• These ASX shares could rise 25% to 65%

    Are you on the lookout for ASX shares with the potential to rise strongly over the next 12 months and generate big returns for your portfolio? If you are, then read on.

    That’s because the two ASX shares in this article have been named as buys by analysts and tipped to rise very strongly from current levels.

    Let’s see what they are saying about these shares and just how big the returns could be if you buy at current levels.

    Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR)

    Morgans thinks that this ASX energy share could be undervalued by the market.

    The broker currently has an add rating and $2.80 price target on its shares. This suggests that its shares could rise by a massive 66% over the next 12 months.

    Its analysts think investors should be investing due to Karoon Energy’s growth plans and the potential for rising oil prices. It said:

    Unique as a reasonable scale pure conventional oil producer, benefitting directly from rising oil prices. Karoon has significant net cash and is fully funded through a doubling of production over the next 12 months. There are also potential catalysts just around the corner with Karoon flagging at its recent result that it plans to shortly update the market with more detail on its growth plans, Bauna’s outlook, and its ESG approach.

    Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI)

    The team at Bell Potter sees significant value in this ASX youth fashion retailer’s shares. The broker currently a buy rating and $6.15 price target on them. This implies potential upside of almost 23% for investors over the next 12 months. In addition, it is forecasting a fully franked 6%+ dividend yield from its shares in FY 2025.

    Bell Potter likes the company due to its positive growth outlook, which is being underpinned by its store rollout and private label sales. It commented:

    Management execution remains a key strength for UNI and we see good growth trajectory for the name given the building of core brands while growing its store rollout. In our view, the higher margin sales from the majority of private label sales should become a major driver of margin improvement and earnings growth, in an expanded store footprint. While we remain cautious on the overall consumer sentiment, given the return to positive comps while cycling elevated pcp through Jan-Feb, we think UNI is well placed as comps become supportive through the 2H.

    The post These ASX shares could rise 25% to 65% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Karoon Energy Ltd right now?

    Before you buy Karoon Energy Ltd shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Karoon Energy Ltd 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 may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 5 May 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Universal Store. 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.

  • 2 cash-rich ASX companies to buy now

    Person with a handful of Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.

    In a volatile market, arguably cash is king.

    Companies with strong cash reserves not only have the flexibility to weather economic downturns but also the ability to seize growth opportunities when they arise.

    For retail investors, identifying cash-rich companies can potentially provide a safer and more rewarding investment path.

    In this article, I will spotlight two ASX shares with robust cash positions, which I think are attractive investments for those looking to add both stability and growth potential to their portfolios.

    There are many ways to measure the strength of a company’s cash position. However, here, I will mainly use the companies’ reported net cash balance as a percentage of their market capitalisations as my guide.

    Before jumping in, it’s worth noting that this is my initial screening only and you should always do your own research or consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

    With that said, here are two ASX shares I like based on their cash holdings relative to their market caps.

    A2 Milk Company (ASX: A2M)

    First up is A2 Milk Company. It is encouraging to see A2 Milk Company significantly recovering from its downturn in terms of its share price. The New Zealand infant formula business has managed to stage a substantial comeback from the hardships caused by the decline in its daigou market.

    Daigou is the term used to describe individuals engaging in cross-border exporting. Many Chinese students in Australia sell premium Australian products back to China, including A2 Milk’s formula, but this market was severely impacted by the reduction of international students in Australia during the pandemic.

    As the share price chart below illustrates, the A2 Milk share price declined from a high of approximately $20 in July 2020 to a low of around $4 in May 2022. Then, from there, the share price has recovered by around 28% to over $7 today. While this is a remarkable recovery from the bottom price, the share price still remains at below half its peak price.

    According to its FY24 half-year result, the company has gained a “significant” market share in the Chinese label infant formula over the prior few years, which supported its revenue and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) growth.

    A2 Milk has cash and short-term investments of NZ$792 million and a small debt position of NZ$57 million, including lease liabilities as of 31 December 2023. Its net cash balance of NZ$735 million accounts for approximately 13% of its current market capitalisation.

    GR Engineering Services Ltd (ASX: GNG)

    GR Engineering is a small Australian engineering and consulting firm that provides services to the mining and mineral processing industries.

    The company specialises in designing, building, and managing mining projects, ensuring they run smoothly and efficiently. Known for its expertise and reliability, GR Engineering helps bring mining projects to life both in Australia and around the world.

    GR Engineering shares have hovered around $1.80 to $2.40 per share since 2022 after surging from less than $1 in June 2019.

    In February 2024, the mining services company had a total cash and short-term investments balance of $58 million. Thanks to its asset-light business model, GR Engineering doesn’t hold much debt. Adjusting for that, the company had a net cash position of $48 million, equivalent to 13% of its current market capitalisation.

    Recently, however, management cut its revenue guidance. It now expects FY2024 revenue in the range of $415 million to $430 million, down from its previous guidance of between $500 million and $530 million. While this is disappointing, the good news is that the company still expects its EBITDA to be between $50 million and $51 million, which indicates year-over-year growth in profit.

    Foolish takeaway

    A company’s cash holding can be one factor to consider when looking for safety and potential returns. Here, I’ve reviewed two ASX-listed companies with strong cash reserves, which could help them to deliver stable growth through the thick and thin of business cycles.

    The post 2 cash-rich ASX companies to buy now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in The A2 Milk Company Limited right now?

    Before you buy The A2 Milk Company Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and The A2 Milk Company 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 may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 5 May 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Kate Lee 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 A2 Milk and Gr Engineering Services. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Guess which undervalued ASX All Ords stock could rocket 65%

    Man with rocket wings which have flames coming out of them.

    Investors with a high tolerance for risk might want to take a look at the ASX All Ords stock in this article.

    That’s because one leading broker is tipping it to deliver mouth-watering returns over the next 12 months.

    Which ASX All Ords stock?

    The share in question is Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS).

    Electro Optic Systems, or EOS, operates two business divisions: Defence Systems and Space Systems.

    The Defence Systems business specialises in technology for weapon systems optimisation and integration, as well as ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) and C4 systems for land warfare.

    Whereas the Space Systems business operates under two entities: Space Technologies and EM Solutions. Space Technologies specialises in applying EOS-developed optical sensors and effectors to detect, track and characterise objects in space. EM Solutions delivers world-leading RF and optical space communications technology.

    What is the broker saying?

    According to a note out of Bell Potter, its analysts believe that the ASX All Ords stock is being undervalued by the market. It said:

    In an effort to highlight the disconnect between EOS’s intrinsic valuation and the current market valuation, we have undertaken a simple valuation of EM Solutions separate from the core operations of the EOS business. We estimate EMS will generate $70.3m in revenue for CY24 (+22% YoY) and assuming an EBITDA margin of ~29%, this implies an underlying EBITDA of $20.4m. Our valuation assumptions are intentionally conservative, utilising a 13.0x EV/EBITDA multiple and applying 100% of the company’s CY24e net debt, our relative valuation generates an implied equity value of $292.0m or $1.70 per share. Based on the current EOS share price, if we ascribe zero value to the Defence Systems and Space Systems (exc. EMS) divisions, the market is currently valuing EMS at approximately 9.3x CY24e EBITDA.

    Bell Potter thinks this is wrong and that the Defence Systems business has a lot of value given its leadership position and favourable operating conditions. It said:

    The lack of value attributed to EOS Defence Systems is in direct contradiction to its market position and current operating conditions. EOS is a market leader in the RWS market with a growing product portfolio and current beneficiary of significant industry tailwinds. The company recently completed a $35m placement to invest in long lead time RWS cannons based on strong visibility over market demand. This division is at an inflection point, with a relatively fixed operating base (BPe ~$62m) and 40% gross margins, the $155m of revenue in CY23 was the EBITDA breakeven point and thus our forecast revenue growth in future periods will drive substantial increases in bottom-line earnings.

    Big return potential

    The note reveals that Bell Potter has a buy rating and $2.10 price target on the ASX All Ords share.

    Based on its current share price of $1.27, this implies 65% upside for investors over the next 12 months. It concludes:

    In our view, the current market valuation of EOS undervalues the EM Solutions business and essentially provides a free call option on the Defence and Space (exc. EMS) divisions, which we believe are well positioned to produce substantial earnings growth in future periods.

    The post Guess which undervalued ASX All Ords stock could rocket 65% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited right now?

    Before you buy Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Electro Optic Systems Holdings 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 may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 5 May 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Electro Optic Systems. 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.

  • As ASX gold stocks cool off, here are 2 to buy when the price is right

    Two ASX shares investors fighting each other to grab gold treasure.

    ASX gold stocks are cooling off after a phenomenal three-month run during which time the commodity price soared from US$2,034 per ounce on 28 February to an all-time high of US$2,449.89 on 21 May.

    Since that peak, the gold price has slipped to US$2,302 per ounce at the time of writing. ASX gold stocks have also weakened, with the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) falling 7% since 21 May.

    Among the biggest ASX gold stocks, Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) shares are now 7.4% lower since the gold price peaked and Newmont Corporation CDI (ASX: NEM) shares are 6.5% lower.

    Shaw and Partners portfolio manager James Gerrish says a fair bit of profit-taking, along with the falling gold price, has dragged ASX gold stocks lower over the past few weeks.

    However, Gerrish and his Market Matters funds management team are still bullish on gold over the long term and decided to hold their overweight position amid the sell-off.

    They’re now looking for opportunities to buy the dip “as the sector’s pullback gathers momentum”.

    In a recent Market Matters newsletter, Gerrish said:

    As medium–term bulls, we are looking at levels to potentially start increasing our exposure to the sector.

    Remember, this is a sector that’s likely to witness plenty of M&A activity over the coming year.

    For example, [in late May], Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) made a play for Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX).

    Gerrish and his Market Matters team say their “ideal roadmap for gold” is the commodity price finding support beneath the US$2,300 per ounce mark.

    Here are two gold stocks that Gerrish and his team say are buys when their share prices fall to the right levels.

    Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL)

    This ASX gold stock closed on Tuesday at $1.88, down 5.53% for the day.

    The team has a favourable view of Bellevue Gold at about the $1.70 mark, as Gerrish explains:

    BGL has advanced over 15% so far in 2024, although recent bond jitters have dampened the performance of the $2.2bn WA-based gold miner.

    On [3 June], a 4.8mn block of BGL exchanged hands at $1.93, arguably a good sign that the market still has the appetite for the miner around $2, assuming we don’t hear that directors were the sellers, investors wouldn’t want another Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE)!

    We like the risk/reward towards BGL around $1.70 …

    Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU)

    This ASX gold stock closed on Tuesday at $2.33, down 6.05% for the day.

    The Market Matters analysts see value in Perseus shares at about $2.15 per share.

    Gerrish says:

    PRU has really outperformed in 2024, surging almost 30% since January 1st.

    This $3.1bn stock looks set to break its $2.50 resistance area once the fear of rising interest rates subsides. It even pays a dividend of around 2%, but investors should be aware that its main revenue stream comes from Africa, which can, at times, increase a stock’s volatility.

    We like the risk/reward towards PRU around $2.15 …

    The post As ASX gold stocks cool off, here are 2 to buy when the price is right appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Bellevue Gold Limited right now?

    Before you buy Bellevue Gold Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Bellevue Gold 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 may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 5 May 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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.

  • Buy Rio Tinto and these 4 ASX mining stocks in June

    If you don’t have exposure to the mining sector or want to increase your exposure to this side of the market, then read on.

    That is because listed below are five top ASX mining stocks that brokers have given the thumbs up to this month.

    In addition, making things even sweeter for investors, all five shares have been tipped to rise more than 10% from current levels over the next 12 months.

    Let’s now see what these brokers are expecting from the five miners:

    BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

    The team at Goldman Sachs thinks that Australia’s largest miner could be a top option for investors this month. The broker recently reinstated coverage on the Big Australian’s shares with a buy rating and $49.00 price target. Based on its current share price of $43.74, this implies potential upside of 12% for investors over the next 12 months.

    Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC)

    Goldman also thinks that this ASX mining stock could be a buy right now. In fact, it believes that the market is undervaluing this rare earths miner’s shares. So much so, it currently has Lynas’ shares on its coveted conviction list with a buy rating and $7.40 price target. This represents potential upside of 13% from where they currently trade.

    Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN)

    Over at Bell Potter, its analysts think that this mining and mining services company’s shares would be a great pick for investors this month. The broker currently has a buy rating and $84.00 price target on its shares. Based on its latest share price, this implies significant potential upside of 23% over the next 12 months.

    Rio Tinto Group Ltd (ASX: RIO)

    Goldman Sachs also thinks that Rio Tinto could be an ASX mining stock to buy this month. The broker currently has a buy rating and $138.90 price target on the iron ore and copper giant’s shares. This suggests that its shares could rise by 13% from current levels.

    South32 Ltd (ASX: S32)

    Finally, analysts at Macquarie think that diversified miner South32 could be a top ASX mining stock for investors to snap up this month. Due largely to its exposure to copper, late last month the broker reaffirmed its outperform rating on its shares with an improved price target of $4.25. Based on its current share price, this implies potential upside of almost 16% for investors over the next 12 months.

    The post Buy Rio Tinto and these 4 ASX mining stocks in June appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Bhp Group shares, consider 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 may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 5 May 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goldman Sachs Group and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Apple’s big keynote should make plenty of startups nervous

    Apple WWDC 2024
    Tim Cook at Apple WWDC 2024.

    • Apple's WWDC event unveiled AI features that should make some startups nervous.
    • Apple has a history of making a particular app or service seem irrelevant by building a rival feature into iPhones or Macs.
    • Apple Intelligence may challenge startups like Grammarly, Midjourney, and password storage apps.

    When Apple launches something new, it can put other startups on notice.

    That was certainly the case during Apple's WWDC event this week, during which CEO Tim Cook and other executives detailed a host of AI features coming to iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

    Shortly after, the internet started buzzing about what this could mean for startups that offer similar services.

    "How many startups did Apple kill in one hour of their Apple Intelligence event?" one TikTok user said in a viral post. "Let's count."

    It's not necessarily a death sentence if Apple positions itself in competition with an app or service.

    Dropbox CEO Drew Houston famously declined to sell his company to Apple. Houston previously told Business Insider that Steve Jobs told him he thought Dropbox was a feature, not a product, and said something to the effect of: "Alright, well I guess we're gonna have to go kill you."

    Dropbox, which continues to compete with iCloud, survived and went public. It's currently valued at over $7 billion.

    But there are plenty of examples of Apple bringing the heat by incorporating a feature into its devices similar to one a startup or smaller company offers.

    Remember flashlight apps? There's little need to download a third-party app after Apple baked the flashlight into iOS 7 years ago. There's also the once-popular annotation app Skitch, which eventually sold itself to Evernote. Apple introduced its own markup tool on Macs.

    With the updates announced at WWDC, Apple Intelligence will be able to rewrite, proofread, and summarize text in apps. It will also have an image-generating tool and a revamped Siri with advanced language understanding and text capabilities.

    Other highlights included a new Passwords app that lets users store and access passwords and a whiteboard-like Math Notes tool for solving algebraic equations and creating graphs from text.

    So who should be getting nervous now?

    Those watching Apple's keynote were quick to chime in on social media about who could wind up on Apple's potential kill list, including Grammarly, Midjourney, Humane's AI Pin, and 1Password. AI math or calculator startups, journaling apps, and other organizational apps could also be vulnerable to replacement with some of the new updates.

    But a Grammarly spokesperson told Business Insider that it welcomes Apple to the space where it's "been operating for over 15 years."

    "Whenever new entrants come into our market, the reality is that we see increased demand for Grammarly," a company spokesperson said. "We are focused on continuing to innovate our OS-agnostic enterprise-grade AI communications service that works across over 500,000 apps and websites."

    Erik Noyes, who teaches about AI entrepreneurship at Babson College, said Apple's new AI features aren't "a huge deal" to the startup world at large. Noyes said WWDC might impact immediately adjacent startups in the space, but Apple Intelligence won't make a dent in AI startups at large.

    The companies have a few months before Apple Intelligence comes to the market. Even then, the new system will only be available on the latest software, iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia.

    But it's likely been a tense week for many startups, as they realized that Apple is coming to town and ready to eat their lunch.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Why analysts love Woodside and these ASX blue chip shares

    A group of businesspeople clapping.

    Having some ASX blue chip shares in your portfolio is always a good idea.

    That’s because blue chips tend to have strong business models and talented and experienced management teams. This can make them lower risk options.

    Overall, this can make them a great option if you want a firm foundation to build out your portfolio from.

    But which ASX blue chips could be buys? Let’s take a look at three that analysts are tipping as buys:

    Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

    Analysts at Bell Potter think that supermarket giant Coles could be a top option for investors right now. This is due partly to the hard work it is doing on the modernisation of its supply chain. It said:

    In the medium term, 1) higher immigration should support grocery spending, and 2) Coles is entering a period of elevated capex intensity as it reinvests to modernise its supply chain and to catch up to competitors on online and digital offerings, which should help Coles maintain its market position.

    Bell Potter has a buy rating and $19.00 price target on its shares.

    Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

    Over at Goldman Sachs, its analysts think Telstra could be an ASX blue chip share to buy right now. It is of course Australia’s leading telecom operator.

    The broker likes the company due to its low risk earnings growth and opportunities to unlock value through the monetisation of assets. It explains:

    We believe the low risk earnings (and dividend) growth that Telstra is delivering across FY22-25, underpinned through its mobile business, is attractive. We also believe that Telstra has a meaningful medium term opportunity to crystallise value through commencing the process to monetize its InfraCo Fixed assets – which we estimate could be worth between A$22-33bn. Although there is some debate around the strategic benefits, we see a strong rationale for monetizing the recurring NBN payment stream, given its inflation-linked, long duration cash flows could be worth $14.5bn to $17.9bn, with no loss of strategic benefit.

    Goldman has a buy rating and $4.25 price target on Telstra’s shares.

    Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

    Finally, Morgans thinks that Woodside could be an ASX blue chip share to buy this month. It believes that recent weakness has created an opportunity for investors to buy the energy giant. It said:

    WDS’s share price has been under pressure in recent months from a combination of oil price volatility and approval issues at Scarborough, its key offshore growth project. With both of those factors now having moderated, with the pullback in oil prices moderating and work at Scarborough back underway, we see now as a good time to add to positions.

    Morgans has an add rating and $36.00 price target on its shares.

    The post Why analysts love Woodside and these ASX blue chip shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Coles Group Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Coles Group 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 may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 5 May 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woodside Energy Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goldman Sachs Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Coles Group and Telstra Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Why are Sayona Mining shares down 80% in a year?

    A man slumps crankily over his morning coffee as it pours with rain outside.

    Sayona Mining Ltd (ASX: SYA) shares were out of form again on Tuesday.

    The lithium miner’s shares started the shortened week with a decline of 5% to 3.7 cents.

    This latest decline means that its shares are now down a whopping 80% since this time last year.

    To put this into context, if you had invested $10,000 into Sayona Mining’s shares in June 2023, you would now have approximately $2,000 left. That’s $8,000 in paper losses that shareholders are nursing.

    But why has this happened? Let’s dig a little deeper and find out.

    Why are Sayona Mining shares down 80% in a year?

    Firstly, it is important to note that Sayona Mining isn’t an isolated case. A good number of ASX lithium stocks have been sold off over the same period.

    For example, Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO) shares are down 90% and Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) shares are down over 60%.

    The catalyst for this has been a collapse in lithium prices due to a surplus of the white metal.

    And with many analysts believing that supply will outstrip demand for the foreseeable future, prices could remain at these levels for some time to come. You only need to look at Goldman Sachs’ forecasts for the lithium price to see this.

    This could be particularly bad news for Sayona Mining and its shares. That’s because unlike Core Lithium, which has suspended its mining activities, it is continuing to mine lithium despite these low prices.

    So much so, the company is actually spending more to pull lithium out of the ground than it receives from buyers. That’s a terrible business model and is burning through its cash reserves at a rapid rate.

    Burning cash like kindling

    According to its most recent quarterly update, Sayona Mining’s production increased 18% quarter on quarter to 40,439 dry metric tonnes (dmt).

    This was achieved with a unit operating cost of A$1,536 of dmt, which was up 10% quarter on quarter. And while its sales volumes more than doubled to 58,055 dmt, it reported an average realised selling price of A$999 per dmt.

    This means that it was losing over A$500 for every tonne of lithium it was sending to customers.

    As a result, Sayona Mining’s cash balance dropped from A$158 million at the end of December to A$99 million at the end of March.

    Clearly something has to change. But judging by the performance of Sayona Mining shares, investors aren’t overly confident that things will improve any time soon.

    The post Why are Sayona Mining shares down 80% in a year? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Sayona Mining Limited right now?

    Before you buy Sayona Mining Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Sayona Mining 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 may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 5 May 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goldman Sachs Group. 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.

  • Has the Zip share price ‘risen too rapidly’?

    A young boy with a sombre face looks down at the zip fastener at the bottom of his jacket as he concentrates on unfastening the clasp.

    If you haven’t taken a look at the Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) share price recently, you might be in for a bit of a shock. Zip, the ASX buy now, pay later (BNPL) stock that took the ASX by storm a few years ago, had an exceptionally rough few years following its stunning 2020.

    Since peaking at over $12 a share back in early 2021, investors have endured a precipitous collapse of capital. By mid-2022, the BNPL stock was under 50 cents a share, which was succeeded by a new 52-week low of just 26 cents a share in October 2023.

    But ever since then, the Zip share price has staged a stunning recovery. At market close on Tuesday, Zip finished trading at $1.29 a share, up 7.53%. That came after the company hit $1.60 a share back in March.

    As it stands today, Zip shareholders have enjoyed a 107.26% return year to date, as well as a gain of 157% over the past 12 months.

    Check all of that out for yourself below:

    This recovery for the Zip share price can be put down to a number of positive updates from the company.

    Most recently, investors appear to have been buoyed by Zip’s April quarterly update, which revealed a 14.6% rise in transaction volumes, as well as a 26.6% rise in quarterly revenues to $219.2 million.

    So there would be more than a few Zip shareholders that would have welcomed these gains with gusto. However, one ASX expert is urging caution on the Zip share price moving forward.

    ASX expert gives Zip share price a sell rating

    As reported by The Bull, John Athanasiou of Red Leaf Securities has just issued the Zip share price with a ‘sell’ rating. Athanasiou doesn’t like the look of what he sees in the BNPL stock right now. He cited valuation concerns and inflationary pressures in Zip’s key markets for his negative view. Here’s what Athanasiou had to say in full:

    Revenue of $219.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024 was up 26.6 per cent on the prior corresponding period. The revenue margin improved to 9.1 per cent. The shares have risen from 59 cents on January 3 to trade at $1.185 on June 6.

    We believe the share price has risen too rapidly and is trading at a premium. We’re also concerned about inflationary pressures in the US impacting consumer spending. Investors may want to consider taking a profit at these levels.

    That strikes a starkly different tone from the positive broker opinion we covered back in April. At the time, we went through the bullish views of ASX broker UBS. UBS maintained a buy rating on the Zip share price following its April quarterly results. That was alongside a 12-month share price target of $1.55.

    Only time will tell which of these two ASX experts is on the money regarding this BNPL stock. They can’t both be right.

    The post Has the Zip share price ‘risen too rapidly’? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Zip Co right now?

    Before you buy Zip Co shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Zip Co 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 may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 5 May 2024

    More reading

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

  • 3 big reasons to buy Qantas shares now

    Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN) shares could be a great option for investors that are looking for outsized returns.

    That’s the view of analysts at Goldman Sachs, which feel that the airline operator’s shares are being severely undervalued by the market.

    In light of this, the broker feels that anyone buying today could enjoy a big return on their investment over the next 12 months.

    What is the broker saying about Qantas shares?

    According to a recent note, the broker has put a buy rating and $8.05 price target on its shares.

    Based on the current Qantas share price of $6.16, this implies potential upside of just over 30% for investors between now and this time next year.

    To put that into context, a $20,000 investment would become $26,000 if Goldman Sachs is on the money with its recommendation.

    Three big reasons to buy

    There are three big reasons why Goldman thinks Qantas shares are in the buy zone right now. The first is that its improved earnings capacity is not being reflected in its valuation. It said:

    We expect QAN’s earnings capacity to sustainably improve relative to pre-COVID, which is not reflected in Qantas’ current valuation.

    In addition, the broker feels that this unwarranted discount will disappear in time once the company demonstrates that its earnings are sustainable at these levels. It adds:

    As noted previously, our FY24/25 PBT remains 51%/61% ahead of pre-COVID level despite relatively conservative/cautious RASK forecast settings. We forecast QAN’s FY24e/25e EPS to be at 49%/68% ahead of FY19. Despite this, QAN’s market cap is 4% below and EV is 7% below pre-covid levels. We believe that QAN’s continued demonstration of earnings sustainability will be the key driver of earnings revision hence share price going forward.

    Another reason to buy Qantas shares is their valuation in comparison to peers. It highlights that the Flying Kangaroo trades at almost double the discount that they have traded at in recent times. It feels this discount is excessive. The broker adds:

    QAN is trading at PE discount of 29% vs US+regional peers vs historical 5Y average discount of 14%. Given QAN’s more conservative revenue profile, recent operational performance improvements, which implies that further investment in customer service would not be required, we believe that the discount is excessive.

    All in all, Goldman appears to believe that this makes Qantas a great option for investors that are looking for some new additions to their portfolios right now.

    The post 3 big reasons to buy Qantas shares now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Qantas Airways Limited right now?

    Before you buy Qantas Airways Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Qantas Airways 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 may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 5 May 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goldman Sachs Group. 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.