Category: Stock Market

  • Are CBA shares in the buy zone?

    Commonwealth bank

    The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) share price has been a positive performer on the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) on Tuesday.

    In afternoon trade the banking giant’s shares are up 2% to $60.00.

    Despite this decent gain, the Commonwealth Bank share price is still down a sizeable 34% from its 52-week high.

    Are CBA shares in the buy zone?

    I think Commonwealth Bank’s shares are in the buy zone at this level. Though, given how poor investment sentiment is in the sector, I wouldn’t necessarily be surprised if they went lower before going higher.

    However, for patient investors that are not bothered by the day to day fluctuations of share prices, I believe an investment at the current level will yield strong total returns over the next three to four years.

    Times certainly are tough for the bank right now, but the cycle will soon change and growth will emerge once more. I’d want to be holding its shares when that happens.

    What about dividends?

    I feel it is inevitable that Commonwealth Bank will have to cut its dividend again in FY 2021.

    Estimating just how much of a cut is very difficult and will depend a lot on how accurate its COVID-19 provisions are. However, I would expect the bank to pay out a dividend of around $3.70 per share next year.

    While this dividend would be just a touch higher than the one it paid all the way back in 2013, the pullback in its share price means it still equates to a very generous yield.

    Based on its current share price, this implies a forward fully franked 6.15% dividend yield. That certainly is attractive in my eyes in this low interest rate environment.

    Foolish Takeaway.

    The Commonwealth Bank share price could easily go lower before it goes higher again. However, trading conditions will eventually improve and its share price will almost certainly start moving upwards when the market first anticipates this change.

    In light of this, I think it could be a good idea to pick up shares with a long term and patient view today.

    But if you’re not a fan of the banks, then there are other options. The top dividend share listed below is growing at a very strong rate even during the pandemic…

    NEW: Expert names top dividend stock for 2020 (free report)

    When our resident dividend expert Edward Vesely has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, he’s the investing genius that runs Motley Fool Dividend Investor, the newsletter service that has picked huge winners like Dicker Data (+92%), SDI Limited (+53%) and National Storage (+35%).*

    Edward has just named what he believes is the number one ASX dividend stock to buy for 2020.

    This fully franked “under the radar” company is currently trading more than 24% below its all-time high and paying a 6.7% grossed-up dividend.

    The name of this dividend dynamo and the full investment case is revealed in this brand new free report.

    But you will have to hurry — history has shown it can pay dividends to get in early to some of Edward’s stock picks, and this dividend stock is already on the move.

    See the top dividend stock for 2020

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro 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 ASX shares that will have strong dividends in 2020

    ATM with Australian $100 bills

    Looking for strong dividends in 2020?

    Well, they’re not as easy to find as it might have appeared in January or February. Since the outbreak of the coronavirus and subsequent economic lockdowns, a huge range of ASX blue-chips announced dividend cuts or even cancellations.

    These include everything from the ‘big four’ banks like Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) to ‘safe’ dividend payers like Transurban Group (ASX: TCL).

    But I think there are still some companies out there that offer a solid dividend outlook for 2020 and beyond (although anything is possible). So here are three ASX shares that (in my opinion) won’t have to cut their shareholder payouts this year.

    Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

    Coles was the face of defensive ASX companies as the coronavirus pandemic took hold. Consumers flocked to Coles and other supermarkets to stock up on essentials, which initially saw Coles post a 12% rise in sales for the first quarter of FY20 last month. Although I suspect demand has returned to more normal levels since, it certainly proved how useful being a consumer staples giant can be in tough times.

    As such, I think Coles’ dividends will continue to flow in 2020 (and might even get an increase). On current prices, you can expect a trailing dividend yield of 2.75% from Coles shares – or 3.93% grossed-up with full franking.

    Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX: FMG)

    Fortescue is one of the largest iron ore mines in the country and has amassed a reputation as a strong dividend payer in recent years. Even on current prices (which are at record highs today), Fortescue has a trailing dividend yield of 7.23% – or 10.76% grossed-up with full franking.

    Right now, iron ore is a great business to be in. The iron ore price hit US$91.90 today and looks to push even higher after production issues emerged in Brazil. If these prices hold (or even if they don’t), Fortescue should be able to shovel even more cash out the doors in 2020.

    WAM Research Ltd (ASX: WAX)

    WAM Research is a Listed Investment Company (LIC) that specialises in finding undervalued growth companies. It has a long and strong history of paying fully franked dividends, which, at the time of writing, give WAX shares a trailing yield of 7.33% (or 10.47% grossed-up).

    But the best part of this story is that this LIC has plenty of gas left in the tank to continue to pay these dividends. Its most recent interim dividend came out at 4.9 cents per share – well covered by the company’s profit reserves of 26.2 cents per share. That’s a big buffer for dividend payments to carry us through 2020!

    For another top ASX dividend share to check out today, don’t miss the report below!

    NEW: Expert names top dividend stock for 2020 (free report)

    When our resident dividend expert Edward Vesely has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, he’s the investing genius that runs Motley Fool Dividend Investor, the newsletter service that has picked huge winners like Dicker Data (+92%), SDI Limited (+53%) and National Storage (+35%).*

    Edward has just named what he believes is the number one ASX dividend stock to buy for 2020.

    This fully franked “under the radar” company is currently trading more than 24% below its all-time high and paying a 6.7% grossed-up dividend.

    The name of this dividend dynamo and the full investment case is revealed in this brand new free report.

    But you will have to hurry — history has shown it can pay dividends to get in early to some of Edward’s stock picks, and this dividend stock is already on the move.

    See the top dividend stock for 2020

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen owns shares of WAM Research Limited. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of COLESGROUP DEF SET. 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 ASX 200 blue chip shares I would buy today

    finger pressing red button on keyboard labelled Buy

    If you’re wanting to add a few blue chip ASX shares to your portfolio, then you’re in luck.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is home to a good number of blue chips which I believe could generate strong returns for investors in 2020 and beyond.

    Three blue chip ASX shares that I would buy are listed below. Here’s why I like them:

    CSL Limited (ASX: CSL)

    The first blue chip I would buy is CSL. I think the global biotherapeutics company has the potential to provide investors with strong returns over the next decade. This is due to its leading therapies, growing plasma collection network, and lucrative research and development pipeline. In respect to the latter, the company has a wide range of therapies under development which have the potential to generate significant revenue and support the rest of the business in the coming years.

    REA Group Limited (ASX: REA)

    Another blue chip share to consider is REA Group. I think the realestate.com.au operator is one of the best long term investments on the ASX 200. This is because of its high quality and resilient business model. This resilience has been on display this year. REA Group recently released its third quarter update and revealed a 1% increase in revenue to $199.8 million and an 8% lift in EBITDA to $119.6 million. This was despite dealing with a 7% decline in listings during the quarter. And while trading conditions will remain tough in the near term, I expect its earnings growth to accelerate once the crisis passes.

    Woolworths Limited (ASX: WOW)

    I think this retail conglomerate could be a good option for investors. Although best known for its supermarkets, Woolworths is also behind the likes of Dan Murphy’s, BWS, and BIG W. Combined, I believe the company is well-positioned to grow its earnings and dividends at a solid rate for the foreseeable future. Especially given its entrenched customer base and defensive business model.

    And finally, don’t miss these dirt cheap shares which could rebound very strongly when the crisis passes…

    5 cheap stocks that could be the biggest winners of the stock market crash

    Investing expert Scott Phillips has just named what he believes are the 5 cheapest and best stocks to buy right now.

    Courtesy of the crashing stock market, these 5 companies are suddenly trading at significant discounts to their recent highs… creating what could be incredible opportunities for bargain-hungry investors.

    Simply click here to scoop up your FREE copy and discover the names of all 5 cheap shares to buy now… before the next stock market rally.

    See the 5 stocks

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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 CSL Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of Woolworths Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended REA Group 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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  • Moderna Stock Offering Is to Price at $76 Per Share

    Moderna Stock Offering Is to Price at $76 Per Share(Bloomberg) — Moderna Inc. plans to raise as much as $1.3 billion through a sale of shares to fund manufacturing of a coronavirus vaccine seen as one of the frontrunners in the race for immunization against the widening pandemic. The U.S. biotechnology firm will sell 17.6 million shares priced at $76 a piece, according to a statement Tuesday. The price represents a 5% discount to Monday’s closing price.Morgan Stanley is the sole book-running manager for the offering that allows underwriters to buy an additional 2.64 million shares, the statement said. Bloomberg reported the share sale plan earlier.Shares jumped 20% on Monday after the company revealed positive early results from its experimental vaccine for Covid-19, capping off a 309% rally this year.Moderna’s vaccine is seen as one of the most promising candidates for immunization against the pathogen that has sickened over 4.8 million people worldwide and killed over 318,000 since it first emerged in China last December. A successful vaccine is a crucial step toward lifting lockdowns, easing social distancing measures and safely reopening economies gutted by strict containment efforts. The promising results that Moderna reported were just a sample from the small, first study designed to look at the safety of the shot in human volunteers. But they showed no major safety worries – a key first hurdle since a vaccine would be given to millions of otherwise healthy people.“This is a very good sign that we make an antibody that can stop the virus from replicating,” Moderna Chief Executive Officer Stephane Bancel said in an interview Monday. The data “couldn’t have been better.”The biotech firm is moving ahead with plans for a larger test to pick a dose of the vaccine and further study its effectiveness, as well as a phase 3 test that will administer the vaccine to many thousands of patients.The safety profile appeared to be good, Bancel said, and the reactions were typical of vaccines. Three patients who got a high dose of the vaccine had more severe side effects, according to a company presentation. That dose won’t be used in later trials.Side effects seen in the trial included fatigue, fever, muscle pains and headache but all the symptoms resolved within a day.For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.

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  • The ASX big bank stock most likely to outperform in the COVID-19 recovery

    big four banks

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (Index:^AXJO) is surging higher on encouraging news of a possible vaccine for COVID-19 and comments from US Federal Reserve head Jerome Powell on more stimulus.

    It seems the Fed is not running out of juice to liquor-up financial markets, while Boston-based biotech Moderna announced better than expected early trial results.

    If the bulls are right about the worst being over, it will have implications for the performance of the big four ASX banks.

    Passing the baton

    During the meltdown, it’s the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) share price that held up better than its peers. That’s understandable as investors are willing to cough up a premium during a crisis to hold the highest quality and safest domestic bank.

    But if animal spirits are running wild, the tide will turn. Investors will be more aggressively turning to value buys and this means beloved CBA is likely to be left behind in the rebound.

    The question then is which of the other three big banks will take the crown? There isn’t much difference in valuations of Australia and New Zealand Banking GrpLtd (ASX: ANZ), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) and National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX:NAB).

    Best bank for the COVID-19 rebound

    But NAB seems to be a hot favourite among some leading brokers. For instance, Goldman Sachs put the stock in its “conviction” buy list as NAB is its top pick in the sector.

    The broker is bullish on the bank due to its dramatic improvement in operational performance in recent years and it sees better revenue potential given NAB’s bigger exposure to small and medium sized business lending.

    Meanwhile, JP Morgan is also backing NAB in the four-horse race. While the bank reported a disappointing first half profit result recently, the broker believes it displayed the most resilient top-line if you excluded the bank’s underperforming Markets division.

    Don’t discount CBA just yet

    Coincidentally, both brokers rate CBA a “sell” due to its lofty valuation. I own shares in all the big four banks but remain overweight on CBA as I don’t believe we have seen the last of the coronavirus volatility.

    Let’s not forget that CBA also continues to win market share for home loans despite its dominance in the sector.

    Just as importantly, my experience tells me that its seldom premium valuations that really hurt my share portfolio performance. The real culprits are balance sheet and governance issues – factors that weigh more heavily on the other three.

    Buy into NAB’s SPP

    But I agree that NAB is likely to pull ahead of its peers if the skies are as blue as it appears today. If you share my belief that we have seen the worst of the coronavirus market meltdown and are happy to stomach the volatility, NAB looks enticing.

    This is why I plan to participate in NAB’s share purchase plan, which closes this Friday. I doubt you can buy NAB shares lower than the $14.15 a share offer price again for a long time.

    Just remember not to put all your eggs into one basket. It’s better to hold a few bank stocks for diversification.

    But ASX bank stocks aren’t the only shares to bank on in a recovery…

    UPDATED: Free report names 5 “bounce back” stocks for building wealth

    It’s painful watching your wealth disintegrate before your eyes.

    But what can be even more painful is missing out on what could be an inevitable bounce back for the stock market.

    Master investor Scott Phillips has sifted through the wreckage and identified the 5 stocks he thinks could bounce back the hardest once the coronavirus is contained.

    The report is called 5 Stocks For Building Wealth after 50, and you can grab a copy for FREE for a limited time only.

    But you will have to hurry — history has shown the market could bounce significantly higher before the virus is contained, meaning the cheap prices on offer today might not last for long.

    Click Here

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    Motley Fool contributor Brendon Lau owns shares of Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Limited, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank Limited, and Westpac Banking. 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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  • 3 Warren Buffett ASX dividend shares to buy right now

    warren buffett

    I think Warren Buffett is one of the world’s best investors. Berkshire Hathaway doesn’t pay a dividend, but he likes to invest in shares that do pay a dividend. I think there are some ASX dividend shares that could be worth buying.

    Here are some great income ideas that could be worth buying during these coronavirus times:

    Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL) 

    Soul Patts is often described as the Australian version of Berkshire Hathaway. It invests in both listed and unlisted businesses & assets.

    Some of the ASX shares that it’s invested in include TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPM), Brickworks Limited (ASX: BKW) and Clover Corporation Limited (ASX: CLV). Some of its unlisted investments include swim schools and agriculture.

    Warren Buffett’s preferred holding period for shares is forever. I think Soul Patts is well placed to keep growing for decades to come and it has already been around for over 100 years.

    As a bonus it has a grossed-up dividend yield of 4.7%. This dividend has increased every year since 2000. The dividend is purely funded by the investment income it receives, less expenses.

    APA Group (ASX: APA) 

    APA Group is an ASX energy infrastructure giant. I think Warren Buffett would really like this share because Berkshire Hathaway Energy is one of the US business’ biggest divisions.

    It owns a vast network of 15,000km of natural gas pipelines around Australia with a presence in every mainland state and the Northern Territory. It also owns or has interests in gas storage facilities, gas-fired power stations and renewable energy generation (wind and solar farms). APA owns, or manages and operates, a portfolio of assets worth more than $21 billion and delivers half the nation’s natural gas usage.

    APA is actually looking for opportunities in the US which would be a good way to strengthen and diversify earnings further.

    The energy giant currently offers a distribution yield of 4.4%.

    Duxton Water Ltd (ASX: D2O) 

    I think Warren Buffett’s share choices and his previous comments show he likes investing in businesses that are ‘essential’ for western life like Apple, energy and insurance.

    Water is an integral part of the agriculture process for farmers. Duxton Water provides access to water entitlements which can either be leased for multiple years or it can provide short-term access.

    The amount of water that is now leased means Duxton Water’s board has been confident enough to project growing dividends for the next two years.

    I calculate that based on the next 12 months of dividends the forward grossed-up dividend yield is 6.25%.

    Which Warren Buffett ASX dividend share is best?

    I think APA looks fairly priced now, so I wouldn’t call it a buy. Soul Patts is the one with the best dividend record and I believe it’s the one that’s most like Berkshire Hathaway. So Soul Patts would be the one I’d go for as a Warren Buffett ASX dividend share.

    But these three aren’t the only great dividend share ideas to consider buying.

    NEW: Expert names top dividend stock for 2020 (free report)

    When our resident dividend expert Edward Vesely has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, he’s the investing genius that runs Motley Fool Dividend Investor, the newsletter service that has picked huge winners like Dicker Data (+92%), SDI Limited (+53%) and National Storage (+35%).*

    Edward has just named what he believes is the number one ASX dividend stock to buy for 2020.

    This fully franked “under the radar” company is currently trading more than 24% below its all-time high and paying a 6.7% grossed-up dividend.

    The name of this dividend dynamo and the full investment case is revealed in this brand new free report.

    But you will have to hurry — history has shown it can pay dividends to get in early to some of Edward’s stock picks, and this dividend stock is already on the move.

    See the top dividend stock for 2020

    More reading

    Tristan Harrison owns shares of DUXTON FPO and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of Clover Limited. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Brickworks and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of APA Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended DUXTON FPO. 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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  • 2 ASX 50 shares for retirees to buy right now

    Retire

    If you’re in retirement then you’ll no doubt be well aware of how difficult it has become to generate an income from term deposits and savings accounts.

    Unfortunately, I suspect it could be many years before we see interest rates at levels that are sufficient to generate a liveable income from.

    But don’t worry because there are a large number of shares on the ASX which I believe could be part of a successful retirement portfolio.

    Two top dividend shares I think retirees ought to consider are listed below. Here’s why I like them:

    Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

    I would argue that Coles is the best share for a retiree to own right now. This is due to its solid long term growth potential, generous dividend policy, and defensive qualities. The supermarket giant has displayed the latter this year with its strong sales growth during the pandemic. I’m not the only one that thinks Coles is a buy. A recent broker note out of Goldman Sachs reveals that it has Coles on its conviction buy list with an $18.60 price target. This implies potential upside of approximately 21% for its shares over the next 12 months. But just as good, the broker is forecasting a 65 cents per share fully franked dividend in FY 2021. This represents a 4.25% forward dividend yield.

    Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS)

    Another top option for retirees to consider buying is Telstra. Like Coles, I think the telco giant has a lot of the qualities required for a spot in a retirement portfolio. It has defensive earnings, a generous dividend yield, and decent growth prospects. While the latter may be a couple of years away, I think Telstra could return to growth potentially as soon as 2022 when the NBN headwinds ease and its cost cutting takes full effect. In the meantime, I’m optimistic that its free cash flow will be sufficient to maintain its current dividend of 16 cents per share. Though, if a much-speculated cut to 14 cents per share is made in response to the pandemic, its shares will still provide an above-average yield. 16 cents per share equates to a fully franked 5.1% yield, whereas 14 cents per share would be a 4.5% yield.

    And here is another top share which offers growth and income. It could be a perfect addition to a balanced portfolio…

    NEW: Expert names top dividend stock for 2020 (free report)

    When our resident dividend expert Edward Vesely has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, he’s the investing genius that runs Motley Fool Dividend Investor, the newsletter service that has picked huge winners like Dicker Data (+92%), SDI Limited (+53%) and National Storage (+35%).*

    Edward has just named what he believes is the number one ASX dividend stock to buy for 2020.

    This fully franked “under the radar” company is currently trading more than 24% below its all-time high and paying a 6.7% grossed-up dividend.

    The name of this dividend dynamo and the full investment case is revealed in this brand new free report.

    But you will have to hurry — history has shown it can pay dividends to get in early to some of Edward’s stock picks, and this dividend stock is already on the move.

    See the top dividend stock for 2020

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Telstra Limited. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of COLESGROUP DEF SET. 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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  • Should you throw $3,000 into Altium shares today?

    Globe tech image

    The Altium Limited (ASX: ALU) share price is trading higher today – up 0.26% at the time of writing to $34.96 a share.

    Although Altium is trailing the performance of the broader S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) today (which is up over 2%), it’s still been a fantastic few weeks to hold Altium shares. Remember, this is a company that was asking almost $23 just eight weeks ago – meaning an investor that bought in then would be sitting on a healthy gain of almost 50% today.

    But is there still room for Altium shares to run?

    Here’s why you might (or might not) want to throw $3,000 into Altium shares today.

    Are Altium shares a good deal today?

    Altium is one of the ASX’s most exciting tech stocks. It’s even part of the most-exclusive WAAAX club of tech market darlings that have captured investors’ attention over the past couple of years.

    The company makes and markets software (creatively called Altium Design) that aims to assist electrical engineers with designing and producing printed circuit boards. It sells this software through the highly lucrative Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model as well, which sets the company up very well for strong recurring revenue streams.

    Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are an essential component of every mildly complex modern electronic device you can think of. Everything from smartphones and TVs to refrigerators and cars are full of PCBs and each one requires a different and unique design. The future possibilities are truly endless, in my view.

    Altium has found a brilliant way to exploit this niche with its Design software, which has proved remarkably popular in its field. Altium has long had a goal of hitting 100,000 subscribers by 2025 (for its software, not its YouTube channel), which it looks well on the way to achieving.

    But one of the best things about Altium shares in 2020? Its management doesn’t see too much of an impact on its core business from the outbreak of the coronavirus, and subsequent economic shutdowns. In a recent ASX release, the company’s CEO stated:

    “At an industry level, electronic design is holding up relatively well in the new environment as engineers use excess time and capacity from the slowdown in manufacturing and supply chain to revert back to prototype designs.”

    Although Altium did withdraw its 2020 guidance at the same time, I think the move was more precautionary that foreboding, judging by the above statement.

    Foolish takeaway

    Altium is a high-growth company that I believe has a bright future ahead of it. It’s a company sitting in a powerful tailwind that should last well into the decade and beyond.

    On current prices, I think Altium is a little expensive (with a price-to-earnings ratio of 56.5). But, if you’re a true believer in Altium and have a long time horizon, it still has the potential to be a good investment today, in my view.

    If you like the sound of Altium, you’ll love the ASX share named below!

    One “All In” ASX Buy Alert, that could be one of our greatest discoveries

    Investing expert Scott Phillips has just named what he believes is the #1 Top “Buy Alert” after stumbling upon a little-owned opportunity he believes could be one of the greatest discoveries of his 25 years as a professional investor.

    This under-the-radar ASX recommendation is virtually unknown among individual investors, and no wonder.

    What it offers is an utterly unique strategy to position yourself to potentially profit alongside some of the world’s biggest and most powerful tech companies.

    Potential returns of 1X, 2X and even 3X are all in play. Best of all, you could hold onto this little-known equity for DECADES to come.

    Simply click here to see how you can find out the name of this ‘all in’ buy alert… before the next stock market rally.

    Find out the name of Scott’s ‘All in’ Buy Alert

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    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of Altium. 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 ASX 200 healthcare shares I’d buy today

    asx healthcare shares, stethoscope on bar chart

    So far, Australia’s ability to effectively combat the spread of coronavirus, minimise the impact on our healthcare system and begin rolling back social distancing measures has given the market cause for optimism. This is all great news and gives the Australian economy the best possible chance of rebounding from the crisis as quickly as possible. However, there is still a fair amount of uncertainty on the horizon. The underlying financial impact the coronavirus crisis has had on many companies may not be fully known until they start reporting their results in a few months’ time.

    Given all this, it could be a good idea to start fortifying your portfolio with some solid defensive companies, including ASX 200 healthcare shares.

    ASX 200 healthcare shares I’d buy today

    Healthcare shares tend to perform well even in a crisis, as demand for their products remains robust. And in a healthcare crisis such as the one we are facing, many of these companies see demand for their products surge. Here are 3 companies I believe will deliver strong FY20 results and could insure your portfolio against potential market volatility later this year.

    Sonic Healthcare Limited (ASX: SHL)

    As a global healthcare company specialising in laboratory medicine, including diagnostics and pathology, Sonic Healthcare has been heavily involved in the international fight against coronavirus. It operates in many of the regions hit hardest by COVID-19, including the USA, Germany, the UK and Belgium.

    The company officially withdrew its FY20 earnings guidance in late March, citing the uncertain economic conditions caused by the coronavirus across many of its markets. However, in the same update, the company noted that so far this year it has been performing in line with its previously issued guidance. It also acknowledged the frontline role it was playing to combat the pandemic. This includes by testing thousands of patients for COVID-19 as well as continuing to increase its testing capacity in many markets.

    Sonic’s share price has rallied strongly since plunging to a 52-week low of $20.06 in late March. Currently trading at a little over $27, however, it is still well short of its pre-coronavirus high of $32.07.

    ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD)

    The share price of ASX 200 healthcare company ResMed was also savaged during the mid-March panic-selling spree. However, after plunging below $20 for the first time since October last year, the ResMed share price rebounded just as quickly. It is currently still up over 15% for 2020 and within touching distance of the 52-week high of $26.66 it recorded prior to the crash.

    Based out of San Diego, ResMed specialises in the development of medical devices for the treatment of respiratory illnesses. It ramped up production of its ventilators threefold in the March quarter in order to help treat the mass influx of patients suffering with COVID-19. The company has won contracts with both the US and Australian governments to supply thousands of ventilators.

    In its March quarterly update, ResMed reported revenue growth of 16% over the prior year’s comparative period to US $770 million, while net operating profit was up by 39%.

    Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp Ltd (ASX: FPH)

    Like ResMed, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare specialises in medical devices for the treatment of acute respiratory conditions. However, unlike ResMed, the company does not produce ventilators. Instead, it manufactures other equipment, including humidifiers, which are still required for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Like ResMed, Fisher & Paykel has ramped up production in order to meet the increased demand brought about by the pandemic.

    Fisher & Paykel’s share price has been largely unaffected by the coronavirus pandemic. While most other share prices were plummeting in March, the company’s shares raced to a 52-week high of $31.47. Investors were buoyed by the fact that, in the midst of all the panic-selling, the company upgraded its full year operating revenue guidance to NZ$1.24 billion. Fisher & Paykel also advised its net profit after tax is expected to be in the range of NZ$275 million to NZ$280 million.

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    Motley Fool contributor Rhys Brock has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended ResMed Inc. and Sonic Healthcare 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 3 ASX 200 healthcare shares I’d buy today appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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  • If you invested $10,000 in the Ramsay Health Care IPO, this is how much you’d have now

    blocks spelling health and wealth

    I’ve been looking at initial public offerings (IPOs) recently to see how you would have fared if you invested in them.

    The last one I looked at was Altium Limited (ASX: ALU), which has rewarded its IPO investors handsomely over the last couple of decades. This is even after a few major hiccups over the years.

    Today I thought I would take a look at private hospital operator Ramsay Health Care Limited (ASX: RHC).

    Ramsay Health Care.

    Ramsay Health Care came into existence in 1964 when founder Paul Ramsay purchased a guesthouse on Sydney’s North Shore called Warrina House and converted it into a psychiatric hospital.

    Over the next decade and a half the company expanded its psychiatric hospital business before diversifying into medical and surgical businesses. In 1978 the company built its first surgical hospital – the Baringa Private Hospital in Coffs Harbour.

    Fast forward to today and Ramsay is one of the largest healthcare companies in the world with a total of 480 facilities across 11 countries.

    The Ramsay IPO.

    In September 1997 Ramsay Health Care floated on the Australian Stock Exchange.

    Details of the IPO are surprisingly limited, but according to Yahoo Finance, Ramsay’s shares were trading at an adjusted price of $1.15 on September 30 1997.

    This means that $10,000 invested into Ramsay’s shares on that date would have yielded you 8,696 shares.

    This afternoon Ramsay’s shares are changing hands at $67.22. Which means those 8,696 shares have a market value of almost $585,000 today.

    In addition to this, although Ramsay has deferred its dividend for FY 2020 due to the pandemic, in time I expect its dividend to return to normal and then begin its growth trajectory again.

    This will be good news to long term investors, because in FY 2019 the company paid dividends of $3.30 per share.

    This means those 8,696 shares generated total dividends of $28,700 in FY 2019. Not bad for a $10,000 investment back in 1997!

    While I think that Ramsay remains a great long term investment option, I suspect these dirt cheap shares might provide stronger returns for investors.

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of Altium. 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.

    The post If you invested $10,000 in the Ramsay Health Care IPO, this is how much you’d have now appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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