Stock Pick

  • If I’d invested $5,000 in Pilbara Minerals in FY24 what would I have now?

    It was a difficult 12 months for Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) shares in the last financial year.

    During the period, the lithium miner’s shares lost 37% of their value.

    This means that a $5,000 investment in the company’s shares at the start of FY 2024 would have turned into approximately $3,150.

    Whereas the same investment in the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) would have become $5,375. And that’s not including the dividends the ETF paid out over the 12 months.

    What happened to Pilbara Minerals shares in FY 2024?

    Investors were selling ASX lithium stocks in the last financial year after battery materials prices continued to fall.

    In 2022, the lithium carbonate price averaged US$63,232 a tonne and the lithium spodumene (6%) price averaged US$4,368 a tonne. These high prices were underpinned by insatiable demand and supply shortages.

    Cracks started to form in 2023, which led to these battery making ingredients averaging US$32,694 a tonne and US$3,712 a tonne, respectively.

    Since then, prices have been in free fall. So much so, spot prices (in China) were US$11,167 a tonne for lithium carbonate and US$1,060 a tonne for spodumene 6% this month.

    And while the company’s operations remain profitable at these levels thanks to their low costs of A$900 per tonne (CIF), the amount of profit Pilbara Minerals is likely to make this year is now nowhere near the levels that the market was forecasting 12 months ago. And hopes of a generous dividend this year have been wiped out.

    Making things worse, and putting more pressure on Pilbara Minerals shares, is that analysts believe a lithium surplus will keep prices at these low levels for several years. This could mean a tough few years for the company and its shareholders.

    Should you buy the dip?

    While analysts at Bell Potter see value emerging, there’s not enough on the table to justify a buy rating at this point. The broker has a hold rating and $3.40 price target on its shares. It commented:

    PLS is a large, liquid and clean exposure to global lithium fundamentals and sentiment. PLS is a low-cost producer, it operates in a tier one jurisdiction in Western Australia, and has a strong balance sheet ($1.8b net cash at 31 March 2024) which can withstand weaker lithium prices and support expansion programs. We are confident that EV-led demand will see strong long-term lithium market fundamentals. However, weak near-term lithium market sentiment results in us retaining our Hold recommendation.

    The post If I’d invested $5,000 in Pilbara Minerals in FY24 what would I have now? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Pilbara Minerals Limited right now?

    Before you buy Pilbara Minerals 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 Pilbara Minerals 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 24 June 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 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.

  • Soul Patts shares had a lacklustre FY24. Here’s why I can’t wait to buy more

    In the 2024 financial year that has just passed us by, ASX shares had an uncommonly good time. The shares of Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL), or Soul Patts for short? Not so much.

    Between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) rose by a healthy 7.3%. Factoring in dividend returns, anyone who owned an ASX 200 index fund would have banked roughly 12% last financial year. Not bad for an index that typically returns 7-8% per annum.

    But Soul Patts shares couldn’t quite match that performance. This ASX 200 investing house started July 2023 going for $31.78 each. Last week, those same shares wrapped up FY24 at a price of $32.82.

    Sure, that 3.27% gain over FY24 is better than a poke in the eye with a blunt stick. But it falls far short of being a market-matching (let alone beating) investment – a typical criterion we use for assessing the quality of ASX shares as investments.

    Soul Patts’ dividends do narrow that gap a little. The company forked out 91 cents per share in fully-franked dividends last financial year. At the company’s starting FY24 price, that adds a yield worth another 2.86% to Soul Patts’ FY24 total return.

    Even so, we can conclude that FY24 was a lacklustre one for Soul Patts shares and their owners.

    As an owner myself, this doesn’t bother me though. In fact, I think it’s a great opportunity to pick up some more.

    Buying Soul Patts shares when they’re ‘marked down’

    Why? Well, the legendary Warren Buffett once said, “Whether we’re talking about socks or stocks, I like buying quality merchandise when it is marked down”.

    Soul Patts is a company that usually delivers market-beating returns, not market-trailing ones. Back in May, the company affirmed that its shares had averaged a total return of 12% per annum (share price growth plus dividends) over the 20 years to 30 April 2024. That beat the ASX market by 3.3% per annum on average.

    But not this year. So, by definition, that makes Soul Patts’ stock ‘marked down’, as Buffett would say.

    Say Soul Patts blew the lights out with a 20% rise in FY24. If that were the case, I wouldn’t be in a rush to buy more shares today. However, as the company had a lacklustre year, it is now high on my buy list for FY25.

    If the company sticks to its historical average and delivers a 12% return over the coming 12 months (which I think is very possible, but not guaranteed), I’ll be glad to have bought shares.

    The post Soul Patts shares had a lacklustre FY24. Here’s why I can’t wait to buy more appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Washington H. Soul Pattinson And Company Limited right now?

    Before you buy Washington H. Soul Pattinson And 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 Washington H. Soul Pattinson And 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 24 June 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Eating less bacon and other processed meat may reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers, study shows

    a close up of a grill with several strips of bacon, next to a plate of burgers
    Cutting back on processed meat could reduce rates of cancer, diabetes and heart disease. As little as 10 slices of bacon per week could make a difference.

    Vera Vita/Getty Images

    • Reducing processed meat intake by 30% could lower diabetes, heart disease, and cancer rates, data shows.
    • Eating less processed meat could prevent about 500,000 disease cases in the US over the next decade.
    • A researcher said cutting back on meat may help protect the environment, too, making it a 'win-win.'

    Cutting back on processed meat in your diet may reduce the risk of serious diseases, including some cancers, a new research analysis predicts.

    By eating 30% less processed meat alone, the US could reduce the rate of diabetes, heart disease, and colon cancer by as many as hundreds of thousands of cases, according to the study published in The Lancet Planetary Health.

    Researchers from the University of Edinburgh and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, developed a simulation tool based on CDC health data to estimate how a simple dietary change might affect disease rates in the US.

    Processed meat has long been thought to be a culprit in chronic illnesses like heart disease. Bacon, sausage, and ham contain preservatives called nitrates, which previous evidence has linked to higher odds of developing certain cancers. Red meat and processed meats have also been linked to a higher risk of diabetes.

    The recent study could help researchers understand the potential benefits of cutting back on processed meat and how much it would take to make a difference.

    The researchers calculated that if Americans reduced their processed meat consumption by about a third (the equivalent of about 10 slices of bacon a week), there would be significantly fewer cases of some of the leading causes of death over the next decade. Specifically, there would be about 352,900 fewer cases of diabetes, 92,500 fewer cases of heart disease, and 53,300 fewer cases of colorectal cancer, according to the estimate.

    The study also found that eating less red meat could reduce rates of illness even more. However, more research is needed on unprocessed red meat like steak, as some studies have suggested that, in moderation, it may be less harmful than processed meat.

    One important caveat to the study is that the potential health benefits of cutting out processed meat also depend on what you replace it with. Some evidence suggests plant-based processed foods, including meat substitutes, are also linked to a higher risk of illness and early death.

    In contrast, diets high in unprocessed whole foods such as grains, vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, and seeds have been linked to a longer, healthier life.

    Our food choices also matter for the environment, according to Lindsay Jaacks, coauthor of the study and a professor at the University of Edinburgh.

    Meat production is a notorious contributor to greenhouse gases and uses a huge amount of natural resources, such as land and water.

    The findings of the latest study add to a growing body of evidence that eating more sustainably is also good for our human health.

    "This is a clear win-win for people and planet," Jaacks said in a press release.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • Morgans names the best ASX stocks to buy in July

    A female broker in a red jacket whispers in the ear of a man who has a surprised look on his face as she explains which two ASX 200 shares should do well in today's volatile climate

    Every month, analysts at Morgans pick out their best ASX stock ideas.

    These are the ASX stocks that the broker thinks offer the highest risk-adjusted returns over a 12-month timeframe. Morgans notes that they are supported by a higher-than-average level of confidence.

    Among its best ideas for July are the three ASX stocks listed below. Here’s what the broker is saying about them:

    Clearview Wealth Ltd (ASX: CVW)

    Morgans thinks that Clearview Wealth could be an ASX stock to buy. It is an Australian financial services company offering life insurance, superannuation and investment products and services.

    The broker is feeling very positive about the company’s outlook. Particularly given its business transformation program, which it expects to support strong earnings. In addition, it highlights Clearview’s solid balance sheet and undemanding valuation. It said:

    CVW is a challenger brand in the Australian retail life insurance market (market size = ~A$10bn of in-force premiums). CVW sees its key points of differentiation as its: 1) reliable/trusted brand; 2) operational excellence (in product development, underwriting and claims management); and 3) diversified distributing network. CVW’s significant multiyear Business Transformation Program has, in our view, shown clear signs of driving improved growth and profitability in recent years. We expect further benefits to flow from this program in the near term, and we see CVW’s FY26 key business targets as achievable. With a robust balance sheet, and with our expectations for ~21% EPS CAGR over the next three years, we see CVW’s current ~11x FY25F PE multiple as undemanding.

    Morgans has an add rating and 78 cents price target on it shares.

    Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD)

    Another ASX stock that Morgans is bullish on in July is Elders. It is a leading agribusiness company.

    Morgans believes that FY 2025 could be the start of a good run of earnings growth for Elders and sees now as the time to buy. It said:

    ELD is one of Australia’s leading agribusinesses. It has an iconic brand, 185 years of history and a national distribution network throughout Australia. With the outlook for FY25 looking more positive and many growth projects in place to drive strong earnings growth over the next few years, ELD is a key pick for us. It is also trading on undemanding multiples and offers an attractive dividend yield.

    The broker has an add rating and $9.00 price target on its shares.

    TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE)

    A third ASX stock that Morgans thinks could be a buy is enterprise software provider TechnologyOne.

    Its likes the company due partly to its large cash balance and impressive track record of earnings growth. In addition, it suspects that the latter could be about to accelerate. Its analysts said:

    TNE is an Enterprise Resource Planning (aka Accounting) company. It’s one of the highest quality companies on the ASX with an impressive ROE, nearly $200m of net cash and a 30-year history of growing its earnings by ~15% and its dividend ~10% per annum. As a result of its impeccable track record TNE trades on high PE. With earnings growth looking likely to accelerate towards 20% pa, we think TNE’s trading multiple is likely to expand from here.

    Morgans has an add rating and $20.50 price target on its shares.

    The post Morgans names the best ASX stocks to buy in July appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Clearview Wealth Limited right now?

    Before you buy Clearview Wealth 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 Clearview Wealth 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 24 June 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Technology One. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Technology One. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Elders and Technology One. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Buy BHP and these ASX dividend shares

    Smiling couple looking at a phone at a bargain opportunity.

    Income investors certainly are a lucky bunch. The Australian share market is filled to the brim with dividend-paying shares.

    But which ones could be buys right now for income investors? Let’s take a quick look at three ASX dividend shares that have been given the thumbs up by analysts. They are as follows:

    BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

    The Big Australian could be a top option for income investors this month according to analysts at Morgans.

    Its analysts highlight that the mining giant’s “basket of market exposures share the similar characteristic of typically boasting bumper margins throughout the cycle.” This means that BHP consistently generates large amounts of free cash flow, which is supportive of big dividend payments.

    Morgans expects this trend to continue in the near term and is forecasting fully franked dividends of approximately ~$2.42 per share in FY 2024 and then ~$2.17 per share in FY 2025. Based on the current BHP share price of $44.77, this equates to dividend yields of 5.4% and 4.85%, respectively.

    The broker has an add rating and $48.30 price target on the miner’s shares.

    Inghams Group Ltd (ASX: ING)

    Morgans is also tipping Inghams as an ASX dividend share to buy this month. It is Australia’s leading poultry producer and supplier.

    The broker has described Ingham’s shares as “undervalued” at current levels. Particularly given its market leadership and favourable consumer trends.

    Its analysts expect this to underpin some generous dividend yields in the near term. They are forecasting fully franked dividends of 22 cents per share in FY 2024 and then 23 cents per share in FY 2025. Based on the current Inghams share price of $3.72, this equates to dividend yields of 5.9% and 6.2%, respectively.

    Morgans has an add rating and $4.40 price target on its shares.

    Orora Ltd (ASX: ORA)

    Over at Goldman Sachs, its analysts think income investors should buy Orora shares.

    They believe the packaging company’s shares could be cheap after crashing deep into the red over the past 12 months.

    In addition, Goldman expects some good yields from its shares. It is forecasting dividends per share of 12 cents in FY 2024 and 13 cents in FY 2025. Based on the current Orora share price of $1.98, this will mean yields of 6.1% and 6.55%, respectively.

    The broker also sees major upside potential for its shares. It has a buy rating and $3.00 price target on them.

    The post Buy BHP and these ASX dividend shares 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 24 June 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 recommended Orora. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • ASX lithium shares: Screaming bargains or falling knives?

    The torso view of a man dressed in black sharpening a knife.

    ASX lithium shares counted among the worst stock market performers in the year just past.

    Taking a look at the share prices over the past 12 months, the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) has gained a respectable 8%. And that’s not including the dividends a number of those stocks pay out.

    As for ASX lithium shares, here’s how some of the top names performed over this same period:

    • Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) shares are down 41%
    • Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO) shares are down 91%
    • IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) shares are down 62%
    • Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) shares are down 67%
    • Sayona Mining Ltd (ASX: SYA) shares are down 83%
    • Lake Resources (ASX: LKE) shares are down 87%

    I think we can all agree these are some fast falling knives.

    What’s happening with lithium prices?

    As you’re likely aware, lithium producers and explorers across the globe have come under heavy selling pressure as the price of the battery critical metal crashed from all-time highs of more than US$8,000 per tonne in November 2022 to just under US$1,000 a tonne this week.

    The massive retrace that’s been pressuring ASX lithium shares came as rapid global supply growth outpaced slower than expected demand growth.

    On the demand side, EV growth rates in the EU and US have dropped markedly as electric vehicles struggle to compete with cheaper combustion powered rivals.

    What’s next for ASX lithium shares?

    Whether ASX lithium shares represent screaming bargains after the past year’s dismal performance or remain falling knives hinges on what we can expect for lithium prices.

    And on that front, the medium-term outlook looks grim, with most analysts forecasting subdued prices for several years to come.

    According to UBS analyst Levi Spry (quoted by The Australian Financial Review), “With a view that lithium markets remain well to over-supplied, we expect prices to stay lower for longer.”

    UBS rates lithium producers a sell “where valuations still appear stretched”. The broker estimates that markets are still pricing lithium in the range of US$1,200 to US$1,480 per tonne.

    Commenting on what drove the boom in ASX lithium shares, NabTrade’s head of investor behaviour Gemma Dale said (quoted by ABC News):

    Seeing Tesla Motors (NASDAQ: TSLA) go to the Moon, there was just a lot of heat in that sector. And what it meant was that investors were chasing a lot of companies that were not hyper viable. There was a lot of hype.

    Falling knives or screaming bargains?

    Over the short to medium-term, then, ASX lithium shares look more like falling knives that could pare down your initial investment.

    However, long-term investors may well look back at today’s beaten-down prices as screaming bargains.

    “Those [lithium stocks] who have sort of strong, viable business models will perform in the long run. The ones that were a little bit more speculative might not play out quite so well,” Dale said.

    Earlier this week, Richard Coppleson, director of institutional sales and trading at Bell Potter, labelled ASX lithium share Pilbara Minerals “a super buy at these levels”.

    Coppleson said, “When lithium does recover, this is back to $5; only question is when will that be?”

    Pilbara Minerals shares are currently trading for $3.05 apiece.

    Now, whether you’re looking to buy ASX lithium shares or any other stocks, be sure to do your own research first. If you’re not comfortable with that or don’t have the time, just reach out for some expert advice.

    The post ASX lithium shares: Screaming bargains or falling knives? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Core Lithium Ltd right now?

    Before you buy Core Lithium 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 Core Lithium 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 24 June 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Tesla. 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.

  • US Army awarded $10.3 million to a family exposed to black mold while living in military housing in Texas

    A row of houses at an Army military base
    Cavalry Family Housing built new homes in Heritage Heights at Fort Cavazos in Texas.

    US Army photo by Samantha Harms, Fort Cavazos Public Affairs

    • The US Army awarded $10.3 million to a family living in mold-infested housing at Fort Cavazos.
    • Sgt. Jason Kiernan and his family had constant health issues related to black mold exposure.
    • The arbitration award highlights the lack of oversight on private military housing providers.

    An Army family at Fort Cavazos in Texas was awarded $10.3 million Monday after living in a mold-infested home run by a private Army housing company and repeated hospitalizations of their newborn infant for respiratory difficulties.

    Sgt. Jason Kiernan's wife, Sarah, was having constant health problems, including respiratory issues, during her pregnancy while living in the house, according to the lawsuit. Two months later, their newborn was hospitalized for 20 days. The family eventually discovered black mold behind the walls.

    The arbitration award is among the most significant in recent military history, as mold has become a top issue that service leaders have struggled to remedy. Meanwhile, private military housing providers operate with relatively little oversight from the Army despite years of outcry from service members and lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

    The house the Kiernans lived in and its subsequent maintenance was managed by Cavalry Family Housing, which has some 5,000 homes around Fort Cavazos in its portfolio. The housing company did not return a request for comment.

    "We feel violated," Sarah Kiernan told Military.com. "Those houses really are harming people."

    She added that during her pregnancy, she suffered from rashes, sore throats, and respiratory troubles.

    As her health complications became more severe, the doctor performed an emergency C-section in February 2019. Her newborn son, Grant, immediately had respiratory troubles. He was hospitalized and flown to Austin, Texas, in April that same year, suffering from asthma at two months old, which the family and their attorney argued was caused by the mold in the home.

    A government contractor takes a step back to ensure the letters are aligned correctly at the main gate of the newly-designated Fort Cavazos.
    A government contractor takes a step back to ensure the letters are aligned correctly at the main gate of the newly-designated Fort Cavazos.

    US Army photo by Eric Franklin, Fort Cavazos Public Affairs

    After returning home from pediatric intensive care, Grant was again hospitalized two days later. A month after that, he was taken to a pediatrician due to breathing difficulties.

    "Every time we went back home, he got sick," Sarah Kiernan said.

    In May 2019, one of the Kiernans' older sons was playing and fell through a wall that was soggy; mold was revealed behind the wet drywall. The Army then reassigned the Kiernans to Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

    Now, all of the Kiernan children are suffering from illnesses consistent with long-term exposure to mold, according to the lawsuit. The youngest has asthma and seizures. The other two sons — and Jason Kiernan, who has since left the Army — have various respiratory problems that did not exist prior to 2019 when they lived in the mold-infested house.

    Meanwhile, the Army is also looking to privatize its barracks, as the service has struggled to manage the buildings and keep up with basic infrastructure maintenance. Those junior enlisted quarters have their own history with mold, pests, and other poor conditions. But some momentum is building on Capitol Hill toward privatization.

    Army Secretary Christine Wormuth noted in an interview with Military.com in October that the service would be scrutinizing potential partners for contracts.

    "If we did pursue privatized barracks on a broader scale, I don't think we'd necessarily be working with bad partners," she said at the time.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • NASA says astronauts from Boeing’s Starliner could be in space for a couple more weeks even though their test flight was only supposed to last 8 days

    two astronauts in blue spacesuits inside a spaceship holding papers looking at a dashboard
    NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have been in space much longer than expected

    NASA/Robert Markowitz

    • Two astronauts went to the International Space Station on a new Boeing spacecraft on June 5.
    • They were supposed to return eight days later, but thruster issues and helium leaks caused delays.
    • NASA and Boeing say there's no cause for alarm, and say the astronauts are keeping busy.

    The good news for Boeing's Starliner capsule is that it finally brought humans to low-earth orbit. The issue is that it hasn't gotten them down yet — and it may be a while before it does.

    The issues that resulted in astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams extending their stay at the International Space Station were the culmination of years of shortcomings that have delayed the Starliner, NPR reported on July 3. The spacecraft is leaking some of the helium that is part of its propulsion system, the outlet reported, and a minority of its thrusters experienced issues.

    In a telephonic press conference late last month, NASA official Steve Sitch said a thruster is being put through rigorous tests on the ground to try to replicate the issues observed in space. He said the tests could start July 2 and run for "a couple weeks."

    "I want to make it very clear that Butch and Suni are not stranded in space," Sitch said. "They're safe on the space station, their spacecraft is working well, and they're enjoying their time on the space station."

    The delays underscore how Boeing has been getting lapped by SpaceX, which sent its eighth crewed NASA flight into orbit in March. The Elon Musk-led competitor has also gained ground in the national-security arena, the Wall Street Journal reported on July 1, ferrying more confidential cargoes like spy satellites to space than United Launch Alliance, Boeing's joint venture with Lockheed Martin.

    In addition to ground-based tests, NASA has been testing the Starliner's thrusters and systems while it remains docked at the ISS. Wilmore and Williams aren't alone; they joined Russian and American astronauts who were there on an existing mission, and space-agency officials said there is no shortage of supplies or anything that requires them to rush.

    Still, the delays underscore Boeing's business problems. The company's commercial airliner business has been under regulatory scrutiny since a door plug blew out on an Alaska Airlines flight in January, and Reuters and other outlets have reported that the US Justice Department is preparing criminal charges related to fatal crashes of its 737 MAX jets.

    Ron Epstein, a Bank of America analyst, told NPR the company has focused on making money for its investors at the expense of its "core engineering business."

    In May, Musk tweeted a similar critique.

    "Too many non-technical managers at Boeing," he wrote.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • Analysts say these ASX dividend stocks with ~7% yields are top buys

    Smiling woman with her head and arm on a desk holding $100 notes out, symbolising dividends.

    Are you on the lookout for some big dividend yields? If you are, then it could be worth checking out the three ASX dividend stocks in this article.

    That’s because they have been named as buys and tipped to offer yields of greater 7%+ in the near term. Here’s what analysts are forecasting from them:

    Accent Group Ltd (ASX: AX1)

    Accent Group could be a great ASX dividend stock to buy according to analysts at Bell Potter. It is a leading leisure footwear retailer with a large network of stores across multiple brands. This includes HypeDC, Platypus, and The Athlete’s Foot.

    Bell Potter likes the company. It notes that it remains “constructive on AX1 given the scale & exposure in terms of channels, brands & size as the overall industry navigates a challenging retail spend environment.”

    The broker expects this to allow the company to pay fully franked dividends per share of 13 cents in FY 2024 and then 14.6 cents in FY 2025. Based on the latest Accent share price of $1.88, this represents dividend yields of 6.9% and 7.8%, respectively.

    Bell Potter currently has a buy rating and $2.50 price target on its shares.

    APA Group (ASX: APA)

    Another high-yield ASX dividend stock for investors to consider buying is APA Group. It is an energy infrastructure company that owns, manages, and operates a portfolio of gas, electricity, solar and wind assets.

    Macquarie is positive on the company and expects its long run of dividend increases to continue. It is forecasting dividends per share of 56 cents in FY 2024 and then 57.5 cents in FY 2025. Based on the current APA Group share price of $7.88, this equates to 7.1% and 7.3% dividend yields, respectively.

    Its analysts currently have an outperform rating and $9.40 price target on its shares.

    Dexus Convenience Retail REIT (ASX: DXC)

    A third ASX dividend stock that could be a great option for income investors is Dexus Convenience Retail REIT. It owns a portfolio of service station and convenience retail assets across Australia.

    Morgans believes the company is positioned to reward shareholders with some big dividends in the near term. It is forecasting dividends per share of 21 cents in both FY 2024 and FY 2025. Based on its current share price of $2.62, this implies dividend yields of 8% for both years.

    The broker currently has an add rating and $3.23 price target on its shares.

    The post Analysts say these ASX dividend stocks with ~7% yields are top buys appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Apa 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 Apa 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 24 June 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 Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Accent Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 5 ASX All Ords shares that rose 250% to 700% in FY24

    Woman looks amazed and shocked as she looks at her laptop.

    When reviewing some of the best performers of the ASX All Ords in FY24, it can seem deceptively easy to make major money on the share market, can’t it?

    While past performance is never a guarantee of future performance, let’s take a look at some of the ASX All Ords shares that went gangbusters in FY24, delivering some mesmerising share price gains.

    5 ASX All Ords shares that skyrocketed in FY24

    Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CU6)

    ASX All Ords healthcare share Clarity Pharmaceuticals screamed 674.29% higher in FY24. Excitement is building around Clarity’s highly targeted radiopharmaceuticals that can be used for both the diagnosis and treatment of serious diseases, including cancer.

    The bulk of the stock’s meteoric price rise in FY24 began in April. The company announced that the first patient ever to be dosed with two cycles of 67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA at 8GBq achieved a complete response to treatment based on RECIST criteria. That meant the patient had maintained undetectable levels of prostate cancer for almost six months.

    Droneshield (ASX: DRO)

    The share price of ASX All Ords defence company Droneshield went skyward in FY24, rising 647.83%.

    The stock got a substantial lift in January after the company launched its Expeditionary Fixed-Site (EFS) Kit for the DroneSentry-X Mk2, which provides AI-driven detection, identification and defeat capabilities for mobile and expeditionary uses.

    Another game-changing announcement came in May when Droneshield revealed a repeat order of A$5.7 million from a US Government customer for several of its CUxS (Counter-UxS) systems.

    Spartan Resources Ltd (ASX: SPR)

    ASX All Ords gold miner Spartan Resources (formerly known as Gascoyne Resources) had a fantastic year in FY24, with the share price rising 482.35%. Spartan owns the Dalgaranga Gold Project, located 65km northwest of Mt Magnet in Western Australia’s Murchison Region.

    The stock moved up steadily all year but got a good bump in March when the company released assay results showing the Never Never Gold Deposit was 1km deep. In May, further drilling results also excited the market and put the stock on a steeper upward trajectory through to the end of FY24.

    Nuix Ltd (ASX: NXL)

    ASX All Ords technology stock Nuix edged higher all year, racking up a 262.35% share price gain for FY24.

    The analytics and intelligence software provider released a bullish FY24 earnings update in May. Nuix was forecasting that its FY24 statutory earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) would increase by more than 35% to be in the range of $47 million to $52 million. Just two weeks later, the company updated those forecasts again and is now expecting EBITDA of $55 million to $60 million.

    Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP)

    Shares in this ASX All Ords buy now, pay later (BNPL) company zipped 256.1% higher over the course of FY24.

    The stock began a gradual lift in value from October, brought about by strong first-quarter results. The Zip share price got another boost on the back of the half-year update released in January.

    But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. The BNPL stock gave back 10.5% of its gains on 16 April, the day it released its third-quarter results. The Zip share price then recovered to finish the year a few cents shy of its 52-week high.

    The post 5 ASX All Ords shares that rose 250% to 700% in FY24 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Clarity Pharmaceuticals right now?

    Before you buy Clarity Pharmaceuticals 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 Clarity Pharmaceuticals 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 24 June 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in Zip Co. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield and 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.