webster Group Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BUBS AUST FPO, Citadel Group Ltd, People Infrastructure Ltd, and Temple & Webster Group Ltd. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. 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 I would buy Appen and these ASX tech shares after the selloff

    digital screen of bar chart representing asx tech shares

    The tech sector has come under a spot of pressure this month due to a profit taking selloff on Wall Street.

    I believe this has pulled a number of ASX tech shares down to very attractive levels.

    So if you’ve been sitting patiently and waiting for an opportunity to invest in the sector, I think now could be your time.

    Here’s why I think these ASX tech shares are in the buy zone:

    Appen Ltd (ASX: APX)

    The first share to consider buying is this artificial intelligence services company. I believe the global leader in the development of high-quality, human annotated datasets for machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to grow its earnings at a very strong rate over the 2020s. This is thanks to the growing importance of machine learning and AI for businesses and governments. And with the Appen share price down over 25% from its 52-week high, now could be an opportune time to invest.

    Nearmap Ltd (ASX: NEA)

    Although the Nearmap share price is only down 10% from its 52-week high, I still think it is worth considering. It is a leading aerial imagery technology and location data company that gives businesses instant access to high resolution aerial imagery, city-scale 3D datasets, and integrated geospatial tools. Due to the quality of its platform, new product launches, and its sizeable market opportunity, I believe Nearmap can grow at a strong rate over the 2020s.

    Whispir (ASX: WSP)

    The Whispir share price is down 21% from its 52-week high. I think this could make it well worth considering an investment in the software-as-a-service communications workflow platform provider. I believe Whispir has a very bright future ahead of it thanks to its industry-leading software platform. This platform allows governments and businesses to deliver actionable two-way interactions at scale using automated multi-channel communication workflows. Management estimates that the Workflow Communications platform as a Service market could be worth US$8 billion per year by 2024.

    These stocks could rocket in a Post-COVID world (FREE STOCK REPORT)

    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 more than eight years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    In this FREE STOCK REPORT, Scott just revealed what he believes are the 3 ASX stocks for the post COVID world that investors should buy right now while they still can. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks these could really go gangbusters as we move into ‘the new normal’.

    *Returns as of 6/8/2020

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    James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and recommends Whispir Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of Nearmap Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of Appen Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Nearmap Ltd. and Whispir Ltd. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. 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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  • A practical guide on how to invest in ASX shares

    standing at the start line

    Industry commentators often make it sound much harder than it is to invest in the share market. However, retail investors like you have a number of practical advantages over these perceived experts. You can invest in the share market for longer. You have relatively little cash to invest, so you can buy what you want. And you don’t have to provide quarterly, half-year or full-year performance updates.

    So given that you have all of these advantages, here is a practical guide on how to invest in ASX shares. 

    Get a broker

    No, not a guy in an expensive pinstripe suit who’s going to charge you $100 to buy or sell what you’re telling him to. Online discount brokers provide a low cost and easy way to buy and sell shares. A number of them even provide some research, charting, watchlists and other tools.

    A simple google search or use of a comparison site can be used to find the right broker for you. A quick search shows that you can currently get brokerage for as low as $9.50 per trade.

    Formulate a strategy

    The so-called experts will say that the hardest thing is to know what to buy. I think they’re nearly right. I personally think that the hardest part of investing is managing your emotions and biases. But stock selection still makes the podium tough.

    The key to picking which ASX shares to invest in is to understand yourself and formulate a strategy accordingly. Have decades to invest? Have a huge emergency fund? Risk taker at heart? Then a growth-oriented portfolio will suit you best.

    Naturally conservative? Needing the cash in 5 years? Wanting some income to live off of? Then a more defensive dividend portfolio might be for you.

    Take the time to write down your goals, financial position and reflect on your psychology. It will serve you well and help you sleep at night.

    Research, research, research

    For first time investors in ASX shares, this relates to both your general share market and investing knowledge, as well as specific stocks.

    Building your fundamental investing knowledge will make you faster at researching businesses, as well as more confident and faster in your decision making. Nowadays there are plenty of free or low cost resources out there. From YouTube, to blogs, to books, find out as much as you can about investing.

    At a share-specific level, start to understand some businesses within your ‘circle of competence’. This could be the industry you work in, or products you use everyday. The Motley Fool provides great coverage of a lot of ASX shares on the website and even more detailed and in-depth research in the stock picking services.

    Buy and hold, then buy some more

    Buy and hold a diversified portfolio for the long term. Personally, I would recommend that new investors start buying broad-based exchange traded funds (ETFs) and then build a diversified portfolio of at least 15–20 shares. This number of investments boosts your chances of beating the market, whilst also reducing the chances of you losing your money over the long term.

    An often overlooked key to this is your investing time horizon. Over 20 years, an investment in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) or S&P 500 has very little chance of losing you money. Each year less than that will increase your chances of losing money exponentially.

    If you’re looking for ideas, my favourite ASX shares to buy now are Nanosonics Ltd (ASX: NAN), Xero Limited (ASX: XRO) and Resmed Inc. (ASX: RMD). Here’s a write up on Xero and some other favourites.

    These stocks could rocket in a Post-COVID world (FREE STOCK REPORT)

    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 more than eight years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    In this FREE STOCK REPORT, Scott just revealed what he believes are the 3 ASX stocks for the post COVID world that investors should buy right now while they still can. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks these could really go gangbusters as we move into ‘the new normal’.

    *Returns as of 6/8/2020

    More reading

    Lloyd Prout owns shares of Nanosonics Limited, Xero Limited and ResMed Inc and expresses his own opinions. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of Xero. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Nanosonics Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended ResMed Inc. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. 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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  • Will the S&P downgrade derail the recovery in the AMP share price?

    Illustration of large boot almost trampling three businessmen

    The AMP Limited (ASX: AMP) share price could face pressure this morning after it suffered a credit rating downgrade.

    The embattled wealth manager announced after the market closed yesterday that Standard and Poor’s (S&P) cut its rating on the listed entity, AMP Group Holdings Limited and AMP Bank by one notch each.

    The setback threatens to derail the bounce in the share price as AMP tries to recover from its cultural and governance scandal. Should investors be worried?

    AMP share price pressured by governance concerns

    The downgrade was made worse by comments from S&P on the reasons behind the downgrade. The agency said that recent developments made it think that AMP’s governance was not “as strong as we previously considered“, reported the Australian Financial Review.

    The trigger for S&P was the string of quick exits by senior managers and last week’s strategic review of group assets. AMP’s newly installed chair Debra Hazelton overrode the group’s also relatively new chief executive Francesco De Ferrari’s turnaround strategy.

    Talk about a tense work environment! This isn’t something that would inspire confidence at a time when AMP badly needs to get back on its feet.

    Credit vs. equity risks

    But this latest development has not derailed my “buy” thesis on the stock. There are a few reasons for this.

    Firstly, S&P is a credit agency. They advise debt investors on how safe it is to lend money to a company and they way they analyse a corporation is different from the way equities analysts would.

    Credit analysts are particularly focused on default risks and downside scenarios. They don’t care as much about how much profit growth is achievable or sum-of-parts valuations. They want to be assured that the company can pay their debts as opposed to how much money it can make.

    What this means is that a ratings downgrade by S&P or other credit agencies is less correlated to share price performance than a downgrade coming from a broker, for instance.

    Downgrade doesn’t reflect AMP valuation

    I am not saying credit and equity aren’t linked, but credit ratings aren’t driven by how much potential upside or downside there is in a share price.

    This takes me to the second point. The reason why I think the risk-reward is looking attractive for AMP is because I think there’s intrinsic value in the business.

    Risk-reward still looking attractive

    No one will argue there is significant execution risk in the business. Management will need to learn to sing from the same song sheet at a time when the future of 170-year plus institution is at stake.

    But what brings me some comfort is the belief that if AMP was carved up and sold off in pieces, the sales will fetch a higher price than where the stock is currently trading.

    This is good news for equity investors, but could be a real headache for credit investors.

    These stocks could rocket in a Post-COVID world (FREE STOCK REPORT)

    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 more than eight years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    In this FREE STOCK REPORT, Scott just revealed what he believes are the 3 ASX stocks for the post COVID world that investors should buy right now while they still can. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks these could really go gangbusters as we move into ‘the new normal’.

    *Returns as of 6/8/2020

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    Motley Fool contributor Brendon Lau owns shares of AMP Limited. Connect with me on Twitter @brenlau.

    The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. 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 it time to invest in ASX education shares?

    boy wearing headphones and doing online education in front of computer

    With the COVID-19 pandemic pushing many students to online learning, now may be time to invest in ASX education shares.

    An ABC News article recently shed light on the surging demand for academic tutors. In addition, the article touched on the inadequacy of some academic school curriculums.

    Some ASX education shares could be poised to benefit from the surging demand for academic tutors and support services.  

    What’s fuelling the demand for tutors?

    According to the ABC article, the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed glaring holes in Australia’s educational system.

    With lessons moved online during the height of the pandemic, some parents were confronted by how far behind their children were with schoolwork.

    In order to compensate, many parents have turned to tutoring services for additional educational resources. Some tutoring services have doubled the number of children on their books since the pandemic began.

    The pandemic has also prompted a review of school curriculums.

    The Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority announced a review of the national prep to year 10 curriculum in June. The aim of the review is to streamline student workloads and lessons.

    Given the weaknesses exposed in the education system, there are some companies listed on the ASX that could potentially help fill in the gaps.

    Which ASX education shares could benefit?

    3P Learning Ltd (ASX: 3PL) is an online education platform that offers a range of resources covering core subjects such as mathematics, spelling, literacy and science. 3P Learning’s platform currently boasts more than 5 million students from more than 17,000 schools around the world.

    The company released its FY20 report last month and also revealed a takeover bid from United States-based IXL Learning. For FY20, 3P Learning recorded an 18% decline in underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $14.6 million. 

    3P Learning cited an increase in sales and marketing expenditure in the Americas region for the lacklustre performance. Despite a weak financial performance, 3P Learning reported promising customer retention in the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa markets.

    Kip McGrath Education Centres Limited (ASX: KME) is another company that could benefit. Kip McGrath provides tutoring to primary and secondary students for a wide range of core subjects. The company operates on a franchise business model with operations in Australia, the UK, South Africa and New Zealand.

    Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak,  Kip McGrath provided 36,000 face to face lessons and 550 online lessons on a weekly basis. As a result of global lock-downs and social distancing measures, the company has expanded its online operations. In May, the company recorded a milestone of 20,000 online lessons while face-to-face tutoring dropped to 2,400 per week.

    Kip McGrath has identified online tuition as a key market and growth opportunity that offers higher margins than traditional tutoring. As a result, the company completed a $5.9 million capital raise in June to accelerate the growth of its online platforms.

    Foolish takeaway

    The services provided by 3P Learning and Kip McGrath will not replace traditional teaching formats. However, they could become more popular as an auxiliary service. 

    The convenience and high margins of online tutoring could also gain traction as they appeal to both customers and companies alike. The potential in this space has been reflected in the takeover offer for 3P Learning, with IXL’s slapping an enterprise value of $166.7 million on the company. 

    In my opinion, auxiliary education providers like 3P Learning and Kip McrGath are poised to boom in 2020 and beyond. 

    These 3 stocks could be the next big movers in 2020

    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 more than eight years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    In this FREE STOCK REPORT, Scott just revealed what he believes are the 3 ASX stocks for the post COVID world that investors should buy right now while they still can. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks these could really go gangbusters as we move into ‘the new normal’.

    *Returns as of 6/8/2020

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Nikhil Gangaram has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. 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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  • These ASX healthcare shares could be great long term options

    Doctor pressing digitised screen with array of icons including one entitled health insurance

    The world is getting older and quickly. The global population aged 65 and over is growing faster than all other age groups.

    According to the WHO, by 2050, one in six people in the world will be over age 65 (16%), up from one in 11 in 2019 (9%).  

    The stats are even higher in Europe and North America, where the WHO estimates that one in four people could be over 65 in 2050.

    This is expected to lead to growing demand for healthcare services over the next three decades, which I feel bodes well for a number of companies in the sector.

    In light of this, I think investing in the healthcare sector with a long term view could be a smart move.

    But where should you invest your money? Here are two ASX healthcare shares that I think would be great long term options for investors:

    iShares Global Healthcare ETF (ASX: IXJ)

    If you’d like to invest in a wide range of healthcare shares then you might want to consider putting money into the iShares Global Healthcare fund. As its name implies, this exchange traded fund (ETF) gives investors exposure to many of the biggest healthcare companies across the globe. This includes the likes of  AstraZeneca, CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co, Sanofi, and United Health. Given the aforementioned ageing population tailwind, I believe these healthcare shares are collectively well-positioned for growth over the next decade. This could mean the iShares Global Healthcare ETF generates strong returns for investors.

    Ramsay Health Care Limited (ASX: RHC)

    Another healthcare share that I think would be a fantastic long term option is Ramsay Health Care. As the global population ages, I expect demand for its sprawling global network of private hospitals to increase substantially. I believe this will put the company in a position to deliver solid earnings growth over the long term. Another positive is the company’s history of supporting its growth with acquisitions. I suspect this will remain the case over the next decade or two.

    Man who said buy Kogan shares at $3.63 says buy these 3 ASX stocks 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 more than eight years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    In this FREE STOCK REPORT, Scott just revealed what he believes are the 3 ASX stocks for the post COVID world that investors should buy right now while they still can. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks these could really go gangbusters as we move into ‘the new normal’.

    *Returns as of 6/8/2020

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Ramsay Health Care Limited. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. 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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  • Polynovo and one more ASX growth share to buy in 2021

    It’s been a strong year for many ASX growth shares. Healthcare, gold and tech shares have performed strongly despite the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) slumping lower.

    However, it’s hard to know what to buy in the current market. Looking ahead to 2021, here are a couple of top ASX growth shares I’d like to buy for my portfolio.

    Polynovo and one more ASX growth share to buy

    Let’s start with what I think the macro environment will look like early next year. I think we’ll see record low interest rates persist and government stimulus measures start to ease.

    I expect the coronavirus pandemic will continue to weigh on markets in the first quarter of next year. Further market volatility will persist but I think the economy will still be in a holding pattern of sorts.

    That leads me to my first ASX growth share to buy: Polynovo Ltd (ASX: PNV). Polynovo is a leading Aussie biotech company specialising in skin treatments through its synthetic polymer.

    While tech shares are dominating right now, I think we could see biotech and healthcare surge higher next year.

    Demand for services is high and patient numbers are slowly returning after falling away in early 2020. With Polynovo targeting more lucrative markets for its NovoSorb BTM product, I think next year’s earnings could be big.

    That’s not to say that tech shares will underperform. I think the current mania has blown some valuations out of proportion to what these ASX growth shares are worth.

    However, I think Aussie data centre operator Nextdc Ltd (ASX: NXT) is still a buy. The NextDC share price is trading at $11.28 per share and is near the top of its 52-week trading range.

    But changing work dynamics and a move towards more work from home could be a good thing. That means demand for off-site secure data storage and security could surge.

    Add to that the growing focus on cybersecurity threats to governments and corporations and I think the ASX growth share could be a buy.

    Foolish takeaway

    These are just a couple of the top ASX growth shares that I think could be in the buy zone in early 2021.

    5 stocks under $5

    We hear it over and over from investors, “I wish I had bought Altium or Afterpay when they were first recommended by The Motley Fool. I’d be sitting on a gold mine!” And it’s true.

    And while Altium and Afterpay have had a good run, we think these 5 other stocks are screaming buys. And you can buy them now for less than $5 a share!

    *Extreme Opportunities returns as of June 5th 2020

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    Ken Hall has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of POLYNOVO FPO. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. 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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  • Restaurant Brands share price on watch as profit slumps 43%

    The Restaurant Brands New Zealand Limited (ASX: RBD) share price is one to watch today, after the Kiwi restaurant group reported a 42.9% slump in net profit.

    What does Restaurant Brands do?

    Restaurant Brands NZ operates the New Zealand outlets of KFC, Pizza Hut and Carl’s Junior. It also operates KFC in Australia and Taco Bell in Hawaii, Guam and Saipan.

    The Kiwi company has a market capitalisation of $1.1 billion but has limited liquidity given its tight shareholding.

    Why is the Restaurant Brands share price on watch?

    The Kiwi restaurant group reported half-year sales down NZ$59.2 million or 13.4% to NZ$383.4 million. Net profit after tax (NPAT) for the 6 months to 30 June 2020 (1H20) fell 42.9% lower to NZ$11.4 million.

    That was largely thanks to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions in New Zealand, which forced the closure of many stores.

    However, the US business performed well with earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) climbing $2.2 million. That was thanks to strong Pizza Hut performance despite ongoing challenges.

    Positively, the group reported second-quarter sales in the New Zealand market had largely returned to pre-COVID levels.

    KFC and Carl’s Jr were touted as key performers in the New Zealand market while Taco Bell continues to track above expectations.

    The group’s Pizza Hut sub-franchising process is continuing despite limited activity during the year.

    The Restaurant Brands share price is one to watch after this morning’s result, which saw Australian store EBITDA fall 23.6% to A$11.3 million.

    That softer earnings result reflected a lack of dine-in restaurants being open as well as the initial setup costs of operating Taco Bell. The group is looking to open more than 60 stores in Australia and New Zealand over the next 5 years.

    In the US, Restaurant Brands saw strong results from its Hawaiian operations including growth in revenue, in-store EBITDA and EBIT in New Zealand dollar terms.

    Dividend

    The Restaurant Brands share price will be worth watching today after the board decided to not pay an interim dividend. That comes as the company looks to reinvest cash into the business for its extensive Taco Bell rollout.

    Acquisitions

    Restaurant Brands entered into a conditional agreement to acquire 70 stores in Southern California, USA for US$73 million in December 2019. That deal saw the company acquire 59 KFC stores and 11 combined KFC Taco Bell stores.

    The group settled that transaction on 2 September 2020 in New Zealand with the US$80.7 million purchase price fully funded through debt drawdown on existing facilities.

    FY21 outlook

    The Restaurant Brands share price will be on watch this morning as investors digest the company’s results release.

    The company reported sales have bounced back strongly with new store rollouts continuing to process in Australia and New Zealand.

    However, Restaurant Brands was unable to provide specific FY21 guidance given the current uncertainty due to COVID-19.

    These stocks could rocket in a Post-COVID world (FREE STOCK REPORT)

    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 more than eight years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    In this FREE STOCK REPORT, Scott just revealed what he believes are the 3 ASX stocks for the post COVID world that investors should buy right now while they still can. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks these could really go gangbusters as we move into ‘the new normal’.

    *Returns as of 6/8/2020

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Ken Hall has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. 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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  • 3 unstoppable ASX shares to invest $2,000 into right now

    Red paper plane zooming ahead of an army of white paper plane competition

    In 2020 the majority of companies on the Australian share market have been disrupted by the pandemic in some form.

    But not all shares have. In fact, some have proven unstoppable this year and continue to deliver explosive growth.

    The good news is that this strong form looks likely to continue post-crisis as well, which could make these unstoppable ASX shares great options for investors.

    Here’s why I would invest $2,000 into them:

    a2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M)

    The first unstoppable ASX share to consider buying is a2 Milk Company. In FY 2020 this fresh milk and infant nutrition company delivered a 32.8% increase in revenue to NZ$1,730 million and a 34.1% lift in net profit after tax to NZ$385.8 million. This was driven largely by the strong demand for its infant formula in the China market. And while there are concerns over its high level of inventory and a possible short term sales slowdown due to the pulling forward of sales during the height of the pandemic, its long term outlook looks very positive. Especially given its modest market share in China. Management revealed that the company had just a 2% value share of the mother and baby store market in the country at the end of June.

    Kogan.com Ltd (ASX: KGN)

    Another unstoppable ASX share is Kogan. The ecommerce company has been an impressive performer this year and recently revealed a very strong full year result. In FY 2020, Kogan reported a 39.3% increase in gross sales to $768.9 million and a 57.6% increase in adjusted EBITDA to $49.7 million. This was driven by the accelerating shift to online shopping during the pandemic, which underpinned a 35.7% increase in active customers to 2,183,000. And with management confident that a retail revolution is taking place, I suspect there could be more of the same in the coming years. 

    Pushpay Holdings Ltd (ASX: PPH)

    A final unstoppable ASX share to buy is Pushpay. As with the others, the donor management system provider was in sensational form in FY 2020. It posted a ~1,500% increase in EBITDAF in FY 2020 thanks to strong demand for its platform, particularly during the the pandemic. The good news is that this strong form is expected to continue in FY 2021, with management providing guidance for EBITDAF of between US$48 million and US$52 million. This represents a 91.2% to 107% increase, respectively, year on year. Pleasingly, this is still only scratching at the surface of its sizeable market opportunity. Management is aiming to win a 50% share of the medium to large church market. This represents a massive US$1 billion revenue opportunity.

    These stocks could rocket in a Post-COVID world (FREE STOCK REPORT)

    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 more than eight years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    In this FREE STOCK REPORT, Scott just revealed what he believes are the 3 ASX stocks for the post COVID world that investors should buy right now while they still can. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks these could really go gangbusters as we move into ‘the new normal’.

    *Returns as of 6/8/2020

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    James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of Kogan.com ltd and PUSHPAY FPO NZX. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of A2 Milk. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Kogan.com ltd and PUSHPAY FPO NZX. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. 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 the Telstra share price is a good buy for dividends

    hand holding mobile phone against back drop of line chart representing falling amaysim share price

    It’s been a wild ride for the Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) share price in recent years.

    While the company’s value has fluctuated, one thing that hasn’t changed is Telstra as a top ASX dividend share.

    Times are tough right now and the August earnings season brought some interesting results. Amongst the chaos and the coronavirus pandemic weighing on profits, Telstra maintained its dividend.

    However, investors weren’t impressed, with the Telstra share price falling 15% in the last month.

    So, is it the Aussie telco a good buy for income or should you look elsewhere for yield in 2020?

    Why the Telstra share price could be a good buy

    It’s important to note that it wasn’t all good news from Telstra’s August earnings result.

    Telstra reported a 9.7% decline in underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) to $7.4 billion. That saw the company’s net profit fall 14.4% to $1.8 billion in a tough year for shareholders.

    The $3.4 billion free cash flow figure was at the low end of guidance, which allowed Telstra to maintain its full-year dividend at 16 cents per share.

    The NBN headwind is expected to continue in FY21 resulting in a forecast $700 million hit to underlying EBITDA. Income investors will be focused on whether or not Telstra can continue its impressing dividend-paying streak.

    I think there are some big challenges but also exciting prospects for the future. That includes the fact that Telstra is shaping up as a real leader in the 5G network space.

    Capitalising on 5G technologies could be the key to stabilising earnings and growing earnings into the future. Any further changes in work from home arrangements could also boost demand for network capabilities in regional areas and unlock future growth.

    The Telstra share price climbed 1.4% higher yesterday and closed the day at $2.88 per share. That means the Aussie telco has a 3.5% dividend yield right now which is quite good in the current climate.

    Foolish takeaway

    I think income-seeking investors could do much worse than Telstra as a large-cap ASX share with solid earnings potential.

    Man who said buy Kogan shares at $3.63 says buy these 3 ASX stocks 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 more than eight years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    In this FREE STOCK REPORT, Scott just revealed what he believes are the 3 ASX stocks for the post COVID world that investors should buy right now while they still can. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks these could really go gangbusters as we move into ‘the new normal’.

    *Returns as of 6/8/2020

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    Motley Fool contributor Ken Hall has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Telstra Limited. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

    The post Why the Telstra share price is a good buy for dividends appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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